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Tropical Disturbance Off Georgia Coast Getting Better Organized

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A tropical disturbance off the coast of George could become a tropical cyclone later today.

At 11 a.m., the center of the system was about 110 miles south-southwest of Charleston, South Carolina.

The system was moving to the north-northeast at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph with higher gusts.

A gradual increase in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days. On the forecast track the system will move over or near the coast of South Carolina today and move along the North Carolina Outer Banks on Tuesday.

Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and the disturbance will likely become a tropical depression or a tropical storm later today or Tuesday. If it does strengthen into a tropical storm it will be named Irma.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from north of Surf City, North Carolina to Duck, North Carolina including Albemarle Sound and Pamlico Sound.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from south of Surf City to South Santee River, South Carolina.

The low is expected to produce up to 6 inches of rain along the upper South Carolina, North Carolina, and southeast Virginia coasts, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 9 inches. The heavier rains may result in some flooding concerns along coastal areas.

Swells generated by this disturbance will affect portions of the Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina coasts during the next day or two, creating dangerous surf and rip current conditions.

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