Chantal will cruise the Bahamas and waters just east of Florida by this weekend with rough surf, building seas, torrential downpours and gusty squalls.

After bringing the potential for flooding rain and mudslides to portions of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico at midweek, AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center meteorologists expect Chantal to turn more to the northwest late this week and weekend.

Travel, beach and boating interests in the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas and the southeastern coast of United States should continue to monitor the progress of Chantal.

While Chantal is forecast to spend much of its life as a tropical storm to perhaps a Category 1 hurricane, rough surf and building seas will affect the islands in the region and beaches from the Florida East Coast to areas as far north as the Carolinas into this weekend.

The exact track and intensity of Chantal beyond the Bahamas is a bit uncertain at this time with possibilities ranging from the system dissolving to regaining strength after crossing Hispaniola.

A strong tropical storm or hurricane would mean more significant impact from rain, wind and waves, not only near the track, but extending farther outward from the center.

STORMY WEATHER