Tropical Storm Hermine forms, could hit Lowcountry by Thursday
Tropical Storm Hermine formed in the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday afternoon, and meteorologists say the storm is on track to hit the Lowcountry this week.
The center of the storm was located about 450 miles southwest of Apalachee Bay, Florida Wednesday afternoon, according to Accuweather meteorologists, and it’s expected to turn toward Florida soon with heavy rains and gusty winds, then head toward the Carolinas.
James Carpenter, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston, said Wednesday the storm is expected to make landfall around the Big Bend area of Florida Thursday, travel northeast across northern Florida, then along the southeast coast from Georgia to North Carolina.
Carpenter said the storm could bring four to seven inches of rain to the Lowcountry between Thursday night and Friday with some possible flooding, dangerous rip currents and possibly isolated tornadoes.
“Whenever you see strong storm cells like this, there’s an elevated risk for isolated tornadoes,” he said. “We could also see strong wind gusts of 45-55 mph.”
SCDOT issued a statement Wedneday stating its maintenance units across the state were preparing their staff, requirement, and plans for the storm.
On Wednesday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a State of Emergency. NFL officials have moved the preseason game at Tampa Bay to Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Hermine forecast
Source: National Hurricane Center
The storm should also bring dangerous rip currents to the Lowcountry. Carpenter said he expected rough surf in the area for the next few days.
The good news, however, is the storm should clear the area by late Friday, just in time for Labor Day weekend.
“It looks like we’ll see a drying trend into the weekend with a low chance of rain and highs in the upper 80s,” Carpenter said. “The storm could shift though, so anyone in the area need to keep a close eye on the weather.”
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Hilton Head Island Forecast by the National Weather Service
Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 10am. High near 86. East wind 8 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind around 6 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. West wind 8 to 11 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Thursday Night
Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 76. South wind 6 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 3 and 4 inches possible.
Friday
Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 84. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Friday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Labor Day
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
This story was originally published August 31, 2016 at 9:08 AM with the headline "Tropical Storm Hermine forms, could hit Lowcountry by Thursday."