Alert archive / South Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 85, NWS Columbia, SC
NWS Columbia, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 12, 2026, 6:16 PM EDT for Aiken County, Barnwell County, South Carolina; Burke County, Georgia. It was in force for 44 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 12, 2026, 6:16 PM EDT (22:16 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 12, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT
- In force
- 44 min
- Issued by
- NWS Columbia, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Burke County, GA, Aiken County, SC, Barnwell County, SC
The radar
The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 89 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:20 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 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, 10.3 hours before the alert went out and 164 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.
592
WUUS52 KCAE 122216
SVRCAE
GAC033-SCC003-011-122300-
/O.NEW.KCAE.SV.W.0085.260712T2216Z-260712T2300Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
616 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northeastern Burke County in east central Georgia...
Barnwell County in central South Carolina...
Southwestern Aiken County in central South Carolina...
* Until 700 PM EDT.
* At 616 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Savannah
River Site, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and powerlines.
* Locations impacted include...
Barnwell, Savannah River Site, Plant Vogtle, Jackson, Snelling,
Kline, Elko, Shell Bluff Landing, Savannah River Site H Canyon,
Barnwell County Airport, and Savannah River Site K Complex.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3312 8187 3325 8187 3325 8184 3326 8185
3326 8183 3329 8186 3331 8184 3330 8186
3332 8187 3338 8133 3311 8131 3311 8136
3316 8153 3309 8162
TIME...MOT...LOC 2216Z 270DEG 18KT 3322 8170
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
EC2 follow-up statements
184
WWUS52 KCAE 122243
SVSCAE
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
643 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
GAC033-122252-
/O.CAN.KCAE.SV.W.0085.000000T0000Z-260712T2300Z/
Burke GA-
643 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN BURKE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
east central Georgia...and central South Carolina.
LAT...LON 3313 8173 3317 8177 3320 8176 3322 8178
3321 8178 3321 8180 3333 8181 3338 8133
3311 8131 3311 8136 3316 8153 3309 8162
3309 8163
TIME...MOT...LOC 2242Z 270DEG 18KT 3322 8154
$$
SCC003-011-122300-
/O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0085.000000T0000Z-260712T2300Z/
Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-
643 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM EDT
FOR BARNWELL AND SOUTH CENTRAL AIKEN COUNTIES...
At 642 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles east of
Savannah River Site, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and powerlines.
Locations impacted include...
Barnwell, Savannah River Site, Jackson, Snelling, Kline, Elko,
Savannah River Site H Canyon, Barnwell County Airport, and Savannah
River Site K Complex.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3313 8173 3317 8177 3320 8176 3322 8178
3321 8178 3321 8180 3333 8181 3338 8133
3311 8131 3311 8136 3316 8153 3309 8162
3309 8163
TIME...MOT...LOC 2242Z 270DEG 18KT 3322 8154
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
EC131
WWUS52 KCAE 122257
SVSCAE
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
657 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
SCC003-011-122307-
/O.EXP.KCAE.SV.W.0085.000000T0000Z-260712T2300Z/
Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-
657 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR BARNWELL AND SOUTH CENTRAL
AIKEN COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 700 PM EDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, gusty
winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
east central Georgia...and central South Carolina.
LAT...LON 3313 8173 3317 8177 3320 8176 3322 8178
3321 8178 3321 8180 3333 8181 3338 8133
3311 8131 3311 8136 3316 8153 3309 8162
3309 8163
TIME...MOT...LOC 2257Z 270DEG 18KT 3322 8149
$$
ECWhat 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, 5 hours 6 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, 5 hours 6 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
Special weather statement, Jul 12, 5:21 PM EDT, 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
521 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
GAZ065-077-SCZ030-035-122200-
Burke GA-Richmond GA-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-
521 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Burke, southeastern
Richmond, western Barnwell and southwestern Aiken Counties through
600 PM EDT...
At 521 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Gough, or 12 miles west of Waynesboro, 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...
Waynesboro, Plant Vogtle, Hephzibah, Sardis, Alexander, Gough, Burke
County Airport, Keysville, Vidette, Shell Bluff, and Shell Bluff
Landing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
east central Georgia...and central South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3301 8228 3308 8229 3312 8228 3319 8225
3322 8223 3325 8225 3326 8216 3328 8173
3298 8175
TIME...MOT...LOC 2121Z 267DEG 23KT 3313 8223
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
PLSpecial weather statement, Jul 12, 5:41 PM EDT, 35 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
541 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
SCZ026-027-030-122230-
Lexington SC-Aiken SC-Saluda SC-
541 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Lexington, southeastern Saluda and north central Aiken Counties
through 630 PM EDT...
At 541 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Saluda County Airport, or 14 miles west of Batesburg-Leesville,
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...
Batesburg-Leesville, Saluda, Ridge Spring, Saluda County Airport,
Gilbert, Summit, Monetta, Ward, South Shore Marina, Saluda Co
Sheriff's Office, Fredonia, Murray, Emory, Camp Kinard, Delmar,
Hibernia, Steedman, Kneece, Samaria Fire Station, and Saluda High
School.
This includes Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 36
and 45.
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 3402 8186 3402 8136 3376 8139 3388 8185
3389 8187
TIME...MOT...LOC 2141Z 276DEG 19KT 3393 8179
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ECSpecial weather statement, Jul 12, 5:55 PM EDT, 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
555 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
SCZ027-028-030-037-135-122245-
Lexington SC-Aiken SC-Calhoun SC-Richland SC-
Northwestern Orangeburg SC-
555 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Calhoun,
southeastern Lexington, east central Aiken, northwestern Orangeburg
and southern Richland Counties through 645 PM EDT...
At 554 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 9 miles west of Gaston to Sandy Run. Movement
was southeast at 5 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...
Gaston, Sandy Run, Swansea, North, Pelion, Woodford, Thor, Lexington
County Airport At Pelion, and Peachtree Rock.
This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 123 and 140.
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 3362 8129 3362 8082 3384 8086 3383 8131
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 337DEG 6KT 3379 8125 3379 8097
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ECLocal storm report, Jul 12, 6:07 PM EDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
607 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0417 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE Mount Carmel 34.02N 82.49W
07/12/2026 McCormick SC 911 Call Center
McCormick County dispatch reported multiple
trees down across Hwy 823 near Mount Carmel.
Time estimated by radar.
&&Local storm report, Jul 12, 6:08 PM EDT, 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
608 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0258 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Elgin 34.67N 80.72W
07/12/2026 Lancaster SC 911 Call Center
Lancaster County dispatch reported there are
numerous trees down across the county. Time
estimated by radar.
&&Special weather statement, Jul 12, 6:12 PM EDT, 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
612 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
GAZ065-077-SCZ030-035-122300-
Burke GA-Richmond GA-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-
612 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Burke,
southeastern Richmond, southwestern Barnwell and southwestern Aiken
Counties through 700 PM EDT...
At 612 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Plant Vogtle, moving east at 20 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...
Savannah River Site, Plant Vogtle, Williston, Jackson, Snelling,
Shell Bluff, Shell Bluff Landing, Savannah River Site H Canyon,
Bennock Mill, and Savannah River Site K Complex.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
east central Georgia...and central South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3308 8163 3312 8191 3331 8190 3339 8142
3312 8141 3316 8154 3310 8162 3308 8161
3309 8160 3308 8160 3307 8158 3306 8159
TIME...MOT...LOC 2212Z 271DEG 18KT 3323 8182
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
ECThe 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, 4:49 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Fairfield, Kershaw, Richland | 41 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, 6:22 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 |
| Jul 12, 5:21 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Burke | 39 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Carolina, 2026Severe 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.