Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2003

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 199, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

July 11, 2003Cabarrus County, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 11, 2003, 4:57 PM EDT for Cabarrus County, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. It was in force for 63 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jul 11, 2003, 4:57 PM EDT (20:57 UTC)
Expired
Jul 11, 2003, 6:00 PM EDT
In force
63 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Counties, with a storm outline in the text

Counties Cabarrus County, NC, Mecklenburg County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 171 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:57 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jul 11, 4:10 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC4 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 9.0 hours before the alert went out and 89 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2003-07-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 24 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2003-07-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 27 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
24 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-69 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
870 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
26 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
27 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
86 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

638 
WUUS52 KGSP 112057
SVRGSP
NCC025-119-112200-

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
456 PM EDT FRI JUL 11 2003

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  NORTH CENTRAL MECKLENBURG COUNTY IN THE PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA
  CABARRUS COUNTY IN THE PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 600 PM EDT

* AT 456 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM 13 MILES WEST OF CONCORD...OR ABOUT OVER
  HUNTERSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
  HARRISBURG AT 500 PM EDT.
  CONCORD AT 505 PM EDT.
  MOUNT PLEASANT AT 515 PM EDT.

PEOPLE IN THE PATH OF THIS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM SHOULD BE ALERT FOR
LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND LOCALLY HEAVY
RAIN CAN OCCUR WITH ANY THUNDERSTORM.

LAT...LON 3550 8087 3532 8088 3527 7983 3552 7983

$$
33/44

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 11, 1:50 PM EDT, 3 hours 7 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 11, 1:50 PM EDT, 3 hours 7 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
150 PM EDT FRI JUL 11 2003

WILL UPDATE TO INCLUDE NEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR UPSTATE SC
AND NE GA THROUGH 8 PM EDT.

FCSTID =   33

.GSP...
GA...NONE.
NC...NONE.
SC...NONE.

HG
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 11, 5:11 AM EDT, 11 hours 46 minutes before
GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033>037-048>059-062>072-082-SCZ001>014-
019-111100-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
511 AM EDT FRI JUL 11 2003

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA...AND EXTREME NORTHEAST GEORGIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY

A COLD FRONT WILL APPROACH THE REGION TODAY...BRINGING SCATTERED
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TO THE AREA. A FEW OF THE STORMS COULD
PRODUCE SEVERE WEATHER...ESPECIALLY IN THE PIEDMONT AND FOOTHILLS.
PLEASE SEE THE SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK...CAESPSGSP...FOR MORE
INFORMATION.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...

SCATTERED...MAINLY AFTERNOON AND EVENING THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE
POSSIBLE DURING MUCH OF THE NEXT 7 DAYS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUIRED THIS AFTERNOON.

LANE

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 11, 11:25 AM EDT, 5 hours 32 minutes before
GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033>037-048>059-062>072-082-SCZ001>014-
019-112100-

SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
1125 AM EDT FRI JUL 11 2003

...A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING
ACROSS THE WESTERN CAROLINAS AND NORTHEAST GEORGIA...

A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE SLOWLY ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS EARLY THIS
AFTERNOON AND THEN INTO THE FOOTHILLS AND PIEDMONT BY LATE
AFTERNOON. THE FRONT WILL ENCOUNTER WARM AND UNSTABLE AIR...ALLOWING
SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS TO DEVELOP AS THE AFTERNOON
PROGRESSES. WITH WINDS ALOFT IN THE ATMOSPHERE RATHER STRONG FOR
THIS TIME OF YEAR...THESE STORMS WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO ORGANIZE
INTO STRONG CELLS OR LINES AND PRODUCE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS UP TO 60
MPH. THE THUNDERSTORMS MAY ALSO PRODUCE HAIL THE SIZE OF
PENNIES...FREQUENT LIGHTNING...AND LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL.

THE MOUNTAINS WILL MAINLY BE AFFECTED THROUGH 2 PM THIS
AFTERNOON...BUT THE GREATER CHANCE OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE OVER
FOOTHILL AND PIEDMONT LOCATIONS LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS
EVENING.

SPOTTER GROUPS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO ACTIVATE QUICKLY THIS AFTERNOON
IF SEVERE WEATHER DEVELOPS. DISPATCHERS SHOULD ENSURE COUNTY THAT
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS ARE AWARE OF THIS INFORMATION.

HG
Special weather statement, Jul 11, 3:06 PM EDT, 1 hour 51 minutes before
SCZ004-005-010-112000-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
306 PM EDT FRI JUL 11 2003

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT THE AREA FROM CLEMSON TO ANDERSON
THROUGH 4 PM...

AT 302 PM...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS STRETCHING FROM CLEMSON TO OAKWAY WHICH WAS
MOVING SOUTH AT 15 MPH. THIS LINE WILL PRODUCE FREQUENT LIGHTNING...
WIND GUSTS OF 35 MPH...AND TORRENTIAL RAINFALL AT THE RATE OF AN
INCH PER HOUR. THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT THE ANDERSON AREA
BETWEEN 330 AND 4 PM.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL WATCH THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS
VERY CLOSELY IN CASE ANY WARNINGS BECOME NECESSARY.

HG
Local storm report, Jul 11, 4:06 PM EDT, 51 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE SPARTANBURG SC
406 PM EDT FRI JUL 11 2003

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

405 PM     BLACKSBURG                SC   .88 INCH HAIL
07/11/03   CHEROKEE                       NICKEL SIZED HAIL
                                          OBSERVED AT INTERSTATE 85
                                          EXIT 100. HAM RADIO
                                          REPORT.

BURRUS
Local storm report, Jul 11, 4:22 PM EDT, 35 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE SPARTANBURG SC
422 PM EDT FRI JUL 11 2003

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

420 PM     BALCKSBURG                SC   .75 INCH HAIL
07/11/03   CHEROKEE                       MARBLE SIZED HAIL COVERED
                                          THE GROUND LIKE SNOW.

420 PM     2 NE BLACKSBURG           SC   WIND DAMAGE
07/11/03   CHEROKEE                       LARGE TREE BLOCKING EAST
                                          CHEROKEE ST BETWEEN
                                          BLACKSBURG AND GROVER.
                                          OTHER TREES DOWN IN
                                          BLACKSBURG. REPORTED BY
                                          COUNTY COMMS CENTER.

MCAVOY
Local storm report, Jul 11, 4:22 PM EDT, 35 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE SPARTANBURG SC
422 PM EDT FRI JUL 11 2003

TIME(EDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

420 PM     BLACKSBURG                SC   .75 INCH HAIL
07/11/03   CHEROKEE                       MARBLE SIZED HAIL COVERED
                                          THE GROUND LIKE SNOW.

420 PM     2 NE BLACKSBURG           SC   WIND DAMAGE
07/11/03   CHEROKEE                       LARGE TREE BLOCKING EAST
                                          CHEROKEE ST BETWEEN
                                          BLACKSBURG AND GROVER.
                                          OTHER TREES DOWN IN
                                          BLACKSBURG. REPORTED BY
                                          COUNTY COMMS CENTER.

MCAVOY
Special weather statement, Jul 11, 4:55 PM EDT, 2 minutes before
NCZ071-072-082-SCZ009-112210-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
455 PM EDT FRI JUL 11 2003

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT THE CHARLOTTE METRO AREA
BETWEEN 5 AND 6 PM...

AT 450 PM...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS FROM SOUTHERN LAKE NORMAN IN NORTHERN
MECKLENBURG COUNTY...SOUTHWEST TO BELTON. THESE STORMS WERE
MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH. THESE STORMS WILL AFFECT AREAS FROM CONCORD
TO CHARLOTTE TO PINEVILLE BETWEEN 5 AND 6 PM.

NEARLY CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...40 TO 50 MPH WINDS...
TORRENTIAL RAIN AND PEA SIZED HAIL WILL ACCOMPANY THE LINE. SECURE
OUTDOOR OBJECTS...AND PREPARE FOR THE VISIBILITY TO FALL TO NEAR
ZERO IN THE HEAVY RAIN AND WIND. IN EXCESS OF AN INCH OF RAIN WILL
FALL WITH THE LINE IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL WATCH THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS
VERY CLOSELY IN CASE ANY WARNINGS BECOME NECESSARY.

MCAVOY

The office that day

Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 11, 5:15 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPRowan45 min
Jul 11, 6:58 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPMecklenburg, Union3 hr

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Carolina, 2003Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2003

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.