Alert archive / South Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 39, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

October 7, 2021Anderson County, South Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this flash flood warning at Oct 7, 2021, 6:16 AM EDT for Anderson County, South Carolina. It was in force for 3 hr. 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
Oct 7, 2021, 6:16 AM EDT (10:16 UTC)
Expired
Oct 7, 2021, 9:15 AM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Anderson County, SC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 34 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:20 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
Oct 7, 7:00 AM EDTHEAVY RAIN 5.58 Wsw Piedmont, SC
Oct 7, 9:00 AM EDTFLASH FLOOD4 Wsw Piedmont, SC911 CALL CENTER REPORTED ROAD CLOSURE DUE TO FLOOD ON HWY 17 AND DAVIS RD.
Oct 7, 9:00 AM EDTFLASH FLOOD7 Wnw Williamston, SC911 CALL CENTER REPORTED ROAD COMPLETELY WASHED OUT ON SHACKLEBURG RD.

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 2 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 164 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

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 00:00Z, 10.3 hours before the alert went out and 236 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, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 00:00Z on 2021-10-07Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 574 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, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 00:00Z on 2021-10-07The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 116 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
574 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-18 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
633 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
29 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
116 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
195 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.3
Supercell composite
2.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

183 
WGUS52 KGSP 071016
FFWGSP
SCC007-071315-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.W.0039.211007T1016Z-211007T1315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
616 AM EDT Thu Oct 7 2021

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  North Central Anderson County in upstate South Carolina...

* Until 915 AM EDT.

* At 616 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain 
  have fallen in the warning area in under two hours. The expected 
  rainfall rate is 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour. Flash flooding is 
  ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas. Affected
           streams include but are not limited to Six and Twenty
           Creek, Jones Creek, and the Rocky River. Flooding of
           poor drainage areas is also likely in Powdersville and
           vicinity.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Powdersville, Piedmont and Northlake.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3480 8248 3476 8246 3454 8257 3459 8270
      3475 8263 3477 8260 3477 8259 3482 8249
      3482 8248

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1-2 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

Lane

What 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 Oct 7, 3:39 AM EDT, 2 hours 37 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 7, 3:39 AM EDT, 2 hours 37 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
339 AM EDT Thu Oct 7 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
An upper level Low pressure over the lower Mississippi Valley will
focus a very moist southerly flow off the Gulf of Mexico into our
region for another day before it moves toward the Great Lakes.
Expect periods of widespread showers and locally heavy rainfall
through Friday especially for the mountains and foothills. As this
low and its associated front moves east of our area this weekend,
dry high pressure will be in place into early next week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 335 AM EDT: A deep upper low will slowly move north from the
Mid-South into the Mid-West through the period. A series of short
waves will rotate around the low and across the area today. Much
weaker short waves are expected tonight. Good upper divergence
expected today as a jet streak rotates across the area. The
divergence weakens overnight as the jet streak moves away from the
area. Deep moisture remains in place over the area through the
period with PW values generally 1.5 inches or higher. Weak
instability remains in place as well along with good warm cloud
precip processes and isentropic lift. The one limiting factor is the
low level jet. While H85 winds will be southeasterly today, they
remain less then 30 kts. The synoptic and CAM guidance all respond
with widespread precip coverage over the western CWFA with lower
coverage over the east. The Flash Flood Watch looks well placed and
basically in line with QPF and Excessive Rainfall forecast from WPC.
That said, can't rule out flooding outside of the watch, especially
along the Upper Savannah River valley of the northern Blue Ridge.
Another warm and muggy day expected.

With forcing diminishing tonight as the upper low moves north,
expect precip coverage and intensity to diminish. This is in line
with both synoptic and CAM guidance. Deep moisture and weak upslope
flow will keep a chance of showers across the area overnight, but
the threat of new flooding greatly decreases. Therefore, the current
end time of the Watch still looks good. Will be another warm and
muggy night.

&&

.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
As of 300 am Thursday: Arcing upper trough associated with filling
upper low/transitioning open wave over the Midwest at the start of
the period will push steadily through the forecast area Fri into Fri
night. With in-situ cold air damming likely all but dissipated
during that time and plenty of lingering low level moisture...part
of which will be supplied from easterly flow north of tropical
disturbance off the Carolina Coast. Numerous showers and scattered
storms are therefore expected to flare up once again on Friday,
warranting likely PoPs across the entire area. There will be a
continued threat of locally excessive rainfall, with local antecedent
hydro conditions likely being the primary driver of any developing
runoff issues on Friday.

With low level moisture continuing to circulate around the
disturbance off the coast, PoPs will linger across primarily the
eastern half of the area Fri night into Saturday, but with a gradual
draw-down in probabilities to less than 20% by Saturday evening. Min
temps will remain above climo through the period, while maxes will
steadily warm to the tune of a couple of degrees above climo by
Saturday afternoon.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 245 am Thursday: Establishment of a long wave trough across
the western Conus will result in downstream ridging over the East by
the early part of the medium range, and this regime is forecast to
more or less persist into the middle part of next week. This will
result in dry and unseasonably warm conditions through much of the
period, with temps likely averaging around 5 degrees above climo.
Additionally, dewpoints will be anomalously high for early/mid
October, and in fact, wouldn't completely rule out some spotty
diurnal mountain showers early next week. Overall, it's not going to
feel especially fall-like.

&&

.AVIATION /08Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Despite some VFR across the area, expect
deteriorating conditions this morning as moist upslope flow
continues, along with copious low level moisture. Expect MVFR cigs
to become widespread with IFR/LIFR cigs by daybreak then continuing
through the morning. Expect MVFR vsby to develop across much of the
area with TEMPO IFR vsby in heavier showers. NE wind continues
through the morning, S at KAVL. Expect slow improvement to MVFR cigs
and VFR vsby in the mid-afternoon. Showers will continue through the
period, so have prevailing or VCSH continues. TSRA will be possible
during the afternoon, so PROB30s have been included for that. Expect
cigs to drop back into the IFR range during the evening with some
MVFR vsby. NE wind, S at KAVL, continues through the period.

Outlook: A wet pattern is expected to continue into Friday, with
occasional periods of widespread showers and frequent occurrence of
flight restrictions expected. Finally, some drier air will try to
work in from the west this weekend, but low-level moisture may
linger, keeping a chance of low cigs and fog, especially late
night/early mornings.

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Flash Flood Watch through this evening for GAZ010-017.
NC...Flash Flood Watch through this evening for NCZ052-053-059-
     062>065-505-507-509.
SC...Flash Flood Watch through this evening for SCZ001>003.

&&

SYNOPSIS...RWH
NEAR TERM...RWH
SHORT TERM...JDL
LONG TERM...JDL
AVIATION...RWH
Hazardous weather outlook, Oct 7, 5:14 AM EDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
514 AM EDT Thu Oct 7 2021

GAZ018-026-028-029-NCZ033-048>051-058-068-501>504-506-508-510-
SCZ004>008-010>013-019-080915-
Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-
Graham-Cleveland-Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-
Greater Burke-Eastern McDowell-Greater Rutherford-Eastern Polk-
Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-
Cherokee-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Union SC-Greenwood-
514 AM EDT Thu Oct 7 2021

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Numerous to widespread showers along with isolated thunderstorms
are expected off and on through tonight. The main threat will be
from locally heavy rainfall. Isolated flash flooding could develop in
areas that see multiple rounds of heavy rainfall. Locations that have
received heavy rainfall in previous days will be most susceptible to
developing flash flooding. Occasional cloud to ground lightning will
also be possible with any thunderstorms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

GAZ010-017-NCZ052-053-059-062>065-505-507-509-SCZ001>003-080915-
Rabun-Habersham-Haywood-Buncombe-Northern Jackson-Macon-
Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-McDowell Mountains-
Rutherford Mountains-Polk Mountains-Oconee Mountains-
Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
514 AM EDT Thu Oct 7 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

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

.DAY ONE...Today and 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...Friday through Wednesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

NCZ035>037-056-057-069>072-082-SCZ009-014-080915-
Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-
Cabarrus-Union NC-York-Chester-
514 AM EDT Thu Oct 7 2021

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms are expected across the
Piedmont today, mainly this afternoon and evening. The primary
threats from any storms will be from cloud to ground lightning and
locally heavy rainfall.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

Lane

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Oct 7, 3:38 AM EDT, 2 hours 38 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
338 AM EDT Thu Oct 7 2021

GAZ010-017-018-NCZ062>064-SCZ001-070815-
Rabun GA-Stephens GA-Habersham GA-Transylvania NC-
Southern Jackson NC-Macon NC-Oconee Mountains SC-
338 AM EDT Thu Oct 7 2021

...THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAINFALL WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN
STEPHENS...HABERSHAM...RABUN...SOUTHEASTERN MACON...SOUTHWESTERN
TRANSYLVANIA...SOUTH CENTRAL JACKSON AND NORTHWESTERN OCONEE COUNTIES
UNTIL 415 AM EDT...

At 332 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated numerous rain showers and
scattered thunderstorm producing heavy rainfall across northeast
Georgia, extreme northwest South Carolina, and extreme southwest
North Carolina.

Locations to be impacted include...
Clayton, Clarkesville, Demorest, Mount Airy, Highlands, Mountain
City, Tiger, Dillard, Sky Valley and Tallulah Falls.

Heavy rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are expected 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.

As additional heavy showers and storms continue to develop over
these areas through the morning, the potential for flash flooding
will steadily increase. Stay tuned to local media outlets or NOAA
Weather Radio for later statements, advisories, or potential
warnings.

&&

LAT...LON 3473 8362 3476 8363 3478 8366 3489 8364
      3491 8363 3492 8360 3494 8360 3495 8355
      3499 8355 3500 8348 3500 8352 3502 8352
      3504 8356 3510 8359 3512 8359 3508 8293
      3451 8347 3455 8362 3462 8364 3465 8366
TIME...MOT...LOC 0732Z 204DEG 10KT 3471 8351

LANE
Special weather statement, Oct 7, 5:47 AM EDT, 29 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
547 AM EDT Thu Oct 7 2021

SCZ005-006-010-071030-
Greater Pickens SC-Anderson SC-Greater Greenville SC-
547 AM EDT Thu Oct 7 2021

...A THUNDERSTORM WITH TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL IMPACT CENTRAL
GREENVILLE...NORTHEASTERN ANDERSON AND EAST CENTRAL PICKENS COUNTIES
UNTIL 630 AM EDT...

At 547 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a thunderstorm with
torrential rainfall 10 miles south of Easley, or 5 miles northwest of
West Pelzer, moving northeast at 10 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...
Easley, Greenville Downtown, West Greenville, Welcome, Powdersville
and Piedmont.

Torrential rainfall rates up to 3 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 3457 8254 3461 8265 3490 8256 3481 8238
TIME...MOT...LOC 0947Z 206DEG 9KT 3468 8255

LANE

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Oct 7, 5:47 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGreenville43 min
Oct 7, 7:08 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPOconee3 hr
Oct 7, 7:45 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPAbbeville3 hr
Oct 7, 8:59 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPAbbeville3 hr
Oct 7, 9:16 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningGSPAnderson7 hr
Oct 7, 9:42 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGreenwood63 min
Oct 7, 10:21 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPGreenwood4 hr
Oct 7, 12:03 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningGSPAbbeville6 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in South Carolina, 2021Every flash flood warning in 2021

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.