One severe weather advisory was already in place Monday morning as a storm that could turn into a cyclone is forecast to affect the Columbia area, according to the National Weather Service .
The potential cyclone, which could become Tropical Storm Helene , is expected to move from the Atlantic Ocean and make landfall in South Carolina before moving through the Midlands and continuing inland as it heads north , National Weather Service meteorologists said in a Monday morning briefing.
The storm could track close to the Midlands on Tuesday, from late morning to the early afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center.
But starting Monday, the Columbia area could be affected by severe weather — including powerful winds, heavy rain and possible flooding — according to the briefing.
Moderate to potentially heavy rain will be possible late Monday morning, and is expected to continue through the afternoon, the National Weather Service said.
Winds will also increase throughout the day, and a Lake Wind Advisory was issued for the Midlands, according to the briefing. The advisory went into effect at 2 a.m., and will run through 2 a.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. No other watches or warnings have been issued in the Columbia area, but that could change as the storm moves closer.