Tropical Depression Three formed off the coast of the Southeast U.S. on Friday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Three was located at latitude 30.8°N and longitude 79.0°W which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.  The tropical depression was moving toward the north at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1012 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Edisto Beach to Little River Inlet, South Carolina.

A low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean off the Southeast U.S. coast strengthened on Friday afternoon.  Based on satellite images and data collected by a U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft, the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Three.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Depression Three.  Thunderstorms also developed in bands in the northern and eastern parts of the tropical depression.  Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Three will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Tropical Depression Three will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the southeastern U.S.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Depression Three is likely to intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough over the Southeastern U.S. will steer Tropical Depression Three toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Three will move toward the coast of South Carolina.  It could make landfall early on Sunday.

Tropical Depression Three is likely to strengthen to a tropical storm before it makes landfall.  It will bring winds and locally heavy rain.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.