Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Central South Carolina Through 9:45 AM

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for portions of central South Carolina. The alert was issued at 8:43 AM EDT and remains in effect until 9:45 AM EDT on March 16, 2026.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions in central South Carolina:

• Northwestern Fairfield County
• Newberry County
• Northern Edgefield County
• Saluda County
• North central Aiken County
• East central McCormick County

Specific locations impacted include Newberry, Batesburg-Leesville, Edgefield, Saluda, Johnston, Whitmire, Prosperity, Ridge Spring, Monticello, Saluda County Airport, Newberry College, Newberry County Airport, Blair, Little Mountain, Monetta, Pomaria, Silverstreet, Ward, and the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office. This warning also includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 62 and 87.

What You Should Do

For your protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Residents should stay away from windows and prepare for potential power outages.

Expected Conditions

At 8:43 AM EDT, radar indicated severe thunderstorms located along a line extending from 6 miles northeast of Laurens to near Hamilton Branch State Park, moving east at 40 mph.

• Hazard: 60 mph wind gusts.
• Source: Radar indicated.
• Impact: Expect damage to trees and powerlines.

Timeline

The Severe Thunderstorm Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to expire at 9:45 AM EDT. Additionally, a Tornado Watch remains in effect until 2:00 PM EDT for central South Carolina.