Alert archive / South Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2022

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 59, NWS Columbia, SC

May 6, 20225 counties in South Carolina

NWS Columbia, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 6, 2022, 5:59 PM EDT for 5 counties in South Carolina. It was in force for 31 min. 3 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 6, 2022, 5:59 PM EDT (21:59 UTC)
Expired: May 6, 2022, 6:30 PM EDT
In force: 31 min
Issued by: NWS Columbia, SC
Area: Storm-based polygon
Damage threat: Considerable
Hail: 1.25 in
Wind: 70.0 mph

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

The radar

The Columbia radar (KCAE), 41 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:58 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 6, 6:06 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Jenkinsville, SC	FAIRFIELD COUNTY DISPATCH REPORTED TREES DOWN ON JENKINSVILLE RD NEAR SC 215. TIME ESTIMATED ON RADAR.
May 6, 6:07 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Nnw Winnsboro, SC	FAIRFIELD COUNTY DISPATCH REPORTED A TREE DOWN ALONG HIGHWAY 321. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 6, 6:14 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	5 Nnw Longtown, SC	FAIRFIELD COUNTY DOT REPORTS TREES DOWN ON RIVER ROAD IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

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

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 3 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 7 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

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

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
May 6, 3:47 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 10.0 hours before the alert went out and 193 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: 912 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -77 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1218 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 68 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 36 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

118 
WUUS52 KCAE 062159
SVRCAE
SCC039-055-063-071-079-062230-
/O.NEW.KCAE.SV.W.0059.220506T2159Z-220506T2230Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
559 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Central Fairfield County in central South Carolina...
  Southeastern Newberry County in central South Carolina...
  North central Lexington County in central South Carolina...
  Northwestern Richland County in central South Carolina...
  West central Kershaw County in central South Carolina...

* Until 630 PM EDT.

* At 559 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from 6 miles northeast of Prosperity to near Longtown,
  moving northeast at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and half dollar 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...
  Winnsboro, VC Summer Nuclear Station, Prosperity, Fairfield County
  Airport, Jenkinsville, Killian, Lake Carolina, Monticello,
  Longtown, Blair, Blythewood, Chapin, Ridgeway, Little Mountain,
  Pomaria, Peak, Lebanon Fire Station, US-176 and SC-
  34 Crossroads, White Rock and Rion.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 26 between mile markers 77 and 98.
 Interstate 77 between mile markers 22 and 41.

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 Murray move away from the water and
take shelter!

&&

LAT...LON 3442 8148 3441 8067 3413 8088 3414 8159
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 230DEG 39KT 3428 8145 3429 8080 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

MJP

2 follow-up statements

155 
WWUS52 KCAE 062219
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
619 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

SCC063-079-062228-
/O.CAN.KCAE.SV.W.0059.000000T0000Z-220506T2230Z/
Lexington SC-Richland SC-
619 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL LEXINGTON AND
NORTHWESTERN RICHLAND COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

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

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
central South Carolina.

LAT...LON 3441 8067 3430 8076 3434 8139 3442 8139
TIME...MOT...LOC 2218Z 230DEG 39KT 3435 8135 3436 8070 

$$

SCC039-055-071-062230-
/O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0059.000000T0000Z-220506T2230Z/
Fairfield SC-Newberry SC-Kershaw SC-
619 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM EDT
FOR CENTRAL FAIRFIELD...NORTHEASTERN NEWBERRY AND WEST CENTRAL
KERSHAW COUNTIES...

At 618 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Monticello to Lake Wateree Dam, moving northeast
at 45 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and half dollar 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...
Winnsboro, Monticello, Longtown, Ridgeway, Winnsboro Mills, Fairfield
Elementary School, Lebanon Fire Station and Fairfield County
Detention Center.

This includes Interstate 77 between mile markers 35 and 41.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3441 8067 3430 8076 3434 8139 3442 8139
TIME...MOT...LOC 2218Z 230DEG 39KT 3435 8135 3436 8070 

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

MJP

465 
WWUS52 KCAE 062224 RRA
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
624 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

SCC039-055-071-062233-
/O.EXP.KCAE.SV.W.0059.000000T0000Z-220506T2230Z/
Fairfield SC-Newberry SC-Kershaw SC-
624 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR CENTRAL FAIRFIELD...
NORTHEASTERN NEWBERRY AND WEST CENTRAL KERSHAW COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE
AT 630 PM EDT...
    
The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
central South Carolina.

LAT...LON 3441 8067 3430 8076 3434 8139 3442 8139
TIME...MOT...LOC 2223Z 230DEG 39KT 3433 8138 3434 8074 

$$

MJP

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 May 6, 3:56 PM EDT, 2 hours 3 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 6, 3:56 PM EDT, 2 hours 3 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Columbia SC
356 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

.SYNOPSIS...
Showers and thunderstorms will develop ahead of an approaching
cold front this afternoon. Some of these thunderstorms will be
strong to severe. Saturday will be cooler and drier with a
chance of showers and perhaps a rumble of thunder in the
northeastern Midlands. Several days of dry weather follow
starting on Sunday with gradually warming temperatures.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY MORNING/...
Quick update for Severe thunderstorm watch for the Midlands and
CSRA through 10pm. Organized convection lifting north-
northeastward through central GA should move into the CSRA after
4pm and continue northeastward across the Midlands providing a
damaging wind threat. Isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out but
the primary threat is damaging winds and large hail.

Previous discussion:
Tornado watch issued for the Upstate SC and western NC. The
strongest SR helicity should remain northwest of the CAE CWA and
southwest in Georgia. Severe threat expected to increase for central
SC and east central Georgia later this afternoon into the evening...

Deepening surface low pressure over Kentucky/Indiana early this
afternoon with a trailing cold front moving east of the Mississippi
Valley. Ahead of the front, Precipitable water increase across SC to
around 1.5 inches with southwest low level flow...Warm air advection
appears weak however. Upper level low over Tennessee moving east-
northeast and taking on negative tilt. Upper level divergence will
be increasing over the Carolina as upper level 100 kt jet rounding
the base of the trough moves east. In addition a strong short wave
trough will approach the Carolinas. This will result in strong lift
across the region during time of peak heating...highs in the mid to
upper 80s as the cold front approaches.

Instability appears to be moderate with SB CAPE 1500-2000 J/kg.
Mixed layer CAPE is low at the moment and with gusty winds probably
mixing down lower dew points later in the day...possible limiting
factor. The CAMS suggest a possible storm mode of discrete cells
early, with low tornado threat given the lack of SR Helicity. Then
with a uni-directional strong shear profile late this afternoon, a
squall line ahead of the front 21z-24z with damaging winds the
primary threat along with hail given relatively low wet-bulb zero
height as the upper low approaches. Went with relatively high pops.
The front should push to the east of the area during the 03z- 06z
period tonight. Drier air will filter in behind the front and the
showers should move into the coastal plain. The stronger cold
advection may be delayed until morning so overnight temps only fall
to around 60.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
Upper low will swing over the forecast area Saturday with lower
heights and cooler temperatures with highs in the mid to upper 70s
with mostly cloudy skies. With considerable cooling aloft with the
upper low right over us, could get some showers and maybe even a
thunderstorm to develop, especially in the NE portion of the
forecast area. Saturday night the upper low will shift offshore with
drier air pumping into the forecast area. Overnight lows cooler as
well Saturday night with temperatures in the low to mid 50s.

NW flow aloft across the area Sunday with N flow at the surface with
drier air pumping into the forecast area as PWATs drop to .7 to .8
inches and skies begin to clear from SW to NE. Cold advection and
clouds will keep temperatures in the upper 60s NE to mid 70s SW.
Cold advection will continue overnight with lows in the upper 40s
north and low 50s south.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Good agreement among global models and their ensemble suites in
the low pressure remaining just east of the area with a
blocking ridge preventing it from pushing further downstream.
All euro ensemble members keep PWATs below an inch with
generally northerly flow continuing. Temperatures will slowly
recover into next week, remaining below normal. The low will
slowly shift back to the west by the middle of the week with
some increasing moisture which may lead to showers developing
late in the period, although moisture will still be fairly
limited.

&&

.AVIATION /20Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
A cold front will approach from the lower Mississippi Valley by this
evening. Ahead of the front, the air mass is becoming moderately
unstable. The CAMS suggest a convective squall line with a few
discrete cells will develop in east central GA then move northeast
through the area during the 20z-24z. Kept the brief period of IFR
conditions as the thunderstorms moves through the area. Clearing
skies in the late evening with mainly mid level ceilings. Winds will
be southwest 15 to 20 knots with a few higher gusts ahead of the
front then shift to west after 12z Saturday. Strato-cumulus may
develop after 12z Saturday as the upper level low moves over the
area and maybe some brief light showers, but VFR conditions expected.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...There will be another chance for showers
on Saturday, especially across the northern CWA as the upper level
low passes by. Patchy early morning stratus/fog possible
particularly at OGB/AGS on Saturday.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...No significant impacts to aviation
expected.

&&

.CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None.
SC...None.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, May 6, 4:39 AM EDT, 13 hours 20 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Columbia SC
439 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022

GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035-037-038-041-115-
116-135>137-070845-
Lincoln-McDuffie-Columbia-Richmond-Burke-Chesterfield-McCormick-
Newberry-Fairfield-Kershaw-Edgefield-Saluda-Lexington-Richland-Lee-
Aiken-Sumter-Barnwell-Calhoun-Clarendon-Bamberg-Northern Lancaster-
Southern Lancaster-Northwestern Orangeburg-Central Orangeburg-
Southeastern Orangeburg-
439 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Midlands of South Carolina
and the Central Savannah River area of Georgia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

A cold front will bring a line of strong to severe thunderstorms
through the area this afternoon. The main threat will be damaging
winds, isolated tornadoes, and large hail. Brief heavy rainfall will
also be possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon and evening.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 6, 5:49 PM EDT, 10 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
549 PM EDT FRI MAY 6 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0535 PM     HAIL             3 WSW LEXINGTON         33.97N 81.28W
05/06/2022  M0.88 INCH       LEXINGTON          SC   NWS EMPLOYEE

            REPORTED NICKEL SIZE HAIL IN THE CHEROKEE
            LAKES SUBDIVISION NEAR THE TOWN OF
            LEXINGTON.

&&

LCV

Local storm report, May 6, 5:50 PM EDT, 9 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
550 PM EDT FRI MAY 6 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0445 PM     HAIL             2 SW NORTH AUGUSTA      33.49N 81.98W
05/06/2022  E1.50 INCH       AIKEN              SC   EMERGENCY MNGR

            NEARBY COUNTY EM SENT PICTURE OF PING PONG
            BALL SIZE HAIL FROM RAILROAD AVENUE IN NORTH
            AUGUSTA. TIME ESTIMATED.

&&

JAQ

Local storm report, May 6, 5:54 PM EDT, 5 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
554 PM EDT FRI MAY 6 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0518 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BAMBERG                 33.30N 81.03W
05/06/2022                   BAMBERG            SC   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            REPORTED POWER LINES DOWN IN THE ROAD ALONG
            NORTH STREET IN THE TOWN OF BAMBERG.

&&

LCV

Local storm report, May 6, 5:56 PM EDT, 3 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
556 PM EDT FRI MAY 6 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0528 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 S ROWESVILLE          33.32N 80.83W
05/06/2022                   ORANGEBURG         SC   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTED TREES DOWN NEAR THE
            INTERSECTION OF HWY. 21 AND FOX PAW COURT
            BETWEEN ROWESVILLE AND BRANCHVILLE.

&&

LCV

Local storm report, May 6, 5:57 PM EDT, 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
557 PM EDT FRI MAY 6 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0537 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 WNW LEXINGTON         34.01N 81.28W
05/06/2022                   LEXINGTON          SC   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS REPORTED A TREE IN
            THE ROADWAY. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.

&&

GPL

Local storm report, May 6, 5:59 PM EDT, 0 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
559 PM EDT FRI MAY 6 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0538 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NW LEXINGTON          34.02N 81.26W
05/06/2022                   LEXINGTON          SC   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTED A TREE IN THE
            ROADWAY. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.

&&

GPL

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 6, 2:19 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Lancaster	26 min
May 6, 4:28 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Aiken, Barnwell	32 min
May 6, 4:40 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick	35 min
May 6, 4:57 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Orangeburg	33 min
May 6, 5:09 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Kershaw, Richland	36 min
May 6, 5:10 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	CAE	Aiken, Edgefield, Lexington, McCormick, Saluda	35 min
May 6, 5:25 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	CAE	Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Clarendon, Lexington and 3 more	35 min
May 6, 5:26 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lee, Sumter	34 min
May 6, 5:30 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Lancaster	30 min
May 6, 5:32 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Richland	28 min
May 6, 5:37 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	CAE	Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Saluda	23 min
May 6, 5:39 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Chesterfield, Lancaster	36 min
May 6, 5:46 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Bamberg, Barnwell	29 min
May 6, 5:54 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Kershaw, Lee	36 min
May 6, 5:56 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Calhoun, Clarendon, Lee, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter	34 min
May 6, 5:58 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster	32 min
May 6, 6:06 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Bamberg, Orangeburg	24 min
May 6, 6:13 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Newberry	18 min
May 6, 6:29 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster	31 min
May 6, 6:37 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Marlboro	23 min
May 6, 6:39 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Barnwell	36 min
May 6, 7:23 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Calhoun, Sumter	37 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Carolina, 2022 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2022

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.