Severe thunderstorms and strong winds on January 3, 2022

Low pressure developed across northern Georgia on January 2, 2022, then strengthened as it moved northeastward across North Carolina on January 3. A cold front extending south of the low raced across the eastern portions of the Carolinas early in the morning of January 3 bringing a line of severe thunderstorms with wind gusts measured up to 60 mph. Reports of thunderstorm wind damage were received from multiple locations from the Pee Dee region to the coast.

After the thunderstorms moved offshore, wind gusts between 35 and 50 mph continued for much of the day as colder air rushed in.

This same storm system was also responsible for heavy snow across portions of the North Carolina mountains, Virginia, and Maryland where up to a foot of snow fell in spots.

Surface weather map for 7 a.m. EST on January 3, 2022

Location	Peak Gust (mph)
Lumberton, NC	60 mph
Florence, SC	60 mph
North Myrtle Beach, SC	55 mph
Wrightsville Beach, NC	55 mph
Murrells Inlet, SC	53 mph
Elizabethtown, NC	52 mph
Marion, SC	51 mph
Oak Island, NC	50 mph
Ocean Isle Beach, NC	49 mph
Pembroke, NC	49 mph
Lockwoods Folly, NC	48 mph
Georgetown, SC	48 mph
Conway, SC	47 mph
Little River, SC	47 mph
Wilmington, NC	45 mph
Kingstree, SC	45 mph
Bald Head Island, NC	45 mph
Southport, NC	43 mph

Water vapor satellite imagery shows the storm system that brought strong winds and severe thunderstorms to the eastern portions of the Carolinas on January 3, 2022. Blues and whites show moisture-rich regions, while oranges and reds indicate drier air.

Early morning radar loop from January 3, 2022 showing the line of severe thunderstorms that crossed eastern portions of North and South Carolina. Reports of wind damage are shown below.

Time (EST)	County	Location	Report
5:45 a.m.	Florence	8 miles E of Lake City, SC	Tree blown down on Huggins Rd.
5:46 a.m.	Florence	Florence Regional Airport	Measured wind gust of 60 mph
5:55 a.m.	Darlington	4 miles NE of Darlington, SC	Tree blown down near the intersection of Lide Springs Rd. and Willowtree Rd.
6:00 a.m.	Marion	4 miles S of Marion, SC	Thunderstorm winds ripped off part of a garage roof and damaged the wall of a home on Hwy 501 south of downtown Marion
6:10 a.m.	Marion	Rains, SC	Tree blown down on a parked car
6:10 a.m.	Marion	1 mile NNE of Gresham, SC	Tree blown down on Thompson Ct.
6:27 a.m.	Robeson	6 miles W of Pembroke, NC	Two homes and an outbuilding were damaged near Craig Rd. and Sampson Rd.
6:36 a.m.	Robeson	4 miles SW of Lumberton, NC	60 mph wind gust measured at the Southeastern Agricultural Center by the LBT airport.
6:41 a.m.	Horry	9 miles NE of Conway, SC	Tree blown down at the intersection of Privetts Rd. and Adrian Hwy.
7:00 a.m.	Columbus	Whiteville, NC	A tree fell and damaged a structure at the intersection of Fuller and Pinckney Streets
7:00 a.m.	Bladen	Bladenboro, NC	Several trees blown down
7:00 a.m.	Bladen	4 miles NE of Clarkton, NC	Power lines and several trees blown down along Lisbon Rd east of Bladenboro

Page Author: Tim Armstrong
Last Updated: January 5, 2022