Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 49, NWS Wilmington, NC

July 12, 2026Brunswick County, Columbus County, North Carolina

NWS Wilmington, NC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 12, 2026, 7:05 PM EDT for Brunswick County, Columbus County, North Carolina. It was in force for 33 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, 7:05 PM EDT (23:05 UTC)
Expired
Jul 12, 2026, 7:38 PM EDT
In force
33 min
Issued by
NWS Wilmington, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Brunswick County, NC, Columbus County, NC

The radar

The Wilmington radar (KLTX), 29 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:08 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

Newport, NC (KMHX), launched 12:00Z, 11.1 hours before the alert went out and 141 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, Newport, NC at 12:00Z on 2026-07-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 428 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, Newport, NC at 12:00Z on 2026-07-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 24 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
428 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-99 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1025 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
24 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
81 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

379 
WUUS52 KILM 122305
SVRILM
NCC019-047-130000-
/O.NEW.KILM.SV.W.0049.260712T2305Z-260713T0000Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
705 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Central Brunswick County in southeastern North Carolina...
  Eastern Columbus County in southeastern North Carolina...

* Until 800 PM EDT.

* At 705 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Freeman, or
  13 miles west of Leland, moving south at 15 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect wind damage to trees and power lines.

* Locations impacted include...
  Northwest, Bishop, Honey Island, Brunswick County Community College
  Main Campus, Batarora, Mill Creek, Town Creek, Delco, Winnabow,
  Freeman, Riegelwood, Sandy Creek, and Bolivia.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Please send your reports of hail or wind damage, including trees or
large limbs downed, by calling the National Weather Service office in
Wilmington at 1 800 697 3901.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3429 7837 3435 7818 3413 7797 3403 7817
      3406 7837
TIME...MOT...LOC 2305Z 341DEG 15KT 3425 7826 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

TRA
2 follow-up statements
454 
WWUS52 KILM 122325
SVSILM

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
725 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

NCC019-047-130000-
/O.CON.KILM.SV.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260713T0000Z/
Brunswick NC-Columbus NC-
725 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT
FOR NORTHERN BRUNSWICK AND EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN COLUMBUS COUNTIES...

At 725 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Honey Island,
or 14 miles west of Leland, moving south at 15 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect wind damage to trees and power lines.

Locations impacted include...
Mill Creek, Brunswick County Community College Main Campus, Honey
Island, and Bolivia.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Please send your reports of hail or wind damage, including trees or
large limbs downed, by calling the National Weather Service office in
Wilmington at 1 800 697 3901.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3425 7837 3427 7820 3409 7806 3403 7817
      3406 7837
TIME...MOT...LOC 2325Z 352DEG 13KT 3418 7827 

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

$$

TRA
748 
WWUS52 KILM 122338
SVSILM

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
738 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

NCC019-047-122347-
/O.CAN.KILM.SV.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260713T0000Z/
Brunswick NC-Columbus NC-
738 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR BRUNSWICK AND 
COLUMBUS COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened. However, heavy 
rain is still possible with this thunderstorm.

Please send your reports of hail or wind damage, including trees or
large limbs downed, by calling the National Weather Service office in
Wilmington at 1 800 697 3901.

&&

LAT...LON 3425 7837 3427 7820 3409 7806 3403 7817
      3406 7837
TIME...MOT...LOC 2337Z 341DEG 15KT 3413 7825 

$$

TRA

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 Wilmington, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 12, 2:22 PM EDT, 4 hours 43 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Elevated rain chances are on tap this afternoon through Tuesday with temperatures cooling to near to slightly below normal levels by Tuesday. Some storms could be strong to severe this afternoon and evening. 2) Warm weather returns late week as ridge builds over the Southeast.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 12, 2:22 PM EDT, 4 hours 43 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
222 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Aviation section updated for 18Z TAFs and for key messages
being updated.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Elevated rain chances are on tap this afternoon through
Tuesday with temperatures cooling to near to slightly below
normal levels by Tuesday. Some storms could be strong to severe
this afternoon and evening.

2) Warm weather returns late week as ridge builds over the
Southeast.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Elevated rain chances are on tap this afternoon
through Tuesday with temperatures cooling to near to slightly
below normal levels by Tuesday. Some storms could be strong to
severe this afternoon and evening.

A cold front dropping through the area this afternoon will stall
over the southeast U.S. through Tuesday while energy in the mid
levels passes through at times. This will result in enhanced
rain chances into Tuesday. Some of the storms could be strong to
severe this afternoon and evening.

KEY MESSAGE 2...Warm weather returns late week as ridge builds
over the Southeast.

A warming trend returns Wednesday and forecasted temps are back
above normal by Thursday as a ridge builds over the Southeast.
We could see enough heat and humidity to send apparent
temperatures to or over 105 degrees later in the week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
VFR conditions are prevailing at area terminals this afternoon
and are expected to do so into tonight except when affected by
convection which could bring brief MVFR/IFR conditions. Some
guidance continues on and off showers and storms into the
overnight but confidence in restrictions at terminals is too low
for inclusion in the forecast attm but will likely see slowly
lowering cigs overnight such that northern and western terminals
are in the 1-2 KFT range by morning before lifting with heating.

Extended Forecast...Showers and thunderstorms remain a concern
for temporary flight restrictions Monday through Tuesday. High
pressure will slowly build into the region by midweek with
predominantly VFR conditions Wednesday through Friday.

&&

.MARINE...
South to southwest winds around 10 kts this afternoon will
become more varied tonight and Monday as a front drops into the
area before stalling. Winds remain generally less than 10 kts
into Tuesday and Wednesday, and seas around 2-4 ft, highest
outside 20 NM. WSW winds increase to 10-15 kts, with gusts to
20 kts for 20-60nm coastal waters, Wednesday night and Thursday.

&&

.ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...None.
SC...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

WHAT HAS CHANGED...31
KEY MESSAGES...31
DISCUSSION...31
AVIATION...31
MARINE...31

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 12, 6:00 PM EDT, 1 hour 5 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
600 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

SCZ032-039-122230-
Williamsburg SC-Florence SC-
600 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN FLORENCE AND
NORTHEASTERN WILLIAMSBURG COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM EDT...

At 600 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Indiantown, or 11 miles east of Kingstree, moving
east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Johnsonville, Hemingway, Rhems, Morrisville, Nesmith, Henry,
Indiantown, and Stuckey.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3387 7965 3386 7938 3384 7937 3384 7935
      3372 7939 3369 7941 3365 7942 3360 7944
      3358 7944 3360 7974
TIME...MOT...LOC 2200Z 272DEG 14KT 3366 7962

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

TRA
Special weather statement, Jul 12, 6:02 PM EDT, 1 hour 3 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
602 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

SCZ055-056-122230-
Coastal Georgetown SC-Inland Georgetown SC-
602 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN GEORGETOWN COUNTY
THROUGH 630 PM EDT...

At 602 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Plantersville, or 13 miles west of Murrells Inlet, moving east at 10
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Plantersville, Yauhannah, and Oatland.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3349 7935 3365 7938 3367 7917 3351 7910
TIME...MOT...LOC 2202Z 262DEG 11KT 3358 7928

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

TRA
Special weather statement, Jul 12, 6:14 PM EDT, 51 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
614 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

NCZ087-096-122245-
Robeson NC-Bladen NC-
614 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT ROBESON AND NORTHWESTERN BLADEN
COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM EDT...

At 614 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Smiths to near Buie. These storms were nearly
stationary.

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 hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Lumberton, Pembroke, St. Pauls, Smiths, Howellsville, Rex, Duart,
Tolarsville, Butters, Hestertown, Buie, Robeson Community College,
Tobermory, Barker Ten Mile, White Oak, Elrod, Shannon, Rennert,
Dublin, and Tar Heel.

This includes Interstate 95 in North Carolina between mile markers 12
and 34.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

These storms 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 3485 7891 3484 7890 3484 7887 3481 7860
      3451 7885 3461 7926 3487 7912
TIME...MOT...LOC 2214Z 051DEG 1KT 3464 7886 3467 7912

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

TRA
Special weather statement, Jul 12, 6:22 PM EDT, 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
622 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

SCZ024-122245-
Dillon SC-
622 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN DILLON COUNTY
THROUGH 645 PM EDT...

At 621 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Little Rock, or near Dillon, moving east 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...
Dillon, Latta, Little Rock, Hamer, Minturn, and Mcleod Medical
Center.

This includes Interstate 95 in South Carolina between mile markers
182 and 197.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3451 7932 3432 7937 3434 7953 3450 7952
      3453 7950
TIME...MOT...LOC 2221Z 266DEG 10KT 3444 7945

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

TRA
Local storm report, Jul 12, 6:34 PM EDT, 31 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
634 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

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

0436 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 NE Quinby             34.24N 79.71W
07/12/2026                   Florence           SC   Public

            At least two downed power poles along Lazy
            Ln. Time estimated based on radar.

&&
ABW
Special weather statement, Jul 12, 7:01 PM EDT, 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
701 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

NCZ099-109-122330-
Inland Brunswick NC-Columbus NC-
701 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN BRUNSWICK AND
EASTERN COLUMBUS COUNTIES THROUGH 730 PM EDT...

At 700 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Delco, or 13 miles west of Leland, moving south at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Northwest, Batarora, Bishop, Freeman, Honey Island, Delco, Town
Creek, Riegelwood, and Sandy Creek.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3429 7838 3435 7818 3421 7804 3409 7819
      3411 7838
TIME...MOT...LOC 2300Z 340DEG 13KT 3426 7826

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

TRA

The office that day

Everything else NWS Wilmington, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 12, 4:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBladen28 min
Jul 12, 6:14 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMRobeson31 min
Jul 12, 6:35 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMBladen, Robeson37 min
Jul 12, 7:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBrunswick29 min
Jul 12, 7:14 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMColumbus31 min
Jul 12, 7:35 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM85 min
Jul 12, 7:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMNew Hanover45 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North 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.