Hi there – StormTeam 3 Meteorologist Alysa Carsley here – let’s have a fabulous Wednesday!

More summer heat and humidity today. A heat advisory has been issued for our coastal counties and includes Effingham, Long, & Wayne counties as well. Heat index values are expected to reach up to 111°. Limit time outside and drink a lot of water. Isolated showers and storms will be possible this afternoon. Some storms could pack a punch with strong gusty wind. 

This pattern is on repeat through the rest of the work week with high pressure to our south. By Friday, a weak cold front will try to push through with a few storms. The front should remain to our north so we are not expecting a temperature change through next week. High temperatures remain in the low to mid 90s.

Tropical Storm Erin – the case of the STILLS

STILL no major changes for Tropical Storm Erin and its forecast. Erin is STILL interacting with dry air and wind shear. This is why there hasn’t been much of a change in strength since it formed on Monday. As of 5 am, Erin has max sustained winds of 45 mph and gusts up to 60. By the end of the week, Erin will move into favorable conditions for strengthening. It is STILL expected to become our first 2025 hurricane and a major category 3 hurricane by Sunday / into early next week.

STILL no need for local concern at this point! STILL plenty of time to keep an eye on it. Though models continue to favor the recurve around the steering high-pressure ridge by early next week. This keeps a major hurricane off our coast. We will closely watch where and when it begins to turn. At this point with the possible recurve, we could see elevated rip currents and rough surf through next week. This isn’t anything new, as it happens a couple of times a season with storms well off our coast.