Alert archive / Georgia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 98, NWS Columbia, SC

August 2, 2026Burke County, Richmond County, Georgia; Aiken County, Barnwell County, South Carolina

NWS Columbia, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 2, 2026, 3:20 PM EDT for Burke County, Richmond County, Georgia; Aiken County, Barnwell County, South Carolina. It was in force for 40 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
Aug 2, 2026, 3:20 PM EDT (19:20 UTC)
Expired
Aug 2, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
In force
40 min
Issued by
NWS Columbia, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 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), 83 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:19 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
Aug 2, 3:38 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 W Waynesboro, GABurke EM reported trees down throughout the county.

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 18 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, 7.3 hours before the alert went out and 168 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 2026-08-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 246 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 2026-08-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -2 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
246 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-22 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
708 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
18 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-2 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
32 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

825 
WUUS52 KCAE 021920
SVRCAE
GAC033-245-SCC003-011-022000-
/O.NEW.KCAE.SV.W.0098.260802T1920Z-260802T2000Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
320 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Burke County in east central Georgia...
  Eastern Richmond County in east central Georgia...
  Southwestern Barnwell County in central South Carolina...
  Southwestern Aiken County in central South Carolina...

* Until 400 PM EDT.

* At 319 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from 7 miles southwest of Hephzibah to near Sylvania,
  moving northeast at 20 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and powerlines.

* Locations impacted include...
  North Augusta, Waynesboro, Savannah River Site, Augusta, Plant
  Vogtle, Clearwater, Belvedere, Hephzibah, Jackson, Sardis,
  Alexander, Burke County Airport, Glendale, South Augusta, Midtown,
  Summerville, McBean, Augusta Regional Airport, Girard, and West End
  Augusta.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 520 in Georgia between mile markers 6 and 15.
 Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 16 and 19.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3295 8182 3295 8186 3292 8196 3292 8200
      3316 8227 3355 8196 3316 8154 3310 8162
      3307 8159 3306 8156 3304 8156 3291 8176
TIME...MOT...LOC 1919Z 214DEG 19KT 3320 8219 3276 8170 

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

$$

SL
1 follow-up statement
887 
WWUS52 KCAE 021941
SVSCAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
341 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

GAC033-245-SCC003-011-022000-
/O.CON.KCAE.SV.W.0098.000000T0000Z-260802T2000Z/
Burke GA-Richmond GA-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-
341 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM EDT
FOR CENTRAL BURKE...SOUTHEASTERN RICHMOND...SOUTHWESTERN BARNWELL AND
SOUTHWESTERN AIKEN COUNTIES...

At 340 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from Hephzibah to near Hilltonia, moving northeast at 25
mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and powerlines.

Locations impacted include...
North Augusta, Waynesboro, Savannah River Site, Plant Vogtle,
Clearwater, Hephzibah, Jackson, Sardis, Alexander, McBean, Augusta
Regional Airport, Girard, Audubon's Silver Bluff Sanctuary, New
Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam Park, Savannah River Site Badge Office,
Westover, Bennock Mill, Savannah River Site K Complex, Shell Bluff,
and Shell Bluff Landing.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 520 in Georgia between mile markers 10 and 15.
 Interstate 520 in South Carolina near mile marker 16.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Report any hail, damaging winds or flooding directly to the Columbia
National Weather Service when it is safe to do so. You can send
reports by Facebook or X to NWSColumbia or by e-mail at
NWS.Columbia@noaa.gov.

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

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3295 8182 3323 8215 3350 8191 3316 8154
      3310 8162 3307 8159 3306 8156 3304 8156
      3291 8176
TIME...MOT...LOC 1940Z 216DEG 23KT 3331 8208 3287 8159 

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

$$

SL

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 Aug 2, 1:11 PM EDT, 2 hours 9 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1. Rain and thunderstorm chances continue to end the weekend and are likely to continue through the upcoming week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 2, 1:11 PM EDT, 2 hours 9 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Columbia SC
111 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
A line of showers and thunderstorms will move across the
forecast area this afternoon into the early evening hours
bringing the threat of heavy rainfall and localized flash
flooding. Aviation discussion updated for 18z TAFs.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
- 1. Rain and thunderstorm chances continue to end the weekend
  and are likely to continue through the upcoming week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
- 1. Rain and thunderstorm chances continue to end the weekend
  and are likely to continue through the upcoming week.

Midday satellite imagery shows the stubborn low clouds from this
morning starting to break up across much of the forecast area,
especially across the southern half of the region. Meanwhile, a
line of showers and thunderstorms are moving into the FA from
the west. The clearing skies should help to destabilize the
atmosphere, promoting convective development. Another active
afternoon is likely on the horizon as this line slowly moves
east across the CWA. PWATs remain in excess of 2 inches,
therefore the main threat this afternoon will once again be from
heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding, especially the
areas that saw between 2 and 5 inches of rain yesterday. Any
robust thunderstorm that develops could also produce damaging
wind gusts but with lower CAPE and DCAPE values in place, this
threat is lower today and may be limited to locations that have
already broken out of the overcast.

After today, a closed low is forecast to break off of the main
upper trough meandering over the Tennessee Valley for several
days. As such, daily chances (30 to 70 percent) for showers and
thunderstorms continue through much of the week ahead.
Temperatures during the next seven days are forecast to be near
to slightly below seasonal values.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
VFR conditions with another round of showers and storms bringing
periodic restrictions through this evening.

VFR to begin the TAF period. SCT-NUM SHRA/TSRA will develop this
afternoon and persist into the evening. Little airmass change has
occurred, so expect heavy rain and therefore VSBY restrictions along
with periods of lower CIGS. Winds should be a bit stronger today and
from the south around 10 knots. A few stronger gusts potentially up
to 25 kts are possible in the strongest TSRA. Another night of
stratus redevelopment should occur, with CIGS falling to MVFR/IFR
into Monday morning. Most precip should shift toward the east for
Monday with less coverage at the terminals.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Periodic rain and restrictions
continue early this week.

&&

.CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SC...None.
GA...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...7
AVIATION...EC

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 2, 9:32 AM EDT, 5 hours 48 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
932 AM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

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

0305 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 NE Swansea            33.77N 81.06W
08/01/2026                   Calhoun            SC   Amateur Radio

            HAM Radio operator relayed a report via
            SLACK of a downed tree blocking the roadway
            near the 2000 block of Pineplain Road. Time
            estimated by radar.

0524 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 NNW Healing Springs   33.43N 81.29W
08/01/2026                   Barnwell           SC   Emergency Mngr

            SCEMD Situation Report contained a road
            closure in Barnwell County. Barnwell County
            Emergency Management reported a road closure
            near the intersection of Highway 3 and
            Whaley Road due to downed trees and power
            lines. Time estimated by radar.

&&
Special weather statement, Aug 2, 2:24 PM EDT, 56 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
224 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

GAZ077-SCZ035-021930-
Burke GA-Barnwell SC-
224 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Burke and western
Barnwell Counties through 330 PM EDT...

At 223 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Louisville to 6 miles northwest of
Swainsboro. Movement was east at 40 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, Sardis, Midville, Alexander, Gough, Burke
County Airport, Vidette, Shell Bluff, Di-
Lane Wildlife Management Area, Magruder, and Rosier.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3282 8226 3283 8231 3293 8227 3303 8229
      3310 8228 3321 8176 3291 8176 3295 8182
      3295 8186 3292 8196 3292 8208 3288 8213
      3281 8215 3280 8221
TIME...MOT...LOC 1823Z 267DEG 33KT 3304 8242 3265 8242

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

SL

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 1, 8:09 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEColumbia, Richmond3 hr
Aug 2, 2:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEBurke66 min
Aug 2, 2:40 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEColumbia, Richmond3 hr
Aug 2, 2:56 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEBurke35 min
Aug 2, 3:33 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEBurke110 min
Aug 1, 10:49 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAELee, Sumter56 min
Aug 2, 3:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEAiken, Edgefield51 min
Aug 2, 4:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEAiken, Barnwell29 min
Aug 2, 4:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEBamberg28 min
Aug 2, 4:35 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEBamberg, Orangeburg40 min
Aug 2, 4:47 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAENewberry28 min
Aug 2, 4:47 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEAiken28 min
Aug 2, 5:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAECalhoun, Orangeburg47 min
Aug 2, 5:56 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAERichland49 min
Aug 2, 6:12 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAELexington, Richland93 min
Aug 2, 6:41 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEKershaw, Lancaster, Lee49 min
Aug 2, 7:44 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEChesterfield46 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.