Tornado warnings are actively in effect across parts of South Carolina and Georgia on Thursday morning, March 12, as a powerful cold front triggers severe thunderstorms across the Southeast. A tornado watch was issued for several counties in South Carolina as a line of rain and storms moved into the region, with the watch running through 1 p.m. on March 12. Similarly, a Weather Authority Alert Day has been issued for Southeast Georgia until 1 p.m., with tornado warnings in place for areas including Thomasville.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued in several counties in the early morning hours, and Tornado Warnings flashed in parts of southwest and central Georgia. The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for four counties in Upstate South Carolina effective until 1 p.m., covering Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens and Union counties. Affected cities include Columbia, Macon, and multiple surrounding areas where dangerous storms will be near Columbia, Irmo, and Ballentine around 9:45 AM EDT.
This Thursday morning's severe weather continues a volatile multi-day outbreak. The risks for tornadoes and severe weather have shifted eastward into the Ohio Valley and the mid-Atlantic after multiple apparent tornadoes swept through Illinois and Indiana on Tuesday. Overall, 62 million people remain at risk for severe weather in areas that stretch from east Texas to southern New Jersey. The underlying cause: a powerful cold front moving through, stirring things up across inland southeast Georgia.
The difference between watches and warnings matters. A tornado watch is issued when conditions are right for tornadoes, whereas a warning happens when one is sighted or indicated by radar. If you're in an affected area, watch for specific danger signs including a dark or greenish sky, large hail, a large dark low-lying cloud that appears to be rotating, or a roar similar to the sound of a freight train. Emergency officials stress: if you spot these signs, seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building immediately. For real-time updates, monitor the National Weather Service and local emergency alerts.