Alert archive / Georgia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 18, NWS Columbia, SC

May 22, 2026Columbia County, McDuffie County, Richmond County, Georgia

NWS Columbia, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 22, 2026, 5:15 PM EDT for Columbia County, McDuffie County, Richmond County, Georgia. It was in force for 45 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: May 22, 2026, 5:15 PM EDT (21:15 UTC)
Expired: May 22, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT
In force: 45 min
Issued by: NWS Columbia, SC
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 1.0 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Columbia County, GA, McDuffie County, GA, Richmond County, GA

The radar

The Robins AFB radar (KJGX), 124 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:19 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 22, 5:25 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Se Thomson, GA	Spotter reports tree branches down with power outages reported. 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 one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 10 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 nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 9.3 hours before the alert went out and 187 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: 430 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -53 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 964 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 69 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 109 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.1
Supercell composite: 1.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

909 
WUUS52 KCAE 222115
SVRCAE
GAC073-189-245-222200-
/O.NEW.KCAE.SV.W.0018.260522T2115Z-260522T2200Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
515 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  McDuffie County in east central Georgia...
  Western Columbia County in east central Georgia...
  West central Richmond County in east central Georgia...

* Until 600 PM EDT.

* At 515 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Thomson,
  moving north at 15 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage 
           to trees and powerlines.

* Locations impacted include...
  Thomson, Harlem, Appling, Mistletoe State Park, Thomson-McDuffie
  County Airport, Wrightsboro, Dearing, Winfield, Sweetwater Park,
  Arties Pond Public Fishing Area, McDuffie County Fire Department,
  Adamsville, Thomson Fire Department, McDuffie Regional Medical
  Center, White Oak Campground, Autney, Boneville, Columbia County
  Jail, Wildwood Park, and Ansley Mill.

This includes Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 166 and
185.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3364 8261 3363 8261 3363 8258 3365 8258
      3364 8256 3366 8251 3364 8246 3370 8233
      3368 8226 3328 8229 3331 8234 3331 8239
      3334 8244 3336 8255 3341 8255 3346 8259
      3360 8265
TIME...MOT...LOC 2115Z 183DEG 14KT 3339 8249 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

MG

1 follow-up statement

545 
WWUS52 KCAE 222147
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
547 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

GAC245-222156-
/O.CAN.KCAE.SV.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260522T2200Z/
Richmond GA-
547 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WEST CENTRAL RICHMOND COUNTY
IS CANCELLED...

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

LAT...LON 3364 8261 3363 8261 3363 8258 3365 8258
      3364 8256 3366 8251 3364 8246 3370 8233
      3368 8226 3341 8228 3341 8255 3342 8255
      3346 8259 3360 8265
TIME...MOT...LOC 2146Z 183DEG 14KT 3351 8248 

$$

GAC073-189-222200-
/O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260522T2200Z/
McDuffie GA-Columbia GA-
547 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM EDT
FOR MCDUFFIE AND WESTERN COLUMBIA COUNTIES...

At 546 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over
Thomson-McDuffie County Airport, or near Thomson, moving north at 15
mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         trees and powerlines.

Locations impacted include...
Thomson, Harlem, Mistletoe State Park, Appling, Thomson-McDuffie
County Airport, Wrightsboro, Dearing, Leah, Winfield, Sweetwater
Park, McDuffie County Fire Department, Thomson Fire Department,
McDuffie Regional Medical Center, University Hospital McDuffie, White
Oak Campground, Phinizy, Boneville, Columbia County Jail, Wildwood
Park, and Carpenter Airport.

This includes Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 166 and
185.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3364 8261 3363 8261 3363 8258 3365 8258
      3364 8256 3366 8251 3364 8246 3370 8233
      3368 8226 3341 8228 3341 8255 3342 8255
      3346 8259 3360 8265
TIME...MOT...LOC 2146Z 183DEG 14KT 3351 8248 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

MG

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 22, 2:56 PM EDT, 2 hours 19 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

1. Showers and thunderstorms expected through next week

Area forecast discussion, May 22, 2:56 PM EDT, 2 hours 19 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Columbia SC
256 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Updated forecast for showers and thunderstorms today and
tomorrow with marginal threat of severe weather. Aviation
updated for 18Z TAFs.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...

- 1. Showers and thunderstorms expected through next week

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Key Message 1: Showers and thunderstorms expected through next
week

The synoptic pattern is persistent through next week with upper
level ridging over the western Atlantic and upper disturbances
lifting to the west and north. Global ensemble mean precipitable
water values are in the 1.5-2.0 inch range through most of next
week. This pattern supports at least scattered showers and
thunderstorms enhanced by the shortwave activity throughout the
period. The most active timeframe may be tonight and Saturday.
The axis of the ridge will be a little further east at this time
allowing the deeper moisture and better upper support into the
forecast area. The blended guidance shows likely to categorical
rain chances through the holiday weekend. While most areas will
likely see rainfall (especially northern and western portions of
the forecast area), this may be a bit deceiving as the
convection may be more periodic as opposed to a complete washout
with persistent rain. Showers and thunderstorms will likely
lead to localized heavy rainfall each day, particularly if
training cells develop. This raises concern for localized flash
flooding mainly in urban and flood prone areas.

Severe potential through Saturday: Isolated strong
thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon with SPC
Mesoanalysis showing mlCAPE around 1500 J/kg in the CSRA and
locally enhanced helicity along the wedge boundary in the
Upstate and western Midlands. A low level jet will lift out of
the Deep South and into the Southern Appalachians tonight and
Saturday advecting moisture and increasing shear over the
forecast area. An outflow boundary from storms to our west
should trigger additional convection this evening as it moves
east. An upper level shortwave will help sustain the storms as
they move into the western FA possibly leading to elevated
thunderstorms this evening and tonight. With poor low level
lapse rates the threat of severe weather is low but can't be
ruled out. The higher threat of severe weather is Saturday with
20-30 kts of 0-6 km shear over the region which could allow
multicell clusters or bowing segments to develop in the
afternoon. Confidence is low though given the expected
widespread cloud cover and rainfall over the area which could
hinder lapse rates.

The pattern remains active in the extended with a persistent
ridge to our east and troughing to the west. PWAT values remain
above 1.5 inches through the period with SW flow over the
Southeast. This pattern will support daily shower and
thunderstorm chances through next week. In general the
convective activity should follow a diurnal trend but shortwave
troughs may sustain storms outside of the afternoon timeframe.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Mix of restrictions likely throughout the TAF period with scattered
showers and storms.

Fairly moisture rich summer pattern continues across the region with
scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms this afternoon.
Coverage will become more widespread later this evening with
thunderstorm potential also increasing. TAFs reflect the increasing
coverage throughout the afternoon and into the evening with a
transition from prob30 to tempo. Winds this afternoon and
evening will remain generally out of the south, 6-10 knots
before subsiding overnight. Showers and storms should then
subside later tonight leaving widespread again for Saturday
morning, likely IFR cigs. Additional rounds of showers and
storms likely Saturday afternoon towards the end of the TAF
period.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Abundant low level moisture will
bring more rounds of morning restrictions from fog/stratus
through the weekend along with scattered afternoon showers and
storms possible each day into the middle of next week.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...CJR
AVIATION...42

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 22, 3:53 PM EDT, 1 hour 22 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
353 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

SCZ020-222045-
Newberry SC-
353 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Newberry
County through 445 PM EDT...

At 353 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Newberry College, or near Newberry, moving north at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Newberry, Whitmire, Prosperity, Newberry College, Newberry County
Airport, Silverstreet, Newberry County Detention Center, Bush River
Fire Station, Enoree Ranger District Office, and Kinards.

This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 62 and 77.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3447 8155 3445 8155 3445 8154 3447 8151
      3446 8151 3418 8152 3417 8171 3419 8173
      3418 8177 3434 8183 3437 8178 3444 8173
      3446 8169 3453 8164
TIME...MOT...LOC 1953Z 171DEG 17KT 3427 8168

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

CJR

Special weather statement, May 22, 3:56 PM EDT, 1 hour 19 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
356 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

GAZ040-SCZ018-222045-
Lincoln GA-McCormick SC-
356 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Lincoln and
northwestern McCormick Counties through 445 PM EDT...

At 356 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lincolnton, or 18 miles east of Washington, moving north at 15 mph.

...Boaters on Lake Strom Thurmond Should Seek Safe Harbor...

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
McCormick, Lincolnton, Elijah Clark State Park, Hickory Knob State
Resort Park, Bordeaux, Mount Carmel, Baker Creek State Park, Leroy's
Ferry Recreation Area, Willington, Curry Hill, Hawe Creek Campground,
New Hope, and Long Cane Creek Picnic Area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

If on or near Lake Strom Thurmond, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 3407 8253 3407 8251 3408 8248 3406 8245
      3406 8233 3397 8230 3402 8225 3401 8223
      3400 8223 3372 8235 3377 8256
TIME...MOT...LOC 1956Z 192DEG 14KT 3383 8244

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

CJR

Special weather statement, May 22, 4:15 PM EDT, 1 hour before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
415 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

SCZ020-026>028-222045-
Lexington SC-Newberry SC-Richland SC-Saluda SC-
415 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Newberry, northwestern Lexington, east central Saluda and
northwestern Richland Counties through 445 PM EDT...

At 414 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Dreher Island State Park, or 7 miles northeast of
Batesburg-Leesville, moving north at 25 mph.

...Boaters on Lake Murray Should Seek Safe Harbor...

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Dreher Island State Park, Lighthouse Marina, Cedar Grove Fire
Station, South Shore Marina, Oswald Park, Shull Island, Bundrick
Island, Fairview Fire Station, Putnam's Landing, Siesta Cove Marina,
Murray, Rocky Point Recreation Area, Lake Murray Shores, Delmar,
Hollow Creek Public Park, Melvin Park, and Riverbend Boat Ramp.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3393 8135 3397 8154 3419 8153 3413 8125
TIME...MOT...LOC 2014Z 186DEG 21KT 3400 8146

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MG

Special weather statement, May 22, 5:02 PM EDT, 13 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
502 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

SCZ020-026-222130-
Newberry SC-Saluda SC-
502 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Newberry and central Saluda Counties through 530 PM EDT...

At 502 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Saluda, or 11 miles northwest of Batesburg-Leesville, moving north at
15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Saluda, Prosperity, Silverstreet, Hollywood Elementary School, Emory,
Stoney Hill, Saluda Co Sheriff's Office, Scurry Airport, Circle Fire
Station, Hickory Grove, Wyses Ferry, and Saluda High School.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3392 8157 3393 8179 3421 8184 3420 8150
TIME...MOT...LOC 2102Z 183DEG 14KT 3400 8170

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MG

Special weather statement, May 22, 5:07 PM EDT, 8 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
507 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

GAZ063>065-077-222145-
Burke GA-Richmond GA-McDuffie GA-Columbia GA-
507 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of McDuffie,
southwestern Columbia, northwestern Burke and southwestern Richmond
Counties through 545 PM EDT...

At 506 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles north of Stapleton, or 9 miles northeast of Gibson, moving
north at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Grovetown, Evans, Thomson, Harlem, Thomson-McDuffie County Airport,
Blythe, Dearing, Leitner Lake Conference Center, Liberty Park
Community Center, Sweetwater Park, Arties Pond Public Fishing Area,
McDuffie County Fire Department, Adamsville, Thomson Fire Department,
McDuffie Regional Medical Center, University Hospital McDuffie, White
Oak Campground, Autney, Boneville, and Columbia County Jail.

This includes Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 167 and
191.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3353 8216 3324 8221 3324 8224 3327 8226
      3327 8229 3331 8234 3331 8239 3334 8244
      3334 8250 3336 8253 3335 8255 3341 8255
      3346 8259 3355 8262
TIME...MOT...LOC 2106Z 183DEG 14KT 3333 8249

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MG

Special weather statement, May 22, 5:11 PM EDT, 4 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
511 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

SCZ027-030-222145-
Lexington SC-Aiken SC-
511 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Lexington and northeastern Aiken Counties through 545 PM EDT...

At 510 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles north of Aiken State Park, or 14 miles south of
Batesburg-Leesville, moving north at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Batesburg-Leesville, Wagener, Camp Kinard, Steedman, New Holland,
Kneece, Samaria Fire Station, and Cedar Pond Campground.

This includes Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 29
and 48.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3364 8157 3387 8159 3388 8157 3390 8156
      3391 8155 3391 8129 3363 8133
TIME...MOT...LOC 2110Z 183DEG 14KT 3371 8146

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MG

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 22, 3:56 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Lincoln	49 min
May 22, 4:31 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	CAE	Lincoln	29 min
May 22, 5:07 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	McDuffie	38 min
May 22, 5:43 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Columbia	32 min
May 22, 5:52 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Lincoln	38 min
May 22, 7:50 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	CAE	Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond	40 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Georgia, 2026 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

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.