Tornado Watch 188 issued for northern, western Georgia and western South Carolina; overnight severe storms possible

The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center issued Tornado Watch 188 for parts of northern and western Georgia and western South Carolina on Wednesday evening, warning that severe storms could bring tornadoes, damaging winds and hail through 2 a.m. EDT Thursday.

The watch was issued at 5:45 p.m. CDT Wednesday, or 6:45 p.m. EDT in the affected areas, and runs until 1 a.m. CDT Thursday, which is 2 a.m. EDT Thursday. The Storm Prediction Center said the main threats include “a couple tornadoes possible,” scattered damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph and isolated large hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter.

In plain terms, the watch stretches across a broad corridor of Georgia, roughly within 55 miles east and west of a line running from 50 miles south-southeast of Columbus to 75 miles north-northwest of Athens. In South Carolina, the updated watch outline specifically names Abbeville, Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties.

The Storm Prediction Center said the severe threat was expected to build Wednesday evening, first across west-central and southwest Georgia and also across northern Georgia near an earlier boundary. In its watch summary, the agency said, “Severe storm potential should increase this evening, initially across both west-central/southwest Georgia as well as northern Georgia near an earlier boundary. Damaging winds, some hail, as well as a tornado risk will be possible regionally.” The watch product was signed by Storm Prediction Center forecaster Guyer.

The overnight timing adds to the public-safety concern because severe weather can be harder for people to monitor after dark, especially while they are asleep. The Storm Prediction Center reminded residents that “a Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.”

A tornado watch covers a broader area and means conditions support tornadoes or severe thunderstorms. A tornado warning is more urgent and means a tornado is occurring or is imminent, and people should take shelter immediately. As of the time of reporting, there were no verified post-watch damage surveys, confirmed tornado touchdowns or casualty reports in the public record tied to Tornado Watch 188.