The 5PM National Hurricane Center advisory is in on 70 MPH Tropical Storm Ernesto, zeroing in on the Wilmington area as its strike point later on tonight. If you happen to have found this from Wilmington (hey, it could happen), the time to batten down the hatches is now. Here’s the map:
One thing you will definitely notice is that the tropical storm warning has been discontinued for Edisto and points southward. This, for me, is a good sign that Charleston’s warning will probably be discontinued at 8PM tonight. No hurricane warnings have been issued yet but the advisory does state in no uncertain terms that it is most definitely possible that Ernesto will be a Category 1 hurricane by the time it reaches the coast.
The next thing you’ll notice is that Myrtle Beach, while still very close to the center of the storm, is now projected to remain left of the track. This will spare them from the worst of the surge, and also will significantly reduce the tornado threat they could come under. Additionally, the tropical storm force wind field is overwhelmingly to the right of the storm, making it more of a rain event for the Grand Strand than originally forecast. (Sounds familiar, eh?)
As for the current conditions around my place, the skies are still very gray to my east which means another round of heavier showers is inbound. The wind has really not been that bad all day. I’ve seen a couple random branches around but it hasn’t been a big deal at all. Ashley is still underwater, of course, and this will probably be the case until daybreak tomorrow.
This radar loop, though, is the most encouraging thing I’ve seen all day. 
(Just pretend the severe thunderstorms associated with the trough of low pressure that’s pushing Ernesto away don’t exist. 
)
Discussion of 5PM Advisory: Wilmington becomes ground zero is now closed