A warm front lifted northward through southern South Carolina and southeast Georgia during the morning, with a strong cold front then sweeping through the area during the evening. This resulted in several rounds of severe weather across the region.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS CHS wrote it up.
A warm front lifted northward through southern South Carolina and southeast Georgia during the morning, with a strong cold front then sweeping through the area during the evening. This resulted in several rounds of severe weather across the region.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Charleston, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 11, 12:54 AM EST, 2 hours 35 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
154 AM EDT SUN MAY 11 2008
.SYNOPSIS...
A BACKDOOR FRONT WILL DROP SOUTH INTO THE AREA TONIGHT THEN LIFT
NORTH ON SUNDAY. A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL CROSS THE AREA SUNDAY
EVENING FOLLOWED BY HIGH PRESSURE. ANOTHER FRONT MAY AFFECT THE
AREA EARLY NEXT WEEKEND.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THIS MORNING/...
QUICK UPDATE ALREADY SENT FOR RECENTLY ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 302
IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EDT SUNDAY FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN SOUTH
CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA.
OVERNIGHT TONIGHT...MODELS /ESPECIALLY THE NAM/ SHOW ANOTHER
STRONG VORT MAX MOVING INTO SOUTHERN SC AFTER 06Z. THE BACKDOOR
COLD FRONT WILL BE DROPPING TO NEAR THE SAVANNAH RIVER DURING THIS
TIME...PLACING A SHALLOW STABLE LAYER OVER MUCH OF SOUTHERN SC.
THE MID-LEVELS WILL REMAIN STOKED EVEN N OF THE BOUNDARY THUS
ELEVATED CONVECTION WILL BE A POSSIBILITY WITH HAIL THE PRIMARY
THREAT. S OF THE BOUNDARY HAIL AND WIND DAMAGE WILL BE POSSIBLE
WITH ANY STORMS...WITH ISOLATED TORNADOES BECOMING INCREASINGLY
LIKELY LATE TONIGHT AS THE WARM FRONT PROVIDES INCREASING LOW-
LEVEL HELICITY. HAVE SHOWN SOME LIKELY POPS OVERNIGHT ACROSS THE
CENTRAL PART OF THE AREA DUE TO INCREASING ISENTROPIC
LIFT...CONVECTIVE FORCING AND BOUNDARY INTERACTIONS. WILL MAINTAIN
POSSIBLY SEVERE WORDING IN GRIDS THROUGH TONIGHT.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM THIS MORNING THROUGH 6 PM MONDAY/...
ONE OR TWO ADDITIONAL ROUNDS OF SEVERE WEATHER ARE LIKELY ON
SUNDAY...WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF LONG TRACK TORNADOES IN SOME
LOCATIONS. THE LATEST SPC FORECAST INCLUDES A MODERATE RISK OF
SEVERE WEATHER WITH 45 PERCENT PROBABILITIES ENCOMPASSES THE ENTIRE
FORECAST AREA.
THE FIRST ROUND OF ACTIVITY LOOKS TO BE DURING THE MORNING HOURS
NEAR AND SOUTH OF THE WARM FRONT...WITH EVEN ELEVATED CONVECTION N
OF THE FRONT. THIS IS AIDED BY SHORT WAVE MOVING THROUGH DURING THE
15-18Z TIME FRAME WHILE LOW LEVEL JET OF 40-50 KT SHIFTS THROUGH THE
FORECAST AREA. HELICITY VALUES ARE 250-350 M2/SEC2 DURING THE
MORNING HOURS...WHILE EHI IS BETWEEN 2 AND 3 WITH HIGHEST VALUES
NEAR AND ALONG THE FRONT IN SC. TORNADIC ACTIVITY IS CERTAINLY
POSSIBLE WITH SUCH AN ATMOSPHERE...AS SIGNIFICANT RIGHT TURNING
HODOGRAPHS ARE REALIZED. THE BETTER CHANCES OF TORNADOES WILL
OCCUR IN SRN SC WHICH IS CLOSER TO THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY.
ADDITIONAL SEVERE WEATHER LOOKS TO OCCUR AGAIN IN THE AFTN AHEAD OF
THE COLD FRONT...AS A SQUALL LINE MOVES IN FROM THE W-NW. IT IS
DURING THIS TIME THAT THE LEFT FRONT QUAD OF THE UPPER LEVEL JET
WITH WIND SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 120 KT MOVES INTO THE REGION. CAPE
VALUES WITH MAX TEMPS WELL INTO THE 80S AND DEWPTS WELL INTO THE 60S
TO NEAR 70 CLIMB TO OVER 2000 J/KG. AS MID LEVEL LAPSE RATES
INCREASE TO ALMOST 7 DEGREES CELSIUS AND LI/S ARE NEAR -7...SUFFICE
TO SAY THAT ANOTHER ROUND OF SEVERE WEATHER COULD OCCUR. WHILE THE
MAIN RISK WITH THE SQUALL LINE WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE
HAIL...EHI VALUES ARE STILL NEAR 2 OR 3 AND HELICITY IS AS MUCH AS
200-300 M2/S2. ADDITIONALLY RIGHT TURNING HODOGRAPHS ARE AGAIN
OBSERVED. THUS...ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ONCE AGAIN POSSIBLE.
HAVE INCLUDED MENTION OF TORNADOES...DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL
IN THE PUBLIC FORECAST AS WELL AS THE GRIDS.
FRONT TO MOVE THROUGH THE AREA BY 00Z-03Z MONDAY WHICH WILL SHUT OFF
CONVECTION AND THEN MUCH COOLER CONDITIONS WILL MOVE IN BY MONDAY
MORNING.
VERY IMPRESSIVE WIND FIELDS ACROSS THE AREA LATE SUNDAY WITH
GEOSTROPHIC WINDS OF 50 KT OR GREATER...WHILE 925 MB WINDS ARE 35-40
KT. WHILE NOT ALL OF THIS WILL MIX DOWN DUE TO THE CLOUD COVER...IT
LOOKS TO BE ENOUGH FOR WINDS OF AT LEAST 15-30 MPH ACROSS LAND AREAS
SUNDAY. WITH A SLIGHT ONSHORE FETCH OVER COASTAL SC COUNTIES IN THE
LATE AFTN/EVENING...THIS ADDITIONAL FLOW SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO ALLOW
FOR SUSTAINED WINDS TO REACH PAST 30 MPH FROM CHARLESTON TO BEAUFORT
COUNTY. THUS WE HAVE STARTED A WIND ADVISORY FOR THESE 3 COUNTIES.
THE ADVISORY MAY NEED TO BE EXPANDED IN AREAL COVERAGE AND/OR
EXTENDED IN TIME INTO MONDAY AS FIRST COLD AIR ADVECTION/STRONG PRES
RISES DEVELOP SUNDAY NIGHT...THEN AS DEEP MIXING TAKES HOLD ON
MONDAY.
LAKE WINDS...ALTHOUGH THERE IS A LITTLE UNCERTAINTY REGARDING THE
START TIME OF WINDS REACHING 20 KT OR GREATER ACROSS LAKE MOULTRIE
ON SUNDAY...THE POTENTIAL IS CERTAINLY THERE FOR FREQUENT WIND GUSTS
PAST 20 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. THUS WE HAVE INITIATED A LAKE WIND
ADVISORY LATE IN THE DAY. AS COLD AIR ADVECTION RESULTS IN WAKE OF
THE COLD FRONT SUNDAY NIGHT AND GOOD MIXING DEVELOPS MONDAY...THE
LAKE WIND ADVISORY WILL GO THROUGH LATE MONDAY AFTN.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
A COLD FRONT ASSOCIATED WITH A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO
PUSH OFFSHORE OVER THE ATLANTIC ON MONDAY. A STRONG NORTHWEST
GRADIENT WIND WILL CONTINUE BEHIND THE COLD FRONT ALLOWING FOR GUSTY
WIND CONDITIONS BETWEEN 15 TO 25 MPH AS STRONG CAA PUSHES INTO THE
REGION DURING THE DAY. ALTHOUGH DRY CONDITIONS WILL CLEAR OUT
SKIES....COOL NORTHWEST WINDS WILL LIMIT HIGH TEMPS IN THE UPPER 70S
OVER PORTIONS OF SC AND AROUND 80 OVER GA. CONDITIONS WILL IMPROVE
MONDAY EVENING AS THE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO SHIFT EAST FURTHER
OFFSHORE ALLOWING THE PRESSURE GRADIENT TO WEAKEN.
HIGH PRESSURE WILL THEN SETTLE INTO THE CAROLINAS MONDAY NIGHT
LEADING TO RATHER DRY CONDITIONS FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. EXPECT TEMPS
TO RANGE FROM THE LOW 80S FOR HIGHS AND UNSEASONABLY COOL TEMPS
AROUND 50 FOR LOWS AS A PERSISTENT NORTHWEST FLOW CONTINUES.
CONDITIONS WILL BEGIN TO WARM A FEW DEGREES TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY
AS A NEW SYSTEM DEVELOPS OVER THE SOUTH CENTRAL USA. TEMPS ARE
ANTICIPATED TO REACH THE MID 80S BEFORE THIS LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM
AFFECTS THE CAROLINAS.
THE NEXT CHANCE OF PRECIP WILL OCCUR AS THIS NEW SYSTEM DEVELOPS
OVER SOUTH CENTRAL USA THURSDAY WITH A WARM FRONT EXTENDED TOWARDS
THE ATLANTIC COAST. A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL OCCUR OVER
THE AREA AS THIS FRONT SHIFTS NORTH THROUGH THE CWA. AS THE SYSTEM
PROGRESSES EAST...A COLD FRONT IS EXPECTED TO PUSH THROUGH SOUTHEAST
SC AND GA FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING. AS FROPA OCCURS...
SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE. HIGH PRESSURE WILL
THEN FILTER INTO THE REGION ONCE AGAIN FOR SUNDAY AS CONDITIONS
BEGIN TO DRY OUT. TEMPS WILL THEN RETURN TO A FEW DEGREES BELOW
CLIMATOLOGY...AROUND 80 FOR HIGHS AND MID 50S FOR LOWS.
&&
.AVIATION /06Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
BOTH CHS AND SAV TERMINALS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN DRY TONIGHT
THROUGH DAYBREAK. A LULL IN WINDS HAVE OCCURRED TONIGHT LEADING TO
HAZY CONDITIONS OVER THE CWA. TEMPO MVFR VSBYS ARE POSSIBLE AS
WINDS REMAIN RELATIVELY LIGHT UNTIL DAYBREAK. THERE IS ALSO THE
POSSIBILITY OF LOW STRATUS DEVELOPING TONIGHT IN RESPONSE TO
RECENT RAINFALL YESTERDAY. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IFR CIGS OCCUR THIS
MORNING WHILE WINDS REMAIN LIGHT...BUT HAVE OPTED TO KEEP LOW END
MVFR CIGS AT THIS TIME WITH A RAPIDLY INCREASING WIND FIELD
EXPECTED BY LATE MORNING.
GUSTY WINDS WILL OCCUR SHORTLY AFTER SUNRISE AT BOTH TERMINALS.
WEST WINDS OF 15 KNOTS GUSTING TO AROUND 30 KNOTS WILL OCCUR
DURING THE DAY AS A STRONG PRESSURE GRADIENT OCCURS OVER THE AREA.
A SERIES OF THUNDERSTORMS ARE ANTICIPATED TO ENTER THE REGION AS A
LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM SHIFTS OVER THE CAROLINAS. TIMING OF
THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IS DIFFICULT TO PIN DOWN AT THIS TIME...BUT
IS EXPECTED TO BE IN THE VICINITY OF BOTH TERMINALS BY 15Z THROUGH
01Z MONDAY. LATER TAFS WILL ADJUST EXACT ARRIVAL OF THUNDERSTORMS.
GUSTY WINDS ARE ANTICIPATED TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE NIGHT AS THE
PRESSURE GRADIENT REMAINS PINCHED.
EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...GENERALLY VFR CONDITIONS TO PREVAIL IN
WAKE OF THE COLD FRONT STARTING SUNDAY EVENING. GUSTY WINDS AT
TIMES SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY.
&&
.MARINE...
WINDS AND SEAS HAVE REMAINED IN CHECK TODAY DUE TO FAIRLY WEAK
PRESSURE GRADIENT OVER THE WATERS. MAIN CONCERN TONIGHT WILL BE AN
INCREASINGLY PINCHED PRESSURE GRADIENT OVER FAR NORTHERN PORTION
OF SC NEARSHORE WATERS AS A BACKDOOR FRONT DROPS SOUTH. HAVE WINDS
INCREASING BRIEFLY TO 20 KT FAR N LATE TONIGHT WITH THE SOUTHERN
SC NEARSHORE LEG EXPERIENCING VARIABLE WINDS LESS THAN 15 KT.
FRONTAL BOUNDARY WILL BE FOUND ACROSS THE FAR SRN SC WATERS AROUND
DAYBREAK SUNDAY...THEN WILL LIFT BACK N AS A WARM FRONT QUICKLY
THROUGHOUT THE MORNING...REACHING N OF THE MARINE AREA BY AFTN.
WINDS N OF THE FRONT WILL BE E-NE...BUT WILL QUICKLY VEER TO S-SW BY
AFTN...WHILE THE SRN WATERS WILL REMAIN SWLY THROUGH THE MORNING
HOURS. AS LOW LEVEL JET MOVES INTO THE AREA AND PINCHING OF THE PRES
GRADIENT DEVELOPS...GEOSTROPHIC WINDS AT 1000 MB INCREASE TO 50 KT
OR GREATER. GRANTED MUCH OF THAT WILL BE OFFSET BY THE WARM OCEAN
WATERS...BUT CERTAINLY THERE IS ENOUGH FOR SCA/S TO BECOME NECESSARY
BY LATE MORNING FOR ALL OF THE MARINE AREA. WHILE THE SCA/S EASILY
WILL PERSIST INTO SUNDAY NIGHT/MONDAY...CONFIDENCE IS HIGH ENOUGH TO
RAISE A GALE WATCH FOR ALL WATERS FROM LATE SUNDAY INTO EARLY MONDAY
AS 1000 MB GEOSTROPHIC WINDS REMAIN AT LEAST 40 KT...AND COLD AIR
ADVECTION WILL DEVELOP IN WAKE OF COLD FRONT MOVING THROUGH EARLY
SUNDAY NIGHT. THAT ALONG WITH STEADY PRES RISES COULD RESULT IN AT
LEAST WIND GUSTS FREQUENTLY REACHING 35 OR 40 KT. THE WATCH MAY NEED
TO BE UPGRADED TO A GALE WARNING SUNDAY MORNING. SEAS WILL QUICKLY
RESPOND TO THE INCREASING WINDS AND LOOK TO REACH 6 OR 7 FT WITHIN
20 NM OF THE COAST BY LATE SUNDAY OR SUNDAY NIGHT...AND AS HIGH AS 8
OR 9 FT FURTHER OFFSHORE. THE FETCH IN WAKE OF THE FRONT SUNDAY
NIGHT WILL LIMIT SEAS NEAR THE IMMEDIATE COAST...BUT VERY ROUGH
CONDITIONS NONETHELESS WILL STILL PREVAIL ACROSS THE MARINE AREA.
MARINERS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST MARINE
FORECASTS...ESPECIALLY SINCE SEVERE WEATHER IS ALSO POSSIBLE THROUGH
SUNDAY.
RIP CURRENTS...ALTHOUGH THE FLOW WILL BE MAINLY OFFSHORE
SUNDAY...THERE MAY BE ENOUGH BACKING TO RESULT IN OCNL SLIGHT
ONSHORE COMPONENT ALONG THE SC BEACHES. THAT ALONG WITH INCREASING
WINDS TO BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH WILL RESULT IN A MODERATE RISK OF RIP
CURRENTS...ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS ANY SMALL SWELL ACTIVITY. ALTHOUGH
OUR LOCAL RIP CURRENT WORKSHEET RESULTS IN A LOW RISK FOR THE GA
BEACHES SUNDAY...PREFER TO GO MODERATE THERE AS WELL GIVEN THE
STRONG WIND FIELDS.
SCA CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY MONDAY MORNING AS A STRONG LOW PRESSURE
SYSTEM PUSHES OFFSHORE AND CAA OCCURS BEHIND A COLD FRONT. AS THE
PRESSURE GRADIENT REMAINS PINCHED GALES ARE NOT OUT OF THE
QUESTION...THEREFORE A GALE WATCH WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 15Z MONDAY.
SUSTAINED 20 TO 25 KNOT WINDS WITH A FEW GUSTS OVER 30 ARE
ANTICIPATED UNTIL LATE MONDAY MORNING. SEAS OF 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE
NEARSHORE SC AND GA WATERS AND 6 TO 8 FEET IN THE OUTER GA WATERS
ARE LIKELY IN THE MORNING BEFORE CONDITIONS IMPROVE.
CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY TO IMPROVE MONDAY EVENING AS THE LOW PRESSURE
SYSTEM CONTINUES TO SHIFT EAST OVER THE GULF STREAM AND THE PRESSURE
GRADIENT ALONG THE SC AND GA COASTS WEAKENS. THE EFFECTS OF CAA WILL
LESSON AS WELL AS WINDS BEGIN TO CLOCK AROUND TUESDAY MORNING AND A
WEAK ONSHORE FLOW DEVELOPS. SEAS ARE FORECASTED AROUND 2 FEET OVER A
MAJORITY OF THE WATERS. CONDITIONS ARE ANTICIPATED TO REMAIN BELOW
SCA CRITERIA THROUGH MID WEEK AS SOUTHEAST WINDS OF 5 TO 10 KNOTS
OCCUR FOR THE FOLLOWING FEW DAYS. SEAS WILL GRADUALLY BUILD TO 3 TO
5 FEET THROUGH LATE WEEK AS A SOUTH SOUTHEAST SWELL DEVELOPS AND THE
APPROACH OF ANOTHER LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM OCCURS.
&&
.CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 5 AM EDT EARLY THIS MORNING FOR GAZ087-088-
099>101-114>119-137>141.
SC...TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 5 AM EDT EARLY THIS MORNING FOR SCZ040-042-
043-047>049-051.
LAKE WIND ADVISORY FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 5 PM EDT MONDAY
FOR SCZ045.
WIND ADVISORY FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT
FOR SCZ048>050.
MARINE...TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 5 AM EDT EARLY THIS MORNING FOR AMZ352-354.
GALE WATCH FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY MORNING FOR
AMZ350-352-354-374.
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 5 PM EDT THIS
AFTERNOON FOR AMZ330-350-352-354-374.
GALE WATCH FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR AMZ330.
&&HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
1052 PM EDT SAT MAY 10 2008
SCZ044-050-111000-
DORCHESTER-CHARLESTON-
1052 PM EDT SAT MAY 10 2008
...SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER EVENT POSSIBLE SUNDAY...
...MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS AT AREA BEACHES SUNDAY...
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST SOUTH
CAROLINA.
.DAY ONE...TONIGHT
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE INTO SOUTHERN SOUTH
CAROLINA FROM THE NORTH OVERNIGHT AS ENERGY IN THE MID AND UPPER
LEVELS OF THE ATMOSPHERE MOVES IN FROM THE WEST. THE INTERACTION OF
THE FRONT WITH VARIOUS BOUNDARIES FROM THUNDERSTORMS EARLIER TODAY
WILL RESULT IN ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING OVERNIGHT. SOME
OF THESE STORMS MAY BECOME STRONG OR EVEN SEVERE...AND ADDITIONAL
WATCHES AND WARNINGS MAY BE REQUIRED. THE MAIN WEATHER HAZARDS
OVERNIGHT ARE DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND ISOLATED TORNADOES.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...A COLD FRONT NEAR OR JUST NORTH OF THE
SAVANNAH RIVER VALLEY SUNDAY MORNING WILL LIFT NORTH ACROSS THE AREA
SUNDAY MORNING AND WILL CLEAR THE AREA TO THE NORTH BY AFTERNOON.
SOUTHERN SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA WILL THEN BECOME
SITUATED IN A VERY MOIST AND EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AIR MASS...AS LOW
PRESSURE DEVELOPS ALONG THE FRONT OVER OR JUST WEST OF THE FORECAST
AREA. NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP THROUGHOUT THE DAY...AND
SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BECOME SEVERE. THE MAIN WEATHER HAZARDS
ARE EXPECTED TO BE DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND
TORNADOES...SOME OF WHICH MAY BECOME STRONG WITH LONG TRACKS. THE
RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER MAY COME IN TWO SEPARATE ROUNDS...THE FIRST
NEAR THE WARM FRONT ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE MORNING...THEN IN
ALL AREAS WITH A SQUALL LINE IN THE AFTERNOON. ADDITIONAL WATCHES
AND WARNINGS WILL LIKELY BE ISSUED.
STRONG WINDS...AS A WARM FRONT LIFTS NORTH OF THE AREA SUNDAY
INTO SUNDAY EVENING...STRONG SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP.
SUSTAINED WINDS WILL REACH 20 OR 30 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS...AND
SHOULD WINDS REACH ANY STRONGER THAN 30 MPH...THEN A WIND ADVISORY
WOULD BE REQUIRED.
RIP CURRENTS...THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND SMALL SWELLS
WILL RESULT IN A MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS AT THE BEACHES SUNDAY.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
AMZ330-350-374-111000-
CHARLESTON HARBOR-
WATERS FROM SOUTH SANTEE RIVER TO EDISTO BEACH SC OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM SAVANNAH GA TO ALTAMAHA SOUND GA EXTENDING FROM 20 TO
60 NM-
1052 PM EDT SAT MAY 10 2008
...SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER EVENT POSSIBLE SUNDAY...
...GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE SUNDAY
NIGHT...
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF ATLANTIC
COASTAL WATERS.
.DAY ONE...TONIGHT
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS...A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE INTO SOUTHERN SOUTH
CAROLINA FROM THE NORTH OVERNIGHT AS ENERGY IN THE MID AND UPPER
LEVELS OF THE ATMOSPHERE MOVES IN FROM THE WEST. THE INTERACTION OF
THE FRONT WITH VARIOUS BOUNDARIES FROM THUNDERSTORMS EARLIER TODAY
WILL RESULT IN A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING OVERNIGHT. SOME
OF THESE STORMS MAY BECOME STRONG OR EVEN SEVERE...AND ADDITIONAL
WATCHES AND WARNINGS MAY BE REQUIRED. THE MAIN WEATHER HAZARDS
OVERNIGHT ARE STRONG WINDS AND ISOLATED WATERSPOUTS.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.
GALE WATCH.
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS...A COLD FRONT NORTH OF THE SAVANNAH RIVER
VALLEY SUNDAY MORNING WILL LIFT NORTH ACROSS THE MARINE AREA BY
SUNDAY AFTERNOON. AS LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPS ALONG THE FRONT OVER
OR JUST WEST OF THE FORECAST AREA....SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL
DEVELOP THROUGHOUT THE DAY. SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BECOME
STRONG....WITH GUSTY WINDS AND ISOLATED WATERSPOUTS POSSIBLE.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042-043-047>049-051-
111000-
JENKINS-SCREVEN-CANDLER-BULLOCH-EFFINGHAM-TATTNALL-EVANS-
INLAND BRYAN-COASTAL BRYAN-INLAND CHATHAM-COASTAL CHATHAM-LONG-
INLAND LIBERTY-COASTAL LIBERTY-INLAND MCINTOSH-COASTAL MCINTOSH-
ALLENDALE-HAMPTON-INLAND COLLETON-INLAND JASPER-BEAUFORT-
COASTAL COLLETON-COASTAL JASPER-
1052 PM EDT SAT MAY 10 2008
...TORNADO WATCH 302 IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EDT SUNDAY...
...MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS AT AREA BEACHES SUNDAY...
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.
.DAY ONE...TONIGHT
PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.
TORNADO WATCH
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...A COLD FRONT NEAR OR JUST NORTH OF THE
SAVANNAH RIVER VALLEY SUNDAY MORNING WILL LIFT NORTH ACROSS THE
AREA SUNDAY MORNING AND WILL CLEAR THE AREA TO THE NORTH BY AFTERNOON.
SOUTHERN SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA WILL THEN BECOME
SITUATED IN A VERY MOIST AND EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AIR MASS...AS LOW
PRESSURE DEVELOPS ALONG THE FRONT OVER OR JUST WEST OF THE
FORECAST AREA. NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP THROUGHOUT THE
DAY...AND SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BECOME SEVERE. THE MAIN
WEATHER HAZARDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE
HAIL...AND TORNADOES...SOME OF WHICH MAY BECOME STRONG WITH LONG
TRACKS. THE RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER MAY COME IN TWO SEPARATE
ROUNDS...THE FIRST NEAR THE WARM FRONT ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA IN
THE MORNING...THEN IN ALL AREAS WITH A SQUALL LINE IN THE
AFTERNOON. ADDITIONAL WATCHES AND WARNINGS WILL LIKELY BE ISSUED.
STRONG WINDS...AS A WARM FRONT LIFTS NORTH OF THE AREA SUNDAY
INTO SUNDAY EVENING...STRONG SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP.
SUSTAINED WINDS WILL REACH 20 OR 30 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS...AND
SHOULD WINDS REACH ANY STRONGER THAN 30 MPH...THEN A WIND ADVISORY
WOULD BE REQUIRED.
RIP CURRENTS...THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND SMALL SWELLS
WILL RESULT IN A MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS AT THE BEACHES SUNDAY.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
AMZ352-354-111000-
WATERS FROM EDISTO BEACH SC TO SAVANNAH GA OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM SAVANNAH GA TO ALTAMAHA SOUND GA OUT
20 NM...INCLUDING GRAYS REEF NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY-
1052 PM EDT SAT MAY 10 2008
...TORNADO WATCH 302 IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EDT SUNDAY...
...GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY
MORNING...
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF ATLANTIC
COASTAL WATERS.
.DAY ONE...TONIGHT
PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.
TORNADO WATCH
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.
GALE WATCH.
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS...A COLD FRONT NORTH OF THE SAVANNAH RIVER
EARLY SUNDAY MORNING WILL LIFT NORTH ACROSS THE MARINE AREA BY
AFTERNOON. AS LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPS ALONG THE FRONT OVER OR JUST
WEST OF THE FORECAST AREA....SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS
WILL DEVELOP THROUGHOUT THE DAY. SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BECOME
STRONG....WITH GUSTY WINDS AND ISOLATED WATERSPOUTS POSSIBLE.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
SCZ045-111000-
BERKELEY-
1052 PM EDT SAT MAY 10 2008
...SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER EVENT POSSIBLE SUNDAY...
...LAKE WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM SUNDAY TO 5 PM EDT MONDAY
FOR LAKE MOULTRIE...
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST SOUTH
CAROLINA.
.DAY ONE...TONIGHT
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE INTO SOUTHERN SOUTH
CAROLINA FROM THE NORTH OVERNIGHT AS ENERGY IN THE MID AND UPPER
LEVELS OF THE ATMOSPHERE MOVES IN FROM THE WEST. THE INTERACTION OF
THE FRONT WITH VARIOUS BOUNDARIES FROM THUNDERSTORMS EARLIER TODAY
WILL RESULT IN ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING OVERNIGHT. SOME
OF THESE STORMS MAY BECOME STRONG OR EVEN SEVERE...AND ADDITIONAL
WATCHES AND WARNINGS MAY BE REQUIRED. THE MAIN WEATHER HAZARDS
OVERNIGHT ARE DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND ISOLATED TORNADOES.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.
LAKE WIND ADVISORY.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...A COLD FRONT NEAR OR JUST NORTH OF THE
SAVANNAH RIVER VALLEY SUNDAY MORNING WILL LIFT NORTH ACROSS THE
AREA SUNDAY MONDAY INTO EARLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. SOUTH CAROLINA WILL
THEN BECOME SITUATED IN A VERY MOIST AND EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AIR
MASS...AS LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPS ALONG THE FRONT OVER OR JUST WEST
OF THE FORECAST AREA. NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP
THROUGHOUT THE DAY...AND SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BECOME SEVERE.
THE MAIN WEATHER HAZARDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE
HAIL...AND TORNADOES...SOME OF WHICH MAY BECOME STRONG WITH LONG
TRACKS. THE RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER MAY COME IN TWO SEPARATE
ROUNDS...THE FIRST NEAR THE WARM FRONT ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA IN
THE MORNING...THEN IN ALL AREAS WITH A SQUALL LINE IN THE
AFTERNOON. ADDITIONAL WATCHES AND WARNINGS WILL LIKELY BE ISSUED.
STRONG WINDS...AS A WARM FRONT LIFTS NORTH OF THE AREA SUNDAY
INTO SUNDAY EVENING...STRONG SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP.
SUSTAINED WINDS WILL REACH 20 OR 30 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS...AND
SHOULD WINDS REACH ANY STRONGER THAN 30 MPH...THEN A WIND ADVISORY
WOULD BE REQUIRED.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC 217 AM EDT SUN MAY 11 2008 SCZ050-110645- CHARLESTON- 217 AM EDT SUN MAY 11 2008 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CHARLESTON COUNTY THROUGH 245 AM EDT... AT 217 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 1/2 INCH HAIL...AND GUSTY WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR WADMALAW ISLAND...OR ABOUT 12 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CHARLESTON...MOVING EAST AT 28 MPH. AREAS IN AND AROUND FOLLY BEACH...JAMES ISLAND...JOHNS ISLAND... KIAWAH ISLAND...SULLIVANS ISLAND AND WADMALAW ISLAND WILL BE IMPACTED THROUGH 245 AM EDT. A TORNADO WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT. THUNDERSTORMS CAN PRODUCE TORNADOES SUDDENLY...SOMETIMES WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. BE ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND BE READY TO ACT QUICKLY. PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON TOLL FREE AT 1-888-383-2024 IF YOU OBSERVE SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS HAIL...DOWNED TREES...LIMBS AND POWER LINES.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC 249 AM EDT SUN MAY 11 2008 SCZ042-043-110715- HAMPTON-INLAND COLLETON- 249 AM EDT SUN MAY 11 2008 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT HAMPTON COUNTY AND COLLETON COUNTY THROUGH 315 AM EDT... AT 244 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PEA SIZE HAIL...AND GUSTY WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR EARLY BRANCH...OR ABOUT 8 MILES NORTH OF YEMASSEE...MOVING EAST AT 26 MPH. AREAS IN AND AROUND EARLY BRANCH...HENDERSONVILLE...RITTER AND WALTERBORO WILL BE IMPACTED THROUGH 315 AM EDT. A TORNADO WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT. THUNDERSTORMS CAN PRODUCE TORNADOES SUDDENLY...SOMETIMES WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. BE ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND BE READY TO ACT QUICKLY. PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON TOLL FREE AT 1-888-383-2024 IF YOU OBSERVE SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS HAIL...DOWNED TREES...LIMBS AND POWER LINES.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC 314 AM EDT SUN MAY 11 2008 SCZ043>045-050-110745- BERKELEY-CHARLESTON-DORCHESTER-INLAND COLLETON- 314 AM EDT SUN MAY 11 2008 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT BERKELEY COUNTY...DORCHESTER COUNTY...COLLETON COUNTY AND CHARLESTON COUNTY THROUGH 345 AM EDT... AT 313 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 1/2 INCH HAIL...AND GUSTY WINDS OF 35 TO 45 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR GETTYSVILLE...OR ABOUT 13 MILES SOUTHWEST OF SUMMERVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. AREAS IN AND AROUND COLLEGE PARK...DELEMAR CROSSROADS...LADSON AND SHADOWMOSS WILL BE IMPACTED THROUGH 345 AM EDT. BE ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AS STORMS APPROACH. BE READY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IN CASE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR LOCATION. PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON TOLL FREE AT 1-888-383-2024 IF YOU OBSERVE SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS HAIL...DOWNED TREES...LIMBS AND POWER LINES.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC 323 AM EDT SUN MAY 11 2008 SCZ040-042-047-110800- ALLENDALE-HAMPTON-INLAND JASPER- 323 AM EDT SUN MAY 11 2008 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT ALLENDALE COUNTY...HAMPTON COUNTY AND JASPER COUNTY THROUGH 400 AM EDT... AT 318 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 1/2 INCH HAIL...AND STRONG WINDS OF 40 TO 50 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR LURAY...OR ABOUT 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HAMPTON...MOVING EAST AT 36 MPH. AREAS IN AND AROUND ALMEDA...CUMMINGS...EARLY BRANCH...ESTILL... GIFFORD...HAMPTON...LENA...LURAY AND VARNVILLE WILL BE IMPACTED THROUGH 400 AM EDT. A TORNADO WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT. THUNDERSTORMS CAN PRODUCE TORNADOES SUDDENLY...SOMETIMES WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. BE ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND BE READY TO ACT QUICKLY. BE ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AS STORMS APPROACH. BE READY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IN CASE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR LOCATION. PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON TOLL FREE AT 1-888-383-2024 IF YOU OBSERVE SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS HAIL...DOWNED TREES...LIMBS AND POWER LINES.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC 349 AM EDT SUN MAY 11 2008 SCZ044-045-110815- BERKELEY-DORCHESTER- 349 AM EDT SUN MAY 11 2008 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT BERKELEY COUNTY AND DORCHESTER COUNTY THROUGH 415 AM EDT... AT 342 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 1/2 INCH HAIL...AND STRONG WINDS OF 40 TO 50 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM REEVESVILLE TO DORCHESTER...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM SAINT GEORGE TO 13 MILES NORTHWEST OF SUMMERVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. AREAS IN AND AROUND DORCHESTER...HARLEYVILLE...JEDBURG... REEVESVILLE...RIDGEVILLE AND SAINT GEORGE WILL BE IMPACTED THROUGH 415 AM EDT. BE ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AS STORMS APPROACH. BE READY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IN CASE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR LOCATION. PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON TOLL FREE AT 1-888-383-2024 IF YOU OBSERVE SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS HAIL...DOWNED TREES...LIMBS AND POWER LINES.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC 409 AM EDT SUN MAY 11 2008 SCZ044-050-110845- CHARLESTON-DORCHESTER- 409 AM EDT SUN MAY 11 2008 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT DORCHESTER COUNTY AND CHARLESTON COUNTY THROUGH 445 AM EDT... AT 401 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 1/2 INCH HAIL...AND STRONG WINDS OF 45 TO 55 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR PARKERS FERRY... OR ABOUT 14 MILES SOUTHEAST OF WALTERBORO...MOVING EAST AT 34 MPH. AREAS IN AND AROUND ADAMS RUN...DELEMAR CROSSROADS...HOLLYWOOD... JOHNS ISLAND...MEGGETT...RAVENEL AND SHADOWMOSS WILL BE IMPACTED THROUGH 445 AM EDT. A TORNADO WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT. THUNDERSTORMS CAN PRODUCE TORNADOES SUDDENLY...SOMETIMES WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. BE ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND BE READY TO ACT QUICKLY. BE ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AS STORMS APPROACH. BE READY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IN CASE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR LOCATION. PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON TOLL FREE AT 1-888-383-2024 IF YOU OBSERVE SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS HAIL...DOWNED TREES...LIMBS AND POWER LINES.
The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 75 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:29 UTC.
7 hail, 5 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado, 2 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
A public report was received of trees down and power outages at 165 High Park Road in Ravenel, South Carolina.
A public report was received of penny size hail covering the ground in James Island, South Carolina.
A trained weather spotter reported quarter inch hail which fell for 15 minutes.
Nickel size hail was reported in James Island, South Carolina.
Penny size hail was reported on Harborview Road in James Island, South Carolina.
A report of quarter size hail covering the ground in James Island, South Carolina was relayed by the broadcast media.
Several trees were reported down at the corner of Secessionville Road and Camp Road by the broadcast media.
A trained weather spotter reported nickel size hail at the intersection of Clearview Road and Harborview Road.
Quarter size hail was reported in Bonneau, South Carolina.
One tree was reported down across a road in Estill, South Carolina.
One tree was reported down across a road in Early Branch, South Carolina.
A trained weather spotter reported a weak rope Tornado near Almeda, South Carolina. The Tornado was seen in contact with the ground for approximately 2 minutes. No damage resulted from the weak Tornado.
A report of a funnel cloud and wall cloud over Adams Run, South Carolina was relayed by local broadcast media.
A 172 type light aircraft was moved 40 feet and flipped on top of another 172 type aircraft. Major damage was reported to both planes. One quarter inch hail was also reported.
A confirmed EF-2 Tornado initially touched down along Bears Bluff Road on Wadmalaw Island, where minor damage was observed. The damage at the initial touchdown location was confined to several trees getting sheared off near the base or twisted to the ground.
The Tornado then traveled east and crossed the Maybank Highway on Wadmalaw Island where major damage was observed. The majority of the damage occurred on the 4800 block of Maybank Highway, where nearly all the trees in the path of the Tornado were twisted to the ground or sheared off near the base. Numerous homes were damaged as the Tornado ripped through, with many sustaining roof and shingle damage. In fact, two homes had a section of there roofs detached and hurled approximately 50 to 100 feet away from the residences. A detached garage also sustained damage, when the suction from the Tornado caused the garage door to get buckled inward into the garage itself, and portions of the tin roof was ripped away and displaced 50 to 75 feet from the garage. A cinder block wall on another home sustained severe damage when a large section of cinder blocks was torn from the wall and hurled into the home. Additionally, a chain link fence around the residence was ripped off and displaced 20 to 30 feet from the supporting poles which held the fence in place. Another home sustained severe damage, as the front porch of the residence was detached and tossed 100 to 150 feet. The same home had the roof lifted 2 to 3 inches from the supporting walls, and a large window curtain was actually pulled upward and into the attic as the Tornado moved through. Quite a bit of damage was also observed in the Long Creek Plantation subdivision, where significant tree damage was observed along with several homes sustaining some minor roof damage.
The Tornado then moved onto Johns Island and crossed Bohicket Road. Moderate damage was observed as it moved through this area of Johns Island. The majority of the damage was confined to trees being sheared off near the base or twisted to the ground. Several homes did sustain some minor roof damage as shingles were lifted and displaced from the residences.
Minor damage was observed on River Road when the Tornado weakened before lifting just south of the Charleston Executive Airport. The damage along River Road was confined primarily to several downed trees. A tin roof of a shed sustained minor damage as well, as it lifted slightly but remained intact.
The Maximum sustained winds were estimated to be 120 mph with this Tornado. The total path length was 12 miles, with a path width of 1 mile when it crossed Maybank Highway and six tenths of a mile when it crossed Bohicket Road. Although significant damage occurred, no injuries were reported.
A funnel cloud was sighted on Highway 171 near the bridge leading to Folly Beach, South Carolina.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Carolina in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for South Carolina, 2008Warnings in South Carolina, May 2008
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 107538, 107584, 107574, 107589, 107588, 107583, 107543, 107585, 107596, 107600, 107603, 107608, 107615, 107525, 107572, 107613.