Strong winds & tornadoes possible in Columbia area. Here’s when severe weather is forecast
Severe weather is predicted to hit the Columbia area of South Carolina as storms are in Wednesday’s forecast, according to the National Weather Service.
Effects from the storms are expected to begin Wednesday morning and could continue into the early afternoon, National Weather Service meteorologists said in a Tuesday morning briefing.
The storms are expected to include rain showers and strong winds, according to the briefing. Isolated tornadoes also will be possible, according to the National Weather Service.
The Midlands are forecast to be affected by the storms beginning at 6 a.m., and they could continue through 1 p.m., according to the briefing. The greatest threat is in the western portion of the Midlands, but all of the region could be impacted, the National Weather Service said.
No warnings, watches or advisories have been issued, but that is subject to change as the storms get closer.
A strong cold front moving across South Carolina, from the west toward the east, is the reason for the severe weather forecast, according to the briefing.
Damaging wind gusts are the primary threat, and strong winds are expected throughout the day with gusts as powerful as 40 mph possible into the afternoon, the National Weather Service said. The breezy conditions could produce steady 20 mph winds in Columbia, according to the forecast.
The chances for tornadoes are limited, but they are possible, especially in the eastern portion of the Midlands, according to the briefing.
Powerful winds and tornadoes could cause considerable damage to trees and branches, in addition to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings. Vehicles would also be under siege in the case of a tornado.
Damage to trees and branches creates the possibility of downed power lines and outages.
There is 100% chance of rain Wednesday, and up to three-quarters of an inch of precipitation is possible, the forecast shows. Localized amounts could be higher.
Conditions are expected to clear up by Wednesday night, and it’s forecast to remain dry into the weekend.
Temperatures in the Columbia area could reach a high of 73 degrees Wednesday. There might a slight cool down after the storms move out of the region, with highs in the 50s and 60s on Thursday and Friday, respectively, before returning to the 70s on the weekend, according to the forecast.
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