Storms threaten SC’s springtime Saturday fun

Outdoor activities in the Midlands could be a washout Saturday, as rain is forecast most of the day, sometimes heavy and possibly with severe thunderstorms and high winds late in the day.

The National Weather Service forecast calls for a chance of rain in the Midlands at sunrise, then an 80 to 90 percent chance of rain from 10 a.m. through 7 p.m. Rainfall totals should be around an inch, according to the forecast.

Of course, those totals could be higher in areas hit by the potential afternoon thunderstorms pumped up by the complex low-pressure system approaching from the west. The chance of thunderstorms picks up around 2 p.m. and peaks in the 5-11 p.m. period. The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of the state at slight risk of severe thunderstorms.

Considering that many areas were swamped by rain and thunderstorms last weekend, much of the ground remains saturated. Thus flash flooding is a possibility wherever thunderstorms or heavy rain hits this weekend.

There’s a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms Sunday, but if you have outdoors plans this weekend, Sunday remains your best option.

This story was originally published April 24, 2015 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Storms threaten SC’s springtime Saturday fun."