News Summary
Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued across multiple regions in South Carolina as the National Weather Service expects high winds and possible hail. The warnings, effective until 7 p.m., impact counties including Jasper and Beaufort. Residents are advised to stay updated on weather conditions as storms may produce damaging winds and hail, alongside a risk of lightning and flash flooding.
Charleston, South Carolina – Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued across various regions in South Carolina as the National Weather Service (NWS) anticipates high winds and potential hail. The alerts began at 5:04 p.m., with the most recent warning arriving at 6:09 p.m. The warnings remain in effect for several counties to protect residents from expected severe weather conditions.
The NWS issued a strong thunderstorm alert for Inland Jasper and Coastal Jasper counties, as well as Beaufort County, with an expiration time set for 7 p.m. Meteorologists predict that this storm may produce penny-sized hail, approximately 0.75 inches in diameter. Doppler radar indicates that the storm is currently located near Hilton Head Island, moving northeast at a speed of 15 miles per hour.
Wind gusts associated with the storm could reach speeds sufficient to down tree limbs and displace unsecured outdoor objects, suggesting that minor damages to property may occur. Affected areas include Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort, Port Royal, Clarendon, Jasper, Shell Point, Parris Island, Lemon Island, and Calawassie Island. Residents in these areas are advised to monitor weather updates via NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, local news stations, or television updates.
In addition to hail and gusty winds, the NWS has cautioned residents about the risk of lightning. Lightning strikes the U.S. approximately 25 million times each year, claiming an average of 20 lives annually. As thunderstorms develop, the risk of lightning increases, reaching its peak when the storm is directly overhead. Safety precautions recommend finding indoor shelter, keeping away from windows, and avoiding travel through flooded roadways due to potential hydroplaning risks.
Earlier in the day, the NWS Columbia issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 5:04 p.m. for Aiken, Calhoun, Lexington, and Orangeburg counties, which was effective until 5:30 p.m. This storm was anticipated to bring wind gusts of up to 60 mph and penny-sized hail. Meteorological data tracked this severe thunderstorm about 11 miles southwest of Gaston, moving northeast at 10 mph. Potential damage is expected to impact trees and power lines in the warned areas, including Swansea, Wagener, and Pelion. Residents were urged to seek refuge in interior rooms on lower floors for safety.
Additionally, further warnings were issued by the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg for Chester and York counties at 5:35 p.m., valid until 6 p.m. This warning forecasts the possibility of quarter-sized hail (1 inch) and wind gusts also reaching 60 mph. The severe thunderstorm was identified roughly 6 miles southwest of Rock Hill and has been nearly stationary, posing a heightened risk to vehicles, trees, and utility lines in the vicinity.
Another severe thunderstorm warning was previously issued at 3:27 p.m. by the NWS Columbia SC for Aiken County, set to expire at 4 p.m. This storm was reported over Aiken Municipal Airport, moving east at a speed of 10 mph. The threats associated with this warning included wind gusts of up to 60 mph alongside quarter-sized hail, indicating significant risks to vehicles and vegetation.
Furthermore, residents are being alerted to the risk of flash flooding as torrential rainfall is likely to accompany these severe thunderstorms. It is imperative for all individuals in the affected regions to remain vigilant and prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.
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Additional Resources
- Island Packet: Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Island Packet: Strong Thunderstorm Alerts
- Google Search: Severe Weather Protocols
- Island Packet: Weather Updates and Alerts
- Google Scholar: Impact of Lightning
- Island Packet: Flash Flooding Risks
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood
- Island Packet: Monitoring Severe Thunderstorms
- Google News: Thunderstorm Warnings
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
