FIRST ALERT: Strong to severe storms, worsened travel conditions likely Sunday!

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Occasional showers and an uptick in humidity for our Saturday will soon give way to a strong cold front pushing across the Southeast and Gulf Coast! While a significant severe weather event is unfolding to our west, conditions in the Lowcountry should stay rather benign for now. Isolated light rain will gradually taper off between 9-11 PM, but overcast skies and mild low temperatures (upper 50s and low 60s) will prevail through early Sunday morning. By daybreak, our cold front will look to enter the state, bearing the risk of strong wind gusts, downpours and a couple tornadoes over the course of the morning and afternoon. Accordingly, a FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY will go into effect starting late Sunday morning, continuing through the early evening hours.

Outside of any ongoing activity to our west, a southerly wind should increase starting Sunday morning, peaking just ahead of the front. Sustained winds of 10-20 MPH are expected, but gusts up to 30 MPH will be possible, especially near bodies of water. A “Lake Wind Advisory” will go into effect at 7 AM for Berkeley, Orangeburg and Clarendon Counties, expiring at 3 PM.

Depending on the degree of cloud cover and coverage of rainfall early, the risk for midday and afternoon severe weather could change. As of now, our forecast maintains the chance of brief, isolated showers between daybreak and late Sunday morning.

Our cold front will then approach the I-95 corridor between 10 AM – 12 PM. West of I-95, the environment should be more conducive for strong to severe thunderstorms, including, but not limited to, a higher risk for a brief tornado or two. Elsewhere, conditions will be favorable for at least isolated damaging wind gusts in the strongest storm segments between 11 AM – 4 PM. Exercise caution on the roads, and allow yourself extra time in the instance of ponding and stronger wind gusts.

Behind the cold front, a few evening and early overnight showers should give way to a drier week ahead. A weaker disturbance will pass north of our region Tuesday, but a stray shower can’t be ruled out during the day. Temperatures look to stay seasonably warm (upper 60s and low 70s) through New Year’s Eve, before another shot of colder air settles in later in the week.

Be sure to download the Live 5 Weather app today for the latest!

TONIGHT: Becoming Overcast. Isolated Showers. Low 62.

SUNDAY: Cloudy & Breezy. Showers & Storms Likely. High 70, Low 52.

MONDAY: Decreasing Clouds. High 69, Low 50.

NEW YEAR’S EVE: Sun & Clouds. Small Rain Chance. High 71, Low 49.

NEW YEAR’S DAY: Sunny & Cooler. High 64, Low 39.

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