News Summary
Columbia, SC is bracing for severe thunderstorms this afternoon with a 50% chance of showers between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Residents are advised to prepare for road slicks and safety precautions, especially during evening commutes. The weather pattern indicates more rain ahead throughout the week, creating potential travel delays and dangerous conditions due to gusty winds. It’s crucial for residents to stay alert and flexible with their plans as the weather may change rapidly.
Severe Thunderstorms Ready to Soak Columbia, SC This Afternoon
Hold on tight, Columbia! The skies are set to unleash a stormy spectacle this afternoon, and residents need to prepare for a wet roller coaster ride. The latest updates indicate that the National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting a 50% chance of thunderstorms and showers between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.. So if you have plans to be outdoors, now is the time to rethink them!
Weather Details: What to Expect
As the day unfolds, expect those clouds to start lifting, allowing for some fleeting sunshine in the morning before the storms roll in. **Highs are expected to hit a steamy 86°F today**, making it quite the warm setting—perfect for a sun-soaked adventure. Just keep in mind that as we approach the afternoon, those isolated thunderstorms will begin to make their presence felt.
And don’t let your guard down just yet! As we move towards the evening, the storms could intensify. This might lead to sudden road slicks and even ponding on our streets, especially during the evening commute. So, dear drivers, a little extra caution is warranted as you navigate the roads later. You wouldn’t want to end up hydroplaning with those slick conditions!
Storm Safety: A Few Tips
Safety should always come first. If you hear thunder, find a safe spot indoors. In fact, it’s advisable to keep your mobile alerts on and avoid outdoor activities when the storms pick up strength, particularly in Richland and Lexington counties. Remember, lightning is a serious threat with an average of around 25 million strikes hitting the U.S. annually, claiming about 20 lives each year, primarily during the summer months.
The Weather Doesn’t Let Up
The unsettled weather pattern isn’t going anywhere soon either. Looking ahead to Thursday, more rain is on the horizon after noon, and temperatures will be creeping into the upper 80s. Despite some cloud cover providing brief relief, prepare for another round of storms!
Friday and the Weekend: A Mixed Bag
As we gear up for Friday, the rain should take a short break, but don’t put those umbrellas away just yet. Isolated showers might pop up after 2 p.m.. Heading into the weekend, Columbia could see another spate of afternoon sprinkles, with temps soaring into the low 90s. And if you think that’s steamy, just wait until nighttime when temperatures dip closer to 70°F, making it feel quite humid and unsettled. This opens the door to daily thunderstorms for the foreseeable future.
Travel Concerns Ahead
If you have plans to hit the road, keep in mind that travel delays may occur along major arteries like I-26 and US-76, especially through downtown Columbia. The storms can bring gusty winds that could clock in at up to 50 mph, possibly pushing around tree limbs and unsecured objects. Stay alert to changing conditions!
Final Thoughts
Take caution when you’re out and about today, Columbia! Always have your plans flexible enough to stay safe from the storms, and keep an ear out for updated weather notifications. As we soak up the beauty and chaos of the ever-changing weather, remember to stay safe and dry!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Severe Weather Causes Outages and Damage in Midlands
Columbia, South Carolina Prepares for Thunderstorms and Heat
Storm Causes Destruction in Lexington County, Community Resilient
Severe Thunderstorms Cause Havoc in the Midlands
Severe Storms Bring Chaos to Maryland and D.C. Region
Severe Weather Alerts Issued for Columbia Area
Smoke Advisory Issued Due to Landfill Fire in Lexington
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Hit South Carolina
Columbia Water Initiates Sewer Improvements in Columbia
Additional Resources
- WLTX: Severe Storms Threaten Midlands
- Herald Online: Weather Update
- WACH: Columbia SC Weather Blog
- The State: Weather News
- WYFF4: Tornado Threat in Greenville
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Google Search: Severe Weather Precautions
- Google Scholar: Weather Preparedness
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Weather
- Google News: Severe Weather
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
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