COLUMBIA, S.C. — More showers and thunderstorms are expected today, with some potentially strong to severe storms. The greatest threat will be damaging wind gusts, if severe weather were to develop. Cooler, drier air will move in for most of the upcoming workweek. The next chance of rain for parts of the forecast area is expected increase toward the end of the week into the weekend.
Saturday was seasonably hot and humid. The Columbia airport had a high temperature of 91 degrees. The morning low was 70 degrees. These temperatures are close to normal this time of the year. We also had some strong storms move through the area. The airport received 0.75" of rain Saturday night.
The Storm Prediction Center has a large part of South Carolina under a slight risk for severe weather (Level 2 out of 5). A slight risk of severe weather means that scattered severe storms are possible but are usually short-lived and not widespread. Intense, severe thunderstorms are possible under this category but are isolated. Damaging winds and large hail become scattered in this category, with tornadoes still low in coverage.
Around 2 p.m. today, showers and storms are expected to develop ahead of a cold front. The shower and storm activity may linger into the evening hours, but late tonight the rain will end.
The primary threat from any severe storms today will be damaging wind gusts. Temperatures are forecast to climb into the lower to middle 90s this afternoon, before the rain moves in. Lows tonight will be in the upper 60s to lower 70s.
Drier air moves in for the workweek. Highs on Monday will be in the upper 80s to near 90d degrees. Slightly cooler air will fill in the Southeast by Tuesday. Temperatures will be in the middle to upper 80s.