Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Watches in 2021

Flash Flood Watch 2, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

March 27, 202117 counties in North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this flash flood watch at Mar 27, 2021, 12:50 PM EDT for 17 counties in North Carolina. It was in force for 23 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 27, 2021, 12:50 PM EDT (16:50 UTC)
Expired
Mar 28, 2021, 12:14 PM EDT
In force
23 hr
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Flood severity
None

Counties Avery County, NC, Buncombe County, NC, Burke County, NC, Caldwell County, NC, Graham County, NC, Haywood County, NC, Henderson County, NC, Jackson County, NC, Macon County, NC, Madison County, NC, McDowell County, NC, Mitchell County, NC, Polk County, NC, Rutherford County, NC, Swain County, NC, Transylvania County, NC, Yancey County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 83 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:51 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, 4.8 hours before the alert went out and 244 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 2021-03-27Temperature 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°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 2021-03-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 60 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
2434 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
53 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
60 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
145 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

570 
WGUS62 KGSP 271650
FFAGSP

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1250 PM EDT Sat Mar 27 2021

...MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF HEAVY RAIN DUE TO THUNDERSTORMS THIS
AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA...

.Several rounds of thunderstorms will develop along a warm front
this evening and ahead of a cold front Sunday across the mountains
of North Carolina. River and stream levels are already at elevated
levels or currently experiencing flooding conditions. The  
additional high rainfall amounts associated with thunderstorms 
will likely produce new areas of flash flooding.

NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-503-505-507-509-280100-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.A.0002.210327T1650Z-210329T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
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-
Including the cities of Ingalls, Banner Elk, Newland, Faust, 
Mars Hill, Marshall, Walnut, Allenstand, Hot Springs, Luck, 
Swiss, Burnsville, Celo, Micaville, Ramseytown, Busick, 
Spruce Pine, Poplar, Alarka, Almond, Bryson City, Luada, Wesser, 
Waynesville, Waterville, Canton, Cruso, Cove Creek, Asheville, 
Black Mountain, Candler, 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, Etowah, 
Patterson, Jonas Ridge, Ashford, Sugar Hill, Woodlawn, Old Fort, 
Chimney Rock State Park, and Saluda
1250 PM EDT Sat Mar 27 2021

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

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued
a

* Flash Flood Watch for a portion of western North Carolina, 
  including the following areas, Avery, Buncombe, Burke 
  Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, 
  Macon, Madison, McDowell Mountains, Mitchell, Northern 
  Jackson, Polk Mountains, Rutherford Mountains, Southern 
  Jackson, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey. 

* Through Sunday evening

* Elevated stream levels and high soil moisture combined with
  additional heavy rainfall could efficiently produce flash 
  flooding conditions.
 
* Mountain terrain will become increasingly saturated with the
  rain through Sunday. Heavy runoff could trigger isolated 
  landslides.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

Krentz
3 follow-up statements
092 
WGUS62 KGSP 280045
FFAGSP

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
845 PM EDT Sat Mar 27 2021

...ROUNDS OF HEAVY RAIN DUE TO THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE THROUGH SUNDAY 
ACROSS THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS...

.Scattered thunderstorms producing heavy rain will remain possible 
overnight across western North Carolina. Numerous to widespread 
showers and thunderstorms are then expected to move into the area 
ahead of a cold front Sunday. River and stream levels are already at 
elevated levels or currently experiencing flooding conditions. The
additional high rainfall amounts associated with thunderstorms 
will likely produce new areas of flash flooding.

NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-503-505-507-509-280900-
/O.CON.KGSP.FF.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210329T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
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-
Including the cities of Banner Elk, Tuckasegee, Burnsville, 
Waterville, Woodlawn, Walnut, Luada, Celo, Ashford, Cullowhee, 
Allenstand, Cruso, Micaville, East Flat Rock, Patterson, Etowah, 
Saluda, Sylva, Ingalls, Asheville, Chimney Rock State Park, Hot 
Springs, Cashiers, Luck, Cedar Mountain, Little River, Rainbow 
Springs, Mars Hill, Highlands, Wesser, Old Fort, Candler, Spruce 
Pine, Stecoah, Kyle, Wolf Mountain, Ramseytown, Faust, Franklin, 
Jonas Ridge, Swiss, Canton, Black Mountain, Dana, Busick, Cove 
Creek, Brevard, Tuxedo, Marshall, Almond, Waynesville, Newland, 
Fletcher, Bryson City, Hendersonville, Robbinsville, Poplar, Alarka, 
and Sugar Hill
845 PM EDT Sat Mar 27 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* A portion of western North Carolina, including the following 
  areas, Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, 
  Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Madison, McDowell Mountains, 
  Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Polk Mountains, Rutherford Mountains, 
  Southern Jackson, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey.

* Through Sunday evening.

* Elevated stream levels and nearly saturated soils combined with
  additional heavy rainfall could result in flash flooding 
  developing quickly.

* Due to the already elevated stream levels, only an inch or two of 
  additional rainfall could be enough to result in flash flooding 
  along smaller creeks and streams, especially those that have 
  experienced flooding during the past week. Runoff could also 
  trigger isolated landslides in mountainous terrain. Additional 
  heavy rainfall may also slow the improvement in ongoing flood 
  conditions along some main stem rivers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

Lane
756 
WGUS62 KGSP 280808
FFAGSP

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
408 AM EDT Sun Mar 28 2021

NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-503-505-507-509-281615-
/O.CON.KGSP.FF.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210329T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
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-
Including the cities of Banner Elk, Tuckasegee, Burnsville, 
Waterville, Woodlawn, Walnut, Luada, Celo, Ashford, Cullowhee, 
Allenstand, Cruso, Micaville, East Flat Rock, Patterson, Etowah, 
Saluda, Sylva, Ingalls, Asheville, Chimney Rock State Park, Hot 
Springs, Cashiers, Luck, Cedar Mountain, Little River, Rainbow 
Springs, Mars Hill, Highlands, Wesser, Old Fort, Candler, Spruce 
Pine, Stecoah, Kyle, Wolf Mountain, Ramseytown, Faust, Franklin, 
Jonas Ridge, Swiss, Canton, Black Mountain, Dana, Busick, Cove 
Creek, Brevard, Tuxedo, Marshall, Almond, Waynesville, Newland, 
Fletcher, Bryson City, Hendersonville, Robbinsville, Poplar, Alarka, 
and Sugar Hill
408 AM EDT Sun Mar 28 2021

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

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* A portion of western North Carolina, including the following 
  areas, Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, 
  Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Madison, McDowell Mountains, 
  Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Polk Mountains, Rutherford Mountains, 
  Southern Jackson, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey.

* Through this evening.

* Elevated stream levels and nearly saturated soils combined with
  additional heavy rainfall could result in flash flooding 
  developing quickly.

* Due to the already elevated stream levels, only an inch or two of 
  additional rainfall could be enough to result in flash flooding 
  along smaller creeks and streams, especially those that have 
  experienced flooding during the past week. Runoff could also 
  trigger isolated landslides in mountainous terrain. Additional 
  heavy rainfall may also slow the improvement in ongoing flood 
  conditions along some main stem rivers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

ARK
736 
WGUS62 KGSP 281614
FFAGSP

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1214 PM EDT Sun Mar 28 2021

...THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH HAS BEEN CANCELLED ACROSS THE NORTH 
CAROLINA MOUNTAINS...

NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-503-505-507-509-281715-
/O.CAN.KGSP.FF.A.0002.000000T0000Z-210329T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
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-
Including the cities of Ingalls, Banner Elk, Newland, Faust, 
Mars Hill, Marshall, Walnut, Allenstand, Hot Springs, Luck, 
Swiss, Burnsville, Celo, Micaville, Ramseytown, Busick, 
Spruce Pine, Poplar, Alarka, Almond, Bryson City, Luada, Wesser, 
Waynesville, Waterville, Canton, Cruso, Cove Creek, Asheville, 
Black Mountain, Candler, 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, Etowah, 
Patterson, Jonas Ridge, Ashford, Sugar Hill, Woodlawn, Old Fort, 
Chimney Rock State Park, and Saluda
1214 PM EDT Sun Mar 28 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS CANCELLED...

The Flash Flood Watch for the North Carolina mountains has been 
cancelled. Heavy rain has moved east of the watch area, however, a
couple rivers remain out of their banks from previous rainfall.

$$

Krentz

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 27, 12:51 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPRowan4 hr
Mar 27, 6:05 AM EDTRiver Flood AdvisoryGSPCleveland15 hr
Mar 27, 11:58 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGraham, Swain62 min
Mar 27, 12:35 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPMadison55 min
Mar 27, 12:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAvery, Mitchell, Yancey61 min
Mar 27, 1:23 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBuncombe67 min
Mar 27, 1:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPBuncombe45 min
Mar 27, 1:32 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPDavie, Iredell, Rowan43 min
Mar 27, 1:39 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPAvery, Burke, Caldwell66 min
Mar 27, 1:53 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPBurke, Caldwell, McDowell55 min
Mar 27, 2:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPBurke, Cleveland, McDowell, Rutherford45 min
Mar 27, 2:19 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPAlexander, Caldwell29 min
Mar 27, 2:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCleveland, Polk, Rutherford31 min
Mar 27, 2:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAlexander, Catawba, Cleveland, Davie, Gaston, Iredell and 1 more45 min
Mar 27, 3:15 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPDavie, Iredell, Rowan45 min
Mar 27, 3:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCleveland, Gaston, Lincoln51 min
Mar 27, 3:53 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCabarrus, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Rowan52 min
Mar 27, 3:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPCabarrus, Mecklenburg31 min
Mar 27, 4:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPCabarrus, Rowan28 min
Mar 27, 5:04 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPUnion41 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Watches in North Carolina, 2021Every flash flood watch 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.