HOLT, Fla., July 8, 2018–Tropical Depression Two gained strength to become Tropical Storm Chirs overnight.
The National Hurricane Center says further strengthening is likely as it meanders off the Carolina coast for the next couple of days.
An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft mission this morning determined the storm’s maximum sustained winds had increased to near 40 mph.
Further strengthening is forecast with Chris becoming a hurricane by midweek, according to the NHC.
Chris is expected to remain offshore; however, gale-force winds and high surf will impact North Carolina and the mid-Atlantic states into early next week.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Beryl made a brief appearance as the season’s first hurricane before being downgraded yesterday morning.
Beryl will approach the Lesser Antilles today, cross the island chain tonight and move near or south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Monday.
Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Beryl is expected to degenerate into a low-pressure system as it moves across the eastern Caribbean Sea Monday.
National Hurricane Center forecasts
