The system sitting off the Carolina coast has now strengthened into Tropical Storm Chris with 40 mph winds. It is currently sitting over warm water and in an area of moderate shear. It will likely become a hurricane midweek.

Chris will remain stationary over the next few days and finally accelerate to the northeast on Tuesday. Tropical Storm force winds extend out 60 mph, and gale force winds will impact parts of the North Carolina coast. They will also see dangerous surf and rip currents.

Models are in good agreement keeping Chris out over the Atlantic.

Dry air and increased wind shear continue to impact Tropical Storm Beryl, winds are now at 45 mph A reconnaissance aircraft this morning has found Beryl very disorganized, it will gradually weaken over the next 48 hours.

Wind shear increases as Beryl moves WNW into the Lesser Antilles today, lessening the storm’s impact on the area. Beryl will head south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto next week, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds.

Beryl has now been downgraded to a Tropical Storm with 65 mph winds. Beryl’s tiny size has made it vulnerable to extreme fluctuations in intensity. An increase in low level shear and dry air have likely caused the sudden weakening.

Beryl will continue heading northwest into an area of increased wind shear, lessening its chance of reorganization before moving into the Lesser Antilles Sunday night. The small cyclone will still bring heavy rain and gusty winds as it tracks over the islands. Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings are in effect for the area. After crossing the Lesser Antilles it will pass south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Monday into Monday night.

The system off the Carolina coastline remains a Tropical Depression but will likely strengthen into a Tropical storm late tonight into Sunday. Convection is a little better organized with winds still at 30 mph. It is sitting in area of low wind shear and warm waters. A reconnaissance aircraft will check the depression this morning for more information on its intensity.

After meandering off the East coast for the next 2 to 3 days, it will finally head northeast beginning Tuesday. Southwesterly flow ahead of a trough moving off the coast will accelerate its movement next week, and keep it in the Atlantic. Increased swells generating dangerous surf and rip currents can be expected along the coast. Any Tropical Storm force winds will remain over the Atlantic, so no watches or warnings have been issued.