Alert archive / South Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2019

Tornado Warning 21, NWS Columbia, SC

October 31, 2019Lexington County, Richland County, South Carolina

NWS Columbia, SC issued this tornado warning at Oct 31, 2019, 5:59 PM EDT for Lexington County, Richland County, South Carolina. It was in force for 31 min. 4 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
Oct 31, 2019, 5:59 PM EDT (21:59 UTC)
Expired
Oct 31, 2019, 6:30 PM EDT
In force
31 min
Issued by
NWS Columbia, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

Counties Lexington County, SC, Richland County, SC

The radar

The Columbia radar (KCAE), 20 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:04 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
Oct 31, 5:59 PM EDTTORNADO2 Ene Gilbert, SCA TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF ROY STEELE ROAD AND CROSBY ROAD JUST NORTHEAST OF THE TOWN OF GILBERT. IT MOVED QUICKLY TO THE NORTHEAST AT NEARLY 50 MPH. IT ENDED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF DRAWBILL ROAD AND AUSTIN MCCARTHA ROAD. MUCH OF THE DAM
Oct 31, 6:02 PM EDTTORNADO5 Wnw Red Bank, SCTHIS IS THE LOCATION OF THE MOST WIDESPREAD TREE DAMAGE AND STRONGEST WINDS. THE TORNADO ONCE AGAIN TOUCHED DOWN NEAR CLINTON SEASE FARMS ALONG OLDE FARM ROAD. THE TORNADO CONTINUED NORTHEAST AND UPROOTED AND SNAPPED NEARLY TWO DOZEN TREES BETWEEN OLDE FARM RO
Oct 31, 6:08 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGLexington, SCSOCIAL MEDIA REPORT OF LARGE TREE DOWN BLOCKING THE ROAD ON DREHER ST JUST PAST HARMON ST. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
Oct 31, 6:09 PM EDTTORNADOLexington, SCTHE FINAL TOUCHDOWN OCCURRED NEAR THE LEXINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF DREHER STREET AND HARMON STREET. A LARGE HARDWOOD TREE BROKE AND TOOK DOWN A POWER LINE. A SMALL HARDWOOD TREE WAS SNAPPED ABOUT 30 FEET OFF THE GROUND. THERE WERE SEVERAL L

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

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Oct 31, 3:39 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 10.0 hours before the alert went out and 169 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 12:00Z on 2019-10-31Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 861 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 12:00Z on 2019-10-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 78 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
861 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-6 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
680 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
26 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
78 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
100 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
2.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

626 
WFUS52 KCAE 312159
TORCAE
SCC063-079-312230-
/O.NEW.KCAE.TO.W.0021.191031T2159Z-191031T2230Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
559 PM EDT Thu Oct 31 2019

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Lexington County in central South Carolina...
  Northwestern Richland County in central South Carolina...

* Until 630 PM EDT.
    
* At 558 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Red Bank, moving northeast at 45 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.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Lexington, Cayce and Highway 6 at Lake Murray Dam around 610 PM 
  EDT.
  Columbia, West Columbia, Irmo, Springdale and Oak Grove around 615 
  PM EDT.
  St. Andrews, Columbia International University, Harbison State 
  Forest, Riverbanks Zoo, West Columbia Riverwalk, Five Points and 
  SC State Fair Grounds around 620 PM EDT.
  Forest Acres, Dentsville, Arcadia Lakes, Killian, Sesquicentennial 
  State Park, Woodfield and Fort Jackson around 630 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Blythewood, Seven Oaks, Olympia, Bundrick Island, Gilbert, Fort
Jackson Wildcat Road, Upper Richland Fire Station, Pine Island, Eau
Claire and Cedar Creek Fire Station.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 126 between mile markers 0 and 3.
 Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 49 and 79.
 Interstate 26 between mile markers 99 and 112.
 Interstate 77 between mile markers 10 and 29.

LAT...LON 3402 8082 3390 8138 3395 8142 3422 8110
      3422 8108 3423 8107 3424 8105 3423 8104
      3425 8098
TIME...MOT...LOC 2158Z 240DEG 41KT 3395 8133 

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

$$

CJR
3 follow-up statements
342 
WWUS52 KCAE 312206
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
606 PM EDT Thu Oct 31 2019

SCC063-079-312230-
/O.CON.KCAE.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-191031T2230Z/
Lexington SC-Richland SC-
606 PM EDT Thu Oct 31 2019

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM EDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN LEXINGTON AND NORTHWESTERN RICHLAND COUNTIES...
        
At 605 PM EDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Lexington, moving
northeast at 45 mph. This tornado is approaching Lexington now.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

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.

This tornado will be near...
  Cayce and Highway 6 at Lake Murray Dam around 610 PM EDT.
  Irmo and Oak Grove around 615 PM EDT.
  Columbia, West Columbia, St. Andrews, Columbia International 
  University, Harbison State Forest, Riverbanks Zoo, West Columbia 
  Riverwalk and Five Points around 620 PM EDT.
  Forest Acres, Dentsville, Arcadia Lakes, Killian, Woodfield and 
  Sesquicentennial State Park around 630 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Blythewood, Seven Oaks, Eau Claire, Cedar Creek Fire Station, Barr
Lake, Fort Jackson Wildcat Road, Upper Richland Fire Station and
Guignard Park.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 126 between mile markers 0 and 3.
 Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 54 and 78.
 Interstate 26 between mile markers 100 and 111.
 Interstate 77 between mile markers 12 and 29.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Report tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds or flooding directly to
the Columbia National Weather Service at 803-234-
4115 when it is safe to do so. You can also send reports by Facebook
or Twitter to NWSColumbia or by e-mail at NWS.Columbia@noaa.gov.

&&

LAT...LON 3403 8083 3394 8129 3398 8133 3422 8110
      3422 8108 3423 8107 3424 8105 3423 8104
      3425 8098
TIME...MOT...LOC 2205Z 239DEG 39KT 3399 8125 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...0.00IN

$$

CJR
838 
WWUS52 KCAE 312217 RRA
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
617 PM EDT Thu Oct 31 2019

SCC063-079-312230-
/O.CON.KCAE.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-191031T2230Z/
Lexington SC-Richland SC-
617 PM EDT Thu Oct 31 2019

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM EDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL LEXINGTON AND NORTH CENTRAL RICHLAND COUNTIES...
    
At 617 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over St. Andrews, moving northeast at 45 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.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Columbia and Columbia International University around 620 PM EDT.
  Forest Acres, Dentsville, Arcadia Lakes and Woodfield around 630 
  PM EDT.
  Killian and Sesquicentennial State Park around 635 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Blythewood, Seven Oaks, Eau Claire, Upper Richland Fire Station and
Cedar Creek Fire Station.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 126 between mile markers 0 and 1.
 Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 60 and 78.
 Interstate 26 between mile markers 103 and 109.
 Interstate 77 between mile markers 15 and 29.

LAT...LON 3407 8086 3399 8116 3405 8120 3423 8104
      3425 8098
TIME...MOT...LOC 2217Z 241DEG 38KT 3404 8112 

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

$$

CJR
866 
WWUS52 KCAE 312228
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
628 PM EDT Thu Oct 31 2019

SCC063-079-312236-
/O.EXP.KCAE.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-191031T2230Z/
Lexington SC-Richland SC-
628 PM EDT Thu Oct 31 2019

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL LEXINGTON AND NORTH CENTRAL
RICHLAND COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 630 PM EDT...
                
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened, and currently 
appears incapable of producing a tornado. Therefore, the warning 
will be allowed to expire.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for central South
Carolina.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for 
areas including Richland and Lexington Counties.

LAT...LON 3407 8086 3399 8116 3405 8120 3423 8104
      3425 8098
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 240DEG 41KT 3409 8101 

$$

CJR

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Oct 31, 11:32 AM EDTLake Wind AdvisoryCAEAiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Chesterfield, Clarendon and 11 more14 hr
Oct 31, 3:35 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEMcCormick25 min
Oct 31, 4:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEEdgefield, McCormick, Saluda55 min
Oct 31, 4:38 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEEdgefield, Saluda52 min
Oct 31, 4:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEAiken, Edgefield, McCormick47 min
Oct 31, 4:43 PM EDTTornado WarningCAEAiken, Edgefield, McCormick32 min
Oct 31, 5:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEFairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Saluda54 min
Oct 31, 5:25 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEAiken, Barnwell, Edgefield, Lexington, Saluda65 min
Oct 31, 5:44 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAELancaster46 min
Oct 31, 6:12 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAECalhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, Richland48 min
Oct 31, 6:33 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEBamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Orangeburg42 min
Oct 31, 6:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEBamberg, Calhoun, Orangeburg, Richland44 min
Oct 31, 6:53 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEChesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Sumter82 min
Oct 31, 7:27 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAECalhoun, Clarendon, Lee, Orangeburg, Sumter63 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in South Carolina, 2019Every tornado warning in 2019Tornadoes in 2019

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.