Severe weather to hit Columbia area, but timing changes. Here’s when storms are forecast
The timing has changed, slightly, but strong thunderstorms are still forecast to impact the Columbia area of South Carolina with severe weather Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
There’s high confidence that a line of strong-to-severe thunderstorms will move across the Southeast Monday, National Weather Service meteorologists said in a Monday morning briefing. But the timing of when the storms are expected to arrive in the Midlands has slowed.
In the most recent update, the National Weather Service said storms — which could cause damaging winds, tornadoes, large hail and flooding — are expected to move through the Columbia area in the afternoon and continue through the evening.
The greatest chance of severe weather in the Midlands is between 3-8 p.m., the National Weather Service said.
At 11:30 a.m., a severe thunderstorm watch went into effect for Richland County and Lexington County, among other portions of the Midlands, according to the National Weather Service. Fairfield, Newberry and Saluda counties are also included in the watch that is set to run through 7 p.m.
No other warnings, watches or advisories have been issued for any part of the Midlands, but that is subject to change as the storms get closer.
Damaging wind will be the main threat, according to the briefing. Although the risk has trended down in the latest forecast, the National Weather Service said it could not rule out a few storms that produce a tornado or large hail.
Severe weather threats are forecast for the entire Midlands, but the area at greatest risk of experiencing damaging winds is in the southern portion of the Midlands, closer to the CSRA, the National Weather Service said. Storms will impact that area earlier Monday, closer to 1 p.m., 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 an 80% chance of rain, and up to half of an inch of precipitation is possible in the Columbia area, the forecast shows. Localized amounts could be higher, especially during thunderstorms.
As of Monday morning, the National Weather Service said “nuisance flooding” is most likely.
Conditions are expected to clear up Tuesday, but more showers could return on Wednesday and Thursday, the forecast shows.
Temperatures could reach a high of 80 degrees Monday, and are expected to continue in that range before rising into the 90s on Friday and Saturday, according to the forecast.
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This story was originally published March 31, 2025 at 7:47 AM.
