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.
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 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 6, 4:09 PM EST, 1 hour 21 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 509 PM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022 .SYNOPSIS... Chance for showers and thunderstorms including some severe thunderstorms across the region once again into tonight. Dry, cool weather will return for late this week and into the weekend. Temperatures and shallow moisture will increase through early next week but the next chance for showers should hold off until late Tuesday or Wednesday. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/... Tornado Watch 102 has been issued for areas along and south of I-26 excluding Newberry county. Previus discussion follows: Mostly cloudy across much of the area this afternoon. Temperatures have struggled to warm, but dewpoints remain quite juicy with values in the mid to upper 60s. Remnant boundary which started south of the CWA this morning is still expected to become the focus for another round of shower and thunderstorm development this afternoon into tonight. Some breaks in the clouds are noted along that boundary, with storms in western GA beginning to develop. As this boundary continues to lift north, we'll be keeping a close eye for shower and thunderstorm development. Upper dynamics appear favorable for severe weather, generally in the form of damaging wind gusts and some large hail. This is due to sufficient CAPE in the hail growth zone, strong mid-level lapse rates and drier air aloft leading to high DCAPE values. All said, model solutions suggest MLCAPE values between 1000 and 2000 are possible into this evening. While there remains a low-end tornado threat, wind shear, SRH and EHI values are not as significant as Tuesday, and so current thinking is that this threat will generally remain south of our area. However, short-lived and quickly developing spinups are possible with any severe storms which develop. Best coverage should be across the southern half of the CWA through this evening. Hi-res CAMs are not in as good of agreement regarding the evolution of convection compared to Tuesday. However, the majority of them do highlight the 06/20Z through 07/04Z time period. There looks to be a bit of a break before a secondary round of showers and thunderstorms is possible ahead of a cold front somewhere around 07/07 to 07/10Z tonight. The severe threat with the subsequent push of showers and storms seems to be lower at this time. Temperatures this afternoon could warm up an additional few degrees into the mid 70s, except to the south where breaks in the clouds may allow for some additional warming. Overnight the rain, cloud cover and background wind field will limit cooling and lows should remain warm, in the mid 60s. Slightly lower values are possible in the western CSRA if clearing occurs late in the near term period. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... Cold front will push through the forecast area Thursday morning with the potential for some shower activity along and ahead of the boundary. However westerly 850 mb winds and modest moisture advection suggest only scattered or isolated convective coverage. Confidence in thunderstorm development is low however due to unfavorable diurnal timing and a lack of deep moisture. Think the bulk of any precip will be east of the area by midday as PWATS decrease rapidly below one inch and dewpoints crash into the 40s. It will be breezy behind the front with westerly gusts up to 25 mph, just below Lake Wind Advisory criteria for now but will have the midnight shift reevaluate. Highs will be in the low to mid 70s for most locations - cooler in the western FA and CSRA. Cold advection will strengthen overnight with temperatures dropping into the mid to upper 40s. Winds will remain elevated preventing ideal radiational cooling conditions despite dewpoints settling in the upper 30s and mostly clear skies. A deep upper level trough will settle over the eastern CONUS Friday. At the surface, dry high pressure will ridge into the forecast area with below normal temperatures expected Friday afternoon. Temperatures will peak in the upper 60s and breezy conditions continue due to a tight pressure gradient. Lows Friday night a bit cooler with values in the upper 30s to low 40s. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Troughing persists through Saturday and finally swings through on Sunday with ridging building in behind. Dry conditions continue this weekend with below normal temperatures and breezy conditions. Winds die off a bit Saturday night with lows falling into the 30s. We'll have to watch for a potential frost threat. Surface high pressure is in control Sunday night into Monday with dry low levels and weak winds, and another cool night is expected. Current NBM guidance has temperatures a bit warmer than Saturday night, but will continue to monitor trends. The aforementioned upper ridging will help induce a warming temperature trend with increasing shallow moisture on Monday. Mean PWAT values from global ensembles rise above 1 inch late Tuesday or Wednesday. A few passing upper level disturbances moving through the flow may increase rain chances during this period, but there remains some uncertainty in the forecast this far out in the period. && .AVIATION /21Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Restrictions through tomorrow morning, then slowly improving as the cold front moves east. Deep cloud coverage remains over the area and all TAF sites remain in IFR/LIFR. Looking at current satellite, drier air is beginning to advect into the southern Midlands and CSRA. Ceilings will lift, however this will preclude convection initiation. Scattered thunderstorms will move into Augusta then Orangeburg terminals, at times possibly widespread as we head into the early evening. Showers and storms will likely reduce visibilities to IFR/LIFR considering the available moisture in the atmosphere. After the initial evening convection, another round of showers will move through as the cold front enters the area around 05-08z. Gusts outside of storms will be from the SSW around 5-10kt, veering west as the front pushes through in the early morning hours. Mixing will ramp up shortly after sunrise and skies will quickly clear before noon, but before that, expect intermittent MVFR/IFR cigs/vis through most of the forecast period. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Dry air moves in behind the cold front. No widespread restrictions expected. && .HYDROLOGY... Heavy rainfall on the order of 2 to 4 inches across the region on Tuesday has lead to considerable rises on many area mainstem rivers. Multiple Flood Warnings and Flood Advisories are currently in effect. With heavy rainfall possible this afternoon into this evening, additional flooding and subsequent warnings and advisories may be issued. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Columbia SC 446 AM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022 GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035-037-038-041-115- 116-135>137-070900- 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- 446 AM EDT Wed Apr 6 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 are expected to develop once again by this afternoon, lasting into this evening. Strong damaging winds, hail, isolated tornadoes, and heavy rainfall will all be possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
425 PM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022
SCZ038-137-062100-
Southeastern Orangeburg SC-Clarendon SC-
425 PM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Clarendon and east central Orangeburg Counties through 500 PM EDT...
At 425 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Holly Hill, or 13 miles northeast of Indian Field, moving northeast
at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Holly Hill, Eutawville, Rocks Pond Campground and Marina, Blounts
Landing and Eautaw Springs.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for central South
Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3350 8010 3350 8012 3348 8015 3346 8013
3346 8015 3345 8015 3346 8016 3345 8017
3345 8020 3344 8020 3345 8022 3330 8025
3327 8030 3328 8035 3326 8038 3334 8046
3362 8013 3357 8006
TIME...MOT...LOC 2025Z 239DEG 26KT 3330 8034
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
gplSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
428 PM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022
GAZ065-SCZ030-062100-
Richmond GA-Aiken SC-
428 PM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Richmond and southwestern Aiken Counties through 500 PM EDT...
At 428 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Augusta Regional Airport, or 10 miles southeast of Augusta, moving
northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Aiken, Aiken Mall, Clearwater, New Ellenton, Jackson, USC Aiken,
Citizens Park, Gloverville, Augusta Regional Airport, Graniteville,
Burnettown, Audubon's Silver Bluff Sanctuary, Hopeland Gardens, New
Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam Park, Savannah River Site Badge Office,
Westover, Bennock Mill, Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Redcliffe
Plantation State Historic Site and Boyd Pond Park.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 520 in Georgia between mile markers 10 and 15.
Interstate 520 in South Carolina near mile marker 16.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for east central
Georgia...and central South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3326 8188 3326 8192 3337 8203 3362 8177
3338 8152 3325 8185
TIME...MOT...LOC 2028Z 235DEG 20KT 3334 8189
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
gplSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
448 PM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022
SCZ030-062130-
Aiken SC-
448 PM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Aiken County
through 530 PM EDT...
At 447 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Aiken Mall, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Aiken, Aiken Mall, New Ellenton, USC Aiken, Citizens Park, Aiken
Municipal Airport, Gloverville, Aiken State Park, Burnettown,
Wagener, Salley, Perry, Windsor, Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage
Preserve, Perry Airport, Hopeland Gardens and New Holland.
This includes Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 18
and 32.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for central South
Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3334 8165 3351 8185 3381 8161 3359 8126
TIME...MOT...LOC 2047Z 220DEG 14KT 3350 8170
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
gplSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
509 PM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022
GAZ040-063>065-SCZ018-025-030-062145-
Richmond GA-McDuffie GA-Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-Aiken SC-McCormick SC-
Edgefield SC-
509 PM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of north central
McDuffie, Columbia, southeastern Lincoln, north central Richmond,
Edgefield, northwestern Aiken and southeastern McCormick Counties
through 545 PM EDT...
At 509 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Thomson-McDuffie County Airport to near
Grovetown. Movement was northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
North Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Fort Gordon, Martinez, Belvedere,
Clearwater, Edgefield, McCormick, Glendale, Clarks Hill Recreation
Area, Edgefield County Airport, Mistletoe State Park, Summerville,
Augusta Mall, Daniel Field, Village Plaza Shopping Center, Augusta
National Golf Club, J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Appling.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 176 and 201.
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 0 and 15.
Interstate 520 in Georgia between mile markers 1 and 5.
Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 20 and 23.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for east central
Georgia...and central South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3364 8249 3365 8250 3366 8249 3392 8227
3374 8165 3337 8211 3356 8256
TIME...MOT...LOC 2109Z 219DEG 25KT 3357 8246 3344 8216
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
gplSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
515 PM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022
SCZ030-035-041-135-136-062145-
Central Orangeburg SC-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-Bamberg SC-
Northwestern Orangeburg SC-
515 PM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Barnwell, northwestern Bamberg, east central Aiken and northwestern
Orangeburg Counties through 545 PM EDT...
At 515 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Williston, or 11 miles north of Barnwell, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Williston, Blackville, Barnwell State Park, Springfield, Salley,
Neeses, Norway, Elko and Livingston.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for central South
Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3327 8137 3344 8150 3366 8117 3343 8097
TIME...MOT...LOC 2115Z 235DEG 24KT 3341 8137
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
gplSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
557 PM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022
SCZ025>028-030-062300-
Lexington SC-Aiken SC-Richland SC-Saluda SC-Edgefield SC-
557 PM EDT Wed Apr 6 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Edgefield,
northwestern Lexington, north central Aiken, southeastern Saluda and
northwestern Richland Counties through 700 PM EDT...
At 556 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Johnston, or 18 miles northwest of Aiken, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Lexington, Batesburg-Leesville, Red Bank, Oak Grove, Edgefield,
Saluda, Johnston, South Congaree, Ridge Spring, Edgefield County
Airport, Saluda County Airport, Chapin, Gilbert, Summit, Monetta,
Trenton, Ward, Cedar Grove Fire Station, Saluda Co Sheriff's Office
and Bundrick Island.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 35 and 58.
Interstate 26 between mile markers 90 and 92.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for central South
Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3410 8157 3407 8150 3409 8146 3408 8145
3408 8143 3407 8139 3412 8143 3414 8143
3418 8140 3420 8134 3422 8134 3422 8133
3388 8111 3367 8188 3387 8200
TIME...MOT...LOC 2156Z 241DEG 31KT 3381 8185
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
gplThe Columbia radar (KCAE), 126 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:30 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind, 1 flash flood, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees down on McGill Rd. Time estimated.
Several roads flooded and closed including Salem Church Rd. Exact locations unknown. | Time estimated.
Media reported a fire to a home on Wells Dr in Harlem that was caused by a lightning strike. The home sustained major damage. No injuries reported.
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: 1007190, 1007192, 1007115.