Columbia, South Carolina tornadoes

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23confirmed tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Columbia since NOAA records began in 1950. Most recent: January 27, 2024, EF1.

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Map

Every tornado path within 10 miles

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings near Columbia

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The record

At a glance

Total23within 10 miles, 1950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMarch6 of 23
StrongestF2May 15, 1976
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries16whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can run well beyond Columbia.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 1Feb: 1Mar: 6Apr: 1May: 2Jun: 2Jul: 2Aug: 1Sep: 2Oct: 1Nov: 4Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

March is the peak month, with 6 of 23 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 1: 1: 03 AM: 2: 2: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 1: 0: 53 PM: 1: 2: 06 PM: 4: 1: 09 PM: 0: 2: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 2: 0: 02000: 2: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 22020: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
10
EF1
9
EF2
4

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F2, May 15, 1976

1 deaths, 3 injuries Strongest

F2, May 15, 1976

3.8 mile path Longest path

4.89 miles, EF1

April 13, 2020, whole path Widest

660 yards, EF1

March 15, 2008
Every tornado

All 23 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jan 27, 2024EF10.89 mi90 yd00
Apr 13, 2020EF14.89 mi80 yd00
Mar 3, 2019EF10.6 mi200 yd00
Mar 3, 2019EF11.46 mi150 yd00
Mar 3, 2012EF02.54 mi80 yd00
Mar 15, 2008EF13.7 mi660 yd00
Sep 7, 2004F00.5 mi100 yd00
Sep 7, 2004F11 mi200 yd00
Jun 13, 2001F00.1 mi40 yd00
Mar 16, 2000F00.2 mi50 yd00
Mar 16, 2000F00.3 mi100 yd00
Jul 23, 1997F01.5 mi73 yd00
Jul 23, 1997F13 mi100 yd01
Nov 7, 1995F00.1 mi50 yd00
Nov 7, 1995F00.1 mi50 yd00
Oct 27, 1995F00.1 mi50 yd00
Aug 31, 1987F20.2 mi10 yd02
Feb 11, 1981F10.8 mi33 yd00
May 15, 1976F23.8 mi40 yd13
Nov 12, 1975F22 mi50 yd07
Nov 24, 1967F11 mi40 yd00
May 29, 1967F20.5 mi20 yd03
Jun 11, 1955F00.8 mi50 yd00
Nearby

Columbia and its county

Columbia spans 2 counties, each with its own record since 1950: Richland County (43 tornadoes) and Lexington County (48). A county's record counts every tornado inside its borders, while this page counts every path within 10 miles of the city, so the two overlap without matching.

Nearby cities

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025. City point and population: US Census Bureau, 2024. Each path is a straight line between NOAA's start and end points.