Meteorologists issue tornado warnings and watches in the SC Midlands
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for much of the Midlands, including Columbia, while at least one northern Midlands county was placed under a tornado warning.
The weather service put out the tornado watch at about 3 p.m. for Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Sumter, Orangeburg and Calhoun and Saluda counties. Most counties in the Lowcountry and the Savannah River area are under tornado watch. The watch is set to last until 9 p.m., the weather service said.
During a tornado watch, tornadoes and wind gusts up to 75 mph are likely, the weather service said. Quarter-sized hail is possible.
A tornado warning was issued in Newberry at about 3 p.m., according to the weather service, indicating a tornado was picked up by radar. Tornadoes were also detected and warnings issued near the towns of Allendale, Aiken, Windsor, Williston, Elkos, Lowry, McConnells, Lowrys. The warnings are in effect until 3:30 p.m. in some areas and 4:15 p.m. in others, the weather service said.
This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 3:35 PM.