EF0 tornado in Bamberg County, South Carolina

A NWS Survey Team confirmed a brief EF-0 tornado south of the town of Bamberg in Bamberg County, SC from March 12th, 2026. The tornado formed near the intersection of HWY 601 and Harley Rd and continued east along Harley Road. Most of the damage occurred on a property at the intersection of HWY 601 and Harley Rd where multiple trees were downed and one large pine tree trunk was found snapped. The tornado continued into a field to the east, evident in the grass leaning in opposite directions, and lifted before reaching a wooded area east of the field.

A southern stream shortwave phased with a digging northern stream upper trough over the OH/TN valleys the night of 3/11 into the morning of 3/12 bringing a strongly forced system into the forecast area. The environment ahead of this system was characterized by sufficient instability with MLCAPE values around 500 J/kg, 0-1km SRH values of 100-200 m2s2 and 0-6km shear of 60 knots. This environment combined with strong forcing supported a QLCS line that moved across the forecast area during the morning hours. Several damaging wind reports and a few tornadoes occurred.