Alert archive / South Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 2, NWS Columbia, SC
NWS Columbia, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jan 3, 2020, 6:19 PM EST for Aiken County, Lexington County, South Carolina. It was in force for 41 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Jan 3, 2020, 6:19 PM EST (23:19 UTC)
- Expired
- Jan 3, 2020, 7:00 PM EST
- In force
- 41 min
- Issued by
- NWS Columbia, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Aiken County, SC, Lexington County, SC
The radar
The Columbia radar (KCAE), 40 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:23 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.
The nearest sounding before it
Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 11.3 hours before the alert went out and 163 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 3 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -79 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 826 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 55 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 256 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 228 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Columbia, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jan 3, 2:29 PM EST, 3 hours 50 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jan 3, 2:29 PM EST, 3 hours 50 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Columbia SC
229 PM EST Fri Jan 3 2020
.SYNOPSIS...
Warm, moist and breezy conditions will persist into this evening
ahead of an approaching cold front. The front will move trough
late tonight into early Saturday. Showers are expected along and
ahead of the cold front, and could continue into Saturday as an
upper trough moves through. Expect strong and gusty winds
behind the front Saturday and Saturday night. Fair weather can
then be expected into early next week. Another cold front with
limited moisture will cross the area Tuesday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of early this afternoon, water vapor imagery depicts the area
within a moist southwesterly flow aloft between a deep
positively tilted trough across the Plains and ridging over the
Caribbean. Meanwhile at the surface, a warm front is located
across the Catawba region, while a warm, moist and breezy
southerly flow prevails across the remainder of the forecast
area.
The warm front will continue to lift northward this afternoon,
placing the entire forecast area within the warm sector ahead of
a cold front well to the west. Temperatures have soared well
into the mid and upper 70s in most areas, and are approaching
record levels in the Augusta area. Strong low level wind fields
and deeper mixing due to the warm surface temperatures has
resulted in breezy conditions across the area, and expect wind
gusts as high as 20-25 mph at times through much of the
afternoon.
A line of showers with perhaps a few embedded thunderstorms will
slowly progress eastward through area this afternoon and
evening well ahead of the cold front, with the forecast
indicating likely to categorical PoPs as a result. There could
be a several hour window where heavy rainfall could result in
localized minor flooding, but the threat for any widespread
flooding appears low given forecast QPF values of 0.5 to 1.0
inches through tonight. Despite the warm surface temperatures,
instability is lacking due to extensive cloud cover and warm air
aloft. This should limit the overall severe weather threat,
however given the strong low level wind fields in place a few
damaging wind gusts are possible with any bowing line segments
that develop. The greatest risk for any severe weather appears
to be from mid-afternoon through early evening.
Once the main line of convection moves through, scattered
showers are expected to persist into the overnight hours in
advance of the approaching upper trough and cold front at the
surface. Coverage of showers could become numerous again toward
daybreak Saturday due to increased convergence along the cold
front itself. Mild temperatures are expected tonight, with lows
in the mid 50s west to lower 60s east.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
Saturday and Saturday night: Cold front should be pushing east
of the forecast area at the start of the day, while the main
phasing upper troughs will still be off to the west of the
area. The main upper trough axis will not push through until
Saturday night. Until the axis moves over the area, there should
still be a potential for some isolated to scattered lingering
showers on the backside of the surface front. By Saturday
evening, drying should be able to take hold. Bigger issue
Saturday into Sunday will be the surface and low-level winds.
Models remain consistent with increasing the wind fields
through the day Saturday, then keep low-level winds strong
through the overnight hours Saturday night. With cold advection
eventually overspreading the area, mixing should be on the
increase over area lakes by Saturday afternoon, and especially
through Saturday night. Have gone ahead and put up a Lake Wind
Advisory beginning Saturday morning and lasting through Saturday
night. Depending on the strength of the low-level winds and
mixing, can not completely rule out the need for a Wind Advisory
Saturday night.
Sunday and Sunday night: Winds will begin diminishing slightly
through the day Sunday. A colder and drier airmass will be over
the region as pressure builds into the area. Under sunny skies,
temperatures will be more seasonable, with highs in the 50s and
lows in the 30s.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Little change in the long term. Monday remains dry ahead of the
next system which will begin approaching late Monday night. Some
moisture ahead of and along the front may be able to produce a
few showers on Tuesday, before exiting off to the east Tuesday
evening. Dry weather returns for Wednesday and Thursday.
Additional rain chances may be possible by the end of the work
week.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
MVFR conditions are in place at all terminals early this
afternoon due to low ceilings. These ceilings should gradually
rise through the afternoon to low-end VFR levels as surface
heating increases. South-southwest winds will remain gusty
through the afternoon and possibly into early evening, with
gusts reaching upwards of 18-22 kt at times.
A band of heavy showers with a few embedded thunderstorms
will spread over the terminals this evening, generally in the
22Z to 03Z time frame. Have included a TEMPO group at each
terminal to better time the heavy rainfall and indicate
potential for visibility and/or ceiling restrictions. Light
showers are then expected to persist through most of Saturday
morning behind a passing cold front, with ceilings down to MVFR
levels. Breezy conditions will then develop as winds shift more
westerly late Saturday morning.
EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...VFR Saturday afternoon but breezy
to possibly windy conditions expected Saturday/Saturday night.
VFR and breezy Sunday. No impacts to aviation Monday.
Fog/stratus possible late Monday night/early Tuesday morning.
&&
.CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Lake Wind Advisory from 7 AM Saturday to 7 AM EST Sunday for
GAZ040-063>065-077.
SC...Lake Wind Advisory from 7 AM Saturday to 7 AM EST Sunday for
SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035>038-041-115-116.
&&Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 3, 1:29 PM EST, 4 hours 50 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Columbia SC 129 PM EST Fri Jan 3 2020 GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035>038-041-115-116- 041830- Lincoln-McDuffie-Columbia-Richmond-Burke-Chesterfield-McCormick- Newberry-Fairfield-Kershaw-Edgefield-Saluda-Lexington-Richland-Lee- Aiken-Sumter-Barnwell-Orangeburg-Calhoun-Clarendon-Bamberg- Northern Lancaster-Southern Lancaster- 129 PM EST Fri Jan 3 2020 ...LAKE WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM SATURDAY TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Midlands of South Carolina and the Central Savannah River area of Georgia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms late this afternoon and evening. There is a risk for isolated damaging wind gusts as a line of showers with a few embedded thunderstorms moves through from the west. There is a also a Marginal Risk for flooding. There is the potential for several hours of heavy rain late this afternoon and evening. Any flooding should be localized, but flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas is possible. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Lake Wind Advisory Saturday through Saturday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jan 3, 4:24 PM EST, 1 hour 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
424 PM EST Fri Jan 3 2020
GAZ040-063>065-SCZ018-025-030-032215-
Richmond GA-McDuffie GA-Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-Aiken SC-McCormick SC-
Edgefield SC-
424 PM EST Fri Jan 3 2020
...Strong Thunderstorms Will Impact Portions of central Richmond...
McDuffie...southeastern Lincoln...Columbia...west central Aiken...
southeastern McCormick and southwestern Edgefield Counties Until 515
PM EST....
At 423 PM EST...National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Camak, or near Warrenton, moving northeast
at 45 mph.
HAZARD...gusty winds 40 to 50 mph.
IMPACT...expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
North Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Thomson, Fort Gordon, Augusta,
Martinez, Belvedere, Harlem, Glendale, South Augusta, Clarks Hill
Recreation Area, Mistletoe State Park, Summerville, Wrightsboro,
Augusta Mall, Daniel Field, Village Plaza Shopping Center, Augusta
National Golf Club and J. Strom Thurmond Dam.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 167 and 201.
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 0 and 2.
Interstate 520 in Georgia between mile markers 1 and 15.
Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 16 and 19.
LAT...LON 3366 8251 3365 8249 3367 8250 3385 8219
3338 8184 3333 8242 3334 8246 3334 8250
3336 8253 3336 8255 3341 8255 3346 8259
3358 8263
TIME...MOT...LOC 2123Z 239DEG 49KT 3343 8260
awpSpecial weather statement, Jan 3, 4:37 PM EST, 1 hour 42 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
437 PM EST Fri Jan 3 2020
GAZ064-065-SCZ025-026-030-036-032215-
Richmond GA-Columbia GA-Orangeburg SC-Aiken SC-Saluda SC-
Edgefield SC-
437 PM EST Fri Jan 3 2020
...Strong Thunderstorms Will Impact Portions of northeastern
Richmond...east central Columbia...western Orangeburg...Aiken...south
central Saluda and southeastern Edgefield Counties Until 515 PM
EST....
At 437 PM EST...National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Augusta, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...gusty winds 40 mph.
IMPACT...expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
Aiken, North Augusta, Aiken Mall, Augusta, Clearwater, Belvedere,
Martinez, New Ellenton, Ridge Spring, Glendale, Edgefield County
Airport, Midtown, Summerville, Daniel Field, Citizens Park, Augusta
Regional Airport, Augusta National Golf Club, USC Aiken, Aiken
Municipal Airport and Gloverville.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 198 and 201.
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 0 and 34.
Interstate 520 in Georgia between mile markers 10 and 15.
Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 16 and 23.
LAT...LON 3336 8196 3352 8208 3394 8164 3354 8129
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 238DEG 39KT 3349 8195
awpSpecial weather statement, Jan 3, 5:15 PM EST, 1 hour 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
515 PM EST Fri Jan 3 2020
GAZ040-064-065-SCZ018-025>027-030-032300-
Richmond GA-Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-Lexington SC-Aiken SC-
McCormick SC-Saluda SC-Edgefield SC-
515 PM EST Fri Jan 3 2020
...Strong Thunderstorms Will Impact Portions of north central
Richmond...southeastern Lincoln...northeastern Columbia...
southwestern Lexington...northern Aiken...southeastern McCormick...
Saluda and Edgefield Counties Until 600 PM EST....
At 515 PM EST...National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm 8 miles east of Clarks Hill Recreation Area, or
10 miles north of Martinez, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph.
IMPACT...expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
Aiken, North Augusta, Evans, Batesburg-Leesville, Martinez,
Clearwater, Belvedere, Edgefield, Saluda, Johnston, Ridge Spring,
Clarks Hill Recreation Area, Edgefield County Airport, Riverwood,
Hamilton Branch State Park, Village Plaza Shopping Center, Augusta
National Golf Club, USC Aiken, Saluda County Airport and J. Strom
Thurmond Dam.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 190 and 201.
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 0 and 38.
Interstate 520 in Georgia near mile marker 1.
Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 19 and 23.
LAT...LON 3346 8219 3374 8232 3413 8172 3360 8129
TIME...MOT...LOC 2215Z 240DEG 36KT 3366 8204
awpSpecial weather statement, Jan 3, 5:27 PM EST, 52 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
527 PM EST Fri Jan 3 2020
GAZ063>065-077-SCZ018-025-030-035-032315-
Burke GA-Richmond GA-McDuffie GA-Columbia GA-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-
McCormick SC-Edgefield SC-
527 PM EST Fri Jan 3 2020
...Strong Thunderstorms Will Impact Portions of northern Burke...
Richmond...southeastern McDuffie...southern Columbia...southwestern
Barnwell...southwestern Aiken...southeastern McCormick and
southwestern Edgefield Counties Until 615 PM EST....
At 527 PM EST...National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Avera, or near Gibson, moving northeast at
45 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph.
IMPACT...expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
North Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Waynesboro, Martinez, Fort Gordon,
Augusta, Plant Vogtle, Clearwater, Belvedere, Hephzibah, Harlem,
Jackson, Glendale, Gough, South Augusta, Midtown, Summerville,
Augusta Mall and Daniel Field.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 183 and 201.
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 0 and 7.
Interstate 520 in Georgia between mile markers 1 and 15.
Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 16 and 23.
LAT...LON 3370 8197 3316 8161 3296 8228 3308 8229
3323 8223 3327 8226 3327 8229 3331 8234
3331 8239 3334 8244 3334 8250 3336 8255
TIME...MOT...LOC 2227Z 236DEG 46KT 3318 8250
awpSpecial weather statement, Jan 3, 6:02 PM EST, 17 minutes before
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</html>Special weather statement, Jan 3, 6:15 PM EST, 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
615 PM EST Fri Jan 3 2020
SCZ030-040000-
Aiken SC-
615 PM EST Fri Jan 3 2020
...Strong Thunderstorms Will Impact Portions of Aiken County Until
700 PM EST....
At 614 PM EST...National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Gloverville, or near Aiken Mall, moving
northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph.
IMPACT...expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
Aiken, North Augusta, Clearwater, Aiken Mall, Belvedere, New
Ellenton, Jackson, USC Aiken, Citizens Park, Aiken Municipal Airport,
Gloverville, Aiken State Park, Graniteville, Burnettown, Wagener,
Perry, Windsor, Perry Airport, Hopeland Gardens and Boyd Pond Park.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 5 and 37.
Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 21 and 23.
LAT...LON 3358 8196 3366 8185 3380 8147 3377 8143
3374 8143 3373 8141 3371 8132 3365 8119
3360 8125 3334 8180
TIME...MOT...LOC 2314Z 241DEG 54KT 3352 8177
WRSThe office that day
Everything else NWS Columbia, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3, 1:28 PM EST | Lake Wind Advisory | CAE | Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Chesterfield, Clarendon and 11 more | 39 hr |
| Jan 3, 3:05 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | CAE | McCormick | 10 min |
| Jan 3, 3:46 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Newberry | 44 min |
| Jan 3, 4:37 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Aiken | 38 min |
| Jan 3, 5:15 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Aiken, Edgefield, Saluda | 45 min |
| Jan 3, 6:15 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Aiken | 45 min |
| Jan 3, 6:49 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Barnwell | 41 min |
| Jan 3, 6:52 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Lexington, Richland, Sumter | 38 min |
| Jan 3, 4:24 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Columbia, McDuffie, Richmond | 51 min |
| Jan 3, 5:27 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Burke, Richmond | 48 min |
| Jan 3, 6:02 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Burke | 43 min |
| Jan 3, 6:17 PM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Burke, Richmond | 43 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Carolina, 2020Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2020
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.