Storm blows through, more may come; heat spell broken

Image by National Weather ServiceImage by 20080807weather.jpg The storm is pushing northeast at 47 mph, and has been observed dropping up-to quarter-sized hail. More intense colors on the map indicate more moisture.

Update: The storms seems to have split while passing over Charleston. But conditions are still ripe for rain over the short term.

Also on the upside, the storm's coming marked a break in the oppressive weather system signaling, cooler temperatures in the mid-80s the next several days.

Original post: The conditions are expected to pop up at varying times through Friday evening.

Some useful links:
- Weather map
- View a map of rainfall in the last hour
- Report a power outage: 1-888-333-4465 (streetlights and outdoor lighting: 1-800-251-7234)
- SCE&G's mobile Web page
- SCE&G's storm tips
- Area traffic cameras

The National Weather Service issued a severe weather warning that said:
Severe thunderstorms...scattered to numerous thunderstorms will continue this evening. Some storms may become severe with damaging winds and large hail expected to be the main weather hazards. Conditions will also favor excessive cloud to ground lightning with any storms that develop...as well as torrential...possibly excessive rainfall.

Red the full forecast.

We're pretty far from high tide, so we don't have to worry about it impeding the rainwater from draining.

As of 6:25 p.m. some 5,342 were without power in the Orangeburg-Summerville area, and 904 were without in the Charleston area, according to SCE&G.

We'll keep you updated as things develop.