Tropical Storm Watch issued for the Lowcountry – risks of heavy rain and tornadoes

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the Lowcountry as Tropical Storm Helene inches closer to the Florida coast.

Storm Team 2 says the Tropical Storm Watch has been issued in advance for Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, and Colleton Counties for the possibility of tropical-storm-force wind gusts.

“That would arrive tomorrow afternoon – tomorrow night, those would be around 40 mph. Some could go as high as 50, based off of what we’re seeing this morning,” said meteorologist Josh Marthers.

Josh Marthers adds the Lowcountry will see rain bands starting Thursday morning into Friday with 1-3 inches of rain for most areas. There is an elevated tornado risk late Thursday into Friday morning.

“Tropical tornadoes intensify typically in two cycles – from about noon to 6 p.m. and then about midnight to 6 a.m. Unfortunately, this band of showers and thunderstorms will likely be moving through our area in the midnight to 6 a.m. window tomorrow night into early Friday,” said Marthers.

Marthers adds the shape on the simulated radar indicates rotating supercell structures which means the Lowcountry will have a higher-than-normal risk of isolated tornadoes.

“Do I think it’s going to be an outbreak [of tornadoes] at this point – I’m not comfortable to make that statement, I like to say give me another 24 hours to do that,” said Marthers.