Tropical storm watch issued for NC coast

A tropical storm watch was issued Sunday evening for the North Carolina as a storm is expected to move through the area over the coming days.

According to the National Weather Service, a system developing off the coast of Georgia is expected to move along the North Carolina coast Monday and Tuesday.

The system could bring wind gusts up to 50 mph and dump 2 to 4 inches of rain over the region.

"The strength of this system is still unknown at this point, but it does look like it could bring some heavy rain over eastern North Carolina," said WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth. "It's not going to be a big impact storm in North Carolina, but it's certainly going to be something we're watching."

On Sunday evening, the system was stationary and had winds of 35 mph. Once winds reach 39 mph, the system will become Tropical Storm Irma.

The effects of the system will be felt in the Triangle beginning Monday afternoon, when hit or miss storms begin popping up. Wilmoth said the bulk of the rain will stay south of Raleigh on Monday, but by Tuesday the rain will become more consistent as the tropical system moves in along the North Carolina coast.

Wilmoth said current forecast models show a 40 percent chance of tropical storm force winds along the coast and a 10 percent chance of tropical storm force winds in the Triangle.

"Our winds aer going to be breezy over the next couple of days with this system approaching, but the strongest winds are going to be along the coast," she said.

Wilmoth said it is unclear if the system will be a tropical storm or tropical depression when it arrives at the coast, but it should move through the area quickly.

"The good news is, with this system, is that it quickly moves along the coast and is hopefully out of here by Wednesday, so it should be a quick moving storm," she said.

The tropical storm watch includes Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties until further notice.