Tropical Storm Gordon Forms in the Central Atlantic Ocean

Experts at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) have turned their sights to the waters off of the Carolina coast as a tropical weather maker is showing signs of organization. Here is a look at what is happening in the tropics as the former Hurricane Francine winds down.

Homegrown System Could Send in Heavy Rain to Parts of Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Beyond

Conditions are ripe for a tropical development to take root near the coastline of the U.S., potentially creating coastal flooding and beach erosion concerns along with periods of heavy rain. Forecasters are warning that this developing storm system could push onshore early in the week, possibly stalling over land for a few days and unleashing significant amounts of rain.

An area of low pressure is forecast to intensify this weekend off of the Carolinas, feeding on the warm ocean waters circulating in this part of the Atlantic. The result could be a tropical depression or tropical storm headed for landfall in the U.S.

A zone of rain showers and thunderstorms came together in this part of the basin on Thursday, raising concern at the NHC. The stubborn area of high pressure anchored over the Northeast will pair with the intensifying low pressure zone off the Carolina coast to create stiff winds. These winds will create rough seas and dangerous surf conditions for the Atlantic coastline stretching from the Delmarva Peninsula and well into northeastern Florida into next week.

The powerful surf conditions will trigger the threat of beach erosion. The coastal erosion will be the worst during times of high tide. Swimmers will also want to be aware of the possibility of dangerous rip currents. Lastly, local officials are cautioning that access to some of the region's barrier islands may be limited as a result of high water.

The storm will need to produce a defined center of circulation in order to be designated as a tropical depression. Sustained wind speeds that exceed 39 mph will send the storm into the category of a tropical storm. It is unlikely that this system will evolve into a hurricane, defined as sustained winds of at least 73 mph or greater.

The moisture coming in from the Atlantic will combine with a different stream of precipitation from the Gulf of Mexico to set the stage for times of heavy rain and the threat of flooding throughout the Southeast over the weekend and into the early part of next week.