Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 310, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

August 17, 2020Cleveland County, Gaston County, Lincoln County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 17, 2020, 4:21 PM EDT for Cleveland County, Gaston County, Lincoln County, North Carolina. It was in force for 24 min. 3 reports 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 17, 2020, 4:21 PM EDT (20:21 UTC)
Expired
Aug 17, 2020, 4:45 PM EDT
In force
24 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.88 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Cleveland County, NC, Gaston County, NC, Lincoln County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 101 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:23 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Aug 17, 4:40 PM EDTHAIL 12 Sse Waco, NCSOCIAL MEDIA REPORTED A FEW QUARTER SIZE (1.00) HAIL STONES WITH MULTIPLE NICKEL SIZE HAIL REPORTS AROUND WACO.
Aug 17, 4:48 PM EDTHAIL 12 Sse Waco, NCPUBLIC REPORTED QUARTER (1.00) SIZE HAIL ON ENOLA DR.
Aug 17, 4:52 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG5 Ssw Cherryville, NCAT LEAST 3 TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN BY THE STORM NEAR STONEY POINT ROAD.

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 severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 19 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 12:00Z, 8.4 hours before the alert went out and 149 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 2020-08-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 41 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 2020-08-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 45 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
41 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-26 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
830 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
15 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
45 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
37 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

743 
WUUS52 KGSP 172021
SVRGSP
NCC045-071-109-172045-
/O.NEW.KGSP.SV.W.0310.200817T2021Z-200817T2045Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
421 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2020

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Western Lincoln County in the Piedmont of North Carolina...
  East central Cleveland County in the Piedmont of North Carolina...
  Northwestern Gaston County in the Piedmont of North Carolina...

* Until 445 PM EDT.

* At 421 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from 6 miles west of Lincolnton to 18 miles northwest of
  Gastonia to 8 miles north of Shelby, moving southeast at 15 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and nickel size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.

* Locations impacted include...
  Lincolnton, Cherryville, Fallston, Waco, Boger City, Crouse, Vale
  and Lawndale.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Scattered trees and power lines will be blown down in the warned
area. Seek shelter inside an interior room.

These storms are also producing extremely heavy rainfall. Flooding of
drainage ditches and low lying areas may occur. Small streams will
rise rapidly. Do not drive through areas where water is flowing over
the road.

Please report damaging winds, hail, or flooding to the National
Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg by calling toll free, 1, 800,
2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, or by posting on our Facebook page, or Tweet it using
hashtag nwsgsp. Your message should describe the event and the
specific location where it occurred.

&&

LAT...LON 3556 8134 3550 8115 3535 8126 3529 8146
      3544 8157 3547 8147 3557 8140
TIME...MOT...LOC 2021Z 305DEG 14KT 3551 8135 3543 8141 3541 8152 

HAIL...0.88IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

08

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 Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Aug 17, 2:42 PM EDT, 1 hour 39 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 17, 2:42 PM EDT, 1 hour 39 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
242 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
Thunderstorm chances remain at typical mid-August levels through
Tuesday, then increase through the rest of the week as an upper
level trough becomes well established. Highs will be around normal
through the first part of the week then fall below normal for the
latter half of the week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 2:30pm EDT Monday: Radar shows widely scattered convective
showers along a line that is more or less coincident with a weak
frontal boundary that runs along the foothills.  These showers
should move southeastward out of the foothills, exiting the area by
around midnight.  As storms move southeastward, they will
progressively encounter better CAPE, along with shear slightly
better than recent history.  There is consequently some possibility
of storms developing up to severe levels as the afternoon
progresses.  High-res models, in particular, have stronger updrafts
than typical sub-severe situations.

Front is due to passage of weak embedded shortwave in broader
eastern CONUS longwave trough.  As it passes, light surface flow
will become northwesterly to northerly and will work to reduce
moisture and instability, making convection much less likely on
Tuesday. Temperatures will be near normal, though with a slight
cooling trend on the highs and lows due to persistent eastern
longwave trough.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 230 PM EDT Monday: An ill-defined front will settle into
our area overnight Tuesday night as the upper-level trough axis
stalls just to our west from the central Gulf Coast to the lower
Great Lakes.  The attendant weak front is expected to slowly drift
SE into the coastal Carolinas during the short-term period late
Wednesday into Thursday.

Currently, we are expecting convection to fire in the vicinity
of the front Wednesday afternoon, generally along the favorable
ridge tops.  The NAM is suggesting convection will then propagate
east into the Piedmont Wednesday evening, with cold pool dynamics
possibly helping to push the front east (which would reduce any
heavy rain threat); however given our favorable position east of
the trough axis with the front providing a focus of low-level
convergence, all guidance is expecting numerous showers and
thunderstorms area-wide during peak heating Wednesday.  Model PW
values of 1.25" (mountains) to 1.6" (Piedmont) are about normal
for this time of year and guidance disagrees on how much cell
training potential exists; therefore if any excessive rain/flooding
issues develop, they are expecting to be very isolated.  Given the
increased flow aloft adjacent to the trough, guidance continues
to suggest bulk shear values of 20-30 kts are possible Wednesday
with ample instability, therefore the potential for a few strong
to severe storms remains.  Expect high temperatures to be 1-3
degrees cooler than Tuesday or slightly below normal given better
convective coverage and cloud cover.

By Thursday, the upper-level trough axis remains nearly stationary
thanks to a blocking high pattern over the Atlantic.  The front
is expected to push east of our area by this time and NE flow
is forecasted to advect a cooler and less unstable airmass into
the region.  However, at this time model SBCAPE values remain
in the 500-1200 J/kg range with bulk shear still in the 15-25kt
range so we still expect another round of likely PoPs area-wide
with the best chances for thunderstorms across the Piedmont closer
to the better instability.  With persistent SWly flow aloft, PWs
may actually increase to near the 90th percentile especially over
the Piedmont. In addition, NEly low-level flow with SW flow aloft
better supports cell training, therefore the locally excessive
rainfall threat may be better than Wednesday wherever convection
manages to develop.  However, future trends will be worth watching
because the pattern suggests a early-fall wedge-like environment
could develop which would support high PoPs, but low instability.
Nevertheless, the CAA and persistent cloud cover/PoPs suggest
highs will struggle to reach the lower 80s east of the mountains,
which is about 5-7 degrees below normal.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 230 PM EDT Monday: On Friday, the overall pattern changes
little from Thursday and we continue to expect unsettled conditions
to persist across the region with numerous to widespread showers
and thunderstorms expected and a continued threat for isolated
excessive rainfall and a few strong storms.  Once again, the setup
supports a wedge-like pattern suggesting the mountains and Foothills
will be more stable and that the best chances for thunderstorms
may remain over the Piedmont.  High temperatures are expected to
remain several degrees below normal under cool NEly low-level flow.

Heading into the weekend, the quasi-stationary front over the
Carolina coastal plain is expected to yield to broad southerly
flow on the backside of the Atlantic subtropical high and ahead of
the deep-layer trough to the west of our region as we head into
Saturday. During the weekend, the trough should slowly propagate
east as the heat ridge over the western CONUS builds east and the
Atlantic high deamplifies a bit.  The upper-level pattern will
continue to support weakness overhead which keeps above-climo PoPs
in the forecast through the weekend, albeit we do expect coverage
to decrease Sunday and Monday as we lose the more-focused upper
support due to the deamplification of the trough.  As a result
of the pattern, highs will rebound to slightly below normal on
Saturday and near normal for Sunday and the new work week.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
At KCLT and Elsewhere: A weak frontal zone is passing through
the area this afternoon and helping to focus a round of
thunderstorms, with storms currently forming in the foothills. These
storms are expected to move southeastward and intensify as they
move into the piedmont.  It is possible that KAVL will be missed by
storms this evening, but all other TAF sites have a good chance of
being affected.  Storms move east of the area by 00Z with winds up
to 10kts becoming more northerly behind the front.  Front will
decrease moisture levels leaving reduced chances for fog or low CIGs
Tuesday morning, and very little chance for precipitation on
Tuesday.  KAVL is the only location where fog has a high enough
chance of occurring to be worth mentioning.

Outlook: Thunderstorms are again possible Wednesday. Fog and low
stratus restrictions will be possible each morning, especially over
the usual mountain valleys. Otherwise expect VFR.

Confidence Table...

            18-24Z        00-06Z        06-12Z        12-18Z
KCLT       High 100%     High 100%     Med   66%     High  92%
KGSP       High 100%     High 100%     High 100%     High 100%
KAVL       High  99%     High  99%     High 100%     High  99%
KHKY       High 100%     High  92%     Med   62%     High  92%
KGMU       High 100%     High 100%     High 100%     High 100%
KAND       High 100%     High 100%     High  92%     High 100%

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...DEO
NEAR TERM...WJM
SHORT TERM...JMP
LONG TERM...JMP
AVIATION...WJM
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 17, 3:56 PM EDT, 25 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
356 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2020

NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-503-505-507-509-182000-
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-
356 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the mountains of western North
Carolina.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-502-504-
506-508-510-SCZ001>014-019-182000-
Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell-
Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-
Union NC-Greater Caldwell-Greater Burke-Eastern McDowell-
Greater Rutherford-Eastern Polk-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-
Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-
Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-
Laurens-Union SC-Chester-Greenwood-
356 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont
North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms will continue to develop late this afternoon
and early this evening as a front pushes east off the Blue Ridge
escarpment and across the Piedmont. The main threats will be cloud-
to-ground lightning, heavy downpours, and gusty winds. A severe storm
or two producing damaging wind gusts cannot be ruled out.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

HG

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 17, 2:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 31 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
250 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2020

NCZ035-036-056-171915-
Iredell NC-Alexander NC-Catawba NC-
250 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN CATAWBA...SOUTHERN
ALEXANDER AND WEST CENTRAL IREDELL COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM EDT...

At 249 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Taylorsville, moving southeast at 20 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Taylorsville, Stony Point, Catawba, Lookout Shoals Lake, Bethlehem,
Lake Hickory, Hiddenite, Millersville, Scotts and Oxford.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph, pea size hail and torrential rainfall rates
up to 3 inches per hour 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 3583 8129 3596 8123 3590 8093 3568 8107
TIME...MOT...LOC 1849Z 294DEG 16KT 3587 8118

08
Special weather statement, Aug 17, 3:19 PM EDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
319 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2020

NCZ036-171945-
Iredell NC-
319 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT CENTRAL
IREDELL COUNTY UNTIL 345 PM EDT...

At 319 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning near Statesville, moving southeast at 15 mph.

Locations to be impacted include... Statesville, Troutman, Lake
Norman State Park, Mooresville, and Doolie.

In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 45 mph, pea size
hail and torrential rainfall rates up to 3 inches per hour 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.

Frequent lightning is occurring with this storm. If outdoors, try to
get indoors or into a hard topped vehicle. Otherwise, stay away from
open areas and isolated high objects such as trees. When indoors,
stay away from windows and doors and avoid using wired electronic
devices. Do not take a shower or bath. Try to unplug unnecessary
appliances before the storm approaches.

&&

LAT...LON 3576 8074 3570 8076 3558 8086 3567 8096
      3567 8097 3568 8098 3571 8100 3571 8102
      3574 8106 3586 8094
TIME...MOT...LOC 1919Z 308DEG 13KT 3576 8095

08
Special weather statement, Aug 17, 3:33 PM EDT, 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
333 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2020

GAZ018-026-028-172000-
Hart GA-Franklin GA-Stephens GA-
333 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN...SOUTHEASTERN STEPHENS AND NORTHWESTERN HART
COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM EDT...

At 332 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 10 miles northeast of Carnesville, or near Martin,
moving southeast at 10 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Lavonia, Gumlog, Martin, Avalon, Tugaloo State Park and Bowersville.

In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 50 mph and half
inch 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.

Dime to nickel size hail can cause considerable damage to vehicles.
Consider moving vehicles to a covered storage area before the storm
arrives.

Frequent lightning is occurring with this storm. If outdoors, try to
get indoors or into a hard topped vehicle. Otherwise, stay away from
open areas and isolated high objects such as trees. When indoors,
stay away from windows and doors and avoid using wired electronic
devices. Do not take a shower or bath. Try to unplug unnecessary
appliances before the storm approaches.

&&

LAT...LON 3452 8324 3458 8315 3456 8314 3456 8313
      3453 8310 3453 8309 3452 8308 3452 8309
      3450 8307 3450 8306 3443 8298 3433 8319
TIME...MOT...LOC 1932Z 329DEG 9KT 3450 8315

08
Special weather statement, Aug 17, 4:03 PM EDT, 18 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
403 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2020

NCZ068>070-172030-
Gaston NC-Cleveland NC-Lincoln NC-
403 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2020

...A CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN LINCOLN...CENTRAL
CLEVELAND AND NORTHWESTERN GASTON COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT...

At 402 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated the leading edge of a cluster
of thunderstorms along a line extending from 12 miles northwest of
Lincolnton to 12 miles north of Shelby, and moving southeast at 15
mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Lincolnton, Cherryville, Belwood, Lawndale, Fallston, Waco, Boger
City, Crouse and Vale.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph and torrential rainfall rates up to 3 inches
per hour 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 3557 8140 3548 8121 3527 8148 3546 8159
      3557 8147
TIME...MOT...LOC 2002Z 314DEG 14KT 3555 8144 3546 8155

08
Local storm report, Aug 17, 4:21 PM EDT, 0 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
421 PM EDT MON AUG 17 2020

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

0345 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 E TROUTMAN            35.70N 80.84W
08/17/2020                   IREDELL            NC   911 CALL CENTER

            911 CALL CENTER REPORTED TREES DOWN ON PILCH RD.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 17, 2:50 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAlexander25 min
Aug 17, 2:53 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPBurke, Caldwell, Catawba52 min
Aug 17, 3:19 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPIredell26 min
Aug 17, 3:28 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPIredell, Rowan32 min
Aug 17, 4:03 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCleveland27 min
Aug 17, 4:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPRowan33 min
Aug 17, 4:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPCleveland, Gaston47 min
Aug 17, 5:34 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMecklenburg41 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Carolina, 2020Every severe thunderstorm 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.