…Severe Thunderstorms Likely Today…
A strong cold front will produce a variety of hazards across Southeast South Carolina and Southeast Georgia today.
CURRENT WATCHES, WARNINGS AND/OR ADVISORIES
· Wind Advisory: Charleston and Tidal Berkeley through 8 pm. Inland Berkeley, Colleton, Beaufort, Coastal Jasper and Coastal Chatham through 5 pm.
· High Surf Advisory: Charleston through 11 pm; remaining coastal counties until 8 pm.
· Gale Warning: All waters, in effect starting at various times Friday morning continuing through Friday evening
· High Risk of Rip Currents: All beaches today.
Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm Watches are likely to be issued later today.
HAZARDS AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS: A squall line of severe thunderstorms will cross the area from west to east today. Damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are likely along parts of this line. There is an elevated risk for widespread damaging winds developing across much of Southeast South Carolina, including the Charleston Metro Area, as the squall line crosses the Savannah River. Isolated instances of winds >75 mph are possible for mainly Southeast South Carolina. Locally heavy rainfall is likely with most areas seeing between 0.5 to 1 inch. No major flooding problems are expected, although minor urban flooding could occur in both the Charleston and Savannah Metro Areas.
WINDS: Wind gusts as high as 40-50 mph could occur outside of thunderstorms, roughly along and east of a Walterboro to Tybee Island line. A Wind Advisory is in effect for these areas. A few gusts as high as 55 mph could occur across coastal portions of Charleston County, including the Metro Area’s elevated bridges.
GALES: Strong southerly winds across the coastal waters, including Charleston Harbor, with frequent gusts 40-45 knots. Gale Warnings in effect for all marine areas.
BEACH HAZARDS: Strong winds will produce rough surf at all beaches. There is a high risk for rip currents. Breakers in the surf zone will average 6-8 ft for the Charleston County beaches and 4-6 for all remaining beaches.
TIMING
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS: Interior Southeast GA by late-morning, advancing east and to the coast by mid-late Friday afternoon.
STRONG WINDS: Through this evening.
GALES: through this evening.
CONFIDENCE
High for severe weather and all remaining hazards.
RECOVERY PHASE WEATHER ISSUES
Breezy and cool conditions and a chance for a few showers will prevail Saturday.