A lingering stalled front remained in the forecast area 5/23, but a embedded shortwave in the general troughing pattern moved in during the afternoon and evening hours, leading to scattered convection to develop. The environment ahead of this shortwave was characterized by MLCAPE values over 2000 J/kg and effective shear near 30-35 kts.
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 lingering stalled front remained in the forecast area 5/23, but a embedded shortwave in the general troughing pattern moved in during the afternoon and evening hours, leading to scattered convection to develop. The environment ahead of this shortwave was characterized by MLCAPE values over 2000 J/kg and effective shear near 30-35 kts. Scattered strong to severe storms moved across the forecast area during the afternoon and evening hours, bringing damaging winds, hail up to golf ball sized, and even a report of a waterspout over Lake Murray in SC.
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 23, 12:45 PM EST, 1 hour 30 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 145 PM EDT Sat May 23 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Widespread showers and storms are developing in the CSRA and will continue to push into the Midlands this afternoon and evening. Aviation discussion updated for 18z TAF. && .KEY MESSAGES... - 1. Widespread thunderstorms, a few of which may become strong to severe, and localized flash flooding through tonight. - 2. Shower and thunderstorm chances continue through the upcoming week. && .DISCUSSION... Key Message 1: Widespread thunderstorms, a few of which may become strong to severe, and localized flash flooding through tonight. Latest mesoanalysis indicates significant surface destabilization in the CSRA with sbCAPE exceeding 2500 J/kg. There remains a sharp gradient in instability associated with a wedge front in place in the northernmost portion of the forecast area leading to a notable temperature gradient as temperatures will generally be in the low 70s in the north/northwestern area to mid to upper 80s southeast. A shortwave moving through Georgia will continue to shift eastward which with plentiful instability leading to widespread storms continuing to increase in coverage through the rest of the afternoon. With PWATs around 1.8 to 1.9 inches, near the 99th percentile for this time of year and wet bulb zero heights around 13,000 feet, rainfall will be efficient. With areas north of I-20 receiving substantial rainfall yesterday, generally 2-4 inches based on CoCoRaHS and radar estimates, any training storms could cause localized flash flooding. Widespread severe weather is not expected as CAPE profiles are generally skinnier, with limited mid-level lapse rates. With increasing low level lapse rates, however, could see localized strong to potentially severe precip-loaded downdrafts develop. With forcing provided by the shortwave, convection will likely linger into tonight, although any severe threat will be limited. Key Message 2: Shower and thunderstorm chances continue through the upcoming week. Southwest flow persists over the area with a ridge offshore over the western Atlantic and deep troughing strengthening over the Gulf coast, ensuring a strong moisture source from the Gulf of America. PWATs will remain well above average with NAEFS mean indicating they will stay above the 90th percentile. There will several shortwaves pushing through the southwest flow with moderate destabilization expected each day. This will lead to an unsettled period with showers and thunderstorms likely developing each afternoon persisting into the evening. While the severe threat will be generally low, will continue to need to monitor a potential localized flash flooding threat, especially in the northwestern area which is most likely to be the location where shortwaves will push through the area and which has already received substantial rain so far this weekend. && .AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Mix of MVFR and VFR ceilings this afternoon with showers and storms possible. Rain chance diminish some tonight, but more restrictions are expected. As better mixing is occurring ceilings have generally lifted, but a mix of MVFR and VFR cigs remains across the TAF sites with bountiful low level moisture in place. A stalled front sits across the central Midlands so south of this boundary, light winds are more southeasterly, and north of this, winds a more easterly to northeasterly. Showers and storms are starting to fire across the region as well, though coverage is fairly scattered. Due to this, chances exist at each terminal through this evening to see restrictions from convection where gusty winds could be possible in any stronger storms. Majority of this activity is expected to begin diminishing between 23z-02z, but some showers and weaker storms may linger into the overnight period. A PROB30 group has been added after 00z to account for this. Guidance remains fairly aggressive in another round of cig restrictions that could move in as early as 23- 02z. Ceilings are expected to drop to MVFR during that time, before falling further to IFR late tonight into early Sunday morning. Patches of LIFR cigs will be possible as well. Restrictions are expected to linger through the end of the TAF period, but improvement is expected late Sunday morning into the afternoon toward MVFR. Another round of showers/storms will be possible just after this TAF period. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Abundant low level moisture will bring more rounds of morning restrictions from fog/stratus to finish the weekend and to start the next work week. Scattered afternoon showers and storms are possible each day into the middle of next week. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && DISCUSSION...96 AVIATION...DH
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
139 PM EDT Sat May 23 2026
GAZ063>065-077-231815-
Burke GA-Richmond GA-McDuffie GA-Columbia GA-
139 PM EDT Sat May 23 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
McDuffie, southwestern Columbia, northwestern Burke and southwestern
Richmond Counties through 215 PM EDT...
At 139 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Wrens, or 13 miles east of Gibson, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 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...
Harlem, Blythe, Dearing, Keysville, Autney, Leitner Lake Conference
Center, Arties Pond Public Fishing Area, Adamsville, Bath-Edie, and
Pea Patch Aerodrome.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3348 8240 3336 8210 3322 8223 3326 8225
3327 8229 3330 8231 3331 8234 3331 8239
3333 8242 3333 8243 3334 8245
TIME...MOT...LOC 1739Z 223DEG 13KT 3327 8237
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
230 PM EDT Sat May 23 2026
SCZ020-026-231900-
Newberry SC-Saluda SC-
230 PM EDT Sat May 23 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Newberry and
northern Saluda Counties through 300 PM EDT...
At 230 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Newberry College, or near Newberry, moving northeast at 20 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, Prosperity, Newberry College, Newberry County Airport,
Silverstreet, Newberry County Detention Center, and Bush River Fire
Station.
This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 68 and 81.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3425 8144 3416 8172 3424 8181 3443 8159
TIME...MOT...LOC 1830Z 235DEG 18KT 3424 8168
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
247 PM EDT Sat May 23 2026
GAZ040-063-064-SCZ018-231915-
McDuffie GA-Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-McCormick SC-
247 PM EDT Sat May 23 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
McDuffie, northwestern Columbia, Lincoln and McCormick Counties
through 315 PM EDT...
At 246 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lincolnton, or 14 miles northeast of Washington, moving northeast at
25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
McCormick, Lincolnton, Elijah Clark State Park, Mccormick County
Airport, Lake Strom Thurmond, Plum Branch, Bordeaux, Knox Scout
Reservation, Double Branches, Curry Hill, Chennault, Modoc Boat Ramp,
Bussey Point Campground, New Hope, Long Cane Creek Picnic Area,
Hickory Knob State Resort Park, Loce, Gill's Point, Hester's Ferry
Campground, and Mount Carmel.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3396 8256 3402 8259 3407 8253 3408 8248
3406 8245 3406 8233 3397 8230 3402 8224
3401 8224 3368 8222 3370 8233 3365 8243
3364 8253 3366 8251 3365 8249 3382 8259
3386 8257 3386 8261 3397 8264
TIME...MOT...LOC 1846Z 229DEG 23KT 3384 8253
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
300 PM EDT Sat May 23 2026
SCZ020-231930-
Newberry SC-
300 PM EDT Sat May 23 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central
Newberry County through 330 PM EDT...
At 300 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Newberry, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Newberry, Prosperity, Newberry College, Newberry County Airport,
Little Mountain, Newberry County Detention Center, US-176 and SC-
34 Crossroads, and Mid-Carolina High School.
This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 72 and 84.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3419 8165 3430 8168 3440 8145 3419 8142
TIME...MOT...LOC 1900Z 258DEG 9KT 3425 8160
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MGThe Greer radar (KGSP), 110 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:14 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind, 3 flash flood, 1 hail, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
McCormick County dispatch reported several trees down within the county, including one on Hwy 378 West.
Public report of golf ball size hail near Highway 378. Time estimated by radar.
Law enforcement officer reported a tree down with picture of blocking roadway near Cedar Grove Lane and Shady Grove Road.
Trained spotter relayed a couple of images and video via social media of flooded roadway at intersection of Broad River Rd and Arbor Springs Dr.
Public shared image via social media of flooded intersection at Hearthwood Cir and W Shady Grove Rd.
Videos and reports of flash flooding along Hope Creek near Davenport Drive and Southampton Drive. Several homes with water intrusion into the first floors along with vehicles flooded. Damage cost is estimated.
A broken line of thunderstorms formed along an outflow boundary and moved across the northern half of Lake Marion the evening of 5/23. Estimated winds from these thunderstorms were up to 35 kts. As these storms pushed across the lake, a women was fatally wounded from being struck by an umbrella at the Driftwood Grill restaurant on the eastern shore of Lake Marion. Report received from local media, time estimated by radar.
Spotter passed along video of a near stationary waterspout on Lake Murray, collocated with a strong thunderstorm. Video and radar data suggests weak but likely non-tornadic circulation with unknown wind speed and EF rating.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind, Clarendon | 2026-05-23 | 56 | Female | Business | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Carolina in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for South Carolina, 2026Warnings in South Carolina, May 2026
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: 1335667, 1335666, 1335668, 1341095, 1341100, 1342995, 1333630, 1342994.