Tropical Storm 'Bonnie' Weakens As It Heads North To Georgia And Carolina Coasts

Update as of May 29, 8: 28 A.M. regarding tropical storm Bonnie states that it has weakened into a tropical depression as it makes its way to Georgia and Carolina coast lines.

The article from The Washington Post which was originally published midday Saturday, was updated on Sunday morning's situation. Coastal warnings were raised in the South Carolina coastline ahead of heavy rain, strong winds, and a possible storm surge of 1- to 2- feet.

Before weathering down, Bonnie, the second storm of the season, reached the tropical storm status late Saturday afternoon. It was centered in the Atlantic Ocean about 135 miles south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour which have increased since the day before. Even though the storm was packing a 35 mile per hour winds accompanied by heavy rains, no coastal watches or warnings remain in effect, as reported by CNN meteorologist Jennifer Gray.

The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for the state's coastline with maximum sustained winds that decreased from 45 mph to 40 mph Sunday morning. The tropical storm is close to Charleston and is expected to keep going up north.

The system comes as tourists hit the beaches for Memorial Day weekend. It's still exactly unclear when Bonnie would make landfall, but Sunday morning or afternoon is a possibility, said CNN meteorologist Jennifer Varian.

Since Bonnie is a relatively weak tropical storm, rain instead of wind or storm surge is considered the greatest hazard. Having said that, sustained winds of over 30 mph are likely going to be felt along the South Carolina coast tonight, with the National Hurricane Center showing a 40 to 50 percent chance of a tropical storm force winds sustained at 39pmh or higher.

The rain is expected to be heaviest in South Carolina overnight, before spreading to the north into North Carolina and Virginia on Sunday. Occasional showers and thunderstorms may continue for several days along the South Carolina-North Carolina coast, and then will gradually weaken though midweek.

Generally the storm is forecast to produce 1 to 3 inches of rain near its core, with locally up to 5 inches.