Alert archive / Georgia / Special Weather Statements in 2021

Special Weather Statement, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

August 4, 2021Rabun County, Georgia

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this special weather statement at Aug 4, 2021, 5:26 PM EDT for Rabun County, Georgia. It was in force for 49 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, 2021, 5:26 PM EDT (21:26 UTC)
Expired
Aug 4, 2021, 6:15 PM EDT
In force
49 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

County Rabun County, GA

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 128 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:29 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

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 180 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 2021-08-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 258 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 2021-08-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 0 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
258 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-10 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
590 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
0 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
29 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

069 
WWUS82 KGSP 042126
SPSGSP

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
526 PM EDT Wed Aug 4 2021
 
GAZ010-017-042215-
Rabun GA-Habersham GA-
526 PM EDT Wed Aug 4 2021

...HEAVY RAIN SHOWERS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN HABERSHAM AND WESTERN
RABUN COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM EDT...

At 523 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain showers along a
line extending from 10 miles east of Hiawassee to 7 miles northwest
of Clarkesville, and moving very slowly east at 5 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...Lake Burton, Seed Lake and 
Batesville. Rapid stream rises are expected along the headwaters and 
tributaries feeding the Soquee River, as well as Wildcat Creek, 
South Fork Moccasin Creek, and Chastain Creek.

Heavy rainfall rates up to one inch per hour will be possible in 
these areas. Deep ponding of water will develop in low-lying 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 3482 8365 3484 8366 3488 8366 3491 8363
      3492 8360 3494 8360 3495 8355 3499 8355
      3499 8346 3463 8353 3465 8366 3466 8366
      3467 8365 3471 8364 3473 8362 3477 8363
      3480 8368
TIME...MOT...LOC 2123Z 262DEG 5KT 3493 8358 3465 8364 

$$

HG

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 Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this special weather statement went out at Aug 4, 2:32 PM EDT, 2 hours 54 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 4, 2:32 PM EDT, 2 hours 54 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
232 PM EDT Wed Aug 4 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
A stationary front remains stalled along the southeast United
States coast into early Saturday before dissipating. Meanwhile the
trough situated over the eastern United States will gradually lift
northeast into tomorrow. High pressure builds in briefly Friday
across the southeast before another trough tracks across the region.
Diurnal shower and thunderstorm chances will continue this week but
will be somewhat limited by lack of moisture. Friday night into
Saturday looks like the best chance for showers and thunderstorms as
the trough tracks east across the forecast area.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 2pm EDT Wednesday.  August cool-down will continue through
Thursday as unseasonal strong trough remains parked over the
eastern CONUS.  This trough does begin a pull-out to the northeast
on Thursday, and highs will warm 4 degrees as a result, but still
remain 5 or so degrees below normal.  Low dewpoints will persist,
giving continued relatively cool lows and low chances for
precipitation.  Best chances for showers will be over the mountains
where topographic forcing may be able to combine with some weak
shortwave passages to generate some showers; however moisture and
CAPE will be limited.  CAMS indicate little in the way of any strong
updrafts this afternoon, and even weaker updrafts with less coverage
on Thursday.

Surface high pressure to the north and
northeast will give mostly northerly to northeasterly surface winds
today and tomorrow.  With some afternoon mixing today, some winds of
10 mph will be common, with even a few gusts up to 20 mph as 850 mb
flow is about 20 mph; however, overnight with BL decoupling, winds
will be fairly light and somewhat variable.  850mb flow weakens on
Thursday, giving lighter winds.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 200 PM EDT Wednesday: The stationary front along the SE CONUS
should dissipate early Saturday. Meanwhile, northeast Georgia and
the Carolinas will be sandwiched between troughs Thursday night into
Friday. A high pressure ridge in the western Atlantic should nudge
into the southeastern CONUS Friday. With this synoptic pattern in
place at the start of the short term period, moisture should be
limited across the CWA as PWAT values remain low Thursday night into
most of Friday. Therefore, have capped diurnal showers and
thunderstorms to a slight chance to chance during this time frame.
The ridge of high pressure extending into the area will be forced to
the south and east as a trough approaches from the west Friday
evening into Saturday. PWATs increase during this time frame as the
trough tracks east towards the forecast area. Both the GFS and ECMWF
have come into better agreement in regards of the timing and
behavior of the trough this weekend. At this time, Friday night into
Saturday looks like the best chance to see showers and thunderstorms
from this upper-level trough due to the increased moisture the
system brings. Capped PoPs from a high end chance to low end likely
across the CWA. Sunday this trough should lift northeast into the
northeastern CONUS allowing high pressure in the western Atlantic to
build in from the south. In response to this ridge building back
into the area, PWATs should slightly decline again Sunday. As a
result, capped PoPs across the CWA to a slight chance. Highs Friday
and Saturday should be near normal to a few degrees below normal.
Sunday highs return to above normal.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 200 PM EDT Wednesday: High pressure could continue to build in
across the Southeast Sunday night into Monday. The ECMWF shows this,
however the GFS hints at a small area of low pressure forming across
the Deep South and tracking into the Carolinas during this time
frame. Tuesday into Wednesday remains even more uncertain as models
continue to diverge on the overall synoptic pattern. The ECMWF keeps
the ridge in place for the second half of the extended period while
the GFS has the low dissipating early Tuesday with high pressure
retreating east as a trough digs from southern Canada into the
northern United States. With model disagreement throughout much of
the extended period, decided to keep diurnal shower and thunderstorm
chances in the forecast, but capped PoPs to a slight chance to
chance. Highs throughout the extended period should be above climo
and much warmer compared to what we are seeing now.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Surface high pressure lies north to northeast
of the region, giving generally light easterly to northerly winds.
Pressure gradient is weak enough to lead to calm or variable winds
at times overnight.  Showers look to be restricted to the mountains,
with even KAVL only deserving a VCSH at this time.  Thursday looks
to have similar chances for showers or thunder, but is still to low
a probability to be worth mentioning in any of the TAFs.  With
northeasterly winds, some low ceilings close to MVFR will be
possible at all TAF sites.  Fog and low stratus will also be
possible in fog-prone mountain valleys, only affecting the KAVL
aerodrome.

Outlook: The usual chance of diurnal convection will persist over
the forecast area into the weekend. Fog and low stratus will be
possible each morning, particularly for the mtn valleys and areas
primed by rainfall from the previous evening.

Confidence Table...

            18-24Z        00-06Z        06-12Z        12-18Z
KCLT       High 100%     High 100%     High  95%     High  94%
KGSP       High 100%     High 100%     High 100%     High  95%
KAVL       High 100%     High 100%     Med   70%     High  88%
KHKY       High 100%     High 100%     High  96%     High  94%
KGMU       High 100%     High 100%     High 100%     High  96%
KAND       High 100%     High 100%     High 100%     High  99%

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...AP
NEAR TERM...WJM
SHORT TERM...AP
LONG TERM...AP
AVIATION...WJM
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 4, 4:45 PM EDT, 41 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
445 PM EDT Wed Aug 4 2021

GAZ010-017-018-026-NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-SCZ001-002-004-
052045-
Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-
Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-
Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Oconee Mountains-
Pickens Mountains-Greater Oconee-
445 PM EDT Wed Aug 4 2021

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

There remains the chance of scattered showers and a few
thunderstorms into this evening. Any storm will be capable of
producing brief heavy rain and occasional cloud-to-ground lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

GAZ028-029-NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-501>510-SCZ003-005>014-019-
052045-
Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-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 Pickens-
Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-
Laurens-Union SC-Chester-Greenwood-
445 PM EDT Wed Aug 4 2021

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 4, 2:13 PM EDT, 3 hours 13 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
213 PM EDT WED AUG 04 2021

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

0455 AM     TSTM WND DMG     5 NNE HARMONY           36.02N 80.74W
08/01/2021                   IREDELL            NC   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERGENCY MNGR REPORTED SEVERAL LARGE TREES DOWN ON N
            MEADOW RD.

&&
Special weather statement, Aug 4, 3:13 PM EDT, 2 hours 13 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
313 PM EDT Wed Aug 4 2021

NCZ051-042000-
Swain NC-
313 PM EDT Wed Aug 4 2021

...HEAVY RAIN SHOWERS WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL SWAIN COUNTY UNTIL
400 PM EDT...

At 311 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a series of heavy rain
showers affecting the area about 12 miles north of Robbinsville, or
near Smoky Mountains-Twentymile Creek. These showers were nearly
stationary, or redeveloping in place.

Locations to be impacted include...
Smoky Mountains-Twentymile Creek, Fontana Village, Smoky Mountains-
Fontana Area, Fontana Lake, Deals Gap and Tapoco. Stream levels will
rise rapidly along Round Mountain Branch and Twentymile Creek.

Very heavy rainfall rates up to one inch per hour will be possible
in these areas. Deep ponding of water will develop in low-lying
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 3548 8391 3552 8388 3553 8382 3556 8377
      3556 8372 3552 8369 3545 8379 3545 8380
      3544 8381 3545 8385 3545 8386 3546 8387
      3547 8390 3545 8393 3546 8395
TIME...MOT...LOC 1911Z 106DEG 1KT 3550 8381

HG
Special weather statement, Aug 4, 5:26 PM EDT, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
526 PM EDT Wed Aug 4 2021

GAZ010-017-042215-
Rabun GA-Habersham GA-
526 PM EDT Wed Aug 4 2021

...HEAVY RAIN SHOWERS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN HABERSHAM AND WESTERN
RABUN COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM EDT...

At 523 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain showers along a
line extending from 10 miles east of Hiawassee to 7 miles northwest
of Clarkesville, and moving very slowly east at 5 mph.

Locations to be impacted include...Lake Burton, Seed Lake and
Batesville. Rapid stream rises are expected along the headwaters and
tributaries feeding the Soquee River, as well as Wildcat Creek,
South Fork Moccasin Creek, and Chastain Creek.

Heavy rainfall rates up to one inch per hour will be possible in
these areas. Deep ponding of water will develop in low-lying 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 3482 8365 3484 8366 3488 8366 3491 8363
      3492 8360 3494 8360 3495 8355 3499 8355
      3499 8346 3463 8353 3465 8366 3466 8366
      3467 8365 3471 8364 3473 8362 3477 8363
      3480 8368
TIME...MOT...LOC 2123Z 262DEG 5KT 3493 8358 3465 8364

HG

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 4, 3:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPGraham47 min
Aug 4, 6:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPHabersham36 min

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in Georgia, 2021Every special weather statement 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.