News Summary
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Greenville and Spartanburg counties until 11 p.m. on Saturday, with wind gusts up to 60 mph expected. Residents should prepare for potential damage and seek shelter in interior rooms. Power outages have already been reported, and caution is advised due to additional severe weather risks.
Greenville and Spartanburg Counties Issue Severe Thunderstorm Warning
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Greenville and Spartanburg counties, effective until 11 p.m. on Saturday. The warning, updated by the National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg, indicates that residents should prepare for wind gusts of up to 60 mph and potential damage to trees and power lines as a severe thunderstorm was moving east at 30 mph, located approximately 10 miles east of Greenville Downtown, near GSP Airport.
Areas likely to be affected by this storm include Reidville, Wellford, Five Forks, Lyman, Greer, GSP Airport, Inman, Duncan, and Simpsonville. The NWS recommends that individuals move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building for maximum safety.
Potential Hazards and Safety Precautions
Duke Energy has reported power outages in the Upstate area following the issuance of the severe thunderstorm warning, with over 230 customers without power as of 7 p.m. on Sunday according to their outage map. Additionally, a brief tornado warning was issued for Pickens County on Saturday evening, but it was rescinded as the strong storm system weakened.
The NWS has also released a Hazardous Weather Outlook for Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson counties and surrounding regions, attributing significant concerns to this powerful storm system. Meteorologists are cautioning about risks of strong winds, large hail, and possible tornadoes. The main hazards are expected to be damaging wind gusts, tornado activity, and large hail.
Forecast and Conditions
The weather forecast indicates that winds could reach non-thunderstorm gusts of 35-50 mph in the North Carolina mountains and 25-35 mph elsewhere. The Saturday forecast started with mostly cloudy skies, a high near 77°F, and winds between 8-13 mph, with gusts hitting up to 22 mph. As the evening progressed, showers and possible thunderstorms were anticipated after 2 a.m. with a low around 62°F. Wind speeds were expected to range from 13-17 mph with gusts approaching 37 mph.
On Sunday, there was a 90% chance of precipitation, with light showers and possible thunderstorms forecasted before 3 p.m. The expected high temperature for the day was around 73°F, with winds blowing at around 18 mph and gusts up to 34 mph. Rainfall amounts were estimated to range between 0.5 to 0.75 inches, and the chance of showers and thunderstorms would continue until about 10 p.m., leading into mostly clear conditions with a low around 45°F for Sunday night. A sunny start to Monday is expected with a high near 64°F.
Lightning and Driver Safety
Residents should also be aware that thunderstorms typically bring large amounts of lightning, with approximately 25 million lightning strikes occurring annually in the U.S., leading to about 20 fatalities each year. The risk of lightning strikes increases as a thunderstorm approaches and is highest when the storm is directly overhead. Therefore, it is advised to avoid any outdoor activities during thunderstorms.
Additionally, motorists should exercise caution due to the risk of hydroplaning, which occurs when a vehicle loses traction on wet roads. Key contributing factors include water depth, tire tread condition, and vehicle speed. Staying vigilant during such adverse weather conditions can prevent accidents and ensure safety.
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Additional Resources
- Myrtle Beach Online
- Wikipedia: Severe Thunderstorm
- Herald Online
- Google Search: Severe Weather Alerts
- Fox Carolina
- Google Scholar: Thunderstorm Warnings
- WYFF4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- Greenville Online
- Google News: Severe Weather South Carolina
- Island Packet
