Tornado Watch and Severe Weather Alert for Augusta

News Summary

Augusta residents should prepare for severe weather this Sunday, as a tornado watch is in effect until 1 p.m. The National Weather Service has warned of intense thunderstorms, high winds, and potential flooding. Areas under alert include Burke, Columbia, McDuffie, and Richmond counties, while some counties remain under tornado watch. Updates indicate improving conditions by Sunday night, but safety precautions are advised throughout the storm’s peak hours.

Heads Up, Augusta! Tornado Watch and Severe Weather on the Way

Hey there, Augusta! Buckle up because it looks like Mother Nature is planning to throw a bit of a tantrum this Sunday. The National Weather Service has rolled out a tornado watch for our area, lasting through 1 p.m. today. This includes the counties of Burke, Columbia, McDuffie, and Richmond. So, if you have outdoor plans, you might want to think again!

Storms Heading Our Way

Forecasters are calling for some pretty intense thunderstorms building up before 3 p.m. with temperatures reaching a balmy high near 70 degrees. But hold on—wind gusts could hit levels of up to 25 mph, and we might see as much as 2 inches of rain fall down on us. It’s really looking like it’s going to be a soggy Sunday!

A Windy Day at the Lake

Also on the radar is a lake wind advisory for several counties in Georgia and South Carolina, particularly around Thurmond Lake. Winds could get up to 30 mph, which may create some serious rough waves for small boats. So if you’re planning a day on the water, better take some extra safety precautions!

Updates to the Tornado Watch

By around 9 a.m., we received updates that the tornado watch for most parts of the CSRA has been canceled, which is a bit of relief. However, places like Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Jenkins, and Screven counties are still on alert. The storm’s main line is expected to make an exit from our viewing area by 10 a.m., but don’t let your guard down just yet.

What’s Next for Augusta?

The steady rain with some lightning and thunder will likely stick around until midday. Following that, we can expect cloudy skies along with breezy, warm conditions. Highs will hover in the upper 60s to lower 70s, thanks to those southerly winds ranging from 10 to 15 mph, occasionally gusting to 20-25 mph.

Severe Storm Risks

Stay alert! The entire CSRA is currently under a level 2 slight risk for scattered severe thunderstorms along with a potential for isolated tornadoes. The height of the storm risk is projected between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. this Sunday, with two possible rounds of storms on the docket. The main threats include damaging wind gusts exceeding 58 mph and possible tornadoes. However, there remains some uncertainty about whether all these severe weather factors will align at the same time.

Things Clearing Up Soon

The good news? By Sunday night, it looks like we’ll shake off the wet weather and head into dry conditions that should stretch through New Year’s Day and into the first weekend of 2025. So hang in there; clear skies are just around the corner!

Stay Weather-Aware!

Local authorities are urging residents to stay weather-aware throughout the day. Additionally, there’s still a flash flood watch effective from 8 a.m. Thursday until 2 p.m. Friday. Just when you thought the weather had settled down, right? It’s always wise to keep tabs on those forecasts as conditions can change in the blink of an eye!

And speaking of changes, local schools in Aiken County have announced the cancellation of after-school activities for Thursday and transitioned to e-learning for Friday. They want to keep the kiddos safe and sound as we weather this storm.