Strong Afternoon Thunderstorms

A persistent, juicy south-southwest low level wind  is setting up the State for an afternoon of widespread thunderstorms. As with the past few afternoon events a few isolated cells will be strong to severe with one inch hail, 40-60mph wind gusts and downright scary frequent lightning. Heavy, slow moving cells are ripe to drop 1-2 inches of a mysterious fluid called rain.  Expect better more inclusive coverage of storm cells across the State then the past few afternoons. Best chance for heaviest rain should be in a swath from Allendale/Hampton County to Marlboro/Dillon County. Storm cells begin to pop inland of the Coast after 12 noon and migrate inland. Thunderstorm cells pop Upstate-Midlands-Pee Dee after 2 PM. Heaviest rain and severe threat will be in the daytime heating sweet-spot of 4-7 PM

The high priests of high vorticity at the Storm Prediction Center in sunny Norman Oklahoma have placed the Upstate, Midlands and Pee Dee under a slight risk for severe thunderstorms; no tornadoes.

Tropics? Snooza-poolza.