CHARLESTON, South Carolina — All tropical storm warnings have been canceled as Tropical Depression Chantal continues to weaken while moving inland across North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center.
As of 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time today, Sunday, July 7, the center of Chantal was positioned near latitude 34.4° North and longitude 79.2° West, approximately 80 miles west of Wilmington, North Carolina. The system is advancing northward at around 9 mph, a movement pattern that is expected to persist through the afternoon, before curving toward the northeast this evening and continuing in that direction into Monday.
Weakened winds and diminishing structure
The maximum sustained winds have dropped to about 35 mph (56 km/h), with occasional stronger gusts still present. The tropical depression is gradually losing strength, and further weakening is forecast over the next 24 hours. By Monday, the system is projected to lose its tropical characteristics, evolving into a low-pressure trough over eastern North Carolina.
Pressure trends and current conditions
The minimum central pressure is estimated at 1007 mb (29.74 inches), based on nearby surface observations. While the risk of tropical storm-force winds has diminished, the lingering moisture and unstable air mass associated with Chantal could still contribute to patchy rainfall and occasional gusty conditions across parts of North Carolina through tonight.
