Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2020
Flash Flood Warning 46, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this flash flood warning at Aug 15, 2020, 12:56 AM EDT for Burke County, Caldwell County, North Carolina. It was in force for 6 hr. 1 report 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
- Aug 15, 2020, 12:56 AM EDT (04:56 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 15, 2020, 6:45 AM EDT
- In force
- 6 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Burke County, NC, Caldwell County, NC
The radar
The Greer radar (KGSP), 95 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 05:00 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15, 1:16 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 3 S Glen Alpine, NC | FLOODING ON WOOD GLEN DR AT TRESTLEWOOD LN |
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 flash flood warning; the first came 20 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 00:00Z, 4.9 hours before the alert went out and 172 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
- 754 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -6 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 787 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 16 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 53 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 49 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
207
WGUS52 KGSP 150456
FFWGSP
NCC023-027-150845-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.W.0046.200815T0456Z-200815T0845Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1256 AM EDT Sat Aug 15 2020
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southern Burke County in western North Carolina...
Southeastern Caldwell County in western North Carolina...
* Until 445 AM EDT.
* At 1256 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. A spotter reports Stafford
Creek at Mountain View Circle is out of its banks. Flooding is
also likely to begin on Smoky Creek, Clear Creek, Silver Creek,
and Fiddlers Run. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Doppler radar and automated gauges.
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...
Lenoir, Morganton, Sawmills, Granite Falls, Valdese, Gamewell,
Hudson, Salem, Cajah's Mountain, Drexel, Connelly Springs,
Rutherford College, Glen Alpine, Lake Rhodhiss, South Mountains
State Park, Lake James State Park, Lake James, Oak Hill and
Pleasant Grove.
Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the
warned area.
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.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 3573 8188 3594 8161 3583 8139 3556 8164
3556 8165 3557 8167 3558 8169 3558 8170
3560 8172 3561 8172 3560 8174 3561 8175
3561 8177 3559 8177 3559 8179 3558 8180
3558 8182 3572 8187
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
$$
RWH3 follow-up statements
778
WGUS72 KGSP 150648
FFSGSP
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
248 AM EDT Sat Aug 15 2020
NCC023-027-150845-
/O.CON.KGSP.FF.W.0046.000000T0000Z-200815T0845Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Burke NC-Caldwell NC-
248 AM EDT Sat Aug 15 2020
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 AM EDT EARLY THIS
MORNING FOR SOUTHERN BURKE AND SOUTHEASTERN CALDWELL COUNTIES...
At 248 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area are
diminishing. However, some heavy rain will still fall and runoff
from earlier heavy rain will continue.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Doppler radar and automated gauges.
IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other
drainage and low lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Lenoir, Morganton, Sawmills, Granite Falls, Valdese, Gamewell,
Hudson, Salem, Cajah's Mountain, Drexel, Connelly Springs,
Rutherford College, Glen Alpine, Lake Rhodhiss, South Mountains
State Park, Lake James State Park, Lake James, Oak Hill and
Pleasant Grove.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 3573 8188 3594 8161 3583 8139 3556 8164
3556 8165 3557 8167 3558 8169 3558 8170
3560 8172 3561 8172 3560 8174 3561 8175
3561 8177 3559 8177 3559 8179 3558 8180
3558 8182 3572 8187
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
$$
RWH251
WGUS52 KGSP 150832
FFWGSP
NCC023-027-151045-
/O.EXT.KGSP.FF.W.0046.000000T0000Z-200815T1045Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
432 AM EDT Sat Aug 15 2020
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has extended
the
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Southern Burke County in western North Carolina...
Southeastern Caldwell County in western North Carolina...
* Until 645 AM EDT.
* At 432 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing from
runoff from earlier heavy rainfall as well.
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...
Lenoir, Morganton, Sawmills, Granite Falls, Valdese, Gamewell,
Hudson, Salem, Cajah's Mountain, Drexel, Connelly Springs,
Rutherford College, Glen Alpine, Lake Rhodhiss, South Mountains
State Park, Lake James State Park, Lake James, Oak Hill and
Pleasant Grove.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 3573 8188 3594 8161 3583 8139 3556 8164
3556 8165 3557 8167 3558 8169 3558 8170
3560 8172 3561 8172 3560 8174 3561 8175
3561 8177 3559 8177 3559 8179 3558 8180
3558 8182 3572 8187
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
RWH407
WGUS72 KGSP 151037
FFSGSP
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
637 AM EDT Sat Aug 15 2020
NCC023-027-151047-
/O.EXP.KGSP.FF.W.0046.000000T0000Z-200815T1045Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Burke NC-Caldwell NC-
637 AM EDT Sat Aug 15 2020
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 645 AM EDT THIS MORNING FOR
SOUTHERN BURKE AND SOUTHEASTERN CALDWELL COUNTIES...
The heavy rain has ended and flood waters are receding. Flooding is
no longer expected to pose an immediate threat. Please continue to
heed remaining road closures.
A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until 1200 AM EDT Sunday for
portions of piedmont North Carolina and western North Carolina.
LAT...LON 3573 8188 3594 8161 3583 8139 3556 8164
3556 8165 3557 8167 3558 8169 3558 8170
3560 8172 3561 8172 3560 8174 3561 8175
3561 8177 3559 8177 3559 8179 3558 8180
3558 8182 3572 8187
$$
RWHWhat 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 14, 7:51 PM EDT, 5 hours 5 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 14, 7:51 PM EDT, 5 hours 5 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
751 PM EDT Fri Aug 14 2020
.SYNOPSIS...
Numerous to widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected
through Saturday with highs slightly below normal. Thunderstorm
chances diminish Sunday then slowly increase through the week. Highs
will be around normal through the first part of the week then fall
below normal.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 740 pm EDT Friday: Water vapor imagery shows the base of a
digging trough steadily advancing eastward across western Tennessee
this evening, with better forced convective coverage developing
upstream across Alabama and Georgia. Coverage has been sparser and
weaker across the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia thus far,
and what outflows exist at present do not look terribly robust. PoPs
have thus been shaved a bit in Piedmont sections, but with continued
likely coverage across the higher terrain and the NC foothills for
ongoing showers and embedded thunderstorms. It's quite possible that
the region will still experience an uptick tonight as the upstream
coverage arrives from the southwest later this evening, but SBCAPE
values will start trending down soon and there may not be good
instability to get coverage back up above the high scattered range.
Will keep the best overnight PoPs in southwest mountain sections,
closer to the deeper moisture and forcing and where upslope flow
will be best. Will likely allow the Flash Flood Watch to expire on
schedule at midnight, with just about any location possibly seeing
localized flooding with any training showers overnight.
PoPs will ramp up a bit sooner than typical diurnal trends indicate
on Saturday, as upper DPVA and jet energy begins to push east into
the area. The best 2+ inch precipitable water values of the event
will occur on Saturday, and the deep forcing, abundant moisture and
slightly improved lapse rates should yield more coverage, stronger
storms, and a slight uptick in the hydro threat with any training
cells. A new Flash Flood Watch could be needed at some point
Saturday where antecedent rainfall conditions are the wettest
(mainly western NC). Expect mild and muggy conditions overnight, and
then below climo maxes Saturday afternoon given all the cloud cover.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 200 PM EDT Friday: The mid level trof will be pulling east of
the area by Saturday night. We should have some showers and storms
in the evening, but they will move east of the area leaving a dry
overnight period. As the trof moves east, a drier air mass will
move into the area for Sunday and Monday as northwest mid level flow
develops. There will be a small chance of a shower or storm each day
but conditions should be quiet overall.
Highs both days will be near climo. Slightly lower dewpoints will
make conditions relatively comfortable for mid August.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 200 PM EDT Friday: Another mid level trof is expected to
develop to our west for the middle to latter part of next week. This
should act to pull deeper moisture back into the area leading to a
more active, mainly diurnal, convective pattern. The increased cloud
cover and rainfall should keep high temperatures in check and a few
degrees below climo through the period.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
At KCLT and Elsewhere: Convection chances will be best this
evening from KAVL to KHKY, but with a sharp gradient to lower
chances across the Upstate TAF sites and KCLT, where mainly VCSH or
VCTS is warranted through early overnight. Abundant moisture should
yield another round of low clouds and fog, with IFR to LIFR
conditions mainly from KAVL to KHKY, but with MVFR likely at the
other sites, including KCLT, and a window of IFR possible as well.
Restrictions will be slow to lift through noon, and insolation will
be limited by abundant clouds through the afternoon hours. Expect
mainly afternoon VFR conditions but with MVFR to IFR possible in any
heavy downpours. The best convective chances will be during the
afternoon and evening hours as the upper trough makes a push into
the region. Expect very slow drying to begin from the west right
around the end of the TAF period, but with low-level moisture
persisting. Light and variable winds will be mainly S to SW with any
mixing tonight through Saturday, except NW at times in the French
Broad Valley tonight. Winds will be briefly gusty near any
thunderstorms.
Outlook: Slightly less thunderstorm coverage is expected Sunday and
Monday compared to recent days, but perhaps still slightly above
normal as low-level moisture continues. An uptick in thunderstorm
coverage is then likely Tuesday through Wednesday. Fog and low
stratus restrictions will be possible each morning, especially over
the usual mountain valleys.
Confidence Table...
00-06Z 06-12Z 12-18Z 18-00Z
KCLT High 97% Med 78% Med 69% High 96%
KGSP High 98% Med 71% Med 73% High 88%
KAVL Med 74% Low 58% Med 78% Med 75%
KHKY High 90% Med 62% Med 65% Med 78%
KGMU High 98% Med 70% Med 68% High 90%
KAND High 98% Med 78% Med 79% High 94%
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...Flash Flood Watch until midnight EDT tonight for NCZ033-
035>037-056-057-501>506.
SC...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...DEO
NEAR TERM...HG
SHORT TERM...SCW
LONG TERM...SCW
AVIATION...HGHazardous weather outlook, Aug 14, 10:10 PM EDT, 2 hours 46 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 1010 PM EDT Fri Aug 14 2020 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ048>053-058-059-062>065-068>072-082- 507>510-SCZ001>014-019-160215- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Madison-Yancey- Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon- Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston- Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-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- 1010 PM EDT Fri Aug 14 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, Piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina, and Upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Numerous showers and thunderstorms will continue to develop across the region through the overnight hours. The primary threats with these storms will be cloud-to- ground lightning and locally heavy rainfall. The storms and heavy rain showers will occasionally become stationary, posing a threat of excessive rainfall and flash flooding, especially in locations that have received heavy rainfall over the past few days. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. NCZ033-035>037-056-057-501>506-160215- Avery-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Caldwell Mountains- Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains- Eastern McDowell- 1010 PM EDT Fri Aug 14 2020 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the northwest Piedmont, northern foothills, and Avery county in western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...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...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .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
Special weather statement, Aug 14, 10:47 PM EDT, 2 hours 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 1047 PM EDT Fri Aug 14 2020 NCZ035-036-056-150400- Iredell NC-Alexander NC-Catawba NC- 1047 PM EDT Fri Aug 14 2020 ...A THUNDERSTORM WITH TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN CATAWBA...SOUTHERN ALEXANDER AND NORTHWESTERN IREDELL COUNTIES UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT... At 1046 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a thunderstorm with torrential rainfall 6 miles northeast of Hickory, or near St. Stephens, moving east at 5 mph. Locations to be impacted include... Newton, Hickory, St. Stephens, Conover, Bethlehem, Stony Point, Claremont, Catawba, Lookout Shoals Lake and Lake Hickory. 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. && LAT...LON 3568 8130 3585 8130 3594 8100 3570 8099 TIME...MOT...LOC 0246Z 256DEG 6KT 3579 8122 08
The office that day
Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 14, 10:47 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Alexander | 73 min |
| Aug 15, 12:19 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Catawba | 6 hr |
| Aug 15, 2:19 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba | 4 hr |
| Aug 15, 4:29 AM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | GSP | Alexander, Catawba | 5 hr |
| Aug 15, 10:48 AM EDT | River Flood Advisory | GSP | Henderson, Transylvania | 8 hr |
| Aug 15, 3:09 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Union | 36 min |
| Aug 15, 4:04 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Polk, Rutherford | 26 min |
| Aug 15, 4:28 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell | 2 hr |
| Aug 15, 4:33 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Cleveland | 27 min |
| Aug 15, 4:50 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Mecklenburg, Union | 3 hr |
| Aug 15, 5:57 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Iredell | 33 min |
| Aug 15, 6:10 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Catawba, Davie, Iredell, Rowan | 2 hr |
| Aug 15, 7:43 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Cabarrus, Mecklenburg | 32 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.