Alert archive / South Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2017

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 167, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

July 8, 2017Greenville County, Pickens County, Spartanburg County, South Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 8, 2017, 4:47 PM EDT for Greenville County, Pickens County, Spartanburg County, South Carolina. It was in force for 43 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 8, 2017, 4:47 PM EDT (20:47 UTC)
Expired
Jul 8, 2017, 5:30 PM EDT
In force
43 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Greenville County, SC, Pickens County, SC, Spartanburg County, SC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 18 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:46 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 8, 5:17 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG5 Wsw Spartanburg, SCA FEW TOPS OF TREES BLOWN OUT NEAR INTERSECTION OF INTERSTATE 26 AND HIGHWAY 296.
Jul 8, 5:18 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG3 S Fingerville, SCSCHP REPORTED A TREE DOWN AT RIVER OAK RD AND MUD CREEK RD

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 30 minutes after it went out.

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 nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 8.8 hours before the alert went out and 249 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 2017-07-08Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 48 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 2017-07-08The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 97 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
48 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-161 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1553 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
19 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
97 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
159 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

363 
WUUS52 KGSP 082047
SVRGSP
SCC045-077-083-082130-
/O.NEW.KGSP.SV.W.0167.170708T2047Z-170708T2130Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
447 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northeastern Greenville County in Upstate South Carolina...
  Northwestern Spartanburg County in Upstate South Carolina...
  Northeastern Pickens County in Upstate South Carolina...

* Until 530 PM EDT

* At 446 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 11 miles northwest
  of Greenville Downtown, or near Slater-Marietta, moving east at 15
  mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. 

  SOURCE...Radar indicated. 

  IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind 
           damage to trees and power lines. 

* Locations impacted include...
  Greer, Taylors, Boiling Springs SC, Travelers Rest, Duncan, Lyman,
  Landrum, Wellford, Slater-Marietta and Inman.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Scattered trees and power lines will be blown down in the warned
area. Seek shelter inside an interior room.

Please report damaging winds, hail, or flooding to the National
Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg by calling toll free, 1, 800,
2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, or by posting on our Facebook page, or Tweet it using
hashtag nwsgsp. Your message should describe the event and the
specific location where it occurred.

&&

LAT...LON 3490 8257 3508 8257 3518 8232 3517 8196
      3488 8198
TIME...MOT...LOC 2046Z 270DEG 15KT 3499 8248 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

WJM
1 follow-up statement
893 
WWUS52 KGSP 082129
SVSGSP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
529 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017

SCC045-077-083-082138-
/O.EXP.KGSP.SV.W.0167.000000T0000Z-170708T2130Z/
Greenville SC-Spartanburg SC-Pickens SC-
529 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN GREENVILLE...
NORTHWESTERN SPARTANBURG AND NORTHEASTERN PICKENS COUNTIES WILL
EXPIRE AT 530 PM EDT...
                
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore the warning will be allowed to expire.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
northeast Spartanburg County.

LAT...LON 3490 8257 3508 8257 3518 8232 3517 8196
      3488 8198
TIME...MOT...LOC 2128Z 270DEG 15KT 3499 8228 

$$

WJM

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 8, 2:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 57 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 8, 2:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 57 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
250 PM EDT Sat Jul 8 2017

.SYNOPSIS...
Seasonably warm temperatures and afternoon showers and thunderstorms
will continue as a front pushes through the area late tonight. Drier
air will build in Sunday and Monday with more humid and unsettled
weather expected through the second half of next week as the frontal
boundary creeps back into the area from the south. A more
substantial system will move through the area near the end of next
week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 245 PM EDT Saturday:  Convection firing mainly over the
higher terrain as of 18Z, but suspect storms will only get stronger
and more numerous from there as a short wave comes into play
as it crosses the region through early evening. Downslope flow
immediately to the lee of the Blue Ridge might put a damper on
some development, but cu field continues to blossom in the I-85
corridor and east, so we should not have any problems with the
storm environment there. Speaking of which, latest mesoanalysis
shows sbCAPE in the 1500-3000 J/kg range, thus we are well on our
way to having moderate instability for the afternoon ahead of a
boundary dropping down from the N. Meanwhile, dCAPE greater than
800 J/kg has developed across the entire fcst area. Think we have
just about all the ingredients we need for scattered to numerous
thunderstorms this afternoon with a good chance that several
of them will go severe with wind damage the main threat. Better
shear means a better chance for organization as cold pools merge
and expand east of the mtns. Agree with SPC Day 1 Slight Risk over
the wrn Piedmont of NC as that area stands a good chance of seeing
severe wind producing multicells this afternoon.

The passage of the short wave this evening should carry the
bulk of the convection to the s/e of the fcst area by around
sunset, followed by the passage of the surface boundary. Some
activity could linger on the SE fringe into the late evening,
but otherwise, drier air will spill in across the region behind
the boundary. Some mtn valley fog is expected around daybreak
Sunday, but otherwise it should be a cooler day, maybe a few deg
on the cool side of normal. However, the air mass should be drier,
which hopefully will make it not as uncomfortable as the past few
days. An isolated shower or storm could develop near the fall line,
so a slight chance was retained on the southeast fringe.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 130 PM Saturday: The upper trough over the eastern CONUS will
deamplify Monday thru Tuesday, as a subtropical ridge reassert
itself into the Southeast. At the surface, a Bermuda high pattern
will gradually set back up across the region. It will take a couple
days for moisture and instability to return to typical mid-July
levels. So PoPs will remain below climatological coverage for mainly
diurnal convection. Temps will be near or slightly above normal.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 100 PM EDT Saturday: The medium range remains in a pretty
typical July holding pattern with chances of scattered convection
each afternoon. Upper heights will rise briefly on Wednesday, though
continued moist southerly flow courtesy of an elongated Bermuda high
and some slight upper forcing accompanying a weak upper shortwave
will likely still lead to scattered diurnal convection. Upper
troughing begins to take shape again for the eastern CONUS on
Thursday, and a stalled remnant frontal boundary will provide a
focus for diurnal convection. The upper trough deepens with a
shortwave approaching our CWA by Friday, likely leading to sustained
showers and thunderstorms overnight in a more non-diurnal pattern.
Decent instability should develop each day, so a few pulse-type
severe storms are possible. Temperatures will begin the period just
above average, and will fall to near average as heights fall aloft.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
At KCLT and Elsewhere:  VFR through the period at all sites with
the possible exception of afternoon MVFR convection, as well as
early morning MVFR fog restrictions at KAVL Sunday morning. The
convection-allowing model guidance suggests a good chance of
semi-organized storms developing over the mtns and then moving
east across the region through 00Z...thus all sites but KHKY get
a four-hour TEMPO to account for this. A Well mixed boundary layer
will keep wind SW through the afternoon with some gusts possible,
until sfc boundary moves through in the early evening to bring
direction around to NW for the rest of the evening, then light N
overnight. On Sunday, expect only high level clouds with a light
NE wind.

Outlook: Quiet conditions will prevail on Sunday afternoon with a
stable air mass behind the cold front.  Chances for restrictions
will gradually increase into next week thanks to diurnal showers
and thunderstorms, as well as overnight/morning fog.

Confidence Table...

            18-24Z        00-06Z        06-12Z        12-18Z
KCLT       High 100%     High 100%     High 100%     High 100%
KGSP       High 100%     High 100%     High 100%     High 100%
KAVL       High 100%     High 100%     High  91%     High  94%
KHKY       High 100%     High 100%     High 100%     High 100%
KGMU       High 100%     High 100%     High 100%     High 100%
KAND       High 100%     High 100%     High 100%     High 100%

The percentage reflects the number of guidance members agreeing
with the scheduled TAF issuance flight rule category. Complete hourly
experimental aviation forecast consistency tables and ensemble forecasts
are available at the following link:

www.weather.gov/gsp/aviation

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None.
NC...None.
SC...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Carroll
NEAR TERM...PM
SHORT TERM...ARK
LONG TERM...Carroll
AVIATION...PM
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 8, 3:53 PM EDT, 54 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
353 PM EDT Sat Jul 8 2017

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-
068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-092000-
Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Avery-Alexander-
Iredell-Davie-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Catawba-
Rowan-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania-
Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union-
Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-
McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell-Rutherford Mountains-
Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk-Oconee Mountains-
Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee-
Greater Pickens-Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Cherokee-York-
Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Chester-Greenwood-
353 PM EDT Sat Jul 8 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont
North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

A cold front will continue to push across the western Carolinas and
Northeast Georgia through this evening. Scattered to numerous
thunderstorms will continue to develop along and ahead of this
front. With the added lift...some of these storms will become quite
strong or severe. The main threats will be damaging winds and large
hail...along with cloud to ground lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

..Sunday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Monday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Tuesday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Wednesday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Thursday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Friday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Skywarn spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail
and damaging winds to our office.

ARK

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 8, 3:36 PM EDT, 1 hour 11 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
336 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017

NCZ064-065-SCZ003-082000-
Transylvania NC-Henderson NC-Greenville Mountains SC-
336 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN TRANSYLVANIA...
SOUTHWESTERN HENDERSON AND NORTHWESTERN GREENVILLE COUNTIES UNTIL 400
PM EDT...

At 335 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles southwest of Brevard, or near Rosman, moving east at 15 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Brevard, Etowah, Rosman, Jones Gap State Park, Dupont State Forest,
Caesars Head State Park, Laurel Park, Mills River, Looking Glass and
Flat Rock.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail will be possible in these
areas.

LAT...LON 3539 8253 3514 8242 3507 8278 3508 8278
      3509 8279 3507 8283 3507 8284 3523 8291
TIME...MOT...LOC 1935Z 250DEG 14KT 3518 8279

WJM
Special weather statement, Jul 8, 3:51 PM EDT, 56 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
351 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017

NCZ064-065-SCZ002-003-082015-
Transylvania NC-Henderson NC-Pickens Mountains SC-
Greenville Mountains SC-
351 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
SOUTHEASTERN TRANSYLVANIA...SOUTHWESTERN HENDERSON...NORTHWESTERN
GREENVILLE AND NORTHERN PICKENS COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM EDT...

At 351 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 13 miles northwest of Pickens, or 6 miles south of
Rosman, moving east at 15 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Rosman, Jocassee Gorges, Jones Gap State Park, Table Rock State Park,
Caesars Head State Park, Slater-Marietta, Dupont State Forest, Keowee
Toxaway State Park, Gorges State Park and Lake Jocassee.

In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph will be
possible in these areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent lightning is occurring with this storm. If outdoors, try to
get indoors or into a hard topped vehicle. Otherwise, stay away from
open areas and isolated high objects such as trees. When indoors,
stay away from windows and doors and avoid using wired electronic
devices. Do not take a shower or bath. Try to unplug unnecessary
appliances before the storm approaches.

&&

LAT...LON 3512 8293 3522 8253 3499 8249 3497 8256
      3495 8260 3494 8289 3504 8291 3505 8290
      3505 8292
TIME...MOT...LOC 1951Z 261DEG 13KT 3505 8283

WJM
Special weather statement, Jul 8, 4:06 PM EDT, 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
406 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017

NCZ056-068-069-504-508-082030-
Greater Rutherford NC-Cleveland NC-Lincoln NC-Greater Burke NC-
Catawba NC-
406 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN CATAWBA...
NORTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD...NORTHWESTERN LINCOLN...NORTH CENTRAL
CLEVELAND AND SOUTHEASTERN BURKE COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT...

At 406 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles south of Morganton, or 4 miles northwest of South Mountains
State Park, moving east at 15 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Morganton, Hickory, Longview, Valdese, Icard, Hildebran, Connelly
Springs, Rutherford College, Glen Alpine and Hickory Regional
Airport.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail will be possible in these
areas.

LAT...LON 3576 8140 3576 8138 3577 8137 3577 8136
      3551 8136 3554 8180 3573 8180 3577 8142
TIME...MOT...LOC 2006Z 270DEG 15KT 3565 8172

WJM
Local storm report, Jul 8, 4:27 PM EDT, 20 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
427 PM EDT SAT JUL 08 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0423 PM     HAIL             HENDERSONVILLE          35.32N 82.46W
07/08/2017  E1.75 INCH       HENDERSON          NC   PUBLIC

            REPORT OF GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL. WIND NOT TOO BAD AT HIS
            LOCATION.

&&

OUTLAW
Special weather statement, Jul 8, 4:35 PM EDT, 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
435 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017

NCZ037-057-082100-
Rowan NC-Davie NC-
435 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN DAVIE AND CENTRAL
ROWAN COUNTIES UNTIL 500 PM EDT...

At 435 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southeast of Mocksville, or near Cooleemee, moving east at 15
mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Mocksville, Salisbury, Spencer, Cooleemee, High Rock Lake, Fork
Church and Woodleaf.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail will be possible in these
areas.

LAT...LON 3570 8058 3588 8058 3591 8037 3589 8037
      3589 8040 3588 8042 3586 8039 3584 8039
      3585 8042 3583 8043 3583 8046 3584 8047
      3583 8049 3581 8047 3579 8048 3577 8045
      3574 8046 3572 8038 3572 8034 3567 8032
TIME...MOT...LOC 2035Z 270DEG 15KT 3580 8049

WJM
Local storm report, Jul 8, 4:37 PM EDT, 10 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
437 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0434 PM     HAIL             3 WNW PUMPKINTOWN       35.02N 82.69W
07/08/2017  E0.88 INCH       PICKENS            SC   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED NICKEL SIZE HAIL AT LAKE
            OOLENOY

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 8, 4:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPGreenville, Pickens45 min
Jul 8, 5:00 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGreenville, Pickens30 min
Jul 8, 5:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPCherokee, Spartanburg40 min
Jul 8, 6:48 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAbbeville27 min
Jul 8, 7:06 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAbbeville, Greenwood24 min
Jul 8, 7:35 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAbbeville, Greenwood25 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Carolina, 2017Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2017

Sources

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