According to the NHC, some slight strengthening is expected before Chantal reaches the coast and rapid weakening after landfall. Chantal has picked up speed and is moving north at 7 mph. A motion north-northwest is expected to begin this evening and forecasters expect the center of Chantal to move across the coast of South Carolina overnight or early Sunday.

MAY BECOME TROPICAL STORM CHANTAL LATER ON TODAY. THAT’S WHAT THE HURRICANE CENTER EXPECTS. AS YOU PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW, THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A WEATHER MAKER FOR US. IT WILL BE A RAINMAKER MAKING ITS WAY TO THE NORTH OVER THE NEXT 24 TO 48 HOURS.