News, Tropical storm strengthens near Carolinas. (inches, forecast, South, rain)

[John1960]

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Tropical Storm Cristobal formed off the South Carolina coast Saturday, and further strengthening is likely, the National Hurricane Center said.

The center of the storm was expected to move along the South and North Carolina coasts on Saturday and Sunday, dumping up to 5 inches of rain, forecasters said.

Tropical storm strengthens near Carolinas - CNN.com

[dxiweodwo]

wow, this would help out the drought there no doubt. I was kinda hoping it would be weaker so there would be no structural damage

[Jammie]

Wow, it looks like it has really gained in strength within a short amount of time. This morning, TWC meteorologist was saying that there was a vortex right off the SC coast and he didn't understand why they were issuing advisories at this point. So, I figured it wasn't going to amount to much. Hopefully everyone is safe and nothing devastating comes of it.

Just curious~just exactly what did he mean by saying it was a vortex? The only vortexes I've seen have been in SciFi shows.

[rasta empress]

A vortex just means a spiraling fluid. So a whirlwind is a spiraling fluid where the fluid is air, a whirlpool is a spiraling fluid where the fluid is water.