Special Weather Statement, NWS Columbia, SC

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Columbia SC
659 AM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Early morning showers and storms should diminish over the next
few hours. Heat and humidity continue, with diurnal chances for
showers/thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Aviation
discussion updated for 12z TAFs.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
- 1. Diurnal showers and storms each day through the period.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
- 1. Diurnal showers and storms each day through the period.

Rounds of showers and thunderstorms continue to move through
the area from the west along remnant outflow boundaries.
However, convection has started to weaken, especially as it
approaches the I-20 corridor. Any lingering activity should
dissipate into the early morning hours.

Little change has been made in the overall forecast. The weak
upper level low that has been spinning over the southern
Appalachians is finally being absorbed into a digging longwave
trough extending south from the Great Lakes. In its wake,
guidance remains in good agreement that a low-amplitude,
seasonably strong ridge centered just to our south will build in
by the weekend. Deep-layer southwesterly flow will maintain
elevated PWATs through the end of the week. A classic summertime
pattern will persist as 500mb heights climb to around the 90th
percentile for early August. Highs will remain in the low to mid
90s with daily afternoon and evening showers/thunderstorms.
With PWATs generally between 1.8-2", expect typical summertime
convection. While a few stronger storms cannot be ruled out,
widespread severe weather is not expected. However, efficient
rainfall rates and slow storm motions may result in localized
flash flooding.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Ceiling and visibility restrictions possible once again through
sunrise this morning.  Otherwise expecting VFR conditions to
be likely outside of isolated storms.

Showers have finally dissipated this morning, with only some
left over mid and upper level cloudiness remaining around
sunrise. Although a brief mvfr restriction can not be completely
ruled out through 14z, expect enough cloudiness to remain to
keep conditions vfr at all locations.

For much of the daytime hours after 14z, ceilings should
continue to be vfr, with cumulus returning for most of the day.
Much like the past several days, similar coverage of isolated
afternoon and evening showers/thunderstorms is expected to
develop. Current probabilities support keeping the PROB30
group at least into the evening hours. After showers dissipate
tonight, winds will go light to calm, and with lingering low-
level moisture can not rule out a return of mvfr or lower
restrictions. Confidence is somewhat on the lower side right
now, so will only start lowering visibilities ever so slightly
to low end vfr towards midnight. Later issuances could end up
trending into mvfr late tonight.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Diurnal thunderstorms expected
this week with early morning restrictions possible.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...ND
AVIATION...73

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1259 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026

SCZ021-022-027-028-037-061800-
Fairfield SC-Lexington SC-Calhoun SC-Richland SC-Kershaw SC-
1259 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Fairfield, northwestern Calhoun, central Lexington, western Richland
and west central Kershaw Counties through 200 PM EDT...

At 1259 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking multiple strong
thunderstorms over Lexington and Richland Counties, moving north 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...
Columbia, Lexington, West Columbia, Cayce, Irmo, Forest Acres,
Winnsboro, Springdale, St. Andrews, Dentsville, Oak Grove, Highway 6
at Lake Murray Dam, Red Bank, South Congaree, Pine Ridge, Arcadia
Lakes, Columbia International University, Harbison State Forest,
Sesquicentennial State Park, and SC State Fair Grounds.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 126 between mile markers 0 and 3.
 Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 50 and 78.
 Interstate 26 between mile markers 95 and 122.
 Interstate 77 between mile markers 0 and 39.

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.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3383 8097 3392 8131 3444 8122 3433 8078
TIME...MOT...LOC 1659Z 194DEG 15KT 3401 8114

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

PL

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
101 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026

SCZ030-035-041-135-136-061800-
Central Orangeburg SC-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-Bamberg SC-
Northwestern Orangeburg SC-
101 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Barnwell,
northwestern Bamberg, east central Aiken and west central Orangeburg
Counties through 200 PM EDT...

At 101 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Barnwell, moving north at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Barnwell, Williston, Blackville, Barnwell State Park, Springfield,
Hilda, Salley, Neeses, Norway, Snelling, Kline, Elko, Aiken Gopher
Tortoise Heritage Preserve, and Barnwell County Airport.

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 3316 8154 3360 8143 3353 8107 3311 8128
      3311 8136
TIME...MOT...LOC 1701Z 194DEG 15KT 3323 8139

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

PL