Ed Piotrowski

Chief Meteorologist for WPDE ABC-15. Amateur photographer. N.C. State grad. 7x EMMY Nominated. 0 wins 😀

[Ed Piotrowski @EdPiotrowski]

Carol Piotrowski
July 2, 1943 – July 26, 2026

Sunday morning, Mom peacefully left her earthly home and entered her eternal home in Heaven, where she is forever in the presence of Jesus. She is free from pain and suffering and now rests in perfect peace, surrounded by everlasting joy and the boundless love of her Savior.

Sunday morning was both heartbreaking and beautiful.

As daybreak arrived, it became clear that Mom was nearing the end of her earthly journey. Dad, her three children, her five grandchildren and one of her great-grandchildren gathered around her bedside. Holding her hand, I couldn’t stop sobbing as I repeatedly told her how much I loved her and how grateful I was for her love, her sacrifices, and her guidance throughout my life. The pain was so intense.

Then, quietly and peacefully, it was over.

Mom took her final breath and stepped into eternity.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, yet an overwhelming sense of peace settled over all of us. We sat together in silence, taking in the beauty of her face. She looked so peaceful and angelic. We knew exactly where she was, and we knew she was finally free from every pain she had endured.

Later that day, our family gathered around the television, sharing pictures and memories of Mom’s beautiful life. My sister then shared something that brought us all to tears once again. During the night, Mom had quietly mumbled a few words, so my sister gently asked who she was talking to.

Mom answered with just one word:

“God.”

The room filled with tears, but this time they were tears of joy. It felt like such a precious gift from the Lord…a gentle reminder that Heaven was already drawing near.

Thank You, God, for that blessing.

Mom lived an incredible life. Even during the last ten years, when she faced countless illnesses, hospital stays, and physical challenges, she never lost her beautiful smile or her positive spirit. She met every hardship with grace, courage, and unwavering faith. Everyone who knew her loved her because of her kindness and gentle heart.

Cindy and I have no regrets.

When Mom and Dad moved in with us 13 years ago, they were given a new lease on life. Although Mom was confined to a wheelchair and her health gradually declined over the years, we never stopped fighting for her or loving her with everything we had.

Cindy has been nothing short of a saint. She never treated Mom like a burden. She made her feel included, valued, and deeply loved every single day. She cared for Mom with the same tenderness and devotion she shows her own mother, and for that I will be forever grateful.

One of the greatest blessings of my life was caring for mom. I got to put her to bed every night.

I’d use the Hoyer lift to help her into bed, fluff her pillows, make sure her phone and iPad were charging, prop up her feet, cover her with a blanket, and before I walked out of the room, I’d tell her, “I love you.”

Every single night.

Looking back now, I realize those simple moments became some of the greatest privileges of my life.

Our home will never be the same without her physical presence, but her love, her faith, her laughter, and the countless memories she gave us will fill these rooms forever.

Mom, I love you, and I will miss you more than words can ever express. I promise to honor your life and your legacy for all the rest of my days.

This isn’t goodbye, it’s simply, “I’ll see you later.”

Until the day we’re reunited in Heaven, rest in the arms of Jesus. I’ll look forward to the moment we embrace again in the presence of our Savior.

[Ed Piotrowski @EdPiotrowski]

1 PM TUESDAY TROPICAL UPDATE

A healthy tropical wave has emerged off the coast of Africa. If this were any other season, it would definitely catch my attention. But for now, it's heading into a very hostile environment dominated by strong wind shear and dry air, making development highly unlikely.

Elsewhere, it's crickets across the tropics.

[Ed Piotrowski @EdPiotrowski]

8:10 AM RADAR UPDATE

Showers and a few storms will roll up the Grand Strand over the next few hours. In an atmospheric set up like this, a water spout isn’t out of the question.

[Ed Piotrowski @EdPiotrowski]

@johncu71 Awesome man. (Sorry I missed this last night)

[Donna Wells @DonnaWells08]

Good Morning ☀️ @spann @ChrisSmithPW @justinkieferwx @EdPiotrowski #FloridaPanhandle

[Ed Piotrowski @EdPiotrowski]

The next two days will feature a good chance of showers and storms. The best chance for the Grand Strand will be in the morning and across the Pee Dee and Border Belt during the afternoon. As the week goes along, there will be fewer storms, and it will get hotter. No tropical threats for the next 7 days.

[Ed Piotrowski @EdPiotrowski]

5:45 pm - Numerous showers and storms are rolling through the area. Nothing severe, but there are areas of heavy rain and frequent lightning.

[Matt Harris @MattRHarris]

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalms 19:1

That certainly was the case early Sunday morning along the Grand Strand. #mymyrtlebeach #scwx @EdPiotrowski

Photo Credit: Tim Akerlund

[Mark Moore @MMoore_hoops]

Good morning! 🌧️ #SunsetBeach @EdPiotrowski @medwick @DylanHudlerWXII @jamiearnoldWMBF @LeeHaywoodWX @dogwoodblooms @marioncaldwx @JustinMcKeeWx @StarboardRail @ThePhotoHour @CMorganWX @Christina4casts @AndrewWMBF @ScottyPowellWX @jgreenhillwx @TimBuckleyWX @clairefrywx @matt_wx

[Ed Piotrowski @EdPiotrowski]

@PerdueWx Hey Alex! First of all congratulations on going to college. Secondly, I promise you are going to be fine. Just keep being you and doing great things and you’ll see! Good luck buddy.

[Ed Piotrowski @EdPiotrowski]

@jgoose514 So funny!!

[John @jgoose514]

@EdPiotrowski thought you might need a chuckle this morning. That’s my boy Frank. He can saw some serious logs. You’re welcome to use this if you’d like.

[John W. Rankin @johncu71]

SLCs galore in Horry county #scwx @EdPiotrowski @AlexCorderoWX @jamiearnoldWMBF @AndrewWMBF

[Ed Piotrowski @EdPiotrowski]

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING

Before we head to the hospital to bring Mom home, I wanted to give you a quick update on the potential for heavy rain.

A stalled front combined with deep tropical moisture will bring multiple rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms later today, tonight, and again on Saturday. The greatest risk for excessive rainfall will be near the coast.

Most locations will receive 1 - 3" of rain, with 2 - 4" possible near the coast. Where thunderstorms repeatedly track over the same area, isolated rainfall totals of 5 - 6" are possible. That could result in some flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, roads, and other low-lying or flood-prone areas.

Keep in mind these are general rainfall projections. Some communities will receive less rain, while others could overperform if the heaviest storms continue to track over the same location.

By Sunday, conditions should improve with more sunshine and only a slight chance of an afternoon thunderstorm.

[Ed Piotrowski @EdPiotrowski]

Impressive summer cold front with 60s and 70s north of the front and 80s and 90s south of it.

[Ed Piotrowski @EdPiotrowski]

A cold front will settle into the area and bring a good chance of showers and thunderstorms through Saturday. While the rain will be scattered, showers and storms could develop at any time during the day, and some will produce heavy downpours.

Most locations will receive rainfall, but as is often the case with scattered storms, totals will vary considerably from one neighborhood to the next. Many inland areas could pick up 1–3 inches of rain, while locations along the Grand Strand may see 2–4 inches.

Keep in mind these are general rainfall estimates. Some areas will receive less, while others could overperform and pick up more than 5 inches where the heaviest storms repeatedly move over the same location.

The overall flood risk remains low, with any flooding concerns likely limited to isolated areas that receive very heavy rain in a short period of time.

By Sunday, conditions should improve with more sunshine and only a slight chance of an afternoon thunderstorm.

[Ed Piotrowski @EdPiotrowski]

With Bertha continuing west and expected to weaken and fall apart over Texas by Friday, I wanted to take a look at the rest of the tropics.

The good news? It's crickets.

The Atlantic is being dominated by round after round of dry, dusty air from the Sahara Desert, leaving the atmosphere incredibly dry. On top of that, strong wind shear across much of the basin, courtesy of El Niño, is making it impossible for tropical systems to organize.

The Main Development Region (MDR), the stretch of the tropical Atlantic between Africa and the Caribbean (outlined in blue) where most hurricanes form during the peak of the season, is unusually quiet. Right now, conditions there are simply not favorable for tropical development.

In fact, none of the forecast models show any credible signs of tropical development through at least the first week of August.

[Mark Moore @MMoore_hoops]

Good morning! #SunsetBeach @EdPiotrowski @medwick @DylanHudlerWXII @jamiearnoldWMBF @LeeHaywoodWX @dogwoodblooms @marioncaldwx @JustinMcKeeWx @StarboardRail @RunnerBliss @Christina4casts @CMorganWX @AndrewWMBF @ScottyPowellWX @jgreenhillwx @TimBuckleyWX @clairefrywx @JonEvansWECT

[Jim O'Neil @Jimmydreamsmb]

7/23/26 It was a blessing to see Gods artistry between the sky, sea, sand, land & plants this morning at my small niche at the park. Have a positive & positive day!
@EdPiotrowski @AndrewWMBF @SC_State_Parks @Tim_Yocum @blueridgem_m @bbooker32 @nickystevo
#positivevibe