Tornado Alerts Near Columbia, SC 29223

🌪️ Current Alert Status

Live NWS tornado and severe weather alerts

✅

All Clear

No active tornado alerts near Columbia

There are currently no tornado warnings, watches, or severe thunderstorm alerts in effect for the Columbia area. This page updates every 60 seconds from the National Weather Service.

Historical Tornado Risk

Activity levelHigh

Average per year9 tornados

Peak season monthSeptember

Total on record449 tornados

📋 Tornado History

Historical tornado events within 250 miles of Columbia

EF Rating	Damage	Path	Casualties	Distance	Date
EF1	Moderate damage	10 mi × 200 yd	None	43 mi	May 30, 2025
EF0	Light damage	6.7 mi × 20 yd	None	91 mi	Sep 27, 2024
EF0	Light damage	3.9 mi × 20 yd	None	96 mi	Sep 27, 2024
EF0	Light damage	5.3 mi × 50 yd	None	108 mi	Sep 27, 2024
EF0	Light damage	2.4 mi × 20 yd	None	98 mi	Sep 27, 2024
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 50 yd	None	49 mi	Sep 27, 2024
EF0	Light damage	4.6 mi × 1000 yd	None	27 mi	Sep 27, 2024
EF0	Light damage	1.5 mi × 180 yd	None	59 mi	Sep 27, 2024
EF0	Light damage	17 mi × 800 yd	None	60 mi	Sep 27, 2024
EF1	Moderate damage	6.8 mi × 710 yd	None	31 mi	Sep 27, 2024

📈 Historical Trends

Tornado activity near Columbia over 49 years

449

Total tornados on record

9

Average per year

EF4

Strongest recorded

Sep

Peak month

EF Scale Distribution

EF0

204

EF1

180

EF2

48

EF3

8

EF4

9

EF5

0

Yearly Tornado Count

19762025

Strongest Tornados on Record

EF4MARLBORO, SOMar 28, 1984

14 mi path7 deaths100 injured

EF4ROBESON, NOMar 28, 1984

25 mi path2 deaths280 injured

EF4MARLBORO, SOMar 28, 1984

5 mi path2 deaths115 injured

EF4UNION, NOMay 5, 1989

13 mi path1 deaths6 injured

EF4SCOTLAND, NOMar 28, 1984

8 mi path

📅 Tornado Season

When tornados are most likely near you

⚡

Active Tornado Season

Tornado season is active. Columbia sees the most tornado activity in Sep. Stay alert and have your shelter plan ready.

US Tornado Activity by Month

Jan

2%

Feb

3%

Mar

7%

Apr

10%

May

18%

Jun

16%

Jul

12%

Aug

9%

PEAK

Sep

7%

Oct

6%

Nov

5%

Dec

3%

Current monthPeak for Columbia

🛡️ Tornado Safety

What to know before, during, and after a tornado

⚠️Tornado Watch

Meaning: Conditions are favorable for tornado development

Be prepared to take shelter. Stay alert for changing conditions.

🌪️Tornado Warning

Meaning: A tornado has been spotted or detected on radar

TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY in your nearest safe shelter.

⚠️Step 1

Tornado Watch — Be Prepared

Conditions are favorable for tornados. Monitor weather alerts, charge your phone, and review your shelter plan. Move vehicles into garages if possible.

🌪️Step 2

Tornado Warning — Take Cover NOW

A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Move immediately to an interior room on the lowest floor (basement, bathroom, closet). Get under sturdy furniture. Stay away from windows.

🔍Step 3

After a Tornado

Stay in your shelter until the warning expires. Check for injuries, avoid downed power lines, and watch for gas leaks. Document damage for insurance before cleanup.

Where to Shelter

✓Best: Underground shelter or basement

✓Good: Interior room on lowest floor

✓Acceptable: Bathroom or closet (no exterior walls)

✓If driving: Pull over, get below road level in a ditch

✗NEVER: Stay in a mobile home — leave for sturdy building

✗NEVER: Shelter under a highway overpass

📍 Nearby Tornado Monitoring

Cities near Columbia with live tracking