MIAMI (AP) — A nameless storm combined with unusual king tides has led to flooding along the Carolina coast, particularly affecting areas like Charleston, South Carolina. As of early Friday, about a dozen streets were flooded in Charleston, prompting the city to offer free parking in certain garages. The high tide forecast for Friday morning was 8.5 feet (2.6 meters), which marks it as the 13th highest recorded in over a century in Charleston Harbor.
This unnamed coastal storm, alongside the unusually high king tides—occurring when the moon is closer to Earth than average—poses a threat of extended periods of high winds that could exacerbate coastal flooding. The Outer Banks of North Carolina and Charleston are among the most vulnerable areas facing potentially severe weather conditions. Forecasters predict that the worst weather, including heavy winds and coastal inundation, will persist from Friday through the weekend, with highway N.C. 12 on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands likely to close again due to ocean overwash.
Meanwhile, in the Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storms Priscilla and Raymond are creating hazardous conditions along Mexico's coast. Priscilla, centered approximately 190 miles (300 kilometers) west-northwest of Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico, is moving north at 6 mph (9 kph) with maximum sustained winds around 50 mph (85 kph). This storm is expected to cause flash flooding across parts of the U.S. Southwest throughout the weekend, leading to flood watches being issued for Arizona, California, and Nevada.
Simultaneously, a tropical storm warning is in effect for Raymond, which is positioned about 95 miles (150 kilometers) south-southeast of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Raymond is moving west-northwest at 15 mph (24 kph) and also has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (80 kph). The storm is anticipated to remain off Mexico's southwestern coast through Friday before approaching Baja California Sur during the weekend.
In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Jerry is affecting the northern Leeward Islands, contributing to heavy rainfall. Officials in Guadeloupe have warned of potential power outages caused by this storm. Currently situated about 65 miles (100 kilometers) east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands, Jerry is traveling northwest at a speed of 16 mph (26 kph) and features maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph). A tropical storm warning is issued for several Caribbean islands including Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin, Sint Maarten, and Guadeloupe. A tropical storm watch is also in effect for Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Saba, and St. Eustatius.
Jerry is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Saturday, aided by a Nor'easter steering it away from the islands and into the open Atlantic. Additionally, Subtropical Storm Karen formed in the North Atlantic Ocean, located far from land. Karen has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and is projected to maintain its strength throughout the day. The characteristics of subtropical storms differ from tropical storms as they typically have a broader area of strong winds that extends further from the center.
With approximately seven weeks remaining in the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, meteorologists have noted the return of the Pacific cooling pattern known as La Nina. This climatic phenomenon can significantly affect global weather patterns, including an increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes. Although it might be late in the hurricane season to alter Atlantic tropical weather, La Nina could still result in varied impacts, ranging from heavy rains to droughts on a global scale.
