Lowcountry forecast: Look out for severe thunderstorms Friday. Will they clear by Labor Day?
The National Weather Service is forecasting severe thunderstorms in Beaufort County Friday afternoon. The storms are expected to roll in around 4 p.m. and remain through 7 p.m.
There will be a slight chance of storms after 7 p.m., but the worst of them should have moved on by then.
The NWS advises that the storms will be scattered but numerous, and could bring large hail and damaging winds. Heavy rain and lightning are also possible, but flooding risks should be minimal.
Rain will also be very likely to kick off Labor Day weekend, with a 60 percent chance on Saturday. Those chances should drop significantly on Sunday and completely on Labor Day itself.
After a high near 90 on Friday, highs should reach into the mid to high 80s over the next seven days. The heat index might creep over 100 on Friday as well, but should then remain at least a few degrees below that through Thursday.
Humidity should reach early morning highs in the mid to high 90s through the next seven days, save for Sunday when it will hit 100. Afternoon lows should be in the mid 50s to mid 60s.
The beaches will be similarly stormy on Saturday, with a slight chance of rain on Sunday and clear skies in time for Labor Day.
Beach temperatures are expected to be in the mid 80s with water temperatures in the low 80s.
There will be a moderate rip current risk on Friday, so if you do go in the water the NWS advises that you do so near life guards and that you heed all warning flags. No rip current forecast was available for Saturday, Sunday, or Labor Day.
The UV index is forecast to be moderate through Labor Day, so cover up or wear sunscreen if you will be outdoors, and try to keep to shaded areas during mid-day, when the sun will be strongest.
Tide Forecast
On Hilton Head Island, Friday high tide will be between 5:29 p.m. and 6:02 p.m. Saturday morning’s high tides will be between 5:39 a.m. and 6:12 a.m., while evening high tides will be between 6:19 p.m. and 6:52 p.m. Sunday high tides will be between 6:29 a.m. and 7:02 a.m. and 7:05 p.m. and 7:38 p.m., while Labor Day high tides will be between 7:16 a.m. and 7:49 a.m. and 7:49 p.m. and 8:22 p.m.
Low tide on Friday will be between 11:42 p.m. and 12:16 a.m., while Saturday’s low tide will be between 11:44 a.m. and 12:18 p.m. Sunday morning low tide will be between 12:29 a.m. and 1:03 a.m., while afternoon low tide will be between 12:33 p.m. and 1:07 p.m. On Labor Day, low tides will be between 1:15 a.m. and 1:49 p.m. and 1:21 p.m. and 1:55 p.m.
High tide on Hilton Head Island will crest between six and eight and a half feet, while low tide will be between half a foot and a foot and a half.
In Beaufort, Friday’s high tide will be at 6:29 p.m. Saturday will see high tides at 6:49 a.m. and 7:21 p.m. On Sunday, high tide will roll in at 7:38 a.m. and 8:06 p.m., while on Labor Day high tide will be at 8:21 a.m. and 8:46 p.m.
Low tides on Saturday will be at 12:30 a.m. and 12:48 p.m., while Sunday’s low tides will be at 1:19 a.m. and 1:37 p.m. Labor Day low tides will be at 2:06 a.m. and 2:24 p.m.
High tide on Beaufort will range between six and a half and eight feet, while low tide will be between a foot and two feet.
7-day forecast
Today
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 101. South wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7 p.m. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Sunday
A slight chance of showers before 8 a.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Sunday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Labor Day
Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
Tuesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Wednesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
Wednesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
- The National Weather Service
This story was originally published September 1, 2017 at 12:21 PM with the headline "Lowcountry forecast: Look out for severe thunderstorms Friday. Will they clear by Labor Day?."