While the Harrisburg area is still expected to see near perfect weather over the Independence Day weekend, a tropical storm is expected to turn into a hurricane further south and may complicate travel plans for beachgoers.
Weather.com reported Wednesday morning that Tropical Storm Arthur was located just east of Cape Canaveral, Fla., leading to a tropical storm watch for parts of Florida's eastern coast.
A hurricane watch has been posted for parts of eastern North Carolina, including most parts of the Outer Banks, according to Weather.com. A tropical storm watch is also in effect for Wilmington, North Carolina and South Carolina. The "peak impact" of the storm is expected to be Thursday into Friday in the Carolinas.
Here is the latest breakdown of Arthur's impact, according to Weather.com
South Carolina coast: Bands of rain with strong wind gusts late Wednesday night into Thursday as the system makes its closest approach. Tropical storm-force winds possible along the northern coast, but strongest winds from Arthur expected to remain offshore. High surf, rip currents, and some minor coastal flooding is possible. Arthur will have exited by early Friday (Fourth of July).
Coastal North Carolina: Bands of rain, elevated surf begin Thursday. Surge flooding, beach erosion, locally heavy rain, hurricane-force winds to peak with closest approach late Thursday into Friday morning. Arthur will have exited the area by late Friday night.
Southeast Virginia: Bands of rain, strong wind gusts Friday. High surf, some coastal flooding may linger into Friday afternoon/evening as winds turn to north-northeast. Arthur's impacts will have ended after midnight Friday night.
Rest of Northeast seaboard: While some elevated surf is possible late Thursday into Friday, no other direct impacts from Arthur are expected. Some moisture from Arthur may intercept a cold front dragging through the Northeast to enhance locally heavy rain, there, Thursday and Friday. Arthur and the cold front should be clear of most of the region by Saturday, except for some lingering rain and gusty winds in coastal eastern New England.
Here is the latest on the weather forecast for the Harrisburg area, according to the National Weather Service.
Wednesday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall between a tenth and quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 8 a.m. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. New rainfall between a tenth and quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall between a tenth and quarter of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation of less than a tenth of an inch.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.