Lightning Strike in South Carolina, August 19, 2021

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston SC
607 PM EDT Thu Aug 19 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
The region will remain positioned between an inland trough and
Atlantic high pressure into mid next week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING/...
Convection will continue along the sea breeze and outflow
boundaries through at least mid evening given MLCAPE as great as
3000-3500 J/kg and Normalized CAPE of .20 to .25. Given
considerable moisture with PWat over 2 inches and CINH only
slowly increasing, we still have scattered convection to occur.
DCAPE in excess of 1000 J/kg could result in some pulse storms
generating strong wind gusts, with a non-zero risk of isolated
severe. Given the potential for training and weak upper
difluence, locally heavy rains can result in at least minor
flooding in places. High tide early this evening could
complicate the situation in some coastal areas.

Previous discussion...
The surface pattern features a small area of high pressure
offshore, and a second area to our southwest in the Gulf of
Mexico. Meanwhile, a trough is near the coast. This pattern is
yielding WSW winds across our area. These winds initially kept
the sea breeze pinned. But the sea breeze has overcome them and is
now moving inland. There is a lot of instability across our
area, owing to highs in the lower 90s, and mid 90s in some
locations. The SPC Mesoscale Analysis continues to have MLCAPEs
peaking in the ~3,500-4,000 J/kg over the next few hours.
Additionally, DCAPEs are up to 1,000 J/kg. Though, shear is
almost non-existent. It's not out of the question we could have
a borderline pulse severe thunderstorm with damaging wind gusts
into this evening. We will note that the CAMs vary quite a bit
on the evolution of the convection into the evening and
overnight hours. Similar differences are found with the
synoptic models. We anticipate the bulk of the convection to be
mainly along the sea breeze, and a bit less elsewhere into this
evening. Then, another round of weakening convection could move
into our area from the west, aided by some mid/upper level
support. Regardless, late tonight should be mainly dry for a
vast majority of our area. Low temperatures are forecast to be
in the mid to upper 70s.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Aloft, a trough will remain positioned just inland of the region,
while several hundred miles offshore Tropical Cyclone Henri slowly
moves east-northeastward. Shortwave energy associated with the
trough aloft will work over the forecast area, enhancing the risk
for showers/thunderstorms. The atmosphere remains moist, with PWATs
forecast to be over 2 inches through the next several days.
Temperatures will remain slightly above normal, with heat indices
approaching 100 to 105 degrees each afternoon.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
In the early portion of the week a trough aloft will be positioned
over or just east of the region. This feature will provide shortwave
energy and necessary forcing for showers and thunderstorms, in
addition to the forcing driven by the afternoon sea breeze.
Temperatures will continue to be slightly above normal, with heat
indices approaching 100. By mid week, high pressure begins to build
back into the forecast area, bringing more diurnally driven showers
and thunderstorms. Temperatures will return to closer to normal for
this time of year.

&&

.AVIATION /22Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
18Z TAFs: Mainly VFR. Convection is developing across our area
this afternoon, most notably along the sea breeze. The bulk of
the convection should remain near the sea breeze, but other
pockets should continue to form elsewhere. Since there remains
a reasonable chance for impacts to the TAF sites, we maintained
the TEMPO groups from 19-23Z. Though, amendments will be issued
if radar trends indicate otherwise. Models differ on how long
it'll take for the convection to dissipate this evening, so we
leaned towards VCTS going longer with the anticipation that it
can be trimmed with the next set of TAFs. Overnight into Friday,
VFR should prevail.

Extended Aviation Outlook: Brief flight restrictions are possible
with afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms.

&&

.MARINE...
Tonight: The coastal waters will remain sandwiched between a
narrow area of high pressure just to our east and a trough
inland. This synoptic pattern will yield SSW winds 10 or 15 kt
this evening, becoming west after midnight. As for seas, longer
period swell associated with Tropical Cyclone Henri will migrate
through our waters. Seas will average 2-3 ft.

Friday through Tuesday: Tropical Cyclone Henri is forecast to drift
further towards the East Coast, while remaining several hundred
miles offshore. Swell from Henri could begin affecting the coastal
waters Friday afternoon and persist through Saturday. Seas could
approach or even exceed 6 feet depending on the track of Henri,
especially in the 20 to 60 nm GA waters. Atlantic high pressure will
prevail thereafter, with winds generally southwest around 15 knots.

Rip Currents: Due to swell from Tropical Cyclone Henri there is a
moderate risk of rip currents Friday and Saturday. There could
even be a high risk if swells are larger and/or longer in
period, especially since we had several rip currents at Tybee
earlier today.

&&

.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Tides/Coastal Flooding...Tide levels are forecast to reach marginal
Coastal Flood Advisory levels around Charleston during the Friday
night high tide and possibly Saturday night as well, mainly due to
the full moon and swells from tropical cyclone Henri well offshore.
Thus, minor coastal flooding will be possible, with flooding being
exacerbated if heavy rain falls around the same time.

&&

.CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None.
SC...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

NEAR TERM...
SHORT TERM...
LONG TERM...
AVIATION...
MARINE...
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Charleston SC
341 PM EDT Thu Aug 19 2021

AMZ330-350-352-354-374-201945-
Charleston Harbor-
Waters from South Santee River to Edisto Beach SC out 20 NM-
Waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM-
Waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA out 20 NM, including
Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary-
Waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA from 20 to 60 NM-
341 PM EDT Thu Aug 19 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time.

GAZ087-088-099>101-114>116-118-137-138-140-SCZ040-042>045-047-052-
201945-
Jenkins-Screven-Candler-Bulloch-Effingham-Tattnall-Evans-
Inland Bryan-Inland Chatham-Long-Inland Liberty-Inland McIntosh-
Allendale-Hampton-Inland Colleton-Dorchester-Inland Berkeley-
Inland Jasper-Tidal Berkeley-
341 PM EDT Thu Aug 19 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Georgia and
southeast South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time.

SCZ049-050-201945-
Coastal Colleton-Charleston-
341 PM EDT Thu Aug 19 2021

...MODERATE RISK FOR RIP CURRENTS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Moderate Risk for Rip Currents.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Moderate Risk for Rip Currents.

Coastal Flooding...Tide levels are forecast to reach marginal
Coastal Flood Advisory levels around Charleston during the Friday
night high tide and possibly Saturday night as well, mainly due to
the full moon and swells from tropical cyclone Henri well offshore.
Thus, minor coastal flooding will be possible, with flooding being
exacerbated if heavy rain falls around the same time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time.

GAZ117-119-139-141-SCZ048-051-201945-
Coastal Bryan-Coastal Chatham-Coastal Liberty-Coastal McIntosh-
Beaufort-Coastal Jasper-
341 PM EDT Thu Aug 19 2021

...MODERATE RISK FOR RIP CURRENTS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Georgia and
southeast South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Moderate Risk for Rip Currents.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Moderate Risk for Rip Currents.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time.

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
423 PM EDT THU AUG 19 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0200 PM     RIP CURRENTS     TYBEE ISLAND            31.99N  80.85W
08/19/2021                   CHATHAM            GA   LIFEGUARD

            NUMEROUS RIP CURRENTS HAVE BEEN SPOTTED BY THE TYBEE
            ISLAND LIFEGUARDS THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON SOUTH OF 7TH
            STREET. THERE WERE THREE ASSISTS JUST SOUTH OF THE PIER
            AROUND 2 PM WITH NO INJURIES REPORTED.

&&

EVENT NUMBER CHS2100573

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
625 PM EDT Thu Aug 19 2021

SCZ043>045-192300-
Inland Berkeley-Inland Colleton-Dorchester-
625 PM EDT Thu Aug 19 2021

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF COLLETON, BERKELEY
AND DORCHESTER COUNTIES...

At 624 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Dorchester to
near Canadys, and moving east at 5 mph.

HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph and excessive cloud to ground
         lightning.

SOURCE...Radar Indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects. All outdoor activities should
         cease. Move indoors immediately.

Some locations in the path of these storms include...
Summerville, Givhans Ferry State Park, Dorchester, Ridgeville,
Cottageville, Round O, Givhans and Jedburg.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas. Do not drive your
vehicle through flooded roadways.

Excessive cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 15 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3319 8003 3302 8015 3302 8016 3301 8018
      3299 8016 3289 8023 3289 8047 3299 8070
      3324 8037
TIME...MOT...LOC 2224Z 281DEG 6KT 3319 8036 3302 8058

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH