Tornado watch issued for all of the Midlands through the evening, NWS says
A tornado watch across the Midlands was issued Thursday by the National Weather Service.
Richland, Lexington and Kershaw counties are all included in the tornado watch, which runs to 8 p.m., according to the NWS.
Other areas also under the tornado watch include Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Lee, Mccormick, Newberry, Orangeburg, Saluda, and Sumter counties.
Severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, tornadoes, and flooding are all possible, with the most activity predicted between Thursday afternoon and evening, according to the forecast.
The Midlands was already under a flood warning or advisory, according to the NWS office in Columbia.
There is a difference between a watch and a warning.
“A watch means all the ingredients are there for a tornado to form,” NWS meteorologist Doug Anderson told The State.
A warning means the severe weather or flooding is “imminent or actually occurring. TAKE COVER!” NWS tweeted.
During a watch and warning, it’s important to check forecast updates, monitor sky conditions and know where to take shelter, NWS said.
Anderson said Midlands residents should expect to also see thunderstorm warnings.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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This story was originally published February 6, 2020 at 12:34 PM.
