Weather word for the weekend: Derecho.
A derecho is a widespread, long-lived straight-line windstorm connected to a fast-moving line of thunderstorms. It can bring thunder, lightning, heavy rain, flooding, and damaging winds.
For our area, the best thing we can do is stay weather-aware. Strong summer storms can build quickly in the mountains and Upstate South Carolina. Secure outdoor furniture, keep phones charged, watch for weather alerts, and never drive through water covering the road.
Whether it becomes an official derecho or simply a strong line of thunderstorms, straight-line winds can still bring down trees and power lines. A little preparation before the storm arrives can make a big difference.
The rain has started, so is it just our normal summer afternoon storms or are we having a derecho?
The safer wording is “strong to severe thunderstorms with possible damaging straight-line winds,” unless the National Weather Service specifically calls it a derecho. For Walhalla this weekend, the forecast shows thunderstorm chances, heat, humidity, and the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg discussion notes isolated severe storms with damaging wind gusts possible Saturday afternoon/evening. A derecho is more specific: NWS says it requires a wind-damage swath over 240 miles with gusts of at least 58 mph along most of the path.
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