News Summary
Charleston residents experienced relief as severe thunderstorm watches expired following a turbulent afternoon of storms. The severe thunderstorm warnings for several counties in the Lowcountry also lifted, clearing the skies as storms moved offshore. Meteorologists had upgraded the severe storm threat earlier in the day, highlighting damaging winds, hail, and lightning as primary concerns. As conditions improved, local authorities emphasized the importance of preparedness and safety awareness during unpredictable weather events.
Charleston – A severe thunderstorm watch for the Lowcountry area expired late Friday night as storms moved offshore, bringing relief to residents who had been closely monitoring the weather conditions throughout the day. The severe thunderstorm warnings that had previously been issued for portions of Berkeley, Dorchester, Georgetown, Williamsburg, and Orangeburg Counties also expired earlier, allowing for clearer skies and calmer weather following the turbulent afternoon storms.
All counties in the Lowcountry remained under the severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m., encompassing Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Colleton, Beaufort, Williamsburg, and Georgetown Counties. A severe thunderstorm watch is indicative of favorable conditions for severe thunderstorms, prompting caution among residents in the area.
Earlier in the day, most of the Midlands and Upstate regions had been placed under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m., signaling a high likelihood of severe weather. The Storm Prediction Center had previously upgraded the severe storm threat for Friday to an “enhanced” level, ranking as the third of five risk categories. This decision was based on the arrival of a strong cold front expected to pass through the region between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The primary concern associated with this weather event was the potential for damaging winds, with gusts exceeding 60 mph being forecasted as the predominant threat. Additional risks included hail, lightning, periods of heavy rainfall, and the possibility of isolated tornadoes. Meteorologists warned that widespread wind damage could occur even with sustained winds measuring between 40 and 50 mph. In particular, straight-line winds from robust thunderstorms can exceed 100 mph, raising significant safety hazards for residents in affected areas.
High winds pose various dangers, including the displacement of objects and the breaking of tree limbs, which can lead to power outages. Rain and storms that developed during the evening were projected to move offshore by mid to late evening, allowing for skies to clear overnight.
As of 6:55 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service released an updated severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m. for Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, and Jasper counties, continuing to urge residents to remain vigilant.
Lightning, a particularly concerning aspect of thunderstorms, strikes the U.S. approximately 25 million times each year, primarily during the summer months. This phenomenon leads to approximately 20 fatalities annually. The risk of lightning elevations increases as a thunderstorm encroaches and peaks when a storm is directly overhead. Residents were encouraged to take necessary precautions to minimize risk during thunderstorms.
Driving conditions were also highlighted as a concern, especially with the potential for hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle slides uncontrollably on wet roads, with water accumulating in front of tires causing a loss of traction. This emphasizes the need for drivers to be cautious when operating vehicles in rainy conditions to prevent accidents.
As conditions improved, the Charleston area was expected to transition to a period of calm with clear skies after the storms rolled out to sea. Local authorities and meteorologists reiterated the importance of preparedness and safety awareness in the face of unpredictable weather patterns.
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Additional Resources
- Live 5 News
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Count on 2 News
- Google Search: Severe Weather Charleston
- WV Metro News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- Grice Connect
- Google News: Severe Thunderstorm Watch
