Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2017

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 196, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

July 15, 2017Burke County, Catawba County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 15, 2017, 3:48 PM EDT for Burke County, Catawba County, North Carolina. It was in force for 42 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 15, 2017, 3:48 PM EDT (19:48 UTC)
Expired
Jul 15, 2017, 4:30 PM EDT
In force
42 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Burke County, NC, Catawba County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 119 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:48 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 15, 4:00 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 Sw Hickory, NC911 CALL CENTER REPORTED A CLUSTER OF TREES DOWN IN HICKORY.
Jul 15, 4:20 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGConover, NC911 CALL CENTER REPORTED POWER LINES DOWN IN CONOVER.

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 12 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, 7.8 hours before the alert went out and 140 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 2017-07-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 306 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 2017-07-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -50 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
306 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-89 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1239 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-50 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
46 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

470 
WUUS52 KGSP 151948
SVRGSP
NCC023-035-152030-
/O.NEW.KGSP.SV.W.0196.170715T1948Z-170715T2030Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
348 PM EDT SAT JUL 15 2017

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southwestern Catawba County in the Piedmont of North Carolina...
  Southeastern Burke County in western North Carolina...

* Until 430 PM EDT

* At 348 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles southwest
  of Hickory, or near Hildebran, 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...
  Hickory, Newton, Conover, Longview, Icard, Hildebran, Claremont,
  Hickory Regional Airport, Mountain View and Cooksville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Brief damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines over small
areas. A brief period of large hail is also possible. Seek shelter
inside an interior room.

This storm is also producing extremely heavy rainfall. Flooding of
drainage ditches and low lying areas may occur. Small streams will
rise rapidly. Do not drive through areas where water is flowing over
the road.

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 3578 8144 3577 8144 3577 8142 3576 8140
      3576 8138 3577 8137 3571 8112 3556 8125
      3556 8143 3562 8156 3578 8148
TIME...MOT...LOC 1948Z 292DEG 14KT 3568 8144 

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

MOORE
1 follow-up statement
521 
WWUS52 KGSP 152020
SVSGSP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
420 PM EDT SAT JUL 15 2017

NCC023-152030-
/O.CAN.KGSP.SV.W.0196.000000T0000Z-170715T2030Z/
Burke NC-
420 PM EDT SAT JUL 15 2017

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN BURKE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of 
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

LAT...LON 3571 8112 3556 8125 3556 8144 3560 8151
      3561 8151 3561 8150 3569 8142 3577 8136
TIME...MOT...LOC 2020Z 306DEG 10KT 3560 8138 

$$

NCC035-152030-
/O.CON.KGSP.SV.W.0196.000000T0000Z-170715T2030Z/
Catawba NC-
420 PM EDT SAT JUL 15 2017

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHWESTERN CATAWBA COUNTY...

At 420 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 10 miles south of
Hickory, or 5 miles south of Mountain View, moving southeast at 10
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...
Hickory, Newton, Conover, Longview, Claremont, Mountain View, Propst
Crossroads, Startown, Cooksville and St. Stephens.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Brief damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines over small
areas. A brief period of large hail is also possible. Seek shelter
inside an interior room.

This storms is also producing extremely heavy rainfall. Flooding of
drainage ditches and low lying areas may occur. Small streams will
rise rapidly. Do not drive through areas where water is flowing over
the road.

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 3571 8112 3556 8125 3556 8144 3560 8151
      3561 8151 3561 8150 3569 8142 3577 8136
TIME...MOT...LOC 2020Z 306DEG 10KT 3560 8138 

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

MOORE

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 15, 2:13 PM EDT, 1 hour 35 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 15, 2:13 PM EDT, 1 hour 35 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
213 PM EDT Sat Jul 15 2017

.SYNOPSIS...
Hot and humid conditions will persist through the weekend, with
scattered to numerous afternoon and evening thunderstorms each day.
A cold front will move into the region from the northwest and stall
near the area through Sunday. Another cold front will approach on
Monday and move southeast of the area on Tuesday, with drier and
warmer conditions arriving by the middle of next week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 200 PM EDT Saturday: The weak cold front has generally moved
south of the area, as evidenced by WNW winds across most of the
Piedmont, but moisture associated with the upper trough will
continue to move across the area with high PW values near 2" and a
potent little vort max swinging through. Deep layer shear isn't
impressive, and while we do have some steering flow, convective
development continues  upstream of current convection, leading to
training storms and a heavy rain threat (with associated Slight Risk
of Excessive Rain from WPC). We remain in Marginal Risk for the SPC
outlook with a low-end wind and hail threat (with slightly improved
lapse rates aloft and some area for hail growth). Despite the
proximity of the front, dCAPEs are actually fairly low, generally
<700J/kg across the area, so storms might not be able to get as
intense as quickly as they did yesterday...which also leads one to
believe this might evolve into more of a heavy rain threat. Basin-
average QPFs are not that all impressive so flash flooding would be
localized, so do not really feel a Flash Flood Watch is warranted.

Convection should wane overnight, but should pick up at least across
southern zones on Sunday. Some of the hires models want to develop
some showery activity across the northern tier as well so have kept
pops a little higher, but these may need to be pulled back down with
later forecasts. Temperatures will be improving through the period,
with highs today near seasonal normals, lows tonight just slightly
above and highs tomorrow actually a couple of degrees below.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 130 PM EDT Saturday: A shortwave embedded in upper longwave
troughing will cross the area Sunday night as a surface front
settles over the forecast area. The front will wash out on Monday as
heights aloft fall and another potent shortwave rounds the trough
base, so widespread showers and thunderstorms are anticipated once
again on Monday. Another front will descend from the northwest on
Monday night and will stall near the forecast area Tuesday,
providing a focus for enhanced diurnal convection in the afternoon.
Mid-level dry air makes an entrance Monday and Tuesday, and with
respectable instability both days, some type of wet microburst
threat is possible. Temperatures will be near climo.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 100 PM EDT Saturday: The medium range begins Tuesday night
immediately post-frontal passage with a few lingering showers and
thunderstorms. Upper troughing lifts by Wednesday, though there is
some model disagreement in just how far the front is able to
progress as it washes out on Wednesday. Strong upper ridging builds
over the central Plains on Wednesday to exert some influence on the
southeast, though, so maximum temperatures were increased and
"silent 10" pops remain. The extent to which drier air will be able
to work in as the ridge continues to build Thursday and Friday is
also uncertain, but enough moisture lingers in the global model
solutions that slight chance pops were maintained both afternoons. A
back door front dips down from the northeast as upper heights fall
again on Saturday, bringing pops close to climo back into the
forecast. Maximum and minimum temperatures during the middle and end
of next week will be above climo through the period, though the
extent is uncertain due to model inconsistencies in handling the
sprawling high over the central Plains.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
At KCLT and Elsewhere: Convection developing and becoming more
widespread across the area, though still fairly sparse across most
of the Piedmont. Have started all TAFs but KAND with VCTS (KAND at
19z) but with TEMPO TSRA and VRB gusty winds. As the front sags
south, convection should diminish 00-03z or so. Expect another round
of restrictions, probably LIFR, at KAVL, and have brough in some VFR
fog at KHKY, but would not be surprised if other TAFs have morning
fog restrictions as well. With the front stalling across southern
areas, should see an increase in convection again Sunday late
morning, and have introduced PROB30s to account for this. Winds
starting out W to WNW at TAF time, should veer around clockwise to
N/NE/ENE through the end of the period.

Outlook: Scattered to numerous afternoon and evening thunderstorms
are expected through Monday across the area, with higher coverage in
the mountains. Morning fog development can be expected in the
mountain valleys and in areas that receive rainfall the previous
afternoon/evening.

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  97%     Med   71%     High  85%
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...TDP
SHORT TERM...Carroll
LONG TERM...Carroll
AVIATION...TDP
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 15, 5:07 AM EDT, 10 hours 41 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
507 AM EDT Sat Jul 15 2017

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-
068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-160915-
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-
507 AM EDT Sat Jul 15 2017

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to develop over the
area this afternoon and evening. A few of the storms are expected to
become briefly severe, with damaging downburst winds being the main
threat, although hail to the size of quarters could also occur.
Locally heavy rainfall and frequent cloud to ground lightning can
occur with any thunderstorm.

.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...

None.

LANE

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 15, 3:27 PM EDT, 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
327 PM EDT SAT JUL 15 2017

NCZ068-070-152000-
Gaston NC-Cleveland NC-
327 PM EDT SAT JUL 15 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CLEVELAND AND
SOUTHWESTERN GASTON COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM EDT...

At 327 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Shelby, or near Patterson Springs, moving southeast at 10 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Shelby, Gastonia, Kings Mountain, Bessemer City, Patterson Springs
and Crowders Mountain State Park.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph, pea size hail and very heavy rainfall rates
up to 2 inches per hour will be possible in these areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio and tv
stations, as well as local cable tv outlets for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3516 8132 3517 8133 3516 8133 3517 8140
      3523 8159 3537 8151 3530 8121
TIME...MOT...LOC 1927Z 298DEG 9KT 3526 8149

MOORE
Local storm report, Jul 15, 3:30 PM EDT, 18 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
330 PM EDT SAT JUL 15 2017

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

0230 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NNW CRAMERTON         35.24N 81.08W
07/15/2017                   GASTON             NC   911 CALL CENTER

            911 CALL CENTER REPORTED A TREE DOWN ON MAYFLOWER AVE
            IN CRAMERTON.

&&

LEC
Local storm report, Jul 15, 3:32 PM EDT, 16 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
332 PM EDT SAT JUL 15 2017

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

0231 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 N MCADENVILLE         35.29N 81.07W
07/15/2017                   GASTON             NC   911 CALL CENTER

            911 CALL CENTER REPORTED A TREE DOWN ON HICKORY GROVE
            RD.

&&

LEC
Special weather statement, Jul 15, 3:32 PM EDT, 16 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
332 PM EDT SAT JUL 15 2017

NCZ035-152000-
Alexander NC-
332 PM EDT SAT JUL 15 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT ALEXANDER COUNTY UNTIL 400 PM
EDT...

At 332 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Taylorsville, moving southeast at 10 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Taylorsville, Stony Point, Lookout Shoals Lake, Lake Hickory,
Hiddenite, Little River In Alexander County, Vashti, Millersville and
Ellendale.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph, pea size hail and very heavy rainfall rates
up to 2 inches per hour will be possible in these areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio and tv
stations, as well as local cable tv outlets for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3597 8101 3586 8105 3579 8110 3578 8111
      3579 8113 3583 8114 3582 8121 3588 8134
      3594 8134 3599 8133 3601 8131 3601 8129
      3602 8128 3603 8109
TIME...MOT...LOC 1932Z 298DEG 9KT 3592 8122

MOORE
Local storm report, Jul 15, 3:34 PM EDT, 14 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
334 PM EDT SAT JUL 15 2017

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

0233 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 S RANLO               35.26N 81.13W
07/15/2017                   GASTON             NC   911 CALL CENTER

            911 CALL CENTER REPORTED A TREE DOWN ON ARMSTRONG PARK
            RD.

&&

LEC
Local storm report, Jul 15, 3:38 PM EDT, 10 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
338 PM EDT SAT JUL 15 2017

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

0235 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MCADENVILLE             35.26N 81.09W
07/15/2017                   GASTON             NC   911 CALL CENTER

            911 CALL CENTER REPORTED A TREE DOWN ON MAIN ST. IN
 LOWELL

&&

LEC

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 15, 12:56 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPHenderson49 min
Jul 15, 1:04 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPHenderson, Polk, Transylvania41 min
Jul 15, 1:53 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPHenderson37 min
Jul 15, 2:20 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPGaston, Mecklenburg40 min
Jul 15, 2:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPRowan29 min
Jul 15, 2:35 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPCabarrus, Rowan25 min
Jul 15, 2:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPTransylvania50 min
Jul 15, 2:43 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCleveland32 min
Jul 15, 2:48 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMcDowell27 min
Jul 15, 2:55 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPMcDowell, Rutherford50 min
Jul 15, 3:10 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMecklenburg35 min
Jul 15, 3:19 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBurke26 min
Jul 15, 3:22 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPBurke53 min
Jul 15, 3:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCleveland33 min
Jul 15, 3:32 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAlexander28 min
Jul 15, 3:34 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPCleveland, Gaston41 min
Jul 15, 3:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPUnion47 min
Jul 15, 4:27 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPAlexander, Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln48 min
Jul 15, 5:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPCabarrus, Catawba, Davie, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Rowan40 min
Jul 15, 5:48 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPRowan42 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North 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.