Warming Tuesday, severe storm threat
TONIGHT: Clouds return tonight with rain and a few thunderstorms overnight. Storms could produce hail up to the size of quarters but will be isolated. Temperatures drop into the lower 50s before midnight and gradually rise toward morning with a south wind at 10-18 mph.
TUESDAY: It will be warm and windy with high temperatures in the mid to upper 70s, possibly breaking the record high in Columbia of 75 from 1972. Southerly winds of 15-20 mph will gust to 30 mph at times, giving us a higher fire risk Tuesday. There is a slight chance of t-storms by late afternoon which will increase Tuesday evening and overnight as a cold front moves through. Spotty storms are possible in the afternoon but a better chance exists from 9 PM to 4 AM with storms more widespread. These will move out by 5 AM Wednesday. Severe storms are possible with the best chance south of HWY 54 where there is an Enhanced Severe Threat. Large hail and strong winds are the primary threats but a tornado is possible.
EXTENDED: Another slight chance of light rain moves in from the northwest Wednesday morning. A brief period of snow or rain/ snow mix is possible north of I-70 Wednesday morning but accumulation is not expected due to above freezing temperatures. It will be cooler Wednesday with highs near 50, dropping to near 30 overnight. The rest of the week looks dry with temperatures returning to the 60s by the upcoming weekend. Please check back for updates and follow ABC17Stormtrack on Twitter and ABC17News on Facebook for updates as well.
