Powerful winds forecast to lash the Columbia area as heavy rains continue to fall

Hazardous winds and heavy rain are predicted for the Columbia area this weekend according to the National Weather Service. The system, which could bring flash floods and gusts as high as 40 mph to the Midlands region of South Carolina and parts of the Central Savannah River Area, is expected to move through the region beginning Saturday night and into Sunday.

The National Weather Service said the hazardous weather is likely to affect Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Fairfield, Kershaw, Edgefield, Saluda, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties.

The threat of severe weather is low, and is only expected in the area along the Interstate 95 corridor, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service is predicting that clear, cool conditions Saturday during the day will give way to rain in the afternoon and evening, continuing overnight.

The heaviest rainfall is expected throughout Sunday.

The rain might begin to taper off in the afternoon, but winds will remain gusty throughout the night, according to the National Weather Service.

Winds are expected to begin picking up Sunday morning and continue throughout the day. The strongest winds, with gusts up to 30 to 40 mph, are expected in the eastern part of the forecast zone, which includes Barnwell, Orangeburg and Calhoun counties, as well as the southeastern corner of Richland County.

Two to three inches of rain are expected to fall on much of the Midlands from 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday. Some parts of the southeastern Midlands could see as much as four inches of rain. Localized rainfall amounts could be higher, as there is a 100% chance of rain Sunday in the Columbia area, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

“Heavy rain could lead to flash flooding on Sunday and possibly river flooding into the early part of the work week,” the National Weather Servicesaid.

The weather service is also warning that the wind could cause tree damage and damage to outdoor decorations. Damage to trees and branches creates the possibility of downed power lines and outages.

As of 9 a.m. Sunday, hundreds of Midlands residents reported power outages.

A lake wind advisory is in place for Midlands South Carolina and eastern Georgia. Boaters are being warned that strong winds of 15 to 25 knots, or roughly up to 30 mph, will cause waves and rough conditions that could overturn smaller boats. The lake wind advisory is in effect through 9 a.m. Monday.

Drivers are also asked to use caution as wet conditions could affect roads.

Even as the storm moves beyond the Columbia area, breezy and gusty winds will continue to be felt on Monday and into Monday night, the National Weather Service said.

While rain and wind could continue into Sunday night, with winds continuing Monday, the rest of the week is expected to be dry, clear and cool. It will be especially cold overnight from Monday through Wednesday, with lows expected in the 20s, according to the forecast.

The forecast shows that daytime temperatures aren’t expected to climb above the 50s at the start of the week.

Here is a full list of South Carolina counties the NWS says could be impacted by hazardous weather beginning Sunday:

Lincoln, McDuffie, Columbia, Richmond, Burke, Chesterfield, McCormick, Newberry, Fairfield, Kershaw, Edgefield, Saluda, Lexington, Richland, Lee, Aiken, Sumter, Barnwell, Calhoun, Clarendon, Bamberg, Northern Lancaster, Southern Lancaster, Northwestern Orangeburg, Central Orangeburg, Southeastern Orangeburg