A case study of the 15 March 2008 South Carolina supercell outbreak

On 15 March 2008 a supercell thunderstorm outbreak occurred across Georgia and South Carolina. Seven long-track supercells produced numerous minor tornadoes and several stronger (EF2-EF3) tornadoes causing an estimated 40 million dollars in damage. Storm initiation and development occurred along a west-east oriented surface moisture gradient extending across north-central Georgia into southern North Carolina ahead of an approaching cold front. The potential for supercell development leading up to the event was due to strong mid and low-level wind shear coupled with ample lift, surface convergence, and strong to extreme instability. This presentation will address the specific synoptic and mesoscale environmental conditions preceding tornadogenesis across the National Weather Service Columbia area of responsibility.