A prefrontal band of showers and thunderstorms produced wind damage in Richmond and Burke Co GA, in the mid to late morning.
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 prefrontal band of showers and thunderstorms produced wind damage in Richmond and Burke Co GA, in the mid to late morning.
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 Jan 4, 6:49 AM EST, 2 hours 36 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 649 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023 .SYNOPSIS... Cold front along with showers and thunderstorms moving through the region today and offshore tonight. Cooler and drier conditions will be over the area for Thursday through Saturday with the next low pressure system and chances of rain returning to the area on Sunday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Through the day the cold front will continue marching across the Gulf Coast with the main focus on the convection ahead of the front. By early afternoon instability across the forecast area will become moderate with LIs in the -3 range and CAPE around 1000 J/Kg. Although mid level lapse rates will be below 6 C/Km and heating will be limited by cloud cover there will be enough instability and frontal dynamics to produce chances of thunderstorms. Low level shear will also be around 40s knots so potential for some strong to severe thunderstorms exists. Agree with SPC analysis the best dynamics and potential for severe weather will be just southwest and south of the forecast area with lower potential of the Carolinas. Pwat values with the front will also be 1.5 inches so there is potential for locally heavy rainfall however with the strong low level winds cells will propagate quickly so potential for flooding is low. The front will move through the area late this evening into early tonight with drier air moving into the Midlands and CSRA overnight as the front move offshore. Winds will increase with the front and thunderstorms with gusts to 25 mph expected this afternoon and evening. High temperatures this afternoon will range from the upper 60s to around 70 along and north of I-20 with mid 70s elsewhere. Low temperatures tonight will be in the mid 40s in the western Midlands and northern CSRA with upper 40s to low 50s elsewhere. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... Dry conditions will prevail through Friday night across the region behind the cold front. On Thursday, the cooler air is expected to still lag a bit behind the exiting front, and with a good amount of sun expected through the day, highs should reach the mid to upper 60s in most areas. By Thursday night, the drier and cooler air will have taken over. With dewpoints dropping into the 30s and weak cold advection setting up, this should help to push overnight lows down in the upper 30s to the lower 40s. By Friday, the cooler air will be much more noticeable across the region as winds turn a little more out of the northwest. Highs only in the mid to upper 50s. Friday night set up to be more of an ideal radiational cooling night, with diminished winds, mostly clear skies, and dry air still in place. Most areas should still remain above freezing, in the middle 30s, but still expect a few isolated areas to drop to the freezing mark at some point through the night. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Dry conditions again on Saturday as winds begin to turn back out of the south through the day. Weak upper ridge axis moves towards the area during the afternoon, helping to moderate afternoon temperatures slightly. By Sunday, the ridge moves east and upper winds turn more southwesterly ahead of the next approaching upper trough and associated surface cold front. Moisture increases enough by Sunday to bring isolated to scattered showers back into the area. Rain chances should last into the early portions of next week. Temperatures close to normal through the period. && .AVIATION /12Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Restrictions expected through much of the period with improvement after 05/03z. Satellite imagery and surface obs show a line of convection moving through central GA and the Upstate of SC with embedded thunderstorms. Over the next several hours the line will move into the terminals with all sites expected to remain IFR to MVFR as the showers and thunderstorms move through the area. Have not included mention of thunder at the terminals as satellite imagery shows cells in southwestern GA and southeastern AL increasing and lightning closer to the terminals decreasing. Will continue to monitor. Cold front will cross the terminals this evening and move offshore early tonight with drier air moving and conditions returning to VFR around 05/05z. Winds will generally be southerly around 10 knots with gusts to 20 knots through 22z then veer to W around 5 knots through the end of the period. NOTE: The KAGS observation is not available in or unrepresentative of current conditions at night when an observer is not present. This has led us to include AMD NOT SKED there and will remain so until further notice due to a communications outage. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...No significant impacts to aviation expected Thursday through Sunday. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Columbia SC 441 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023 GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035-037-038-041-115- 116-135>137-050945- 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- 441 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023 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 of severe weather late this morning through this evening across the Midlands of South Carolina and the Central Savannah River area of Georgia. Damaging winds are the main threat with an isolated tornado also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. No hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
819 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023
SCZ020-021-041400-
Fairfield SC-Newberry SC-
819 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern
Fairfield and Newberry Counties through 900 AM EST...
At 818 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Clinton to 6 miles west of Joanna to 6
miles east of Waterloo to near Cross Hill. Movement was east at 50
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...
Newberry, VC Summer Nuclear Station, Whitmire, Monticello, Newberry
County Airport, Blair, Newberry College, Blackstock, Pomaria, Peak,
Newberry County Detention Center, US-176 and SC-
34 Crossroads, Henderson Island, Belfast Wildlife Management Area,
Maybington Fire Station, Feasterville Fire Station, Bush River Fire
Station, Vaughnville, Enoree Ranger District Office and Kinards.
This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 62 and 84.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3456 8117 3455 8109 3422 8134 3424 8191
3430 8190 3437 8178 3453 8164 3449 8157
3445 8154 3449 8149 3450 8142 3457 8142
TIME...MOT...LOC 1318Z 253DEG 45KT 3451 8185 3444 8192 3436 8194 3430
8203
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
gplSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
823 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023
GAZ040-064-SCZ018-025-041415-
Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-McCormick SC-Edgefield SC-
823 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Columbia, Lincoln, northwestern Edgefield and McCormick Counties
through 915 AM EST...
At 823 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Tignall, or 7 miles north of Washington, moving east at 40 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...
McCormick, Lincolnton, Clarks Hill Recreation Area, Elijah Clark
State Park, Mccormick County Airport, Hamilton Branch State Park,
Lake Strom Thurmond, Bobby Brown State Park, Parksville, Plum Branch,
Bordeaux, Broad River Campground, Modoc, Scott's Landing, Knox Scout
Reservation, Double Branches, Curry Hill, Chennault, Modoc Boat Ramp
and Colliers.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3398 8265 3398 8261 3396 8257 3402 8259
3407 8253 3408 8248 3406 8245 3406 8233
3397 8230 3402 8225 3397 8218 3398 8205
3395 8204 3367 8208 3366 8249 3382 8259
3386 8257 3386 8261
TIME...MOT...LOC 1323Z 265DEG 33KT 3384 8272
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
gplSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
846 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023
GAZ040-063>065-SCZ018-025-041430-
Richmond GA-McDuffie GA-Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-McCormick SC-
Edgefield SC-
846 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of McDuffie, Columbia,
south central Lincoln, western Richmond, southwestern Edgefield and
southeastern McCormick Counties through 930 AM EST...
At 845 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles southwest of Lincolnton to near
Wrightsboro to near Mitchell. Movement was northeast at 55 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...
Grovetown, Evans, Thomson, Martinez, Fort Gordon, Harlem, Appling,
Clarks Hill Recreation Area, Riverwood, Mistletoe State Park,
Wrightsboro, Village Plaza Shopping Center, J. Strom Thurmond Dam,
Thomson-McDuffie County Airport, Dearing, Arties Pond Public Fishing
Area, Adamsville, Thomson Fire Department, McDuffie Regional Medical
Center and Autney.
This includes Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 167 and
197.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 PM EST for east central
Georgia...and central South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3364 8261 3363 8261 3363 8258 3365 8258
3364 8256 3366 8251 3365 8249 3367 8249
3368 8207 3354 8204 3327 8225 3327 8229
3331 8234 3331 8239 3334 8244 3336 8255
3341 8255 3358 8264 3362 8264
TIME...MOT...LOC 1345Z 234DEG 48KT 3370 8257 3351 8259 3326 8271
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
gplSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
909 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023
GAZ040-064-SCZ018-020-025-026-041500-
Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-Newberry SC-McCormick SC-Saluda SC-
Edgefield SC-
909 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of north central
Columbia, southeastern Lincoln, western Newberry, Edgefield, western
Saluda and eastern McCormick Counties through 1000 AM EST...
At 909 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Troy to near J. Strom Thurmond Dam.
Movement was northeast at 60 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...
Edgefield, Saluda, McCormick, Johnston, Troy, Saluda County Airport,
Edgefield County Airport, Mccormick County Airport, Hamilton Branch
State Park, Lake Greenwood, Trenton, Bradley, Parksville, Plum
Branch, Strom Thurmond High School, Good Hope, Modoc, Scott's
Landing, Northside Fire Station Main and Belfast Wildlife Management
Area.
This includes Interstate 26 near mile marker 62.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 PM EST for east central
Georgia...and central South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3398 8230 3402 8224 3397 8218 3399 8215
3398 8205 3395 8204 3396 8202 3413 8187
3415 8190 3419 8192 3420 8194 3430 8190
3436 8179 3445 8171 3370 8182 3367 8231
TIME...MOT...LOC 1409Z 219DEG 52KT 3407 8228 3367 8229
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
gplSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
914 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023
SCZ016-115-116-041500-
Northern Lancaster SC-Chesterfield SC-Southern Lancaster SC-
914 AM EST Wed Jan 4 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Lancaster and
northwestern Chesterfield Counties through 1000 AM EST...
At 914 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Pineville to near Lesslie to near Blackstock.
Movement was northeast at 50 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...
Lancaster, Indian Land, Waxhaw, Pageland, Elgin, Heath Springs, USC
Lancaster, Irwin, Andrew Jackson State Park, Van Wyck, Buford,
Fishing Creek Reservoir, Arrowood Estates, Bell Town Fire Station,
Community of Almond Glen, Faith Christian School, Carolina Commons
Shopping Center, Bear Creek Park, Central High School and McDonald
Green Elementary School.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3493 8078 3482 8079 3481 8034 3471 8036
3453 8087 3465 8089 3470 8086 3474 8088
3479 8087 3483 8090 3484 8087 3490 8088
3493 8086 3501 8091 3507 8091 3507 8090
TIME...MOT...LOC 1414Z 242DEG 44KT 3510 8089 3488 8100 3453 8108
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
gplThe Robins AFB radar (KJGX), 126 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 14:27 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Columbia Co GA EM reported one tree down at County Line Rd and Sawdust Rd, resulting in a total of 794 customers losing power. Time estimated.
A tree was downed on Boggs Academy Rd. Time estimated.
Public report of multiple trees down along Winter Ave. A personal weather station at the location measured a 59 MPH peak wind gust. Time estimated.
A National Weather Service survey team confirmed an expansive downburst in|northern Burke County, GA, with winds up to 90 mph. The downburst began in the|vicinity of Winter Road and Campbell Circle just west of Highway 25, south of|Hephzibah in Burke County. The downburst snapped and uprooted numerous trees and|lifted a portion of a roof on a home in this area. The downburst continued to produce|damage northeast of this area, where the roof of a mobile home was partially lifted on|Highway 25, and multiple trees were snapped or uprooted on McManus Road. The|most significant damage then occurred along Old Waynesboro Road, where a swath of|trees were snapped and uprooted. One large oak tree snapped and fell onto a house,|causing significant damage, and another house had several trees on it. The downburst|then continued to produce damage to the River Road area near the Richmond County|line, where many trees were snapped and uprooted. The damage swath was|approximately 7.5 miles long and over 100 yards wide in some locations.
Numerous trees and power lines were downed in the general area of Old Waynesboro Rd and Hwy 56. Time estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, January 2023
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: 1064971, 1064960, 1064961, 1064962, 1064977.