Issued at 500 AM EDT Sun Jul 06 2025
000 WTNT43 KNHC 060848 TCDAT3 Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Number 7 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL032025 500 AM EDT Sun Jul 06 2025 Before the Air Force Reconnaissance plane departed Chantal this morning, their final leg observed 700 mb flight level winds of 59 kt and a dropsonde estimated pressure down to 1002 mb. Near the same location as those peak flight-level winds, NWS Doppler Radar velocities from Wilmington showed persistent 65-70 kt inbound values at 3-5 thousand feet. These data points were the basis for increasing Chantal's winds to 50 kt at the 06 UTC intermediate advisory. Since that time, the structure of the tropical storm on radar has degraded and the exact center has been difficult to pin down, but appears to have made landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina at approximately 08 UTC. The initial intensity has been lowered to 45 kt for this advisory given the degradation in appearance now just after landfall and the decreasing Doppler radial velocities. Chantal is estimated to now be moving north-northwestward, at 345/7 kt. A turn northward and then northeastward is anticipated by the end of today as the cyclone rounds the westward side of a mid-level ridge located off the U.S. East Coast. The latest NHC track forecast is shifted just a bit eastward, mostly based on the initial position, but falls in line closely to the prior forecast track in 24-36 h. Weakening has already started as Chantal moves inland. Weakening should continue as the full circulation moves inland, with Chantal likely weakening back to a tropical depression later today. The majority of the global and hurricane-regional models then show the circulation opening up into a trough after 36 h, though its likely Chantal's remnant moisture will continue onward into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States after this time period. Chantal is expected to remain asymmetric with its strongest winds and rainfall to the right of the landfall location. Key Messages: 1. Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue in the warning area through this morning. 2. Heavy rainfall across portions of northeastern South Carolina will cause some flash flooding concerns from Tropical Storm Chantal today and across portions of North Carolina through Monday. Isolated to scattered flash flooding could occur within more urbanized areas. 3. Chantal is expected to bring life-threatening surf and rip currents along the coast from northeastern Florida to the Mid-Atlantic states during the next day or so. Beach goers should heed the advice of lifeguards and local officials. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 06/0900Z 33.6N 79.1W 45 KT 50 MPH 12H 06/1800Z 34.9N 79.3W 30 KT 35 MPH 24H 07/0600Z 36.3N 78.6W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/INLAND 36H 07/1800Z 37.7N 76.7W 20 KT 25 MPH...POST-TROP/INLAND 48H 08/0600Z...DISSIPATED $$ Forecaster Papin