SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Thursday afternoon started out with a partly sunny sky with hot and humid conditions. Highs today topped out in the upper 80s to lower 90s. 

Scattered showers and storms started to develop in the late afternoon and continued into the evening. Some storms were strong producing wind gusts in excess of 30s mph.

The Long County Fire Department reported to the National Weather Service that multiple trees were toppled near Ludowici from a stronger cell.

Multiple storms prompted flooding concerns with flood advisories. An area of very heavy rain over Chatham, Bryan, and Liberty County prompted a flash flood warning for a time.

However, there were not any reports of significant flooding issues in our area.

More heavy rain is expected for Friday and into the weekend with more moisture flowing into the southeast. A Flood Watch has been issued more most of the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry until Sunday morning.

Multiple rounds of heavy rain will lead to rainfall totals over 3-4″ between Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Thunderstorms may be able to produce higher amounts at times.

Friday morning will start out with a partly to mostly cloudy sky and warm temperatures in the mid to upper 70s.

Showers and storms will begin to develop in the late morning to early afternoon. Storms will begin first in the north and gradually work their way southward through the later afternoon.

Widespread storms are expected for the early evening. Many high school football games across the region may be impacted by heavy rain and thunderstorms.

While severe storms are not expected at this time, be ready to seek shelter if any storms develop over your area. “When thunder roars, go indoors.”

An unsettled pattern will continue over the weekend with scattered rain and storms possible Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Rain again will have the chance to be heavy at times. Localized flooding is possible both days. 

A drier pattern will make a return for the new workweek. Highs on Monday and Tuesday will be in the lower 90s.

A cooler airmass will move into the southeast by Wednesday which will bring highs in the 80s back.

TRACKING THE TROPICS

Hurricane Erin maintained category 2 status throughout Thursday with 100 mph sustained wind as of 8 p.m. National Hurricane Center Advisory. Erin is located about 420 miles to the East of Virginia Beach.

This storm is now moving northeast at 20 mph, away from the East coast of the U.S. and will no longer pose a direct impact to the U.S.

High surf and rip currents will remain and issue for the Mid-Atlantic and New England coasts through the weekend. 

MORE DEVELOPMENT

A strong topical wave is located just to the northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands has a high (80%) chance of development into a tropical depression or tropical storm over the next 5-7 days.

The environment will support additional development and possible strengthening. The path this tropical waves will be toward Bermuda over the next few days and then northeast, taking it away from the United States. 

The National Hurricane Center is also monitoring a tropical wave located southwest of the Cape Verde Islands. This wave is very slow moving and has a medium risk of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm over the next 5-7 days.

The path that this tropical wave takes will be more southerly than previous storms, meaning that it may end up in the Caribbean Sea within the next week or so. There is no threat to the U.S. from this system now.

A third tropical wave located in the north-central Atlantic has a low ( 20%) chance of developing into a tropical system. This tropical wave is not expected to develop and pose any threat to land.