The first named storm of the season might rain-out the Fourth of July for people in many areas of the United States.
Tropical Storm Arthur has formed off the coast of Eastern Florida, CNN reported. The system could calm down and reach minimal hurricane strength by the time it reaches the shore.
Florida is expected to be drenched with heavy rain on Tuesday and Wednesday and could see accumulations of up to five inches in some areas. The Bahamas could get up to six inches of rain. So far the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau has not received any alarmed calls.
"You take every storm warning seriously," Lee Nettles, the executive director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, told CNN. "But, for the most part, folks aren't overly concerned."
The tropical storm's winds are expected to reach between 20 and 30 miles per hour and could result in a foot or two of beach erosion, USA Today reported.
When storms are brewing offshore many surfers flock to the beach, but forecasters are warning of the possibility of rip currents and are urging surfers to steer clear of the water.
The storm could make things difficult for people hoping to enjoy their Fourth of July in the Outer Banks, because the islands are so low and could easily be washed out with rain, CNN reported.
"There's fairly strong southward-flowing long shore current," Bob Cristaldi, a National Weather Service forecaster in Melbourne, Fla., told USA Today. "And when you have strong winds with a system and it kind of generates some swell, you tend to get an increase in rip current activity."
After the storm hits the Carolinas it will most likely turn northeast and bring rainfall to cities such as New York City and Boston. Washington may also experience some precipitation, but meteorologists are not sure how much or how it will affect Fourth of July festivities, CNN reported.
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