Chances are increasing that severe weather will hit the Midlands this week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Columbia, South Carolina.
A strong cold front moving into the region is likely to bring severe storms from Thursday morning to Thursday night, according to the NWS.
The storm system is expected to hit Texas on Tuesday and then move east on Wednesday and into the Mississippi Valley region on Wednesday night, according to AccuWeather.
On Thursday, the large storm cluster threatens most of the southeastern region, from northern Florida to southern Virginia, according to AccuWeather.
Isolated tornadoes, straight winds and hail threaten to hit the Midlands region on Thursday, meteorologists say.
At a news conference on Tuesday morning, meteorologists from Columbia, South Carolina, said confidence was building that the region would see heavy storms on Thursday.
The area within the black circle below (which is most of the state, except the Lowcountry coast) is at risk for one or more of the following:
- an E2 tornado or greater,
- wind speeds of 75 mph or more,
- hail over 2 inches in diameter
Meteorologists are asking South Carolina residents to take this storm seriously and look at the weather this week.
“Make sure you have a plan in place, a safe place for shelter and several ways to receive warnings reliably,” NWS meteorologists said on Tuesday.
The storm system is not expected to bring much rain, so meteorologists are not concerned about flooding. Most of South Carolina is expected to receive less than two inches of rain in the next 48 hours, with the largest amounts in the interior of the state.
The storms are expected to end on Thursday night. Here is the weather forecast for Columbia, South Carolina. (provided by the National Meteorological Service).
5-day forecast
Tuesday afternoon: Chance of rain. Cloudy, with a peak close to 47. North wind 3 to 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation values between a tenth and a quarter of an inch are possible.
Tonight: Probable showers of rain and thunderstorms before 3:00 am and then a small chance of showers between 3:00 am and 5:00 am. Irregular fog after 2 am Otherwise cloudy, with a low around 45. Light northeast wind. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New rains are possible between a quarter and a half inch.
Wednesday: Chance of rain, mainly after 2 pm. Uneven fog before 10 am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high close to 65. Light northeast wind. The chance of precipitation is 30%. New amounts of precipitation of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday night: Chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 5 to 7 mph. The chance of precipitation is 50%. New amounts of precipitation of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
ThursdayChance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possible thunderstorms from 2 pm onwards. High near 76. South wind from 8 to 16 mph, with gusts up to 28 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New rains are possible between a quarter and a half inch.
Thursday night: Rain and possible thunderstorm before 8 pm, chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 pm and 11 pm. Low around 49. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New amounts of precipitation of less than a tenth of an inch, except for larger amounts possible in storms.
Friday: Predominantly sunny, with a high close to 68.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low temperature around 39.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high close to 57.
Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a minimum temperature around 36.
Sunday: Predominantly sunny, with a peak close to 62.
columbiaweather
*****
WANT TO TURN OFF THE SOUND?
Is there anything you would like to say in response to one of our stories? We have an open mic policy! Send your own letter to the editor (or guest column) by email HERE. Do you have a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Have a technical question or failure to report? CLICK HERE.
*****
RECEIVE THE LATEST NEWS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA IN YOUR INBOX …