Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2018

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 309, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

August 30, 2018Buncombe County, Madison County, Yancey County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 30, 2018, 2:53 PM EDT for Buncombe County, Madison County, Yancey County, North Carolina. It was in force for 26 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 30, 2018, 2:53 PM EDT (18:53 UTC)
Expired
Aug 30, 2018, 3:19 PM EDT
In force
26 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Buncombe County, NC, Madison County, NC, Yancey County, NC

The radar

The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 90 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:55 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 6.9 hours before the alert went out and 238 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 2018-08-30Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1345 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 2018-08-30The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -27 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
1345 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-65 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1136 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
14 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-27 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
62 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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 Aug 30, 2:41 PM EDT, 12 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 30, 2:41 PM EDT, 12 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
241 PM EDT Thu Aug 30 2018

.SYNOPSIS...
A strong upper level ridge dominating the East Coast will
weaken through Friday, allowing a cold front to approach from the
north. The front is expected to stall just north of the area on
Friday. Then the upper ridge will build back over the eastern states
this weekend through early next week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 215 PM: A weakness in the subtropical ridge will remain across
the area through Friday. This allows a series of short waves to
cross the area as well. The better forcing, instability, and
moisture will be across the mountains where numerous coverage is
expected. However, there is enough for isolated to low end scattered
convection elsewhere. Isolated flooding will be possible across the
mountains and foothills into this evening with slow moving storms
and potential for training echoes. The chance redevelops on Friday
afternoon. The chance of organized severe storms is low. However,
very high DCAPE values mean an isolated damaging wind gust will be
possible. Lows tonight will be a couple of degrees above normal.
Highs Friday will be cooler than Thursday, but still a couple of
degrees above normal.

&&

.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 200 PM Thursday...A ridge of high pressure will build
across the Mid-Atlantic States over the weekend. The forecast area
will be on the south side of this feature allowing weak easterly
flow to develop across the area. This will lead to a very consistent
temperature pattern with highs near to a little above normal and
overnight lows several degrees above normal. Scattered mainly
diurnally driven showers and thunderstorms are expected each day
with the higher chance in the mountains.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 200 PM Thursday...The mid level ridge will strengthen across
the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley through next week. The ridge will
develop slightly north leaving the forecast area under similar
conditions for the week as the short term period. A little above
normal late summer temperatures are expected with scattered mainly
afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Best chance of convection remains across the
mountains but isolated convection possible elsewhere as evidenced by
the cell that went across KGSP earlier. Therefore, have varying mix
of convection in the TAF for afternoon and early evening. Best
chance of any restrictions will be in the mountain valleys again
overnight, but patchy MVFR fog possible elsewhere. Any restrictions
will burn off by mid-morning with cumulus developing by early
afternoon. Best chance of convection will again be across the
mountains for Friday afternoon, so no mention in the TAFs for now.

Outlook: Scattered diurnal showers and thunderstorms are expected
each afternoon Saturday through Monday. Areas of fog and low stratus
can also be expected each morning, primarily in the mtn valleys.

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%     Med   74%     High  89%
KHKY       High 100%     High 100%     High  88%     High  97%
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...SW
NEAR TERM...RWH
SHORT TERM...SW
LONG TERM...SW
AVIATION...RWH
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 30, 5:16 AM EDT, 9 hours 37 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
516 AM EDT Thu Aug 30 2018

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-
068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-310930-
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-
516 AM EDT Thu Aug 30 2018

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 showers and thunderstorms are forecast to
develop across the region this afternoon into the early evening, with
the highest coverage across the mountains near the Tennessee border.
The main threats will be from cloud-to-ground lightning and locally
heavy rainfall.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

ARK

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 30, 2:45 PM EDT, 8 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
245 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018

NCZ052-301930-
Haywood NC-
245 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL HAYWOOD COUNTY UNTIL 330
PM EDT...

At 245 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Waynesville. This storm was nearly stationary.

Locations to be impacted include...
Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Maggie Valley, Smoky
Mountains-Cataloochee and Cove Creek.

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...

Torrential rainfall may flood areas with poor drainage, such as
ditches and underpasses. Avoid these areas and do not cross flooded
roads. Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly. Seek
higher ground if threatened by flood waters.

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 3557 8290 3542 8298 3546 8309 3546 8310
      3547 8314 3566 8312
TIME...MOT...LOC 1845Z 198DEG 3KT 3550 8302

MOORE
Special weather statement, Aug 30, 2:47 PM EDT, 6 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
247 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018

NCZ051-058-062-301930-
Graham NC-Swain NC-Macon NC-
247 PM EDT THU AUG 30 2018

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MACON...SOUTH
CENTRAL SWAIN AND EAST CENTRAL GRAHAM COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM EDT...

At 247 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles east of Robbinsville, or 6 miles northeast of Nantahala Lake.
This storm was nearly stationary.

Locations to be impacted include...
Fontana Lake, Luada, Wesser, Almond, Kyle and Nantahala.

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...

Torrential rainfall may flood areas with poor drainage, such as
ditches and underpasses. Avoid these areas and do not cross flooded
roads. Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly. Seek
higher ground if threatened by flood waters.

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 3521 8358 3525 8369 3540 8367 3540 8358
      3537 8349
TIME...MOT...LOC 1847Z 198DEG 3KT 3527 8361

MOORE

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 30, 2:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPHaywood45 min
Aug 30, 2:47 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGraham43 min
Aug 30, 3:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPYancey25 min
Aug 30, 3:24 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPMitchell36 min
Aug 30, 3:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPBuncombe32 min
Aug 30, 4:02 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMitchell43 min
Aug 30, 4:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBuncombe40 min
Aug 30, 4:33 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAvery42 min
Aug 30, 5:09 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAvery51 min
Aug 30, 5:12 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCaldwell33 min
Aug 30, 5:15 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBurke30 min
Aug 30, 5:28 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPCabarrus, Mecklenburg, Union47 min
Aug 30, 5:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAlexander31 min
Aug 30, 6:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBurke25 min
Aug 30, 6:36 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMecklenburg24 min
Aug 30, 7:00 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMecklenburg30 min
Aug 30, 7:08 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPChester37 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Carolina, 2018Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2018

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.