As Tropical Storm Danny looms off the coast in the Atlantic Ocean, the disorganized disturbance is shaping up to be a rainmaker for our area, according to the National Weather Service in Wakefield, Va.

The center of Danny was located 390 miles east of the Bahamas and about 735 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Its maximum sustained winds are 45 miles per hour with higher gusts. Slow strengthening is possible over the next few days. Winds may reach hurricane strength (75 mph) Saturday evening as the storm moves just north of the Virginia shore.

Currently the storm is tracking west-northwest at 12 miles per hour. A general northwestward motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected Wednesday night and Thursday with a turn to the north expected on Friday.

On its present projected path, Danny is expected to brush the North Carolina coast late Friday or early Saturday morning.

Wakefield Meteorologist Chris Wamsley said the strongest winds will stay off shore and the storm will be more of a rain fall event for our area.

Wamsley said a stationary front will be draped over the area, meanwhile moisture will be feeding in from the Mississippi Valley and Tropical Storm Danny will be churning in the ocean encouraging rainfall.

“With all the rain that we have had, flash flooding will be more of an issue,” he said.

Locally, the area could see 1-3 inches with higher amounts possible.

Wamsley said the strongest winds of the storm will be located on its right side, taking away any wind threat from our area if it stays on its current course. He added the coastal areas could see wind speeds of 30 miles per hour.