COLUMBIA, S.C. — Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms are possible beginning this evening through Thursday night. Damaging wind gusts, large hail, and isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Some showers and storms are possible early Friday, but the holiday weekend will be cooler, dry, and very pleasant.
The Storm Prediction Center has the northern half of South Carolina at a slight risk of severe weather today. Wind gusts of up to 70 mph are possible. Large hail could also form. The risk of tornadic activity is low at this point.
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.
Our in-house forecast model shows showers and storms developing in the northern part of the state and moving through the northern Midlands during the early evening hours. The storms should die down after we lose the daytime heating. Highs today will be in the upper 80s to lower 90s, but heat index values will be higher.
All of South Carolina is under a slight risk of severe weather on Thursday, according to the SPC. Wind gusts of up to 70 mph are possible. Large hail could also form. The risk of tornadic activity is low on Thursday.
Our forecast model brings showers and storms through the state by very early Thursday morning, before sunrise. The storms move out quickly, and then there is a break in the rain. Another round of showers and storms is expected by the mid-afternoon hours of Thursday. Again, severe weather will be possible.
A cold front will move through the state on Friday; some rain is possible early in the day, but cooler, drier air will move in behind the front.
The weather for Mother’s Day weekend looks great, with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s under mainly sunny conditions.