Will potential tropical cyclone affect South Carolina, Greenville? What to know.

A developing tropical storm currently passing over Cuba may impact parts of South Carolina and North Carolina by the middle of next week. The storm could bring heavy precipitation, rough surf and other impacts to these regions.

At 11 a.m. Friday, the National Hurricane Center issued its first advisory for “potential tropical cyclone four.” In the update, the tropical depression was shown over Cuba, with the long-term path of the storm moving into the Gulf of Mexico before swinging back over Florida and into the Atlantic.

The cone of uncertainty, which shows the storm’s probable path, includes much of SC. However, many variables remain, including the strength of the still-developing storm and its exact eventual path.

If the system strengthens into a tropical storm as currently predicted, its name would be Debby, the fourth named storm of the season.

More: What is heat index? Friday’s could be 105. How humidity, dew point can affect our bodies

What are the chances for development?

As of late Friday morning the depression was about 420 miles southeast of Key West.

“A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for the southwest coast of the Florida peninsula from East Cape Sable to Bonita Beach,” stated the hurricane center’s 11 a.m. advisory. “A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for the Florida Keys south of the Card Sound Bridge including the Dry Tortugas, the southern coast of the Florida peninsula east of East Cape Sable to the Card Sound bridge, and for the west coast of the Florida peninsula north of Bonita Beach to Aripeka.”

According to the hurricane center, the depression could grow into a tropical storm by late Saturday as it passed over the Florida Keys.

More: When is first day of fall? SC’s weather forecast by Old Farmer’s Almanac; is it accurate?

What can we expect in the Greenville area?

Weather for the upcoming week is highly dependent on the development of the tropical storm. How quickly the steering winds push the storm north-northeast up toward Florida’s panhandle and back over land will determine the severity of associated weather.

The hurricane center’s update currently has the system passing over northern Florida late Sunday and reentering the Atlantic on Monday morning. Then, predictions show the storm hugging the coast as it moves up the Eastern Seaboard toward the Carolinas. Again, many variables can impact where the system will move.

Currently, NOAA forecasts for the weekend are showing high temperatures in the 90s with overnight showers and thunderstorms predicted. No high winds are forecasted so far.

More: Heat wave continues, cooling stations open in Spartanburg County. What about Greenville?

Where is Potential Tropical Cyclone Four?

Track it: South Carolina Storm Tracker and Model Mixer

Conditions around noon Aug. 2

• Location: 90 miles east-southeast of Camaguey, Cuba; 420 miles southeast of Key West
• Maximum sustained winds: 30 mph
• Movement: west-northwest at 16 mph

More: Heat advisory in effect for Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson, precautions to stay cool

Are you prepared for a hurricane?

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Even if this system won’t pose a threat to the S.C. coast, it’s never too early to be prepared.

Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida, contributed to this report.

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.