Weather got scarier than Lady Gaga’s clothes closet yesterday. Tornadoes touched down in Ventura and Santa Barbara California courtesy of El Nino. That mess crosses the Rockies and strengthens for a Sunday afternoon showing here. Expect a strong squall line then sharp cold frontal passage Sunday. Sunday’s weather will feature a strong low level jet, divergence aloft, and decent shear and moisture convergence. Thrown together, the primary severe threat will be strong 50-65 kt winds that can mix down to the surface during passing thunderstorms. Oh, and did I mention lightning?   Expect 1-2+ inches of heavy rain with this event. Given the decent shear, a few isolated weak tornadoes are also possible. Charming.

The cowpokes at the Storm Prediction Center and Feed Store in Norman Oklahoma (http://w1.spc.woc.noaa.gov ) have placed most of the State under the slight risk for severe weather for Sunday. Suspect this may get bumped up  and widen as we get closer to Sunday. The outlook is valid 8 AM Sunday to 8 AM Monday but the current model timing has the squall line entering the Upstate near 3 PM, Midlands after 5 PM, and clearing the coast after sunset.

Remember, when you have kimchi and rice, you have a meal.

Mark Malsick

Severe Weather Liaison

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

State Climate Office

1000 Assembly Street Columbia, SC 29202

803-734-0039

MalsickM@dnr.sc.gov