Alert archive / Georgia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 89, NWS Columbia, SC
NWS Columbia, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 17, 2026, 7:55 PM EDT for Burke County, Richmond County, Georgia; Aiken County, Barnwell County, South Carolina. It was in force for 50 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 17, 2026, 7:55 PM EDT (23:55 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 17, 2026, 8:45 PM EDT
- In force
- 50 min
- Issued by
- NWS Columbia, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Burke County, GA, Richmond County, GA, Aiken County, SC, Barnwell County, SC
The radar
The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 96 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:56 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, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 181 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
- 2049 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -54 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1084 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 8 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 5 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 8 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
669
WUUS52 KCAE 172355
SVRCAE
GAC033-245-SCC003-011-180045-
/O.NEW.KCAE.SV.W.0089.260717T2355Z-260718T0045Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
755 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Central Burke County in east central Georgia...
Southeastern Richmond County in east central Georgia...
Southwestern Barnwell County in central South Carolina...
Southwestern Aiken County in central South Carolina...
* Until 845 PM EDT.
* At 755 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Plant Vogtle,
moving northwest at 20 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...
Waynesboro, Plant Vogtle, Hephzibah, Sardis, McBean, Alexander,
Burke County Airport, Girard, Shell Bluff, Shell Bluff Landing, and
Bennock Mill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3321 8215 3338 8191 3309 8165 3294 8183
3295 8186 3293 8193
TIME...MOT...LOC 2355Z 129DEG 19KT 3313 8182
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
DH2 follow-up statements
417
WWUS52 KCAE 180023
SVSCAE
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
823 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
GAC033-245-SCC003-011-180045-
/O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0089.000000T0000Z-260718T0045Z/
Burke GA-Richmond GA-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-
823 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM EDT
FOR CENTRAL BURKE...SOUTHEASTERN RICHMOND...SOUTHWESTERN BARNWELL AND
SOUTHWESTERN AIKEN COUNTIES...
At 823 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Plant Vogtle,
moving northwest at 15 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
trees and powerlines.
Locations impacted include...
Waynesboro, Plant Vogtle, Alexander, Shell Bluff, Shell Bluff
Landing, and Bennock Mill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading
killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to
be struck by lightning.
&&
LAT...LON 3311 8167 3295 8190 3315 8210 3333 8187
TIME...MOT...LOC 0023Z 133DEG 14KT 3313 8185
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
DH140 WWUS52 KCAE 180039 SVSCAE Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Columbia SC 839 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026 GAC033-245-SCC003-011-180049- /O.EXP.KCAE.SV.W.0089.000000T0000Z-260718T0045Z/ Burke GA-Richmond GA-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC- 839 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026 ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR CENTRAL BURKE...SOUTHEASTERN RICHMOND...SOUTHWESTERN BARNWELL AND SOUTHWESTERN AIKEN COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 845 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. LAT...LON 3311 8167 3295 8190 3315 8210 3333 8187 TIME...MOT...LOC 0039Z 129DEG 19KT 3318 8192 $$ DH
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 17, 7:17 PM EDT, 38 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1. Isolated convection possible today with hot/humid temperatures and heat indices near 105F.
- 2. Increasing rain chances Sunday into Monday, along with possible severe thunderstorms.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 17, 7:17 PM EDT, 38 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 717 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Aviation discussion updated for 00z TAFs. && .KEY MESSAGES... - 1. Isolated convection possible today with hot/humid temperatures and heat indices near 105F. - 2. Increasing rain chances Sunday into Monday, along with possible severe thunderstorms. && .DISCUSSION... Key Message 1: Isolated convection possible today with hot/humid temperatures and heat indices near 105F. The region remains under a deep layered ridge with H85 temps around 22C. Morning dewpoints in the mid 70s have generally mixed down into the upper 60s to lower 70s, so with temps in the mid/upper 90s, heat indices are running 100-105F. A fairly strong mid-level cap is in place, though with 2000-3000 J/kg SBCAPE, isolated storms are still expected. DCAPE values are quite high (1000-1200 J/kg), particularly across the Midlands and Pee Dee. Convective cores will be capable of producing localized damaging wind gusts. Key Message 2: Increasing rain chances Sunday into Monday, along with possible severe thunderstorms. A potent upper shortwave will shift north into eastern GA late Sunday while another shortwave drops into western and central NC. A surface boundary may sag into the northern part of the area late Sunday night or on Monday. Bulk shear looks fairly weak on Sunday (5-10 kt) with stronger shear farther north into the NC Piedmont. However, fairly strong low-level instability will develop during the afternoon, and DCAPE could exceed 1000 J/kg in spots. Furthermore, PWATs will rise above 2" over most of the area in the afternoon. Given the upper level support, we anticipate fairly good coverage of convection in the afternoon/evening, with the potential for some organization to the activity. This could result in a somewhat greater severe weather potential, primarily from damaging straight line winds. Considerable convective coverage expected again on Monday as the surface front potentially sags south into the area, providing an additional focus. && .AVIATION /00Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... VFR conditions expected through the forecast period. Afternoon convection continues to be focused in the CSRA this evening so continuing a VCSH until 02z for AGS/DNL/AIK. Otherwise winds becoming light and variable less than 5 knots after 02z with debris clouds through midnight then diminishing overnight. Some brief morning ground fog possible but confidence not high enough to include in the forecast. Winds pick up after 15z from the south and increase to around 8 to 10 knots during the afternoon. Isolated to scattered convection possible again Saturday but maybe later in the afternoon close to the end of the forecast period. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Potential for restrictions from showers and thunderstorms continue this weekend into early next week. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...Air Quality Alert until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ115-116. GA...None. && DISCUSSION...DH AVIATION...23
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 17, 4:45 PM EDT, 3 hours 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
445 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
SCZ018-025-030-172130-
Aiken SC-McCormick SC-Edgefield SC-
445 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Edgefield,
northwestern Aiken and east central McCormick Counties through 530 PM
EDT...
At 445 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Edgefield, or 15 miles north of Belvedere, moving northwest at 10
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts 35 to 45 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
North Augusta, Edgefield, Edgefield County Airport, Burnettown,
Trenton, Lick Fork Campground, Strom Thurmond High School, Harmony,
Murphys Estates, Mt Vintage, Cleora, Colliers, Vaucluse, Edgefield
Federal Correction Institution, and Murphy Village.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 5 and 15.
Interstate 520 in South Carolina near mile marker 23.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3374 8168 3352 8187 3371 8216 3396 8208
TIME...MOT...LOC 2045Z 112DEG 9KT 3377 8192
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HCSpecial weather statement, Jul 17, 5:30 PM EDT, 2 hours 25 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
530 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
SCZ025-030-172215-
Aiken SC-Edgefield SC-
530 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Edgefield and west central Aiken Counties through 615 PM EDT...
At 529 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Graniteville, or near Aiken, moving northwest at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts 30 to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Aiken, North Augusta, Clearwater, Belvedere, USC Aiken, Gloverville,
Graniteville, Burnettown, Trenton, Hopeland Gardens, Poverty Hill,
Murphys Estates, Boyd Pond Park, Vaucluse, and Murphy Village.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 2 and 18.
Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 20 and 23.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3358 8166 3344 8180 3357 8205 3378 8188
TIME...MOT...LOC 2129Z 127DEG 8KT 3356 8180
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HCSpecial weather statement, Jul 17, 5:40 PM EDT, 2 hours 15 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
540 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
GAZ040-064-SCZ018-025-172215-
Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-McCormick SC-Edgefield SC-
540 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Columbia,
southeastern Lincoln, southwestern Edgefield and southeastern
McCormick Counties through 615 PM EDT...
At 539 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Riverwood, or near Evans, moving northwest at 10 mph.
...Boaters on Lake Strom Thurmond Should Seek Safe Harbor...
HAZARD...Wind gusts 35 to 45 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Evans, Martinez, Appling, Clarks Hill Recreation Area, J. Strom
Thurmond Dam, Riverwood, Modoc, Scott's Landing, Columbia County
Jail, Blanchard Park, Wildwood Park, Savannah Rapids Park,
Eubank-Blanchard Community Center, Westmont, River Island, Westport,
Riverside Park, Evans Medical Center, Lost Wilderness Fire Station,
and Blanchard Woods Park.
This includes Interstate 20 in Georgia near mile marker 194.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3355 8204 3348 8212 3355 8239 3376 8219
TIME...MOT...LOC 2139Z 127DEG 8KT 3356 8214
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HCSpecial weather statement, Jul 17, 6:43 PM EDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
643 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
GAZ040-063-064-SCZ018-025-172330-
McDuffie GA-Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-McCormick SC-Edgefield SC-
643 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
McDuffie, northwestern Columbia, Lincoln, west central Edgefield and
McCormick Counties through 730 PM EDT...
At 642 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hamilton Branch State Park, or 18 miles northwest of Evans, moving
northwest at 10 mph.
...Boaters on Lake Strom Thurmond Should Seek Safe Harbor...
HAZARD...Wind gusts 35 to 45 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
McCormick, Lincolnton, Appling, Elijah Clark State Park, Mistletoe
State Park, Mccormick County Airport, Hamilton Branch State Park,
Bobby Brown State Park, Lake Strom Thurmond, Parksville, Plum Branch,
Bordeaux, Winfield, Modoc, Scott's Landing, Knox Scout Reservation,
Double Branches, Curry Hill, Wildwood Park, 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.
&&
LAT...LON 3398 8260 3396 8257 3399 8258 3405 8240
3382 8211 3353 8228 3363 8259 3363 8258
3365 8258 3364 8256 3366 8251 3365 8249
3382 8259 3386 8257 3387 8258 3386 8261
3396 8264
TIME...MOT...LOC 2242Z 123DEG 10KT 3376 8228
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HCSpecial weather statement, Jul 17, 7:36 PM EDT, 19 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
736 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
GAZ065-077-SCZ035-180015-
Burke GA-Richmond GA-Barnwell SC-
736 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central Burke,
southeastern Richmond and southwestern Barnwell Counties through 815
PM EDT...
At 735 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Plant Vogtle, moving west at 10 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...
Shell Bluff.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3318 8175 3311 8181 3312 8203 3326 8195
TIME...MOT...LOC 2335Z 099DEG 10KT 3316 8186
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DHSpecial weather statement, Jul 17, 7:38 PM EDT, 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
738 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
GAZ077-180015-
Burke GA-
738 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Burke County
through 815 PM EDT...
At 738 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Sardis, or 10 miles south of Plant Vogtle, moving northwest 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...
Sardis, Alexander, Burke County Airport, and Girard.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3293 8179 3293 8181 3295 8182 3294 8183
3295 8186 3292 8196 3292 8200 3303 8210
3312 8189 3301 8160 3291 8177
TIME...MOT...LOC 2338Z 128DEG 11KT 3298 8181
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DHThe office that day
Everything else NWS Columbia, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 17, 5:40 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Columbia | 35 min |
| Jul 17, 6:43 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Lincoln | 47 min |
| Jul 17, 7:36 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Burke | 39 min |
| Jul 17, 7:38 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Burke | 37 min |
| Jul 17, 2:43 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Lexington | 47 min |
| Jul 17, 4:45 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Edgefield | 45 min |
| Jul 17, 5:30 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Edgefield | 45 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Georgia, 2026Severe 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.