Hail and tornadoes possible in storms across Beaufort, Jasper counties Thursday afternoon
Parts of Beaufort and Jasper counties are included in an area with an elevated risk of severe weather on Thursday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston.
A bulletin at 10:45 a.m. Thursday said multiple tornado watches are likely as two rounds of storms move across the region, one during the afternoon hours and another following later in the evening.
The greatest threat is from 2 to 8 p.m., the bulletin says.
The forecast includes damaging winds, large hail, possible tornadoes, heavy rain and frequent lightning.
Given the wet ground from recent heavy rain, trees and power lines may be more susceptible to falling, the weather service says.
While the area is expected to get only 1-2 inches of rain, the weather service alert says several local areas have received 4-6 inches of rain in the past week — meaning the ground is already saturated and more likely to flood.
The forecast comes after two consecutive weeks of severe weather warnings and 10 days after a tornado in Hampton County killed five people there and one in neighboring Colleton County.
Beaufort County forecast
Thursday night: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 66. Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9 a.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 83. West wind around 16 mph.
Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Light southeast wind becoming south 6 to 11 mph in the morning.
Saturday night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.
Source: National Weather Service Charleston
This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 8:57 AM.
