Disturbance in Gulf Coast heads toward SC. Here’s what it means for the Midlands
A low pressure system with the chance of developing into a cyclone is heading toward South Carolina. It’s expected to make things very wet in the Midlands, at the least, according to the National Weather Service.
The disturbance that was over the Gulf of Mexico moved inland along the Gulf Coast Monday morning, the National Hurricane Center reported. Forecasts show the storm tracking northeast where it could develop into something more powerful as it moves back over the Atlantic Ocean.
Before that happens, it will drench the Columbia area.
As the front stalls, rainfall is expected to begin Monday, and turn into heavy showers on Tuesday and last through Wednesday, National Weather Service meteorologist Hunter Coleman told The State.
Anywhere from 1.5 to 3 inches of rain is possible in the Midlands, Coleman said. There is a hazardous weather outlook for Richland and Lexington counties, among others, because of all the predicted rain. The amounts of precipitation could be heavier locally, according to the National Weather Service.
While heavy rain is forecast to be the main impact, thunderstorms are also possible, and all of the precipitation creates the potential for flooding, according to Coleman.
“There will be quite a bit of rainfall,” Coleman said. “But the threat of severe weather is low.”
Growing into a tropical storm or hurricane is not in the forecast.
As the low pressure system moves, it has a 40% chance of developing into a cyclone, according to the National Hurricane Center. If the conditions are right, it could grow in strength and form into a tropical depression.
Along with the increase in rain, humidity levels in the Columbia area are also expected to rise throughout the week, Coleman said.
Temperatures are forecast to be in the 80-degree range through Wednesday, before returning to the 90s later in the week as the storm moves away, according to the National Weather Service.
More rain is possible over the weekend, the forecast shows.
This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 10:17 AM.
