Tornadoes and Hail in South Carolina, May 5, 2020

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in South Carolina, May 5, 2020
Start: 2020-05-05T15:42
End: 2020-05-05T19:30
Location: South Carolina

May 5, 2020 · NWS GSP · 18 events in 7 counties and zones

For the second day in a row, thunderstorms, including severe severe storms developed across the mountains and in the vicinity of a stationary front and moved southeast across portions of upstate South Carolina from late afternoon into the evening. In addition to large hail and locally damaging winds, a couple of tornadoes developed across Chester County.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 1
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $125,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 18

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS GSP wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

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 Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 5, 3:36 PM EST, 6 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 5, 3:36 PM EST, 6 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
436 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
The last in a series of weather disturbances will cross the area
tonight and Wednesday with showers and thunderstorms likely.
Temperatures will fall to below normal by Thursday, then cooling off
even more by the weekend.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 430 PM: A severe thunderstorm watch has been posted for all of
Upstate SC and much of western NC through 11 pm. The main question
mark for the severe weather evolution this evening is the lingering
stationary boundary across the heart of the forecast area, which
will retreat only slightly northward ahead of the advancing cold
front. The boundary will certainly serve as a focus, along with the
advancing embedded upper shortwaves. This will lead to very high
coverage, and likely severe weather, near the Interstate 85 corridor
through mid evening. Anticipate large hail and occasionally damaging
wind gusts as the primary threat, but brief tornadic spinups near
the stalled frontal zone are quite possible through 8 or 9 pm. Will
likely end up cancelling the watch from the west steadily through
the evening hours as the upper support moves rapidly east.

The upper trough passes over the region Wednesday, bringing the
first shot of unseasonably cold air this week with showers focused
across the mountains. The timing of the upper disturbance may
drastically limit diurnal warming across the high terrain Wednesday,
which is no easy feat in early May across the Southeast. In fact,
cold enough air wraps in that graupel or snow may mix in with the
rain above 4000 feet later Wednesday afternoon or early evening with
light accumulations possible above 5000 feet. Gusty but probably
below advisory levels northwest winds will also accompany this
system, making it feel even cooler then the daytime temperatures
reaching the 50s to 60s across the region (although much cooler
above 4000 feet).

&&

.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
As of 115 PM EDT Tuesday: A large scale upper trof will continue to
swing east of the area to begin the period. Associated embedded vort
energy and upslope flow will maintain -shra across the wrn NC mtns
early on, before tapering off before sunrise Thu. A quiet day on tap
Thu as deep layered drying and a unseasonably cold cP sfc high
engulfs the region. Thus...will likely have frost/freeze concerns
over the NC mtns each night thru the period. Max temps on Thu will
struggle to reach normal levels...likely remaining below by a few
degrees as nw/ly weak CAA flow persists. On Fri...winds will back
sw/ly ahead of an incoming cold front and modify temps back to
normal, while increasing td/s as well. However, instability will be
negligible ahead of the front, so wont expect much more than -shra
most areas with possible low-accum -snsh over the higher mtn ridges
as the frontal zone crosses east Fri night.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 155 PM Tuesday: Not a lot going on in the ext range. The
latest guidance continues to show a non/seasonal 1024 mb sfc high
dominating the pattern underneath broad cyclonic flow aloft. Cross
sections show deep layered dry air with increasing llvl moisture
late in the period over the NC mtns. Thus...a few nice days with
fairly weak winds and high sunshine are in store, albeit a little on
the cool side. Max temps will begin the period abt 10 degrees below
normal and modify to arnd normal levels by Mon. Mins will remain
below normal due to good rad cooling cond each night...which will
likely continue frost/freeze issues.

&&

.AVIATION /21Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
At KCLT and Elsewhere: Strong gusts with the TEMPO TSRA have been
added to KAVL, KGMU, KGSP, and KCLT through the early evening hours
with the passing strong to severe convection. Anticipate mainly MVFR
cigs, with brief IFR to MVFR vsby with the heaviest downpours, and
some chance of hail at all of these airfields. Lingering MVFR to
locally LIFR cigs/vsbys are then possible in and just behind
stronger thunderstorms. A return to VFR is likely for non-mtn sites
by sunrise Wed with MVFR/low VFR cigs hanging on across some mtn
sites with a return of -shra. Can't rule out graupel or -sn mixing
in across the mountains with perhaps a few showers making it east of
the mountains near the end of the TAF period. Breezy northwest winds
are likely by Wednesday.

Outlook: Dry high pressure spreads back over the region on Thursday.
A cold front with precip and restrictions moves in Friday.

Confidence Table...

            20-02Z        02-08Z        08-14Z        14-18Z
KCLT       Med   74%     Med   61%     High 100%     High 100%
KGSP       High  98%     High 100%     High 100%     High 100%
KAVL       High  97%     High  83%     High 100%     High  91%
KHKY       Med   72%     Med   70%     High  91%     High 100%
KGMU       High 100%     High 100%     High 100%     High 100%
KAND       High 100%     High 100%     High 100%     High 100%

The percentage reflects the number of guidance members agreeing
with the scheduled TAF issuance flight rule category. Complete hourly
experimental aviation forecast consistency tables are available at
the following link:

www.weather.gov/gsp/aviation

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None.
NC...None.
SC...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...DEO
NEAR TERM...HG/65
SHORT TERM...SBK
LONG TERM...SBK
AVIATION...HG/65

Hazardous weather outlook, May 5, 3:10 PM EST, 32 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
410 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

NCZ035>037-052-053-056-057-059-063>065-068>072-082-501>510-
SCZ001>014-019-062015-
Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Haywood-Buncombe-Catawba-Rowan-
Northern Jackson-Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Cleveland-
Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-Caldwell Mountains-
Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains-
Eastern McDowell-Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford-
Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-
Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-
Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-
Laurens-Union SC-Chester-Greenwood-
410 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 168 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Piedmont North Carolina,
western North Carolina, and Upstate South Carolina.

.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.

Heavy rainfall is also expected with these thunderstorms, leading to
the potential for isolated flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about
observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state,
and CDC guidelines.

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-048>051-058-062-062015-
Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Avery-Madison-Yancey-
Mitchell-Swain-Graham-Macon-
410 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia and western
North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Showers and scattered thunderstorms will gradually taper off from the
west through the evening hours. Until then, some of the storms will
become severe with damaging winds and large hail possible. Heavy
rainfall is also expected with some of the storms leading to the
potential for isolated flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about
observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state,
and CDC guidelines.

HG

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 5, 2:17 PM EST, 1 hour 25 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
317 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

NCZ051-058-062-051945-
Graham NC-Swain NC-Macon NC-
317 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MACON...SOUTH
CENTRAL SWAIN AND CENTRAL GRAHAM COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM EDT...

At 317 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Robbinsville, moving east at 25 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Robbinsville, Bryson City, Town Of Santeetlah, Lake Santeetlah,
Nantahala Lake, Fontana Lake, Wesser, Stecoah, Burningtown and Kyle.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail will be possible in these
areas.

LAT...LON 3537 8388 3545 8346 3518 8343 3519 8371
      3520 8371 3520 8373 3523 8369 3524 8369
      3526 8371 3524 8375 3526 8379 3525 8387
TIME...MOT...LOC 1917Z 263DEG 21KT 3529 8378

KRENTZ

Special weather statement, May 5, 2:31 PM EST, 1 hour 11 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
331 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

GAZ010-NCZ062-052000-
Rabun GA-Macon NC-
331 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN RABUN AND SOUTHEASTERN
MACON COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM EDT...

At 331 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles northwest of Clayton, or 5 miles west of Dillard, moving east
at 20 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Clayton, Mountain City, Dillard, Sky Valley, Black Rock Mountain
State Park, Tiger, Lake Burton, Scaly Mountain and Otto.

Wind gusts up to 45 mph and half inch hail will be possible in these
areas.

LAT...LON 3492 8359 3494 8360 3495 8355 3499 8355
      3500 8348 3500 8352 3502 8352 3504 8356
      3506 8356 3511 8323 3488 8322 3488 8324
      3487 8324 3486 8325 3484 8325 3486 8361
      3491 8361
TIME...MOT...LOC 1931Z 267DEG 18KT 3497 8349

KRENTZ

Special weather statement, May 5, 2:53 PM EST, 49 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
353 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

NCZ063-064-052030-
Transylvania NC-Southern Jackson NC-
353 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL TRANSYLVANIA AND EAST
CENTRAL JACKSON COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT...

At 353 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 16
miles southeast of Sylva, or 7 miles northwest of Lake Toxaway,
moving east at 40 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Brevard, Rosman, Lake Toxaway, Looking Glass, Balsam Grove, Wolf
Mountain and Connestee.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail will be possible in these
areas.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
western North Carolina...and Upstate South Carolina.

LAT...LON 3532 8269 3511 8269 3514 8304 3526 8305
TIME...MOT...LOC 1953Z 269DEG 33KT 3522 8301

KRENTZ

Special weather statement, May 5, 3:01 PM EST, 41 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
401 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

NCZ052-059-063-064-052030-
Transylvania NC-Haywood NC-Southern Jackson NC-Northern Jackson NC-
401 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT TRANSYLVANIA...CENTRAL JACKSON
AND SOUTH CENTRAL HAYWOOD COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT...

At 400 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles southeast of Sylva, or 4 miles north of Lake Glenville, moving
east at 50 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Brevard, Cullowhee, Rosman, Lake Toxaway, Graveyard Fields, Lake
Glenville, Looking Glass, Black Balsam Area, B.R. Parkway-Black
Balsam To Mount Pisgah and B.R. Parkway-Balsam Gap To Black Balsam
Area.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail will be possible in
these areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Dime to nickel size hail can cause considerable damage to vehicles.
Consider moving vehicles to a covered storage area before the storm
arrives.

&&

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
western North Carolina...and Upstate South Carolina.

LAT...LON 3531 8322 3536 8267 3535 8267 3513 8268
      3511 8270 3510 8269 3510 8270 3517 8323
      3521 8322 3524 8323
TIME...MOT...LOC 2000Z 273DEG 44KT 3524 8314

ARK

Special weather statement, May 5, 3:05 PM EST, 37 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
405 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

SCZ001-002-005-010-052030-
Pickens Mountains SC-Greater Pickens SC-Anderson SC-
Oconee Mountains SC-
405 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL ANDERSON...PICKENS
AND NORTHEASTERN OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT...

At 405 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles west of Pickens, or over Lake Keowee, moving east at 50 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Easley, Pickens, Powdersville, Liberty, Six Mile, Salem, Lake Keowee,
Devils Fork State Park, Keowee Toxaway State Park and Norris.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail will be possible in these
areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Lake Keowee is in the path of this storm. Cloud to ground lightning
and gusty winds will create dangerous boating conditions.
Move to shore immediately.

&&

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
Upstate South Carolina.

LAT...LON 3477 8289 3479 8288 3481 8289 3482 8298
      3495 8299 3500 8254 3498 8253 3498 8255
      3497 8253 3492 8252 3488 8249 3483 8249
      3483 8248 3482 8249 3477 8245
TIME...MOT...LOC 2005Z 266DEG 43KT 3487 8289

ARK

Special weather statement, May 5, 3:38 PM EST, 4 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
438 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

SCZ002-003-005>007-052115-
Pickens Mountains SC-Greater Pickens SC-Greenville Mountains SC-
Spartanburg SC-Greater Greenville SC-
438 PM EDT Tue May 5 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN GREENVILLE...
NORTHWESTERN SPARTANBURG AND PICKENS COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM EDT...

At 437 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Pickens, moving east at 60 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Greenville Downtown, Easley, Pickens, Greenville Eastside, West
Greenville, Greer, Mauldin, Taylors, Berea and Five Forks.

Wind gusts up to 45 mph and half inch hail will be possible in these
areas.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
Upstate South Carolina.

LAT...LON 3478 8245 3482 8248 3478 8256 3481 8290
      3499 8291 3511 8213 3477 8213 3478 8215
      3475 8216
TIME...MOT...LOC 2037Z 267DEG 50KT 3491 8271

WJM

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 30 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:41 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 hail, 3 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Greenville

When: May 5, 3:42 PM EST
Where: Greenville County, 3.97 mi ESE of Chestnut Spgs
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.140, -82.320

Public reported ping pong ball size hail off the Cliffs Parkway.

Hail, Greenville

When: May 5, 3:52 PM EST
Where: Greenville County, 1.38 mi S of Tigerville
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.050, -82.370

Public reported penny size hail along Mountain View Road.

Hail, Spartanburg

When: May 5, 4:28 PM EST
Where: Spartanburg County, 1.38 mi S of Grnvl Sprtnbrg Arpt
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 34.880, -82.220

NWS meteorologists observed penny size hail at Greenville-Spartanburg Airport.

Hail, Spartanburg

When: May 5, 4:34 PM EST
Where: Spartanburg County, 0.69 mi N of Roebuck
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.890, -81.970

Amateur radio reported penny size hail along Old Georgia Rd.

Hail, Spartanburg

When: May 5, 4:43 PM EST
Where: Spartanburg County, 0.57 mi E of Roebuck
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.880, -81.960

Public reported half dollar size hail near East Blackstock Rd.

Hail, Union

When: May 5, 5:12 PM EST
Where: Union County, 0.57 mi W of Lockhart
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 34.780, -81.460

NWS co-op observer reported ping pong ball size hail in Lockhart.

Tornado, Chester

When: May 5, 5:32 PM EST to 5:39 PM EST
Where: Chester County, 1.75 mi NNW of Mc Keown to 3.7 mi E of Mc Keown
Rating: EF1
Path length: 4.57 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.644, -81.190

NWS storm survey found the path of an EF1 tornado that touched down just off Highway 321 near Gregory Rd. The tornado initially moved east/southeast crossing Old Columbia Rd and Ross Rd but turned in a more southeasterly direction between Ross Rd and Boyd Rd. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted and large limbs snapped in this area. Structural damage was confined to some siding stripped off a home on Old Columbia Rd. The tornado continued to cause primarily tree damage as it moved across Boyd Rd and Aiken Chapel Rd although a mobile home was moved off its foundation and received moderate roof damage on Aiken Chapel Rd. The tornado continued southeast before lifting in the area around Discovery Rd. However another tornado later developed about 5 miles southeast of this location.

Hail, Greenville

When: May 5, 5:33 PM EST
Where: Greenville County, 2.68 mi SE of Locust Hill
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 34.990, -82.350

NWS employee reported penny size hail along Highway 290.

Hail, Chester

When: May 5, 5:34 PM EST
Where: Chester County, 0.89 mi SE of Hemlock
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.720, -81.170

Amateur radio reported golf ball size hail along Highway 9 east of Chester.

Lightning, Chester

When: May 5, 5:35 PM EST
Where: Chester County, 0.89 mi NW of Chester
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 34.710, -81.210

County comms reported a 32-year-old man was struck and killed by lightning when getting out of his vehicle on York St.

Hail, Greenville

When: May 5, 5:39 PM EST
Where: Greenville County, 0.89 mi NE of Fairview
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 34.960, -82.240

Public reported (via social media) ping pong ball size hail off Chanlder Rd.

Tornado, Chester

When: May 5, 5:46 PM EST to 5:59 PM EST
Where: Chester County, 6.09 mi W of Beckhamville to 1.75 mi ESE of Great Falls
Rating: EF1
Path length: 9.02 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Continued into: Lancaster, Sc (CAE)
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.592, -81.026

NWS storm survey found a second tornado developed across southeast Chester County, beginning along Old Catholic Church Rd, a little over a mile south of Highway 97, or just west of I-77. The tornado initially moved east, crossing Interstate 77, and downing trees and snapping large limbs across Mountain Gap Road, Ross Dye Road and Georgetown Road, before turning southeast. The tornado crossed Highway 21 into the town of Great Falls and produced additional tree damage along Walnut Street, Hampton Street, Duke Street, and Republic Street. A house on Republic St received significant damage from a fallen tree. The tornado moved over the Catawba River southeast of Great Falls, crossing Big Island and Pickett Island before moving into southwest Lancaster County, where the tornado strengthened.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chester

When: May 5, 5:50 PM EST
Where: Chester County, 0.69 mi N of Beckhamville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.590, -80.920

Spotter reported trees and power lines blown down in the area around the Chester Ave and Francis Ave intersection.

Hail, Spartanburg

When: May 5, 5:54 PM EST to 6:04 PM EST
Where: Spartanburg County, 0.83 mi SE of Jackson Mill to 1.22 mi WSW of Whitney
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.943, -82.068

Public reported half dollar size hail on Tyger Lake Rd and on Magness Dr.

Hail, Spartanburg

When: May 5, 6:18 PM EST
Where: Spartanburg County, 0.69 mi N of Pacolet
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 34.910, -81.750

National Weather Service Columbia relayed report of quarter size hail in the Pacolet Mills area.

Hail, Pickens

When: May 5, 6:18 PM EST
Where: Pickens County, 1.33 mi WNW of Clemson
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 34.690, -82.850

NWS co-op observer reported penny size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oconee

When: May 5, 6:27 PM EST
Where: Oconee County, 4.71 mi WSW of Earls Grove
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.538, -83.073

Amateur radio reported trees blown down in the Chickasaw Point area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Abbeville

When: May 5, 7:30 PM EST
Where: Abbeville County, 4.14 mi SSE of Due West
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 34.280, -82.340

NWS employee reported multiple large tree limbs snapped.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Lightning, Chester	2020-05-05	32	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Direct

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in South Carolina in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history The tornado archive for South Carolina, 2020 Warnings in South Carolina, May 2020

Sources

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: 893109, 893110, 893282, 893295, 893297, 893301, 895059, 893306, 893326, 895063, 893321, 895061, 895065, 895068, 895069, 895070, 896134, 895066.