Thunderstorms, 60-70 mph wind gusts forecast for Midlands, tornadoes less likely
Midlands residents should prepare for an afternoon of severe weather that could lead to isolated tornadoes Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
A cold front from the west will hit the Midlands Friday and bring with it a line of severe thunderstorms. Strong rain is expected to begin around 4 p.m. and last for 1-2 hours.
The weather service is forecasting “a primarily damaging wind event,” with a chance for up to 1-inch hail in parts of the Midlands and a relatively low chance for tornadoes.
Tornadoes are not as likely as in early April. If they do, they are expected to be “weak and short-lived,” said weather service meteorologist John Quagliariello Friday.
Winds had been projected to reach more than 70 miles an hour, but Quagliariello said gusts are now forecast to reach 60 miles per hour with a slight chance of brief gusts reaching 70 miles per hour.
The weather service downgraded the tornado threat from an elevated risk to a limited risk, with a 2% chance for tornadoes in the Columbia area.
The chance for high winds is much greater, with a 30% risk in most of the state and a 15% risk moving east into Sumter and Orangeburg. Toward the coast, the risk falls to 5% for high winds.
There is a 15% chance of hail for most of the state and a 5% chance as you move toward the coast.
The last time the Midlands were bearing down for a tornado threat was early last month, when eight tornadoes touched down in South Carolina in a single early April day. The state’s yearly average for tornadoes is 11, according to meteorologists.
Quagliariello said conditions are not similar to early April and there is not a concern for severe tornadoes.
This story was originally published May 6, 2022 at 7:50 AM with the headline "Thunderstorms, 60-70 mph wind gusts forecast for Midlands, tornadoes less likely."
