ByPatrick Phillips|March 17, 2021 at 6:18 AM EDT - Updated March 18 at 5:55 AM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - For the first time in two years, the storm prediction center is forecasting its second-highest risk of severe weather for most of South Carolina.
The state is under a “moderate” risk for severe weather. On a five-point scale, “moderate” represents a “four” out of “five,” with five being the highest risk.
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With the higher storm risk, there is also an enhanced risk of tornadoes, Meteorologist Joey Sovine said. The forecast includes a 15% chance of an EF-2 or stronger tornado within 25 miles of any location within the majority of the state’s counties.
With the higher storm risk, there is also an enhanced risk of tornadoes, Meteorologist Joey Sovine said. The forecast includes a 15% chance of an EF-2 or stronger tornado within 25 miles of any location within the majority of the state’s counties.
The Upstate region is at a lower risk, but the Midlands, Lowcountry and Pee Dee are all in the higher-risk area.
There is also a 45% chance of damaging winds for most of the state, he said.
The threat comes as a cold front moves across the southeast. The timetable for the strongest risk will be Thursday afternoon, Chief Meteorologist Bill Walsh said.
The last time the area was under the second-highest risk for severe weather was on April 19, 2019, when three tornadoes touched down in Orangeburg and one touched down in Williamsburg County, Sovine said.
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