MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA — The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Mesoscale Discussion warning that widely scattered thunderstorms could pose an isolated risk for damaging wind gusts and marginally severe hail across the Carolina coastline into far eastern Georgia this afternoon.
Wind and Hail Potential
According to SPC Mesoscale Discussion #2097, valid until 3:45 PM EDT, the most probable peak intensity for today’s storms includes wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to 1.25 inches in diameter.
Forecasters say a risk for isolated damaging wind gusts is likely to develop through the afternoon across the highlighted coastal corridor, though the overall setup remains limited in scope.
Coverage Area
The highlighted zone stretches along the coastline from near the North Carolina and South Carolina border, south through Myrtle Beach, and continuing into far eastern Georgia, based on satellite and surface observation data as of 1741Z.
Watch Issuance Considered Unlikely
Despite the severe potential noted in the discussion, forecasters have assigned only a 20 percent watch probability, indicating that the issuance of a formal Severe Thunderstorm Watch is considered unlikely for this particular threat.
What Residents Should Do
Residents along the Carolina coastline and into far eastern Georgia should stay weather aware through the afternoon, given the potential for isolated damaging wind gusts, even though widespread severe weather is not expected with this setup…