Alert archive / Georgia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 43, NWS Columbia, SC

June 29, 2026Burke County, Richmond County, Georgia

NWS Columbia, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 29, 2026, 5:14 PM EDT for Burke County, Richmond County, Georgia. It was in force for 46 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
Jun 29, 2026, 5:14 PM EDT (21:14 UTC)
Expired
Jun 29, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT
In force
46 min
Issued by
NWS Columbia, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.88 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Burke County, GA, Richmond County, GA

The radar

The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 114 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:18 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
Jun 29, 5:28 PM EDTHAIL 12 W Hephzibah, GAPublic reported quarter sized hail in the Oak Ridge Plantation Neighborhood near Hephzibah, GA. Reported via Social Media.
Jun 29, 5:38 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Wsw Blythe, GARichmond County 911 call center reported wires down on State Road 88 near Hopson Mill Road. Location coincides with a power outage on the Georgia Power website. Time estimated by radar.
Jun 29, 6:00 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG6 Se Hephzibah, GAPlanters Electric company reported a tree down on power lines causing power outages. 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 14 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

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 196 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 2026-06-29Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1548 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 2026-06-29The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 34 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
1548 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-33 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1005 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
18 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
34 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
30 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

786 
WUUS52 KCAE 292114
SVRCAE
GAC033-245-292200-
/O.NEW.KCAE.SV.W.0043.260629T2114Z-260629T2200Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
514 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Burke County in east central Georgia...
  Southern Richmond County in east central Georgia...

* Until 600 PM EDT.

* At 514 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hephzibah, or
  9 miles north of Waynesboro, moving south at 15 mph.

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

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and powerlines.

* Locations impacted include...
  Waynesboro, Hephzibah, Burke County Airport, McBean, Gough, Blythe,
  Keysville, Vidette, Bath-Edie, Pea Patch Aerodrome, Bennock Mill,
  Shell Bluff, and Ellwood.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3303 8228 3312 8228 3322 8223 3326 8226
      3334 8223 3335 8191 3333 8191 3334 8190
      3331 8188 3331 8187 3305 8182 3298 8209
TIME...MOT...LOC 2114Z 001DEG 13KT 3322 8208 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

CJR
3 follow-up statements
483 
WWUS52 KCAE 292124
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
524 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

GAC033-245-292200-
/O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0043.000000T0000Z-260629T2200Z/
Burke GA-Richmond GA-
524 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM EDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN BURKE AND SOUTHERN RICHMOND COUNTIES...

At 524 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Hephzibah, or
10 miles south of Fort Gordon, moving southwest at 10 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Waynesboro, Hephzibah, Burke County Airport, McBean, Gough, Blythe,
Keysville, Vidette, Bath-Edie, Pea Patch Aerodrome, Bennock Mill,
Shell Bluff, and Ellwood.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3303 8228 3312 8228 3322 8223 3326 8226
      3334 8223 3335 8191 3333 8191 3334 8190
      3331 8188 3331 8187 3305 8182 3298 8209
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 022DEG 8KT 3327 8212 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

CJR
531 
WWUS52 KCAE 292153
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
553 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

GAC033-245-292200-
/O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0043.000000T0000Z-260629T2200Z/
Burke GA-Richmond GA-
553 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM EDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN BURKE AND SOUTHERN RICHMOND COUNTIES...

At 553 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Plant Vogtle,
moving southwest at 20 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...
Waynesboro, Hephzibah, Burke County Airport, McBean, Gough, Blythe,
Keysville, Vidette, Bath-Edie, Pea Patch Aerodrome, Bennock Mill,
Shell Bluff, and Ellwood.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3303 8228 3312 8228 3322 8223 3326 8226
      3334 8223 3335 8191 3333 8191 3334 8190
      3331 8188 3331 8187 3305 8182 3298 8209
TIME...MOT...LOC 2153Z 029DEG 15KT 3318 8187 

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

$$

CJR
355 
WWUS52 KCAE 292159
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
559 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

GAC033-245-292207-
/O.EXP.KCAE.SV.W.0043.000000T0000Z-260629T2200Z/
Burke GA-Richmond GA-
559 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN BURKE AND
SOUTHERN RICHMOND COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 600 PM EDT...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the initial warning for Burke 
and Richmond Counties has been replaced with a new warning for Burke 
County only. Damaging winds and large hail will be possible in Burke 
County through 7 PM. The initial warning will be allowed to expire.

LAT...LON 3303 8228 3312 8228 3322 8223 3326 8226
      3334 8223 3335 8191 3333 8191 3334 8190
      3331 8188 3331 8187 3305 8182 3298 8209
TIME...MOT...LOC 2157Z 001DEG 13KT 3318 8187 

$$

CJR

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 Jun 29, 1:09 PM EDT, 4 hours 5 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1. Increased threat of impactful heat this week and into the Independence Day weekend.
  • 2. Isolated to scattered convection expected this afternoon into early evening.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 29, 1:09 PM EDT, 4 hours 5 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Columbia SC
109 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Isolated strong to severe storms possible this afternoon and
evening. Continued to highlight increasing heat late this week
into the holiday weekend. Aviation discussion updated for the
18z TAFs.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
- 1. Increased threat of impactful heat this week and into the
Independence Day weekend.
- 2. Isolated to scattered convection expected this afternoon into
early evening.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Key Message 1: Increased threat of impactful heat this week and
into the Independence Day weekend.

A strong upper ridge centered over the TN Valley and lower MS
Valley today will migrate slowly northeastward into the OH
Valley by mid week and then become centered over the Mid-
Atlantic by the end of the week. This 500mb high is anomalously
strong with heights at or above the 99th percentile relative to
climatology. Temperatures today should push into the mid and
upper 90s with dewpoints in the lower 70s resulting in heat
indices over 100 degrees. Heat indices likely push over 105
degrees in parts of the CSRA where moisture will be pooling
along the weak stalled frontal boundary and a Heat Advisory was
considered but expected scattered convection led to low
confidence.

As the upper ridge builds closer to the region temperatures
should be warming further with highs in the upper 90s to around
100 degrees for the holiday weekend. Ensembles indicate highly
anomalous 850mb temperatures over the 90th percentile and ECMWF
EFI also showing anomalous signals in the max temperature
field.

Ensembles indicate lowering atmospheric moisture through mid to
late week with PWATs falling below 50 percent of normal
supporting a generally dry forecast when combined with the
strong subsidence of the upper ridge. This should also result in
better deep mixing and lower dewpoints and therefore lower heat
indices mid to late week despite the increasing temperatures.
Moisture returns to the region over the weekend and likely will
yield heat indices near heat advisory criteria which may result
in the need for some heat products. Regardless, throughout the
entire week and forecast period anyone spending a significant
amount of time outside should take necessary precautions to
handle the heat and stay hydrated. Be sure to make heat safety
preparations now and have a plan to monitor children, the
elderly, pets, and anyone without adequate indoor cooling.

Key Message 2: Isolated to scattered convection expected this
afternoon into early evening.

Isolated to scattered convection is expected to develop in an
increasingly unstable environment generally west of I-26
corridor in the vicinity of a stalled frontal boundary over the
CSRA. MLCAPE values already pushing at or above 2000 J/kg in the
CSRA within an axis of maximum PWATs of 1.8-1.9 inches with
20-25 knots of shear expected later this afternoon which may
support a few strong to severe storms. DCAPE values are
maximized in the CSRA at around 1200 J/kg so damaging wind gusts
would be the primary threat associated with the strongest
storms. Hi-res guidance generally shows some development
although differing on timing of initiation, but storms expected
to develop upstream over western NC and the SC Upstate and shift
southward in the northerly flow aloft.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
VFR conditions likely with an outside chance for isolated showers-
storms.

A weak boundary will continue sagging toward the GA/SC border
this afternoon as drier air filters into the region. Winds have
shifted out of the north-northeast around 5-7 kt. Some
thunderstorms are still possible at AGS-DNL this afternoon as
the boundary lingers nearby during peak heating. Confidence
remains low in direct impacts to terminals, so a PROB30 has been
maintained from 19-23z. This will need to be monitored once we
have a better idea where storms have developed.

Activity will diminish after sunset, leaving mostly clear skies
and light winds. Dry conditions continue Tuesday as high
pressure builds into the area.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Afternoon convection is less likely
for the remainder of the week as ridging builds overhead. Brief
early morning restrictions also possible this week.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...23
AVIATION...ND

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 29, 3:02 PM EDT, 2 hours 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
302 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

GAZ040-SCZ018-291930-
Lincoln GA-McCormick SC-
302 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Lincoln
and northwestern McCormick Counties through 330 PM EDT...

At 301 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Calhoun Falls, or 9 miles west of Abbeville, moving southwest at 15
mph.

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

HAZARD...Wind gusts 40 to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Lake Strom Thurmond, Bobby Brown State Park, Hickory Knob State
Resort Park, Willington, Mount Carmel Park, Gill's Point, Hester's
Ferry Campground, Bordeaux, Chennault, Mount Carmel, and Leroy's
Ferry Recreation Area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

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

&&

LAT...LON 3398 8265 3398 8264 3397 8264 3398 8261
      3396 8256 3402 8259 3407 8253 3408 8248
      3406 8245 3406 8235 3387 8241 3384 8258
      3386 8257 3387 8258 3386 8261
TIME...MOT...LOC 1901Z 024DEG 14KT 3414 8253

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

HC
Special weather statement, Jun 29, 4:19 PM EDT, 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
419 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

GAZ040-063-064-292100-
McDuffie GA-Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-
419 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
McDuffie, northwestern Columbia and southwestern Lincoln Counties
through 500 PM EDT...

At 418 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lincolnton, or 14 miles east of Washington, moving south at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Lincolnton, Mistletoe State Park, Thomson-McDuffie County Airport,
Wrightsboro, Loce, Winfield, Clay Hill Campground, University
Hospital McDuffie, Woodlawn, Ansley Mill, Amity Recreation Area, New
Hope, and Cherokee Boat Ramp.

This includes Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 170 and
175.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3361 8264 3361 8263 3364 8261 3363 8261
      3364 8259 3363 8258 3365 8258 3364 8256
      3364 8252 3366 8251 3365 8249 3382 8259
      3380 8234 3353 8234 3350 8252 3353 8262
TIME...MOT...LOC 2018Z 004DEG 8KT 3371 8249

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

CJR
Special weather statement, Jun 29, 4:53 PM EDT, 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
453 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

GAZ077-292115-
Burke GA-
453 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central Burke
County through 515 PM EDT...

At 453 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Perkins, or 8 miles north of Millen, moving west at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Di-Lane Wildlife Management Area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3301 8210 3302 8176 3293 8181 3295 8182
      3294 8183 3295 8186 3292 8196 3292 8208
      3290 8211 3291 8211
TIME...MOT...LOC 2053Z 091DEG 8KT 3293 8195

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

CJR
Special weather statement, Jun 29, 4:59 PM EDT, 15 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
459 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

GAZ065-077-292130-
Burke GA-Richmond GA-
459 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Burke
and southwestern Richmond Counties through 530 PM EDT...

At 459 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Hephzibah, or 11 miles south of Fort Gordon, moving south at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Waynesboro, Hephzibah, McBean, Gough, Blythe, Keysville, Vidette,
Ellwood, and Pea Patch Aerodrome.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3305 8229 3308 8229 3312 8228 3323 8223
      3327 8226 3327 8229 3329 8231 3332 8197
      3312 8192 3302 8207
TIME...MOT...LOC 2059Z 358DEG 19KT 3326 8209

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

CJR

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 29, 4:19 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAELincoln41 min
Jun 29, 4:41 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEMcDuffie49 min
Jun 29, 4:53 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEBurke22 min
Jun 29, 4:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEBurke31 min
Jun 29, 5:56 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEBurke42 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Georgia, 2026Every 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.