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Tornado Watch Issued for Parts of South Carolina

Tornado Watch Issued for parts of South Carolina Monday, May 3, 2021
National Weather Service
Tornado Watch Issued for parts of South Carolina Monday, May 3, 2021

A Tornado Watch has been issued Monday for most of the Midlands of South Carolina extending from east of the I-85 corridor through the junction of I-95 and I-26 corridor. This includes the cities of Aiken, Columbia and Sumter.

An unseasonably humid air mass Monday was spreading northward from the Gulf coast states, creating an unstable environment over the Southeast. Thunderstorms were strengthening early Monday afternoon in eastern portions of the UpState and were continuing to track eastwards towards western parts of the Midlands. These storms will continue to strengthen as they march eastward across the Midlands through the mid-afternoon before approaching portions of the Pee Dee region late in the afternoon and around the evening drive time. The storms may make it all the way to the coast around or shortly after sunset.

The greatest risk for isolated tornadoes will be for portions of the Midlands through the afternoon Monday. A few storms could also become severe, producing damaging wind gusts and hail. An isolated report of wind damage or hail is also possible along the Grand Strand and Lowcountry this evening, but the threat of severe weather is lower toward the coast.

Residents should have multiple ways of receiving weather alerts Monday afternoon as these storms continue to strengthen and move through the state. A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for tornado development. The Tornado Watch runs until 7:00PM EDT Monday.