Potential storms on Hilton Head going into Memorial Day weekend. Here’s the forecast

Clusters of thunderstorms forming Friday afternoon and evening could bring severe weather to Beaufort County, according to the National Weather Service’s Charleston Office.

A few of those storms may produce damaging wind gusts between 4 and 10 p.m., the service said. Strong winds can cause damage to trees, mobile homes, roofs and cars. Whipping wind can also cause widespread power outages.

“The stronger storms we see today will be capable of causing damaging wind and possibly large hail as well,” said Frank Strait, the state’s severe weather liaison said. “The storms should wind down or move offshore around midnight tonight.”

The storms could bring locally heavy downpours and flooding in poor drainage areas, an NWS hazardous outlook said. In addition to potential heavy rain and strong winds, Sunday’s max temp will reach 97 degrees. Feels-like temperatures could be over 100, the NWS said.

On Friday morning, Beaufort County was classified by local meteorologists as being at “marginal risk.” Marginal risk means the possibility of isolated severe thunderstorms that are limited in duration, coverage and/or intensity, according to the NWS.

“Sunday should be the least active day of the holiday weekend because the front will have dissipated by then,” Strait said. “ Any thunderstorms that erupt from the summery heat and humidity will be few and far between, but those that do may produce gusty winds.”

Strait said there is a chance for severe thunderstorms on Memorial Day, but it depends on whether the cold front reaches the state during the heat of the day when it’s most unstable or arrives later after it’s started to cool down.

While alerts for severe weather in the Lowcountry have been touch-and-go in fruition, last weekend back-to-back strong and prolonged storms ripped through Beaufort County, destroying a park pavilion in Bluffton and a vacation rental’s attic on Fripp Island.

On the Monday after the storms, nine preliminary storm reports had been submitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration over, including felled trees across the county, quarter-sized pellets on Hunting Island State Park and golf ball-sized hail on Fripp Island.

Strait said looking forward to Tuesday, cooler air will move in behind the front, which will end the hot spell, and there’s potential for thunderstorms. Wednesday through Friday should be dry, sunny and less humid.

“It will be a stretch of ‘enjoy it because we won’t see many more days like this before summer heat kicks in to stay’ sort of weather,” Strait said.

Memorial Day weekend forecast

Saturday: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, after 3 p.m. and before 7 p.m. High near 90. Low around 72.

Sunday: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. High near 92. Low around 75.

Monday: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. High near 92. Low around 74.