Chris strengthens into hurricane, stirs rough seas along US East Coast
Even as Chris remains offshore, dangerous seas will still be stirred along the East Coast of the United States this week.
Chris strengthened into Tropical Storm Chris early Sunday morning. The tropical storm turned into a hurricane Tuesday evening, reaching Category 2 strength later Tuesday night.
Chris, which had been nearly stationary since this past weekend, is forecast to pick up forward speed to the northeast this week.
At midweek, the next press of slightly cooler air preventing the heat set to surge back into the Northeast should finally kick Chris away from the coast.
The hurricane will continue to stir rough seas and rip currents along the coast of the Carolinas and at the mid-Atlantic beaches through the middle of the week.
Beachgoers from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, may find swimming plans disrupted. Only enter the water in the presence of lifeguards and heed all swimming restrictions that are issued.
On Saturday, one man died in the rough surf off Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, after reportedly ignoring the “No Swimming” flags posted by lifeguards.
Seas are expected to remain dangerous for operators of small craft outside of the protection of the Intercoastal Waterway. Cruise ships may have to alter their courses around the storm.
This image shows Chris off the Carolina coast on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. Chris has had a visible, well-developed eye much of the day. (GOES16 / NOAA)
As the high waves persistently pound the coastline, there can be minor incidents of overwash and beach erosion. That is especially true in southeastern Virginia.
Showers and thunderstorms associated with Chris are projected to remain offshore of the U.S. for the duration of the storm.
The storm is forecast to hit Newfoundland, Canada, with heavy rain and strong winds later this week.
Remember to seek shelter as soon as thunder is heard to avoid being struck by lightning. The 11th lightning death of the year in the United States occurred on Friday.
Beachgoers in New England may also notice an uptick in surf activity as the storm passes by.
AccuWeather meteorologists are also keeping a close eye on Beryl, which is currently a tropical rainstorm.
It is not out of the question that Beryl attempts to regain strength over the Bahamas and offshore of the Southeast around midweek. Should this solution pan out, rough seas can continue to plague swimmers and boaters along the Southeast coast.
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