Stormy weekend weather possible for Hilton Head, Beaufort. Here’s when storms may roll in

As a warm front lifts north of South Carolina’s southeast coast and thunderstorms track east from the Gulf Coast, the commotion could cause thunderstorms to rattle the Lowcountry through Saturday.

“It looks like our string of nice weekends is over,” said Frank Strait, the state’s severe weather liaison. “A storm system over the nation’s midsection is drifting our way and will keep our weather unsettled through Sunday with chances for severe storms Saturday.”

While the National Weather Service’s Charleston Office classified Beaufort County’s severe weather outlook on Friday’s at its lowest category, thunderstorms are expected.

Beginning Friday afternoon and strengthening in the evening, thunderstorms have the potential to bring gusty winds and small hail, the service said.

“The severe threat will mainly be present across southeast Georgia, but could eventually extend into parts of southern South Carolina,” an NWS report read.

On Saturday, potential severe weather in the county is expected to jump to the service’s “slight risk” category. A “slight risk” means scattered and severe thunderstorms are possible but will be short-lived and isolated, according to the NWS.

A line of isolated storms Saturday afternoon may whip up damaging winds. An isolated tornado is also possible, the service said. Strong winds can cause damage to trees, mobile homes, roofs and cars. Whipping wind can also cause widespread power outages.

Local meteorologists predicted Beaufort County would get between 1 and 1.5 inches of rainfall Friday through Sunday evening. Most of it is expected Saturday afternoon and evening, especially along the state’s coastal counties, according to the NWS.

As of Friday morning, the county was under a hazardous weather outlook . Strait said the Lowcountry will have cooler temperatures Monday, with the high reaching the upper 70s.

“It looks as though the upper trough will move away Sunday night and become replaced by an upper-level ridge. An upper ridge promotes warm and tranquil weather,” Strait said. “The ridge will hang around for a few days and keep our weather quiet Monday through Wednesday.”