Tornado Watch Expired in Charleston as Storms Move On

News Summary

Charleston, SC experienced a whirlwind Sunday with a tornado watch that covered 27 counties finally expiring. Meteorologists monitored the weather closely as strong winds and brief tornado spin-ups posed risks. Fortunately, conditions began to calm, with brighter skies expected for the week ahead, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

The Weather Whirlwind in Charleston: Tornado Watch Now Expired

Charleston, SC – It was a wild Sunday for the Lowcountry as the tornado watch that had residents on edge finally expired around 2 p.m. in the afternoon. The watch, which had been issued by the National Weather Service early in the morning, covered a whopping 27 counties across South Carolina, including our own fab Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Colleton, Beaufort, Williamsburg, and Georgetown Counties. Thankfully, folks can breathe a sigh of relief as the winds started to calm down and the watch was lifted!

Storms Move On But Winds Stick Around

Just before 5:30 p.m., the associated wind advisory also came to an end, signaling a return to quieter conditions. Meteorologists kept a close eye on the weather following the Storm Prediction Center‘s rating of storm threats at a level two on a five-point scale. This meant there was a significant chance of some nasty weather, and our local experts were ready with forecasts.

As the day unfolded, meteorologists expected maximum wind gusts to reach between 35 and 40 mph. A storm front brought a squall line of strong winds and heavy rain, predicted to sweep through the Lowcountry between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The area saw some of the fiercest weather as the storms moved in, particularly impacting Charleston and Berkeley Counties from around noon until about 4 p.m. The potential for damaging wind gusts over 60 mph kept everyone on their toes.

Stay Alert: Brief Tornadoes and More!

With weather like this, it’s no surprise that reports of brief tornado spin-ups were also being taken seriously by weather officials. Folks were warned about the chances of lightning flashing across the sky and the risk of large hail. It was really a good day to stay indoors and keep an eye on the weather updates, especially with the storms rolling in so suddenly!

Clearer Skies Ahead!

A silver lining emerged as the cold front began to shove off into the ocean by Sunday night, heralding a shift back to sunshine and cooler temperatures just in time for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Whether you planned to go out or stay home, it’ll surely feel nice to bask in some warm, sunny rays following the storm chaos!

What About the Neighbors?

It’s worth noting that while Charleston was issuing watches, parts of Georgia weren’t so lucky. There was a separate tornado watch for portions of Georgia, including Bulloch County, which remained in effect until 1 p.m. as well. In Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties, residents still faced a severe thunderstorm watch even as the tornado watch had been dropped, meaning the need for vigilance remained high in those areas.

Wrap it Up: Safety First!

As winds and rains persisted into the afternoon hours, residents were reminded to stay tuned to local news sources for updates and safety tips. After a long, windy day filled with weather alerts, staying informed is key to ensuring that everyone remains safe and sound.

With the worst now behind us, let’s hope for brighter skies and clear weather ahead! Here’s to a fabulous week in Charleston, as we all prepare to enjoy the warmer, sunnier days coming up shortly!

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Additional Resources

• ABC News 4: Tornado Watch Issued for Lowcountry
• Live 5 News: First Alert for Lowcountry Counties Under Tornado Watch
• Grice Connect: Tornado Watch Issued for Several Areas
• Wikipedia: Tornado
• Google Search: Tornado Watch