Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2020
Flash Flood Warning 23, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this flash flood warning at Feb 6, 2020, 3:32 PM EST for Macon County, North Carolina. It was in force for 4 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Feb 6, 2020, 3:32 PM EST (20:32 UTC)
- Expired
- Feb 6, 2020, 7:16 PM EST
- In force
- 4 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
County Macon County, NC
The radar
The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 111 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:35 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.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
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
Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 221 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 732 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -1 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 514 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 74 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 297 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 391 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 1.7
- Supercell composite
- 5.3
The text
As transmitted.
978
WGUS52 KGSP 062032
FFWGSP
NCC113-070030-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.W.0023.200206T2032Z-200207T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
332 PM EST Thu Feb 6 2020
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Macon County in western North Carolina...
* Until 730 PM EST.
* At 331 PM EST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms produced
heavy rain over the area. Flash flooding conditions will continue
across the county this evening.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other
drainage and low lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Franklin, Highlands, Nantahala Lake, Ellijay, Burningtown, Kyle,
Otto, Rainbow Springs, Wayah Bald and Cowee.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
The additional heavy rain will increase the risk of landslides,
especially in areas where slides have occurred in the past. Be
especially alert if you are near a stream, especially at the base of
a mountain or in a cove. Watch for loose-moving soil and rocks or a
sudden increase in streamflow. Leave the area quickly if this is
observed. When driving along roads where the terrain is steep or
rocky, watch and listen for falling rocks, mud, trees and other
debris.
When it is safe to do so, please report flood waters or landslides
flowing over roads or threatening property to the National Weather
Service by calling toll free, 1, 800, 2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, by posting on
our Facebook page, or via Twitter using hashtag NWSGSP. Your message
should describe the event and the specific location where it
occurred, including roadways, nearby cross streets, stream names and
other landmarks.
&&
LAT...LON 3519 8371 3520 8373 3523 8369 3526 8370
3528 8367 3530 8346 3533 8343 3533 8334
3523 8329 3524 8322 3516 8322 3509 8315
3506 8317 3500 8311 3500 8352 3502 8352
3513 8362 3514 8365 3515 8365 3515 8373
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
KRENTZ1 follow-up statement
979
WGUS72 KGSP 070016
FFSGSP
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
716 PM EST Thu Feb 6 2020
NCC113-070025-
/O.CAN.KGSP.FF.W.0023.000000T0000Z-200207T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Macon NC-
716 PM EST Thu Feb 6 2020
...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR MACON COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The heavy rain has ended. However, flooding will continue across the
area through the evening, and the Flash Flood Warning has been
replaced with a Flood Warning.
LAT...LON 3519 8371 3520 8373 3523 8369 3526 8370
3528 8367 3530 8346 3533 8343 3533 8334
3523 8329 3524 8322 3516 8322 3509 8315
3506 8317 3500 8311 3500 8352 3502 8352
3513 8362 3514 8365 3515 8365 3515 8373
$$
LANEWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this flash flood 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 flash flood warning went out at Feb 6, 2:39 PM EST, 53 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Feb 6, 2:39 PM EST, 53 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
239 PM EST Thu Feb 6 2020
.SYNOPSIS...
Colder, but drier, conditions will develop behind the front through
Friday. A swiftly moving system will cross the region on Saturday,
before dry high pressure sets up by Sunday. Another moist cold front
will approach the area slowly from the west during the early to
middle part of next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 230 PM EST: Cleared out most of the counties from the Tornado
Watch, as line of deeper convection continues to drift east and
south. Still needs to clear the last tier counties from Greenwood to
Cabarrus counties. The last of the watch in our forecast area should
be able to be cancelled within an hour or so.
On the flooding front, widespread flooding ongoing, with continued
light to moderate rain spreading in from the SW. Rates are only 0.25-
0.5"/hr at most, but these rates may be enough to exacerbate
flooding. The Flash Flood Watch will continue as is.
Later this evening, the stratiform rain shield should gradually
weaken and shift east, ending most of the rain. Runoff will likely
result in continued rises on larger streams and rivers, but the
flash flood threat should subside. Still expect a late-evening fropa
across the mountains, with strong CAA bringing snow levels down to
about 3500 ft by daybreak Friday. Snow showers aren't expected to
really get going until Friday morning. The 850 mb flow will be more
due westerly, so not real ideal for upslope snow showers. But still
could see 1-3" of snow accums along the TN border by end of the day
Friday above 3500 ft. Not quite enough to warrant a winter weather
advisory at this point. Otherwise, Friday will be cool and breezy,
with temps below normal.
&&
.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
rsday: The low pressure system currently
impacting the area will be moving away by Friday night and will be
replaced briefly by surface high pressure. The high will move
quickly off to the east on Saturday allowing a weak system to impact
the area Saturday afternoon and evening. High pressure will build
back in for Sunday.
Temperatures Friday night will drop into the teens and 20s in the
mountains and the upper 20s to lower 30s in the Piedmont. Winds may
be gusty in the higher mountain elevations. Saturday will be a cool
day as clouds and light precipitation move in. This will be rain
outside the mountains and a mix of rain and snow in the mountains.
It looks like there may be a few inches of snow accumulation at the
higher elevations in the southwest mountains of North Carolina.
Otherwise, any accumulations will be less than 1 inch.
Quiet conditions with seasonable temperatures are expected on
Sunday.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 230 PM EST Thursday: A mid level trough will develop across
the southwestern and central parts of the country for the early part
of next week. This will lead to a wet and warm pattern with at least
some risk of flooding. Not much time for details this afternoon.
&&
.AVIATION /20Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
At KCLT and Elsewhere: A line of storms is currently crossing the
KCLT airfield at time of TAF issuance. Expect that to push east
sometime between 18-19z. However, the line may pivot back north
slightly and keep a threat for additional tstms. But I expect the
storms to remain south of the terminal after 19z. The other sites
are generally in the light to moderate rain shield, with variable
amounts of vsby and cig restrictions. Thunderstorms linger near KAND
for the next few hours, but are not expected to reach GMU/GSP. So
the rest of the daylight hours, will see light to moderate
-RA, with generally VFR cigs and MVFR vsby. Cigs are expected to
lower to MVFR (and possibly IFR after sunset. Then conditions should
improve before daybreak, as dry air filters in behind a passing cold
front. VFR conditions with gusty SW winds expected on Friday.
Outlook: Northwest flow may persist near KAVL, but drying is
expected elsewhere on Friday. A quick-moving system will move
through the region on Saturday, with brief restrictions possible,
before drying returns on Sunday.
Confidence Table...
19-01Z 01-07Z 07-13Z 13-18Z
KCLT High 81% Med 78% High 94% High 100%
KGSP Med 72% Med 71% High 95% High 100%
KAVL High 86% Med 75% Med 69% High 100%
KHKY Med 73% Med 71% Low 57% High 100%
KGMU Med 67% Med 74% High 94% High 100%
KAND Med 73% Med 76% Med 67% Med 77%
The percentage reflects the number of guidance members agreeing
with the scheduled TAF issuance flight rule category. Complete hourly
experimental aviation forecast consistency tables are available at
the following link:
www.weather.gov/gsp/aviation
&&
.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Flash Flood Watch until midnight EST tonight for GAZ010-017-
018-026-028-029.
NC...Flash Flood Watch until midnight EST tonight for NCZ033-
035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-068>072-082-501>510.
SC...Flash Flood Watch until midnight EST tonight for SCZ001>014-
019.
&&
SYNOPSIS...DEO
NEAR TERM...ARK
SHORT TERM...SW
LONG TERM...SW
AVIATION...ARKHazardous weather outlook, Feb 6, 2:33 PM EST, 59 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 233 PM EST Thu Feb 6 2020 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ035>037-056-057-062>065-068>070- 501>510-SCZ001>008-010-011-071945- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell- Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson- Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-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-Anderson-Abbeville- 233 PM EST Thu Feb 6 2020 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South 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. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. NCZ071-072-082-SCZ009-012>014-019-071945- Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-York-Laurens-Union SC-Chester- Greenwood- 233 PM EST Thu Feb 6 2020 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT... ...TORNADO WATCH 27 IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina and upstate South 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. Tornado Watch. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. NCZ033-048>053-058-059-071945- Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Graham- Northern Jackson- 233 PM EST Thu Feb 6 2020 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western 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. Flash Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Snow showers will develop behind the departing cold front late tonight through Friday. Light snow accumulations are expected across the mountains, especially at elevations above 3500 feet where a couple of inches will be possible. Two to four inches of snow will be possible along the highest ridge tops around the Great Smoky Mountains. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. ARK
In the hours before
Local storm report, Feb 6, 2:05 PM EST, 1 hour 27 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
205 PM EST THU FEB 6 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1010 AM TSTM WND DMG 5 W LINCOLNTON 35.48N 81.33W
02/06/2020 LINCOLN NC PUBLIC
TREES DOWN. POSSIBLE TORNADO. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON
RADAR.
&&
TPALMERLocal storm report, Feb 6, 2:07 PM EST, 1 hour 25 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
207 PM EST THU FEB 6 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1132 AM FLASH FLOOD 1 SE COLUMBUS 35.24N 82.19W
02/06/2020 POLK NC SOCIAL MEDIA
AT LEAST 6 INCHES OF WATER FLOWING OVER GRAVEL ROADS OFF
PENIEL ROAD.
&&
TPALMERLocal storm report, Feb 6, 2:13 PM EST, 1 hour 19 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
213 PM EST THU FEB 6 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1000 AM FLASH FLOOD 2 S RUTHERFORDTON 35.34N 81.96W
02/06/2020 RUTHERFORD NC SOCIAL MEDIA
AT LEAST A FOOT OF WATER FLOWING OVER A DRIVEWAY OFF HWY
221. RESIDENT NOTED THE WATER HAS NOT BEEN THIS HIGH
SINCE THEY MOVED IN IN 2006.
&&
TPALMERLocal storm report, Feb 6, 2:18 PM EST, 1 hour 14 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
218 PM EST THU FEB 6 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1130 AM FLASH FLOOD 1 ENE LANDRUM 35.18N 82.17W
02/06/2020 SPARTANBURG SC SOCIAL MEDIA
WATER OVER HIGHWAY 14 JUST OUTSIDE OF LANDRUM, FLOWING
RAPIDLY, AND HITTING THE BOTTOM OF THE BRIDGE.
&&
TPALMERLocal storm report, Feb 6, 3:01 PM EST, 31 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
301 PM EST THU FEB 6 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1227 PM TORNADO MATTHEWS 35.12N 80.71W
02/06/2020 MECKLENBURG NC PUBLIC
TREES DOWN IN DOWNTOWN MATTHEWS. LIKELY TORNADO.
&&
SWILKINSLocal storm report, Feb 6, 3:04 PM EST, 28 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
304 PM EST THU FEB 6 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1000 AM TSTM WND DMG VALE 35.54N 81.40W
02/06/2020 LINCOLN NC TRAINED SPOTTER
SPOTTER REPORTED TREES DOWN ACROSS A BROAD AREA INCLUDING
VALE,LAWNDALE, COOKSVILLE AND CASAR. TIME IS AN ESTIMATE.
&&
SWILKINSThe office that day
Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 5, 11:43 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Madison | 47 min |
| Feb 6, 12:20 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Buncombe, Mitchell, Yancey | 25 min |
| Feb 6, 3:16 AM EST | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Graham, Swain | 8 hr |
| Feb 6, 5:52 AM EST | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Macon | 10 hr |
| Feb 6, 6:13 AM EST | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Haywood, Jackson | 10 hr |
| Feb 6, 6:27 AM EST | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Transylvania | 10 hr |
| Feb 6, 6:45 AM EST | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Henderson | 9 hr |
| Feb 6, 6:51 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Macon | 24 min |
| Feb 6, 7:21 AM EST | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Polk, Rutherford | 12 hr |
| Feb 6, 9:01 AM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Polk | 44 min |
| Feb 6, 9:21 AM EST | Areal Flood Advisory | GSP | Burke, McDowell | 72 min |
| Feb 6, 9:48 AM EST | Tornado Warning | GSP | Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln | 27 min |
| Feb 6, 10:08 AM EST | Tornado Warning | GSP | Catawba, Lincoln | 42 min |
| Feb 6, 10:09 AM EST | River Flood Warning | GSP | Swain | 22 hr |
| Feb 6, 10:15 AM EST | River Flood Warning | GSP | Swain | 14 hr |
| Feb 6, 10:22 AM EST | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Burke, Caldwell, McDowell | 5 hr |
| Feb 6, 10:27 AM EST | Areal Flood Advisory | GSP | Alexander, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Davie, Gaston and 4 more | 14 hr |
| Feb 6, 10:32 AM EST | River Flood Warning | GSP | Buncombe | 11 hr |
| Feb 6, 10:40 AM EST | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Alexander, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln | 10 hr |
| Feb 6, 10:43 AM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Davie, Iredell, Rowan | 47 min |
| Feb 6, 10:45 AM EST | River Flood Warning | GSP | Madison | 46 hr |
| Feb 6, 10:45 AM EST | River Flood Warning | GSP | Buncombe, Henderson | 48 hr |
| Feb 6, 10:45 AM EST | River Flood Warning | GSP | Buncombe | 32 hr |
| Feb 6, 10:46 AM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg | 59 min |
| Feb 6, 10:47 AM EST | Tornado Warning | GSP | Davie, Rowan | 43 min |
| Feb 6, 10:55 AM EST | Tornado Warning | GSP | Cleveland, Gaston | 35 min |
| Feb 6, 10:57 AM EST | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Graham, Swain | 10 hr |
| Feb 6, 11:04 AM EST | Tornado Warning | GSP | Cabarrus, Gaston, Mecklenburg | 41 min |
| Feb 6, 11:22 AM EST | Tornado Warning | GSP | Cabarrus, Gaston, Mecklenburg | 38 min |
| Feb 6, 11:28 AM EST | Tornado Warning | GSP | Cabarrus, Mecklenburg | 32 min |
| Feb 6, 11:43 AM EST | Tornado Warning | GSP | Cabarrus, Rowan | 32 min |
| Feb 6, 11:51 AM EST | River Flood Advisory | GSP | Cleveland | 12 hr |
| Feb 6, 11:58 AM EST | River Flood Advisory | GSP | Haywood | 4 hr |
| Feb 6, 12:02 PM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Cabarrus, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Union | 43 min |
| Feb 6, 12:11 PM EST | Areal Flood Advisory | GSP | Cabarrus, Davie, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Union | 3 hr |
| Feb 6, 12:12 PM EST | Tornado Warning | GSP | Mecklenburg, Union | 33 min |
| Feb 6, 12:34 PM EST | Tornado Warning | GSP | Cabarrus | 9 min |
| Feb 6, 1:23 PM EST | River Flood Warning | GSP | Cleveland | 32 hr |
| Feb 6, 1:36 PM EST | River Flood Warning | GSP | Madison | 44 hr |
| Feb 6, 1:54 PM EST | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Mecklenburg, Union | 6 hr |
| Feb 6, 2:03 PM EST | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Gaston | 7 hr |
| Feb 6, 3:18 PM EST | Areal Flood Warning | GSP | Burke, Caldwell | 19 hr |
| Feb 6, 3:54 PM EST | Areal Flood Warning | GSP | Henderson | 6 hr |
| Feb 6, 4:20 PM EST | Areal Flood Warning | GSP | Haywood, Jackson | 6 hr |
| Feb 6, 4:30 PM EST | Areal Flood Warning | GSP | McDowell | 6 hr |
| Feb 6, 4:48 PM EST | Areal Flood Warning | GSP | Cabarrus | 18 hr |
| Feb 6, 5:02 PM EST | Areal Flood Warning | GSP | Rowan | 6 hr |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in North Carolina, 2020Every flash flood warning in 2020
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.