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Tag: storm update

Midday update: Line of storms approaching the area

/ February 13, 2020 at 12:49 PM

Conditions in the Tri-County at noon remain fairly warm, but cloud cover has kept temperatures largely in check along and east of 17-A, with upper 60s to low 70s across Charleston proper. (Not record territory yet.) Further west into Summerville and Moncks Corner, temperatures have soared into the upper 70s where the marine layer, and thus cloud cover, have had less of an impact. It is here where there will be the greatest risk for a couple strong thunderstorms capable of damaging wind gusts. As the marine layer holds closer to the coast, the air stabilizes quickly, which will lessen the severe threat. If the marine layer erodes a bit more before storms arrive, this could spread the wind gust threat a little further east. The Storm Prediction Center continues to advertise the Lowcountry in a marginal risk for damaging straight-line wind gusts, and that certainly seems well-placed.

Ahead of the line, winds have been gusting pretty regularly to 30 MPH at the airport. Breezy conditions will continue and perhaps intensify some as the sun breaks out a bit.

Storms are moving at a pretty good clip — roughly east at 35 MPH — and so timings have been adjusted accordingly. I’m thinking 1-2 PM for areas of Dorchester and Berkeley counties adjacent to I-95, 2-4 PM for Summerville, Moncks Corner, Goose Creek, and areas generally in the 17-A corridor, and then 3-5 PM for Charleston proper before the line gets off the coast.

After the line clears the coast, expect an hour or two of rainfall. Slick roads and rain may complicate the commute, so be ready to allow extra time to get home tonight.