Charleston, S.C. – Boaters and coastal residents from Myrtle Beach to Savannah should brace for intense thunderstorms Sunday as a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 5 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, Watch #390 was issued at 11:25 a.m. EDT and includes key marine zones and Charleston Harbor. The alert affects nearshore waters extending 20 nautical miles out, from Surf City, North Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia.
Marine operators and coastal communities—especially near Cape Fear, Little River Inlet, and Edisto Beach—should prepare for damaging winds, frequent lightning, and brief heavy downpours. Charleston, Hilton Head, and Myrtle Beach could see rapid shifts in wind direction and visibility, making boating conditions hazardous through late afternoon.
The National Weather Service recommends delaying non-essential travel and securing loose items aboard vessels. Mariners should monitor NOAA Weather Radio for real-time updates and move to safe harbor if storms approach.
While inland areas are not under the watch, convective activity could drift westward later today.
More alerts may be issued if storms intensify. The current watch remains active until 5 p.m. Sunday.
