Alert archive / South Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 82, NWS Columbia, SC
NWS Columbia, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 12, 2026, 4:49 PM EDT for Fairfield County, Kershaw County, Richland County, South Carolina. It was in force for 41 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
- Jul 12, 2026, 4:49 PM EDT (20:49 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 12, 2026, 5:30 PM EDT
- In force
- 41 min
- Issued by
- NWS Columbia, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Fairfield County, SC, Kershaw County, SC, Richland County, SC
The radar
The Columbia radar (KCAE), 65 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:51 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 12, 4:55 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Sw Elgin, SC | Kershaw county emergency management reported trees and powerlines down along Highway Church Road near Blaney Road. Delayed report from 7-12. |
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 6 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 watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 12, 2:51 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 8.8 hours before the alert went out and 159 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
- 1008 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -68 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1165 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 12 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 50 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 49 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
679
WUUS52 KCAE 122049
SVRCAE
SCC039-055-079-122130-
/O.NEW.KCAE.SV.W.0082.260712T2049Z-260712T2130Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
449 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
East central Fairfield County in central South Carolina...
North central Richland County in central South Carolina...
Southwestern Kershaw County in central South Carolina...
* Until 530 PM EDT.
* At 448 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Elgin, or 8
miles southwest of Lake Wateree Dam, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and powerlines.
* Locations impacted include...
Camden, Lake Wateree Dam, Lugoff, Elgin, Goodale State Park, Pine
Grove Fire Station, Dekalb, North Towne Square Shopping Center,
Woodward Airfield, Antioch, and Midway Elementary School.
This includes Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 87
and 105.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3425 8043 3423 8043 3421 8045 3412 8084
3432 8092 3444 8049 3429 8043 3428 8044
3425 8042
TIME...MOT...LOC 2048Z 252DEG 16KT 3423 8079
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CRL1 follow-up statement
140
WWUS52 KCAE 122112
SVSCAE
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
512 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
SCC039-079-122122-
/O.CAN.KCAE.SV.W.0082.000000T0000Z-260712T2130Z/
Fairfield SC-Richland SC-
512 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL FAIRFIELD AND
NORTH CENTRAL RICHLAND COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
central South Carolina.
LAT...LON 3425 8043 3423 8043 3420 8047 3414 8078
3431 8081 3432 8080 3444 8049 3429 8043
3428 8044 3425 8042
TIME...MOT...LOC 2112Z 252DEG 16KT 3426 8069
$$
SCC055-122130-
/O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0082.000000T0000Z-260712T2130Z/
Kershaw SC-
512 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM EDT
FOR CENTRAL KERSHAW COUNTY...
At 512 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Lugoff, or near
Camden, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and powerlines.
Locations impacted include...
Camden, Lake Wateree Dam, Lugoff, Goodale State Park, Pine Grove Fire
Station, Dekalb, North Towne Square Shopping Center, Woodward
Airfield, Antioch, and Midway Elementary School.
This includes Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 88
and 105.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3425 8043 3423 8043 3420 8047 3414 8078
3431 8081 3432 8080 3444 8049 3429 8043
3428 8044 3425 8042
TIME...MOT...LOC 2112Z 252DEG 16KT 3426 8069
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
CRLWhat 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 12, 1:10 PM EDT, 3 hours 39 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1. Scattered storms expected again this afternoon and evening with damaging wind gusts and heavy rain expected. Lingering moisture leading to scattered to widespread afternoon storms Monday through Wednesday.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 12, 1:10 PM EDT, 3 hours 39 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 110 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Updated mesoanalysis for storms expected this afternoon. Adjusted wording of key messages. Aviation discussion updated for 18z TAFs. && .KEY MESSAGES... - 1. Scattered storms expected again this afternoon and evening with damaging wind gusts and heavy rain expected. Lingering moisture leading to scattered to widespread afternoon storms Monday through Wednesday. && .DISCUSSION... Key Message 1: Scattered storms expected again this afternoon and evening with damaging wind gusts and heavy rain expected. Lingering moisture leading to scattered to widespread afternoon storms Monday through Wednesday. Early this afternoon, convection has taken a bit longer to get going compared to yesterday, mainly due to the increased cloudiness and a bit longer time for us to reach convective temperatures today. As most sites are starting to rise into the low 90s by 1pm, convective temperatures are becoming reached and as a result, beginning to see some agitation to the clouds and some convection developing in the area. This activity is expected to continue to grow through the afternoon and into this evening as a robust shortwave is currently moving into the Tennessee Valley with a surface front moving into southern NC. This provide additional forcing with RAP forecast soundings indicating strong destabilization today with sbCAPE around 3000 J/kg for much of the forecast area, similar to the last couple of days. While PWATs are currently around 2 inches, especially across the northern area, a layer of mid layer dry air is visible on water vapor satellite imagery from North Georgia shifting into the area, which will likely lead to a locally enhanced area favorable for strong to severe downbursts leading to damaging wind gusts. Storms may become a bit more organized this afternoon as well with a bit stronger deep layer shear, around 20 knots, which support multicell clusters developing and maintaining through the forecast area. While storms should exhibit sufficient movement to prevent widespread flooding, will need to monitor training storms with areas generally north of I-20 (and Augusta and Columbia metros) more susceptible to flooding due both to the soil type and rainfall received the last couple days. On Monday, the front is expected to move through and the mid level low should drop into the region as hires guidance indicates PWAT's approach 2.2 inches. Low level flow becomes increasingly northerly to northeasterly, keeping temperatures a bit cooler and increased cloud cover is expected to limit destabilization. This brings a lower risk for severe weather with more marginal thermodynamics, but a couple strong to marginally severe storms cannot be ruled out during the afternoon/evening as deep layer shear is slightly increased. The bigger risk Monday may be the heavy rainfall risk as scattered to widespread showers and storms move through the area during the day with efficient rain rates, similar to slightly higher than Sunday in this moist airmass. The highest concern will continue to be in areas highlighted today along with areas that received additional significant rainfall today. Shower and thunderstorms will likely continue Tuesday and Wednesday and ensemble means have been slower to bring in a drier air mass with PWATs generally greater than a standard deviation above normal for at least portions of the area through Wednesday, although drier air likely starts to sneak into the northern area on Wednesday. Cooler air mass generally expected to continue early this week with a recovery expected to normal or slightly above normal temperatures for the second half of the week as the upper ridge centered over the central CONUS begins to shift eastward. && .AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... VFR conditions expected for most of the period, with the exception of convection this afternoon and potentially ceilings later on tonight. A more organized and robust forcing mechanism is working towards the area today. A trough will force a weak surface low on the Lee Side of the Appalachians this afternoon, helping to focus convective development across the Carolinas. The environment is favorable for numerous, strong downbursts again. Given the expected coverage of showers/storms, have kept VCTS at all sites through this evening & bumped up the wind at each site in the prob30s. Given the environment in place, it would not be surprising to see 35-45 knot gusts at the sites in stronger storms this afternoon. Expecting the convection to persist into the evening as the surface front approaches and pushes through the forecast area. Northeasterly flow behind this, combined with very rich low-level moisture, should result in MVFR ceilings developing and persisting through the end of the period. The LAMP is delaying the cigs until 11z-13z, with the NBM a bit more aggressive (~06z). Thinking that the latter is probably a bit more realistic as the convection today will likely result in the surface front sinking southward a bit quicker than models can anticipate. So bring MVFR cigs into the sites between 08z and 09z - but it could be earlier or a bit later. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...A good chance for afternoon showers and thunderstorms with associated restrictions is expected into early next week. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && DISCUSSION...96 AVIATION...PL
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 12, 3:13 PM EDT, 1 hour 36 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
313 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0229 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Whitmire 34.50N 81.62W
07/12/2026 Newberry SC 911 Call Center
Newberry County Dispatch reported multiple
trees down in the town of Whitmire. Time
estimated by radar.
&&
gplLocal storm report, Jul 12, 3:36 PM EDT, 1 hour 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
336 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0318 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 S Andrew Jackson SP 34.81N 80.80W
07/12/2026 Lancaster SC 911 Call Center
Lancaster County Dispatch reported a tree
down at Charlotte Hwy and E-N Corner Rd.
Time estimated by radar.
&&
gplSpecial weather statement, Jul 12, 3:48 PM EDT, 1 hour 1 minute before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
348 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
SCZ028-029-031-038-122045-
Clarendon SC-Richland SC-Sumter SC-Lee SC-
348 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Lee,
northeastern Clarendon, Sumter and southeastern Richland Counties
through 445 PM EDT...
At 347 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of storms strong
thunderstorm between McEntire Air Base and Sumter, moving east 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...
Columbia, Sumter, McEntire Air Base, South Sumter, Shaw Air Base,
Eastover, Oakland, Mulberry, Sumter County Airport, Millwood,
Turbeville, Mayesville, Cane Savannah, Dalzell, Dinkins Mill,
Brogdon, Wedgewood, Cherryvale, Stateburg, and Oswego.
This includes Interstate 95 between mile markers 126 and 144.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
central South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3376 8001 3386 8081 3405 8078 3405 8000
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 279DEG 18KT 3396 8072
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CRLSpecial weather statement, Jul 12, 3:52 PM EDT, 57 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
352 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
SCZ021-022-116-122100-
Fairfield SC-Southern Lancaster SC-Kershaw SC-
352 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Fairfield, Lancaster and northwestern Kershaw Counties through 500 PM
EDT...
At 352 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Great Falls, or 11 miles southwest of Lancaster, moving east 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...
Lancaster, Kershaw, Elgin, Heath Springs, Westville, USC Lancaster,
Irwin, Liberty Hill, Fishing Creek Reservoir, Arrowood Estates, Bell
Town Fire Station, Camp Creek Fire Station, Antioch, Mitford, Kirk
Air Base, Faith Christian School, Forty Acre Rock Preserve, Taxahaw,
Pleasant Hill, and Kershaw Correctional Institution.
This includes Interstate 77 between mile markers 48 and 50.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
central South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3473 8049 3441 8055 3451 8105 3455 8104
3454 8090 3455 8087 3458 8088 3460 8089
3467 8089 3469 8086 3474 8088 3479 8088
TIME...MOT...LOC 1952Z 279DEG 18KT 3459 8089
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CRLSpecial weather statement, Jul 12, 4:01 PM EDT, 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
401 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
GAZ040-064-SCZ018-025-122100-
Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-McCormick SC-Edgefield SC-
401 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Columbia, Lincoln, northwestern Edgefield and McCormick Counties
through 500 PM EDT...
At 401 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lincolnton, or 13 miles northeast of Washington, moving east at 25
mph.
...Boaters on Lake Strom Thurmond Should Seek Safe Harbor...
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...
McCormick, Lincolnton, Clarks Hill Recreation Area, J. Strom Thurmond
Dam, Elijah Clark State Park, Mistletoe State Park, Mccormick County
Airport, Hamilton Branch State Park, Lake Strom Thurmond, Bobby Brown
State Park, Parksville, Plum Branch, Bordeaux, Broad River
Campground, Modoc, Scott's Landing, Knox Scout Reservation, Double
Branches, Curry Hill, and Chennault.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
east central Georgia...and central South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3398 8265 3398 8261 3396 8257 3401 8259
3405 8233 3397 8230 3402 8225 3397 8218
3398 8212 3368 8204 3363 8244 3365 8243
3364 8248 3382 8259 3386 8257 3387 8258
3386 8261
TIME...MOT...LOC 2001Z 270DEG 23KT 3385 8256
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CRLSpecial weather statement, Jul 12, 4:20 PM EDT, 29 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
420 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
SCZ016-021-022-028-029-122100-
Fairfield SC-Chesterfield SC-Richland SC-Kershaw SC-Lee SC-
420 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
...A cluster of strong thunderstorms will impact portions of
southeastern Fairfield, northwestern Lee, south central
Chesterfield, north central Richland and Kershaw Counties through
500 PM EDT...
At 419 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorm along an outflow between Blythewood and McBee moving
east at 15 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, Lake Wateree Dam, Lugoff, Westville, Cassatt, Elgin, Killian,
Lake Carolina, Longtown, Goodale State Park, Blythewood, Mcbee,
Bethune, Ridgeway, Lucknow, North Central High School, North Towne
Square Shopping Center, Midway Elementary School, Pine Grove Fire
Station, and Smallwood.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 91 and 101.
Interstate 77 between mile markers 21 and 36.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
central South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3409 8107 3429 8117 3458 8020 3443 8016
3436 8029 3434 8025 3432 8024 3434 8021
3436 8020 3437 8018 3430 8017
TIME...MOT...LOC 2019Z 258DEG 14KT 3433 8058
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CRLThe office that day
Everything else NWS Columbia, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 12, 1:24 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | McCormick | 36 min |
| Jul 12, 2:11 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Fairfield, Newberry | 64 min |
| Jul 12, 2:31 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Sumter | 44 min |
| Jul 12, 2:32 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Lancaster | 43 min |
| Jul 12, 2:36 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Calhoun, Clarendon | 39 min |
| Jul 12, 2:38 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Lancaster | 67 min |
| Jul 12, 2:52 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Newberry | 38 min |
| Jul 12, 3:17 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Lancaster | 26 min |
| Jul 12, 3:48 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Sumter | 57 min |
| Jul 12, 3:52 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Lancaster | 68 min |
| Jul 12, 4:01 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | McCormick | 59 min |
| Jul 12, 4:17 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Edgefield, McCormick | 43 min |
| Jul 12, 4:20 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Kershaw | 40 min |
| Jul 12, 4:26 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lee | 40 min |
| Jul 12, 5:41 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Saluda | 49 min |
| Jul 12, 5:48 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Aiken, Lexington, Saluda | 42 min |
| Jul 12, 5:55 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Lexington | 50 min |
| Jul 12, 5:59 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Calhoun, Lexington, Orangeburg | 46 min |
| Jul 12, 6:12 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Barnwell | 48 min |
| Jul 12, 6:16 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Aiken, Barnwell | 44 min |
| Jul 12, 6:22 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Aiken, Lexington, Richland, Saluda | 53 min |
| Jul 12, 7:04 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Calhoun, Orangeburg | 56 min |
| Jul 12, 7:21 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Calhoun | 39 min |
| Jul 12, 7:47 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | CAE | Calhoun, Orangeburg | 118 min |
| Jul 12, 7:55 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Bamberg, Calhoun, Orangeburg | 65 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.