Gabrielle Moves Toward the Carolinas

MIAMI – Subtropical Storm Gabrielle moved toward the East Coast early Saturday, and a tropical storm watch remained in place for portions of South Carolina and North Carolina.

At 8 a.m., Gabrielle had top sustained winds near 45 mph and was centered about 280 miles south-southeast of Cape Lookout, N.C., the National Hurricane Center said. It was moving west-northwest near 12 mph and was expected to continue along the same path during the next 24 hours.

A tropical storm watch was issued late Friday for Edisto Beach, S.C., northward to Oregon Inlet, N.C., including Pamlico Sound. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area within the next 36 hours.

The National Weather Service said that tropical storm force winds of 40 mph, with gusts to 50 mph, could affect the southeast coast of North Carolina by Sunday morning. Gabrielle is expected to bring 2 inches to 4 inches of rain across the state’s coastal section with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches.

Forecasters issued small craft advisories for much of the North Carolina coast throughout the weekend.

Subtropical systems are hybrid weather formations that are typically weaker than hurricanes. They share characteristics of tropical storms, which get their power from warm ocean waters, and more normal storms that form when warm and cold fronts collide.

Gabrielle is the second subtropical storm to form this year. Subtropical Storm Andrea formed in May about 150 miles northeast of Daytona Beach, before the June 1 official start to hurricane season. Andrea skirted the southern Atlantic coast but caused minimal damage.