Tropical Depression 8 to batter Carolinas with rough surf, downpours

AccuWeather reports  Tropical Depression 8 could become a tropical storm while brushing the North Carolina coast with rough surf, downpours and locally gusty thunderstorms early this week.

Part of the old circulation from Fiona and an old non-tropical storm system helped to spawn Tropical Depression Eight southwest of Bermuda this past weekend.

Further strengthening is likely as the depression tracks toward North Carolina early this week.

The next tropical storm names in the Atlantic are Hermine and Ian. A system in the Gulf of Mexico, currently called Tropical Depression Nine, is in competition with Tropical Depression Eight to become the next tropical storm.

Disruptive winds will close the window for additional strengthening as the depression makes its closest approach to the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Tuesday and Tuesday night.

“We believe Tropical Depression Eight will pass close enough to the Outer Banks to cause strong winds and periods of windswept rain on the North Carolina barrier islands,” according to AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski.

Showers, thunderstorms and surf will increase across coastal North Carolina and southeastern Virginia through Tuesday. Downpours along the South Carolina coast will not be directly associated with the tropical system.

The greatest threat to people on vacation in the area will be for rough surf and strong rip currents.

The combination of swells produced by Tropical Depression Eight and the much more distant Hurricane Gaston and later Tropical Depression Nine will create rough surf conditions along much of the East coast of the United States.

The heaviest showers and thunderstorms could trigger flash flooding.

There can also be wind gusts to 45 mph in eastern North Carolina from late Monday night toTuesday night. Such winds could easily toss around beach umbrellas, canopies and chairs. Sporadic power outages are possible in the strongest squalls.

Minor beach erosion could occur from the Outer Banks to the southeastern Virginia beaches.