By admin 
A tropical depression has formed in the gulf, crawling toward the coast from Florida’s panhandle to Texas.
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The system, with sustained winds of 35 mph and moving northwestward at 3 mph, had a small chance of reaching the southeast coast but is going to miss the Carolinas entirely.
Instead, the Myrtle Beach area is getting rocked with more heat.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Horry County on Monday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with dangerous heat persisting through Wednesday.
The Carolinas have been swept into a cycle of extreme heat, drying out conditions and sustaining a drought. Horry County is experiencing severe drought conditions, largely caused by a lack of rainfall. The county has seen 11.5 inches less rainfall than normal from January to June, the second-driest period in 132 years.
Chances of rain sit at 30% on Tuesday and 20% Wednesday during the day.
“The rain chances ramp up Wednesday night, Thursday, and Friday, and that’ll keep the heat at bay,” said Meteorologist Mark Bacon with the NWS in Wilmington. “We might struggle to hit 90 Thursday and Friday with pretty widespread showers and thunderstorms, and that’s because a front will be dropping down and probably stalling.”
Atlantic hurricane season off to a quiet start
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season to see eight to 14 named storms, three to six hurricanes, with one to three developing into major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher).
Tropical Storm Arthur developed in the gulf on June 17, dumping heavy rain in portions of Texas before dissipating near Louisiana, still producing strong storms and heavy rain across the southeast.
Tropical Storm Arthur is the only named storm so far during the Atlantic season, but it’s still early. Hurricane season started June 1. The next tropical storm will be named Bertha, and it is expected to form out of the tropical depression swirling in the gulf.
Lead Meteorologist Courtney Maskell for the NWS in Charleston previously told The Sun News in a typical Atlantic hurricane season, the first named storm forms by June 20, the first hurricane by Aug. 11 and the first major hurricane by Sept. 1.
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A strengthening El Niño has major impacts as the climate event typically produces strong vertical wind shear, which is unfavorable for Atlantic hurricane formation.
El Niño, and its counterpart La Niña, is the warm and cool phases of the earth’s climate patterns. An El Niño has already formed, with chances of it becoming one of the strongest El Niños on record. The strength of an El Niño does not guarantee stronger weather impacts, but may increase the likelihood of them occurring.
El Niño is more likely to bring a wetter season in the southeast with increased flooding.
How to prep for a tropical storm or hurricane
Horry County’s lists important information to know during an emergency, including essential items, evacuation zones and traffic routes.
Before a storm hits, emergency managers urge residents to create an emergency kit, including items such as water, non-perishable food, batteries, electronic chargers, a radio, a first aid kit, flashlights, identification, importation documents, cash, medications, pet items, toiletries, blankets and extra clothes.
Hurricane evacuations are issued by the governor when deemed necessary and are considered mandatory. Evacuation zones (A, B and C) are determined by potential storm surge and not by category of storm. Residents outside an evacuation zone can still evacuate, and those leaving do not have to wait until the designated time begins.
Public shelters are available, and Coast RTA provides free transportation to shelters when evacuations are ordered. Residents should look for temporary blue and white hurricane evacuation bus stop signs to find pickup locations. All rides end at officially designated emergency shelters, and return trips only stop at the designated pickup points.
Officials say residents should be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours after a storm as it can be difficult for emergency assistance to reach certain areas of the county depending on flooding or other hazards blocking a route.
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