Hurricane Chris expected to form by Tuesday; no direct threat to U.S.

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Tropical Storm Chris has been churning in the Atlantic Ocean for a few days, and although it is expected to gain hurricane strength, it is not expected to make landfall in the U.S.

As of Monday morning, Chris was still meandering in one spot, about 200 miles off the coast of the Carolinas. It is expected to become a hurricane within the next 24 hours, says FOX 13’s meteorologist Dave Osterberg. The projected path should take it northeast, keeping it offshore, but it will most likely remain stationary through Tuesday.

LINK: Track Chris on MyFoxHurricane.com

“Literally nobody on the East Coast will have a direct impact,” Osterberg explained, warning that it could still cause high and life-threatening surf along the coast of the Carolinas and New England.

Chris currently has winds of 60 mph. It’s far enough out in the ocean that there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. 

Beryl, which was the first hurricane for the Atlantic season, formed on Friday. It quickly fell apart before reaching Dominica over the weekend, but continues to bring in rain in the Caribbean islands.