EF1 Tornado — Saluda, South Carolina

2024-01-27 · near Merchant, Saluda, South Carolina

1.6 mi

Path length

150 yds

Path width

Event narrative

A National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed a brief EF-1 tornado, with

peak winds of 100 mph, Saturday evening in Northern Saluda County. The tornado

begin point and time was later adjusted slightly after new Sentinel satellite data

indicated the tornado touched down about 0.75 miles before the previously observed

damage. NDVI difference data & higher resolution visible imagery show an area of

trees down near the initial part of this track. The tornado then continued tracking to the

NE to near the intersection of Hunters Lane and Blue Spring Road producing

minor damage to two houses in addition to a large number of trees further down

Hunters Lane on both sides of the road where EF-1 damage was observed. The tornado

then moved northeast into an inaccessible wooded area behind homes on Blue Spring

Rd. The tornado turned slightly left crossing Blue Spring Rd in a NNE direction

producing EF-1 damage to another wooded area before dissipating in an open field

while approaching Hollywood Rd. The survey team estimated several hundred trees

were damaged along the path. Many of the trees were uprooted along with a few

trunks snapped. The damage to homes was mainly to the fascia board and missing

shingles.

A cold front and upper disturbance, combined with sufficient instability and shear, to produce a few severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1149494. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.