Busy weather here this afternoon; tropics, not so much. Expect another round of afternoon thunderstorms like yesterday, only stronger and more of ‘um. An approaching cold front will put a strong squeeze on the humid air parked over the State forcing strong to severe thunderstorms across the State after 3 PM. These storm have the juice to produce 40-60 mph winds, large hail and frequent definitely not-so friendly cloud to ground lightning. Heavier cells will be slow movers capable of dumping (technical term…) over 2+ inches of rain Noachian in stature.

 The weather wranglers at the NOAA Storm Prediction Center downwind from the stockyards of sunny Norman Oklahoma, on the frontage road, have placed most of the State under a  slight risk for severe thunderstorms. Their graphic suggest no problems for the Low Country and the Coastal Counties; I beg to differ. Expect the sea breeze to help enhance the possibility for severe thunderstorms all along the coast this afternoon.  Doesn’t take a rocket scientist (I’m going to get letters from NASA …) to look at the satellite image below and see that bright blob over Louisiana and Mississippi  making stinky eyes in our direction. Could make for a real varsity afternoon commute. Thunderstorms should remain active until a few ticks past midnight.

Tropical Update:  Just a disorganized tropical wave west of 030W. A few paltry thunderstorms and a whiff of cyclonic turning in the winds may get better organized in the next 24 hours as upper level shear relaxes a tad but a good belt of 40-50 knot shear over the Caribbean will knock down any fledgling intensification  in a James Cagney “…one quick hurry!” over the weekend. All the global models, even the Canadian GEM, are in agreement with this forecast scenario. ‘Nuf said.

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