Tropical Storm Colin threatens a wet weekend for the Carolinas

Tropical Storm Colin formed along the South Carolina coast Saturday, bringing the threat of rain and high winds for a day or two during the holiday weekend before improving for Monday's July 4 celebrations.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami warned of the possibility of localized flash flooding along the Carolinas coast through this morning. At 5 p.m. PDT Saturday, the storm's center was about 35 miles west-southwest of Wilmington, North Carolina, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It was moving northeast at 7 mph .

The hurricane center said a tropical storm warning was in effect for a stretch from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Duck, North Carolina, including Pamlico Sound. The storm is expected to weaken as moves into the Atlantic and dissipate by tonight.

“Colin will continue to produce locally heavy rainfall across coastal portions of North Carolina and northern South Carolina through Sunday morning,” the center said. Isolated amounts could reach up to 4 inches.

“This rainfall may result in localized areas of flash flooding,” the center said.

Some Fourth of July celebrations planned Saturday in Charleston, South Carolina, were canceled after significant water had pooled on the field at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park and more rain was expected.

“Obviously, we're disappointed,” said Scott Watson, the city's director of cultural affairs. “This promised to be a great family event, and we hate to have to cancel.”

Organizers also were forced to cancel a festival planned in Southport, North Carolina.

“The safety of festivalgoers, vendors, volunteers, emergency workers and everyone is our highest priority,” festival spokesperson Trisha Howarth said in a statement.

Separately, the center of Tropical Storm Bonnie rolled into the Pacific on Saturday after a rapid march across Central America, where it caused flooding, downed trees and forced thousands of people to evacuate in Nicaragua and Costa Rica.