A warm front lifted north over the area early, increasing instability over much of the Southeast well ahead of a cold front approaching from the west late. Aloft, a mid/upper trough of low pressure over the Central United States took on a negative tilt while tracking east. As this occurred, an embedded H5 shortwave rounded the southern periphery of the longwave trough, shifting over the Southeast United States in a dampening state. The combination of surface based instability advecting north into the area, strong shear, modest mid-level lapse rates and forcing associated with the approaching H5 shortwave and entrance region of an upper level jet helped produce an environment capable of damaging straight-line winds, small to moderate size hail and isolated tornadoes.

Tornado in HAMPTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 15:43:00 to 03-APR-17 15:44:00 (EST-5)
Location: GIFFORD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The National Weather Service in Charleston South Carolina confirmed a weak, brief tornado just east of Gifford in Hampton County, South Carolina on 04/03/2017. A National Weather Service storm survey team found that a tornado touched down about 2.7 miles east of Gifford, SC, then traveled approximately one third of a mile east-northeast before lifting near Thomas Hamilton Road. The damage was limited to uprooting of small soft and hardwood trees. Maximum wind speeds were estimated to be 80 mph. More widespread tree damage was just south of the tornado, associated with straight-line winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 15:37:00 to 03-APR-17 15:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: LURAY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Hampton County Warning Point reported a tree down on Highway 321.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 15:38:00 to 03-APR-17 15:39:00 (EST-5)
Location: LURAY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Hampton County Warning Point reported a tree down on Highway 363.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 15:43:00 to 03-APR-17 15:44:00 (EST-5)
Location: LURAY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Hampton Fire and Rescue reported trees down and blocking the road in the 2600 block of Hope Well Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 15:46:00 to 03-APR-17 15:47:00 (EST-5)
Location: HAMPTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Hampton County Warning Point reported a tree down near Hampton, SC.

Thunderstorm Wind in JASPER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 15:58:00 to 03-APR-17 15:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: PINELAND
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down on Gillison Branch Road near Cypress Branch Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in JASPER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 16:15:00 to 03-APR-17 16:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: GILLISONVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down on Grays Highway near the intersection with Morgandollar Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLLETON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 16:39:00 to 03-APR-17 16:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: RITTER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down in the 7500 Block of Green Pond Highway.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLLETON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 16:42:00 to 03-APR-17 16:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: RITTER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down on Charleston Highway near Bonnie Doone Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in DORCHESTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 17:00:00 to 03-APR-17 17:01:00 (EST-5)
Location: GIVHANS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down on Highway 17 between Sandpit Drive and Clubhouse Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLLETON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 16:50:00 to 03-APR-17 16:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: COTTAGEVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down on Jacksonboro Highway near Round O Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in JASPER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 16:06:00 to 03-APR-17 16:07:00 (EST-5)
Location: PINELAND
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down on Calf Pen Bay Road near Pineland, SC.

Thunderstorm Wind in DORCHESTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 17:07:00 to 03-APR-17 17:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: SLANDSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down on Whippoorwill Drive near Central Avenue.

Hail in CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 18:06:00 to 03-APR-17 18:07:00 (EST-5)
Location: SNOWDEN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Social Media

A report was received through Twitter of dime to penny size hail near the Isle Of Palms Connector.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLLETON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 16:08:00 to 03-APR-17 16:09:00 (EST-5)
Location: ASHTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down on Cayce Road near Willow Swamp Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in DORCHESTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 17:09:00 to 03-APR-17 17:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: SLANDSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down on Orangeburg Road near the Dorchester County Department of Social Services building.

Thunderstorm Wind in DORCHESTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 17:05:00 to 03-APR-17 17:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: SLANDSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down on Highway 17-A near Highway 61.

Thunderstorm Wind in DORCHESTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 17:12:00 to 03-APR-17 17:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: SUMMERVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Social Media

A report via social media indicated a tree down and blocking Boonehill Road near Tea Farm Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLLETON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 16:49:00 to 03-APR-17 16:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: COTTAGEVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down on Dodge Lane near Jacksonboro Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in BERKELEY, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 17:16:00 to 03-APR-17 17:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: CARNES XRD
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

A fire department reported several trees snapped or uprooted along Farmington Road near Interstate 26.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMPTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 15:43:00 to 03-APR-17 15:44:00 (EST-5)
Location: GIFFORD
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A Hampton County emergency manager reported around 20 trees down on Thomas Hamilton Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in DORCHESTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 03-APR-17 17:11:00 to 03-APR-17 17:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: RIDGEVILLE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Public

The public reported several large trees down along portions of West Meadow Drive.