News Summary
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Greenville and Spartanburg counties. Residents are advised to find shelter as winds may reach 60 mph and hail could be as large as 1 inch. The situation is evolving, and communities are urged to stay updated on safety procedures and potential storm impacts.
Greenville, South Carolina – The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a severe thunderstorm warning on Sunday, June 1, at 5:53 p.m. for Greenville and Spartanburg counties in Upstate South Carolina. The warning is expected to remain in effect until 6:45 p.m. EDT, with severe conditions anticipated, including winds of up to 60 mph and hail reaching sizes of 1 inch in diameter.
At the time of the warning, the severe thunderstorm was positioned approximately 11 miles northeast of downtown Greenville and near Lake Robinson, moving southeast at a speed of 15 mph. Residents in the impacted areas, which include Reidville, Five Forks, Lake Robinson, Lyman, Greer, GSP Airport, Duncan, Taylors, Wellford, and Moore, are advised to seek refuge in an interior room on the lowest floor of their buildings for safety.
Forecasts from the NWS indicate that the storm is characterized by radar-indicated hazards of gusty winds and quarter-sized hail. Minor damage to vehicles due to hail is expected, alongside possible wind damage to trees and power lines in the vicinity. Residents can report damaging winds, hail, or flooding to the NWS by calling 1-800-267-8101 or via social media channels.
Alongside the severe storm warning for Greenville and Spartanburg, an additional report was issued at 6:53 p.m. for strong thunderstorms affecting York, Union, and Chester counties, anticipated until 7:45 p.m. EDT. This second alert foresees the potential for pea-sized hail and wind gusts reaching 40 mph. Thunderstorms detected by Doppler radar were moving southeast at 25 mph, with impacts noted in Chester State Park, Richburg, Leeds, Cornwell, Edgemoor, Great Falls, Chester, Lesslie, Catawba, and Lockhart.
The NWS defines a severe thunderstorm as one producing winds of 58 mph or higher or hail measuring 1 inch in diameter or larger. Local meteorologists caution that gusty winds may still pose a risk even after the storm has weakened below severe limits, indicating the need for continued vigilance among residents.
As thunderstorms develop, it is crucial for individuals to adopt safety measures. Standard recommendations include avoiding tall structures, seeking indoor shelter whenever possible, and staying away from windows. For those unable to find a safe indoor environment, it is advisable to crouch down in a low-lying area away from trees and to cover their heads to reduce the risk of injury from flying debris.
The occurrence of thunderstorms is common during the summer months, with approximately 25 million lightning strikes registered annually across the United States. Lightning-related fatalities average around 20 per year, emphasizing the importance of heeding weather warnings and understanding the dangers associated with severe weather.
The NWS continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary. Residents are urged to stay informed of changing weather conditions and to take appropriate actions to ensure their safety during severe weather outbreaks.
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Additional Resources
- Greenville Online
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Island Packet
- Google Search: Severe Thunderstorm Warning
- Herald Online
- Google Scholar: Thunderstorm Safety Measures
- WYFF4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- Myrtle Beach Online
- Google News: Thunderstorm Updates
