Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2019

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 77, NWS Raleigh, NC

May 31, 2019Edgecombe County, Halifax County, Nash County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 31, 2019, 6:18 PM EDT for Edgecombe County, Halifax County, Nash County, North Carolina. It was in force for 38 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
May 31, 2019, 6:18 PM EDT (22:18 UTC)
Expired
May 31, 2019, 6:56 PM EDT
In force
38 min
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Edgecombe County, NC, Halifax County, NC, Nash County, NC

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 79 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:20 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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 31, 1:29 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC10 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Newport, NC (KMHX), launched 12:00Z, 10.3 hours before the alert went out and 161 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, Newport, NC at 12:00Z on 2019-05-31Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 956 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, Newport, NC at 12:00Z on 2019-05-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 142 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
956 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-116 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1247 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
142 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
143 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
4.0

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 Raleigh, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 31, 3:39 PM EDT, 2 hours 39 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 31, 3:39 PM EDT, 2 hours 39 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
339 PM EDT Fri May 31 2019

.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front and upper level trough will move across central NC
tonight and reach the coast Saturday afternoon. A second cold
front will move through the area on Sunday and Sunday night.
High pressure will build into the region on Monday through
Tuesday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY MORNING/...
As of 340 PM Friday...

...Severe thunderstorm watch number 300 is in effect until 03Z across
all of central NC...

This afternoon and evening will feature the most convectively day we
have seen in several weeks and likely the best chance of rain for
the next 6 days.

Latest surface analysis shows a cold front extending across the northern
Chesapeake Bay west into the Blue Ridge of VA and south across the
eastern slopes of the Appalachians. A prominent surface trough extends
from near Sanford east to near Goldsboro and Greenville. North of the
trough surface winds have become northerly with surface dew points in
the lower 60s. South of the trough, winds are southwesterly and gusty
with dew points in the mid to upper 60s.

A vigorous shortwave trough with 50+kts of flow at 500 hPa was moving
across the southern Appalachians this afternoon. This strong
after vortex will move east reaching the VA and NC coast after
daybreak on Saturday. This feature will provide ample forcing
for ascent and will lead to the continued development of
scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms across the area
this afternoon and tonight. Deep convection developed near the
surface boundary in the Coastal Plain and has moved east. Other
scattered storms are developing across in a region of local
convergence across northeast SC and south and east of KFAY.
Finally, additional convection across western NC will push east
into the western Piedmont over the next few hours. With time,
individual storms will tend to grow upscale and congeal into
multicells and cluster as they sweep east at 30 MPH. The best
chance of storms across the Triad will be from 3 to 8 PM, the
Triangle from 5 to 9 PM with multiple rounds of storms possible
across the Sandhills and Coastal Plain, the first one from 3 to
6 PM and another later this evening.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect across the area through 11 pm.
MLCAPE values will range between 1000-2000 J/Kg this afternoon with tepid
mid level lapse rates becoming more favorable as the upper trough
approaches. These conditions combined with 0-6km bulk shear values of
35-45 kts will support some organized convection and perhaps a supercell
or two. The wind field is unidirectional with a tendency for straight
hodographs which could lead to splitting supercells. HREF guidance
shows fairly high neighborhood probabilities of elevated updraft
helicity and updraft strength this afternoon and evening. Both
large hail and strong straight line winds appear to be the main
threats, with a trend toward an increasing wind dominance as the
storms grow into clusters. While the low level wind profile is
not terribly favorable and LCL heights are high, the presence of
the E-W surface trough could provide enough localized shear to
support a remote tornado threat. The widespread and intense
convection will push east this evening and should largely be out
of the CWA by midnight. As the upper trough lags, an isolated
shower or storm is still possible overnight, especially in the
eastern Piedmont and Coastal Plain. Lows will drop back into the
60s in most locations. -Blaes
&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
As of 240 PM Friday...

The threat for scattered showers and a few thunderstorms will
continue Saturday as a lobe of vorticity rotates southward through
central NC. While scattered showers will likely be ongoing Saturday
morning across the far northern counties, as the atmosphere
destabilizes after 15Z, anticipate a few thunderstorms to develop,
especially along and south of highway 64. While the atmosphere will
have sufficient instability to support/sustain thunderstorms, the
shear is anticipated to be much weaker than this afternoon. Thus,
strong/severe storms not expected at this time. Bulk of scattered
convection will dissipate with loss of heating.

A mixture of sun and clouds and a light nly low level wind will
prevent temperatures from becoming too hot. Anticipate enough
cloudiness in the morning to deter heating a bit, resulting in high
temperatures from the low-mid 80s north to the upper 80s south. If
sunshine is more abundant in the morning, then highs may end up 2-3
degrees warmer than forecast. Lows Saturday night in the low-mid 60s.

A sfc cold front will approach central NC from the west northwest
Sunday, and cross our region Sunday night. The front will approach
at a time when the atmosphere will become slightly unstable. Thus,
expect a threat for a few showers and possibly a thunderstorm Sunday
afternoon-early Sunday evening. A westerly low level flow ahead of
the front will limit moisture advection and inhibit convective
development ahead of the front. Currently expect convective coverage
to be no worse than isolated to scattered, mostly north of highway
64. This same westerly flow will help to boost afternoon
temperatures well into the 80s with lower 90s probable across the
south. The frontal passage Sunday night will be noted by sfc winds
veering to a nwly direction. This flow will advect a notably cooler
and drier air mass into the region overnight. By early Monday,
expect temperatures to vary from around 60 NW to the mid-upper 60s
SE.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 255 PM Friday...

A drier, more stable air mass will settle over central NC Monday
into Tuesday as sfc high pressure builds into central NC from the
northwest. This will translate to temperatures near or slightly
below normal, with highs Monday and Tuesday ranging from near 80
north to the low-mid 80s south. Quite comfortable Monday night, with
overnight temperatures in the 50s, and 60 to 65  Tuesday night.

The area of high pressure will shift offshore by mid-week,
initiating a return flow regime into central NC. This will advect a
warm moist air mass back into our region. Aloft, a series of
perturbations will approach in the wly flow. The perturbations in
tandem with the increasingly moist atmosphere suggest a threat for
scattered showers/storms, beginning Wednesday, and persisting
through the remainder of the work week. Temperatures through the
period will average a couple of degrees above normal, generally in
the 85-90 degree range.

&&

.AVIATION /20Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 230 PM Friday...

Severe thunderstorm watch number 300 is in effect until 03Z across
all of central NC.

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will move across
central NC this afternoon and evening. Initially the greatest
convective coverage will be during the mid and late afternoon across
the Coastal Plain and Sandhills near a surface trough. Another area
of convection will develop across western NC and push into the
western Piedmont late this afternoon and then spread east into the
evening hours. The stronger convection will end from west to east
during the late evening hours although a lingering shower or storm
may persist across the Coastal Plain overnight through daybreak.
Brief periods of MVFR to IFR restrictions of VSBY and CIG are likely
in thunderstorms. Outside of the convection, mainly VFR conditions
are expected with multiple VFR clouds layers. Outside of convection,
winds will become west to northwest overnight tonight at 10kts or
less with mainly lightly northerly winds on Saturday.

Looking beyond 18Z Saturday... VFR conditions should return on
Saturday and continue into Saturday night as drier air moves into
the region. An upper level disturbance and cold front will move
across the area on Sunday and Sunday night producing a few showers
and perhaps a storm. Fair weather with VFR conditions are expected
for Monday and Tuesday before the next weather system approaches on
Wednesday. -Blaes

&&

.RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Blaes
NEAR TERM...Blaes
SHORT TERM...WSS
LONG TERM...WSS
AVIATION...WSS
Hazardous weather outlook, May 31, 1:34 PM EDT, 4 hours 44 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
134 PM EDT Fri May 31 2019

NCZ007>011-021>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-011745-
Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-
Orange-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Wake-
Johnston-Wilson-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Anson-
Richmond-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson-
134 PM EDT Fri May 31 2019

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 300 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Severe Thunderstorm Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 31, 5:38 PM EDT, 40 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
538 PM EDT FRI MAY 31 2019

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

0515 PM     HAIL             4 S PRINCEVILLE         35.84N 77.53W
05/31/2019  E1.00 INCH       EDGECOMBE          NC   COUNTY OFFICIAL

&&
Local storm report, May 31, 5:41 PM EDT, 37 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 31, 5:57 PM EDT, 21 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 31, 5:58 PM EDT, 20 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 31, 6:08 PM EDT, 10 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 31, 6:09 PM EDT, 9 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Raleigh, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 30, 8:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHCumberland, Sampson62 min
May 31, 1:55 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHEdgecombe65 min
May 31, 2:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHScotland59 min
May 31, 3:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHDavidson, Forsyth55 min
May 31, 3:30 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHWayne60 min
May 31, 4:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHAlamance, Forsyth, Guilford66 min
May 31, 4:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDavidson, Forsyth, Guilford49 min
May 31, 4:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHFranklin, Nash, Wake45 min
May 31, 4:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHGranville, Person56 min
May 31, 4:56 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHEdgecombe, Wilson49 min
May 31, 5:09 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHAlamance, Guilford24 min
May 31, 5:28 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAlamance, Chatham, Orange, Randolph47 min
May 31, 5:31 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAlamance, Guilford, Orange44 min
May 31, 5:34 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHWarren56 min
May 31, 5:36 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHForsyth54 min
May 31, 5:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHEdgecombe, Halifax50 min
May 31, 5:57 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHChatham, Wake63 min
May 31, 6:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHFranklin, Johnston, Nash, Wake, Wilson39 min
May 31, 6:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHChatham, Lee, Wake64 min
May 31, 6:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHFranklin, Nash47 min
May 31, 6:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDurham, Johnston, Wake62 min
May 31, 7:06 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHEdgecombe, Nash, Wilson39 min
May 31, 7:08 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHJohnston, Wayne, Wilson67 min
May 31, 7:19 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHJohnston, Wayne, Wilson56 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.