TROPICAL STORM ELSA – WEDNESDAY, JULY 7 MORNING UPDATE
What has changed: Elsa has weakened to a Tropical Storm again. Its track is slightly west of the previous forecast. This may require future watches or warnings away from the coast for low-end Tropical Storm conditions.
Tropical Storm Elsa, located just SSW of Cedar Key, Florida, has winds of 65 mph. The storm should weaken further by the time it affects northeast South Carolina (North Myrtle Beach) and southeast North Carolina.
Heavy rain across the coastal Carolinas may produce isolated flash and urban flooding tonight through Thursday evening.
Isolated tornadoes are possible tonight into Thursday.
A few wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph are possible late tonight through Thursday afternoon, mainly along the beaches/offshore, near the center, and/or within any heavier bands of showers/thunderstorms.
Dangerous swells will result in a high rip current risk.
Conditions should improve by Thursday evening as the system moves to the northeast and away from our area. However, the rip current risk will likely remain elevated into Friday.