News Summary
Residents of Laurens and Greenwood Counties in South Carolina are under severe thunderstorm alerts, as issued by the National Weather Service. Expect penny-sized hail and strong winds, with the storm moving east at 25 mph. Areas such as Coronaca, Cross Hill, and Lake Greenwood State Park are advised to seek shelter. Additional alerts have been issued for Chester County, where nickel-sized hail is anticipated. Hydroplaning poses a significant risk for drivers. Meteorologists forecast continuing storms into the weekend, bringing potential tornado risks and damaging winds.
Severe Thunderstorm Alerts Hit Laurens and Greenwood Counties in South Carolina
Attention residents of Laurens and Greenwood Counties! Grab your umbrellas and heed this weather alert: strong thunderstorms are rolling through the area! The National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg issued an updated alert at 4:14 p.m. on Friday, warning of these potentially wild conditions expected to last until 5 p.m..
What to Expect
These thunderstorms mean business! Expect penny-sized hail, measuring up to 0.75 inches, which could cause some minor damage to outdoor belongings. Doppler radar has spotted these storms forming along a line stretching from 4 miles northwest of Greenwood to a point about 11 miles southeast of Abbeville. If you’re in the path of these storms, they’re moving east at a brisk pace of 25 mph.
Areas that will be experiencing the brunt of this storm include neighborhoods and parks like Coronaca, Cross Hill, Lake Greenwood State Park, Bradley, Cokesbury, Ninety Six Historic Site, and Kirksey. If you’re outside during this storm, the NWS advises you to quickly seek shelter indoors to stay safe from the elements!
More Thunderstorm Alerts
Just a little earlier, an alert was also issued at 3:24 p.m. for Chester County, also under the threat of severe thunderstorms until 4 p.m.. Residents there should be on the lookout for nickel-sized hail measuring 0.88 inches. The storm was tracked from 8 miles south of Rock Hill to about 9 miles south of Chester, moving faster at 40 mph. If you’re in Richburg, Cornwell, or Fort Lawn, it’s best to get inside!
Hydroplaning: A Major Risk
With all this rain, be cautious while driving! Hydroplaning can turn your car ride into a scary situation if you hit a wet road. It happens when water builds up in front of your tires, causing your vehicle to lose traction and slide uncontrollably. It’s important to slow down if you notice rain starting to fall, and always drive with care.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, the storm system isn’t done with us yet! Meteorologists are forecasting that the region will be affected again from Saturday evening into Sunday. Prepare for heavy rain, strong winds, and potentially damaging storms, including the risk of tornadoes! The NWS is zeroing in on windy conditions with gusts from 35-50 mph across the North Carolina mountains, and 25-35 mph elsewhere.
Scenes in the Greenville area could highlight the dangers of severe weather, including strong winds, large hail, and the risk of tornadoes. The primary concerns with these storms moving forward are damaging wind gusts, tornado formations, and large hailstorms, so it’s essential to remain vigilant.
Preparedness Matters
As we experience these ongoing storms, keep in mind that the risk of lightning goes up significantly as the storm creeps closer, peaking when it’s directly overhead. Each year, lightning strikes the United States around 25 million times during the summer months alone. Unfortunately, around 20 fatalities occur due to lightning strikes annually, so remember to stay indoors when storms approach.
Stay safe out there, folks! Keep an eye on the skies, be prepared for changing weather, and most importantly, stay indoors when storms hit hard!
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Additional Resources
- Island Packet: Severe Weather Alert
- Wikipedia: Severe Thunderstorm
- The State: Weather Update
- Google Search: Severe Weather in South Carolina
- Fox Carolina: First Alert Weather
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Weather
- Greenville Online: Tornado Outlook
- Google News: Tornadoes in Greenville
Author: STAFF HERE CLINTON
CLINTON STAFF WRITER The CLINTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREClinton.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Clinton, Laurens County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Discovery, Clinton Community Day, and performances at the Whitten Center Amphitheater. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Laurens County Historical Society, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and education that power the local economy such as Milliken & Company and Presbyterian College. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
