Scattered thunderstorms — which could, potentially, produce severe storms including strong winds of almost 60 mph — are expected to sweep across the Lowcountry Saturday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston.

An approaching cold front is producing the dicey weather. Gusty south-southwest winds will show up in advance of showers and thunderstorms. The Weather Service says there is a “slight risk” that a few of the thunderstorms could produce severe weather including wind gusts of more than 58 mph, hail and perhaps even a brief tornado.

A quarter inch of rain also is possible.

The forecast called for prolonged south-southwest winds throughout the day with gusts of 30-35 mph.

Late Saturday morning, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office reported that a fallen tree blocked southbound lanes of Parris Island Gateway at Old Jericho Road in Burton.

The timing for the potential severe weather for coastal areas is 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for inland areas, the Weather Service said.

“It’s going to move through pretty quickly this afternoon,” said Dwight Koehn, a Weather Service hydro meteorologist technician. “The timing is going to be more mid-afternoon to late afternoon. There will be scattered thunderstorms, and a few of those thunderstorms could be strong.”

Flight restrictions are expected in the afternoon and evening.