Alert archive / South Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2023

Tornado Warning 4, NWS Columbia, SC

January 4, 20234 counties in South Carolina

NWS Columbia, SC issued this tornado warning at Jan 4, 2023, 10:54 AM EST for 4 counties in South Carolina. It was in force for 36 min. 1 report 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
Jan 4, 2023, 10:54 AM EST (15:54 UTC)
Expired
Jan 4, 2023, 11:30 AM EST
In force
36 min
Issued by
NWS Columbia, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

Counties Calhoun County, SC, Lexington County, SC, Orangeburg County, SC, Richland County, SC

The radar

The Columbia radar (KCAE), 32 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:55 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
Jan 4, 11:02 AM ESTTORNADO7 Sse Sandy Run, SCA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SURVEY TEAM CONFIRMED A BRIEF EF-0 TORNADO WITH PEAK WINDS OF 75 MPH IN WESTERN CALHOUN COUNTY. THE TORNADO BRIEFLY DEVELOPED EAST OF OTT SISTERS ROAD BEFORE CROSSING SWEETBAY ROAD. SEVERAL PINE TREES WERE SNAPPED AND UPROOTED IN A S

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
Jan 4, 8:36 AM ESTTornado WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 3.9 hours before the alert went out and 125 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 2023-01-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 463 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 2023-01-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 131 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
463 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-44 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
555 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
43 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
131 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
181 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
2.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

773 
WFUS52 KCAE 041554
TORCAE
SCC017-063-075-079-041630-
/O.NEW.KCAE.TO.W.0004.230104T1554Z-230104T1630Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1054 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Calhoun County in central South Carolina...
  Southeastern Lexington County in central South Carolina...
  North central Orangeburg County in central South Carolina...
  Southeastern Richland County in central South Carolina...

* Until 1130 AM EST.
    
* At 1053 AM EST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
  tornado was located 9 miles south of Gaston, or 17 miles northwest
  of Brookdale, moving east at 40 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...
  St. Matthews around 1120 AM EST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Woodford and Swansea.

This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 128 and 140.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to an interior room or closet on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building immediately.

This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3364 8113 3374 8114 3384 8072 3360 8068
TIME...MOT...LOC 1553Z 263DEG 33KT 3369 8107 

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

$$

gpl
3 follow-up statements
728 
WWUS52 KCAE 041603
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1103 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023

SCC017-063-075-079-041630-
/O.CON.KCAE.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-230104T1630Z/
Calhoun SC-Lexington SC-Orangeburg SC-Richland SC-
1103 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 AM EST FOR CENTRAL
CALHOUN...SOUTHEASTERN LEXINGTON...NORTH CENTRAL ORANGEBURG AND
SOUTHEASTERN RICHLAND COUNTIES...
    
At 1103 AM EST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles south of Sandy Run, or 14 miles northwest of
Brookdale, moving east at 40 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...
  St. Matthews around 1120 AM EST.

This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 129 and 140.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to an interior room or closet on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building immediately.

This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3363 8099 3376 8101 3384 8072 3360 8068
TIME...MOT...LOC 1603Z 263DEG 33KT 3370 8096 

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

$$

gpl
601 
WWUS52 KCAE 041610
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1110 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023

SCC075-041620-
/O.CAN.KCAE.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-230104T1630Z/
Orangeburg SC-
1110 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL ORANGEBURG COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 PM EST for central South
Carolina.

LAT...LON 3365 8096 3377 8097 3384 8072 3360 8068
TIME...MOT...LOC 1610Z 263DEG 33KT 3371 8088 

$$

SCC017-063-079-041630-
/O.CON.KCAE.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-230104T1630Z/
Calhoun SC-Lexington SC-Richland SC-
1110 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 AM EST FOR CENTRAL
CALHOUN...SOUTHEASTERN LEXINGTON AND SOUTHEASTERN RICHLAND
COUNTIES...
        
At 1110 AM EST, a confirmed tornado was located near St. Matthews, or
13 miles north of Brookdale, moving east at 40 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...
  St. Matthews around 1120 AM EST.

This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 129 and 139.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! If you are
outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to an interior room
or closet on the lowest floor of a sturdy building immediately.

This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3365 8096 3377 8097 3384 8072 3360 8068
TIME...MOT...LOC 1610Z 263DEG 33KT 3371 8088 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

gpl
299 
WWUS52 KCAE 041620
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1120 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023

SCC017-063-079-041630-
/O.EXP.KCAE.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-230104T1630Z/
Calhoun SC-Lexington SC-Richland SC-
1120 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL CALHOUN...SOUTHEASTERN LEXINGTON
AND SOUTHEASTERN RICHLAND COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 1130 AM EST...
    
The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 PM EST for central South
Carolina.

LAT...LON 3365 8096 3377 8097 3384 8072 3360 8068
TIME...MOT...LOC 1620Z 263DEG 33KT 3372 8078 

$$

gpl

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 4, 8:19 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementCAENewberry41 min
Jan 4, 8:23 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementCAEMcCormick52 min
Jan 4, 9:09 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementCAEEdgefield51 min
Jan 4, 9:14 AM ESTSpecial Weather StatementCAELancaster46 min
Jan 4, 9:21 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEAiken, Edgefield54 min
Jan 4, 9:41 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEEdgefield, Saluda39 min
Jan 4, 9:56 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEAiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield, Lexington, Orangeburg49 min
Jan 4, 10:00 AM ESTTornado WarningCAEAiken, Edgefield, Saluda30 min
Jan 4, 10:16 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEAiken, Calhoun, Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Richland and 1 more44 min
Jan 4, 10:32 AM ESTTornado WarningCAEAiken, Calhoun, Lexington, Orangeburg28 min
Jan 4, 10:35 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatCAEAiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Lexington, Orangeburg and 2 more40 min
Jan 4, 10:38 AM ESTTornado WarningCAELexington22 min
Jan 4, 10:55 AM ESTTornado WarningCAECalhoun, Lexington, Richland19 min
Jan 4, 11:13 AM ESTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEFairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Saluda2 hr
Jan 4, 11:17 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAECalhoun, Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, Orangeburg, Richland and 1 more58 min
Jan 4, 5:02 PM ESTRiver Flood WarningCAEGreenwood, Newberry, Saluda3 days
Jan 4, 5:02 PM ESTRiver Flood WarningCAECalhoun, Lexington, Richland5 days
Jan 4, 5:02 PM ESTRiver Flood WarningCAECalhoun, Richland8 days
Jan 4, 5:02 PM ESTRiver Flood AdvisoryCAELexington, Richland4 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in South Carolina, 2023Every tornado warning in 2023Tornadoes in 2023

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.