Alert archive / South Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2017

Tornado Warning 20, NWS Charleston, SC

May 4, 2017Colleton County, Dorchester County, South Carolina

NWS Charleston, SC issued this tornado warning at May 4, 2017, 8:24 PM EDT for Colleton County, Dorchester County, South Carolina. It was in force for 37 min. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 4, 2017, 8:24 PM EDT (00:24 UTC)
Expired
May 4, 2017, 9:01 PM EDT
In force
37 min
Issued by
NWS Charleston, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

Counties Colleton County, SC, Dorchester County, SC

The radar

The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 84 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:28 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 4, 8:25 PM EDTTORNADO2 E Canadys, SCNWS SURVEY TEAM CONFIRMED AN EF-1 TORNADO OCCURRED NEAR CANADYS SC. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ESTIMATED TO BE 100 MPH. MAXIMUM PATH WIDTH 150 YARDS. PATH LENGTH 2.02 MILES.
May 4, 8:32 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG4 Nne Canadys, SCTREE DOWN ON CAR REPORTED IN GROVER. POSSIBLE TORNADO.
May 4, 8:52 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG3 Nnw Harleyville, SCSOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTS A TREE DOWN NEAR MILE MARKER 175 ALONG I-26 WESTBOUND.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 00:00Z, 0.4 hours before the alert went out and 60 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Charleston AFB, SC at 00:00Z on 2017-05-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 401 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Charleston AFB, SC at 00:00Z on 2017-05-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 278 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
401 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-4 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
781 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
47 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
278 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
329 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.6
Supercell composite
8.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

275 
WFUS52 KCHS 050024
TORCHS
SCC029-035-050115-
/O.NEW.KCHS.TO.W.0020.170505T0024Z-170505T0115Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Charleston SC
824 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017

The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a

* Tornado Warning for portions of...
  Colleton County in southeastern South Carolina...
  Dorchester County in southeastern South Carolina...

* Until 915 PM EDT
    
* At 824 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 9 miles south of Saint George, moving northeast at 35
  mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado. 

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. 

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely. 

* Locations impacted include...
  Saint George, Indian Field, St. George and Harleyville. 

This warning includes...
 I-26 between mile markers 171 and 181.
 I-95 in South Carolina between mile markers 69 and 85.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

Report damage directly to the Charleston National Weather Service at
1-888-383-2024 when it is safe to do so.

&&

LAT...LON 3333 8050 3330 8050 3327 8047 3327 8045
      3326 8043 3327 8039 3325 8035 3302 8054
      3308 8067 3329 8058 3332 8051
TIME...MOT...LOC 0024Z 214DEG 30KT 3305 8060 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...0.00IN

$$

JRL
4 follow-up statements
173 
WWUS52 KCHS 050035
SVSCHS

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
835 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017

SCC029-050043-
/O.CAN.KCHS.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-170505T0115Z/
Colleton SC-
835 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR COLLETON COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area therefore the warning has been cancelled.

LAT...LON 3333 8050 3330 8050 3327 8047 3327 8045
      3326 8043 3327 8039 3325 8035 3307 8050
      3310 8066 3329 8058 3332 8051
TIME...MOT...LOC 0033Z 214DEG 30KT 3312 8055 

$$

SCC035-050115-
/O.CON.KCHS.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-170505T0115Z/
Dorchester SC-
835 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM EDT FOR
DORCHESTER COUNTY...
    
At 833 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado 
was located 4 miles south of Saint George, moving northeast at 35 
mph.

HAZARD...Tornado. 

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. 

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely. 

Locations impacted include...
Saint George, Indian Field, St. George and Harleyville. 

This warning includes...
 I-26 between mile markers 171 and 181.
 I-95 in South Carolina between mile markers 71 and 85.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm has a history of producing wind damage!

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

Report damage directly to the Charleston National Weather Service at
1-888-383-2024 when it is safe to do so.

&&

LAT...LON 3333 8050 3330 8050 3327 8047 3327 8045
      3326 8043 3327 8039 3325 8035 3307 8050
      3310 8066 3329 8058 3332 8051
TIME...MOT...LOC 0033Z 214DEG 30KT 3312 8055 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

JRL
436 
WWUS52 KCHS 050041
SVSCHS

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
841 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017

SCC035-050115-
/O.CON.KCHS.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-170505T0115Z/
Dorchester SC-
841 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM EDT FOR
DORCHESTER COUNTY...
    
At 841 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Indian Field, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado. 

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. 

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely. 

Locations impacted include...
Saint George, Indian Field, St. George and Harleyville. 

This warning includes...
 I-26 between mile markers 171 and 181.
 I-95 in South Carolina between mile markers 79 and 85.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

Report damage directly to the Charleston National Weather Service at
1-888-383-2024 when it is safe to do so.

&&

LAT...LON 3333 8050 3330 8050 3327 8047 3327 8045
      3326 8043 3327 8039 3325 8035 3314 8045
      3317 8061 3329 8058 3332 8051
TIME...MOT...LOC 0041Z 214DEG 31KT 3319 8049 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

JRL
224 
WWUS52 KCHS 050053
SVSCHS

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
853 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017

SCC035-050115-
/O.CON.KCHS.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-170505T0115Z/
Dorchester SC-
853 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM EDT FOR
DORCHESTER COUNTY...
    
At 852 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado 
was located 2 miles northwest of Harleyville, moving north at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado. 

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. 

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely. 

Locations impacted include...
Areas between Rosinville and Giant.

This warning includes I-26 between mile markers 172 and 178.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

Report damage directly to the Charleston National Weather Service at
1-888-383-2024 when it is safe to do so.

&&

LAT...LON 3333 8050 3330 8050 3327 8047 3327 8045
      3326 8043 3327 8039 3325 8040 3322 8044
      3323 8054 3327 8054 3332 8051
TIME...MOT...LOC 0052Z 197DEG 30KT 3324 8047 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

JRL
363 
WWUS52 KCHS 050101
SVSCHS

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
901 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017

SCC035-050111-
/O.CAN.KCHS.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-170505T0115Z/
Dorchester SC-
901 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR DORCHESTER COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
        
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore the warning has been cancelled.

LAT...LON 3333 8050 3330 8050 3327 8047 3327 8045
      3326 8043 3327 8039 3325 8040 3322 8044
      3323 8054 3327 8054 3332 8051
TIME...MOT...LOC 0100Z 214DEG 30KT 3330 8042 

$$

JRL

The office that day

Everything else NWS Charleston, SC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 4, 8:13 PM EDTTornado WarningCHSColleton19 min
May 4, 8:15 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningCHS90 min
May 4, 9:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCHSBerkeley26 min
May 5, 12:29 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCHSColleton31 min
May 5, 1:04 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCHSColleton, Dorchester41 min
May 5, 2:27 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCHSBerkeley48 min
May 5, 2:37 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningCHS23 min
May 5, 2:41 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCHSCharleston34 min
May 5, 3:24 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningCHS2 hr
May 5, 3:44 AM EDTGale WatchCHS11 hr
May 5, 3:44 AM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryCHS11 hr
May 5, 2:59 PM EDTGale WarningCHS21 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in South Carolina, 2017Every tornado warning in 2017Tornadoes in 2017

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.