Arthur approaches
It looks like coastal Georgia will receive minimal impact from Tropical Storm Arthur. Our forecast calls for light, sporadic rain (from outer rain bands), 18 MPH winds with gusts to 28, and heavy surf. The NWS has issued a rip tide warning until tomorrow.
As of the 5 AM advisory, Arthur’s closest approach will occur some time after 2 AM Thursday morning. It might gain enough strength to be a hurricane by that time. I’ll keep an eye on the pressure reading to see when that moment occurs. According to the 8 AM advisory, Arthur had winds of 60 MPH and a central pressure of 998 MB. The tropical storm wind field extends only 80 miles from the center, so Saint Simons is well out of the way.
Other communities are less lucky. The storm is expected to brush the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Friday with hurricane force winds. Nature will supply the fireworks for their Fourth Of July, if anyone is left on the Outer Banks after evacuations.