Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2020

Flash Flood Warning 42, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

August 6, 2020Davie County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this flash flood warning at Aug 6, 2020, 7:32 PM EDT for Davie County, North Carolina. It was in force for 2 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
Aug 6, 2020, 7:32 PM EDT (23:32 UTC)
Expired
Aug 6, 2020, 10:01 PM EDT
In force
2 hr
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Davie County, NC

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 117 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:32 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

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 51 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 2020-08-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 864 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 2020-08-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 55 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
864 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-18 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
667 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
55 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
86 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
0.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

049 
WGUS52 KGSP 062332
FFWGSP
NCC059-070245-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.W.0042.200806T2332Z-200807T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
732 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northeastern Davie County in the piedmont of North Carolina...

* Until 1045 PM EDT.

* At 732 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Up to 2 inches of rain have 
  fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Doppler radar.

  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 flash flooding include...
  Bermuda Run, Farmington and Advance.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. 
If you are in the warned area move to higher ground immediately. 
Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate 
precautions to protect life and property.

When it is safe to do so, please report flooding or landslides 
threatening roads or property to the National Weather Service 
Greenville-Spartanburg 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 specific location where 
impacts occurred and the depth of flooding observed.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small 
creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses 
as well as other drainage areas and low lying spots.

&&

LAT...LON 3592 8058 3602 8057 3604 8045 3603 8044
      3602 8042 3600 8041 3599 8042 3598 8041
      3597 8040 3597 8039 3593 8038

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1 INCH IN 1 HOUR 

$$

Krentz
1 follow-up statement
583 
WGUS72 KGSP 070201
FFSGSP

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1001 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

NCC059-070211-
/O.CAN.KGSP.FF.W.0042.000000T0000Z-200807T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Davie NC-
1001 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN DAVIE COUNTY HAS BEEN 
REPLACED WITH A FLOOD WARNING...

LAT...LON 3592 8058 3602 8057 3604 8045 3603 8044
      3602 8042 3600 8041 3599 8042 3598 8041
      3597 8040 3597 8039 3593 8038

$$

Krentz

What 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 Aug 6, 4:52 PM EDT, 2 hours 40 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 6, 4:52 PM EDT, 2 hours 40 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
452 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
Passing upper-level disturbances will produce greater than
typical coverage of showers and thunderstorms through Friday. A
return to more typical isolated to scattered summertime thunderstorm
activity is expected over the weekend as weak drying arrives from
the west. Moisture will gradually return late in the weekend through
the middle of next week to support a more active pattern once again.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 450 PM Thursday: Convection remaining relatively sparse this
afternoon, better coverage over the northern mountains and Blue
Ridge. The CAMs are still suggesting that the bulk of the convective
activity will happen during the evening hours over the wrn Piedmont
and Upstate, while convection may carry on into the late evening
across the entire region. That seems reasonable as it is what often
happens on days with a late start. Still think we also remain on
track for scattered severe storms with a wind damage threat, given
sfc-based CAPE already around 2500 J/kg, dCAPE above 800 J/kg, and
some mid-level dry air seen on satellite imagery. Temps were in good
shape.

Persistence will be the rule for the weather and the forecast of
the same for the next 24 hours as the upper trof axis remains in
place to our west. Just like last night, we may keep showery precip
around parts of the forecast area for the better part of the tonight
period before it finally wanes in the pre-dawn hours. On Friday,
more of the same. Hard to say if there will be the same amount of
morning cloudiness that will delay the onset again, but the fcst
looks the same in terms of coverage that will go beyond climo in
the afternoon. The environment should be conducive to a few pulse
severe storms again as well, with sfc-based CAPE in the 2000 -
3000 J/kg range and sfc-delta Theta-e above 30 deg. Temps will be
near normal as well.

&&

.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 1230 pm EDT Thursday: Deeper moisture and higher PWAT values
will be displaced off to our east this weekend as weak upper trough
axis translates east and fills.  Essentially, for the upcoming
weekend, wx conds are expected to be pretty typical of early August,
featuring a developing weaker flow regime, and seasonable humidity
levels.  Dirunally fired deeper convective chances will be close to
climo values with piedmont maximum apparent temperatures approaching
95 each day.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 100 pm EDT Thursday: Still expectimg a weak westerly flow
regime with embedded weak s/wv's rippling thru to exist atop the SE
CONUS to start off the work week.  PWAT progs starting on Monday
depict a moisting trend after a weekend featuring below climo values.
Despite limited Gulf moisture fetch, expecting a daily uptick in
diurnal PoPs for showers and thunderstorms each day.

PoPs may increase further above climo Wednesday and Thursday as
moisture begins to pool over the region as a frontal boundary lays
out across the Mid-Atlantic to the north. Anticipate plenty of lower
90s Piedmont to upper 80s mountain valley max temperatures each
afternoon, with mins a degree or so above climo through the period.

&&

.AVIATION /21Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
At KCLT and Elsewhere: Thunderstorms have moved away from the TAF
sites, but a cell will move near KAND in the next hour or two. Will
keep TEMPO/VCTS in place as convection should continue to develop
through the evening. Otherwise...VFR with a light wind that has a
southerly component. The CAMs are somewhat at odds as to the timing
of thunderstorms across the region, but agree that all sites will be
affected by one at SOME point through the evening hours. Rather than
mess with PROB30s that have to be resolved later, the fcst goes
straight to a TEMPO at all sites for some 4-hr window in the evening
hours. Any convection after that will be handled with amendments, as
it is possible the storms will persist into the early morning hours.
After some convective debris thins out, guidance remains on the
track of developing MVFR/IFR stratus and fog before daybreak across
much of the region. Several sites get at least an MVFR restriction
in ceiling and/or vis, but confidence not really high enough to go
IFR everywhere yet. Might be another late initiation again on
Friday, so only KCLT gets a thunderstorm mention after 18Z.
Southerly flow will also persist.

Outlook: Coverage of thunderstorms will be more isolated to
scattered during the afternoon and evening over the weekend. Morning
fog/stratus restrictions will also be possible, especially over
the usual mountain valleys. Diurnal storms will become more likely
again from Monday onward.

Confidence Table...

            21-03z        03-09Z        09-15Z        15-18Z
KCLT       High 100%     High  98%     Med   76%     High  90%
KGSP       High 100%     High 100%     Low   56%     High  98%
KAVL       High 100%     High  93%     Med   70%     High  96%
KHKY       High 100%     High  90%     Med   67%     High  92%
KGMU       High 100%     High 100%     Low   59%     High  98%
KAND       High 100%     High 100%     Med   68%     High  90%

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...None.
NC...None.
SC...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...CSH
NEAR TERM...PM/RWH
SHORT TERM...CSH
LONG TERM...CSH
AVIATION...PM/RWH
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 6, 4:08 AM EDT, 15 hours 24 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
408 AM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-
068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-070815-
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 NC-
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-Union SC-Chester-Greenwood-
408 AM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, Piedmont
North Carolina, western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Numerous thunderstorms are expected to develop across the region this
afternoon and evening, with the most widespread coverage likely
occurring across western North Carolina. Any of these thunderstorms
will be capable of producing dangerous lightning, gusty winds, and
torrential downpours. Some of these storms may become severe, with
damaging wind gusts being the primary threat. Any locations
repeatedly affected by thunderstorms over a short period of time will
be prone to localized flash flooding from the heavy rainfall.

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

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about
observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state,
and CDC guidelines.

HG

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 6, 6:48 PM EDT, 44 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
648 PM EDT THU AUG 06 2020

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

0440 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 NNW ELBERTON          34.14N 82.88W
08/06/2020                   ELBERT             GA   911 CALL CENTER

            911 CALL CENTER REPORTED TREES AND LIMBS DOWN BLOCKING
            ROADWAY ON THE INTERSECTION BREWERS BRIDGE RD AND KATHWOOD DR.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 6, 6:52 PM EDT, 40 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
652 PM EDT THU AUG 06 2020

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

0440 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 WNW BOWMAN            34.21N 83.06W
08/06/2020                   ELBERT             GA   911 CALL CENTER

            911 CALL CENTER REPORTED HUGE TREE SNAPPED ON THE
            INTERSECTION OF W HENDRICKS ST. AND FIVE FORKS RD.

&&
Special weather statement, Aug 6, 6:59 PM EDT, 33 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
659 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

NCZ502-504-062330-
Greater Burke NC-Greater Caldwell NC-
659 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL CALDWELL AND
CENTRAL BURKE COUNTIES UNTIL 730 PM EDT...

At 659 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles east of Morganton, or near Drexel, moving northeast at 15 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Lenoir, Morganton, Sawmills, Valdese, Cajah's Mountain, Drexel,
Connelly Springs, Rutherford College, Lake Rhodhiss and Hudson.

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...

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.

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 3569 8161 3578 8169 3590 8154 3578 8142
TIME...MOT...LOC 2259Z 238DEG 12KT 3577 8158

KRENTZ
Special weather statement, Aug 6, 7:03 PM EDT, 29 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
703 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

NCZ035-036-056-062330-
Iredell NC-Alexander NC-Catawba NC-
703 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL CATAWBA...SOUTHERN
ALEXANDER AND CENTRAL IREDELL COUNTIES UNTIL 730 PM EDT...

At 703 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from near Taylorsville to 3 miles northwest of
Statesville, and moving northeast at 25 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Statesville, Taylorsville, Troutman, Stony Point, Lookout Shoals
Lake, Bethlehem, Lake Hickory, Hiddenite, Little River In Alexander
County and Turnersburg.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea 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.

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 3591 8073 3567 8090 3585 8134 3595 8134
TIME...MOT...LOC 2303Z 205DEG 21KT 3593 8123 3583 8092

KRENTZ
Special weather statement, Aug 6, 7:08 PM EDT, 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
708 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

NCZ051-062345-
Swain NC-
708 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL SWAIN COUNTY UNTIL 745
PM EDT...

At 708 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Bryson City, or over Smoky Mountains-Deep Creek, moving northeast at
15 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Bryson City, Smoky Mountains-Deep Creek, Smoky Mountains-Clingmans
Dome, Smoky Mountains-Oconaluftee, Cherokee and Whittier.

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.

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 3555 8349 3551 8332 3547 8334 3546 8335
      3536 8340 3541 8353
TIME...MOT...LOC 2308Z 205DEG 12KT 3545 8345

KRENTZ
Special weather statement, Aug 6, 7:18 PM EDT, 14 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
718 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

NCZ048-053-062345-
Buncombe NC-Madison NC-
718 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL MADISON AND
NORTHWESTERN BUNCOMBE COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM EDT...

At 717 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southwest of Marshall, or 7 miles northwest of Leicester,
moving northeast at 10 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Marshall, Canto, Walnut and Luck.

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.

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 3565 8283 3571 8288 3585 8274 3574 8261
TIME...MOT...LOC 2317Z 232DEG 10KT 3573 8278

KRENTZ

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 5, 8:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCatawba29 min
Aug 5, 8:06 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPAlexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell3 hr
Aug 5, 8:14 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPBurke, Caldwell, Catawba3 hr
Aug 5, 10:42 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPDavie, Iredell3 hr
Aug 5, 11:22 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPDavie38 min
Aug 5, 11:25 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAlexander35 min
Aug 5, 11:58 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPIredell32 min
Aug 6, 2:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPHenderson36 min
Aug 6, 3:19 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCabarrus41 min
Aug 6, 3:21 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPPolk24 min
Aug 6, 3:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMadison35 min
Aug 6, 3:44 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMadison31 min
Aug 6, 3:48 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMcDowell27 min
Aug 6, 4:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPStanly29 min
Aug 6, 4:16 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAvery29 min
Aug 6, 5:58 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCaldwell32 min
Aug 6, 6:22 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBuncombe23 min
Aug 6, 6:47 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPDavie58 min
Aug 6, 6:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBurke31 min
Aug 6, 7:03 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAlexander, Iredell27 min
Aug 6, 7:08 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPSwain37 min
Aug 6, 7:18 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMadison27 min
Aug 6, 7:24 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPAlexander, Davie, Iredell3 hr
Aug 6, 7:35 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPPolk25 min
Aug 6, 7:37 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCatawba23 min
Aug 6, 7:41 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPIredell, Rowan34 min
Aug 6, 7:50 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPYancey25 min
Aug 6, 7:56 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBurke, Caldwell34 min

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.