Damaging winds, lightning predicted to hit Beaufort County. Here’s when to leave the beach
Severe thunderstorms, bringing whipping winds and cloud-to-ground lightning, could rattle Beaufort County on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Wind gusts reaching up to 58 mph and frequent lightning are predicted to hit the Lowcountry around 6 p.m. and last until midnight. There is a lower risk for large hail and tornado risk is minimal, said the State Climate Office’s severe weather liaison Frank Strait. If a tornado does touch down, he said that it would likely be in the Upstate.
Cold fronts mixing with normal hot and steamy air in South Carolina during August is a recipe for severe storms, Strait said.
By nightfall, cooler air will set in ahead of the storms once the squall line reaches the Coastal Plain, “so the severe storm risk will be a little lower,” he added.
“Storms should become less intense as they move into the Coastal Plain because despite the hot and humid air mass over the region, it’s not as muggy as usual, so there’s less instability available” Strait said. “Nonetheless, any storm can cause locally gusty winds, downpours, and a lightning risk this evening before they push offshore.”
The top concern of Monday’s storms is the damaging winds they’ll bring. Strong winds can cause damage to trees, mobile homes, roofs and cars. They can also cause widespread power outages.
Monday’s storms won’t be those routine summertime afternoon thunderstorms, Strait said, where only a storm or two reach severe levels.
“The atmosphere will be like Emeril Lagasse, kicking it up a notch,” he said. “You’ll have to take severe thunderstorm warnings even more seriously than usual.”
If alerted, a severe thunderstorm warning indicates that conditions pose a threat to life or property, and that travel will become difficult to impossible, NWS said.
Because meteorologists say the timing of potentially severe storms isn’t definite, possibly reaching the county earlier, it’s best to prepare sooner than later. The service urged people to bring inside loose outdoor items, be wary of downed power lines and park cars in garages before the deluge and high-speed winds hit.
On top of possible severe thunderstorms, Beaufort County will be a balmy 95 degrees, with humidity making it feel closer to 107. By the evening, the temperature will drop down around 78 degrees.
In excessive heat, it’s vital to stay hydrated, reschedule outside tasks to the early morning or evening and trade the baking sun for an air conditioned room. The service said to check on friends and neighbors during the dangerous heat, particularly the elderly, people with chronic conditions, pregnant women and infants. Children and pets are never to be left alone in cars.
While Strait said Monday looks the “most active of the 1-2-3 punch of stormy days,” another round of thunderstorms are possible late Tuesday afternoon into the evening. Some of those storms could become severe, producing locally heavy downpours and damaging winds. Tuesday brings an even greater heat index of 110.
