First Alert: Tropical Storm Watch issued ahead of Idalia

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the Georgia coast and the majority of the South Carolina coastline.

The WTOC viewing area will feel impacts from Idalia on Wednesday, so Wednesday is a First Alert Weather Day!

Idalia is expected to strengthen into a Major Hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico, bringing hurricane-force winds to the west gulf coast of Florida on Tuesday into Wednesday morning.

The first impact will be an increasing tornado threat early Wednesday morning.

Wind gusts over 40 miles per hour are likely during the afternoon for inland communities, wind gusts over 70 miles per hour for coastal communities possible.

Heavy rain and wind will increase throughout the day. Flooding will be possible, especially along the coast during high tides.

Flash flooding will be a concern with many areas receiving around 4 inches of rain through Thursday morning.

For coastal areas, we could have some storm surge in addition to the higher than normal tides thanks to the full moon, especially Wednesday evening. This will increase the flooding potential for areas near water ways.

Breezy conditions remain Thursday morning as we begin to dry out.

The end of the week into the weekend looks nicer with lows down into the 60s for inland areas and highs back up near 90 degrees.

Stay tuned for updates.

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