Alert archive / North Carolina / Special Weather Statements in 2020

Special Weather Statement, NWS Raleigh, NC

August 4, 2020Wilson County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this special weather statement at Aug 4, 2020, 12:29 AM EDT for Wilson 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 outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Aug 4, 2020, 12:29 AM EDT (04:29 UTC)
Expired
Aug 4, 2020, 1:30 AM EDT
In force
61 min
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC

County Wilson County, NC

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 63 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:33 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

Newport, NC (KMHX), launched 00:00Z, 4.5 hours before the alert went out and 137 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, Newport, NC at 00:00Z on 2020-08-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1058 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 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, Newport, NC at 00:00Z on 2020-08-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 143 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
1058 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-2 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
755 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
38 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
143 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
162 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.7
Supercell composite
4.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this special weather statement went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Raleigh, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this special weather statement went out at Aug 3, 7:50 PM EDT, 4 hours 39 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 3, 7:50 PM EDT, 4 hours 39 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
750 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
Tropical cyclone Isaias will track north along the Georgia coast
late this afternoon and the South Carolina coast this evening. The
storm is expected to make landfall across the far northern South
Carolina coast before midnight and then move north-northeast across
eastern portions of North Carolina tonight through Tuesday morning.
A more typical summertime pattern of afternoon and evening
thunderstorms will then return for the remainder of the week.
&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 335 PM Monday...

The official forecast for Tropical Storm Isaias shows the storm
moving a touch faster through North Carolina, and it now appears
that the bulk of the impacts from the storm will be felt during the
overnight hours as opposed to persisting into Tuesday morning. 25+
mph winds should first be felt right around sunset in southern
Sampson County, with winds ramping up during the rest of the evening
and into the overnight hours. The eye of the storm is expected to
pass to the east of the forecast area, so winds should remain
elevated with the storm moving through. Although Isaiah is still
forecast to briefly become a hurricane before making landfall, no
hurricane force winds are expected in the forecast area. With the
quicker storm movement, all wind speeds greater than 25 mph should
be out of the region by 8am Tuesday. The slightly faster storm speed
should also result in slightly lower rainfall forecasts as the storm
will be over the region for less time. Still think that there will
be 4-6 inch rainfall totals along the I-95 corridor, but that the
overall coverage of those highest rainfall totals will be reduced.

With all widespread rainfall out of the forecast area by Tuesday
afternoon, think that a chance for scattered showers/thunderstorms
will remain across the forecast area with clearing skies behind the
storm, except sinking motion in the wake of the storm will likely
limit overall coverage. With the storm moving out of the region more
quickly, bumped up high temperatures another degree or two, into the
mid to upper 80s.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
As of 340 PM Monday...

A slow moving cold front will move across the western NC mountains
on Tuesday evening and then stall across central NC for much of the
short term period into Friday night. A broad upper trough axis
stretching from the Great Lakes into the northern Gulf of Mexico
early in the period gradually weakens through the work week although
the trough axis lingers to our west. The result will be a period of
unsettled weather with mainly afternoon and evening showers and
storms. Given the significant rain that will fall across parts of
the Carolinas tonight and early Tuesday, any significant rain from
thunderstorms on Wednesday could result in some additional or
enhanced flooding issues. Temperatures on Wednesday in the wake of
the departing TC will range near seasonable around 90 and then cool
a slight bit into the mid to upper 80s on Thursday and Friday.
Morning lows will range around 70.
-Blaes

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 305 PM Monday...

The cold front that stalls out over NC in the wake of TS Isaias
looks like it will washout or be fairly unidentifiable by Saturday.
With one shortwave moving off the Mid-Atlantic coast on Saturday and
the central US ridge trying to build eastward, a general WNW flow
aloft should become established into early next week.  This pattern
suggests near normal temps each day, with diurnal convection
potentially augmented/enhanced by disturbances in the NW flow aloft.
Confidence in the timing of those disturbances would be fairly low,
so will keep pops near climo in the lower end chance range.
Afternoon highs 88-92.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 745 PM Monday...

Aviation conditions will deteriorate from the south this evening as
widespread showers, thunderstorms, and strengthening winds
associated with the core of the tropical storm spread north across
the Sandhills, the Coastal Plain and in the eastern Piedmont. This
will result in widespread IFR to MVFR conditions in heavy tropical
downpours at KRDU, KRWI and KFAY, especially between 03Z and 09Z.
The strongest winds with gusts to around 45kts at KRWI, 35kts at
KFAY and 25kts at KRDU will occur for a 3 to 5 hour period during
this window. Further west, periods of showers and storms, heavy at
times with less extreme winds are expected at the KGSO and KINT
terminals.

As the storm rapidly moves northeast and exits NC into VA by 12Z,
conditions will improve quickly from south to north just after
daybreak Tuesday with VFR conditions and winds gusts falling below
20kts by 16Z Tuesday. A large area of BKN cumulus will develop with
bases around 4kft during the afternoon with the potential for
scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

Looking further ahead, a more typical summer time pattern with
mainly afternoon and evening showers and storms are expected through
Friday. -Blaes
&&

.RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Tropical Storm Warning for NCZ010-011-026>028-041>043-077-078-
086-088-089.
Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday afternoon for NCZ007>011-
021>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Blaes
NEAR TERM...Green
SHORT TERM..Blaes
LONG TERM...BLS
AVIATION...Blaes
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 3, 9:02 PM EDT, 3 hours 27 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
902 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020

NCZ011-027-028-043-078-089-050115-
Halifax-Nash-Edgecombe-Wilson-Wayne-Sampson-
902 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON...
...TORNADO WATCH 414 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EDT TUESDAY...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central 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.

   Tornado Watch.
   Flash Flood Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

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

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NCZ010-026-041-042-077-086-088-050115-
Warren-Franklin-Wake-Johnston-Harnett-Hoke-Cumberland-
902 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON...
...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central 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.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

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

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flash Flood Watch.
   Tropical Storm Warning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NCZ007>009-021>025-038>040-073>076-083>085-050115-
Person-Granville-Vance-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Orange-Durham-
Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Anson-Richmond-
Scotland-
902 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central 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...Tuesday through Sunday.

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 is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 3, 8:24 PM EDT, 4 hours 5 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
824 PM EDT MON AUG 3 2020

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

0530 PM     TROPICAL STORM   3 NW NEW HOPE           35.85N 78.59W
08/03/2020                   WAKE               NC   911 CALL CENTER

            TREE DOWN ON ROAD AT INTERSECTION OF CALVARY
            DR. AND GREEN RD.

&&

AK
Local storm report, Aug 3, 8:39 PM EDT, 3 hours 50 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
839 PM EDT MON AUG 3 2020

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

0539 PM     TROPICAL STORM   1 SSE RALEIGH           35.81N 78.65W
08/03/2020                   WAKE               NC   BROADCAST MEDIA

            TREE DOWN AT GLENWOOD AVE AND COWPER DR.

&&

AK
Special weather statement, Aug 3, 11:08 PM EDT, 1 hour 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1108 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020

NCZ026-041>043-077-078-085-086-088-089-040400-
Scotland NC-Johnston NC-Franklin NC-Sampson NC-Hoke NC-Harnett NC-
Wake NC-Wayne NC-Cumberland NC-Wilson NC-
1108 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020

...AN AREA OF SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN
WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN SCOTLAND...WAYNE...SAMPSON...
HARNETT...CUMBERLAND... WAKE...SOUTHWESTERN WILSON...JOHNSTON...HOKE
AND SOUTHWESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT...

At 1104 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of showers and
isolated thunderstorms along a line extending from near
Fayetteville to Goldsboro. Movement was northwest at 45 mph.

Heavy rain of one half to three quarters of an inch per hour will
accompany these showers and isolated storms; and minor flooding will
be possible.

Locations impacted include...
Raleigh, Fayetteville, Cary, Goldsboro, Smithfield, Clinton, Raeford,
Lillington, Fort Bragg and Wake Forest.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in
ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and
minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra caution to avoid
hydroplaning, especially in urban areas where prolonged heavy rain
can quickly lead to flooding.

&&

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 AM EDT for central North
Carolina.

LAT...LON 3485 7850 3483 7890 3495 7904 3482 7936
      3506 7944 3521 7925 3517 7910 3527 7922
      3558 7892 3570 7896 3600 7845 3586 7823
      3573 7821 3577 7808 3559 7780 3518 7783
      3519 7816 3474 7820 3471 7811 3456 7825
TIME...MOT...LOC 0304Z 138DEG 39KT 3542 7816 3512 7862 3482 7902

26
Special weather statement, Aug 4, 12:29 AM EDT, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1229 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

NCZ027-043-040530-
Nash NC-Wilson NC-
1229 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN NASH AND WILSON
COUNTIES UNTIL 130 AM EDT...

At 1228 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Farmville, moving northwest at 35 mph.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Wilson, Elm City, Sharpsburg, Stantonsburg, Saratoga, Tar River
Reservoir, Willbanks and New Hope.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Doppler radar has indicated weak rotation with this storm. If the
storm intensifies and rotation strengthens, a warning may need to be
issued.

&&

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 AM EDT for central North
Carolina.

LAT...LON 3559 7780 3571 7808 3594 7785 3589 7782
      3587 7783 3585 7779 3575 7772 3573 7772
      3571 7770 3567 7767
TIME...MOT...LOC 0428Z 152DEG 32KT 3561 7771

23

The office that day

Everything else NWS Raleigh, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 3, 11:08 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHCumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Sampson, Wake and 1 more52 min
Aug 3, 11:44 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHAlamance, Guilford3 hr
Aug 3, 11:45 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatRAHCumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Sampson, Wayne6 hr
Aug 4, 12:09 AM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatRAHEdgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Wake, Wilson6 hr
Aug 4, 2:21 AM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatRAHGranville, Halifax, Vance, Warren6 hr
Aug 4, 3:29 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHDurham3 hr
Aug 4, 6:15 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRAHWake3 hr
Aug 4, 6:20 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningRAHWilson3 hr
Aug 4, 9:09 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningRAHWake6 hr

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in North Carolina, 2020Every special weather statement 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.