A frontal boundary stretched across the region, with warm and unstable air along and south of the boundary, combined with a strong upper level disturbance to produce severe thunderstorms that moved across the region, producing strong damaging wind and some hail.
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.
A frontal boundary stretched across the region, with warm and unstable air along and south of the boundary, combined with a strong upper level disturbance to produce severe thunderstorms that moved across the region, producing strong damaging wind and some hail.
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 Mar 21, 6:23 PM EST, 3 hours 7 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 723 PM EDT Tue Mar 21 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front approaching from the north will slowly cross the forecast area overnight. Numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected head of the front. Very warm temperatures this afternoon will be followed by cooler temperatures behind the front. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING/... Regional radars currently showing strong thunderstorms in the upstate of both SC and GA this evening. This activity has been relatively stationary, with a the storms having difficulty pushing eastward into a capping inversion currently over central portions of SC. This inversion will weaken as the evening progresses, and the activity is expected to eventually begin tracking eastward. This will be in advance of a MCS that is moving into eastern TN this evening, and this MCS is expected to rapidly push eastward across northern GA and into northern/central SC, and eastern GS by midnight. As this MCS catches up with the current convection across the upstate, expect to see the entire complex push east/southeastward through much of the cwa. This continues to be supported by the latest hrrr guidance. The main threats will be damaging winds, large hail, and even some heavy rainfall in the slower moving, possible training, storms. The high-resolution models have trended slower with the timing. The latest HRRR is still indicating some isolated to scattered convection possible between 8 pm and 11 pm, the the most widespread shower and thunderstorm coverage by midnight. The more intense convection shifts east of the area by 200 am, with mainly some stratiform rainfall in its wake. The front should shift south of the area after 400 am. There may be lingering showers in the area. Followed the guidance consensus for the temperature forecast overnight. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... The cold front will be moving south of the area Wednesday morning with high pressure centered over the western Great Lakes region building in behind it. Clouds are expected to linger, but precipitation should be south of the area so have lowered pops. Highs on Wednesday are forecast in the middle 60s to lower 70s. The center of high pressure will move into the Delmarva region on Thursday and ridge into the forecast area from the northeast. Models have trended drier with pops on Thursday. Extensive cloud cover should result in temperatures well below normal on Thursday, but confidence low regarding exactly how low temperatures will be given model differences. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... An upper ridge will be centered over the southeastern US on Friday and will push off the coast on Saturday as an upper trough over the Plains lifts northeastward. Surface high pressure will be off the coast on Friday and will continue to ridge into the area from the northeast with dry weather expected. Temperatures will rebound on Friday back into the middle 60s to lower 70s under the influence of the ridge. A low pressure system over the southern Plains will shift northeastward toward the southern Great Lakes region on Saturday and bring a front into the area on Sunday. The frontal boundary will linger in the area on Monday and remain near the area on Tuesday. Temperatures over the weekend and into Tuesday above normal. && .AVIATION /00Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... VFR conditions will continue for the next couple hours, but then MVFR ceilings are likely as strong thunderstorms move into the area. There will also be periods of IFR conditions in heavy rain, but too difficult to time. Storms could develop over KAGS and KDNL as early as 01Z. Upstream convection is expected to move over CAE and CUB around 02Z, and then OGB. Timing is based on HRRR, but these storms have so far been moving very slowly, and arrival could actually be later. Strong heating ahead of the front and very cold air aloft support the potential for damaging wind and large hail with any thunderstorms. There should be a diminished threat of severe weather after 05Z because of previous convection and nocturnal cooling. The front should shift south of the area after 09Z, and skies should clear by 22/21Z. Winds will generally be 5 to 10 kts with gusts up to 20 kts, SW then veering NW, and the NE behind the front. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...There may be restrictions mainly in the early morning hours during the outlook period associated with a moist onshore flow. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Columbia SC 841 PM EDT Tue Mar 21 2017 GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ018-020>022-025>031-035>038-041-230045- Lincoln-McDuffie-Columbia-Richmond-Burke-McCormick-Newberry- Fairfield-Kershaw-Edgefield-Saluda-Lexington-Richland-Lee-Aiken- Sumter-Barnwell-Orangeburg-Calhoun-Clarendon-Bamberg- 841 PM EDT Tue Mar 21 2017 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 77 IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Midlands of South Carolina and the Central Savannah River area of Georgia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required. SCZ015-016-230045- Lancaster-Chesterfield- 841 PM EDT Tue Mar 21 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Midlands of South Carolina and the Central Savannah River area of Georgia. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Thunderstorms tonight could possibly contain strong winds and hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
858 PM EDT TUE MAR 21 2017
GAZ040-064-SCZ018-020-021-025-026-220145-
Lincoln-Columbia-Fairfield-Newberry-McCormick-Saluda-Edgefield-
858 PM EDT TUE MAR 21 2017
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN
COLUMBIA...LINCOLN...FAIRFIELD...NEWBERRY...
EDGEFIELD...SALUDA...AND MCCORMICK COUNTIES...
At 853 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms, moving east at 30 mph will
move into the western Midlands and northern CSRA .
These storms have had a history of producing large hail and damaging
winds.
Locations impacted include...
Newberry, Winnsboro, Edgefield, Saluda, McCormick, and Lake
Greenwood.
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.
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 200 AM EDT for
east central Georgia...and central South Carolina.
LAT...LON 3396 8257 3407 8253 3397 8230 3396 8202
3413 8187 3420 8194 3430 8190 3453 8164
3445 8154 3457 8142 3454 8090 3430 8101
3418 8118 3424 8132 3418 8140 3407 8139
3409 8147 3377 8171 3351 8240 3398 8265
TIME...MOT...LOC 0053Z 289DEG 29KT 3409 8212
CJRSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
930 PM EDT TUE MAR 21 2017
GAZ063>065-077-SCZ018-025-030-220215-
Burke-Richmond-McDuffie-Columbia-Aiken-McCormick-Edgefield-
930 PM EDT TUE MAR 21 2017
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT
COLUMBIA...MCDUFFIE... NORTHWESTERN BURKE...RICHMOND...SOUTHWESTERN
EDGEFIELD...AIKEN AND SOUTHEASTERN MCCORMICK COUNTIES...
At 927 PM EDT, an area of strong thunderstorms were clustered 11
miles southeast of Lincolnton, or 15 miles northwest of Evans,
moving southeast at 30 mph.
Damaging winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible
with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Aiken, North Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Thomson, Waynesboro,
Martinez, Fort Gordon, Augusta, and New Ellenton.
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.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 200 AM EDT for
east central Georgia...and central South Carolina.
LAT...LON 3364 8261 3363 8258 3364 8258 3366 8251
3364 8246 3370 8233 3369 8222 3370 8224
3373 8224 3377 8200 3357 8128 3320 8176
3316 8178 3305 8229 3323 8223 3331 8234
3336 8255 3341 8255 3360 8265
TIME...MOT...LOC 0127Z 293DEG 28KT 3366 8234
CJRPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
1000 PM EDT TUE MAR 21 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0938 PM TSTM WND DMG 10 NNW LEESVILLE 34.06N 81.56W
03/21/2017 SALUDA SC LAW ENFORCEMENT
SC HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTED SEVERAL TREES
DOWN AT THE INTERSECTION OF PROSPERITY
HIGHWAY AND MT. WILLING ROAD.
&&
CJRPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
1011 PM EDT TUE MAR 21 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0937 PM TSTM WND DMG 8 NE SALUDA 34.09N 81.67W
03/21/2017 SALUDA SC LAW ENFORCEMENT
SC HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTED TREES DOWN AT THE
INTERSECTION OF DENNY HIGHWAY AND HOLLYWOOD
RD.
&&
CJRPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
1021 PM EDT TUE MAR 21 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0944 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 S PROSPERITY 34.14N 81.54W
03/21/2017 NEWBERRY SC PUBLIC
SC HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTED TREES DOWN ON BIG
CREEK ROAD IN PROSPERITY, SC.
&&
CJRPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
1024 PM EDT TUE MAR 21 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1000 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 WNW LEXINGTON 34.02N 81.30W
03/21/2017 LEXINGTON SC LAW ENFORCEMENT
SC HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTED TREES DOWN AT THE
INTERSECTION OF BEECHCREEK ROAD AND WISE
FERRY ROAD. MULTIPLE TREES DOWN THROUGHOUT
LEXINGTON COUNTY.
&&
CJRThe Columbia radar (KCAE), 130 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:30 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Lincoln Co Sherriff's Dept reported large limbs down on Woodlawn Amity Rd near the Amity community.
Thunderstorm wind gusts downed two trees into a yard.
Burke Co Emergency Manager reported that a roof partially peeled off a warehouse.
Richmond Co law enforcement reported trees down at Azalea Dr and Washington Rd.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, March 2017
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: 679797, 679798, 679799, 679800.