Tropical Storm Chantal on Track to Hit South Carolina Coast on Sunday

Chantal threatens flash flooding along the Carolina coast and dangerous surf from Florida to the Mid-Atlantic, forecasters warn.

A satellite image shows Tropical Storm Chantal at 12:30 p.m. ET on July 5, 2025. CIRA/NOAA

Tropical Storm Chantal has formed off the southeastern coast of the United States and is expected to make landfall along the South Carolina coast on Sunday morning, according to a series of July 5 advisories from the National Hurricane Center.

As of 11 a.m. ET on July 5, the storm’s center was located about 135 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and roughly 220 miles south-southwest of Wilmington, North Carolina, according to a bulletin from the hurricane center. The agency has issued tropical storm warnings for portions of the Carolinas as the system steadily approaches the shoreline.

After remaining nearly stationary overnight, Chantal began drifting northward at about one mile per hour. Forecasters expect the storm to gradually pick up speed and move north-northwest, with landfall likely along the South Carolina coast on Sunday morning.

The hurricane center has extended tropical storm warnings northward to Surf City, North Carolina, as Chantal edges closer to shore. A tropical storm warning is now in effect from South Santee River, South Carolina, to Surf City, North Carolina, indicating that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within that area within the next 12 to 24 hours.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect from Edisto Beach to South Santee River, South Carolina, where tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 12 hours.

“Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area beginning this evening and continuing through Sunday morning,” the hurricane center said in its 11 a.m. forecast discussion. The agency warned that widespread heavy rain along the Carolina coast could trigger flash flooding through Monday, with localized flooding particularly possible in urban areas across the coastal plain.

“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 couple of days,” NHC forecasters said. “Beach-goers should heed the advice of lifeguards and local officials.”

Chantal is the third named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, coming after Andrea and Barry, which both formed in June.

“This was a classic example of homegrown development, by which a tropical storm formed close to the southeast Atlantic coast and in an area where it is typical for July,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said in a report.