Some upper energy, a cold front, weak instability, and considerable deep layer shear, contributed to a band of showers and isolated thunderstorms that produced some severe wind gusts.
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.
Some upper energy, a cold front, weak instability, and considerable deep layer shear, contributed to a band of showers and isolated thunderstorms that produced some severe wind gusts.
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 Feb 28, 4:42 PM EST, 1 hour 8 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Columbia SC
442 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
.SYNOPSIS...
Expect warm weather and breezy winds today ahead of a cold
front. Showers along the front will move into the area this
afternoon and evening but rain amounts should be light. Thursday
will be cooler and drier as high pressure passes to the north.
An unsettled weather pattern then sets up starting on Friday
with rain chances continuing through the weekend and early next
week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM THURSDAY MORNING/...
A strong line of showers and thunderstorms is pushing through
the Upstate SC and eastern GA as of 430pm. Numerous reports of
50+ mph winds have been reported with this line over the last
few hours. Mesoanalysis showers extremely strong shear profiles
and surface convergence associated with the front itself, along
with modest CAPE but apparently quite sufficient to help mix
down winds to the surface. So severe thunderstorms with damaging
winds are possible, particularly across the western Midlands
and Pee Dee as we move into the evening. Confidence is bit lower
across the CSRA in severe thunderstorm potential as frontal and
synoptic forcing is weaker, but some isolated damaging winds
are possible into the evening. The line of showers and storms
will likely impact the Augusta and Columbia metro areas around
6pm and last through 7-8pm.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
Thursday and Thursday night: An upper trough and associated cold
front continue to move away from the area, allowing high pressure to
build in behind it. The center of this high is expected to pass to
our north. As a result, Thursday is expected to be dry and on the
cooler side. PWATs to begin the day are forecast to be around a
quarter of an inch; however, as an approaching shortwave from the
west combined with return flow from the surface high to our north,
moisture increases back to around an inch or so Thursday night. The
increased moisture and approaching shortwave brings cloud cover for
much of the area. While precipitation is not anticipated overnight,
there may be a few showers moving into the CSRA around daybreak
Friday morning. Overnight cloud cover should keep temperatures on
the mild side.
Friday and Friday night: A wedge pattern looks to be setting up
beginning on Friday as the shortwave continues to pass over the area
and surface winds shifting to the northeast as the surface high
drifts northward. Precipitation chances also increase through the
day as the shortwave moves through the region. Latest guidance has
increased the precipitation amounts slightly, mainly for the far
western portions of the forecast area. A weak coastal low is also
forecast to develop, which may result in slightly higher amounts for
our eastern forecast area as well. However, amounts are forecast to
be generally less than three quarters of an inch. High temperatures
are looking to be a bit tricky due to the wedge set up. The coldest
temperatures are expected to be in the northern and western portions
of the area. Some warm air advection could offset some of the wedge
effects, particularly for the eastern portions of the forecast area.
So just how far west this warmer air can make it will play a big
role in the temperatures for the afternoon.
&&
.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Saturday Through Wednesday: Relatively unsettled conditions are
expected to continue through much of the long term as the wedge
may be difficult to completely break. Thus, a chance for daily
showers continues through the weekend and into the week ahead.
Despite the wedge conditions, temperatures should moderate and
edge back above normal towards the end of the period. The next
higher chance of more widespread shower activity continues to be
at the end of the forecast period; however, there remains
plenty of uncertainty with it.
&&
.AVIATION /22Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
A strong line of showers and storms will push through the TAF
sites over the next few hours. VFR conditions expected following
this line after roughly 02z for all sites.
A front is forcing a line of thunderstorms that will push into
the CAE, CUB, AGS, DNL TAF sites starting around 23z, lasting
until roughly 01z. Gusty winds over 35 knots are likely with
this line along with some scattered lightning and reduced vsby.
Ran a tempo group from 23-01z to cover this line with TSRA.
Gusty winds ahead of the line will continue as expected,
followed by a sharp wind shift behind the front to the west-
northwest. VFR conditions behind the line of showers and storms,
after 02z, are expected overnight into Thursday.
EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Periods of restrictions likely in
the extended as we undergo a long stretch of unsettled weather.
Friday and Saturday look particularly favorable for low ceilings
and visibilities.
&&
.CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SC...Lake Wind Advisory until 7 AM EST Thursday for SCZ016-018-
020>022-025>031-035-037-038-041-115-116-135>137.
GA...Lake Wind Advisory until 7 AM EST Thursday for GAZ040-063>065-
077.
&&
SYNOPSIS...99
NEAR TERM...
SHORT TERM...
LONG TERM...
AVIATION...Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Columbia SC 513 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035-037-038-041-115- 116-135>137-291015- 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- 513 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 ...LAKE WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 AM EST THURSDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Georgia and central South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Lake Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
528 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
SCZ016-022-116-282315-
Chesterfield SC-Southern Lancaster SC-Kershaw SC-
528 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southern Lancaster,
Chesterfield and northeastern Kershaw Counties through 615 PM EST
...
At 528 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Wingate to Buford to Fishing Creek
Reservoir. Movement was east at 65 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...
Cheraw, Pageland, Kershaw, Chesterfield, Elgin, Heath Springs, Cheraw
State Park, Northeastern Technical College, Cheraw Municipal Airport,
Carolina Sandhills Wildlife Refuge, Mt Pisgah, Buford, Mcbee,
Jefferson, Society Hill, Ruby, Patrick, Mount Croghan, McFarlan, and
Chesterfield Ruby Middle School.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3460 7981 3453 7983 3449 7990 3450 7999
3448 8007 3447 8024 3455 8088 3459 8088
3471 8069 3482 8059 3481 7994 3476 7993
3474 7989 3468 7986 3465 7980 3462 7978
TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 272DEG 56KT 3491 8048 3473 8062 3462 8087
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DCMPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
540 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0507 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WNW Willington 33.97N 82.47W
02/28/2024 McCormick SC 911 Call Center
Dispatch reported a tree down at Moss Ave
and James Speed Rd.
&&
CRLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
546 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
SCZ016-020>022-026>028-116-282315-
Fairfield SC-Chesterfield SC-Lexington SC-Southern Lancaster SC-
Newberry SC-Richland SC-Kershaw SC-Saluda SC-
546 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of central Fairfield,
southwestern Lancaster, southeastern Newberry, south central
Chesterfield, northern Lexington, Saluda, northern Richland and
Kershaw Counties through 615 PM EST
...
At 545 PM EST, strong thunderstorms were reported along a line
extending from Great Falls to 10 miles west of Saluda County Airport.
Movement was southeast at 35 mph.
...Boaters on Lake Murray Should Seek Safe Harbor...
...Boaters on Lake Wateree Should Seek Safe Harbor...
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Columbia, Lexington, West Columbia, Cayce, Irmo, Forest Acres,
Camden, Batesburg-Leesville, Winnsboro, Springdale, Dentsville, Oak
Grove, Lake Wateree Dam, St. Andrews, VC Summer Nuclear Station,
Highway 6 at Lake Murray Dam, Red Bank, Saluda, Prosperity, and
Arcadia Lakes.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 126 between mile markers 0 and 3.
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 47 and 105.
Interstate 26 between mile markers 81 and 113.
Interstate 77 between mile markers 10 and 46.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3434 8036 3430 8036 3428 8044 3418 8046
3410 8058 3411 8062 3406 8065 3385 8154
3388 8157 3382 8165 3388 8185 3398 8190
3396 8201 3401 8197 3455 8086 3447 8025
3448 8007
TIME...MOT...LOC 2245Z 294DEG 32KT 3455 8088 3394 8198
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DCMThe Robins AFB radar (KJGX), 123 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:48 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
AWOS unit at Thomson McDuffie Co Airport measured a peak wind gust of 49 mph.
Trees were downed on power lines at Clarks Hill Rd and Petersburg Rd. Time estimated.
Trees were downed on power lines at Crawford Pl and Haire Baxton Rd. Time estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, February 2024
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: 1154027, 1154028, 1154029.