Heavy rounds of rain have impacted a large portion of the southeast on Friday. The rains and thunderstorms will continue through the early evening hours, and we expect numerous showers and thunderstorms to return to the pattern during the day on Saturday.
Heavy periods of rain and thunderstorms will continue through much of the weekend, especially across the Midlands, Lowcountry, and Pee Dee. Up to 6 inches of additional rain for some locations is possible. Flash flood risk continues too.
— SCETV (@SCETV) August 22, 2025
Stay tuned to the forecast. pic.twitter.com/zZZqSmDgF5
The prolific thunderstorm activity is due to a low-pressure system, which is slowly moving over the Southeast. This is part of a cold front that has lost some of its forward speed, and this low-pressure system has developed. From this low-pressure system, a stationary front extends all the way along the Gulf Coast, and it is also enhancing shower and thunderstorm activity on Friday. It will continue through the evening hours into Saturday.
RECORD ALERT: 3.04" of rain has fallen so far today along Waterfront Park in Downtown Charleston. This sets a new daily rainfall record for the date. The previous record was 2.16" set in 2008.
— NWS Charleston, SC (@NWSCharlestonSC) August 22, 2025
Heavy rains have impacted Columbia throughout the afternoon hours on Friday, producing dangerous flooding and prompting the National Weather Service to send alerts for residents to park their vehicles in higher ground. There’s a flood watch in effect through Saturday evening for much of the Midlands and the Lowcountry. Rain totals for Friday evening through Saturday evening could reach 3 inches. But in some isolated spots, there could be up to 6 inches of rain. Keep in mind that even when the rain stops, water will continue to drain into creeks, rivers, and streams, which can elevate their levels and flood other areas or continue the flooding in the same areas.
The Flood Watch has been expanded and now includes Calhoun, Clarendon, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Orangeburg, and Saluda counties. The watch remains in effect until 2am Sunday. Guidance suggests the area of greatest concern this evening is the CSRA. #CAEWx #SCWx #GAWx pic.twitter.com/nZcZdDc2m6
— NWS Columbia (@NWSColumbia) August 22, 2025
Make sure you stay away from flooded streets. Even streets commonly traveled could have deeper water than expected.
For Sunday, although those still present there will be a risk for scattered showers of thunderstorms, which will mainly be focused along the southern Midlands, Lowcountry, and the Pee Dee. On Sunday night, the thunderstorm activity will be winding down.
We expect another two cold fronts to push through the region early next week. These two will come mostly dry and will bring a drop in temperatures. Still, it is also forecast to drop humidity levels, allowing the environment to feel crisp and even at nighttime, with temperatures falling into the upper 50s across the Upstate and staying in the 60s across the rest of the Palmetto state overnight. We will bring you an update about this front next week, late this weekend.