Strong wind advisory issued for Columbia area. Here’s how strong the winds might get
An advisory has been issued for strong winds in Columbia amid a severe weather storm that’s expected to hit the Midlands on Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
A severe weather threat, beginning around 5 a.m. Wednesday, could bring wind gusts up to 75 mph as the storm moves across the area, according to John Quagliariello of the National Weather Service in South Carolina. While the weather event is expected end around 11 a.m., wind gusts of 35-45 mph may continue into the evening, Quagliariello said during a briefing Tuesday afternoon.
An isolated tornado could potentially develop in the eastern Midlands, according to the briefing.
Impacts from the storm may include heavy damage to trees and power lines. Rainfall is expected to be minimal, around one half of an inch, and no hail is anticipated, Quagliariello said, adding that fire concerns will continue through Thursday behind the gusty winds.
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.
Noah Feit contributed to this story.
