Eye on the Tropics

Beefier Tropical Storm Chris remains offshore; high swells, waves expected

Satellite imagery, Chris 3pm Monday. 

Tropical Storm Chris continues to gain strength and could become a hurricane during the next 24 hours as it gains speed to the north-northeast.

Drier air filtered in the mid-levels of the storm which prevented it from intensifying to hurricane on Monday. Chris is located about 215 miles south-southeast of the North Carolina outer banks.

The storm is stationary becoming and better organized. Tropical storm force winds extend 70 miles from its center. It currently has 60 mph sustain winds, and it is forecast to reach hurricane (category 1) status by Tuesday.

The storm was investigated by Hurricane Hunters which did not find winds reaching hurricane status, maximum sustained winds found was of 49 mph and gust of 59 mph.This afternoon the system seem to be acquiring more definition and strength.

Watch live: Doppler 9 HD

Visit the Eye on the Tropics section to read about hurricane preparedness.

The storm is forecast to remain over water throughout much of its trajectory, until mid-next week, when it could hit Newfoundland if it's still alive as a tropical (or extra-tropical) system.

U.S. THREATS:
Large waves, swells and high risk for rip current will be the main impact to much of the North Carolina and Mid-Atlantic coast this week, with the storm remaining well offshore.

Check out chance of Tropical Storm Force winds for the East Coast

See the 2018 Atlantic Season Names 

Another Storm:  Beryl degenerates into a tropical wave as it races to the west over the Caribbean

Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for an updated forecast.

Stay with the team of six meteorologists from Severe Weather Center 9 as we track this system and throughout hurricane season.

Download the free WFTV Weather app

More Coverage You Can Count On:

The "Hurricane Hunters" from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron depart today for a weather data gathering mission through Tropical Storm Chris.

Posted by AF Reserve Hurricane Hunters on Sunday, July 8, 2018