SCEIN

Tropical activity has been excessively active throughout August and September, but now a much- needed lull is expected for at least the next couple of weeks in the Atlantic as the final active month of hurricane season approaches.

A strong convectively-suppressed Kelvin wave, which causes sinking air and less thunderstorm genesis, is expected to pass through the tropical Atlantic over the next 10 to 14 days. This is expected to inhibit tropical cyclone development over the open Atlantic as the month of October approaches.

Widespread coastal flooding may cause road closures Monday and Tuesday before conditions begin improving toward the middle of the week.

Weather conditions are forecast to improve this weekend over most of the Palmetto State; however, coastal flooding and rip currents are forecast for residents and visitors along the coast.

Update as of 10:30 AM:

A Tornado Watch has been issued until 6 PM for the Central Savannah River Area, the Midlands, Pee Dee, and Grand Strand areas.

Original Story from 7:45 AM:

Torrential rain from what is now Tropical Depression Sally is spreading into the Palmetto State, where the threat of widespread flash flooding is expected to increase Thursday.

Hurricane Sally is expected to make a turn toward South Carolina and dump heavy rainfall over portions of the state on Thursday with an increasing risk of flash flooding.

As of early Wednesday morning, Sally is nearing landfall near the Alabama Gulf coast as a category 2 hurricane, with the eyewall extending into the western Florida Panhandle. Sally's winds are forecast to weaken as it moves farther inland Wednesday afternoon; however, torrential rain is expected to make it into South Carolina on Thursday.

The threat of flash flooding is likely to increase over parts of the Palmetto State late Wednesday and Thursday as slow-moving Hurricane Sally makes a move toward the state.

Tropical Storm Sally, which is expected to become a hurricane and soak the Gulf coast Tuesday, is forecast to turn toward the Palmetto State later this week after it makes landfall.

As of the National Hurricane Center’s mid-morning update on Monday, maximum sustained winds were near 65 mph. It is moving slowly toward the west-northwest at 8 mph. Rain bands from the storm were moving ashore the Florida Panhandle Monday morning, where Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches are in effect.

A low pressure system that might gradually acquire tropical characteristics as it approaches the Carolinas later this week could bring unsettled weather to coastal areas of the Palmetto State.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center have noted that shower and thunderstorm activity associated with the system remained disorganized, and chances of tropical development remain low at this time.

Two new tropical storms formed in the central and eastern Atlantic Monday, but neither are expected to be a threat to the United States at this time.

Fifteen tropical storms or hurricanes have already come and gone in 2020, all before the traditional peak of hurricane season even arrives. Florida has escaped a direct hit so far, but is historically more vulnerable to one during the months of September and October.

Tropical Storm Nana formed Tuesday afternoon in the Caribbean south of Jamaica. This system poses no risk to the United States, but could bring some impacts to Central America and the Yucatán in the coming days.

The National Hurricane Center began issuing advisories on Tropical Depression Fifteen late Monday afternoon, located 190 miles to the south-southwest of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Aside from high surf and strong rip currents along the Atlantic Coast, this system poses no direct threat to the United States and is expected to continue out to sea.

Multiple tropical waves are being monitored for possible development this week in the tropical Atlantic basin, as the traditional peak of hurricane season nears. There are no immediate threats to the Sunshine State, but residents are encouraged to stay informed of future updates all week.

Laura is not expected to produce anywhere near the widespread damage over the Palmetto State that it did over Louisiana, but gusty showers and thunderstorms are likely over parts of the state on Saturday.

Laura's devastating winds are expected to weaken as it moves northeastward across the Mid-South late this week, but it's likely to alter the wind pattern enough to bring a chance of stronger storms to parts of the state on Saturday.