Tropical storm winds could shake the coast north
of the Santee River starting today, as Hurricane Ophelia finally begins to
close in. Winds could gust almost as strong nearer to Charleston.
National Hurricane Center forecasts Sunday still called for the storm
to make landfall late Wednesday afternoon or evening near Morehead City,
N.C., if it made landfall at all. But the Lowcountry remained under
hurricane watch and on edge as Ophelia churned in place offshore about 240
miles east-southeast of Charleston.
"It's been pretty much parked off your backyard for a few days. There's
so much uncertainty because it's not moving at all. Systems like that are
scary. This track (forecast) has been hair-pulling," said center
meteorologist Dave Roberts.
Ophelia was predicted to get as close as 150 miles to Charleston before
turning to the north. That turn is expected tonight or Tuesday morning.
"When that turn actually happens is still uncertain," said
meteorologist Steven Taylor. "That's why the hurricane watch remains in
place."
A tropical storm warning was issued Sunday for the coast north of the
Santee River, the northern edge of Charleston County.
Taylor said he expects the Lowcountry could experience minimal tropical
storm conditions.
AccuWeather, a private forecasting company, called for the storm to
make landfall just north of the North Carolina line, above Wilmington. But
a forecaster cautioned the storm could bring tropical storm conditions as
far south as Charleston. Tropical storm winds are 39 mph or stronger.
"You folks hopefully are out of the woods, although I wouldn't sound
the 'all clear' just yet," Frank Strait, AccuWeather meteorologist, said.
On Sunday, Ophelia had 75 mph winds with 90 mph gusts. Winds were 50
mph as far out from its eye as 50 miles. A weather buoy 41 miles southeast
of Charleston reported 40 mph gusts and 13 foot waves Sunday evening.
Gusts at about 25 mph were reported at Charleston International Airport.
Ophelia was nearly in the same spot Sunday as Saturday and hadn't moved
far since Thursday, becalmed, incongruously, in weak steering winds.
BRIDGE COMMUTES:
- Monday morning: 30 mph gusts, sprinkles
- Monday evening: 35 mph gusts
- Tuesday morning: 30-35 mph gusts
Source: National Weather Service, Charleston