Severe Thunderstorm Warning 19, NWS Columbia, SC

574 
WWUS52 KCAE 222314
SVSCAE

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

SCC037-071-081-222330-
/O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0019.000000T0000Z-260522T2330Z/
Newberry SC-Edgefield SC-Saluda SC-
714 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHWESTERN NEWBERRY...NORTHEASTERN EDGEFIELD AND SALUDA
COUNTIES...

At 714 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 6 miles east of Lake Greenwood State Park to near
Saluda to 6 miles north of Johnston to near Saluda County Airport,
moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and powerlines.

Locations impacted include...
Saluda, Johnston, Saluda County Airport, Silverstreet, Ward, Strom
Thurmond High School, Saluda Co Sheriff's Office, Good Hope, Harmony,
Pleasant Lane, Northside Fire Station Main, Hollywood Elementary
School, Emory, Chappells, Chappells Fire Station, Scurry Airport,
Hickory Grove, Vaughnville, and Saluda High School.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading
killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to
be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3396 8201 3409 8192 3413 8187 3415 8190
      3419 8192 3420 8194 3430 8190 3430 8180
      3426 8168 3414 8165 3402 8153 3378 8182
      3386 8195 3389 8199 3392 8201
TIME...MOT...LOC 2314Z 222DEG 28KT 3420 8183 3413 8178 3406 8182 3392
8184 3390 8178

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

CAL

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

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
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

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

GAZ040-064-065-SCZ018-025-030-222215-
Richmond GA-Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-Aiken SC-McCormick SC-
Edgefield SC-
543 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Columbia,
eastern Lincoln, central Richmond, southwestern Edgefield,
southwestern Aiken and southeastern McCormick Counties through 615 PM
EDT...

At 542 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Village Plaza Shopping Center, or over Martinez, moving north at 30
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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...
North Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Martinez, Fort Gordon, Augusta,
Clearwater, Belvedere, Glendale, South Augusta, Clarks Hill
Recreation Area, Midtown, Riverwood, Summerville, Augusta Mall,
Daniel Field, Augusta Regional Airport, Village Plaza Shopping
Center, Augusta National Golf Club, and J. Strom Thurmond Dam.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 184 and 201.
 Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 0 and 12.
 Interstate 520 in Georgia between mile markers 1 and 15.
 Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 16 and 23.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3330 8188 3344 8231 3374 8226 3364 8182
TIME...MOT...LOC 2142Z 199DEG 24KT 3349 8207

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MG/ND

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

GAZ040-064-SCZ018-222230-
Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-McCormick SC-
552 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Columbia, Lincoln and McCormick Counties through 630 PM EDT...

At 552 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Elijah Clark State Park, or 23 miles east of Washington, 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...
McCormick, Lincolnton, Elijah Clark State Park, Mccormick County
Airport, Hamilton Branch State Park, Lake Strom Thurmond, Parksville,
Plum Branch, Bordeaux, Modoc, Scott's Landing, Knox Scout
Reservation, Double Branches, Fishing Creek Public Hunting Area,
Curry Hill, Chennault, Modoc Boat Ramp, Bussey Point Campground, New
Hope, and Long Cane Creek Picnic Area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3397 8264 3396 8256 3402 8259 3408 8248
      3406 8245 3406 8233 3397 8230 3402 8224
      3398 8221 3398 8211 3394 8210 3393 8216
      3383 8212 3376 8217 3369 8217 3367 8221
      3370 8233 3364 8248 3395 8264
TIME...MOT...LOC 2152Z 182DEG 13KT 3383 8236

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

MG

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

SCZ020>022-028-116-222300-
Fairfield SC-Southern Lancaster SC-Newberry SC-Richland SC-
Kershaw SC-
615 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Fairfield,
southwestern Lancaster, northeastern Newberry, northwestern Richland
and northwestern Kershaw Counties through 700 PM EDT...

At 614 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near VC Summer Nuclear Station to near Lake
Wateree Dam. Movement was north at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 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...
Winnsboro, Lake Wateree Dam, VC Summer Nuclear Station, Kershaw,
Elgin, Heath Springs, Fairfield County Airport, Westville,
Jenkinsville, Liberty Hill, Monticello, Longtown, Blair, Lake Wateree
State Park, Fishing Creek Reservoir, Ridgeway, Little Mountain,
Pomaria, Peak, and Lebanon Fire Station.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 26 between mile markers 84 and 87.
 Interstate 77 between mile markers 30 and 50.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3470 8054 3430 8056 3420 8144 3449 8148
      3449 8146 3450 8142 3457 8142 3454 8088
      3457 8087 3460 8089 3466 8089
TIME...MOT...LOC 2214Z 183DEG 22KT 3428 8135 3436 8074

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

CAL/ND

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

SCZ018-025-026-222315-
McCormick SC-Saluda SC-Edgefield SC-
631 PM EDT Fri May 22 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Edgefield, western
Saluda and northeastern McCormick Counties through 715 PM EDT...

At 630 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles southwest of Abbeville to near Troy to
6 miles southwest of Edgefield. Movement was northeast at 30 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...
Edgefield, Saluda, McCormick, Johnston, Mccormick County Airport,
Saluda County Airport, Bradley, Lick Fork Campground, Strom Thurmond
High School, Good Hope, Harmony, Pleasant Lane, Mt Vintage, Northside
Fire Station Main, Cleora, Colliers, Whitetown, Edgefield Federal
Correction Institution, and Mount Carmel.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3408 8248 3406 8245 3406 8233 3397 8230
      3402 8224 3398 8220 3398 8205 3396 8205
      3395 8203 3413 8187 3417 8187 3393 8168
      3362 8201 3390 8227 3406 8254
TIME...MOT...LOC 2230Z 212DEG 28KT 3408 8244 3398 8222 3373 8202

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

CAL