Hurricane Milton Strengthens But Columbia Set to Breathe Easy

All Eyes on Hurricane Milton While Columbia Breaths Easier

Good day, Columbia! As we take a moment to look at the unfolding weather situation, it seems we have a bit of good news regarding Hurricane Milton, which is currently making its way across the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center has been keeping a close watch on this storm as it strengthens; however, it appears that the impact on our beloved city will be minimal. Phew!

Strengthening Storm, But Not for Us

Hurricane Milton is expected to reach land in Florida later this week, bringing wind and rain to the Sunshine State. It’s projected to be a major storm, but the current trajectory indicates that it will be moving out to the Atlantic rather than veering north toward South Carolina. This is fantastic news for those of us in the Columbia area.

Brad Carlberg, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service, reassured us that “thankfully, we are in a good spot with Hurricane Milton.” As it turns out, a friendly cold front heading down from the north will help shield us from the worst of the hurricane’s effects. Can you believe it?

Weather Outlook for Columbia

So, what can we expect in terms of weather? Columbia should only see some gusty winds, perhaps reaching up to 20 mph later this week, specifically on Thursday afternoon into the evening. But that’s really about it!

As for rainfall, you can hang up your umbrellas—there’s no rain forecasted for the Columbia area. Any precipitation from Milton is projected to affect areas much more southeast of us. In addition to that, it seems we can breathe easy regarding tornadoes, as they’re not expected to be part of this storm.

Carlberg mentioned that there’s a good 60 to 80 percent chance that Milton will stay south of us, which is heartening to hear. Compare that to what we’ve recently endured from Hurricane Helene; it’s abundantly clear that this forecast feels like a breath of fresh (fall) air!

Coastal Concerns

However, it’s not all smooth sailing for the rest of South Carolina. Areas closer to the coast, particularly around Charleston, might experience some tricky weather conditions including coastal flooding, particularly on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. So, if you have friends or family in that area, it might be a good time to check in on them!

Charleston is also looking at threats such as wind gusts, rainfall, enhanced rip currents, and high surf. Here in Columbia, we can look forward to sunny skies and temperatures in the lovely 70s through Friday. Plus, don’t forget to pull out your cozy sweaters because overnight temps will dip into the 50s. How nice is that?

Staying Updated

As we keep a close eye on Hurricane Milton, it’s important to remain vigilant. Despite the favorable forecast for Columbia, the Atlantic is still bustling with activity — there are two other hurricanes and one tropical wave forming off the coast of Africa. Right now, none of them appear to be heading our way, which is a relief!

Hurricane Kirk is making its way east toward Europe, and Hurricane Leslie looks like it’s going to remain out in the ocean. Carlberg labeled Leslie as a “fish storm,” suggesting that we probably won’t have to worry about it making landfall on the mainland.

A Comforting Thought

After the devastating effects felt by the Midlands from Hurricane Helene just weeks ago, where sadly more than 40 lives were lost and severe flooding occurred, this update is a much-needed comfort. Over 52,000 outages were still reported in South Carolina following Helene, but it’s encouraging that Milton isn’t expected to add to our troubles.

So let’s keep our spirits high, Columbia! With calmer weather anticipated in our area, we can focus on recovery and enjoying the beautiful fall-like weather approaching. Keep an eye out for any updates, and don’t forget to give your family and friends by the coast a quick call to check in. Stay safe!