A disturbance that could strengthen into Tropical or Subtropical Storm Helene before moving inland later Monday has prompted tropical storm warnings along a stretch of coastal areas in the Carolinas.

Where the system stands now: Currently, a disturbance designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight is located 85 miles (136 kilometers) south of Cape Fear, North Carolina.

This is a procedure that allows the National Hurricane Center to issue advisories, watches, and warnings for a system that has not yet developed but that poses a threat of tropical storm force winds that could move over land areas within 48 hours.

In this case, a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued from Edisto Beach, South Carolina, northward to Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina. Tropical storm conditions (39+ mph winds) are expected in this area on Monday.

The low pressure area is already bringing rain and wind along the Carolina coastline, as the latest radar images below show.

The low pressure has been non-tropical in nature since the weekend. It would be called Helene if it can make a transition to a more subtropical or tropical low pressure. The impact of this system will be the same whether that happens or not.

Rainfall, gusts of wind and coastal flooding are the consequences of the beginning of this week. In some places, from northeastern South Carolina to North Carolina and Virginia, total rainfall could reach several inches.

Localized flooding is possible from eastern South Carolina and central and eastern North Carolina to southern Virginia through Monday night. Localized heavy rain and possible flooding will then spread to the mid-Atlantic on Tuesday.

There will be strong wind gusts in the eastern Carolinas and southern Mid-Atlantic. There is also a risk of coastal flooding at high tide.

Storm surge is expected to reach 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 centimeters) above ground level from northeastern South Carolina to southeastern North Carolina if the peak of the storm surge occurs during high tide.

An isolated tornado threat could also develop in eastern North Carolina.