Greenville, South Carolina – Drivers across Upstate South Carolina could encounter sudden downpours and wind gusts nearing 60 mph before 11 a.m. Monday, as a line of strong thunderstorms sweeps east through the region during the morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains active until 11 a.m. Monday for 13 counties across the Upstate, including Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, York, Cherokee, and Oconee counties. Storms moving out of the southern Appalachians may produce damaging straight-line winds capable of knocking down trees and scattered power lines.
The greatest impacts are expected along the I-85 corridor from Anderson through Greenville and Spartanburg, where brief heavy rainfall could drop visibility below a half mile during peak travel times. In the foothills and western counties such as Pickens and Oconee, stronger wind bursts may develop as storms move off the mountains.
Emergency officials urge residents to secure loose outdoor items and avoid unnecessary travel during the heaviest storms. Power outages are possible if wind gusts exceed 50 to 60 mph in stronger cells.
Storm activity should shift east of the Upstate by late morning, but additional alerts could be issued if thunderstorms strengthen as they move toward central South Carolina.
