Alert archive / South Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 70, NWS Columbia, SC
NWS Columbia, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 11, 2026, 2:24 PM EDT for 4 counties in South Carolina. It was in force for 36 min. 4 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
- Jul 11, 2026, 2:24 PM EDT (18:24 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 11, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT
- In force
- 36 min
- Issued by
- NWS Columbia, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Calhoun County, SC, Lexington County, SC, Orangeburg County, SC, Richland County, SC
The radar
The Columbia radar (KCAE), 24 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:25 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2:29 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Sse Owens Field, SC | Richland County EM reports tree down on residence on Mellowood Drive. |
| Jul 11, 2:43 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Ssw Sandy Run, SC | Calhoun County FD responding to reports of a few trees and power lines down along Valley Ridge Road. Relayed via amateur radio. |
| Jul 11, 2:45 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Nnw Gadsden, SC | Tree in roadway on Congaree Road. Time estimated from radar. |
| Jul 11, 3:02 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 9 Wsw Saint Matthews, SC | Calhoun County dispatch reported trees down at the intersection of Murph Mill Rd and Kennerly Rd. 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 5 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, 6.4 hours before the alert went out and 133 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.
927 WUUS52 KCAE 111824 SVRCAE SCC017-063-075-079-111900- /O.NEW.KCAE.SV.W.0070.260711T1824Z-260711T1900Z/ BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Severe Thunderstorm Warning National Weather Service Columbia SC 224 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026 The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Northwestern Calhoun County in central South Carolina... Southern Lexington County in central South Carolina... North central Orangeburg County in central South Carolina... Southeastern Richland County in central South Carolina... * Until 300 PM EDT. * At 224 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over SC State Farmer's Market, or near Cayce, moving southeast at 35 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and powerlines. * Locations impacted include... Lexington, Cayce, Red Bank, Oak Grove, South Congaree, Pine Ridge, St. Matthews, Gaston, Eastover, Congaree National Park, Hopkins, SC State Farmer's Market, Columbia Metro Airport, Sandy Run, Gadsden, Swansea, Pelion, Dixiana, New Zion, and Lexington County Airport At Pelion. This includes the following highways... Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 43 and 57. Interstate 26 between mile markers 113 and 144. Interstate 77 between mile markers 0 and 4. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. && LAT...LON 3355 8084 3386 8143 3399 8122 3386 8063 TIME...MOT...LOC 1824Z 305DEG 30KT 3389 8104 HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH $$ PL
1 follow-up statement
201 WWUS52 KCAE 111845 SVSCAE Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Columbia SC 245 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026 SCC017-063-075-079-111900- /O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0070.000000T0000Z-260711T1900Z/ Calhoun SC-Lexington SC-Orangeburg SC-Richland SC- 245 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026 ...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM EDT FOR NORTHWESTERN CALHOUN...SOUTHEASTERN LEXINGTON...NORTH CENTRAL ORANGEBURG AND SOUTHEASTERN RICHLAND COUNTIES... At 245 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Sandy Run, or 13 miles southwest of McEntire Air Base, moving southeast at 30 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and powerlines. Locations impacted include... Cayce, South Congaree, Pine Ridge, St. Matthews, Gaston, Eastover, SC State Farmer's Market, Congaree National Park, Hopkins, Sandy Run, Gadsden, Swansea, Pelion, New Zion, Lexington County Airport At Pelion, Lexington Acres Pond, Peachtree Rock, Edmund, Silver Lake, and Dixiana. This includes the following highways... Interstate 26 between mile markers 114 and 144. Interstate 77 between mile markers 0 and 4. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. && LAT...LON 3380 8131 3396 8107 3386 8063 3355 8084 TIME...MOT...LOC 1845Z 313DEG 27KT 3376 8095 HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH $$ PL
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 Jul 11, 12:41 PM EDT, 1 hour 43 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, 1 hour 43 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
Special weather statement, Jul 11, 12:39 PM EDT, 1 hour 45 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, 1 hour 28 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, 1 hour 13 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, 1 hour 3 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
PLSpecial weather statement, Jul 11, 1:36 PM EDT, 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
136 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
GAZ040-063-064-SCZ018-020-025>027-030-111830-
McDuffie GA-Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-Lexington SC-Aiken SC-Newberry SC-
McCormick SC-Saluda SC-Edgefield SC-
136 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
McDuffie, northern Columbia, Lincoln, south central Newberry,
Edgefield, west central Lexington, Saluda, northwestern Aiken and
southern McCormick Counties through 230 PM EDT...
At 136 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hamilton Branch State Park, or 20 miles northwest of Evans, 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...
Aiken, North Augusta, Batesburg-Leesville, Belvedere, Edgefield,
Saluda, McCormick, Johnston, Lincolnton, Ridge Spring, Clarks Hill
Recreation Area, Edgefield County Airport, Elijah Clark State Park,
Mistletoe State Park, J. Strom Thurmond Dam, Aiken Municipal Airport,
Graniteville, Riverwood, Hamilton Branch State Park, and Citizens
Park.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 4 and 39.
Interstate 520 in South Carolina near mile marker 23.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3362 8264 3361 8263 3364 8261 3363 8258
3365 8258 3364 8256 3366 8251 3365 8249
3378 8257 3389 8252 3396 8185 3414 8167
3403 8133 3353 8160 3360 8265
TIME...MOT...LOC 1736Z 278DEG 23KT 3378 8228
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
PLSpecial weather statement, Jul 11, 2:17 PM EDT, 7 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
217 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
SCZ027-028-037-135-111900-
Lexington SC-Calhoun SC-Richland SC-Northwestern Orangeburg SC-
217 PM EDT Sat Jul 11 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Calhoun, Lexington, north central Orangeburg and south central
Richland Counties through 300 PM EDT...
At 217 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Red Bank, moving southeast at 35 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...
Lexington, West Columbia, Cayce, Red Bank, Oak Grove, South Congaree,
Pine Ridge, Gaston, Hopkins, SC State Farmer's Market, Columbia Metro
Airport, Sandy Run, Swansea, Pelion, Gilbert, Summit, Woodford,
Murray, Cayce Riverwalk, and Camp Kinard.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 39 and 58.
Interstate 26 between mile markers 112 and 137.
Interstate 77 between mile markers 0 and 4.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3384 8151 3404 8139 3390 8080 3358 8092
3357 8093
TIME...MOT...LOC 1817Z 292DEG 31KT 3393 8135
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 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, 1:32 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Saluda | 58 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, 2:35 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.