Thunderstorms are expected to make a return to the Palmetto State Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. It can't come soon enough for some who are waiting on some water from Mother Nature after an extended period of dry weather.
The spring months of March, April, and May have seen rainfall departures of 6 to 10 inches below what is average in the Pee Dee and Grand Strand regions. For perspective, this translates to about half the rain that normally falls during these months. In stark contrast, the Upstate region has experienced above normal precipitations thanks to extended periods of stormy weather earlier in the spring.
Spring rainfall deficits in #SouthCarolina are 6 to 10 inches behind average in the #PeeDee and #GrandStrand areas in particular. That's about half of what's normal. There is much-needed rain the forecast, though! #scwx pic.twitter.com/Nmikow2dvX
— Ray Hawthorne (@ray_hawthorne) June 2, 2021
A large ridge of high pressure that has been dominating the state with these dry conditions is showing signs of eroding. Southerly winds are forecast to supply much higher humidity ahead of a weak cold front approaching from the west. Scattered thunderstorms are forecast on Wednesday, but they are likely to be more numerous on Thursday as the front gets closer.
Winds in the upper atmosphere will be strong enough to produce a few stronger storms Thursday afternoon and evening. Isolated reports of damaging gusts are possible, particularly in the Pee Dee, Midlands, and Upstate where the higher altitude winds are strongest.
Expect scattered thunderstorms to return across the area this afternoon and evening. More widespread t-storms are expected tomorrow afternoon/night as a weak front arrives. The storms tomorrow will pose a small (1 on a scale of 5) damaging wind risk. pic.twitter.com/RBdYTaj8YR
— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) June 2, 2021
However, 1 to 3 inches of needed rainfall are forecast and will outweigh the risk of severe thunderstorms in many communities late this week.
