Greenville, South Carolina – Residents across the western Carolinas should prepare for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening as a cold front pushes across the region. Damaging wind gusts and large hail are expected to be the primary threats, while an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out with the strongest storms.
According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, severe thunderstorms are expected to develop ahead of the approaching cold front, with the highest confidence for severe weather centered from the western Piedmont of North Carolina into the Charlotte metro area. The first storms could develop across the mountains between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., before shifting east into the foothills and Piedmont from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
A Level 2 of 5 Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms covers much of Upstate South Carolina, western North Carolina and adjacent northeast Georgia. Communities including Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Asheville, Hickory, Charlotte, Rock Hill and surrounding areas could experience wind gusts capable of downing trees and power lines, hail of quarter size or larger, and isolated tornadoes.
The strongest storms may also produce frequent lightning and brief periods of heavy rainfall, creating hazardous driving conditions during the evening commute. Outdoor events across the region may face interruptions as thunderstorms rapidly develop.
Residents should secure loose outdoor items, monitor weather conditions throughout the afternoon and ensure they have multiple ways to receive warnings, including Wireless Emergency Alerts and NOAA Weather Radio. If a Severe Thunderstorm Warning or Tornado Warning is issued, move indoors immediately and stay away from windows. Additional watches and warnings may be issued as storms organize later today.
