Alert archive / South Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2024

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 52, NWS Wilmington, NC

May 15, 2024Florence County, Williamsburg County, South Carolina

NWS Wilmington, NC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 15, 2024, 5:05 PM EDT for Florence County, Williamsburg County, South Carolina. It was in force for 35 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 15, 2024, 5:05 PM EDT (21:05 UTC)
Expired
May 15, 2024, 5:40 PM EDT
In force
35 min
Issued by
NWS Wilmington, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Florence County, SC, Williamsburg County, SC

The radar

The Wilmington radar (KLTX), 120 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:07 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.

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 15, 1:12 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 9.1 hours before the alert went out and 106 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 2024-05-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1051 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Charleston AFB, SC at 12:00Z on 2024-05-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 35 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
1051 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-18 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
708 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
58 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
35 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
108 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.3
Supercell composite
1.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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 Wilmington, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 15, 3:53 PM EDT, 1 hour 12 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 15, 3:53 PM EDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
353 PM EDT Wed May 15 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
Strong to severe thunderstorms may develop this afternoon into
this evening ahead of a cold front that will drop in from the
north. High pressure should bring dry weather Thursday with
pleasant temperatures. Rain chances will increase again this
weekend as a new storm system advances eastward. Drier and
warmer weather should develop next week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
An upper low will move through the area this afternoon and
evening, bringing scattered thunderstorms to the area as it
interacts with warm, moist air and a frontal boundary. Some of
these storms could produce large hail and wind gusts of 60 mph
or greater. The area is in a severe thunderstorm watch until 8
PM. Convection should come to an end this evening with dry
weather expected Thursday. Lows tonight will fall to the lower
60s with highs Thursday in the lower 80s.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
An H5 ridge axis will move across the area Thursday night and
off the coast Friday morning. This change will allow the old
low off the Mid-Atlantic coast to shift farther offshore and
allow a dampening shortwave to move across the forecast area
during Friday afternoon/evening with some increases in rainfall
chances. Would trend with higher POPs by that time however
moisture is still somewhat limited Friday for this part of the
Carolinas, with better advection earlier on in the long term
period. Blend of MAV/MET looks reasonable for the highs/lows
during this period.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
The mid/upper low will be across the MS Valley during Saturday
and will direct impulses from the Deep South into the Carolinas
along with an increase in PWATs (around 2 inches) during the
day. GFS ensemble precipitation also suggest categorical to
likely POPs will be needed. Sunday looks wet as well with the
upper trough across the Carolinas. Big questions remain for the
Monday-Tuesday with potential/positioning for a closed low
development farther east than currently shown. If the cut-off
occurs farther east then POPs will trend downward due to more
influence of nearby mid/upper ridge across the Carolinas. At
this time, favor the drier scenario Monday through Wednesday,
but will need to closely watch how this evolves. Otherwise,
highs will be at or above normal through Sunday, then below
normal Monday and Tuesday.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Scattered storms are expected this afternoon and early evening.
All terminals showing at least tempo tsra to account for this.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect, so gusts over 50 KT
and hail in excess of 1 inch is possible at area terminals.
Confidence in occurrence at individual sites is too low for
inclusion in terminals attm. If storms with this potential
threaten individual sites, amendments will be issued. After
showers and storms end, a period of IFR is possible around
daybreak at all terminals but strong May sun should quickly
raise conditions to VFR.

Extended Outlook...Periodic flight restrictions are possible
early Wed evening from thunderstorm activity. VFR conditions to
dominate Thu through Fri. The next system with potential flight
restrictions will affect the area this weekend.&&

.MARINE...
Through Thursday...Southwest winds to 10 to 15 KT are expected
tonight and will become N to NW by daybreak before becoming
light and variable by afternoon. Seas of 3 to 5 FT tonight will
subside to 2 to 4 FT Thursday.

Thursday night through Monday...A large area of low pressure
off the Mid-Atlantic coast will drift farther offshore Thursday
night into Friday. Approaching low pressure from the west will
allow winds to become southerly during Saturday with veering
Sunday as the low moves off the coast. Northerly winds are
expected Monday with the low possibly off the NC/SC coast. If
the low stays just offshore then the northerly winds will be
higher.

&&

.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
Other - Rip Currents: Yesterday's strong onshore winds have abated,
however a 4 foot southerly swell every 8 seconds continues to crash
onshore. South-facing beaches on Brunswick County and extreme
northeasterly Horry County run orthogonal to this swell and will
have the largest potential of rip current activity through this
evening.

&&

.ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...High Risk for Rip Currents until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ110.
SC...High Risk for Rip Currents until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ054.
MARINE...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...SRP
NEAR TERM...31
SHORT TERM...SRP
LONG TERM...SRP
AVIATION...31
MARINE...SRP/31
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...ILM
Hazardous weather outlook, May 15, 1:24 PM EDT, 3 hours 41 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
124 PM EDT Wed May 15 2024

AMZ250-252-254-256-160900-
Coastal waters from Surf City to Cape Fear NC out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Cape Fear NC to Little River Inlet SC out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Little River Inlet to Murrells Inlet SC out
20 nm-
Coastal waters from Murrells Inlet to South Santee River SC out
20 nm-
124 PM EDT Wed May 15 2024

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 245 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the adjacent Coastal Waters.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are activated this afternoon and evening.

NCZ106-108-SCZ056-160900-
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Georgetown-
124 PM EDT Wed May 15 2024

...MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 245 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast North Carolina and
northeast South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Moderate Risk of Rip Currents.
   Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are activated this afternoon and evening.

NCZ110-SCZ054-160900-
Coastal Brunswick-Coastal Horry-
124 PM EDT Wed May 15 2024

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 245 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast North Carolina and
northeast South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   High Rip Current Risk.
   Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are activated this afternoon and evening.

NCZ087-096-099-105-107-109-SCZ017-023-024-032-033-039-055-058-059-
160900-
Robeson-Bladen-Columbus-Inland Pender-Inland New Hanover-
Inland Brunswick-Marlboro-Darlington-Dillon-Florence-Marion-
Williamsburg-Inland Georgetown-Central Horry-Northern Horry-
124 PM EDT Wed May 15 2024

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 245 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast North Carolina and
northeast South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are activated this afternoon and evening.

29

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 15, 11:40 AM EDT, 5 hours 25 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 15, 1:05 PM EDT, 4 hours before
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Special weather statement, May 15, 2:49 PM EDT, 2 hours 16 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 15, 2:58 PM EDT, 2 hours 7 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 15, 4:31 PM EDT, 34 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 15, 4:54 PM EDT, 11 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Wilmington, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 14, 8:30 PM EDTTornado WarningILMBladen16 min
May 14, 9:00 PM EDTRip Current StatementILMBrunswick23 hr
May 15, 6:25 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBrunswick20 min
May 15, 6:45 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBrunswick30 min
May 15, 1:38 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM52 min
May 15, 4:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMColumbus29 min
May 15, 4:54 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMPender36 min
May 15, 4:57 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMColumbus46 min
May 15, 5:24 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMPender29 min
May 15, 5:25 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMBrunswick, Columbus, New Hanover29 min
May 15, 6:18 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMNew Hanover27 min
May 15, 6:29 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM61 min
May 15, 6:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBladen30 min
May 15, 6:50 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMRobeson40 min
May 15, 7:08 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMBladen67 min
May 15, 7:15 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM60 min
May 15, 7:33 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMRobeson42 min
May 15, 4:21 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMFlorence39 min
May 15, 1:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMHorry25 min
May 15, 1:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMHorry36 min
May 15, 2:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMHorry26 min
May 15, 5:46 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMFlorence29 min
May 15, 5:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMGeorgetown31 min
May 15, 6:07 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMGeorgetown, Williamsburg53 min
May 15, 6:54 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMHorry36 min
May 15, 6:57 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMHorry27 min
May 15, 7:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMGeorgetown29 min
May 15, 7:12 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMGeorgetown63 min
May 15, 7:17 PM EDTTornado WarningILMGeorgetown28 min
May 15, 7:43 PM EDTTornado WarningILMGeorgetown32 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Carolina, 2024Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2024

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.