Alert archive / South Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2021

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 56, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

June 21, 2021Greenville County, Laurens County, Spartanburg County, South Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 21, 2021, 5:29 PM EDT for Greenville County, Laurens County, Spartanburg County, South Carolina. It was in force for 32 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
Jun 21, 2021, 5:29 PM EDT (21:29 UTC)
Expired
Jun 21, 2021, 6:01 PM EDT
In force
32 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Greenville County, SC, Laurens County, SC, Spartanburg County, SC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 20 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:32 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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 12:00Z, 9.5 hours before the alert went out and 254 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 12:00Z on 2021-06-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 719 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 12:00Z on 2021-06-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -3 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
719 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-56 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
773 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
12 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-3 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-1 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

961 
WUUS52 KGSP 212129
SVRGSP
SCC045-059-083-212215-
/O.NEW.KGSP.SV.W.0056.210621T2129Z-210621T2215Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
529 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Laurens County in Upstate South Carolina...
  Southeastern Greenville County in Upstate South Carolina...
  Southwestern Spartanburg County in Upstate South Carolina...

* Until 615 PM EDT.

* At 528 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 11 miles south of 
  Downtown Greenville, or near Donaldson Center, moving northeast at 
  25 mph.

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

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind 
           damage to trees and power lines.

* Locations impacted include...
  Mauldin, Simpsonville, Five Forks, Fountain Inn, Woodruff,
  Reidville, Donaldson Center, Fork Shoals and Piedmont.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A few trees and power lines will be blown down in the warned area.
Hail can cause major property damage, especially to vehicles. Seek
shelter inside an interior room.

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 3460 8241 3472 8246 3491 8210 3471 8197
TIME...MOT...LOC 2128Z 245DEG 20KT 3469 8237 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

8
3 follow-up statements
955 
WWUS52 KGSP 212139
SVSGSP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
539 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021

SCC045-059-083-212215-
/O.CON.KGSP.SV.W.0056.000000T0000Z-210621T2215Z/
Laurens SC-Greenville SC-Spartanburg SC-
539 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM EDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN LAURENS...SOUTHEASTERN GREENVILLE AND SOUTHWESTERN
SPARTANBURG COUNTIES...

At 538 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 10 miles southeast 
of Downtown Greenville, or near Simpsonville, moving northeast at 20 
mph.

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

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind 
         damage to trees and power lines.

Locations impacted include...
Mauldin, Simpsonville, Five Forks, Fountain Inn, Woodruff, Reidville
and Donaldson Center.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A few trees and power lines will be blown down in the warned area.
Hail can cause major property damage, especially to vehicles. Seek
shelter inside an interior room.

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 3463 8237 3468 8241 3472 8242 3483 8226
      3491 8210 3471 8197 3467 8215
TIME...MOT...LOC 2138Z 245DEG 17KT 3471 8231 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

8
965 
WWUS52 KGSP 212154
SVSGSP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
554 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021

SCC045-059-083-212215-
/O.CON.KGSP.SV.W.0056.000000T0000Z-210621T2215Z/
Laurens SC-Greenville SC-Spartanburg SC-
554 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM EDT
FOR NORTH CENTRAL LAURENS...EAST CENTRAL GREENVILLE AND SOUTHWESTERN
SPARTANBURG COUNTIES...

At 553 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 12 miles southeast 
of Downtown Greenville, or near Simpsonville, moving northeast at 20 
mph.

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

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Simpsonville, Five Forks, Fountain Inn, Woodruff, Reidville and
Mauldin.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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 3468 8227 3476 8232 3490 8210 3471 8197
      3470 8202
TIME...MOT...LOC 2153Z 246DEG 19KT 3475 8222 

HAIL...0.75IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

8
897 
WWUS52 KGSP 212201
SVSGSP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
601 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021

SCC045-059-083-212210-
/O.CAN.KGSP.SV.W.0056.000000T0000Z-210621T2215Z/
Laurens SC-Greenville SC-Spartanburg SC-
601 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL LAURENS...EAST
CENTRAL GREENVILLE AND SOUTHWESTERN SPARTANBURG COUNTIES IS
CANCELLED...
                
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore the warning has been cancelled.  However heavy rain is
still possible with this thunderstorm.

If you observed large hail or wind damage, please report it 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 3468 8227 3476 8232 3490 8210 3471 8197
      3470 8202
TIME...MOT...LOC 2157Z 245DEG 20KT 3477 8217 

$$

8

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 Jun 21, 2:31 PM EDT, 2 hours 58 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 21, 2:31 PM EDT, 2 hours 58 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
231 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will bring widespread showers and storms to the region
on Tuesday, before continental high pressure builds in on Wednesday,
causing a drop in temperatures and a lull in active weather.  Over
the weekend, renewed moisture should spur a cycle of diurnal showers
and thunderstorms in advance of a slowly-approaching cold front late
in the forecast period.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Convection is having a hard time getting going even within a
developing pre-frontal trof across the mtns and fthills. A
small scale upper ridge is crossing the area which is
maintaining a stg inversion arnd h65. Some showers will likely
get going across the NC mtns with added mech lift and then
expect isol general tstms later this afternoon and evening,
mainly confined to the mtns. Downslope warming will keep the
convec potential quite low to nil outside the mtns this evening.
Min temps will remain a little abv normal as the lower atmos
remains well mixed.

A cold front aided by an anomalous ulvl h5 trof will reach the wrn
NC mtns overnight before sunrise and a few associated tstms may
become quite strong due to enhanced lift and a decent measure of
elCAPE. As the front pushes east thru the day, instability will
remain on the low to moderate side as soundings show deep saturation
and skinny sbCAPE ahead of the line. Nonetheless, bulk shear values
will reach the 30-40 kt range and multicells producing stg outflows
and hail will be likely along and ahead of the front. A few of these
storms could reach severe limits, esp across the NC/SC Piedmont
later in the afternoon during max heating. With the high PWATS ahead
of the boundary, these storms could also produce very good rainfall
rates and localized flooding is possible. The latest NAM lingers the
front over the area thru the evening which is a little
disconcerting, yet most models keep the activity pushing east of the
FA by 00z or so. Max temps Tue will be held about 10 degrees below
normal due to enhance cloud cover and precip.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 145 PM EDT Monday: A 500mb trough axis edges to our east and
lifts out over New England on Wednesday, meaning we'll see minimal
forcing as the height gradient relaxes and winds aloft become nearly
zonal by Thursday.  The frontal boundary settles to our south and
east through Tuesday night, stalling over Georgia and the Atlantic
coast.  Low-end midlevel RHs suggest that precip should be light to
nonexistent by the start of the short-term forecast period for all
but the eastern tier of the CWA.  Can't rule out some patchy rain in
some spots owing to residual low-level moisture, but it should be
low-end as guidance indicates accumulations of less than a quarter
inch past 00Z Wednesday.  This is especially possible in the
mountains, where models may be failing to resolve some low-level
moisture trapped in mountain valleys (in fact, a few models like the
NAMnest and SREF are picking up on this).

In any case, surface flow should veer from northerly to easterly
over the course of the forecast period, acting to introduce a bit of
extra moisture into the profiles on Thursday.  This indicates that
Thursday could see a few more clouds than Wednesday, and perhaps
even an isolated thunderstorm or two.  By and large though,
instability will remain too weak, and profiles too capped, to get
much convective activity going through the afternoon.  Models
continue to trend toward the good moisture remaining well south of
us, so the likelihood of any major impacts on Thursday seems
diminished.

Temps behind the cold front should drop several degrees owing to
strong CAA as the front passes.  So, highs should be a couple
degrees below normal both Wednesday and Thursday.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 200 PM EDT Monday: By Thursday night, the surface high will be
sliding off the Atlantic coast, and surface flow will continue to
veer toward a southeasterly WAA regime.  Atlantic moisture will
creep into the Carolinas and introduce an increase in PoPs starting
on Friday.  Consequently, each day this weekend should feature
partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies, with a potential for pulse
thunderstorms every afternoon.  By Monday, a slowly-propagating
500mb trough over the Midwest begins to impact the region, as
another frontal boundary pushes across the Appalachians.

Temperature advection will remain weak or nonexistent through to the
weekend, when flow off the Atlantic may prompt minimal WAA. However,
the increased cloud cover at this point should counteract any
temperature increase, so highs should remain a few degrees below
normal for the duration of the period.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: An active TAF period is in store for all
terminals. A cold front will work into the NC mtns tonight and push
east thru the day Tue. Expect CIGS to drop to IFR across the mtns and
at KAND before daybreak as a showers and a few tstms develop within
a pre-frontal trof. MVFR CIGS are likely elsewhere, including KCLT.
However, morning fog will not be a factor as sfc winds remain
elevated overnight. Deep convection and tstms should get going
rather early across the mtns and begin affecting KAVL arnd 08z. Have
included PROB30s for TSRA and flight restrictions at all sites to
account for a best chance convective window as the front traverse
east. The front should exit the FA by 00z, however, lingering -shra
and MVFR CIGS will be possible at KCLT thru the late period.

Outlook: Drier weather and mostly VFR conds return to the region for
Wed and Thu. A weak warm front affects the region Fri and Sat, which
will likely bring back flight restrictions.

Confidence Table...

            18-24Z        00-06Z        06-12Z        12-18Z
KCLT       High 100%     High 100%     High  92%     High  89%
KGSP       High 100%     High 100%     High  90%     High  89%
KAVL       High 100%     High 100%     Med   70%     High  89%
KHKY       High 100%     High 100%     High  88%     Med   78%
KGMU       High 100%     High 100%     High  84%     High  87%
KAND       High 100%     High 100%     High  80%     High  87%

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...MPR
NEAR TERM...SBK
SHORT TERM...MPR
LONG TERM...MPR
AVIATION...SBK
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 21, 5:14 AM EDT, 12 hours 15 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
514 AM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021

GAZ010-017-NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-503-505-507-509-
SCZ001>003-220915-
Rabun-Habersham-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-Oconee Mountains-
Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
514 AM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across
the mountains of the Carolinas and northeast Georgia this afternoon.
Storms will become more numerous tonight, as a cold front pushes in
from the west. A few storms may become severe, with damaging wind
gusts the main threat. Also, isolated flash flooding cannot be ruled
out.

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

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about
observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state,
and CDC guidelines.

GAZ018-026-028-029-NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-502-504-506-508-
510-SCZ004>014-019-220915-
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-Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-Greater Greenville-
Spartanburg-Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Union SC-
Chester-Greenwood-
514 AM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms may push east from the mountains
into the Piedmont this evening through the overnight tonight. The
main threat will be cloud-to-ground lightning, gusty winds, and
locally heavy rainfall.

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

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

ARK

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 21, 5:12 PM EDT, 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
512 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021

SCZ004>008-010-212215-
Greater Pickens SC-Cherokee SC-Greater Oconee SC-Anderson SC-
Spartanburg SC-Greater Greenville SC-
512 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021

...THUNDERSTORMS WITH TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL IMPACT
GREENVILLE...SPARTANBURG...NORTHERN ANDERSON...WEST CENTRAL
CHEROKEE...PICKENS AND OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM EDT...

At 511 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms with torrential
rainfall along a line extending from 5 miles south of Seneca to 11
miles southeast of Downtown Greenville, and moving northeast at 30
mph.

Locations to be impacted include... Greenville, Spartanburg, Easley,
Clemson, Pickens, Seneca, Greer and Mauldin.

Wind gusts up to 40 mph, pea size hail and very heavy rainfall rates
up to 2 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 3454 8308 3487 8276 3504 8161 3475 8212
      3478 8215 3472 8218 3467 8226
TIME...MOT...LOC 2111Z 237DEG 25KT 3461 8294 3471 8230

8

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 21, 5:12 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGreenville, Spartanburg63 min
Jun 21, 6:04 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPSpartanburg41 min
Jun 21, 6:08 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGreenville37 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Carolina, 2021Every severe thunderstorm 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.