Alert archive / South Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2021

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 35, NWS Columbia, SC

May 4, 20215 counties in South Carolina

NWS Columbia, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 4, 2021, 4:16 PM EDT for 5 counties in South Carolina. It was in force for 59 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: May 4, 2021, 4:16 PM EDT (20:16 UTC)
Expired: May 4, 2021, 5:15 PM EDT
In force: 59 min
Issued by: NWS Columbia, SC
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 1.0 in
Wind: 70.0 mph

Counties Fairfield County, SC, Kershaw County, SC, Lancaster County, SC, Newberry County, SC, Richland County, SC

The radar

The Columbia radar (KCAE), 49 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:16 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
May 4, 4:18 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	4 W Blythewood, SC	SC HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTS TREES BLOCKING ROADWAY ALONG MULLER RD NEAR PINE GROVE RD. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
May 4, 4:23 PM EDT	TORNADO	5 Sw Winnsboro Mills, SC	A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STORM SURVEY TEAM CONFIRMED AN EF1 TORNADO, WITH PEAK WINDS OF 105 MPH, AND A MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 300 YARDS NEAR RION IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, SC. THE TORNADO BEGAN NEAR HARD ROCK RD, UPROOTING AND SNAPPING NUMEROUS TREES AS IT MOVED NORTHE
May 4, 4:30 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 S Winnsboro Mills, SC	SC HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTS TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN AT US 321 AND RODDY ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
May 4, 4:35 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 Sw Ridgeway, SC	SC HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTS TREE BLOCKING ROADWAY ON I77 AT EXIT 32NB. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
May 4, 4:35 PM EDT	TSTM WND GST 72	Ridgeway, SC	SPOTTER REPORTED 72 MPH WIND GUST WITH HOME WEATHER STATION ON LONGTOWN RD, RIDGEWAY SC.
May 4, 4:38 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 W Blythewood, SC	MULTIPLE TREES DOWN ALONG I77 NORTH OF BLYTHEWOOD RD. VIDEO OF DAMAGE POSTED BY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC VIA TWITTER. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
May 4, 4:45 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	13 Ene Ridgeway, SC	PUBLIC REPORT OF TREE FALLING ON HOUSE WITH EXTERIOR DAMAGE ONLY. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

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 12:00Z, 8.3 hours before the alert went out and 174 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 573 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -149 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1000 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 37 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 68 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 48 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.1
Supercell composite: 1.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

798 
WUUS52 KCAE 042016
SVRCAE
SCC039-055-057-071-079-042115-
/O.NEW.KCAE.SV.W.0035.210504T2016Z-210504T2115Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
416 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Central Fairfield County in central South Carolina...
  Southwestern Lancaster County in central South Carolina...
  Eastern Newberry County in central South Carolina...
  Northern Richland County in central South Carolina...
  Southwestern Kershaw County in central South Carolina...

* Until 515 PM EDT.

* At 415 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from VC Summer Nuclear Station to SC State Fair Grounds, 
  moving northeast at 60 mph. An addition line of severe 
  thunderstorms were also approaching from the northwest.

  HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect considerable 
           tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, 
           roofs, and outbuildings.

* Locations impacted include...
  Columbia, Forest Acres, Camden, Winnsboro, Lake Wateree Dam,
  Dentsville, Arcadia Lakes, Lugoff, Fairfield County Airport,
  Villages at Sandhill, Jenkinsville, Liberty Hill, Elgin, Killian,
  Woodfield, Sesquicentennial State Park, Lake Carolina, Longtown,
  Fort Jackson and Goodale State Park.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 70 and 102.
 Interstate 77 between mile markers 13 and 46.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection seek shelter inside a sturdy building and stay
away from windows.

Severe thunderstorms can produce large capsizing waves and frequent
lightning. If on or near Lake Wateree move away from the water and
take shelter!

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways or
walk through high water.

&&

LAT...LON 3426 8044 3398 8087 3427 8136 3454 8089
      3455 8088
TIME...MOT...LOC 2015Z 224DEG 53KT 3428 8132 3397 8102 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...70MPH
 
$$

JAQ

3 follow-up statements

485 
WWUS52 KCAE 042031
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
431 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

SCC039-055-057-071-079-042115-
/O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0035.000000T0000Z-210504T2115Z/
Fairfield SC-Lancaster SC-Newberry SC-Richland SC-Kershaw SC-
431 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM EDT
FOR CENTRAL FAIRFIELD...SOUTHWESTERN LANCASTER...EASTERN NEWBERRY...
NORTHERN RICHLAND AND SOUTHWESTERN KERSHAW COUNTIES...

At 430 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from Fairfield County Airport to Villages at Sandhill,
moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile 
         homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include...
Columbia, Forest Acres, Camden, Winnsboro, Lake Wateree Dam,
Dentsville, Arcadia Lakes, Lugoff, Fairfield County Airport, Villages
at Sandhill, Jenkinsville, Liberty Hill, Elgin, Killian, Woodfield,
Sesquicentennial State Park, Lake Carolina, Longtown, Fort Jackson
and Goodale State Park.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 70 and 102.
 Interstate 77 between mile markers 13 and 46.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm has a history of producing 65 mph winds at the Columbia 
Metropolitan Airport! For your protection seek shelter inside a 
sturdy building and stay away from windows.

Severe thunderstorms can produce large capsizing waves and frequent
lightning. If on or near Lake Wateree move away from the water and
take shelter!

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways or
walk through high water.

&&

LAT...LON 3426 8044 3398 8087 3427 8136 3454 8089
      3455 8088
TIME...MOT...LOC 2030Z 231DEG 48KT 3431 8110 3410 8087 

HAIL...0.75IN
WIND...70MPH
 
$$

JAQ

505 
WWUS52 KCAE 042041
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
441 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

SCC071-042051-
/O.CAN.KCAE.SV.W.0035.000000T0000Z-210504T2115Z/
Newberry SC-
441 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EASTERN NEWBERRY COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned 
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

LAT...LON 3426 8044 3405 8078 3433 8125 3454 8089
      3455 8088
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 225DEG 49KT 3435 8098 3420 8076 

$$

SCC039-055-057-079-042115-
/O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0035.000000T0000Z-210504T2115Z/
Fairfield SC-Lancaster SC-Richland SC-Kershaw SC-
441 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM EDT
FOR EASTERN FAIRFIELD...SOUTHWESTERN LANCASTER...NORTHEASTERN
RICHLAND AND SOUTHWESTERN KERSHAW COUNTIES...

At 441 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 6 miles east of Winnsboro to near Elgin, moving
northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile 
         homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include...
Camden, Winnsboro, Lake Wateree Dam, Lugoff, Fairfield County
Airport, Lake Carolina, Villages at Sandhill, Longtown, Liberty Hill,
Elgin, Goodale State Park, Lake Wateree State Park, Blythewood,
Ridgeway, North Towne Square Shopping Center, Fairfield County
Detention Center, Rion, Winnsboro Mills, Pine Grove Fire Station and
Fairfield Elementary School.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 80 and 102.
 Interstate 77 between mile markers 24 and 46.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

These are dangerous storms! Prepare immediately for strong winds
capable of producing significant damage. Seek shelter inside a sturdy
building and stay away from windows.

Severe thunderstorms can produce large capsizing waves and frequent
lightning. If on or near Lake Wateree move away from the water and
take shelter!

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways or
walk through high water.

&&

LAT...LON 3426 8044 3405 8078 3433 8125 3454 8089
      3455 8088
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 225DEG 49KT 3435 8098 3420 8076 

HAIL...0.75IN
WIND...70MPH
 
$$

JAQ

748 
WWUS52 KCAE 042113
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
513 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

SCC039-055-057-079-042123-
/O.EXP.KCAE.SV.W.0035.000000T0000Z-210504T2115Z/
Fairfield SC-Lancaster SC-Richland SC-Kershaw SC-
513 PM EDT Tue May 4 2021

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EASTERN FAIRFIELD...
SOUTHWESTERN LANCASTER...NORTHEASTERN RICHLAND AND SOUTHWESTERN
KERSHAW COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 515 PM EDT...
    
The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However gusty
winds and heavy rain are still possible with these thunderstorms.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
central South Carolina.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Columbia.

LAT...LON 3426 8044 3405 8078 3433 8125 3454 8089
      3455 8088
TIME...MOT...LOC 2113Z 224DEG 53KT 3468 8060 3453 8038 

$$

JAQ

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 4, 3:29 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Saluda	31 min
May 4, 3:42 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Lexington	33 min
May 4, 3:45 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Saluda	45 min
May 4, 3:50 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Newberry	25 min
May 4, 3:52 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Calhoun, Lexington, Richland	41 min
May 4, 3:54 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	McCormick	36 min
May 4, 3:54 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Lancaster	36 min
May 4, 4:00 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Fairfield, Newberry, Saluda	45 min
May 4, 4:22 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Chesterfield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee	53 min
May 4, 4:38 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Edgefield, McCormick, Saluda	53 min
May 4, 4:46 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Richland	44 min
May 4, 5:03 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee	57 min
May 4, 5:30 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Aiken, Barnwell, Lexington, Orangeburg	60 min
May 4, 6:03 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Orangeburg, Richland	57 min
May 4, 6:07 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Clarendon, Lee, Richland, Sumter	53 min
May 4, 6:57 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Clarendon	48 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Carolina, 2021 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2021

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.