Upstate SC weather: Severe storm risks Thursday with sunny Memorial Day weekend ahead
Memorial Day weekend is shaping up to be a gem with plenty of sunshine.
But first, there's more rain – and a lot of it – along with the possibility of thunderstorms to contend with, according to the National Weather Service at Greenville-Spartanburg.
In fact, the Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg areas could see at least 1 to 2 inches of rainfall through Thursday night, according to the latest forecast.
"The area should get at least an inch of rain from that system coming through on Thursday," meteorologist Doug Outlaw said. "Rain should diminish Friday and end in the evening, and then a dry weekend."
This week began stormy Monday, with thunderstorms, over an inch of rainfall and a 200-yard-wide EF-1 tornado with 110 mph winds that uprooted trees and damaged roofs of homes along a 5.3-mile path near Chesnee.
Severe weather in SC: NWS confirms tornado in Chesnee, Boiling Springs area
After a cloudy and breezy Wednesday, rain should arrive late Wednesday night into Thursday morning,
The Upstate is under a risk for thunderstorms Thursday, according to the NWS. A large area from Texas to lower Michigan is under a marginal risk for severe weather Thursday.
Showers, storms Thursday
For the region, the forecast calls for an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday with a high near 81. There is a 90% chance of showers and a thunderstorm Thursday night.
A 70% chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm are expected Friday with a high near 79. By Friday night, there is a 30% chance of showers as the storm system moves away.
On Saturday, expect plenty of sunshine with a high near 80 to 82. Sunday will be sunny with a high of 84 to 86, and Memorial Day will see a high near 88 under a sunny sky.
More: What to know and things to do if you're headed out to Spartanburg County's lakes
Rising gas prices for Memorial Day travelers
Meanwhile, those traveling on highways this Memorial Day weekend can expect continued high gas prices, according to AAA Carolinas.
South Carolina's gas price average on Monday was $4.29 a gallon, 10 cents higher than last week and 50 cents higher than a month ago. Compared to last year at this time, it was %1.56 higher.
Gas prices reach record highs: Here's how to take a summer road trip without spending a fortune as gas prices reach records
Tighter supply and increased demand have pushed pump prices higher, according to AAA Carolinas spokeswoman Tiffany Wright.
For updated state and metro prices, go to https://gasprices.aaa.com/.
Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com. Please support our coverage of Spartanburg County with a digital subscription.
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Sunshine expected Memorial Day for Spartanburg, Upstate SC
