A strong arctic cold front moved through the region during the early morning hours of Friday, December 23, 2022.  Strong arctic surface high pressure stretched from Central Canada south through the US Great Plains, while a strong area of surface low pressure was near the Eastern Great Lakes.  The surface pressure gradient between the two features resulted in strong non-convective wind gusts, with the strongest wind gusts occurring during the morning hours just behind the cold frontal passage.  Peak measured wind gusts ranged from 30 to 54 mph across the region. Power outages were experienced across the region.

Strong Wind in SOUTHERN LANCASTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-DEC-22 06:15:00 to 23-DEC-22 06:15:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 35.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

The AWOS unit at Lancaster Co Airport - McWhirter Field (LKR) measured a peak wind gust of 35 kts (40 mph) at 0615 EST.

Strong Wind in RICHLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-DEC-22 07:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 47.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

A WxSTEM instrument, about 2 miles SE of Columbia, measured a peak wind gust of 54 MPH at 0700 EST.

Strong Wind in LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-DEC-22 07:05:00 to 23-DEC-22 07:05:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 45.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The ASOS unit at Columbia Metropolitan Airport measured a peak wind gust of 52 MPH at 0705 EST.

Strong Wind in CENTRAL ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-DEC-22 09:57:00 to 23-DEC-22 09:57:00 (EDT-4)
Magnitude: 45.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The ASOS unit at Orangeburg Municipal Airport measured a peak wind gust of 52 MPH at 0957 EST.

Strong Wind in RICHLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-DEC-22 07:26:00 to 23-DEC-22 07:26:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The ASOS unit at McEntire JNGB near Eastover measured a peak wind gust of 49 MPH at 0726 EST.

Strong Wind in SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-DEC-22 08:37:00 to 23-DEC-22 08:37:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 41.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The ASOS unit at Shaw AFB near Sumter measured a peak wind gust of 47 MPH at 0837 EST.

Strong Wind in AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-DEC-22 06:55:00 to 23-DEC-22 06:55:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

The AWOS unit at Aiken Regional Airport measured a peak wind gust of 46 MPH at 0655 EST.

Strong Wind in FAIRFIELD, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-DEC-22 07:35:00 to 23-DEC-22 07:35:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

The AWOS unit at Fairfield Co Airport in Winnsboro measured a peak wind gust of 46 MPH at 0735 EST.

Strong Wind in AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-DEC-22 07:15:00 to 23-DEC-22 07:15:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

An instrument at US Hwy 25 and Interstate 20 measured a peak wind gust of 46 MPH at 0715 EST.

Strong Wind in RICHLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-DEC-22 10:10:00 to 23-DEC-22 10:10:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 39.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

The ASOS unit at Owens Field - LB Hamilton Airport in Columbia measured a peak wind gust of 45 MPH at 1010 EST.

Strong Wind in SOUTHERN LANCASTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-DEC-22 07:25:00 to 23-DEC-22 07:25:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree fell on a house about one mile southeast of Springdale.  No injuries.

Strong Wind in SALUDA, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-DEC-22 09:58:00 to 23-DEC-22 09:58:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 39.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

An instrument in Saluda measured a peak wind gust of 45 MPH at 0958 EST.