A storm system advancing in the south is expected to bring severe weather conditions, including a high risk of a tornado to South Carolina, according to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center.
In a bulletin, produced on the morning of March 16, meteorologists at the Storm Prediction Center said the severe weather should extend to Palmetto state within three days, bringing the potential for hail, winds and tornadoes.
The storm system originated in the eastern Ozarks and is expected to move eastward, gradually weakening as it crosses the Appalachian Mountains and reaches Virginia and the Carolinas, meteorologists said.
02h36 CDT #SPC Day3 Outlook Enhanced Risk: extending from Georgia to the north via carolines https://t.co/6oEffQUiK1 pic.twitter.com/a3oXHkmRDK
– NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) March 16, 2021
Rains and storms, along with the risk of severe weather, were expected to occur “on Thursday morning” for part of meteorologists in the middle and southern Atlantic states.
“The storms are likely to spread across Georgia and the Carolinas before the cold front advances,” meteorologists said. “The potential for relatively widespread and locally substantial severe weather is indicated – including the risk of some strong tornadoes.”
Meteorologists at the Charleston area office of the Meteorological Service said it is important that all residents have a plan, especially if one or more tornadoes impact the region.
“Thursday looks like one of the most significant events for this year so far,” said Doug Berry, an analyst at the firm. “It still seems that harmful winds are the main concern, but we cannot rule out some isolated tornadoes as this (system) progresses.”
Do you know the @NWSSPC severe storm risk categories? Showers and storms will be possible in the coming days, so stay tuned for the weather by visiting https://t.co/LKpnoMlLBB & https://t.co/Umi8IzXkI4 #savwx #chswx #scwx #gawx pic.twitter.com/CMbWWemHmH
– NWS Charleston, SC (@NWSCharlestonSC) March 15, 2021
Berry said residents should remain alert and that even if the area sees no tornadoes, strong winds can still cause damage.
In the meantime, he and others plan to keep an eye on conditions as the system approaches Lowcountry, especially on a hot front that, depending on how far north it moves by Thursday, can play a significant role in determining how severe the climate is in the Charleston area.
Catch up Gregory Yee at 843-323-9175. Follow him on Twitter @GregoryYYee.