Tropical Storm isn’t expected to impact the Midlands, but rain is in the forecast
Tropical Storm Arthur — the first tropical storm of 2020 to be given a name — is not expected to affect the Midlands as it moved along the South Carolina coast Sunday, according to the National Weather Service office in Columbia.
But potentially severe rainfall is in the forecast this week following Arthur’s climb toward North Carolina.
The showers aren’t a side effect of the tropical storm, but rather a product of a cold front moving from the Tennessee Valley and through the Midlands, NWS meteorologist Rich Okulski told The State.
Beginning Monday, and for much of this week, there is a chance of rain showers in the Columbia area, according to the forecast. There is better than a 50% chance of showers through Thursday, when there’s still a 30% likelihood of precipitation.
Despite the prediction of steady rain for days, not much is expected to accumulate, according to Okulski. The meteorologist said half an inch is the high end of precipitation forecast for the Midlands.
There is, however, a possibility of isolated thunder storms and some powerful effects caused by the cold front in the area.
“There’s a marginal risk of severe weather, but it will be nothing like April 13,” Okulski said.
He was referring to when more than 20 tornadoes touched down in South Carolina and caused eight confirmed in the Midlands region — the most significant outbreak for the area since March 28, 1984, according to the NWS.
Ultimately, Okulski said, “This will be run of the mill.”
He added, “it’s expected to be sunny heading into Memorial Day Weekend.”
In spite of the rain, temperatures are predicted to approach highs in the 80s throughout the week, the forecast shows.
Okulski said Horry County and the Grand Strand area face the greatest chance of bands of showers caused by Tropical Storm Arthur, while hazardous surf and rip currents are all possible along the South Carolina coast.
The National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for portions of North Carolina, including Cape Hatteras and the Outer Banks.
Technically, hurricane season has not officially started as it runs from June 1 through the end of November, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but early predictions show this year is expected to be an above average, and possibly extremely active, Atlantic hurricane season.
The Midlands have been impacted by the effects of a hurricane or tropical storm in each of the past five years.
This story was originally published May 17, 2020 at 11:18 AM with the headline "Tropical Storm isn’t expected to impact the Midlands, but rain is in the forecast."
