Tropical depression forms off S.C. coast; impacts to the Outer Banks minimal

Tropical Depression 4 forms off the coast of South Carolina. [National Hurricane Center graphic]

A tropical storm warning has been issued for a portion of the coast of South Carolina as a tropical depression formed off the coast this morning.

Impacts to the Outer Banks are expected to be minimal, but strong swells from the storm, which was centered about 145 miles southeast of Charleston this morning, have increased the risk of deadly rip currents here.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the South Carolina coast by late this afternoon, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous, the National Hurricane Center said.

Maximum sustained winds were near 35 mph as of 11 a.m., with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is expected today, and the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm before it makes landfall. If that occurs, it will be named “Danny.”

Rapid weakening is forecast after landfall occurs.

The National Weather Service says no significant wind or rainfall impacts are expected across the Outer Banks from the tropical depression.