The Latest: Tropical storm warning issued for South Carolina

MIAMI – The Latest on U.S. government forecasters’ outlook for the Atlantic hurricane season (all times local):

4:50 p.m.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for the South Carolina coast after forecasters say the second tropical cyclone of the Atlantic season formed.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says the warning issued Friday extends across the entire South Carolina coast. The warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere in the warning area within 36 hours.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the coast Saturday night. About 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected to fall over parts of coastal Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

The depression has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph) and is centred about 435 miles (695 kilometres) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.

1:35 p.m.

U.S. government forecasters expect a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season, after three relatively slow years. But they also say climate conditions that influence storm development are making it difficult to predict how many hurricanes and tropical storms will arise over the next six months.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s season outlook calls for 10 to 16 named storms, with four to eight hurricanes and one to four “major” ones with winds reaching 111 mph and up.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1.

The National Hurricane Center says an area of low pressure between Bermuda and the Bahamas has a high chance of brewing into something bigger Friday or Saturday. NOAA officials warned communities in Georgia and the Carolinas to monitor that disturbance.

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4:30 a.m.

The U.S. government is set to release its forecast for how many hurricanes and tropical storms are expected to form over Atlantic and Caribbean waters in the next six months.

It’s an annual reminder from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that coastal living comes with significant risks.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1, but tropical weather got a head-start this year: Hurricane Alex made an unseasonable debut in January over the far eastern Atlantic.

The National Hurricane Center says an area of low pressure between Bermuda and the Bahamas could be brewing into something bigger Friday or Saturday.

The 2015 season was slightly below average with 11 named storms, including Hurricane Joaquin, which killed all 33 mariners aboard a cargo ship that sank off the Bahamas.