What does Hurricane Isaias mean for Beaufort County’s beachgoers this weekend?
This story was updated at 3 p.m.
Beaufort County beachgoers should expect wet and windy weather in the latter part of the weekend and at the start of next week as Hurricane Isaias grows in strength and moves north along the East Coast.
In a Friday afternoon update, the National Hurricane Center said the storm was moving northwest at 16 mph with a top wind speed of 75 mph. The center of Isaias was expected to move over the Bahamas Friday night and be near the Florida peninsula on Saturday.
Residents and visitors are advised to keep an eye on the hurricane’s latest position because conditions for the South Carolina coast may change. The S.C. Emergency Management Division says people should make sure they have enough food and water plus other emergency supplies in case they are needed.
A hazardous weather bulletin warns of an elevated risk of dangerous rip currents and possible coastal flooding.
The weekend forecast from the National Weather Service for Beaufort County lists a 70% chance of rain for Sunday and Monday, diminishing to 50% for the remainder of the week.
Meteorologist Brittany MacNamara of the Charleston weather service office said on Friday that it was a little too early to know exactly what effects the storm will have on Beaufort County.
No watches had been issued as of Friday afternoon, and those wouldn’t be expected until the storm is within 48 hours of the area, MacNamara said.
“Because it’s not relatively large in size, and it’s kind of more compact, the wind field may not reach the coast,“ she said. “Right now what we have in the forecast is based off the current track. That’s as much detail as we can give right now.”
She added that changes in the storm’s track should be expected as the storm advances closer to the Carolina coast.
Accuweather’s Friday forecast was bolder, suggesting residents and visitors to the South Carolina coast should be on high alert.
“Florida may only get skimmed by the storm this weekend, but the Carolina coast, which sticks out farther to the east, is still vulnerable for a possible landfall early next week,” senior meteorologist Alan Reppert said in a news release. “It will be losing wind intensity by that time though, but it still will bring rain, wind and rough surf, especially to the Florida and Carolina coastline.”
In advance of the storm, heat may be the bigger worry for those spending time outdoors. With high temperatures expected to reach 90 and above, Saturday’s heat index value is 106, and Sunday’s is up to 105.
Beaufort County’s forecast
Friday Night
Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows around 80. Heat index values up to 106 early in the evening. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20%.
Saturday
Partly sunny with a slight chance of thunderstorms. A slight chance of showers. Highs in the lower 90s. Heat index values up to 106. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20%.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 70s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20%.
Sunday
Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. Highs around 90. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Heat index values up to 105.
Sunday Night
Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 70%.
Monday
Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of rain 70%.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 50%.
Tuesday
Partly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of rain 50%. Heat index values up to 105.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 50%.
Wednesday
Partly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of rain 50%.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. Chance of rain 50%.
Thursday
Partly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of rain 50%.
This story was originally published July 31, 2020 at 10:59 AM.
