Tropical Storm Arthur is on the verge of becoming a hurricane at this hour, with winds of 70 MPH. Hurricane warnings are now in effect for coastal North Carolina from Surf City, N.C. northward to Duck, N.C. Tropical storm warnings are in effect for coastal areas from South Santee River, S.C. to Surf City, N.C. and from Duck, N.C. to Cape Charles Light, Virginia.

A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions (winds of 74 MPH or greater) are likely within the next 36 hours. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions (winds of 39-73 MPH) are likely within the next 36 hours.

The National Hurricane Center still expects Arthur to have winds between 80 and 90 MPH by the time it reaches land late Thursday night and early Friday morning.

Please see this post from earlier this afternoon for a more detailed look at the storm.

[Map by the author using NHC data]