Columbia, South Carolina – Severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes could disrupt travel and power across central and southern South Carolina late Monday morning, placing 17 counties under a Tornado Watch until 2 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Tornado Watch 65 covers a wide stretch of the state from the Midlands to the Lowcountry. Counties included in the watch range from Aiken and Barnwell in the west to Colleton and Dorchester near the coast, along with Richland, Lexington, Sumter, and Orangeburg counties.
Columbia, Lexington, and Sumter may see wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, intense lightning, and brief tornado development as storms track east through the region. Heavy rain could quickly reduce visibility along major travel routes including Interstate 20 through the Columbia metro and Interstate 26 toward Charleston.
Communities across the Midlands such as Camden, Bishopville, and Manning remain in the watch area where rotating thunderstorms may form quickly. Farther south, areas including Walterboro, Hampton, and Ridgeland could see damaging winds as the storm line pushes toward the coast.
Emergency officials urge residents to keep weather alerts enabled and move to a sturdy interior room away from windows if a tornado warning is issued. Drivers should prepare for sudden downpours and strong crosswinds during the late morning and early afternoon.
The tornado watch remains in effect across much of central and southern South Carolina until 2 p.m. Monday, and additional warnings could be issued quickly if storms intensify.
