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Signifying what meteorologists expect will be an above average 2020 hurricane season, the first tropical storm of the year, named Arthur, has developed in the Atlantic Ocean and is projected to affect parts of North Carolina, namely Surf City to Duck and Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds on Monday. The system previously threatened The Bahamas Islands, but it has since moved away and could bring rain and wind to NC, according to the National Hurricane Center's 5:00 a.m. advisory.
The center of Tropical Storm Arthur was located near latitude 30.0 North, longitude 77.6 West at 5:00 a.m. Sunday. Arthur is moving toward the north-northeast near 9 mph (15 km/h). A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next 24 to 48 hours. On the forecast track, Arthur will remain well offshore the east coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina today, and then move near or just east of the coast of North Carolina on Monday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Arthur is likely to lose its tropical characteristics on Tuesday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km) from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb (29.71 inches).
