Weather

Fishel: Track of tropical depression 'complex'

Forecast models disagree whether a tropical depression will make landfall or linger off the coast of the southeast United States.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — The National Weather Service on Friday afternoon designated the low pressure system swirling in the Atlantic Ocean tropical depression No. 2, a notch below tropical storm status, and posted tropical storm warnings for parts of the South Carolina coast.
"The system is not terribly well organized, but there is more thunderstorm activity and more cold cloud tops than 24 hours ago," said WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel.
The system was moving west/northwest at 13 mph, with maximum wind gusts of up to 50 mph.
"The projected track of this storm is rather complex," Fishel said, noting that forecast models disagree whether it will make landfall or linger off the coast of the southeast United States.
"Once it gets close to the coast, it may meander for days," Fishel said. "Another possible scenario would be it coming inland between Myrtle Beach and Charleston and then continuing to head up across the western Piedmont of North Carolina."

No matter the track, the Triangle is unlikely to see any effects from tropical depression No. 2 until Sunday, and there is little threat of any serious storms for the Triangle.

Weekend starts out sunny

"Saturday we'll wake up to lots and lots of sunshine," Fishel said.

Winds will be light in the early morning hours, ideal for the scheduled competitions at the WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest.

The forecast high stays in the mid-80s Saturday, and skies become progressively cloudy as the day goes on. As the high pressure system that has been shielding the Triangle from rain begins to break down, it opens the door for more adverse weather.

Sunday brings the greatest chance for steady and at times heavy rain, with the likelihood between 80 and 90 percent through much of the day. Clouds will keep temperatures in the mid-70s.

"This is not going to be a situation where we're talking about a lot of strong winds," said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner. "The only thing this tropical system is going to do for us is maybe make that rain a little bit heavier."

On Monday, the rain chances come down a little bit, but much will depend on the track of the tropical system. The high temperature will reach about 80 degrees.

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