EF2 tornado in Newberry County, South Carolina

An NWS Storm Survey Team found that a tornado touched down in Northern Saluda County, about 2 miles southwest of the Saluda River. The tornado

then continued northeast across the Saluda River and into Newberry County, eventually passing about 2 miles south of Prosperity and dissipating about 3 miles east of Prosperity near Mid Carolina High School. The tornado had a path length of 10.18 miles in Newberry County, for a total path length of 12 miles across both Saluda and Newberry Counties. The maximum width was 250 yards. The tornado produced EF-0 and EF-1 damage along most of its path. However, there was a small area of EF-2 wind damage with winds up to 115 mph near Stoney Hill Road and Fire Tower Road, and also near Macedonia Church Road and Cy Schumpert Road.

Numerous trees were either snapped or uprooted along the damage path, with several trees down on homes and vehicles. Where the tornado was strongest, several masonry outbuildings had their walls blown out. Small outbuildings were moved as much as 20 yards, and a few very large hardwood trees were splintered with

the tops thrown as far as 30 yards.

An upper disturbance ahead of an upper trough, combined with considerable atmospheric instability, moisture, and shear ahead of an approaching surface cold front, to produce shower and thunderstorm activity. Some severe thunderstorms produced tornadoes, strong damaging wind gusts, locally heavy rain, and some hail.