MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) -- A strong, fast-moving cold front brought a row of storms into the Carolinas this morning. The wrath of cold has already passed, the temperature is about to drop sharply.
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This cold front produced some strong winds across our region. Outside the WMBF studio, we had 60mph winds. We had several other reports of wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph. The highest wind reports we've seen so far from this storm were in Oak Island, NC, with speeds of up to 72mph. These strong winds have caused power outages in parts of eastern North Carolina. Even though the storm has passed, we're about to wind up today. Models are predicting winds of up to 50 mph could potentially topple tree branches and cause power outages. We're going to be windy all day long. This afternoon, winds will be up to 35 mph and the winds will not calm until tonight. Since we've become so dry, I don't expect flooding to be a problem.
Freeze Hazard:
Once the cold front passes through the region, you will see a big drop in temperature. We go from the upper 60s to mid-40s from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The temperature will continue to drop till evening. Tonight the lows in the 20s are going to be lower overnight with a gust of wind in the teens. If you have already started spring planting, this type of temperature is known as a plant killer. Make sure you protect your plants before tonight.
Rest of the week:
Temperatures in most parts of our region are going to struggle to break out of the 40s. The weather will remain calm with mostly sunshine. Temperatures are about to warm up again during the work week. We start on Monday with temperatures in the 60s and we'll slowly warm up to Friday in the 70s. We will remain dry for the next few days as our next chance of rain will be on Wednesday.