News Summary
A severe weather alert is in effect for Greenwood and surrounding counties as strong thunderstorms are predicted to bring damaging winds and hail. The National Weather Service warns of gusts up to 40 mph and potential marble-sized hail. Residents are urged to seek shelter and prepare for adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain leading to ponding on roads. The alert affects areas such as Ware Shoals, Donalds, and Princeton, with warnings for high winds and additional thunderstorms in other nearby counties.
Greenwood, South Carolina – A severe weather alert has been issued for several counties in South Carolina as strong thunderstorms are anticipated to bring damaging winds and hail. The National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg SC announced the alert on Wednesday at 11:50 p.m. for Abbeville, Laurens, and Greenwood counties, warning residents of potential wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph.
The alert remains in effect until Thursday at 12:15 a.m., with Doppler radar tracking a potent thunderstorm about 14 miles southwest of Laurens in Ware Shoals, moving south at 15 mph. Residents in the affected areas, including Ware Shoals, Donalds, Cokesbury, Hodges, Shoals Junction, Princeton, and Hickory Tavern, should prepare for marble-sized hail (0.5 inches) and the potential for gusty winds that could down tree limbs and displace unsecured outdoor items.
The NWS has recommended anyone outdoors to seek shelter inside a building to stay safe during the adverse weather conditions. In addition to high winds and hail, residents have been cautioned that heavy downpours may lead to ponding on roads, necessitating cautious driving and reduced speed.
Earlier in the evening, an updated report from the NWS was released at 9:08 p.m. regarding severe thunderstorms affecting York County until 9:45 p.m. Wind gusts there may also be as high as 40 mph, with Doppler radar indicating a thunderstorm near York moving northeast at 30 mph. Areas such as Gastonia, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Clover could face severe weather effects, including cloud-to-ground lightning, which can strike up to 10 miles away from the storm center.
For additional safety, the NWS has highlighted the risks associated with hydroplaning, which occurs when a vehicle slides uncontrollably due to water buildup on wet roads. Drivers are advised to exercise heightened caution in these conditions.
A tornado warning was briefly issued earlier in the day but expired at 8 p.m., and severe thunderstorm warnings were also reported in other counties including Elbert, Hart, Henderson, Polk, Transylvania, Abbeville, Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, and Pickens. These areas experienced strong winds, with some reports indicating gusts as high as 60 mph and hail reaching 0.75 inches in diameter.
The NWS has provided clear instructions for residents during such weather events. They are urged to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of their buildings to ensure protection from potentially damaging storms. In case of severe weather, individuals are encouraged to report any instances of damaging winds, hail, or flooding to the NWS.
Thunderstorms present significant risks, and the NWS indicated that thunderstorms across the United States result in about 25 million lightning strikes annually, leading to approximately 20 fatalities each year. The likelihood of lightning activity increases as a storm approaches, peaking when the storm is overhead and diminishing once it moves away.
These severe thunderstorm warnings, which denote storms producing winds of 58 mph or higher, or hail of one inch in diameter or larger, underscore the importance of public safety awareness during unpredictable weather patterns. Residents are encouraged to stay informed of forecast updates and to take necessary precautions as storms approach their area.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
York County Weather Alert for Strong Thunderstorms
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued for York County
Greenwood Experiences Severe Thunderstorms, Leading to Damage and Road Closures
Severe Thunderstorm Warning in Greenwood County, SC
Severe Thunderstorms Cause Damage and Fatality in Augusta
Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Abbeville and Greenwood Counties
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Greenville Area
Severe Thunderstorms Cause Chaos in Greenwood and Harris County
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Hits Abbeville and Greenwood Counties
Severe Heat Wave Spurs Record Temperatures Across Eastern U.S.
Additional Resources
- Island Packet
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- WYFF 4
- Google Search: Severe Weather Alerts
- Independent Mail
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- WSPA
- Google News: Tornado Warnings Upstate South Carolina
