An upper level disturbance and daytime heating combined to produce isolated thunderstorms. Dry air aloft and considerable instability led to some of the storms producing strong damaging wind gusts.
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.
An upper level disturbance and daytime heating combined to produce isolated thunderstorms. Dry air aloft and considerable instability led to some of the storms producing strong damaging wind gusts.
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 5, 1:31 PM EST, 2 hours 4 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 231 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2020 .SYNOPSIS... Increasing moisture along with an upper level trough and higher daytime temperatures today through the weekend will result in chances of showers and thunderstorms each day. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Showers and thunderstorms continue across the eastern Midlands with some locally heavy rain and will monitor the potential for localized flooding. The upper level trough will remain west of the area through tonight with short waves rotating through the axis of the trough and into the forecast area. Although the eastern Midlands have been mostly cloudy this morning elsewhere plenty of sunshine has pushed the temperatures into the mid 80s with satellite imagery showing cumulus beginning to develop. Low level flow will remain south-southeasterly today pushing pwat values to near 2 inches by late afternoon. WV imagery shows plenty of dry air aloft and concern will become potential for wind gusts from thunderstorms which develop this afternoon. Expect convective coverage to increase slowly over the next couple of hours with additional cells quickly developing during the mid and late afternoon hours as outflow boundaries are produced and collide. With the potential for wind gusts most of the forecast area is included in the SPC Main marginal risk of severe area. With the high pwat values and cells this morning being highly efficient rainfall producers the area is also under a WPC marginal risk of excessive rainfall. Convection will diminish with sunset however with numerous boundaries expected across the area and additional short waves rotating through expect some cells to persist overnight. High temperatures this afternoon will be in the upper 80s to low 90s with overnight lows in the low 70s. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... An upper level trough will slowly shift eastward out of the Mississippi Valley Thursday through Friday, keeping the region positioned within a moist southwest flow aloft through the period. At the surface, a weak front/trough will remain in place over the area, with the seabreeze potentially working into eastern portions of the forecast area late each day. Given the high precipitable water values, convergence along the surface boundaries, and the passage of shortwave disturbances aloft embedded within the southwest flow, scattered showers and thunderstorms seem favorable, mainly each afternoon/early evening. Potential is there for isolated to scattered convection to persist into the nighttime hours as well. High temperatures will generally be in the upper 80s to lower 90s on Thursday, and lower to perhaps mid 90s on Friday. Lows at night will range from 70-75 across the area. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Seasonable conditions are expected through the long term period as Bermuda high pressure develops. Weak troughing at the surface is expected over the area, with the moist southerly flow supporting scattered mainly diurnal convection each day. Near to just slightly above normal temperatures are expected through the period. && .AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... VFR conditions for much of the period with convection expected this afternoon into tonight. Convection continues east of CAE/CUB/OGB with convection expected to develop at all terminals this afternoon into tonight. Thunderstorms which develop will produce locally heavy rainfall and have the potential for strong and gusty winds. Convection will diminish with sunset however some cells are expected overnight. The potential for fog is low as a 20 knot low level jet however with rainfall there will be potential for stratus during the early morning and sunrise hours. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Restrictions possible each day in mainly diurnally driven convection as well as late night/early morning fog/stratus. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Columbia SC 351 AM EDT Wed Aug 5 2020 GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035>038-041-115-116- 060800- Lincoln-McDuffie-Columbia-Richmond-Burke-Chesterfield-McCormick- Newberry-Fairfield-Kershaw-Edgefield-Saluda-Lexington-Richland-Lee- Aiken-Sumter-Barnwell-Orangeburg-Calhoun-Clarendon-Bamberg- Northern Lancaster-Southern Lancaster- 351 AM EDT Wed Aug 5 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Midlands of South Carolina and the Central Savannah River area of Georgia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Isolated severe thunderstorms with damaging winds main threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. 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
159 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2020
SCZ027-030-035-036-041-051830-
Orangeburg SC-Lexington SC-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-Bamberg SC-
159 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2020
...Strong Thunderstorms Will Impact Portions of northwestern
Orangeburg...south central Lexington...northeastern Barnwell...east
central Aiken and northwestern Bamberg Counties Until 230 PM EDT....
At 159 PM EDT...National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm 15 miles north of Blackville, or 17 miles north
of Denmark, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...gusty winds 40 to 50 mph and pea sized hail.
IMPACT...expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to plants,
trees and crops is possible. Damage to windshields is
unlikely.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
North, Pelion, Springfield, Salley, Neeses, Norway, Perry, Woodford,
Livingston, Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve, Perry Airport
and Thor.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify. Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, local radio and
television stations for additional information and possible warnings
from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3333 8117 3348 8147 3376 8125 3362 8096
TIME...MOT...LOC 1759Z 265DEG 10KT 3356 8118Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
304 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2020
SCZ020-026>028-051930-
Lexington SC-Newberry SC-Richland SC-Saluda SC-
304 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2020
...Strong Thunderstorms Will Impact Portions of northwestern
Lexington...southeastern Newberry...western Richland and northeastern
Saluda Counties Until 330 PM EDT....
...Boaters on Lake Murray Should Seek Safe Harbor...
At 304 PM EDT...National Weather Service doppler radar indicated
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 7 miles south of
Dreher Island State Park to near Batesburg-Leesville, moving north at
20 mph.
HAZARD...gusty winds 40 to 50 mph and pea sized hail.
IMPACT...expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to plants,
trees and crops is possible. Damage to windshields is
unlikely.
Some locations in the path of these storms include...
Batesburg-Leesville, Dreher Island State Park, Chapin, Gilbert,
Summit, Cedar Grove Fire Station, South Shore Marina, Oswald Park,
Bundrick Island, Putnam's Landing, White Rock, Murray, Rocky Point
Recreation Area, Hollywood Elementary School, Delmar, Hollow Creek
Public Park, Melvin Park, Lighthouse Marina, Stoney Hill and
Fredonia.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Boaters on Lake Murray should move to shore and seek shelter. Strong,
erratic wind gusts and lightning are possible. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
&&
This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 91 and 95.
LAT...LON 3419 8123 3417 8167 3390 8170 3392 8134
TIME...MOT...LOC 1904Z 198DEG 16KT 3398 8141 3398 8159
fwaSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
351 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2020
SCZ026-052015-
Saluda SC-
351 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2020
...Strong Thunderstorms Will Impact Portions of central Saluda County
Until 415 PM EDT....
At 350 PM EDT...National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm near Saluda, or 12 miles northwest of
Batesburg-Leesville, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...gusty winds 40 to 50 mph and up to penny sized hail.
IMPACT...expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to plants,
trees and crops is possible. Damage to windshields is
unlikely.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
Saluda, Hollywood Elementary School, Emory, Saluda Co Sheriff's
Office, Scurry Airport, Hickory Grove, Wyses Ferry and Saluda High
School.
LAT...LON 3417 8179 3417 8177 3419 8173 3418 8172
3418 8170 3416 8167 3415 8164 3412 8162
3412 8159 3409 8154 3408 8154 3393 8161
3398 8182
TIME...MOT...LOC 1950Z 194DEG 18KT 3403 8170
fwaSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
430 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2020
GAZ077-052115-
Burke GA-
430 PM EDT Wed Aug 5 2020
...Strong Thunderstorms Will Impact Portions of western Burke County
Until 515 PM EDT....
At 430 PM EDT...National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm near Herndon, or 13 miles west of Millen, moving
north at 25 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph and up to penny sized hail.
IMPACT...expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to plants,
trees and crops is possible. Damage to windshields is
unlikely.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
Waynesboro, Hephzibah, Midville, Gough, Burke County Airport,
Vidette, Di-Lane Wildlife Management Area, Magruder and Rosier.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify. Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, local radio and
television stations for additional information and possible warnings
from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3283 8229 3330 8218 3328 8213 3326 8213
3323 8210 3324 8206 3323 8198 3326 8192
3326 8188 3292 8202 3292 8208 3288 8213
3281 8215 3280 8221
TIME...MOT...LOC 2030Z 195DEG 24KT 3285 8217
fwaThe Columbia radar (KCAE), 67 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:35 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
SCHP reported a tree down on Belfast Rd at Trinity Church Rd. Time estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Carolina in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in South Carolina, August 2020
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: 906322.