News Summary
Central South Carolina is under a severe weather alert for strong thunderstorms, with wind gusts up to 50 mph and possible pea-sized hail expected. The National Weather Service warns residents in Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, and Calhoun counties to stay alert for hazardous conditions on major highways and to seek shelter indoors for safety. Additional storms are anticipated through Saturday evening into early Sunday morning. Precautions for driving and outdoor activities are advised as lightning and heavy rainfall may occur.
Severe Weather Alert for Central South Carolina – Thunderstorms on the Way!
Columbia, SC – Residents of Central South Carolina need to brace themselves as the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a severe weather alert for strong thunderstorms. The alert was announced in the early hours of Sunday at 12:45 a.m. and is set to last until 1:15 a.m. This alert covers Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, and Calhoun counties, so if you’re in these areas, make sure to stay alert!
What Can We Expect?
These thunderstorms aren’t just your average rain showers. They could unleash wind gusts of up to 50 mph along with pea-sized hail measuring at about 0.25 inches. Doppler radar has already picked up strong storms stretching from Villages at Sandhill all the way to near Gaston, quickly moving northeast at a rapid pace of 45 mph.
With such strong winds, it’s possible that tree limbs could break off, and unsecured outdoor items might be blown around, leading to minor damages. Areas such as Columbia, West Columbia, Cayce, Forest Acres, Camden, Springdale, McEntire Air Base, and Dentsville are all included in the affected zone. If you’re traveling, watch out for hazardous conditions on major highways, including Interstate 126 (mile markers 2 to 3), Interstate 20 (mile markers 69 to 102), Interstate 26 (mile markers 111 to 130), and Interstate 77 (mile markers 0 to 22).
Safety First!
If you’re outdoors when these storms hit, the NWS strongly advises finding indoor shelter as soon as possible. Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning is expected with these storms, and it’s important to remember that lightning can strike from as far as 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. In fact, there are approximately 25 million lightning strikes each year in the U.S., leading to about 20 fatalities annually.
Keep in mind that the likelihood of getting struck by lightning increases as a storm approaches, peaking when the storm is right overhead. It’s a good idea to stay clear of tall objects and open spaces if you can.
Driving Precautions
For those on the road, be extra cautious! Heavy rainfall could create conditions for hydroplaning, where your vehicle might lose traction and slide uncontrollably on the slick streets. This occurs due to water buildup in front of the tires, and it could lead to dangerous situations.
Forecast models are signaling that additional storms with strong winds and heavy rainfall will sweep across South Carolina late Saturday evening into early Sunday morning. Areas in central and north-central South Carolina are expected to face severe weather, while the rest of the state is at a marginal risk.
When Will the Storms Hit?
Timing is key when it comes to these storms. They are anticipated to arrive in the Upstate after 9:00 p.m., with the Midlands set to experience them around 11:00 p.m.. Residents along the Grand Strand should prepare for storms after midnight, while the Lowcountry might see action by 1:00 a.m. on Sunday.
So there you have it, folks! As these thunderstorms roll in, make sure to stay safe, keep indoors when possible, and stay tuned for further updates. After all, better safe than sorry!
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: South Carolina Storm Forecast
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather Warning
- WACH: Chance of Isolated Thunderstorms in Columbia
- Google Search: South Carolina Thunderstorm Forecast
- ABC Columbia: Storms to Move Through the Midlands
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- The State: Severe Weather Updates
- Google News: South Carolina Weather News
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