Moderate instability under an Atlantic ridge of high pressure helped produce a few strong to severe thunderstorms during 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 CHS wrote it up.
Moderate instability under an Atlantic ridge of high pressure helped produce a few strong to severe thunderstorms during the afternoon.
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 Jun 12, 2:58 PM EST, 32 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 358 PM EDT SUN JUN 12 2016 .SYNOPSIS... A weak cold front will approach from the north tonight, passing through and south of the area on Monday before dissipating. A series of upper level disturbances will affect the area mid to late week. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM MONDAY MORNING/... Isolated showers and thunderstorms continue to move quickly east or southeastward into the western portions of the forecast area. Once heating subsides, expect the precipitation to dissipate. Have a mention of slight chance of thunderstorms most areas until around 8 PM. With CAPE values over 4000 J/kg and DCAPE from 1200 to 1400 J/kg, cannot rule out a strong thunderstorm with gusty winds this evening. Heat indices have maxed out as the dewpoints in many areas west of the nearly pinned sea breeze have mixed out just enough to keep many areas below the head advisory criteria of 105. Expect temperatures and to a lesser extent heat indices to start to drop by early evening. Overnight: A backdoor cold front will be advancing through northern South Carolina late, likely reaching the Charleston Tri- County area toward daybreak. Low temps mainly in the mid 70s. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Monday: Models are in good agreement showing a cold front approaching from the north early in the morning. This front will cross through the northern part of our area in the morning hours, then the southern portion by the early afternoon before becoming stationary. The challenge will be how far south across the region it reaches. If it is far south of the area, then the "cooler" and "drier" air will overspread more of our area. But if it stalls over our GA counties, then those locations will see minimal drops to the heat and humidity experienced on Sunday. The current forecast has it stalling just south of our area in the afternoon and then dissipating. This will equate to temperates ranging from the upper 80s to the lowers 90s across our SC counties and the lower to maybe mid 90s across our GA counties. Meanwhile, dew points will drop to possibly the lower 60s across northern Berkeley County and gradually increase to the upper 60s to near 70 degrees as one heads to the SC/GA county line. Regardless, the most relief to the heat and humidity will be across our SC counties. The aforementioned dew points will also make it difficult for convection to develop in the afternoon. We have a dry forecast for most of our area. The exception is the continued slight chance for showers and thunderstorms, mainly south of I-16 and west of I-95. This is where a late day sea breeze will interact with the cold front, bringing some lift. Any showers and thunderstorms will dissipate in the evening, followed by a dry night. Lows will range from possibly 70 degrees across northern Berkeley County and quickly increasing to the mid 70s as one heads eastward to the beaches and southward to the SC/GA county line. Tuesday: The weak cold front will have dissipated early in the morning. Southerly flow will develop at the surface and southwest flow aloft. This will lead to increasing temperatures and moisture. Highs will be in the low to mid 90s while dew points will rise into the low to mid 70s. This may equate to heat indexes peaking around 105 degrees, which cold equate to heat advisories for portions of the area. However, an upper level disturbance will approach from the west late in the day, generating lift. This combined with PWATs around 2 inches, mainly across our inland GA counties, should generate afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms which would lower the heat indices. The highest POPs are for these locations. Though, all locations potentially could see some precipitation. POPs decrease into the evening and overnight hours. Lows will be in the mid to upper 70s. Wednesday: A similar forecast setup as Tuesday with increasing temperatures and dew points across the area in south to southwest flow. PWATs exceeding 2 inches in most areas will combine with another upper level disturbance to generate more showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. The sea breeze should help to enhance this activity, so we have chance POPs across the entire area. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... A relatively active long term period is anticipated due to a series of upper level shortwaves rotating through the area in concert with fairly moist low levels. Significant differences exist between the global models regarding the timing of greatest rain chances and the potential for a cold front to push through early in the weekend. && .AVIATION /20Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... VFR at KCHS/KSAV through 18Z Monday. A cold front will move through around 09Z at KCHS and around 12Z at KSAV switching winds from southwest to northwest and then northeast by 15Z at both terminals. Extended Aviation Outlook: Brief flight restrictions are possible Wednesday through Friday due to late day showers and thunderstorms. && .MARINE... The pressure gradient will tighten up this evening in advance of a backdoor cold front that should enter the waters off the Charleston coast late. In advance of the front, southwest flow from 15 knots to perhaps 20 knots will be common tonight along with seas building to up to 3 to 4 feet. A brief bout of northeast winds will occur on Monday behind a back door cold front but then shift back to southerly by Tuesday as Atlantic high pressure rebuilds. The gradient will tighten a bit Thursday and Friday as the inland trough strengthens while high pressure remains over the western Atlantic. Some 15-20 kt winds possible both days with conditions potentially flirting with Small Craft Advisory criteria especially in gusts. && .CLIMATE... Record Highs for June 12th: KCHS: 96 last in 2011 (occurred in multiple years) KCXM: 97 last in 1998 (occurred in multiple years) KSAV: 100 in 1977 Note the high temperature at KCHS so far today has been 97 degrees. && .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS... NEAR TERM...MTE SHORT TERM...MS LONG TERM...JRL AVIATION...MS/MTE MARINE...MS/MTE CLIMATE...MTE
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC 414 AM EDT SUN JUN 12 2016 AMZ330-350-352-354-374-GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040- 042>045-047>052-131400- CHARLESTON HARBOR- WATERS FROM SOUTH SANTEE RIVER TO EDISTO BEACH SC OUT 20 NM- 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- WATERS FROM SAVANNAH GA TO ALTAMAHA SOUND GA EXTENDING FROM 20 TO 60 NM-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-DORCHESTER-INLAND BERKELEY- INLAND JASPER-BEAUFORT-COASTAL COLLETON-CHARLESTON-COASTAL JASPER- TIDAL BERKELEY- 414 AM EDT SUN JUN 12 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS...SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ASSISTANCE IS NOT ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
312 PM EDT SUN JUN 12 2016
SCZ045-121945-
INLAND BERKELEY SC-
312 PM EDT SUN JUN 12 2016
...MARINERS ON LAKE MOULTRIE SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOR...
AT 312 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER CROSS...OR 14 MILES NORTHWEST OF MONCKS
CORNER...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 25 MPH.
HAZARD...STRONG WINDS 45 TO 55 MPH.
IMPACT...EXPECT MINOR DAMAGE TO TREE LIMBS AND BLOWING AROUND OF
LIGHT...UNSECURED OBJECTS.
SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE...
BONNEAU...PINOPOLIS...BONNEAU BEACH...SOUTHERN LAKE MOULTRIE AND
NORTHERN LAKE MOULTRIE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
BOATERS ON LAKE MOULTRIE SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOR IMMEDIATELY. IF
CAUGHT ON THE OPEN WATER...STAY AS LOW AS POSSIBLE AND WEAR A PERSONAL
FLOTATION DEVICE. REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER YOU ARE AT RISK
FOR BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
&&
LAT...LON 3329 8015 3339 8009 3333 7994 3323 7998
3320 8007
TIME...MOT...LOC 1912Z 309DEG 20KT 3335 8018SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
339 PM EDT SUN JUN 12 2016
SCZ040-042-122015-
ALLENDALE SC-HAMPTON SC-
339 PM EDT SUN JUN 12 2016
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF HAMPTON AND ALLENDALE
COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM EDT...
AT 338 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER FAIRFAX...OR OVER ALLENDALE...MOVING EAST AT
30 MPH.
HAZARD...STRONG WINDS 45 TO 55 MPH.
IMPACT...EXPECT MINOR DAMAGE TO TREE LIMBS AND BLOWING AROUND OF
LIGHT...UNSECURED OBJECTS.
SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE...
ALLENDALE...HAMPTON...VARNVILLE...FAIRFAX...BRUNSON...SYCAMORE...MILEY AND
CROCKETVILLE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
REPORT DAMAGE DIRECTLY TO THE CHARLESTON NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AT
1-888-383-2024 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. YOU CAN ALSO EMAIL YOUR
REPORT TO NWS.CHARLESTONSC@NOAA.GOV.
&&
LAT...LON 3302 8107 3296 8102 3281 8108 3294 8137
3307 8126
TIME...MOT...LOC 1938Z 290DEG 25KT 3298 8127The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 23 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:32 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down at the intersection of Lowcountry Highway and Black Creek Road.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol as well as the Colleton County Fire and Rescue reported trees down on Interstate 95 at milemarker 46. Six trees fell down within 100 yards of each other and two of the trees fell on vehicles.
The public reported a large tree limb fell through the roof of a house on Mewville Road near Trudie Lane. Winds were also estimated to be near 60 mph.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down near the intersection of Browntown Lane and Hendersonville Highway.
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, June 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 645963, 645961, 645962, 645948.