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GREENVILLE
Greenville News
A hazardous weather outlook is currently in effect for northeast Georgia, the western and Piedmont and Foothills of North Carolina, and Upstate South Carolina.
The National Weather Service at GSP has issued the outlook due to increased fire danger and stormy weather. A wind advisory is also in effect for these areas from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. due to Wednesday's thunderstorms.
"It's going to be windy in the Greenville area," said Jake Wimberley with the NWS. "Gusts of 30 to 40 miles an hour probably frequently. Those will develop late tonight and continue through the day tomorrow. So you know, it's something we would be concerned about."
Here's what to know about the hazardous weather outlook.
What to know about high winds
Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph are to be expected with Wednesday's storms. Unsecured objects may be blown around by gusty winds, and trees weakened from Tropical Storm Helene may fall down. There is also the possibility of a few power outages occurring as a result. Driving may be difficult due to high winds, especially high profile vehicles. Make sure to use extra caution when driving in these weather conditions.
Thunderstorms to produce 'damaging straight-line wind gusts'
On Tuesday night, a strong cold front will move into the Upstate region along with gusty winds and heavy rain. A line of thunderstorms may form and move across the region during the pre-dawn hours, with the potential to produce damaging straight-line wind gusts.
At daybreak Wednesday, a line of thunderstorms may still be moving across the western Piedmont of N.C. and eastern Upstate S.C. Storms may produce straight-line wind gusts. Across the Piedmont, there may be a chance of an isolated tornado or two. Gusty winds will likely persist over the region going into Thursday.
Risk of increased fire danger
A fire danger statement remains in effect for N.C., S.C., and northeast Georgia. An outdoor burning ban also remains in effect for Upstate S.C. This ban prohibits all outdoor burning.
"Although relative humidity will be higher today, temperatures will be warmer and winds will be stronger during the afternoon and early evening hours." said the NWS. "Rain is not expected to develop soon enough to have an impact on fuel moistures during the warmest part of the day today."
Weekly weather forecast, per NWS
? Tuesday night: Showers, mainly after 4 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 55. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 18 to 23 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
? Wednesday: Showers, mainly before 8 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 66. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 23 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
? Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. West wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.
? Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 59. West northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
? Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.
? Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
? Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
? Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
? Saturday night: A 50% chance of showers after 9 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
? Sunday: A 30% chance of showers before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
? Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at [email protected].