News Summary
The National Weather Service has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for several counties in Upstate South Carolina, including Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg. Residents are advised to seek shelter as strong winds and hail are expected. The storms are moving quickly, with gusts up to 60 mph reported. Residents are urged to monitor updates and stay informed about the rapidly changing weather conditions.
Greenville, South Carolina: National Weather Service Issues Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for Upstate Regions
The National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg SC has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for multiple counties in Upstate South Carolina, including Greenville, Anderson, Laurens, Pickens, and Spartanburg. The warnings were activated as early as 7:42 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, and are expected to affect residents until the storms pass.
At 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, Greenville County was at the center of activity, with the NWS reporting strong thunderstorms extending until 9:15 a.m. During this time, wind gusts of up to 40 mph were predicted, alongside pea-sized hail measuring approximately 0.25 inches. Doppler radar detected the thunderstorm at 8:45 a.m., located just 4 miles west of Greenville Downtown in Berea, moving east at 45 mph. Locations affected include Greenville Downtown, Greenville Eastside, West Greenville, Greer, Mauldin, Taylors, Berea, Five Forks, Welcome, and Travelers Rest.
The NWS cautioned that gusty winds could potentially knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured items. There is also a risk of minor hail damage to outdoor objects. Residents were advised to seek shelter indoors during the storm.
Storm Warnings and Forecasts
The severe thunderstorm warning originally issued on Saturday indicated wind speeds as strong as 60 mph and hail sizes reaching 0.75 inches. These conditions led to forecasts predicting potential damage to trees and power lines. The storms were travelling from 7 miles northwest of Pickens to 8 miles southeast of Anderson at a swift pace of 45 mph. Key areas impacted by this severe weather included Greenville Downtown, Easley, Pickens, and Simpsonville.
Further reports highlighted that the NWS requested residents to report incidents of damaging winds, hail, or flooding through a dedicated toll-free number, as well as on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Earlier Warnings and Safety Tips
Earlier in the same weekend, the NWS also issued a warning for strong thunderstorms in the Greater Pickens and Greenville County area until 8:30 p.m. on June 6. Those storms generated wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea-sized hail. One strong thunderstorm was noted near Slater-Marietta, moving east at 25 mph. Areas impacted included Travelers Rest, Tigerville, and several state parks such as Pleasant Ridge and Caesars Head.
The NWS provided basic safety guidelines for thunderstorms, emphasizing the importance of seeking shelter indoors to mitigate risks associated with severe weather.
Lightning and Hydroplaning Risks
Additional information from the NWS indicated that lightning strikes around the United States occur approximately 25 million times annually, mainly during the summer months. Lightning poses a significant risk, resulting in about 20 fatalities each year. The likelihood of lightning increases as thunderstorms approach, peaking when the storm is directly overhead.
Furthermore, the NWS highlighted the dangers of hydroplaning, which occurs when vehicles lose traction and slide uncontrollably on wet roads. Drivers are encouraged to remain cautious during and after thunderstorms, especially when road conditions may be compromised.
Continued Monitoring
The National Weather Service is actively monitoring the developing weather conditions and will provide updates as necessary. Residents in the affected areas are urged to stay informed and heed any warnings as severe thunderstorm conditions continue to develop throughout Upstate South Carolina.
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Additional Resources
- Greenville Online
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Island Packet
- Google Search: Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Upstate South Carolina
- Fox Carolina
- Google Scholar: Thunderstorm Safety Guidelines
- Herald Online
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- Greenville Online Local News
- Google News: Thunderstorm Warnings South Carolina
- The State
