Patterns were favorable for convection with weak lee-side troughing lying across the Midlands and Central Savannah River Area, with weak moist onshore flow out of the SE off the Atlantic. High pressure ridging aloft extending across Florida into the Gulf of Mexico, with short wave troughs riding up and over the periphery of the ridge into the area in the afternoon.
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 CAE wrote it up.
Patterns were favorable for convection with weak lee-side troughing lying across the Midlands and Central Savannah River Area, with weak moist onshore flow out of the SE off the Atlantic. High pressure ridging aloft extending across Florida into the Gulf of Mexico, with short wave troughs riding up and over the periphery of the ridge into the area in the afternoon. Abundant surface heating contributed to weak convergence in the low levels to trigger afternoon convection.
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 Columbia, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 18, 1:42 PM EST, 3 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 242 PM EDT THU AUG 18 2016 .SYNOPSIS... A pressure ridge will extend from the Atlantic westward into the Gulf of Mexico through the weekend. North of the ridge, a pressure trough and associated moisture will be in the forecast area. The pattern indicates continued above normal temperatures because of the ridging and thunderstorms associated with the trough. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Weak upper ridging will continue over the region through tonight with a lee-side trough at the surface. Convergence into the trough combined with strong heating will continue to promote scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Moisture is abundant with precipitable water values generally around 2.0 to 2.1 inches. Mesoscale analysis this afternoon shows moderate instability across the forecast area with LI values around -6 to -7. Slow storm movement and relatively high precipitable water supports a threat of locally heavy rainfall. The instability indicates a possibility of damaging wind with a few of the thunderstorms. DCAPE values are slightly lower than yesterday at around 900 J/kg. Temperatures are on track this afternoon with above normal highs still expected in the middle 90s. Overnight lows generally in the lower 70s. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... A surface trough and weakening upper ridge supports chance to high chance of mainly diurnal thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday. Atmospheric moisture across the area will remain high, particularly on Saturday with models suggesting values above 2 inches. Such large values support heavy rainfall in thunderstorms and may produce localized flooding. Models indicate a series of embedded upper level disturbances moving over the ridge from early Saturday morning through the evening, supporting convective activity. However 500 mb temperatures -6 degrees C or warmer will help to limit severe potential. Temperatures will remain above normal during the period. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... An upper level trough will move through the Great Lakes region late this weekend. The associated cold front will move into the Southeast early next week and stall as mid and upper flow becomes parallel to the front. Recent model runs have been inconsistent with how far south the front will push. At this time, it is not clear whether the front will push through the forecast area or stall somewhere over it. There will be above normal temperatures and a chance for thunderstorms Sunday and Monday ahead of and during the possible frontal passage. Temperatures during the remainder of the period will be cooler with the front over or south of the area. && .AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... VFR conditions expected for a majority of the TAF period outside of diurnal convection and possible early morning stratus. Bermuda high pressure will gradually weaken over the region through the period while moisture and instability increase. Scattered diurnal convection will continue through this evening. Restrictions may be possible in heavy rain with storms that move over the terminals. Strong winds will also be possible. Have indicated VCTS in all TAFs through 19/03Z, but may amend as confidence in coverage and timing increase. Convection expected to diminish tonight as instability decreases with the loss of daytime heating. Bufkit model soundings show abundant low level moisture early Friday. Model guidance is indicating potential for fog/stratus, but believe stratus is the more likely scenario given a 25 kt low level jet and expected debris clouds. Winds will generally be out of the southwest through the period at around 7 knots or less. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Scattered to numerous diurnal thunderstorms each day. Some late night/early morning fog/stratus possible. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. && SYNOPSIS...99 NEAR TERM...99 SHORT TERM...99 LONG TERM...99 AVIATION...99
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC 233 AM EDT THU AUG 18 2016 GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ015-016-018-020>022-025>031-035>038-041-190715- LINCOLN-MCDUFFIE-COLUMBIA-RICHMOND-BURKE-LANCASTER-CHESTERFIELD- MCCORMICK-NEWBERRY-FAIRFIELD-KERSHAW-EDGEFIELD-SALUDA-LEXINGTON- RICHLAND-LEE-AIKEN-SUMTER-BARNWELL-ORANGEBURG-CALHOUN-CLARENDON- BAMBERG- 233 AM EDT THU AUG 18 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE MIDLANDS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE CENTRAL SAVANNAH RIVER AREA OF GEORGIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. A FEW THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING COULD POSSIBLY CONTAIN DAMAGING WIND. HEAVY RAIN WITH LOCALIZED FLOODING IS ALSO POSSIBLE. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
134 PM EDT THU AUG 18 2016
SCZ015-016-021-022-028-029-181830-
LEE-RICHLAND-FAIRFIELD-CHESTERFIELD-LANCASTER-KERSHAW-
134 PM EDT THU AUG 18 2016
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT KERSHAW...SOUTHEASTERN
LANCASTER...NORTHERN RICHLAND...SOUTH CENTRAL CHESTERFIELD...EAST
CENTRAL FAIRFIELD AND NORTHWESTERN LEE COUNTIES...
AT 132 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS 7 MILES SOUTH OF KERSHAW...
OR 13 MILES NORTH OF CAMDEN...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 10 MPH.
WIND GUSTS OF 45 TO 55 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. FREQUENT
LIGHTNING AND VERY HEAVY RAINFALL ALSO EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
CAMDEN...LUGOFF...MCBEE AND BETHUNE.
LAT...LON 3446 8016 3436 8029 3410 8071 3436 8092
3459 8031
TIME...MOT...LOC 1732Z 307DEG 7KT 3444 8055
HCSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC 209 PM EDT THU AUG 18 2016 SCZ027-028-030-037-181915- LEXINGTON-RICHLAND-CALHOUN-AIKEN- 209 PM EDT THU AUG 18 2016 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN CALHOUN...SOUTH CENTRAL RICHLAND...SOUTHERN LEXINGTON AND NORTHEASTERN AIKEN COUNTIES... AT 208 PM EDT...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE NEAR RED BANK AND NEARLY STATIONARY. WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH AND DIME SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... LEXINGTON...CAYCE...RED BANK...SOUTH CONGAREE...PINE RIDGE... GASTON...SWANSEA...WAGENER...PELION...GILBERT AND PERRY. TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS. FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. LAT...LON 3379 8156 3399 8131 3389 8094 3360 8128 TIME...MOT...LOC 1808Z 308DEG 4KT 3388 8132 HC
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC 236 PM EDT THU AUG 18 2016 SCZ015-021-022-028-181930- RICHLAND-FAIRFIELD-LANCASTER-KERSHAW- 236 PM EDT THU AUG 18 2016 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT CENTRAL KERSHAW...SOUTHWESTERN LANCASTER...NORTHERN RICHLAND AND NORTHEASTERN FAIRFIELD COUNTIES... AT 235 PM EDT...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE 8 MILES SOUTH OF HEATH SPRINGS...OR 16 MILES NORTH OF CAMDEN. THESE STORMS ARE NEARLY STATIONARY. WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH AND HALF INCH HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... CAMDEN AND LUGOFF. TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS...AND MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS. FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS. LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. LAT...LON 3443 8107 3459 8069 3437 8040 3412 8067 TIME...MOT...LOC 1835Z 316DEG 3KT 3448 8071 HC
The Columbia radar (KCAE), 25 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:47 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Social Media report with images of multiple trees down near the town of Gilbert, SC. Time estimated from public reports and radar data.
SC Dept. of Transportation Office reported multiple trees and a power line down on State Farm Road near Rembert, SC.
SC DOT Office reported trees across roadway on TB Wright Road at intersection with US Highway 521.
Trained spotter reported dime-to-nickel size hail covering the ground, along with 1.5 inches of rain within a 30-minute period.
Trees reported down on roadway intersection Hick's Road at Hunter's Mill Road.
Tree down, reported blocking roadway on Berea Road near the Colleton County line. Time estimated by radar.
Tree and downed power line reported in roadway at intersection of Ehrhardt Road and Hunter's Chapel Road. Time estimated by radar.
Public report of multiple trees down on Moncks Corner Road near SC Highway 6. Time estimated by radar.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Carolina in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in South Carolina, August 2016
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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 655844, 655846, 655848, 655842, 655853, 655855, 655861, 655858.