Alert archive / South Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 10, NWS Columbia, SC

August 17, 2021Edgefield County, South Carolina

NWS Columbia, SC issued this tornado warning at Aug 17, 2021, 12:59 PM EDT for Edgefield County, South Carolina. It was in force for 46 min. 2 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
Aug 17, 2021, 12:59 PM EDT (16:59 UTC)
Expired
Aug 17, 2021, 1:45 PM EDT
In force
46 min
Issued by
NWS Columbia, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

County Edgefield County, SC

The radar

The Columbia radar (KCAE), 80 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:01 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
Aug 17, 1:03 PM EDTTORNADO4 Wnw Murphys Estates, SCA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STORM SURVEY TEAM CONFIRMED AN EF1 TORNADO, WITH PEAK WINDS OF 90 MPH, WEST-NORTHWEST OF MURPHYS ESTATES IN EDGEFIELD COUNTY, SC. THE TORNADO BEGAN NEAR BRIGGS ROAD, WHERE IT SNAPPED AND UPROOTED MULTIPLE TREES AND DESTROYED A SMALL
Aug 17, 1:36 PM EDTTORNADO5 Nw Edgefield, SCEDGEFIELD 911 CALL CENTER REPORTS TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN NEAR MOORE ROAD.

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
Aug 17, 10:42 AM EDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 5.0 hours before the alert went out and 207 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 2021-08-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1066 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 2021-08-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 84 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
1066 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-24 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
639 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
84 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
92 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

972 
WFUS52 KCAE 171659
TORCAE
SCC037-171745-
/O.NEW.KCAE.TO.W.0010.210817T1659Z-210817T1745Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1259 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Edgefield County in central South Carolina...

* Until 145 PM EDT.
    
* At 1258 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a 
  tornado was located over southern Edgefield County near Stephens 
  Creek Public Park, moving north northeast at 30 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...
  Edgefield around 130 PM EDT.
  Johnston around 140 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Lick
Fork Campground, Strom Thurmond High School, Stevens Creek Public
Park, Harmony, Poverty Hill, Murphys Estates, Pleasant Lane, Ninety
Nine Islands, Mt Vintage and Northside Fire Station Main.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3396 8204 3398 8195 3398 8190 3389 8187
      3386 8183 3387 8182 3384 8177 3364 8188
      3353 8202 3356 8205 3360 8211 3363 8210
      3366 8213
TIME...MOT...LOC 1658Z 198DEG 27KT 3360 8203 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$
3 follow-up statements
640 
WWUS52 KCAE 171712
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
112 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

SCC037-171745-
/O.CON.KCAE.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-210817T1745Z/
Edgefield SC-
112 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 145 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
EDGEFIELD COUNTY...
        
At 111 PM EDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was 
located near Mount Vintage, or about 8 miles southwest of Edgefield, 
moving north at 25 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

The tornado will be near...
  Edgefield around 135 PM EDT.
  Johnston around 145 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Lick
Fork Campground, Strom Thurmond High School, Cleora, Harmony,
Colliers, Pleasant Lane, Trenton, Mt Vintage, Northside Fire Station
Main and Edgefield Federal Correction Institution.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3396 8204 3398 8195 3398 8190 3389 8187
      3386 8183 3387 8182 3384 8177 3364 8188
      3367 8212
TIME...MOT...LOC 1711Z 197DEG 21KT 3368 8200 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$
993 
WWUS52 KCAE 171723
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
123 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

SCC037-171745-
/O.CON.KCAE.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-210817T1745Z/
Edgefield SC-
123 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 145 PM EDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN EDGEFIELD COUNTY...
        
At 121 PM EDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was 
located near Lick Fork Campground, or southwest of Edgefield, moving 
north at 25 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

The tornado will be near...
  Edgefield around 130 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Lick
Fork Campground, Pleasant Lane, Northside Fire Station Main, Cleora
and Edgefield Federal Correction Institution.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3396 8204 3398 8195 3398 8190 3389 8187
      3367 8188 3372 8211
TIME...MOT...LOC 1721Z 175DEG 23KT 3374 8202 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$
760 
WWUS52 KCAE 171735
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
135 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

SCC037-171745-
/O.CON.KCAE.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-210817T1745Z/
Edgefield SC-
135 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 145 PM EDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL EDGEFIELD COUNTY...
        
At 134 PM EDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was 
located near Cleora, or about 5 miles NW of Edgefield, moving north 
at 30 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
north central Edgefield County, including the following locations...
Cleora, Pleasant Lane and Northside Fire Station Main.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3396 8204 3398 8195 3398 8190 3389 8187
      3380 8190 3380 8207
TIME...MOT...LOC 1734Z 177DEG 26KT 3383 8203 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 17, 12:31 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEAiken, Edgefield, McCormick, Saluda59 min
Aug 17, 1:34 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEAiken, Edgefield, Saluda56 min
Aug 17, 1:44 PM EDTTornado WarningCAEEdgefield, McCormick, Saluda17 min
Aug 17, 1:55 PM EDTTornado WarningCAEAiken, Edgefield, Lexington, Saluda50 min
Aug 17, 2:08 PM EDTTornado WarningCAEAiken37 min
Aug 17, 2:31 PM EDTTornado WarningCAEBarnwell44 min
Aug 17, 3:12 PM EDTTornado WarningCAELexington, Saluda48 min
Aug 17, 3:17 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEAiken, Edgefield, Lexington, Newberry, Saluda58 min
Aug 17, 3:48 PM EDTTornado WarningCAEFairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Richland42 min
Aug 17, 4:25 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEFairfield, Newberry50 min
Aug 17, 4:31 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEFairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Saluda59 min
Aug 17, 4:48 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEBamberg, Orangeburg42 min
Aug 17, 4:56 PM EDTTornado WarningCAEOrangeburg34 min
Aug 17, 5:29 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAECalhoun, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland3 hr
Aug 17, 5:29 PM EDTTornado WarningCAECalhoun, Orangeburg46 min
Aug 17, 7:43 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEAiken32 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in South Carolina, 2021Every tornado warning in 2021Tornadoes 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.