A mid-upper level trough approached the area by afternoon with a broad area of divergence and strong flow thanks to an associated jet streak. A surface warm front, connected to a developing low pressure center over the Ohio Valley, lifted north of the area by early afternoon.
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.
A mid-upper level trough approached the area by afternoon with a broad area of divergence and strong flow thanks to an associated jet streak. A surface warm front, connected to a developing low pressure center over the Ohio Valley, lifted north of the area by early afternoon. An alley of 2000+ J/kg of CAPE was present by mid-afternoon and mid-level dry air preceded the surface cold front, both combining for an enhanced wind and hail threat. With strong deep layer shear over 50 knots, the surface front forced convection quickly became severe.
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 May 6, 2:56 PM EST, 49 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 356 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022 .SYNOPSIS... Showers and thunderstorms will develop ahead of an approaching cold front this afternoon. Some of these thunderstorms will be strong to severe. Saturday will be cooler and drier with a chance of showers and perhaps a rumble of thunder in the northeastern Midlands. Several days of dry weather follow starting on Sunday with gradually warming temperatures. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY MORNING/... Quick update for Severe thunderstorm watch for the Midlands and CSRA through 10pm. Organized convection lifting north- northeastward through central GA should move into the CSRA after 4pm and continue northeastward across the Midlands providing a damaging wind threat. Isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out but the primary threat is damaging winds and large hail. Previous discussion: Tornado watch issued for the Upstate SC and western NC. The strongest SR helicity should remain northwest of the CAE CWA and southwest in Georgia. Severe threat expected to increase for central SC and east central Georgia later this afternoon into the evening... Deepening surface low pressure over Kentucky/Indiana early this afternoon with a trailing cold front moving east of the Mississippi Valley. Ahead of the front, Precipitable water increase across SC to around 1.5 inches with southwest low level flow...Warm air advection appears weak however. Upper level low over Tennessee moving east- northeast and taking on negative tilt. Upper level divergence will be increasing over the Carolina as upper level 100 kt jet rounding the base of the trough moves east. In addition a strong short wave trough will approach the Carolinas. This will result in strong lift across the region during time of peak heating...highs in the mid to upper 80s as the cold front approaches. Instability appears to be moderate with SB CAPE 1500-2000 J/kg. Mixed layer CAPE is low at the moment and with gusty winds probably mixing down lower dew points later in the day...possible limiting factor. The CAMS suggest a possible storm mode of discrete cells early, with low tornado threat given the lack of SR Helicity. Then with a uni-directional strong shear profile late this afternoon, a squall line ahead of the front 21z-24z with damaging winds the primary threat along with hail given relatively low wet-bulb zero height as the upper low approaches. Went with relatively high pops. The front should push to the east of the area during the 03z- 06z period tonight. Drier air will filter in behind the front and the showers should move into the coastal plain. The stronger cold advection may be delayed until morning so overnight temps only fall to around 60. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... Upper low will swing over the forecast area Saturday with lower heights and cooler temperatures with highs in the mid to upper 70s with mostly cloudy skies. With considerable cooling aloft with the upper low right over us, could get some showers and maybe even a thunderstorm to develop, especially in the NE portion of the forecast area. Saturday night the upper low will shift offshore with drier air pumping into the forecast area. Overnight lows cooler as well Saturday night with temperatures in the low to mid 50s. NW flow aloft across the area Sunday with N flow at the surface with drier air pumping into the forecast area as PWATs drop to .7 to .8 inches and skies begin to clear from SW to NE. Cold advection and clouds will keep temperatures in the upper 60s NE to mid 70s SW. Cold advection will continue overnight with lows in the upper 40s north and low 50s south. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Good agreement among global models and their ensemble suites in the low pressure remaining just east of the area with a blocking ridge preventing it from pushing further downstream. All euro ensemble members keep PWATs below an inch with generally northerly flow continuing. Temperatures will slowly recover into next week, remaining below normal. The low will slowly shift back to the west by the middle of the week with some increasing moisture which may lead to showers developing late in the period, although moisture will still be fairly limited. && .AVIATION /20Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... A cold front will approach from the lower Mississippi Valley by this evening. Ahead of the front, the air mass is becoming moderately unstable. The CAMS suggest a convective squall line with a few discrete cells will develop in east central GA then move northeast through the area during the 20z-24z. Kept the brief period of IFR conditions as the thunderstorms moves through the area. Clearing skies in the late evening with mainly mid level ceilings. Winds will be southwest 15 to 20 knots with a few higher gusts ahead of the front then shift to west after 12z Saturday. Strato-cumulus may develop after 12z Saturday as the upper level low moves over the area and maybe some brief light showers, but VFR conditions expected. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...There will be another chance for showers on Saturday, especially across the northern CWA as the upper level low passes by. Patchy early morning stratus/fog possible particularly at OGB/AGS on Saturday. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...No significant impacts to aviation expected. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Columbia SC 439 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022 GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035-037-038-041-115- 116-135>137-070845- 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- 439 AM EDT Fri May 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. A cold front will bring a line of strong to severe thunderstorms through the area this afternoon. The main threat will be damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, and large hail. Brief heavy rainfall will also be possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon and evening.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
219 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022
SCZ115-116-061845-
Northern Lancaster SC-Southern Lancaster SC-
219 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Lancaster County through 245 PM EDT...
At 218 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Van Wyck, or 8 miles south of Indian Land, moving northeast at 30
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea 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...
Indian Land, Waxhaw, Andrew Jackson State Park, Van Wyck, Carolina
Commons Shopping Center and Community of Almond Glen.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for central South
Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3493 8078 3482 8080 3482 8074 3476 8086
3481 8090 3483 8090 3484 8087 3490 8088
3493 8086 3496 8087 3501 8091 3503 8090
3507 8090
TIME...MOT...LOC 1818Z 234DEG 28KT 3488 8085
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
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</html>Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
445 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022
GAZ040-063-064-SCZ018-025-062115-
McDuffie GA-Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-McCormick SC-Edgefield SC-
445 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of McDuffie,
northwestern Columbia, southeastern Lincoln, west central Edgefield
and southeastern McCormick Counties through 515 PM EDT...
At 444 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Thomson, moving northeast at 55 mph.
...Boaters on Lake Strom Thurmond Should Seek Safe Harbor...
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel 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...
Thomson, Appling, Clarks Hill Recreation Area, J. Strom Thurmond Dam,
Riverwood, Mistletoe State Park, Thomson-McDuffie County Airport,
Wrightsboro, Hamilton Branch State Park, Parksville, Sweetwater Park,
Winfield, Modoc, McDuffie County Fire Department, Thomson Fire
Department, Scott's Landing, McDuffie Regional Medical Center, Knox
Scout Reservation, White Oak Campground and Boneville.
This includes Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 167 and
183.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm 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 Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
east central Georgia...and central South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3364 8255 3364 8252 3366 8251 3365 8249
3368 8250 3384 8228 3369 8203 3334 8251
3336 8253 3336 8255 3341 8255 3346 8259
3358 8263
TIME...MOT...LOC 2044Z 239DEG 49KT 3350 8240
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
MJPThe Columbia radar (KCAE), 95 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:46 UTC.
43 thunderstorm wind, 14 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
County EM sent picture of ping pong ball sized hail from Railroad Avenue in North Augusta. Time estimated by radar.
Spotter reported a large tree down along River North Drive in North Augusta.
Social media report of golf ball size hail near the intersection of Hwy. 25 and I-20.
Public report of 1 inch diameter hail in Belvedere.
SC Highway Patrol reported trees down near the intersection of SC Hwy. 421 and Storm Branch Road.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree in the roadway. Time estimated by radar.
Barnwell County Dispatch reported widespread trees and powerlines down across the county.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree in the roadway. Time estimated by radar.
EM reported multiple large trees down in the vicinity of Robin Road and Oriole Street. One tree down on a house and another on a vehicle in the carport.
EM reported multiple trees down on Hwy. 64 in Barwell heading towards Olar.
Public report through social media of trees blocking the roadway along Blanchard Road between Ascauga Lake Road and Old Sudlow Lake Road.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree in the roadway. Time estimated by radar.
Report from MPing.
Report through social media several large pines snapped off and one blocking the highway at the intersection of Jones Road and Hwy. 283 with lots of wind debris.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree across the road at SC Hwy. 64 and Washington Street in the Town of Ehrhardt.
Reported power lines down in the road along North Street in the Town of Bamberg.
SCHP reported tree in roadway near Palomino Road and Haven Road.
SC Highway Patrol reported trees down near the intersection of Hwy. 21 and Fox Paw Court between Rowesville and Branchville.
CoCoRaHS report of minor leaf damage due to hail.
Sheriff dispatch reported quarter size hail near the Town of Saluda.
Report of 1 inch hail near the town of Ridgeway.
Sheriff dispatch reported lots of hail and numerous trees down across Saluda county.
Hail up to half dollar size causing leaf damage on the property.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree down along Norway Road. Time estimated by radar.
Report of nickel size hail in the Cherokee Lakes subdivision near the Town of Lexington.
SCHP reported tree in roadway along I-26 at mile marker 143.
Department of Highways reported a tree in the roadway. Time estimated by radar.
SCHP reported tree in roadway along I-26 at mile marker 160.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree in the roadway. Time estimated by radar.
Dime to nickel sized hail reported in Lancaster County.
SC Highway Patrol reported tree down along I-26 near Miler Marker 130, east bound.
SC Highway Patrol reported roadway blocked by tree near the intersection of Rawl Road and Clear Springs Trail.
SC Highway Patrol reported tree in the roadway at the intersection of Monticello Road and Dipsy Do Road.
Kershaw County dispatch reported a tree down along Bishopville Highway and Lucknow Road. Time estimated by radar.
Lancaster county dispatch reported trees down around Zion Road and Shiloh Unity Road.
SC Highway Patrol reported the roadway blocked by a tree along Monticello Road near I-20.
Public report of 2 inch diameter hail and small limbs down near Prosperity, SC.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree in the roadway on SC 36-587. Time estimated by radar.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree blocking the roadway. Time estimated by radar.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree blocking the roadway. Time estimated by radar.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree in the roadway on Winterwood Road. Time estimated by radar.
SC Highway Patrol reported power lines in the roadway near the intersection of Sherlock Road and Old Eastover Road.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree in the roadway along Pineview Road.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree in roadway near Heritage Hwy and Hwy. 61. Time estimated by radar.
Report of quarter sized hail northeast of Kershaw, SC at Hwy. 903 and 601. Time estimated by radar.
Fairfield County Dispatch reported trees down on Jenkinsville Road near SC 215. Time estimated by radar.
Fairfield County Dispatch reported a tree down along Highway 321 near Business 321. Time estimated by radar.
Public report through social media of half dollar size hail along Kelly Bridge Road West in Northern Lee County.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree down along Edward Street. Time estimated by radar.
SC Highway Patrol reported trees in the roadway at Hudson Road and Banning Street.
Fairfield county DoT reports trees down on River Road in Fairfield County.
Lee County Dispatch reported a tree down near Bethune Park Road and Mary McLeod Bethune Road near Mayesville. Time estimated by radar.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree down near Brewington Road and Hwy 61.
SC Highway Patrol reported a tree down along Ebenezer Road.
Lee County dispatch reported a tree down along Tram Road in Lynchburg. Time estimated by radar.
Fire department reported trees down on Deerwood Road near Doster Road.
Reported quarter size hail and estimated wind gusts of 60 mph near the intersection of Landsford Road and SC Hwy. 207.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Carolina in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in South Carolina, May 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1017844, 1023630, 1017838, 1017839, 1019198, 1019231, 1019202, 1019232, 1023615, 1023621, 1019212, 1019234, 1017840, 1023638, 1019205, 1019213, 1023611, 1019215, 1017849, 1017848, 1017841, 1023639, 1017850, 1023629, 1017843, 1023609, 1019220, 1023610, 1019224, 1017842, 1023607, 1023627, 1023608, 1023634, 1023643, 1023623, 1017847, 1023606, 1023613, 1023614, and more.