News Summary
Columbia and surrounding areas are facing a severe thunderstorm warning as dangerous weather is expected to persist. The National Weather Service warns of wind gusts up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail. Residents are advised to stay vigilant due to potential flash flooding and hazardous driving conditions. Power outages have already affected over 10,000 customers in the Midlands region. Preparations are underway for additional storms expected into the week, including risks of tornadoes. Authorities urge residents to adhere to safety measures during these severe weather conditions.
Columbia, SC – Residents in Columbia and surrounding areas are under a severe thunderstorm warning as dangerous weather conditions are expected to persist into the evening. The National Weather Service issued this warning on Sunday at 4:03 p.m., with severe thunderstorms located near Stephentown, moving east at 40 mph. These warnings will be effective until 4:30 p.m.
Motorists and residents are advised to stay vigilant, as conditions could pose risks of dangerous wind gusts up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail, approximately 1 inch in diameter. The warning areas also include East Greenbush, Nassau, Stephentown, New Lebanon, Grafton, Berlin, Castleton-On-Hudson, and several other towns.
A 70% chance of rain is forecasted for the afternoon, with thunderstorms likely to develop as warm temperatures reach a high near 90°F. Winds are expected to come from the east-northeast at speeds of 5 to 10 mph. Scattered thunderstorms will continue through the evening, transitioning to mostly cloudy skies overnight. The low temperature is poised to drop to 73°F with light winds.
Impact and Safety Measures
Due to the anticipated heavy rainfall, residents are cautioned about the risk of flash flooding. Motorists are strongly advised to avoid driving through flooded roadways, as torrential downpour can create hazardous conditions. Reports from previous storms noted significant damage, including downed branches, trees, and utility poles, which have contributed to hazardous driving conditions and power outages.
Along with the severe weather affecting Columbia, over 10,000 customers in the Midlands region of South Carolina experienced power outages due to the storms. Another severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Columbia, Lexington, and West Columbia earlier on Sunday at 10:40 a.m., valid until 11:15 a.m., which warned of gusty winds and possible hail.
Looking Ahead
Residents should prepare for continued storms into Monday, with another weather system bringing potential tornadoes and damaging winds. Accumulated rainfall could reach up to one inch from this storm system, and predictions suggest minimal relief from the rain with precipitation expected almost every day this week, except for Wednesday.
For overall safety during thunderstorms, residents are advised to stay indoors, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building if caught outside, and wait for official all-clear signals before resuming outdoor activities. Lightning strikes occur approximately 25 million times annually in the U.S., resulting in around 20 fatalities each year, further emphasizing the need for caution during storms.
Park Closures
In conjunction with the severe weather conditions, the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department has announced the temporary closure of the north end of Riverfront Park. This area will remain closed from July 28 through August 15 for maintenance, which may be further impacted by the ongoing storms.
In conclusion, while Columbia prepares for severe weather, residents should stay informed and adhere to safety precautions to navigate the stormy conditions that are likely to continue in the coming days.
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Additional Resources
- SILive: NY Weather Thunderstorms
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- NBC Right Now: Warm Weather and Thunderstorms
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Weather
- Post and Courier: Severe Weather Columbia
- Google Search: Thunderstorm Safety
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