Issued at 500 PM EDT Sat Jul 05 2025
398 WTNT43 KNHC 052033 TCDAT3 Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Number 5 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL032025 500 PM EDT Sat Jul 05 2025 The satellite presentation of Chantal has not changed much throughout the day with convective banding and a concentrated area of deep convection located over the eastern semicircle of the storm. The Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft that investigated Chantal through midday found a peak 850-mb flight-level wind of 51 kt which supported the increase in winds to 40 kt on the 1800 UTC intermediate advisory. With no significant change in structure since that time, the intensity remains 40 kt for this advisory. Another Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system this evening. The moderate shear that has been affecting Chantal is forecast to decrease some this evening, however drier mid-level air appears to be being entrained into the western part of the circulation. Therefore only slight strengthening is predicted before Chantal reaches the coast of South Carolina overnight or early Sunday. After landfall, steady weakening should occur and the system is expected to open up into a trough by Monday. Recent fixes show that Chantal has begun moving a little faster toward the north with an initial motion estimate of 360/6. The track guidance suggests that the storm will turn north- northwestward between a mid- to upper-level low over the Gulf and a narrow mid-level ridge over the western Atlantic. A turn to the northeast is expected after landfall as Chantal becomes more embedded within the low- to mid-level flow around the west side of the ridge. The NHC track forecast lies close to the TVCA multi-model consensus, which is close to the previous NHC forecast. Chantal is expected to remain asymmetric with its strongest winds and rainfall to the right of the landfall location. Key Messages: 1. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area beginning this evening and continuing through Sunday morning. 2. Heavy rainfall across portions of the Carolinas will cause flash flooding concerns through Monday, especially in urban areas. 3. Chantal is expected to bring life-threatening surf and rip currents along the coast from northeastern Florida to the Mid-Atlantic states during the next day or so. Beach goers should heed the advice of lifeguards and local officials. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 05/2100Z 31.9N 78.7W 40 KT 45 MPH 12H 06/0600Z 33.0N 79.3W 45 KT 50 MPH 24H 06/1800Z 34.1N 79.6W 30 KT 35 MPH...INLAND 36H 07/0600Z 35.3N 79.0W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROPICAL 48H 07/1800Z...DISSIPATED $$ Forecaster Brown