The National Weather Service forecast Sunday afternoon called for unsettled weather beginning overnight and worsening into Monday, when the greatest concern for strong to severe thunderstorms is expected during the midday and afternoon hours.
Sunday night is expected to bring a 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 a.m. Overnight winds could gust as high as 24 mph.
For Monday, the forecast for the Manning area calls for rain and thunderstorms before 3 p.m., followed by showers and the possibility of additional thunderstorms between 3 and 5 p.m. A chance of showers and thunderstorms could linger after 5 p.m. Monday’s forecast includes a high near 75 degrees and breezy conditions, with south winds of 11 to 20 mph and gusts as high as 40 mph. The National Weather Service placed the chance of precipitation at 90 percent and said rainfall totals between a tenth and a quarter of an inch are possible, with higher amounts in thunderstorms.
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division said Sunday that a greater and more widespread severe weather threat is expected Monday, with the primary timeframe between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The agency said Monday carries a Moderate Risk, or Level 4 of 5, for severe weather, compared to a Slight Risk, or Level 2 of 5, Sunday.
According to SCEMD, the main threats Monday are damaging winds and tornadoes. Some storms could produce wind gusts of 60 to 75 mph or higher, large hail and the potential for strong tornadoes rated EF2 or stronger. The agency also warned that wind gusts over 35 mph are likely even outside of thunderstorms.
By Monday night, conditions are expected to begin improving. The forecast shows a chance of rain and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., with clouds gradually clearing overnight and temperatures dropping sharply to around 32 degrees.
The threat appears to be short-lived, with much cooler and calmer weather expected behind the system. Tuesday’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and a high near 51, followed by clear and chilly overnight conditions with lows dipping into the upper 20s. Sunny conditions are expected to continue through midweek.
As of 4:00p.m. on Sunday, Clarendon Hall was the first local school to announce schedule changes because of the forecast. In a post to social media, the school said it will observe an e-learning day Monday, Mar. 16, “out of an abundance of caution due to the forecasted threat of severe weather during the mid-day hours.” The school also announced that all athletics and practices are canceled and will be rescheduled for another available date.
Laurence Manning Academy and Clarendon County School District had not announced any closures or schedule changes. The Manning Times will update this story if additional announcements are made.
