Alert archive / North Carolina / High Wind Watches in 2020

High Wind Watch 2, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

October 31, 20206 counties in North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this high wind watch at Oct 31, 2020, 7:33 PM EDT for 6 counties in North Carolina. It took effect at Nov 1, 2020, 3:00 PM EST. It was in force for .

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Oct 31, 2020, 7:33 PM EDT (23:33 UTC)
In effect from
Nov 1, 2020, 3:00 PM EST
Expired
Nov 1, 2020, 3:58 AM EST
In force
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

Counties Avery County, NC, Burke County, NC, Caldwell County, NC, McDowell County, NC, Mitchell County, NC, Yancey County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 115 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:33 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 nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 11.6 hours before the alert went out and 185 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 2020-10-31Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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 2020-10-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 66 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1031 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
53 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
66 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
315 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

924 
WWUS72 KGSP 312333
NPWGSP

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
733 PM EDT Sat Oct 31 2020

NCZ033-049-050-501-503-505-010745-
/O.NEW.KGSP.HW.A.0002.201101T2000Z-201102T1200Z/
Avery-Yancey-Mitchell-Caldwell Mountains-Burke Mountains-
McDowell Mountains-
Including the cities of Ingalls, Banner Elk, Newland, Swiss, 
Burnsville, Celo, Micaville, Ramseytown, Busick, Spruce Pine, 
Poplar, Jonas Ridge, Ashford, Woodlawn, and Old Fort
733 PM EDT Sat Oct 31 2020

...HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY
MORNING...

* WHAT...Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph 
  possible.

* WHERE...Avery, Yancey, Mitchell, Caldwell Mountains, Burke 
  Mountains and McDowell Mountains Counties.

* WHEN...From Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.

* IMPACTS...Due to recent heavy rainfall and very moist
  soils...expect damaging winds capable of blowing down trees and
  power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel 
  could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this
situation. Fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a safe
location prior to the onset of winds.

&&

$$

Krentz
1 follow-up statement
671 
WWUS72 KGSP 010858
NPWGSP

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
358 AM EST Sun Nov 1 2020

NCZ033-049-050-501-503-505-012030-
/O.UPG.KGSP.HW.A.0002.201101T2000Z-201102T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KGSP.WI.Y.0019.201101T2000Z-201102T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KGSP.FZ.W.0007.201102T0600Z-201102T1400Z/
Avery-Yancey-Mitchell-Caldwell Mountains-Burke Mountains-
McDowell Mountains-
Including the cities of Ingalls, Banner Elk, Newland, Swiss, 
Burnsville, Celo, Micaville, Ramseytown, Busick, Spruce Pine, 
Poplar, Jonas Ridge, Ashford, Woodlawn, and Old Fort
358 AM EST Sun Nov 1 2020

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 1 PM EST
MONDAY...
...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 9 AM EST MONDAY...

* WHAT...For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures are
  expected, mostly in the 20s. For the Wind Advisory, northwest
  winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 40 to 45 mph. Up to 50 mph is
  expected on the higher ridges.

* WHERE...Avery, Yancey, and Mitchell Counties, plus mountainous
  portions of Caldwell, Burke, and McDowell Counties.

* WHEN...For the Freeze Warning, from 1 AM to 9 AM EST Monday. 
  For the Wind Advisory, from 3 PM this afternoon to 1 PM EST 
  Monday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. 
  Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may 
  result. Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other 
  sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor 
  plumbing.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A few trees may be uprooted where soils are
  saturated following recent heavy rainfall.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent
freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should
be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have
in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-
ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

&&

$$

NCZ048-051>053-058-059-062>065-012030-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FZ.W.0007.201102T0600Z-201102T1400Z/
/O.NEW.KGSP.WI.Y.0019.201101T2000Z-201102T1800Z/
Madison-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-
Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-
Including the cities of Faust, Mars Hill, Marshall, Walnut, 
Allenstand, Hot Springs, Luck, Alarka, Almond, Bryson City, 
Luada, Wesser, Waynesville, Waterville, Canton, Cruso, 
Cove Creek, Asheville, Robbinsville, Stecoah, Cullowhee, 
Tuckasegee, Sylva, Franklin, Rainbow Springs, Kyle, Highlands, 
Wolf Mountain, Cashiers, Brevard, Cedar Mountain, Little River, 
Hendersonville, Fletcher, Dana, East Flat Rock, Tuxedo, 
and Etowah
358 AM EST Sun Nov 1 2020

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 1 PM EST
MONDAY...
...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 9 AM EST MONDAY...

* WHAT...For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures
  generally in the upper 20s to around 30. For the Wind Advisory,
  northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected.

* WHERE...Madison, Swain, Haywood, Buncombe, Graham, Jackson,
  Macon, Transylvania and Henderson Counties.

* WHEN...For the Freeze Warning, from 1 AM to 9 AM EST Monday. 
  For the Wind Advisory, from 3 PM this afternoon to 1 PM EST 
  Monday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree
  limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
  Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive
  vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent
freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should
be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have
in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-
ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

&&

$$

NCZ035>037-056-057-068>070-502-504-506>510-012030-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FZ.A.0006.201102T0600Z-201102T1400Z/
Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-
Greater Caldwell-Greater Burke-Eastern McDowell-
Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-
Eastern Polk-
Including the cities of Bethlehem, Ellendale, Millersville, 
Taylorsville, Hiddenite, Stony Point, Statesville, Mooresville, 
Farmington, Fork Church, Mocksville, Advance, Hickory, Newton, 
St. Stephens, Salisbury, Shelby, Kings Mountain, Lincolnton, 
Crouse, Gastonia, Kings Creek, Lenoir, Sawmills, Granite Falls, 
Morganton, Pleasant Grove, Valdese, Marion, Nebo, Dysartsville, 
Fero, Glenwood, Chimney Rock State Park, Forest City, 
Rutherfordton, Spindale, Saluda, Tryon, Columbus, and Mill Spring
358 AM EST Sun Nov 1 2020

...FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY
MORNING...

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 31 are possible.

* WHERE...Portions of piedmont and western North Carolina, mainly
  north and west of a line from Tryon, to Gastonia, to Salisbury.

* WHEN...From late tonight through Monday morning.

* IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other
  sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor
  plumbing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent
freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should
be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have
in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-
ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

&&

$$
Wimberley

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this high wind watch 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 high wind watch went out at Oct 31, 7:32 PM EDT, 1 minute earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 31, 7:32 PM EDT, 1 minute before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
732 PM EDT Sat Oct 31 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
Cool high pressure will weaken tonight as a cold front approaches
from the northwest. The cold front will cross the region Sunday,
ushering in the coldest air of the season for the early part of
next week. Dry high pressure will then linger across the area
through the middle part of the week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
700 PM Update...Issued a High Wind Watch for the nrn NC mtns
effective Sun afternoon through daybreak Mon. A strong cold
front will mix down stg winds tomorrow evening and thru the
overnight. Winds will approach high wind criteria and due to the
recent rainfall and very moist soils...trees and powerlines
will likely be blow down. A high wind warning or wind advisory
will be issued on subsequent shifts.

The fcst is in good shape. Still seeing good Atl moist flux
interacting with sfc wedge making for widespread cloudiness with
Ci shield moving in from the west. May not get a good look at
blue moon, but there could be some breaks occasionally.

500 PM Update...Increased sky cover across the Upstate and NE GA as
se/ly moisture adv has increased atop the llvl wedge. This has held
localized temps down a few degrees and have adj/d the grids down in
these areas.

As of 230 PM: Sfc high pressure will migrate east off the New
England coast, while a strong cold front pushes into the Ohio
Valley tonight. The anticyclonic flow around the departing high will
advect some Atlantic moisture into the area this evening, deepening
overnight as decent isentropic lift develops atop the FA. Guidance
seems to be trending wetter with more robust QPF response. I'm
still reluctant to go likely or higher on PoP, given model track
record of overdoing QPF response in these shallow return-flow
situations. For now, have bumped up PoP to around 50% overnight,
highest across the Piedmont. At the very least, should see expanding
stratus deck across the entire area. Temps will be held up due to
strong WAA and the clouds, bottoming out in the upper 30s highest
peaks to mainly mid to upper 40s elsewhere. QPF should be light.

On Sunday, the strong cold front will cross the area during the day
as a deep upper trough digs across the region. The arrival of the
front will actually lower PoPs, except along the TN border, given
it will be dry and flow turns out of the WSW just ahead of it. The
biggest concern with the fropa will be the onset of gusty winds
in the mountains, with strong CAA ramping up by early aftn. Will
likely need a wind advisory for portions of the NC mountains
starting around midday tomorrow, but will let the midnight assess
one more cycle of guidance. Temps will be tricky, as skies clear
and some downslope flow develops east of the mountains. But the
CAA may be enough to overwhelm a lot of that. So sticking with
max temps a few degrees below model consensus. Still will be near
normal east of the mountains.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
As of 225 PM EDT Saturday: The first part the new week looks busy
with non-precipitating weather concerns, none of which will yet be
addressed beyond the HWO. After the axis of a relatively deep upper
trof crosses the region Sunday evening, we will be set up for a
classic advective freeze across the mtns, courtesy of cold advection
on a strong NW flow in the wake of the trof. However, the date on
Monday, that being 2 November, is problematic because by policy
the NWS does not issue Freeze Warnings across the mountains after
1 November.  That makes our expected advective freeze a day late
as far as the mountains are concerned. Meanwhile, the NC Foothills
and much of the NW Piedmont are also looking favorable for a freeze
early Monday morning, so we WOULD have to issue a Freeze Warning
there if the fcst does not change. It might ultimately be less
confusing to ignore the usual turn-off date for the mtns and issue
a Warning everywhere that freezing temps are expected (with the
exception of the nrn mountains which have been officially turned
off as of this past morning). Winds at 850 increase markedly late
Sunday evening with the guidance showing a 50kt wind at 850 with
cold advection, which is usually good for a Wind Advisory. We rarely
issue third-period advisories, so we will punt this to the next
shift to let them issue at a more appropriate time. Moisture looks
meager and limited in this NW flow on Sunday evening, such that any
precip is expected to remain to our north. Will not be surprised,
however, if some locations over the nrn mountains get their first
snow flurries of the season (almost on schedule it seems). We will
address that later as well. Needless to say, temps will be below
normal. On Monday, with high pressure building in throughout the
day and cold advection continuing, high temps will remain about
ten degrees below normal and will struggle to get out of the 50s
east of the mtns. There is some indication that orographic cirrus
will develop downwind of the higher terrain, which will help keep
temps cooler, maybe even a few degrees cooler than expected. The
sfc high will nose in from the southwest Monday night allowing
winds to diminish. Low temps early Tuesday will once again be down
in the frost range east of the mtns, but the air mass will be so
dry that frost may not be able to form in most areas across the
Piedmont and foothills of NC and the Upstate.

&&

.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 126 PM EDT Saturday: The medium range looks rather
quiet, even as the upper pattern changes slowly throughout the
week. Deamplification is expected through the middle part of the
week as the upper trof moves farther off the East Coast and a
flat upper ridge moves eastward. This should allow for surface
high pressure to set up shop over the srn/central Appalachians
on Tuesday, where a chunk of this sfc high will get stranded for
the rest of the week. The culprit in this development will be a
rex blocking pattern that forms to our west late in the week. The
result would be a building upper anticyclone that moves down over
the OH/TN Valley region to the Carolinas by the weekend. Confidence
isn't all that great in such a blocking pattern, but for now,
the fcst will remain dry in spite of some weak return moisture
shown by the GFS next Saturday. In this pattern, temps may start
out a few degrees below normal during the middle of the week,
but end up about five degrees above normal by the end of the week.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: A low level wedge will remain in place
overnight while good moisture flux will lift overhead and produce
-shra across the FA, beginning arnd 09z and not pushing east until
noon or the early afternoon. These showers will bring flight
restrictions, mainly low CIGs in the MVFR to IFR range during this
time. Winds will remain sw/ly across the non/mtns during the
afternoon and become gusty ahead of a cold front. At KAVL...winds
will remain se/ly then shift nw/ly arnd 20z with moderate gusts
developing.

Outlook: Clearing skies and gusty NW winds expected in wake of the
cold front Sunday aftn. Winds gradually weaken on Monday, followed
by quiet VFR conditions likely thru the end of next week.

Confidence Table...

            23-05Z        05-11Z        11-17Z        17-18Z
KCLT       High 100%     High  95%     High  83%     High  90%
KGSP       High  95%     High  86%     Med   65%     Med   65%
KAVL       High 100%     High  86%     Med   63%     High 100%
KHKY       High 100%     High  82%     Low   48%     High  80%
KGMU       High  95%     High  86%     Med   61%     Med   70%
KAND       High  95%     High  95%     Med   65%     Med   65%

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...High Wind Watch from Sunday afternoon through Monday morning
     for NCZ033-049-050-501-503-505.
SC...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...PM
NEAR TERM...ARK/SBK
SHORT TERM...PM
LONG TERM...PM
AVIATION...SBK
Hazardous weather outlook, Oct 31, 4:47 PM EDT, 2 hours 46 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
447 PM EDT Sat Oct 31 2020

GAZ010-017-NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-503-505-507-509-
SCZ001>003-012100-
Rabun-Habersham-Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-
Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania-
Henderson-Caldwell Mountains-Burke Mountains-McDowell Mountains-
Rutherford Mountains-Polk Mountains-Oconee Mountains-
Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
447 PM EDT Sat Oct 31 2020

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

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

Strong, gusty winds will bring the coldest air of the season across
the mountains on Sunday night. Temperatures are expected to drop
below freezing early Monday morning. The growing season has already
ended across the northern mountains of North Carolina. The National
Weather Service does not issue Freeze Warnings after the first day of
November across the mountains. The temperature may not drop below
freezing until after midnight Sunday night, technically the second
day of November, so a Freeze Warning may or may not be issued for
this event.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

GAZ018-026-028-029-NCZ070>072-082-SCZ004>014-019-012100-
Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-
Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-
Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Union SC-Chester-Greenwood-
447 PM EDT Sat Oct 31 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, Piedmont
North Carolina including the Charlotte Metro Area, and Upstate South
Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

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

Cold temperatures and light winds on Monday night may allow areas of
frost to form early Tuesday morning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

NCZ035>037-056-057-068-069-502-504-506-508-510-012100-
Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Cleveland-Lincoln-
Greater Caldwell-Greater Burke-Eastern McDowell-Greater Rutherford-
Eastern Polk-
447 PM EDT Sat Oct 31 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the foothills and northwest
Piedmont of western North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

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

Temperatures may drop below freezing on Sunday night, especially
across the foothills of North Carolina. Cold temperatures and light
winds on Monday night may allow areas of frost to form early Tuesday
morning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

HG

In the hours before

Local storm report, Oct 31, 4:19 PM EDT, 3 hours 14 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
419 PM EDT SAT OCT 31 2020

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

0830 AM     TROPICAL STORM   1 SE TRAVELERS REST     34.96N 82.42W
10/29/2020                   GREENVILLE         SC   PUBLIC

            NUMEROUS MATURE OAK TREES UPROOTED ALONG SMITH ROAD ON
            THE NORTH SIDE OF PARIS MOUNTAIN.

&&

Nearby

High Wind Watches in North Carolina, 2020Every high wind watch 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.