Southeast Low-Pressure Storm Could Bring Rain, Wind And Flooding

SAVANNAH, GA — The southeast region could battle rain and wind this week as a low-pressure storm system could form anywhere from eastern Florida to Georgia and the Carolinas, weather officials predicted Wednesday.

As of early Wednesday, the weak storm was far off shore into the Atlantic, and could have little impact to Savannah, said Michael Stroz, meteorologist with the National Weather Service's office in Charleston, South Carolina.

The storm system is normal, as opposed to tropical, Stroz told Patch. While portions of the Georgia and South Carolina coasts could be impacted by the system, North Carolina significantly remained an area of worry, he said.

Areas near the coastline are at the highest risk of impact, rather than inland counties.

"It’s possible Savannah may not get any rainfall at all," he said. " ... The concern still seems to be more for North Carolina."

Rain could enter Charleston, as well, though the chance is not high.

Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the Savannah area Wednesday night through Saturday night, however, Stroz these rains are due to a sitting trough and are unrelated to the low storm system.

If any portion of the South Carolina or Georgia coasts are affected by the system, Stroz said winds should arrive along beaches late Thursday and usher in rainfall Friday into Friday night before lingering winds sit Saturday.

Beaches could see larger waves and rip currents, and coastal flooding could be problematic. If there is flooding in the roadway, Stroz said to "turn around, don't drown." He urged residents to listen to their local officials.

The National Weather Channel reported Wednesday that the western north-Atlantic's Gulf Stream could cause the low-pressure system to conjure additional storms.

"If this low can remain over the warm Gulf Stream long enough, it could sprout enough thunderstorms to warm it sufficiently to be considered a subtropical depression or storm," the weather channel said.

"These are a mix of lows associated with fronts, but also have some qualities of tropical storms. The National Hurricane Center issues advisories for these subtropical systems as they do for tropical depressions and storms."

Like the weather service, the Weather Channel predicted the storm could move north toward the Carolinas.

"The difference between the low and higher pressure near New England will lead to gusty winds, particularly at the beaches, from northeast Florida to at least the mid-Atlantic states from Friday into the weekend. These winds could also whip up some high surf and rip currents. Keep this in mind if you have beach plans," the Weather Channel said.

The Weather Channel said "the next named storms in the Atlantic hurricane season will be named 'Ophelia,' then 'Philippe.'"

Any local weather warnings or alerts are published on the weather service's website and social media pages.