A band of thunderstorms rolled through the region during the morning and early afternoon. Weak instability and strong shear contributed to some of the thunderstorms producing strong gusty winds and large 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 band of thunderstorms rolled through the region during the morning and early afternoon. Weak instability and strong shear contributed to some of the thunderstorms producing strong gusty winds and large 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 Feb 15, 6:15 AM EST, 4 hours 11 minutes earlier.
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</html>Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Columbia SC 426 AM EST Wed Feb 15 2017 GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ015-016-018-020>022-025>031-035>038-041-160930- Lincoln-McDuffie-Columbia-Richmond-Burke-Lancaster-Chesterfield- McCormick-Newberry-Fairfield-Kershaw-Edgefield-Saluda-Lexington- Richland-Lee-Aiken-Sumter-Barnwell-Orangeburg-Calhoun-Clarendon- Bamberg- 426 AM EST Wed Feb 15 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Midlands of South Carolina and the Central Savannah River area of Georgia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Numerous showers and a few thunderstorms will occur today...mainly this morning into early this afternoon. The thunderstorms could possibly contain damaging winds including tornadoes. Hail may also occur. It will be breezy today. A lake wind advisory may be needed. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be required today.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
759 AM EST WED FEB 15 2017
GAZ040-SCZ018-025-026-030-151345-
Lincoln-Aiken-McCormick-Saluda-Edgefield-
759 AM EST WED FEB 15 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT LINCOLN...NORTHERN EDGEFIELD...
NORTHERN AIKEN...CENTRAL SALUDA AND MCCORMICK COUNTIES...
At 758 AM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located 10 miles east of
McCormick, or 17 miles south of Greenwood, moving east at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Edgefield, Saluda, McCormick, Johnston, Lincolnton, Ridge Spring,
Lake Strom Thurmond, Bobby Brown State Park, Monetta, Parksville,
Ward, Plum Branch, Mount Carmel, Willington and Modoc.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3398 8261 3396 8257 3402 8259 3407 8253
3408 8248 3406 8245 3406 8233 3397 8230
3402 8224 3398 8220 3398 8205 3395 8203
3411 8189 3412 8175 3380 8159 3371 8253
3383 8260 3386 8257 3386 8261 3398 8265
TIME...MOT...LOC 1258Z 260DEG 46KT 3394 8211
WRSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
838 AM EST WED FEB 15 2017
GAZ040-063-064-SCZ018-025>027-030-151430-
McDuffie-Lincoln-Columbia-Lexington-Aiken-McCormick-Saluda-Edgefield-
838 AM EST WED FEB 15 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN COLUMBIA...NORTHWESTERN
MCDUFFIE...SOUTHEASTERN LINCOLN...EDGEFIELD...WESTERN LEXINGTON...
NORTHWESTERN AIKEN...SOUTHEASTERN SALUDA AND SOUTHEASTERN MCCORMICK
COUNTIES...
At 837 AM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located 13 miles west of
Edgefield, or 14 miles north of Martinez, moving east at 60 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Thomson, Batesburg, Batesburg-Leesville, Edgefield, Johnston, Ridge
Spring, Monetta, Trenton, Parksville, Ward, Modoc and Clarks Hill.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3361 8263 3364 8261 3363 8261 3364 8259
3363 8258 3365 8258 3364 8256 3364 8252
3366 8251 3365 8249 3370 8252 3401 8158
3376 8145 3346 8259 3360 8265
TIME...MOT...LOC 1337Z 260DEG 54KT 3372 8214
WRSSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Columbia SC 857 AM EST WED FEB 15 2017 SCZ026>028-030-151500- Lexington-Aiken-Richland-Saluda- 857 AM EST WED FEB 15 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL LEXINGTON...NORTHEASTERN AIKEN...SOUTHEASTERN SALUDA AND CENTRAL RICHLAND COUNTIES... At 856 AM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Red Bank, moving east at 60 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Columbia, Lexington, West Columbia, Cayce, Irmo, Forest Acres, Springdale, Dentsville, Oak Grove, St. Andrews, Red Bank, Woodfields, Batesburg-Leesville, South Congaree, Pine Ridge, Arcadia Lakes, Leesville, Woodfield, Fort Jackson and Five Points. LAT...LON 3377 8146 3397 8157 3421 8091 3402 8080 TIME...MOT...LOC 1356Z 261DEG 54KT 3393 8134 WRS
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Columbia SC 907 AM EST WED FEB 15 2017 GAZ064-065-SCZ025-027-028-030-036-037-151445- Richmond-Columbia-Orangeburg-Lexington-Aiken-Calhoun-Richland- Edgefield- 907 AM EST WED FEB 15 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN COLUMBIA...NORTHEASTERN RICHMOND...NORTHWESTERN CALHOUN...SOUTHWESTERN EDGEFIELD...SOUTHERN LEXINGTON...AIKEN...NORTHWESTERN ORANGEBURG AND SOUTH CENTRAL RICHLAND COUNTIES... At 907 AM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located 10 miles southeast of Ridge Spring, or 10 miles south of Batesburg, moving east at 60 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Aiken, North Augusta, Cayce, Clearwater, Belvedere, South Congaree, Pine Ridge, New Ellenton, Gaston, Gloverville, Burnettown, Swansea, Wagener, North, Pelion, Salley, Perry, Woodford, Windsor and Murphys Estates. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. LAT...LON 3335 8187 3361 8210 3395 8099 3371 8086 TIME...MOT...LOC 1407Z 261DEG 53KT 3375 8151 WRS
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
924 AM EST WED FEB 15 2017
GAZ063>065-077-SCZ018-025-030-035-151530-
Burke-Richmond-McDuffie-Columbia-Barnwell-Aiken-McCormick-Edgefield-
924 AM EST WED FEB 15 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT COLUMBIA...SOUTHERN MCDUFFIE...
BURKE...RICHMOND...SOUTHWESTERN EDGEFIELD...SOUTHWESTERN BARNWELL...
SOUTHWESTERN AIKEN AND SOUTHEASTERN MCCORMICK COUNTIES...
At 923 AM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located over Fort Gordon,
moving east at 60 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
North Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Thomson, Waynesboro, Augusta,
Martinez, Fort Gordon, Hephzibah, Harlem, Jackson, Sardis, Midville,
Blythe, Dearing, Keysville, Girard, Vidette and Colemans Lake.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3283 8231 3293 8227 3308 8229 3323 8223
3331 8234 3335 8255 3341 8255 3347 8259
3362 8209 3313 8158 3308 8161 3304 8154
3293 8177 3295 8186 3292 8196 3292 8208
3288 8213 3281 8215 3280 8221
TIME...MOT...LOC 1423Z 267DEG 55KT 3342 8216
WRSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1006 AM EST WED FEB 15 2017
SCZ027-028-030-031-035>038-041-151600-
Orangeburg-Lexington-Barnwell-Aiken-Calhoun-Clarendon-Bamberg-Sumter-
Richland-
1006 AM EST WED FEB 15 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CALHOUN...CLARENDON...
BARNWELL...SOUTHEASTERN LEXINGTON...BAMBERG...SOUTHWESTERN SUMTER...
SOUTHERN AIKEN...ORANGEBURG AND SOUTHEASTERN RICHLAND COUNTIES...
At 1006 AM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located 9 miles northeast
of Blackville, or 11 miles north of Denmark, moving east at 60 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Sumter, Orangeburg, Barnwell, Manning, Bamberg, Denmark, Savannah
River Site, South Sumter, Brookdale, Williston, Blackville, New
Ellenton, St. Matthews, Jackson, Holly Hill, Branchville, Summerton,
Bowman, Elloree and Millwood.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
LAT...LON 3350 8010 3348 8015 3346 8013 3345 8022
3330 8025 3327 8030 3326 8043 3329 8049
3333 8051 3313 8089 3306 8090 3310 8094
3303 8108 3312 8119 3311 8136 3316 8154
3312 8159 3338 8187 3399 8038 3359 8004
TIME...MOT...LOC 1506Z 266DEG 63KT 3348 8119
WRSThe Columbia radar (KCAE), 59 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:27 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind, 3 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
ASOS at Orangeburg Municipal Airport observed a peak wind gust of 54 knots, or 62 MPH, at 1026 EST.
Clarendon County dispatch reported trees down on Dingle Pond Rd.
Trees were reported down, mainly in the vicinity of Reynolds Rd and Ashleigh Rd, about 5 miles SSE of Elko.
Firefighter reported dime to penny size hail in the town of Branchville. Time estimated based on radar.
Quarter sized hail reported at Branchville High School. Time estimated based on radar.
DOT reported a tree down on Hwy 6 in Santee near the Santee Golf Course.
Public reported half dollar size hail, south of Holly Hill, at a business on Gardner Blvd/Hwy 453. Time estimated based on radar.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Carolina in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in South Carolina, February 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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 670127, 670124, 670125, 670121, 670122, 670126, 670123.