Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2017

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 206, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

July 17, 2017Burke County, Catawba County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 17, 2017, 5:56 PM EDT for Burke County, Catawba County, North Carolina. It was in force for 49 min. 3 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 17, 2017, 5:56 PM EDT (21:56 UTC)
Expired
Jul 17, 2017, 6:45 PM EDT
In force
49 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 21:56 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 17, 6:05 PM EDTHAIL 13 Nnw Hickory, NCNICKEL TO QUARTER SIZED HAIL ON NORTH SIDE OF HICKORY. STRONG WIND BUT NO SIGN YET OF WIND DAMAGE.
Jul 17, 6:27 PM EDTHAIL 11 S Rhodhiss, NCDIME TO QUARTER SIZED HAIL ABOUT A QUARTER MILE SOUTH OF THE RIVER ON THE CONNELLY SPRINGS SIDE.
Jul 17, 6:52 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Sw Icard, NCTREE ACROSS MILLER BRIDGE RD AT SHOUPES GROVE CHURCH 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 3 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 9 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, 9.9 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 2017-07-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 434 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 2017-07-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -10 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
434 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-73 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1095 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
8 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-10 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
15 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

585 
WUUS52 KGSP 172156
SVRGSP
NCC023-035-172245-
/O.NEW.KGSP.SV.W.0206.170717T2156Z-170717T2245Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
556 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

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

* Until 645 PM EDT

* At 556 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hickory, or
  near Lake Hickory, moving south 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, St. Stephens, Conover, Longview, Maiden, Icard,
  Hildebran, Hickory Regional Airport and Mountain View.

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 3577 8120 3556 8120 3557 8153 3556 8158
      3557 8159 3578 8144 3577 8144 3576 8138
      3577 8135 3580 8134 3580 8131
TIME...MOT...LOC 2156Z 011DEG 15KT 3578 8134 

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

ARK
2 follow-up statements
097 
WWUS52 KGSP 172229
SVSGSP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
629 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

NCC023-035-172245-
/O.CON.KGSP.SV.W.0206.000000T0000Z-170717T2245Z/
Catawba NC-Burke NC-
629 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM EDT
FOR WESTERN CATAWBA AND SOUTHEASTERN BURKE COUNTIES...

At 628 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hickory, or
near Conover, moving south 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, St. Stephens, Conover, Longview, Maiden, Icard,
Hildebran, Hickory Regional Airport and Mountain View.

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 3577 8120 3556 8120 3557 8153 3556 8158
      3557 8159 3578 8144 3577 8144 3576 8138
      3577 8135 3580 8134 3580 8131
TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 008DEG 11KT 3572 8126 

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

ARK
331 
WWUS52 KGSP 172240
SVSGSP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
640 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

NCC023-035-172250-
/O.EXP.KGSP.SV.W.0206.000000T0000Z-170717T2245Z/
Catawba NC-Burke NC-
640 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WESTERN CATAWBA AND
SOUTHEASTERN BURKE COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 645 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.  However small hail
and gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
Northwest Catawba County until 645 PM EDT.

LAT...LON 3577 8120 3556 8120 3557 8153 3556 8158
      3557 8159 3578 8144 3577 8144 3576 8138
      3577 8135 3580 8134 3580 8131
TIME...MOT...LOC 2240Z 011DEG 15KT 3569 8127 

$$

ARK

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 17, 5:50 PM EDT, 6 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 17, 5:50 PM EDT, 6 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
550 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2017

.SYNOPSIS...
A weak frontal boundary across the area today will dissipate over
the next few days. A strong upper ridge will then gradually build
into the region during the mid-to-late week, bringing hot
temperatures and reducing the coverage of diurnal showers and
thunderstorms.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 545 pm...scattered slow moving thunderstorms had developed
mainly across the NC part of the fcst area...migrating slowly
toward the west. Long anvils blowing east downstream were helping
to keep the numbers of storms in check as thick cirrus cuts down
on insolation. Moderate instability remains in place with sbCAPE
in the 2000-2500 J/kg range, while dCAPE was greater than 800 J/kg
across the entire area. Thus, will not rule out a few more severe
storms this afternoon and evening, particularly given the number
of hail reports already received.

Otherwise...a well agreed upon h5 s/w will cross the FA this
evening and will interact with elev instability keeping -shra/tstms
active through the overnight to some degree. Expect lingering
debris clouds and moisture leading to stcu development to persist
arnd daybreak. The best chance for denser fg development will be
across the mtn valleys....yet all areas could see patchy ground fg
lifting by 14z or so. Afternoon and evening convection will once
again be probable Tue as the upper trof continues to influence
the pattern. Mid-level LRs will be conducive for stg/svr storms
as LFCs are easily reached once again and sbCAPE reaches moderate
levels. Max and min temps thru the period will remain near normal
levels.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
As of 200 PM EDT Monday:  The short term fcst period kicks off
on Tuesday evening as a weak upper trof/disturbance slides east
across the Carolinas, while high pressure dominates at the surface.
Meanwhile to the west, a large H5 anticyclone will build, before
sliding east through the entire period.  With that, heights will
gradually rise through Wednesday and into Thursday atop northeast GA
and the western Carolinas leading to warming temperatures through
the profile.  Said warming will work to gradually tamp down
convective chances on Wednesday, and even further on Thursday.
With below climo pops fcst given decreased chances for diurnal
convection, the primary headline for the short term will be the
building heat.  Temperatures will warm each day with mid 90s
prevailing by Thursday across the piedmont, while upper 80s are
expected in the mtn valleys.  As such, given dewpoints in the upper
60s to lower 70s, am expecting heat indices to approach/exceed
100 degrees by Thursday.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 240 PM EDT Monday: Mid level ridging will be in place across
the area for Friday through the weekend into Monday leading to the
hottest period of the summer so far. Expect highs climbing into the
middle to upper 90s outside the mountains each day. Afternoon heat
indices will reach 100-105 in the Piedmont so will have to consider
heat advisories. Overnight lows will be warm also with mid to upper
70s common across the lower terrain.

Due to mid level warming, afternoon and evening thunderstorm
activity will be limited to the more favorable areas. The exception
will be Monday as the ridge begins to break down.

&&

.AVIATION /22Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: A good Cu field is encompassing the area this
afternoon with some deeper destabilization indicated across the higher
terrain. Expect most of the thunder to remain across the mtns until
later this afternoon when cells begin firing across existing outflow
bndrys. Hard to pinpoint favored locales and hi-res models are back
and forth with timings and locales. Anyway...have maintained a TEMPO
TSRA at KCLT this afternoon with the other sites getting a VCTS. An
ulvl s/w will cross from the northwest overnight and help maintain
-shra and possibly a few tstms. With debris cloudiness and llvl
moisture lingering thru daybreak...periods of STCU may develop and
expand. For now...will keep the IFR CIGS limited to the mtn sites.
Some lowering of VSBY is also expected arnd daybreak with IFR VSBY
possible at KAVL and likely MVFR VSBY all other sites before
lifting/dissipating aft 14z or so.

Outlook: Scattered to afternoon and evening thunderstorms are
expected into Wednesday across the area, with better coverage over
the mountains. Morning fog development can be expected in the
mountain valleys and in areas that receive rainfall the previous
afternoon/evening. Drier air will likely limit convective coverage
for Thursday, with typical mid-summer conditions returning by Friday.

Confidence Table...

            22-04Z        04-10Z        10-16Z        16-18Z
KCLT       High 100%     High 100%     Med   72%     High 100%
KGSP       High 100%     High 100%     Med   69%     High 100%
KAVL       High 100%     High  91%     High  94%     High 100%
KHKY       High 100%     High 100%     Med   77%     High 100%
KGMU       High 100%     High 100%     Med   75%     High 100%
KAND       High 100%     High 100%     High  83%     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...SW
NEAR TERM...PM/SBK
SHORT TERM...CDG
LONG TERM...SW
AVIATION...SBK
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 17, 6:13 AM EDT, 11 hours 43 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
613 AM EDT Mon Jul 17 2017

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-
068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-181015-
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-
613 AM EDT Mon Jul 17 2017

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop again
across the area this afternoon and evening. The main threats will be
from cloud to ground lightning and locally heavy rainfall. However,
a few storms could become severe, with damaging winds being the
primary threat.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

..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.
..Saturday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.
..Sunday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

JPT

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 17, 5:19 PM EDT, 37 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
519 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

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

0518 PM     HAIL             1 E MORGANTON           35.74N 81.68W
07/17/2017  E0.75 INCH       BURKE              NC   BROADCAST MEDIA

&&

CGANT
Local storm report, Jul 17, 5:21 PM EDT, 35 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
521 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

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

0518 PM     HAIL             3 ENE MORGANTON         35.75N 81.64W
07/17/2017  E0.75 INCH       BURKE              NC   BROADCAST MEDIA

&&

CGANT
Local storm report, Jul 17, 5:23 PM EDT, 33 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
523 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

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

0522 PM     HAIL             2 NW TAYLORSVILLE       35.94N 81.20W
07/17/2017  E0.88 INCH       ALEXANDER          NC   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

&&

CGANT
Local storm report, Jul 17, 5:31 PM EDT, 25 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
531 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

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

0456 PM     HAIL             4 NNE NEBO              35.76N 81.90W
07/17/2017  E0.50 INCH       BURKE              NC   PUBLIC

            LOTS OF PEA SIZED HAIL WITH A FEW PERHAPS AS LARGE AS A
            MARBLE. HAD A STRONG WIND GUST BUT NO TREES OR LIMBS DOWN
            AS THEY COULD SEE AT MOUNTAIN HARBOUR MARINA.

&&

OUTLAW
Special weather statement, Jul 17, 5:40 PM EDT, 16 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
540 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

NCZ501-502-172215-
Caldwell Mountains NC-Greater Caldwell NC-
540 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL CALDWELL COUNTY UNTIL
615 PM EDT...

At 540 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lenoir, moving northwest at 10 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Lenoir, Gamewell, Cajah's Mountain, Cedar Rock, Hudson, Collettsville
and Patterson.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.

&&

LAT...LON 3594 8140 3582 8154 3591 8170 3608 8152
TIME...MOT...LOC 2140Z 131DEG 8KT 3593 8155

ARK
Local storm report, Jul 17, 5:51 PM EDT, 5 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
551 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

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

0549 PM     HAIL             1 NNW LENOIR            35.92N 81.54W
07/17/2017  E0.88 INCH       CALDWELL           NC   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

CGANT

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 16, 11:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPPolk29 min
Jul 17, 1:34 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAvery41 min
Jul 17, 1:44 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPTransylvania46 min
Jul 17, 2:15 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMcDowell45 min
Jul 17, 2:25 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPTransylvania35 min
Jul 17, 2:30 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAvery30 min
Jul 17, 2:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPHenderson31 min
Jul 17, 3:02 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMitchell28 min
Jul 17, 3:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPYancey24 min
Jul 17, 4:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMecklenburg25 min
Jul 17, 4:21 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPRutherford24 min
Jul 17, 4:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMecklenburg33 min
Jul 17, 4:35 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPYancey25 min
Jul 17, 4:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPAlexander, Iredell47 min
Jul 17, 4:54 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPBurke, Caldwell, McDowell51 min
Jul 17, 4:58 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPRutherford32 min
Jul 17, 5:09 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBurke36 min
Jul 17, 5:23 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPAlexander, Catawba, Iredell52 min
Jul 17, 5:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCaldwell35 min
Jul 17, 6:02 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPBurke, Caldwell43 min
Jul 17, 6:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPMcDowell, Rutherford40 min
Jul 17, 6:14 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPRutherford31 min
Jul 17, 6:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPBurke, Caldwell47 min
Jul 17, 6:48 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPPolk27 min
Jul 17, 6:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPDavie23 min
Jul 17, 6:55 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGaston35 min
Jul 17, 7:09 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPBuncombe, Henderson, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford36 min
Jul 17, 7:16 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPPolk29 min
Jul 17, 7:39 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBurke36 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.