National Weather ServiceSouth CarolinaTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in South Carolina
The National Weather Service issued 4 tornado watches for South Carolina in 2025 and 13 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 18th most of any state. 2026 through September: 4, 62% below the average of 11 for those months in 2008-2025. Jasper was covered most often (88 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does South Carolina get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of South Carolina. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 4 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2011 | 22 |
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2009 | 20 |
| 2008 | 24 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper | 88 | 16 | March 16, 2026 |
| Colleton | 86 | 13 | March 16, 2026 |
| Beaufort | 84 | 14 | March 12, 2026 |
| Hampton | 84 | 13 | March 16, 2026 |
| Orangeburg | 83 | 10 | March 16, 2026 |
| Bamberg | 81 | 10 | March 16, 2026 |
| Charleston | 81 | 12 | March 16, 2025 |
| Dorchester | 81 | 14 | March 16, 2026 |
| Berkeley | 80 | 13 | March 12, 2026 |
| Barnwell | 78 | 12 | March 16, 2026 |
| Aiken | 76 | 11 | March 16, 2026 |
| Calhoun | 76 | 10 | March 16, 2026 |
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.
What is a tornado watch?
Tornado watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when thunderstorms able to produce tornadoes are possible over a large area, usually for several hours; local offices list the counties it covers. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in South Carolina.