Alert archive / South Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2020

Tornado Warning 8, NWS Columbia, SC

April 13, 2020Aiken County, Barnwell County, South Carolina; Burke County, Georgia

NWS Columbia, SC issued this tornado warning at Apr 13, 2020, 5:14 AM EDT for Aiken County, Barnwell County, South Carolina; Burke County, Georgia. It was in force for 31 min. 7 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
Apr 13, 2020, 5:14 AM EDT (09:14 UTC)
Expired
Apr 13, 2020, 5:45 AM EDT
In force
31 min
Issued by
NWS Columbia, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Burke County, GA, Aiken County, SC, Barnwell County, SC

The radar

The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 85 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:16 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
Apr 13, 5:20 AM EDTTSTM WND DMG7 S Jackson, SCHIGHWAY PATROL REPORTED POWER LINES IN ROAD ON BURROUGHS ST. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
Apr 13, 5:21 AM EDTTORNADO6 Se Jackson, SCA STRONG, LONG-TRACK TORNADO BEGAN IN THE SAVANNAH RIVER SITE SOUTHEAST OF JACKSON, SC, THEN MOVED IN A GENERAL NORTHEAST DIRECTION IN AIKEN COUNTY NEAR THE BARNWELL COUNTY BORDER. THE TORNADO CROSSED INTO BARNWELL COUNTY NORTHWEST OF WILLISTON NEAR DAVIS BRID
Apr 13, 5:33 AM EDTTORNADO6 Wnw Snelling, SCUPDATED TO CHANGE THE BEGINNING LOCATION AND START TIME OF THE TORNADO. SENTINEL SATELLITE DATA FROM APRIL 13, 2020 CLEARLY SHOWS A DAMAGE SCAR BEGINNING AT THE WESTERN EDGE OF PARR POND IN THE SAVANNAH RIVER SITE AND ENDING NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 27
Apr 13, 5:35 AM EDTTORNADO5 Nw Snelling, SCSENTINEL SATELLITE DATA FROM APRIL 13, 2020 CLEARLY SHOWS A DAMAGE SCAR BEGINNING AT THE NORTHERN TIP OF PARR POND IN THE SAVANNAH RIVER SITE AND ENDING NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 278 AND STATE ROAD 21. A TORNADIC DEBRIS SIGNATURE DETECTED BY THE KCAE RA
Apr 13, 5:37 AM EDTTORNADO6 S Windsor, SCA TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE FROM A TORNADO IN THE VICINITY OF HIGHWAY 278 AND JAYWOOD RD.
Apr 13, 5:40 AM EDTTSTM WND DMGElko, SCMULTIPLE POWER TRANSMISSION LINES DOWN NEAR THE TOWN OF ELKO, SC. PHOTOS SHARED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
Apr 13, 5:43 AM EDTTORNADO4 S Elko, SC*** 2 FATAL, 7 INJ *** A STRONG, LONG-TRACK TORNADO BEGAN JUST SOUTH OF THE TOWN OF ELKO IN BARNWELL COUNTY , THEN MOVED IN A GENERAL NORTHEAST DIRECTION THROUGH ORANGEBURG COUNTY, BEFORE DISSIPATING SOUTHWEST OF ST. MATTHEWS IN CALHOUN COUNTY BEFORE REACHING

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
Apr 13, 3:20 AM EDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 00:00Z, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 162 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 2020-04-13Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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 2020-04-13The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 371 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
944 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
56 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
371 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
494 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

427 
WFUS52 KCAE 130914
TORCAE
GAC033-SCC003-011-130945-
/O.NEW.KCAE.TO.W.0008.200413T0914Z-200413T0945Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
514 AM EDT Mon Apr 13 2020

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Burke County in east central Georgia...
  Central Barnwell County in central South Carolina...
  South central Aiken County in central South Carolina...

* Until 545 AM EDT.
    
* At 514 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Plant Vogtle, moving northeast at 60 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...
  Savannah River Site around 530 AM EDT.
  Williston around 545 AM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Shell
Bluff, Shell Bluff Landing, Snelling, Elko, Savannah River Site Badge
Office, Savannah River Site H Canyon, Savannah River Site K Complex,
Windsor and Girard.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Tornadoes are nearly impossible to see at night. Do not wait to see
or hear the tornado. Immediately move to an interior room or closet
on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.

&&

LAT...LON 3297 8183 3311 8198 3351 8158 3335 8130
TIME...MOT...LOC 0914Z 225DEG 53KT 3311 8184 

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

$$

HC
2 follow-up statements
992 
WWUS52 KCAE 130926
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
526 AM EDT Mon Apr 13 2020

GAC033-SCC003-011-130945-
/O.CON.KCAE.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-200413T0945Z/
Burke GA-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-
526 AM EDT Mon Apr 13 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 AM EDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL BURKE...CENTRAL BARNWELL AND SOUTH CENTRAL AIKEN COUNTIES...
    
At 526 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Savannah River Site, moving northeast at 60 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...
  Williston around 540 AM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Snelling, Elko, Savannah River Site Badge Office, Savannah River Site
H Canyon, Savannah River Site K Complex, Windsor and Girard.

LAT...LON 3305 8172 3332 8177 3351 8158 3335 8130
TIME...MOT...LOC 0926Z 235DEG 52KT 3332 8166 

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

$$

HC
154 
WWUS52 KCAE 130932 CCA
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
532 AM EDT Mon Apr 13 2020

GAC033-SCC003-011-131000-
/O.COR.KCAE.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-200413T0945Z/
Burke GA-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-
532 AM EDT Mon Apr 13 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 AM EDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL BURKE...CENTRAL BARNWELL AND SOUTH CENTRAL AIKEN COUNTIES...
        
At 531 AM EDT, a confirmed tornado was located near New Ellenton, or
8 miles northeast of Savannah River Site, moving northeast at 60 mph.

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...
  Williston around 540 AM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Snelling, Elko, Savannah River Site Badge Office, Savannah River Site
H Canyon, Savannah River Site K Complex, Windsor and Girard.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Tornadoes are nearly impossible to see at night. Do not wait to see
or hear the tornado. Immediately move to an interior room or closet
on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.

&&

LAT...LON 3305 8172 3332 8177 3351 8158 3335 8130
TIME...MOT...LOC 0926Z 235DEG 52KT 3332 8166 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

HC

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 13, 4:23 AM EDTTornado WarningCAEEdgefield, McCormick37 min
Apr 13, 4:29 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEEdgefield, McCormick, Newberry, Saluda46 min
Apr 13, 4:41 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEFairfield, Newberry, Saluda49 min
Apr 13, 4:58 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEAiken, Barnwell47 min
Apr 13, 5:06 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEAiken, Edgefield, Lexington, Newberry, Saluda39 min
Apr 13, 5:16 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEFairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster29 min
Apr 13, 5:34 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEAiken, Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Richland41 min
Apr 13, 5:37 AM EDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatCAEAiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Orangeburg23 min
Apr 13, 5:43 AM EDTTornado WarningCAEBamberg, Barnwell, Orangeburg32 min
Apr 13, 5:55 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEFairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster35 min
Apr 13, 5:56 AM EDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatCAEAiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Lexington, Orangeburg34 min
Apr 13, 6:02 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEAiken, Lexington, Orangeburg28 min
Apr 13, 6:04 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAECalhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, Sumter41 min
Apr 13, 6:09 AM EDTTornado WarningCAEBamberg, Barnwell, Orangeburg36 min
Apr 13, 6:13 AM EDTTornado WarningCAEBamberg, Calhoun, Orangeburg32 min
Apr 13, 6:22 AM EDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatCAECalhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter23 min
Apr 13, 6:23 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEChesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster52 min
Apr 13, 6:35 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEBamberg, Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg, Sumter40 min
Apr 13, 6:39 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAECalhoun, Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, Richland, Sumter31 min
Apr 13, 6:46 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEChesterfield29 min
Apr 13, 6:58 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEClarendon, Lee, Sumter32 min
Apr 13, 4:09 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEColumbia, Lincoln, McDuffie51 min
Apr 13, 4:20 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEBurke, Richmond40 min
Apr 13, 4:41 AM EDTTornado WarningCAEBurke, Richmond34 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in South Carolina, 2020Tornado Warnings in Georgia, 2020Every tornado warning in 2020Tornadoes 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.