Greenville, SC – Residents across portions of the western Carolinas should prepare for the possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms Tuesday as a cold front moves through the region, bringing the potential for damaging winds and large hail.
According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, strong to severe storms could develop Tuesday afternoon and continue into the late evening ahead of the approaching cold front. Forecasters say the primary hazards include damaging wind gusts and hail up to the size of quarters.
The highest confidence for severe weather is across areas highlighted in the Storm Prediction Center’s outlook, which includes portions of the North Carolina foothills and Piedmont, western North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, and nearby areas of northeast Georgia. While not everyone will experience severe weather, any storm that becomes strong could quickly produce hazardous conditions.
The greatest threat is expected from Tuesday afternoon through late Tuesday evening, when atmospheric conditions become more favorable for organized thunderstorms. Heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and locally hazardous travel conditions may also accompany stronger storms.
The National Weather Service encourages residents to review their severe weather safety plans now and ensure they have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, especially if storms develop after sunset. Wireless emergency alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, and trusted local media are all recommended sources for timely updates.
Anyone with outdoor plans Tuesday should closely monitor the forecast, as watches or warnings could be issued if confidence increases or storms begin to intensify.
