Update: Beryl weakens to a tropical depression, heavy rains stil - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) –

***5:00 am Update

Tropical storm watches and warnings are discontinued. 

Tropical storm Beryl made landfall very early Monday along the northeast Florida coast, but our Memorial Day still looks to feel the effects of this storm. As of 5 AM tBeryl has become a tropical depression with sustained winds of 35 miles per hour. The storm is now moving west-northwest at 6 mph, with a turn to the north expected later today.  The storm's center is 60 miles west-northwest of Jacksonville, FL.

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By late Monday the storm will turn northeastward and make a close pass to our coastline sometime on Wednesday. 3-5 inches of rain could fall in many locations late Tuesday night into Wednesday depending on the storm's exact track. 

Hurricane season doesn't officially begin until June 1, but Tropical Storm Alberto already formed just a week earlier. Tropical Storm Beryl formed in the nearly the same area off the NC coast.

Rain and storm chances increase for Memorial Day into the 30 percent range.  Late Tuesday through Wednesday will be the best chance at widespread rain and storms as Beryl makes its closest pass to our coastline. 

Memorial Day weekend is a busy beach weekend, and many people will be hitting the water. Rip currents will be especially dangerous with the developing storm off the coast. Expect waves of 3 to 5 feet and a moderate risk of rip currents.  Winds along the coast will run around 10 miles per hour out of the east and southeast today.  Stronger winds are likely on Wednesday as the center of Beryl moves close to the coast.

Memorial Day
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Chance of rain 30%. Highs in the mid 80s. Low near 70.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers and t-storms.  Chance of rain 40%.  Highs in the mid 80's.  Lows near 70.

Wednesday
Very breezy with heavy rain and t-storms likely.  Chance of rain 90%.  Highs in the upper 70's.  Lows in the mid 60's.

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