Scattered thunderstorms developed along a frontal boundary. One thunderstorm produced sub-severe sized 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.
Scattered thunderstorms developed along a frontal boundary. One thunderstorm produced sub-severe sized 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 26, 1:48 PM EST, 10 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 248 PM EDT Fri Mar 26 2021 .SYNOPSIS... Expect showers and thunderstorms today as a weak cold front moves into the region. The front will stall and then push north Saturday, bringing another chance for a showers or thunderstorms. Ridging builds in Sunday ahead of a sharp cold front and upper level trough, again bringing the possibility of rain Sunday night into Monday. Rain chances continue Tuesday as shortwave approaches from along the Gulf coast, followed by another strong cold front later next week. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY MORNING/... A broken band of showers and thunderstorms will slowly move across the forecast area today. The SPC mesoscale analysis page indicates mixed layer CAPE values ranging from 500 to 1000 J/kg through the afternoon. Moderate shear and weak instability will support a threat of strong thunderstorm winds and small hail. The threat of widespread severe weather remains low. The shortwave trough associated with the convection will move well north of the FA, which limits the amount of upper support for deep convective activity. A frontal boundary will stall out across the area late today as deep southwesterly flow becomes parallel to the boundary. With continuing south-southwesterly flow in place temperatures will rise into the low 80s across the eastern Midlands where the front will take longer to reach. Areas north and west of I-20 will be slightly cooler due to convection and cloud cover, with highs in the 70s. SW flow will continue overnight and into Saturday. This will slowly drive the stalled cold front northward. Convergence along the northward moving boundary will again bring the chance of showers and thunderstorms starting around sunrise on Saturday. Low temps are expected to fall into the upper 50s Saturday morning as we should have slightly weaker winds and some clearing, especially across the western and northern Midlands. Abundant low level moisture from rainfall will support at least patchy fog overnight. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... Saturday and Saturday night...The stalled front to our south will lift back north as a warm front through the morning hours with increasing southerly flow behind the front. The axis of higher PWAT air (around 1.4-1.6 inches which is 200 percent of normal) will also be shifting north through the day and be northeast of our area by mid afternoon. Instability within the warm sector is expected to become moderate with guidance showing MLCAPE values between 1000- 2000 J/kg and Lifted Index values around -5C to -8C. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop in the vicinity of the advancing warm front and focus mainly across the northern half of the forecast area. Cannot rule out an isolated strong to severe storm given the forecast instability but confidence is limited as they may be located north of the strongest instability. Warm advection through the day with increasing southwesterly winds will yield warm high temperatures in the 80s with upper 80s expected in the CSRA. The forecast area will remain in the warm sector overnight and with some lingering clouds expect mild overnight lows well above normal with lows in the 60s. Cannot rule out an isolated shower through the night so will hold on to slight chance to chance pops overnight. Sunday and Sunday night...A digging upper trough over the Great Lakes region and Ohio Valley early Sunday will result in a deepening surface low lifting northeastward into southeast Canada and push a cold front into our area during the late afternoon and evening hours. Ahead of the front, the air mass will continue to warm with strong southwesterly winds and expect high temperatures to be well into the 80s and wouldn't rule out the possibility of some 90 degree temperatures in the eastern Midlands and CSRA. Deep mixing through the day will actually limit the instability a bit with guidance suggesting MLCAPE values around 500mb, however wind shear (0-6km around 50 knots) should be sufficient to support an organized convective threat. SPC has the area outlooked in a slight risk of severe weather. Forecast soundings indicate a generally linear hodograph which would favor a damaging wind and hail threat and minimize the threat of tornadoes. The convection is likely to be mature and ongoing by the time it arrives into the western Midlands late afternoon and should be cold pool dominated allowing it to continue to push through the area despite the limited instability. The front and associated convection will shift east of the forecast area as high pressure builds into the region from the northwest. Northwesterly winds will stay up through the night and keep the boundary layer mixed with cold advection occurring so strong radiational cooling is not expected. Overnight lows are expected to drop into the upper 40s to lower 50s. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... A fair weather day is expected on Monday in the wake of the departing upper trough with surface high pressure in place. Active weather returns by Tuesday through the middle of the week as a weak upper trough over the Gulf Coast states lifts northeastward into the Carolinas and Delmarva region in response to another digging upper trough over the upper midwest. There remains some uncertainty regarding the timing and how much deep moisture may be available to that system on Tuesday. Ensemble mean 500mb flow indicate a gradual deepening of the upper trough over the Ohio Valley into Tennessee Valley mid week with southwesterly flow aloft over our area on Wednesday. This should support continued warm moist advection into the region and keep the chances of rain in the forecast. The upper trough will push a strong cold front through the region Wednesday night or Thursday. A cool Canadian air mass will descend on the region by Friday. Temperatures during this period will be generally near normal, although on Tuesday there is a chance we could see some cold air damming set up which would keep temperatures below normal. Highs will also be below normal behind the front on Friday. && .AVIATION /19Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... An area of showers and thunderstorms will move across the region today. Expect MVFR cigs through much of the day as the convection and associated frontal boundary pass. Periods of thunderstorms from mid-day and during the afternoon may produce strong winds, small hail and lightning. Confidence in thunderstorms near the TAF sites is highest at AGS/DNL, then CAE/CUB then OGB. However all TAF sites may experience thunderstorm impacts. Outside of convection, SW winds will be around 10 kts with gusts around 20 kts into the afternoon. Winds may become WSW late today behind the front, and decrease in speed slightly. The front will stall near or just south of the forecast area late today. VFR ceilings may return in the late afternoon or evening. There woun't be much of a break from the active weather however. The front will lift back to the north overnight and could bring additional convective activity along with MVFR/IFR ceilings. Fog will also be possible tonight due to abundant low level moisture. The wind fields will weaken significantly overnight with winds becoming light on Saturday morning. Rain chances will increase during the morning on Saturday. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Expect active weather through Sunday. There may be intermittent visibility and ceiling restrictions. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Columbia SC 452 AM EDT Fri Mar 26 2021 GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035>038-041-115-116- 270900- 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- 452 AM EDT Fri Mar 26 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Midlands of South Carolina and the Central Savannah River area of Georgia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is a marginal risk for strong to isolated severe thunderstorms through mid-afternoon as a cold front crosses the area. The main severe threat will be damaging wind gusts and large hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. A cold front will cross the region on Sunday, bringing the threat of thunderstorms. A few of these storms could be strong to severe. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1156 AM EDT Fri Mar 26 2021
SCZ021-022-261645-
Fairfield SC-Kershaw SC-
1156 AM EDT Fri Mar 26 2021
...Strong Thunderstorms Will Impact Portions of southeastern
Fairfield and Kershaw Counties Until 1245 PM EDT....
...Boaters on Lake Wateree Should Seek Safe Harbor...
At 1156 AM EDT...National Weather Service doppler radar indicated
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Lake Wateree
State Park to 6 miles northwest of Killian, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph, pea sized hail, excessive
cloud to ground lightning and localized minor flooding.
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. All outdoor activities should cease. Move
indoors immediately. Localized, minor flooding of low
lying and poor drainage areas is also possible.
Some locations in the path of these storms include...
Camden, Lake Wateree Dam, Lugoff, Westville, Longtown, Cassatt,
Liberty Hill, Elgin, Goodale State Park, Lake Wateree State Park,
Blythewood, Bethune, Ridgeway, North Central High School, Dekalb,
North Towne Square Shopping Center, Antioch, Midway Elementary
School, Boykin and Pine Grove Fire Station.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Boaters on Lake Wateree 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.
Heavy rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Move indoors immediately. Excessive cloud to ground lightning is
occurring with these storms. If you can hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck by lightning.
&&
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 85 and 105.
Interstate 77 between mile markers 30 and 33.
LAT...LON 3437 8029 3434 8037 3430 8036 3428 8044
3425 8042 3418 8046 3410 8058 3408 8069
3409 8075 3418 8087 3427 8083 3423 8106
3451 8080 3451 8074 3448 8073 3451 8069
3448 8066 3449 8055 3452 8053 3451 8033
TIME...MOT...LOC 1556Z 277DEG 26KT 3441 8078 3422 8099PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
1203 PM EDT FRI MAR 26 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1157 AM HAIL 8 ENE RIDGEWAY 34.35N 80.84W
03/26/2021 E0.70 INCH FAIRFIELD SC CO-OP OBSERVER
COOP OBSERVER REPORTS DIME SIZED HAIL AND
SMALL, BROKEN TREE LIMBS.
&&
CJRSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1227 PM EDT Fri Mar 26 2021
SCZ016-022-029-261700-
Chesterfield SC-Kershaw SC-Lee SC-
1227 PM EDT Fri Mar 26 2021
...Strong Thunderstorms Will Impact Portions of southeastern
Chesterfield...east central Kershaw and northwestern Lee Counties
Until 100 PM EDT....
At 1226 PM EDT...National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm near Cassatt, or 12 miles north of Bishopville,
moving east at 60 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph, up to penny sized hail,
excessive cloud to ground lightning and localized minor
flooding.
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. All outdoor activities should cease. Move
indoors immediately. Localized, minor flooding of low
lying and poor drainage areas is also possible.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
Mcbee, Society Hill, Bethune, Lucknow and Ashland.
Heavy rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may cause localized
flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
Move indoors immediately. Excessive cloud to ground lightning is
occurring with this storm. If you can hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck by lightning.
LAT...LON 3453 7983 3453 7984 3449 7988 3449 7997
3450 7999 3449 8003 3449 8005 3436 8029
3432 8024 3437 8018 3431 8016 3430 8017
3428 8040 3446 8043 3459 7981
TIME...MOT...LOC 1626Z 259DEG 53KT 3439 8033PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
1248 PM EDT FRI MAR 26 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1226 PM HAIL 6 SW BETHUNE 34.36N 80.44W
03/26/2021 E0.25 INCH KERSHAW SC PUBLIC
PEA SIZED HAIL OBSERVED IN CASSATT. TIME
ESTIMATED.
&&
DCMPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
132 PM EDT FRI MAR 26 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0826 AM HAIL 1 SSW MOUNT CARMEL 34.00N 82.51W
03/26/2021 E1.00 INCH MCCORMICK SC PUBLIC
PUBLIC REPORTED NICKEL TO QUARTER SIZED HAIL
ON FORT CHARLOTTE RD JUST SW OF MT. CARMEL.
TIME ESTIMATED.
&&
DCMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
209 PM EDT Fri Mar 26 2021
SCZ016-261900-
Chesterfield SC-
209 PM EDT Fri Mar 26 2021
...Strong Thunderstorms Will Impact Portions of central Chesterfield
County Until 300 PM EDT....
At 208 PM EDT...National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Carolina Sandhills Wildlife Refuge, or 18
miles northwest of Hartsville, moving east at 60 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...
Cheraw, Chesterfield, Carolina Sandhills Wildlife Refuge, Cheraw
State Park, Cheraw Municipal Airport, Northeastern Technical College,
Patrick, Cheraw Fish Hatchery, Alligator Fire Station, Middendorf,
Bay Springs Fire Station and Chesterfield Detention Center.
LAT...LON 3460 7981 3458 7981 3454 7983 3450 8031
3467 8035 3476 7992 3474 7989 3468 7986
3466 7983 3465 7980 3464 7980 3461 7978
TIME...MOT...LOC 1808Z 259DEG 52KT 3460 8024The Greer radar (KGSP), 117 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:57 UTC.
1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Public reported dime size hail near Elberton Hwy (Hwy 79) and Bolton Ln. Time estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, March 2021
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: 939814.