News Summary
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of South Carolina and Georgia, warning residents of potentially damaging winds and small hail. The National Weather Service has outlined affected counties and advised caution as conditions could escalate quickly. With storm warnings in place, communities are urged to stay updated on weather alerts and take safety precautions, especially regarding lightning and dangerous driving conditions due to heavy rain.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Unleashed Over Parts of South Carolina and Georgia!
Hey there, folks! If you’re living in South Carolina or Georgia, you might want to pay extra attention to the skies tonight because a severe thunderstorm watch has just been issued! Whoa! This alert from the National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg came flying into our radar just past 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, setting us up for a wild night ahead. The thunderstorm watch is officially in place until midnight on Friday, May 9, 2025. So keep those umbrellas handy!
Counties in the Crosshairs
Let’s break it down, shall we? The affected counties in South Carolina include the likes of Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, and even Greenville. And that’s just the start! You can also expect some stormy weather in Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union, and York counties. As for our neighbors to the south in Georgia, the thunderstorm watch covers Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun, and Stephens counties.
But wait, there’s more! If you’re closer to North Carolina, you’ll want to be cautious as well, as counties including Alexander, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Davie, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, and Union are also on alert. So no matter where you are in this neck of the woods, it’s best to stay tuned!
What’s on the Horizon?
Now, let’s talk about what’s brewing in the atmosphere. Severe thunderstorm warnings are in effect, especially for multiple Lowcountry counties, with strong storms rolling in from the west. Expect wind gusts to reach as high as 60 mph along with the possibility of small hail. Yes, you heard that right—small hail. So make sure to move anything fragile from outside that could get damaged!
This storm system is expected to hit the I-95 corridor, which means northwestern Colleton, Dorchester, Berkeley, and Beaufort Counties should prepare for some impacts between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Later on, around 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Charleston and southeastern Berkeley Counties will feel the storm vibes. So, make sure to keep an eye on those radar updates!
Storm Threat Levels Explained
The Storm Prediction Center has rated the thunderstorm threat for inland South Carolina at a Level 3 out of 5. That’s a pretty serious designation, folks! It means there’s a good chance that conditions could escalate quickly, so don’t let your guard down.
Safety Tips to Keep in Mind
Oh, and don’t forget about lightning! Did you know that the U.S. sees around 25 million lightning strikes each year? Most of those happen in the summer, and sadly, they claim about 20 lives annually. So when those storm clouds roll in, you can expect increased lightning activity. It’s highest when the storm is right on top of you and tapers off as it moves away.
And here’s something to remember if you’re hitting the roads later—hydroplaning! That’s when vehicles can slide uncontrollably on wet roads because of water build-up in front of the tires. Heavy rain can create these slippery conditions, so it’s crucial to stay alert and ready to react. Slow down, increase your following distance, and most importantly, stay safe out there!
Wrapping It Up
As the thunder and lightning may soon take center stage, keeping abreast of updates and being prepared is key. So stick close to your weather sources and keep your loved ones in the loop! Stay safe, South Carolina and Georgia. We’ve got this!
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Additional Resources
Author: HERE Greenwood
The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood 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 the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
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