National Weather ServiceSouth CarolinaTornado WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Warnings in South Carolina
The National Weather Service issued 22 tornado warnings for South Carolina in 2025 and 50 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 23rd most of any state. 2026 through September: 10, 77% below the average of 44 for those months in 2008-2025. Horry was covered most often (92 times since 2008).
How many tornado warnings does South Carolina get?
Every tornado warning that covered part of South Carolina. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 10 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2024 | 97 |
| 2023 | 35 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2021 | 68 |
| 2020 | 102 |
| 2019 | 54 |
| 2018 | 34 |
| 2017 | 70 |
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2012 | 32 |
| 2011 | 50 |
| 2010 | 44 |
| 2009 | 49 |
| 2008 | 114 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does South Carolina get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in South Carolina?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horry | 92 | 18 | September 27, 2024 |
| Charleston | 78 | 27 | June 10, 2025 |
| Orangeburg | 70 | 14 | September 27, 2024 |
| Colleton | 64 | 14 | June 10, 2025 |
| Laurens | 58 | 6 | December 29, 2024 |
| Spartanburg | 54 | 3 | March 16, 2026 |
| Jasper | 52 | 13 | July 10, 2025 |
| Beaufort | 51 | 17 | August 29, 2026 |
| Lexington | 49 | 15 | March 12, 2026 |
| Berkeley | 48 | 14 | September 27, 2024 |
| Greenville | 48 | 3 | December 29, 2024 |
| York | 44 | 1 | December 29, 2024 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest tornado warnings for South Carolina in AreaZine's record
NWS Greenville-SpartanburgWarningMay 24, 2026
Tornado Warning: Elbert, Hart and Anderson, GA and SC
Expired 9:00 p.m. EDT, May 24, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a tornado warning?
The NWS issues a tornado warning when a tornado has been seen or weather radar indicates one in the warned area. Warnings are drawn as polygons around the storm's path and usually last 30 to 60 minutes. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in South Carolina.