Volatile weather alert: Hilton Head to see rain and thunderstorms through the weekend
After rain and thunderstorms moved over Hilton Head Thursday afternoon, visitors and residents alike shouldn’t head to the beach just yet. Early next week could prove to be equally disruptive.
A cold front moving into the state on Friday will bring another round of thunderstorms. At the moment, the National Weather Service only ranks these storms as “marginal risk” across much of the state. Locally damaging wind and hail is possible on Hilton Head and across the Lowcountry.
A storm system coming from Texas will also move eastward and bring a wet weekend and start to the new week, according to a newsletter from Frank Strait, the severe weather liaison for the S.C. State Climate Office.
At the moment, meteorologists predict that the area may see locally damaging wind and hail in the coming days, according to Strait. The forecast does not include any serious risk of tornadoes.
Further out into the weekend, forecasters with the NWS predict up to two inches of rain on Saturday night in addition to some thunderstorms. As low pressure moves through the region, it will likely bring the heaviest rainfall Monday through Tuesday.
Sunday through Monday the area will experience heavy rains and thunderstorms. The current forecast places the entire state at a 2 out of 4 risk level for excessive rainfall on Monday.
The greatest flood risk will come with that heavier rainfall on Monday and Tuesday, according to the NWS. Given the drought covering much of the Lowcountry, it will take a lot of rain to generate flooding. In fact, because much of Beaufort County is experiencing a moderate drought the coming rain will help manage those dry conditions.
The rain, clouds and wind will keep the coming days cooler, with highs in the upper 70s. Beachgoers will get a reprieve later in the coming week, with no rain and highs likely in the upper 80s.
This story was updated Friday to reflected updated forecasts
This story was originally published May 8, 2025 at 9:43 PM.
