Alert archive / South Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 68, NWS Columbia, SC
NWS Columbia, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 11, 2026, 1:32 PM EDT for 5 counties in South Carolina. It was in force for 58 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 11, 2026, 1:32 PM EDT (17:32 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 11, 2026, 2:30 PM EDT
- In force
- 58 min
- Issued by
- NWS Columbia, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Fairfield County, SC, Lexington County, SC, Newberry County, SC, Richland County, SC, Saluda County, SC
The radar
The Columbia radar (KCAE), 59 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:34 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.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
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, 5.5 hours before the alert went out and 216 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 764 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -75 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1324 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 19 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 54 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 55 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
916
WUUS52 KCAE 111732
SVRCAE
SCC039-063-071-079-081-111830-
/O.NEW.KCAE.SV.W.0068.260711T1732Z-260711T1830Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
132 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Western Fairfield County in central South Carolina...
Newberry County in central South Carolina...
Northwestern Lexington County in central South Carolina...
Northeastern Saluda County in central South Carolina...
Northwestern Richland County in central South Carolina...
* Until 230 PM EDT.
* At 132 PM EDT, multiple strong to severe thunderstorms were
located in or near Newberry County, moving southeast at 35 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...
Newberry, Winnsboro, VC Summer Nuclear Station, Whitmire,
Prosperity, Jenkinsville, Newberry College, Monticello, Newberry
County Airport, Dreher Island State Park, Blair, Chapin, Little
Mountain, Pomaria, Silverstreet, Peak, Lebanon Fire Station, US-
176 and SC-34 Crossroads, Putnam's Landing, and Henderson Island.
This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 62 and 95.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3455 8108 3443 8104 3410 8129 3404 8141
3415 8172 3415 8189 3419 8192 3420 8194
3430 8190 3437 8178 3453 8164 3449 8157
3445 8154 3449 8149 3450 8142 3457 8142
TIME...MOT...LOC 1732Z 300DEG 31KT 3455 8177
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
PL2 follow-up statements
005
WWUS52 KCAE 111804
SVSCAE
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
204 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
SCC063-081-111814-
/O.CAN.KCAE.SV.W.0068.000000T0000Z-260711T1830Z/
Lexington SC-Saluda SC-
204 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN LEXINGTON AND
NORTHEASTERN SALUDA COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
LAT...LON 3455 8108 3443 8104 3417 8124 3422 8140
3437 8178 3453 8164 3449 8157 3445 8154
3449 8149 3450 8142 3457 8142
TIME...MOT...LOC 1804Z 292DEG 32KT 3445 8144
$$
SCC039-071-079-111830-
/O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0068.000000T0000Z-260711T1830Z/
Fairfield SC-Newberry SC-Richland SC-
204 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 PM EDT
FOR WESTERN FAIRFIELD...NORTHEASTERN NEWBERRY AND NORTHWESTERN
RICHLAND COUNTIES...
At 204 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Blair, or 12
miles northwest of VC Summer Nuclear Station, moving southeast at 35
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...
Winnsboro, VC Summer Nuclear Station, Whitmire, Monticello,
Jenkinsville, Blair, Pomaria, Peak, Lebanon Fire Station, US-
176 and SC-
34 Crossroads, Henderson Island, Fairfield County Detention Center,
Fairfield Elementary School, Maybington Fire Station, Feasterville
Fire Station, White Oak, and Enoree Ranger District Office.
This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 62 and 79.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3455 8108 3443 8104 3417 8124 3422 8140
3437 8178 3453 8164 3449 8157 3445 8154
3449 8149 3450 8142 3457 8142
TIME...MOT...LOC 1804Z 292DEG 32KT 3445 8144
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
PL547
WWUS52 KCAE 111828
SVSCAE
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
228 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
SCC039-071-079-111838-
/O.EXP.KCAE.SV.W.0068.000000T0000Z-260711T1830Z/
Fairfield SC-Newberry SC-Richland SC-
228 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WESTERN FAIRFIELD...
NORTHEASTERN NEWBERRY AND NORTHWESTERN RICHLAND COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE
AT 230 PM EDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, gusty
winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
central South Carolina.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Columbia.
LAT...LON 3455 8108 3443 8104 3417 8124 3422 8140
3437 8178 3453 8164 3449 8157 3445 8154
3449 8149 3450 8142 3457 8142
TIME...MOT...LOC 1828Z 300DEG 31KT 3436 8125
$$
PLWhat 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 Jul 11, 12:41 PM EDT, 51 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1. Scattered storms each afternoon through Monday with heavy rain and frequent lightning. Damaging wind gusts possible in strongest storms, especially today and tomorrow.
- 2. Hot and humid this weekend with cooler temperatures next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 11, 12:41 PM EDT, 51 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 1241 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Area is in a slight risk for severe storms today and tomorrow. Included mesoanalysis for early this afternoon. Aviation discussion updated for 18z. && .KEY MESSAGES... - 1. Scattered storms each afternoon through Monday with heavy rain and frequent lightning. Damaging wind gusts possible in strongest storms, especially today and tomorrow. - 2. Hot and humid this weekend with cooler temperatures next week. && .DISCUSSION... Key Message 1: Scattered storms each afternoon through Monday with heavy rain and frequent lightning. Damaging wind gusts possible in strongest storms, especially today and tomorrow. Active pattern will continue this weekend into early next week. Upper ridging has shifted offshore with a more zonal pattern developing aloft. This has led to subtle shortwaves passing through an unstable air mass with lingering above average heat and humidity continuing through the weekend. Highly unstable air mass has already developed today with RAP analysis indicating sbCAPE is already exceeding 3000 J/kg. With GOES satellite imagery showing a lingering boundary in the NW portion of the area from lingering convection earlier this morning, expect sufficient forcing to lead to scattered storms continuing through this afternoon. While shear remains fairly weak, generally weak to moderate cloud layer flow, the environment does support wet microbursts through the afternoon with low level lapse rates exceeding 8 C/km and TEI above 25C. Damaging wind gusts expected to be the primary threat with a slight risk for severe weather from SPC today. Tomorrow, an upper low approaches the area with a somewhat similar environment expected with strong destabilization and potential for wet microbursts once again with a slight risk continuing across much of the forecast area. Depending on the evolution of convection over the next 24 to 48 hours, we may need to monitor some spots for potential flash flooding, although storm motion should be sufficient to prevent significant flooding concerns outside of any training. Monday, a cold front drops towards the forecast area, providing additional forcing for convection, although lingering storms Sunday night into Monday morning may prevent as significant destabilization with cooler temperatures expected. Will need to continue to monitor a potential flash flood threat, keeping in mind this will depend significant on antecedent conditions from Saturday and Sunday. In general, ensemble means have trended much slower with the advancement of dry air into the area next week and conditions may remain unsettled into the middle of next week with ensemble means keeping PWATs greater than 2 inches through Tuesday and with only a somewhat marginal decrease Wednesday into Thursday. Key Message 2: Hot and humid this weekend with cooler temperatures next week. Hot and humid conditions expected both today and tomorrow with max temperatures likely reached early afternoon for many locations before the onset of significant convection. Heat indices likely still rising into the triple digits Saturday and Sunday with any decrease in temperatures offset by the increase in dew points. Blended guidance has creeped up slightly in the last several runs on temperatures for Monday and Tuesday as increasing confidence in the front lingering near the area, preventing a significantly cooler air mass from moving in with a decent temperature gradient expected from north to south. Still expect below average temperatures Monday and Tuesday, which feels like a win. This will likely be short lived, however, as the air mass likely recovers for the second half of the week with temperatures near to slightly above average. && .AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... VFR conditions are expected to persist outside of thunderstorm activity this afternoon. We have had an early start to the convection this afternoon. A remnant shortwave is pushing out of the Appalachians and into the coastal plain of the Carolinas this afternoon. Moisture is rich and there is plenty of instability, so we are expecting numerous showers and thunderstorms to continue initiating this afternoon and evening. Area TAF sites will be prone to this but it is uncertain who will get what and when. The result is a prevailing VCTS this afternoon with a PROB30 for impactful storms. May need a tempo group (or a brief prevailing group) if storms are expected to directly impact a site. Gusts of 30-40 knots (or higher) are possible with convection today as well as visibility restrictions between 1sm and 2sm. Convection will likely wane between 22z and 02z this evening as we expect the atmosphere to be pretty well worked over by that point. Light winds and convective cloud debris will remain through the night, with ceilings likely between 15kft and 20kft through the night. Another round of strong thunderstorms is expected on Sunday afternoon (likely just after this period ends), with widespread cumulus again developing by 15z Sunday. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Increasing chances for afternoon storms Sunday and into early next week. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && DISCUSSION...CRL AVIATION...GPL
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 11, 10:03 AM EDT, 3 hours 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1003 AM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0520 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 SW Jefferson 34.60N 80.45W
07/10/2026 Lancaster SC Dept of Highways
SC Department of Public Safety reported a
tree down in the roadway along Watermark Rd.
Time estimated by radar.
&&
gplSpecial weather statement, Jul 11, 12:14 PM EDT, 1 hour 18 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1214 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
SCZ020>022-028-029-031-111715-
Fairfield SC-Newberry SC-Richland SC-Kershaw SC-Sumter SC-Lee SC-
1214 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Fairfield, west
central Lee, eastern Newberry, northwestern Sumter, northern Richland
and Kershaw Counties through 115 PM EDT...
At 1214 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Monticello, or near VC Summer Nuclear Station, moving east at 40 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...
Camden, Winnsboro, Lake Wateree Dam, VC Summer Nuclear Station,
Lugoff, Fairfield County Airport, Jenkinsville, Cassatt, Elgin, Lake
Carolina, Monticello, Longtown, Goodale State Park, Lake Wateree
State Park, Blythewood, Ridgeway, Peak, Lebanon Fire Station, North
Central High School, and North Towne Square Shopping Center.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 85 and 106.
Interstate 77 between mile markers 24 and 45.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3405 8048 3425 8137 3444 8128 3448 8110
3447 8089 3446 8088 3447 8086 3444 8038
TIME...MOT...LOC 1614Z 279DEG 35KT 3433 8123
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
PLSpecial weather statement, Jul 11, 12:39 PM EDT, 53 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1239 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
SCZ018-020-025-026-111745-
Newberry SC-McCormick SC-Saluda SC-Edgefield SC-
1239 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Newberry, northern Edgefield, Saluda and McCormick Counties through
145 PM EDT...
At 1239 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southeast of Abbeville, moving east at 25 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...
Edgefield, Saluda, McCormick, Johnston, Prosperity, Saluda County
Airport, Mccormick County Airport, Lake Greenwood, Bradley,
Silverstreet, Ward, Strom Thurmond High School, Bordeaux, Saluda Co
Sheriff's Office, Good Hope, Northside Fire Station Main, Hollywood
Elementary School, Emory, Chappells Fire Station, and Cleora.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3407 8253 3408 8248 3406 8245 3406 8233
3397 8230 3402 8224 3398 8220 3398 8205
3395 8203 3396 8201 3413 8187 3420 8194
3431 8188 3422 8155 3374 8175 3395 8255
3401 8259 3402 8259
TIME...MOT...LOC 1639Z 286DEG 24KT 3410 8227
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
PLLocal storm report, Jul 11, 12:56 PM EDT, 36 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1256 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0454 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 NNW Oswego 34.10N 80.31W
07/10/2026 Lee SC Public
A microburst caused significant damage in
the Ashwood community with pictures sent of
several snapped and uprooted trees.
&&
CRLSpecial weather statement, Jul 11, 1:11 PM EDT, 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
111 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
SCZ020>022-027-028-116-111815-
Fairfield SC-Lexington SC-Southern Lancaster SC-Newberry SC-
Richland SC-Kershaw SC-
111 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Fairfield,
southwestern Lancaster, Newberry, north central Lexington,
northwestern Richland and west central Kershaw Counties through 215
PM EDT...
At 110 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking numerous strong
thunderstorms, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Newberry, Winnsboro, VC Summer Nuclear Station, Whitmire, Elgin,
Prosperity, Fairfield County Airport, Villages at Sandhill,
Jenkinsville, Newberry College, Killian, Lake Carolina, Monticello,
Newberry County Airport, Longtown, Blair, Lake Wateree State Park,
Blythewood, Chapin, and Ridgeway.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina near mile marker 82.
Interstate 26 between mile markers 62 and 96.
Interstate 77 between mile markers 21 and 47.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3446 8072 3410 8082 3417 8143 3430 8190
3437 8178 3444 8173 3446 8169 3453 8164
3449 8157 3445 8154 3449 8149 3449 8146
3450 8142 3456 8142
TIME...MOT...LOC 1710Z 282DEG 20KT 3442 8137
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
PLSpecial weather statement, Jul 11, 1:21 PM EDT, 11 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
121 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
SCZ029-031-038-111815-
Clarendon SC-Sumter SC-Lee SC-
121 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Lee,
northeastern Clarendon and central Sumter Counties through 215 PM
EDT...
At 121 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Sumter County Airport, or near Shaw Air Base, moving east at 25 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...
Sumter, South Sumter, Shaw Air Base, Mulberry, Oakland, Woods Bay
State Park, Sumter County Airport, Millwood, Turbeville, Mayesville,
Lynchburg, Oswego, Dalzell, Dinkins Mill, East Sumter, St. Charles,
Cherryvale, Gable, Rembert, and Shiloh.
This includes Interstate 95 between mile markers 129 and 146.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3382 7992 3381 7995 3377 8000 3395 8060
3411 8053 3407 8002 3403 7997 3401 7991
3399 7989 3395 7998 3388 7994 3388 7988
TIME...MOT...LOC 1721Z 282DEG 20KT 3401 8042
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
PLThe office that day
Everything else NWS Columbia, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 12:14 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Fairfield, Kershaw | 61 min |
| Jul 11, 12:39 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | McCormick, Saluda | 66 min |
| Jul 11, 1:11 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Fairfield, Newberry | 64 min |
| Jul 11, 1:21 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Sumter | 54 min |
| Jul 11, 1:36 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick, Saluda | 54 min |
| Jul 11, 1:48 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Saluda | 57 min |
| Jul 11, 2:17 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Lexington | 43 min |
| Jul 11, 2:24 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Calhoun, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland | 36 min |
| Jul 11, 2:35 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Aiken, Barnwell | 55 min |
| Jul 11, 2:41 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Aiken | 49 min |
| Jul 11, 2:44 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Clarendon | 31 min |
| Jul 11, 2:56 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter | 64 min |
| Jul 11, 3:01 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Lexington, Orangeburg | 44 min |
| Jul 11, 3:09 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell | 51 min |
| Jul 11, 3:31 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Bamberg, Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg | 59 min |
| Jul 11, 3:53 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Clarendon, Orangeburg | 52 min |
| Jul 11, 3:56 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Bamberg, Barnwell | 49 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Carolina, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.