An upper level disturbance and the interaction of surface boundaries, along with increasing moisture, led to thunderstorms that developed and moved east across the region during the afternoon. Sufficient atmospheric instability and shear led some of the thunderstorms to produce damaging wind and tornadoes, along with locally heavy rain.
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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 the interaction of surface boundaries, along with increasing moisture, led to thunderstorms that developed and moved east across the region during the afternoon. Sufficient atmospheric instability and shear led some of the thunderstorms to produce damaging wind and tornadoes, along with locally heavy rain.
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 Apr 5, 1:20 PM EST, 3 hours earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 220 PM EDT Tue Apr 5 2022 .SYNOPSIS... Chance for severe weather across the region today as a line of showers and strong thunderstorms move through. An additional system will move through on Wednesday, with strong storms also possible with that passage. Drier air will finally return by the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Warm front moving into the area early this afternoon with convection firing up in the CSRA with surface destabilization expected to continue into this afternoon. While widespread lightning has been observed with the thunderstorms, SPC mesoanalysis indicates the best shear remains south and west of the forecast area which has limited the severe threat to this point. However, with much of the southern area expected to be in the warm sector into this afternoon, CAMs indicate discrete cells will continue to be possible this afternoon as the best shear shifts over the area. With surface winds out of the southeast and strong SRH observed from the VAD wind profiler off the KJGX, increasing concern for rotating storms this afternoon into this evening. With any discrete cells, the main concern will be potential supercells and tornado development. As a shortwave moves into the area later this afternoon, expect convective mode to shift to a QLCS pushing east through the area by late afternoon into the evening. With most CAMs indicating further destabilization ahead of the line and 850mb winds increasing to near 60 knots, widespread damaging wind gusts will be possible with again the highest chance generally south of I-20. While there is no severe/tornado watch as of 1245PM EDT, expect one later this afternoon. As for as QPF is concerned, with PWATs anomalously high, any thunderstorms will produce heavy rain, although they are moving fairly quickly through the area. The biggest concern will be thunderstorms training over the same area, which could cause localized flash flooding concerns. Generally expect 1-2 inches across the area. The linear convection should quickly exit the area tonight with models speeding up the timing. Some drier air will move into the area tonight. Expect widespread cloud coverage and southwesterly winds to keep temperatures mild, mainly in the low 60s. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... A lingering boundary will likely be just south of the area Wednesday as some drier air moves into the area early. Southwesterly surface flow will allow for favorable surface destabilization, along with cooling aloft. As a shortwave moves through the southern forecast area and this surface boundary lifts northward as a warm front, expect widespread convection to develop in the southern forecast area, more scattered across the northern area. A bit of a concern, especially towards the CSRA and around Augusta with mid-level lapse rates approaching 8deg/km and 35 knots at 850mb which will at least support organized storms. While the shear will not be as impressive as Tuesday and forecast soundings indicate speed shear, storms may produce large hail and damaging wind gusts. There is a bit of uncertainty as to exactly where this surface boundary sets up but if convection develops earlier farther south it could limit the destabilization and moisture transport into the area. Expect temperatures to warm into the upper 70s to low 80s. Overnight, the cold front will approach from the west with warm advection continuing overnight. Temperatures will remain in the low to mid 60s. By Thursday, the cold front will be pushing into the area. There is a chance of destabilization in the far eastern forecast area late morning into early afternoon which may lead to thunderstorm development but dry air will quickly push in. Showers will taper off from west to east with breezy winds behind the front out of the west. Cold advection will strengthen overnight Thursday with temperatures dropping into the mid to upper 40s. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... An unseasonably deep and cut off upper level low pressure system will be over the Great Lakes on Friday and then slowly open up and lift into New England this weekend. A very tight H5 gradient results in windy weather on Friday and breezy conditions on Saturday. Much below H5 heights and thicknesses will bring much below normal temperatures Friday through Sunday. Will need to monitor the frost potential, especially as the gradient weakens Sunday morning which would allow for better radiational cooling. High pressure aloft builds into the region Monday through Tuesday which allows for continued dry weather and temperatures warming to above normal levels for mid April. && .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Deteriorating conditions through early evening. An approaching low pressure system will bring in scattered thunderstorms to the TAF sites along a warm front in the coming hours. Ceilings will decrease as the warm front lifts north with MVFR likely along with IFR/LIFR conditions within thunderstorms. Increasing moisture will allow for some heavy thunderstorms, and a strong low level jet will bring strong frequent gusts in excess of 25 kt. Occasional gusts of near 40 kt are possible at Augusta terminals this afternoon and thunderstorm coverage will become widespread. The line will shift out by 00z and ceilings will lift to VFR for a time. Winds will become more southwesterly as the system pushes out late tonight, but the strong low level jet may warrant a LLWS group later as surface winds begin to decrease. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Restrictions possible in widespread showers and thunderstorms again Wednesday night into Thursday as a series of disturbances/frontal boundaries cross the region. Of concern is the elevated potential for severe thunderstorms Wednesday evening ahead of a cold front. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Columbia SC 307 AM EDT Tue Apr 5 2022 GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035-037-038-041-115- 116-135>137-060715- Lincoln-McDuffie-Columbia-Richmond-Burke-Chesterfield-McCormick- Newberry-Fairfield-Kershaw-Edgefield-Saluda-Lexington-Richland-Lee- Aiken-Sumter-Barnwell-Calhoun-Clarendon-Bamberg-Northern Lancaster- Southern Lancaster-Northwestern Orangeburg-Central Orangeburg- Southeastern Orangeburg- 307 AM EDT Tue Apr 5 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Midlands of South Carolina and the Central Savannah River area of Georgia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Showers and thunderstorms will move into the area from the west by early this afternoon, lasting into the evening. Some storms may become severe, with damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, and heavy rainfall will all be possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. An approaching cold front will bring another round of showers and thunderstorms again Wednesday and Wednesday night. Strong damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, and heavy rainfall will all be possible ahead of this cold front. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon and evening. Additional spotter activation may be needed on Wednesday.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
1221 PM EDT Tue Apr 5 2022
SCZ025-026-030-051645-
Aiken SC-Saluda SC-Edgefield SC-
1221 PM EDT Tue Apr 5 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Edgefield,
northwestern Aiken and south central Saluda Counties through 1245 PM
EDT...
At 1220 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles north of Belvedere, moving northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
North Augusta, Edgefield, Saluda, Johnston, Ridge Spring, Saluda
County Airport, Edgefield County Airport, Monetta, Trenton, Ward,
Strom Thurmond High School, Harmony, Murphys Estates, Mt Vintage,
Vaucluse, Edgefield Federal Correction Institution and Murphy
Village.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 6 and 21.
Interstate 520 in South Carolina near mile marker 23.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3352 8188 3363 8202 3400 8177 3380 8149
TIME...MOT...LOC 1620Z 224DEG 47KT 3365 8191
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
LCVPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
135 PM EDT TUE APR 5 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0129 PM HAIL 7 NNW AIKEN STATE PARK 33.64N 81.56W
04/05/2022 E0.25 INCH AIKEN SC TRAINED SPOTTER
SKYWARN SPOTTER REPORTED HEAVY RAIN, PONDING
ON ROADWAYS AND PEA-SIZE HAIL.
&&
DAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
312 PM EDT TUE APR 5 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0247 PM FLASH FLOOD 1 S COLUMBIA 33.99N 81.03W
04/05/2022 RICHLAND SC OTHER FEDERAL
USGS WEBCAM AND STREAM GAGE. ROADWAY FLOODED
AT ROCKY BRANCH CREEK AT WHALEY STREET.
ROADWAY IMPASSABLE.
&&
DAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
326 PM EDT TUE APR 5 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0319 PM TORNADO 8 NW SILVERSTREET 34.28N 81.82W
04/05/2022 NEWBERRY SC PUBLIC
PUBLIC REPORT OF AN UNCONFIRMED TORNADO
SIGHTED ALONG BREHMER ROAD. RELAYED FROM
NEWBERRY SHERIFF.
&&
DASpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
447 PM EDT Tue Apr 5 2022
GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ018-025-026-030-052130-
Burke GA-Richmond GA-McDuffie GA-Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-Aiken SC-
McCormick SC-Saluda SC-Edgefield SC-
447 PM EDT Tue Apr 5 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of McDuffie, Columbia,
southeastern Lincoln, Burke, Richmond, Edgefield, southwestern Aiken,
southwestern Saluda and southeastern McCormick Counties through 530
PM EDT...
At 446 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Sharon to near East Dublin. Movement was
northeast at 70 mph. Intensification is likely and warnings may be
needed within the hour.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
North Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Thomson, Waynesboro, Fort Gordon,
Augusta, Clearwater, Martinez, Belvedere, Edgefield, Hephzibah,
Harlem, Johnston, Midville, Glendale, Gough, South Augusta, Clarks
Hill Recreation Area and Edgefield County Airport.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 167 and 201.
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 0 and 13.
Interstate 520 in Georgia between mile markers 1 and 15.
Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 16 and 23.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for east central
Georgia...and central South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3283 8231 3293 8227 3308 8229 3323 8223
3331 8234 3336 8255 3341 8255 3360 8265
3364 8261 3363 8258 3365 8258 3364 8256
3365 8249 3371 8252 3409 8179 3295 8185
3292 8208 3288 8213 3281 8215 3280 8221
TIME...MOT...LOC 2046Z 241DEG 62KT 3352 8275 3251 8280
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
fwaPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
504 PM EDT TUE APR 5 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0500 PM FUNNEL CLOUD SAINT MATTHEWS 33.67N 80.78W
04/05/2022 CALHOUN SC TRAINED SPOTTER
FUNNEL CLOUD NEARLY TOUCHING THE GROUND.
&&
RJOThe Columbia radar (KCAE), 123 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:19 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Tree down on power lines at 400 block of Leitner Mill Rd SE of Harlem. Time estimated.
Multiple trees downed throughout metropolitan Augusta. Time estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, April 2022
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: 1007100, 1007101.