COLUMBIA, S.C. — Light rain is expected for at least parts of the Midlands through the early afternoon hours; otherwise, it will be cloudy with temperatures in the middle 70s for most of the area. The clouds will stick around Wednesday. Showers and storms are possible Thursday, but dry weather returns to South Carolina Friday.
The weather was nearly perfect for the partial solar eclipse on Monday. Temperatures hit the middle to upper 70s. The Columbia airport reported a high of 77 degrees. Our average temperature this time of the year is 75 degrees.
Any rain today will be very isolated by the afternoon hours. Highs will be in the middle 70s for a large part of the area. It will be a little cooler in the northern half of the Midlands. It will be a little warmer in the southern half of the area.
Wednesday will be cloudy and warm. High temperatures will return to the upper 70s to near 80 degrees. Some rain is possible very late Wednesday night and into Thursday.
Severe weather is possible on Thursday. A cold front will approach the area. The Storm Prediction Center has most of South Carolina at a slight risk of severe weather, but there is a lot of uncertainty in this forecast.
A slight risk for severe weather means that scattered severe storms are possible but are usually short-lived and not widespread. Intense, severe thunderstorms are possible under this category but are isolated. Damaging winds and large hail become scattered in this category, with tornadoes still low in coverage.
The weather is a bit breezy Friday as cooler, dry air moves in. Highs will be in the lower 70s. The weekend will be mainly sunny and warm.