Ana muscled up to a tropical storm as it plodded toward the Southeast coast early Saturday, threatening to bring the Carolinas drenching rains and dangerous surf after forming weeks ahead of the formal June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Bay News 9 meteorologists said Ana at 11 a.m. Saturday was centered about50 miles southeast of Myrtle Beach, S.C. The storm had top sustained winds of 60 mph. It had slowed from its earlier speed, moving north-northwest at 5 mph on a track expected to bring it near the coasts of South and North Carolina sometime Sunday morning.

The storm is only affecting the Tampa Bay area in a positive way, keeping the humidity down.

"On the back side (of the storm), We have winds coming in from the northwest. That's a dry direction for Florida. So today and tomorrow, the rain chances are nil, the dew points are down and it's actually kind of comfortable out there despite how warm it's going to get."

BN9 Weather Resources

Forecasters say a tropical storm warning extends from south Santee River in South Carolina to Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Ana is forecast to deliver 1 to 3 inches of rain, up to 5 inches in scattered spots, and drive potentially life-threatening surf.

Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.

Watches and warnings

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for South Santee River South Carolina to Cape Lookout.

A turn toward the northwest with an increase in forward speed is expected today as Ana continues to approach the coastline, and then a turn to the north and northeast is expected near and after the time of landfall. 

The center will be very near the coasts of South and North Carolina by Sunday morning.

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