Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 322, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

August 31, 2020Cabarrus County, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 31, 2020, 6:29 AM EDT for Cabarrus County, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. It was in force for 61 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 31, 2020, 6:29 AM EDT (10:29 UTC)
Expired
Aug 31, 2020, 7:30 AM EDT
In force
61 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Cabarrus County, NC, Mecklenburg County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 147 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:29 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 00:00Z, 10.5 hours before the alert went out and 111 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 00:00Z on 2020-08-31Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 50 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 00:00Z on 2020-08-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 1 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
50 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-59 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1180 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
1 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
53 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
-0.0
Supercell composite
-0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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 31, 3:54 AM EDT, 2 hours 35 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 31, 3:54 AM EDT, 2 hours 35 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 30, 8:43 PM EDT, 9 hours 46 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
843 PM EDT Sun Aug 30 2020

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ051-052-058-059-062>064-SCZ001-002-004-
005-010-011-019-010045-
Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Swain-Haywood-Graham-
Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania-
Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-
Anderson-Abbeville-Greenwood-
843 PM EDT Sun Aug 30 2020

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop late
evening and into the overnight across southwest North Carolina,
northeast Georgia and the western Upstate. The main threat will be
cloud-to-ground lightning and heavy downpours, but one or two could
become strong enough to produce damaging wind gusts. The storms may
continue to develop through the overnight period. While the threat of
severe storms will diminish by the late evening, the potential for
localized flash flooding will increase.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms can be expected on Monday. A few
storms may become severe, producing damaging winds, frequent
lightning, and locally heavy rainfall.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

NCZ033-035>037-048>050-053-056-057-065-068>072-082-501>510-SCZ003-
006>009-012>014-010045-
Avery-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Buncombe-
Catawba-Rowan-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-
Greenville Mountains-Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Cherokee-York-
Laurens-Union SC-Chester-
843 PM EDT Sun Aug 30 2020

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms may develop after midnight
through the pre-dawn hours Monday from southwest to Northeast across
the Upstate and western North Carolina. Cloud-to-ground lightning
and heavy downpours will be the primary threats. Localized flash
flooding cannot be ruled out.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms can be expected on Monday. A few
storms may become severe, producing damaging winds, frequent
lightning, and locally heavy rainfall. Isolated flash flooding will
be possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

ARK

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 31, 2:42 AM EDT, 3 hours 47 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
242 AM EDT Mon Aug 31 2020

NCZ056-068>070-502-504-310745-
Gaston NC-Cleveland NC-Lincoln NC-Greater Burke NC-
Greater Caldwell NC-Catawba NC-
242 AM EDT Mon Aug 31 2020

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT WESTERN
CATAWBA...WESTERN LINCOLN...SOUTHERN CALDWELL...CLEVELAND...
NORTHWESTERN GASTON AND BURKE COUNTIES UNTIL 345 AM EDT...

At 242 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms with
intense lightning along a line extending from 3 miles northwest of
Morganton to near Shelby, and moving east at 15 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Hickory, Shelby, Lenoir, Morganton, Lincolnton, Gastonia, Kings
Mountain, Cherryville, Bessemer City and Longview.

In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea size
hail and very heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour will be
possible in these areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent lightning is occurring with these storms. 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 storms approach.

&&

LAT...LON 3603 8143 3526 8113 3519 8159 3548 8170
      3558 8169 3561 8175 3583 8183
TIME...MOT...LOC 0642Z 248DEG 14KT 3577 8175 3527 8156

RM
Special weather statement, Aug 31, 3:23 AM EDT, 3 hours 6 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 31, 5:14 AM EDT, 1 hour 15 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
514 AM EDT Mon Aug 31 2020

NCZ036-057-071-072-311000-
Rowan NC-Iredell NC-Cabarrus NC-Mecklenburg NC-
514 AM EDT Mon Aug 31 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
NORTHWESTERN CABARRUS...SOUTHEASTERN IREDELL...NORTH CENTRAL
MECKLENBURG AND SOUTHWESTERN ROWAN COUNTIES UNTIL 600 AM EDT...

At 513 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 8 miles north of Huntersville, or near Davidson,
moving east at 20 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Kannapolis, Huntersville, Cornelius, Mooresville, Davidson, China
Grove, Landis, Enochville, Lake Norman and Ramsey Creek Park.

In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph and 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.

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 3549 8048 3543 8092 3553 8096 3553 8094
      3555 8096 3555 8095 3557 8096 3559 8093
      3561 8094 3562 8093 3575 8057
TIME...MOT...LOC 0913Z 252DEG 16KT 3554 8087

RM
Special weather statement, Aug 31, 5:19 AM EDT, 1 hour 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
519 AM EDT Mon Aug 31 2020

NCZ071-072-311000-
Cabarrus NC-Mecklenburg NC-
519 AM EDT Mon Aug 31 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT WESTERN
CABARRUS AND CENTRAL MECKLENBURG COUNTIES UNTIL 600 AM EDT...

At 519 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning near Uptown Charlotte, or near Central Charlotte,
moving east at 15 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Uptown Charlotte, Downtown Concord, Central Charlotte, Northeast
Charlotte, Southwest Charlotte, East Charlotte, Northwest Charlotte,
West Concord, Mint Hill and Harrisburg.

In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph and 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.

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 3520 8050 3519 8050 3521 8055 3516 8061
      3511 8092 3529 8099 3544 8058
TIME...MOT...LOC 0919Z 252DEG 15KT 3523 8090

RM
Special weather statement, Aug 31, 5:51 AM EDT, 38 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
551 AM EDT Mon Aug 31 2020

NCZ071-072-311030-
Cabarrus NC-Mecklenburg NC-
551 AM EDT Mon Aug 31 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT CABARRUS
AND EAST CENTRAL MECKLENBURG COUNTIES UNTIL 630 AM EDT...

At 550 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 6 miles east of Uptown Charlotte, or near Reedy
Creek Park, moving east at 15 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Downtown Concord, Northeast Charlotte, East Charlotte, West Concord,
Mint Hill, Harrisburg, Mt Pleasant, University City, Reedy Creek Park
and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea size
hail and 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.

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 3521 8048 3520 8050 3519 8053 3521 8055
      3518 8058 3515 8076 3534 8082 3549 8042
      3538 8038
TIME...MOT...LOC 0950Z 252DEG 15KT 3526 8074

RM
Special weather statement, Aug 31, 5:57 AM EDT, 32 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
557 AM EDT Mon Aug 31 2020

NCZ057-072-311045-
Rowan NC-Cabarrus NC-
557 AM EDT Mon Aug 31 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT NORTH
CENTRAL CABARRUS AND SOUTHWESTERN ROWAN COUNTIES UNTIL 645 AM EDT...

At 557 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 5 miles northwest of Kannapolis, or near
Enochville, moving east at 15 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Kannapolis, Salisbury, China Grove, Spencer, Landis, Enochville,
Granite Quarry, Rockwell, Faith and Gold Hill.

In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea size
hail and 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.

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 3547 8071 3563 8076 3574 8046 3572 8042
      3573 8039 3572 8039 3551 8031
TIME...MOT...LOC 0957Z 256DEG 14KT 3556 8068

RM

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 30, 11:06 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPGraham, Swain114 min
Aug 30, 11:47 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPHenderson43 min
Aug 31, 12:09 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPPolk36 min
Aug 31, 12:22 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPHenderson, Polk38 min
Aug 31, 12:59 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMcDowell, Polk, Rutherford46 min
Aug 31, 1:32 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMcDowell, Polk, Rutherford28 min
Aug 31, 2:00 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBurke, Caldwell, Cleveland, McDowell, Rutherford45 min
Aug 31, 2:13 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCleveland32 min
Aug 31, 2:42 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBurke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln63 min
Aug 31, 3:01 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPCatawba, Cleveland, Lincoln29 min
Aug 31, 3:23 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAlexander, Caldwell, Catawba, Lincoln52 min
Aug 31, 3:53 AM EDTFlash Flood WatchGSPAlexander, Avery, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba and 9 more22 hr
Aug 31, 5:14 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPRowan46 min
Aug 31, 5:19 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMecklenburg41 min
Aug 31, 5:51 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCabarrus39 min
Aug 31, 5:57 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPRowan48 min
Aug 31, 8:44 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPCabarrus4 hr
Aug 31, 10:01 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPUnion44 min
Aug 31, 10:10 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPUnion50 min
Aug 31, 10:54 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPMecklenburg2 hr
Aug 31, 11:00 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPUnion30 min
Aug 31, 11:20 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPUnion25 min
Aug 31, 1:38 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMecklenburg37 min
Aug 31, 2:43 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPDavie47 min
Aug 31, 3:32 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPRowan4 hr
Aug 31, 3:41 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPRowan34 min
Aug 31, 3:47 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPUnion43 min
Aug 30, 9:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPOconee32 min
Aug 30, 10:02 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPOconee4 hr
Aug 30, 10:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPOconee32 min
Aug 30, 10:44 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPOconee, Pickens31 min
Aug 30, 11:08 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPOconee, Pickens37 min
Aug 31, 12:18 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGreenville27 min
Aug 31, 12:41 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGreenville, Spartanburg34 min
Aug 31, 1:10 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPSpartanburg35 min
Aug 31, 12:12 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPChester33 min
Aug 31, 12:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPChester50 min
Aug 31, 1:27 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPChester33 min
Aug 31, 1:57 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPChester33 min
Aug 30, 8:12 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPHabersham, Stephens33 min
Aug 30, 8:43 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPStephens32 min
Aug 30, 9:44 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPStephens31 min
Aug 30, 9:54 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPFranklin, Hart21 min
Aug 30, 9:58 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPHabersham17 min
Aug 30, 10:14 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPHabersham4 hr

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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.