Alert archive / South Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 87, NWS Columbia, SC

July 12, 2026Calhoun County, Orangeburg County, South Carolina

NWS Columbia, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 12, 2026, 7:04 PM EDT for Calhoun County, Orangeburg County, South Carolina. It was in force for 56 min. 2 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 12, 2026, 7:04 PM EDT (23:04 UTC)
Expired
Jul 12, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT
In force
56 min
Issued by
NWS Columbia, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Calhoun County, SC, Orangeburg County, SC

The radar

The Columbia radar (KCAE), 52 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:07 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
Jul 12, 7:15 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 N Orangeburg, SCOrangeburg County Dispatch reports trees and powerlines down in the city. Time estimated by radar.
Jul 12, 7:19 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 Ne Edisto, SCOrangeburg County EM reported several trees down on Second Avenue in Orangeburg. 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 2 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 11 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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 12, 2:51 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 11.1 hours before the alert went out and 106 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 2026-07-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1008 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 2026-07-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 50 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

045 
WUUS52 KCAE 122304
SVRCAE
SCC017-075-130000-
/O.NEW.KCAE.SV.W.0087.260712T2304Z-260713T0000Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
704 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southwestern Calhoun County in central South Carolina...
  Central Orangeburg County in central South Carolina...

* Until 800 PM EDT.

* At 704 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Brookdale,
  moving south at 15 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and powerlines.

* Locations impacted include...
  Orangeburg, Brookdale, St. Matthews, Orangeburg County Airport,
  Claflin College, Edisto Gardens, South Carolina State University,
  Cameron, Rowesville, Cordova, Yonder Field, Wilkinson Heights,
  Prince of Orange Mall, Edisto, and Creston.

This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 137 and 162.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3364 8100 3372 8070 3340 8056 3331 8094
TIME...MOT...LOC 2304Z 339DEG 12KT 3359 8084 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

EC
2 follow-up statements
935 
WWUS52 KCAE 122333
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
733 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

SCC017-075-130000-
/O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0087.000000T0000Z-260713T0000Z/
Calhoun SC-Orangeburg SC-
733 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHWESTERN CALHOUN AND CENTRAL ORANGEBURG COUNTIES...

At 732 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Brookdale,
moving south at 15 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and powerlines.

Locations impacted include...
Orangeburg, Brookdale, St. Matthews, Orangeburg County Airport,
Claflin College, Edisto Gardens, South Carolina State University,
Cameron, Rowesville, Cordova, Yonder Field, Wilkinson Heights, Prince
of Orange Mall, Edisto, and Creston.

This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 139 and 162.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3362 8098 3369 8069 3340 8056 3331 8094
TIME...MOT...LOC 2332Z 339DEG 12KT 3350 8080 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

EC
512 
WWUS52 KCAE 122356
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
756 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

SCC017-075-130006-
/O.EXP.KCAE.SV.W.0087.000000T0000Z-260713T0000Z/
Calhoun SC-Orangeburg SC-
756 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN CALHOUN AND
CENTRAL ORANGEBURG COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 800 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 3362 8098 3369 8069 3340 8056 3331 8094
TIME...MOT...LOC 2356Z 339DEG 12KT 3345 8078 

$$

EC

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 12, 1:10 PM EDT, 5 hours 54 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 54 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, 5:41 PM EDT, 1 hour 23 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

EC
Special weather statement, Jul 12, 5:55 PM EDT, 1 hour 9 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

EC
Local storm report, Jul 12, 6:07 PM EDT, 57 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, 56 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, 52 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

EC
Local storm report, Jul 12, 6:40 PM EDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
640 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0556 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 NNW Batesburg         33.94N 81.57W
07/12/2026                   Saluda             SC   911 Call Center

            Saluda County Dispatch reported a few trees
            down along Old Golf Course Rd. Time
            estimated by radar.

&&

gpl

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 12, 1:24 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEMcCormick36 min
Jul 12, 2:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEFairfield, Newberry64 min
Jul 12, 2:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAESumter44 min
Jul 12, 2:32 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAELancaster43 min
Jul 12, 2:36 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAECalhoun, Clarendon39 min
Jul 12, 2:38 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAELancaster67 min
Jul 12, 2:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAENewberry38 min
Jul 12, 3:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAELancaster26 min
Jul 12, 3:48 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAESumter57 min
Jul 12, 3:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAELancaster68 min
Jul 12, 4:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEMcCormick59 min
Jul 12, 4:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEEdgefield, McCormick43 min
Jul 12, 4:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEKershaw40 min
Jul 12, 4:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEChesterfield, Kershaw, Lee40 min
Jul 12, 4:49 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEFairfield, Kershaw, Richland41 min
Jul 12, 5:41 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAESaluda49 min
Jul 12, 5:48 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEAiken, Lexington, Saluda42 min
Jul 12, 5:55 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAELexington50 min
Jul 12, 5:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAECalhoun, Lexington, Orangeburg46 min
Jul 12, 6:12 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEBarnwell48 min
Jul 12, 6:16 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEAiken, Barnwell44 min
Jul 12, 6:22 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatCAEAiken, Lexington, Richland, Saluda53 min
Jul 12, 7:21 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAECalhoun39 min
Jul 12, 7:47 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAECalhoun, Orangeburg118 min
Jul 12, 7:55 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEBamberg, Calhoun, Orangeburg65 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.