Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2019

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 49, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

May 11, 2019Cabarrus County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 11, 2019, 3:50 PM EDT for Cabarrus County, North Carolina. It was in force for 25 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
May 11, 2019, 3:50 PM EDT (19:50 UTC)
Expired
May 11, 2019, 4:15 PM EDT
In force
25 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Possible
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Cabarrus County, NC

The radar

The Columbia radar (KCAE), 156 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:51 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
May 11, 3:53 PM EDTHAIL 0.887 S Concord, NCNICKEL SIZED HAIL NEAR GENEVA ROAD AND LOWER ROCKY RIVER ROAD.
May 11, 3:55 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG5 Nnw Midland, NCNUMEROUS TREES DOWN AND SEVERAL POWER LINES ACROSS SOUTHERN CABARRUS COUNTY.

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 one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 5 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 107 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 2019-05-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 401 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 2019-05-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 15 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
401 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-37 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
702 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
36 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
15 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
18 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

453 
WUUS52 KGSP 111950
SVRGSP
NCC025-112015-
/O.NEW.KGSP.SV.W.0049.190511T1950Z-190511T2015Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
350 PM EDT Sat May 11 2019

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southeastern Cabarrus County in the Piedmont of North Carolina...

* Until 415 PM EDT.

* At 349 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles south of
  Downtown Concord, or 5 miles northwest of Midland, moving east at
  30 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...
  Harrisburg, Midland, Mt Pleasant and Downtown Concord. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

A few trees and power lines will be blown down in the warned area.
Hail can cause major property damage, especially to vehicles. 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 3520 8050 3521 8056 3526 8066 3534 8067
      3542 8036
TIME...MOT...LOC 1949Z 264DEG 27KT 3528 8058 

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

RM

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 May 11, 3:00 PM EDT, 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 11, 3:00 PM EDT, 50 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
300 PM EDT Sat May 11 2019

.SYNOPSIS...
A strong and moist cold front will maintain high chances for showers
and thunderstorms through Sunday. Dry Canadian high pressure will
build into the forecast area early Monday and persist through
the middle of next week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 300 PM: Convective activity has blossomed across the area.
Increasing instability and good low level shear have lead to strong
thunderstorms and enough rotation for tornadoes to be possible. A
severe storm may also develop. These will be mainly along and south
of I-85. May be another round of convection this evening as another
MCV approaches from the southwest. Strong to severe storms may be
possible with the second wave as shear will continue but instability
will be on the wane. An isolated flood event cannot be ruled out
given the high rainfall rates and very moist atmosphere,

Expect storms to diminish overnight but showers will linger. Should
be another round of convection Sunday as yet another wave approaches
from the SW. PW values will be high and moderate instability and
shear are expected. Flooding is also possible again as the air mass
remains very moist and high rainfall rates develop in storms.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 145 PM EDT Saturday: The short term continues to show good
confidence as the op models agree well with the evolution of the
synoptic scale pattern. There are some notable differences btw the
GFS and the other models with the mass fields...however not enuf to
make large differences in the sensible weather fcst.

There will be a stg slug of upper energy pushing into the NC mtns
ahead of an ulvl low...which along with it/s own moisture and
residual moisture will maintain a precip potential across the mtns
thru the overnight. Sfc-based instability will weaken, yet mlvl LRs
will increase allowing for a few lingering general tstms. With the
incoming upper low...thicknesses will drop sigfnt/ly to arnd 555 dm
and support a cP airmass change which wont modify much thru the
period. Downward motion with the denser air will create some gusty
conds across the higher peaks Mon afternoon...but speeds look to
remain just below adv levels. Cooler BL td/s will also advect in
with readings in the mid to upper 40s both Mon and Tue. High amts of
insol will overcome lower thicknesses somewhat...so temps will reach
the lower to mid 70s making for very pleasant conds for late spring
both days.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 230 PM EDT Saturday: No sigfnt changes were made to the going
fcst over the ext range. The period will be dominated by nw/ly flow
aloft while a cP sfc high crosses the area and moves off the Atl
coast by Thu. On Wed...temps will still be held below normal as the
new airmass continues to modify. The morning lows will drop into the
l50s across the non/mtns and into the 40s over the mtn valleys. Max
temps will struggle to reach the m70s even in good sunshine.
Dewpoints will also be slow to recover thru the period...with
readings in the m40s Wed and only the m50s by Fri. So with continued
warming...the atmos will remain quite dry and pleasant at the sfc.
There looks to be a fairly strong ulvl wave reaching the mtns by Thu
evening. Moisture will be limited with this feature while static
stability remains high...so dont anticipate much more than few/sct
-shra with little precip accum.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Showers and thunderstorms blossoming across
the area this afternoon. Have tried to time TEMPOs to cover most
likely time. Additional convection possible this evening...so they
may need to be extended. Expect low stratus to develop again
overnight with any vsby restrictions limited mainly to showers. Only
a slow improvement after daybreak with convection likely again
Sunday. Wind direction should be S to SW through the period, apart
from thunderstorm outflows.

Outlook: Numerous, mainly afternoon/evening showers and
thunderstorms are expected Sunday, with associated restrictions
likely. Chances of convection and restrictions diminish with drier
air moving into the area Monday and Tuesday.

Confidence Table...

            19-01Z        01-07Z        07-13Z        13-18Z
KCLT       High 100%     Med   75%     High  81%     High  84%
KGSP       Med   65%     Low   48%     Med   77%     Med   78%
KAVL       High  97%     Med   72%     Med   75%     Med   65%
KHKY       Med   69%     High  84%     High  86%     Med   65%
KGMU       Low   57%     Med   72%     High  84%     Med   76%
KAND       High 100%     High  82%     High  90%     Med   76%

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...SBK
NEAR TERM...RWH
SHORT TERM...SBK
LONG TERM...SBK
AVIATION...RWH
Hazardous weather outlook, May 11, 6:01 AM EDT, 9 hours 49 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
601 AM EDT Sat May 11 2019

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-
068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-121015-
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-
601 AM EDT Sat May 11 2019

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

There is a chance for thunderstorms approaching severe limits this
afternoon with the primary threat being strong wind gusts. Isolated
flash flooding is also possible from the heaviest thunderstorms.

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

Thunderstorms will continue into Sunday, with the greatest chance for
severe weather Sunday afternoon as vertical wind shear increases with
the advance of an upper-level storm system. Damaging winds are again
the main threat, but some hail is possible, and a brief, isolated
tornado can not be ruled-out.

River flooding will also become a concern for flood prone rivers,
in response to extended periods of moderate to heavy rain.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 11, 1:17 PM EDT, 2 hours 33 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
117 PM EDT Sat May 11 2019

NCZ068-508-SCZ008-111800-
Greater Rutherford NC-Cleveland NC-Cherokee SC-
117 PM EDT Sat May 11 2019

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
SOUTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD...SOUTHWESTERN CLEVELAND AND NORTHERN
CHEROKEE COUNTIES UNTIL 200 PM EDT...

At 116 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 9 miles northwest of Gaffney, or 4 miles northeast
of Cowpens National Battlefield, moving east at 20 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Shelby, Boiling Springs NC, Blacksburg, Patterson Springs,
Mooresboro, Earl, Cowpens National Battlefield, Grover, Lattimore and
Cliffside.

In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel
size hail 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.

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 3513 8182 3529 8185 3532 8146 3510 8145
TIME...MOT...LOC 1716Z 273DEG 19KT 3518 8175

RM
Special weather statement, May 11, 2:04 PM EDT, 1 hour 46 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
204 PM EDT Sat May 11 2019

NCZ068-070-SCZ009-111845-
Gaston NC-Cleveland NC-York SC-
204 PM EDT Sat May 11 2019

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CLEVELAND...GASTON
AND NORTH CENTRAL YORK COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM EDT...

At 204 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles southeast of Shelby, or near Kings Mountain, moving east at 30
mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Gastonia, Kings Mountain, Mt Holly, Belmont, Bessemer City, South
Gastonia, Dallas, Stanley, Cramerton and Lowell.

Wind gusts up to 45 mph and pea size hail 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.

&&

LAT...LON 3515 8104 3514 8105 3513 8105 3511 8103
      3511 8104 3515 8139 3516 8137 3517 8141
      3529 8140 3537 8104 3517 8100 3515 8101
TIME...MOT...LOC 1804Z 266DEG 25KT 3522 8137

RM
Special weather statement, May 11, 2:54 PM EDT, 56 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
254 PM EDT Sat May 11 2019

SCZ007-012-013-111945-
Laurens SC-Union SC-Spartanburg SC-
254 PM EDT Sat May 11 2019

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL LAURENS...SOUTHEASTERN
SPARTANBURG AND NORTHERN UNION COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM EDT...

At 254 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles north of Laurens, or 4 miles southeast of Gray Court, moving
northeast at 30 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Laurens, Union, Monarch Mill, Buffalo, Gray Court, Jonesville, Rose
Hill State Park, Enoree, Cross Keys and Cross Anchor.

Wind gusts up to 45 mph and dime size hail will be possible in these
areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Gusty winds can blow down trees that are dead, or that have weakened
root systems. Outdoor furniture and similar items can be tossed
around if not anchored. Seek shelter indoors.

&&

LAT...LON 3446 8206 3462 8216 3489 8166 3465 8150
TIME...MOT...LOC 1854Z 242DEG 26KT 3458 8204

KRENTZ
Special weather statement, May 11, 3:16 PM EDT, 34 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
316 PM EDT Sat May 11 2019

NCZ070-071-SCZ009-111945-
Gaston NC-Mecklenburg NC-York SC-
316 PM EDT Sat May 11 2019

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN MECKLENBURG...
SOUTHEASTERN GASTON AND NORTHEASTERN YORK COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM
EDT...

At 316 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles north of York, or near Clover, moving east at 25 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Gastonia, Belmont, South Gastonia, Clover, Cramerton, Town Of Lake
Wylie, Lowell, Mcadenville, Steele Creek and Ranlo.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail 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 3507 8127 3519 8131 3532 8105 3507 8097
TIME...MOT...LOC 1916Z 255DEG 20KT 3512 8121

SGL
Local storm report, May 11, 3:26 PM EDT, 24 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
326 PM EDT SAT MAY 11 2019

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

0245 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NNW BELMONT           35.26N 81.05W
05/11/2019                   GASTON             NC   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            TREE FELL BY A HOUSE ON SIERRA STREET. TIME ESTIMATED
            FROM RADAR.

&&

OUTLAW
Special weather statement, May 11, 3:29 PM EDT, 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
329 PM EDT Sat May 11 2019

SCZ007>009-013-014-112000-
York SC-Cherokee SC-Union SC-Chester SC-Spartanburg SC-
329 PM EDT Sat May 11 2019

...A CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN CHESTER...
WESTERN YORK...SOUTHEASTERN SPARTANBURG...CENTRAL CHEROKEE AND
NORTHERN UNION COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM EDT...

At 329 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated the leading edge of a cluster
of thunderstorms along a line extending from 12 miles west of York to
12 miles west of Union, and moving northeast at 50 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Union, York, Pacolet, Buffalo, Jonesville, Pacolet Mills, Lockhart,
Sharon, Hickory Grove and Mcconnells.

Wind gusts up to 45 mph and dime size hail will be possible in these
areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

These storms 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 8141 3489 8106 3464 8186 3485 8199
TIME...MOT...LOC 1929Z 242DEG 43KT 3496 8146 3475 8184

SGL

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 11, 8:28 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPTransylvania47 min
May 11, 9:16 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPPolk44 min
May 11, 12:31 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPRutherford44 min
May 11, 1:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCleveland43 min
May 11, 1:32 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPCleveland28 min
May 11, 2:04 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGaston41 min
May 11, 2:16 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPGaston29 min
May 11, 2:34 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPGaston, Mecklenburg41 min
May 11, 3:10 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPCabarrus, Mecklenburg35 min
May 11, 3:16 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGaston29 min
May 11, 3:53 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPMecklenburg, Union52 min
May 11, 4:36 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPUnion24 min
May 11, 4:47 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPMecklenburg3 hr
May 11, 5:07 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPUnion38 min
May 11, 5:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPUnion13 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Carolina, 2019Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2019

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.