Myrtle Beach, SC, area sees three times more rain than normal. What to do.
Clashing weather patterns from inland and the ocean have caused over three times more rain to fall than normal in the Myrtle Beach area.
In the past week, the National Weather Service in Wilmington recorded 3.89 inches of rain, said meteorologist Jordan Baker. The normal amount for this time period is 1.25 inches. Looking back two weeks, there has been 6.88 inches of precipitation in North Myrtle Beach compared to the normal 2.42 inches.
An inland high-pressure cold front clashing with warm, humid air hanging over the ocean is to blame.
“You have a gradient where you have drier air inland and moist air over the water. Where they’re meeting, it’s just mechanically every day, allowing showers and thunderstorms to develop,” Baker said.
There have been many dreary days, with overcast clouds hanging over the Grand Strand all day instead of the typical summer storms that move in and out. This weather pattern has been seen along the coastal Carolinas, Baker said.
The August rain has brought a flash flood watch until 8 p.m. on Aug. 11, Baker said. Earlier rainfall has soaked the ground, and with more precipitation in the forecast, it could cause floods. On Monday, afternoon storms are expected to be isolated and slow moving.
“If (the storms) get parked over an area, they could dump quite a bit of rain in a short period of time,” Baker said.
This is different from the heavy rain the Myrtle Beach area saw in June. The early summer storms were brought on by a low-pressure trough and colder air in the sky, The Sun News previously reported. Clouds and storms formed when warm air from the ground rose and made contact with the chilly air up high.
Normal August weather should resume late this week, Baker said. Rip currents are expected over the weekend as Hurricane Erin moves off the African coast.
Trey Cober, the Shark Wake Park manager, said the rain has not impacted his business. People are still playing on the inflatables even in the rain. He did notice that 810 Billiards was busier than normal over the weekend, and figured the rain had pushed people inside.
Five rainy day activities
Rather than sitting around the hotel room bored, here are five indoor activities in the Myrtle Beach area perfect for a rainy day.
- Stars and Strikes. Located at the Coastal Grand Mall, 600 Coastal Grand Circle, the entertainment center boasts 24 bowling lanes, large arcade, multi-story laser tag arena and axe throwing. There’s also a restaurant and bar.
- 810 Billiards and Bowling. With three locations along the Grand Strand, this entertainment center offers a little something for everyone from bowling, billiard tables, corn hole, ping pong, darts and mini golf. With a restaurant as well, you could spend the entire day here.
- Ripley’s Aquarium. See many different animals, including a tunnel that allows you to walk under a tank of sharks, penguins, touch a stingray, slow down with the sloths or have breakfast with a mermaid. The aquarium, 110 Celebrity Circle, allows you to experience ocean animals as well as other creatures.
- Hollywood Wax Museum. The museum, 1808 21st Ave. N., gives visitors a chance to get up close with their favorite stars. And while they are the wax versions, the likeness is just like standing next to the real person. Stars include everyone from Beyonce, to Elvis, to Bruno Mars, to getting beamed up aboard the USS Enterprise with “Star Trek’s” Spock. There are also props to help make things more interactive and fun. Bring your cameras for those selfies.
- Boardwalk Arcade. For those who have been coming to Myrtle Beach for some time, there’s a great chance that you have visited this nostalgic arcade at 912 N. Ocean Blvd. that has been in business since the 1930s. Located along the Boardwalk downtown, it offers up old-timey games, as well as newer games.
