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NHC: Low Chance of Tropical Development in Atlantic This Weekend

Hurricane season is still a month away, but we're already watching a disturbance in the Atlantic.

In a special preseason tropical weather outlook from the National Hurricane Center issued Wednesday, forecasters said a cluster of thunderstorms near The Bahamas had a “low chance” of developing into a tropical depression or storm this weekend. The system is likely to stay offshore of the Mid-Atlantic coast, but the nearby tropical moisture could enhance the rainfall already in the forecast from an approaching front.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely to become more numerous across South Carolina on Friday, with locally heavy rain possible in some areas. Severe weather and flooding are not expected to be widespread, but an isolated strong thunderstorm capable of producing gusty winds and localized flooding is possible. The disturbance in the Atlantic is expected to pull away from the coast over the weekend, but rain chances will stay elevated across the Palmetto State Saturday and Sunday thanks to an approaching front.

The arrival of this system is a gentle reminder that the Atlantic Hurricane Season is fast approaching. The National Weather Service will hold their annual “Hurricane Preparedness Week” during the week of May 5th, and although the season doesn't officially begin until June 1, tropical storms can occur well before that date