Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 43, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

August 17, 20214 counties in North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this tornado warning at Aug 17, 2021, 3:48 PM EDT for 4 counties in North Carolina. It was in force for 42 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 17, 2021, 3:48 PM EDT (19:48 UTC)
Expired
Aug 17, 2021, 4:30 PM EDT
In force
42 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

Counties Alexander County, NC, Burke County, NC, Caldwell County, NC, Catawba County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 144 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:48 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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Aug 17, 10:42 AM EDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 7.8 hours before the alert went out and 139 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 2021-08-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 522 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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 2021-08-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 77 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
522 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-5 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
593 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
26 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
77 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
99 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
0.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

942 
WFUS52 KGSP 171948
TORGSP
NCC003-023-027-035-172030-
/O.NEW.KGSP.TO.W.0043.210817T1948Z-210817T2030Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
348 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Catawba County in the Piedmont of North Carolina...
  Southwestern Alexander County in the Piedmont of North Carolina...
  Caldwell County in western North Carolina...
  Eastern Burke County in western North Carolina...

* Until 430 PM EDT.
    
* At 348 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Hickory, moving northwest at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Granite Falls, Rhodhiss and Lake Hickory around 350 PM EDT.
  Bethlehem, Hudson, Sawmills and Lake Rhodhiss around 400 PM EDT.
  Lenoir and Cajah's Mountain around 410 PM EDT.
  Cedar Rock around 420 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this dangerous thunderstorm include
Patterson, Northlakes, Kings Creek and Little River In Alexander
County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

Please report damaging winds, hail, or flooding to the National
Weather Service 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 3610 8152 3609 8145 3607 8144 3607 8141
      3604 8139 3604 8137 3600 8133 3600 8131
      3572 8120 3565 8140 3609 8169 3612 8161
      3612 8155
TIME...MOT...LOC 1948Z 156DEG 26KT 3576 8134 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

RWH
2 follow-up statements
168 
WWUS52 KGSP 172002
SVSGSP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
402 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

NCC023-035-172011-
/O.CAN.KGSP.TO.W.0043.000000T0000Z-210817T2030Z/
Catawba NC-Burke NC-
402 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN CATAWBA AND EASTERN BURKE
COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for western and
the Piedmont of North Carolina.

LAT...LON 3610 8152 3609 8145 3607 8144 3607 8141
      3604 8139 3604 8137 3600 8133 3600 8131
      3584 8125 3579 8149 3609 8169 3612 8161
      3612 8155
TIME...MOT...LOC 2001Z 156DEG 26KT 3585 8139 

$$

NCC003-027-172030-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0043.000000T0000Z-210817T2030Z/
Alexander NC-Caldwell NC-
402 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN ALEXANDER AND EASTERN CALDWELL COUNTIES...
    
At 401 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles northwest of Hickory, or 4 miles northeast of
Granite Falls, moving northwest at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Lenoir around 410 PM EDT.
  Cedar Rock around 420 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Kings
Creek, Patterson and Little River In Alexander County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3610 8152 3609 8145 3607 8144 3607 8141
      3604 8139 3604 8137 3600 8133 3600 8131
      3584 8125 3579 8149 3609 8169 3612 8161
      3612 8155
TIME...MOT...LOC 2001Z 156DEG 26KT 3585 8139 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

RWH
237 
WWUS52 KGSP 172013
SVSGSP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
413 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

NCC003-172022-
/O.CAN.KGSP.TO.W.0043.000000T0000Z-210817T2030Z/
Alexander NC-
413 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALEXANDER COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for western and
the Piedmont of North Carolina.

LAT...LON 3610 8152 3609 8147 3609 8145 3607 8144
      3607 8141 3604 8139 3604 8137 3600 8133
      3592 8134 3590 8134 3584 8151 3609 8169
      3612 8161 3612 8155
TIME...MOT...LOC 2012Z 156DEG 26KT 3593 8143 

$$

NCC027-172030-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0043.000000T0000Z-210817T2030Z/
Caldwell NC-
413 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM EDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN CALDWELL COUNTY...
    
At 412 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 5 miles east of Lenoir, or near Cedar Rock, moving
northwest at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northeastern Caldwell County, including the following locations...
Kings Creek and Patterson.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3610 8152 3609 8147 3609 8145 3607 8144
      3607 8141 3604 8139 3604 8137 3600 8133
      3592 8134 3590 8134 3584 8151 3609 8169
      3612 8161 3612 8155
TIME...MOT...LOC 2012Z 156DEG 26KT 3593 8143 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

RWH

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 17, 2:22 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPHenderson, Transylvania4 days
Aug 17, 3:01 AM EDTRiver Flood AdvisoryGSPBuncombe, Henderson79 min
Aug 17, 3:27 AM EDTRiver Flood AdvisoryGSPBuncombe26 hr
Aug 17, 3:59 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPMadison40 hr
Aug 17, 4:12 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPBuncombe31 hr
Aug 17, 4:20 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPBuncombe, Henderson4 days
Aug 17, 11:36 AM EDTTornado Warning Tornado observedGSPAlexander, Iredell39 min
Aug 17, 12:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPIredell25 min
Aug 17, 12:06 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPIredell39 min
Aug 17, 12:33 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAlexander12 min
Aug 17, 12:42 PM EDTTornado Warning Tornado observedGSPIredell18 min
Aug 17, 1:09 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPJackson, Macon, Transylvania5 hr
Aug 17, 1:25 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPTransylvania4 hr
Aug 17, 1:56 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPTransylvania34 min
Aug 17, 2:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCatawba, Lincoln29 min
Aug 17, 2:02 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPIredell28 min
Aug 17, 2:02 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPAlexander28 min
Aug 17, 2:31 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPBurke, Caldwell44 min
Aug 17, 2:31 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPMacon19 min
Aug 17, 3:02 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPCaldwell43 min
Aug 17, 3:06 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAlexander, Caldwell39 min
Aug 17, 3:12 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPHaywood3 hr
Aug 17, 3:41 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPBuncombe5 hr
Aug 17, 4:07 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAvery, Burke, McDowell, Mitchell53 min
Aug 17, 4:08 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPMadison9 hr
Aug 17, 4:16 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPBuncombe, Henderson5 hr
Aug 17, 4:17 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAvery, Burke, Caldwell43 min
Aug 17, 4:20 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPHenderson, Polk, Rutherford12 min
Aug 17, 4:24 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatGSPHaywood4 hr
Aug 17, 4:35 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPBuncombe, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford8 hr
Aug 17, 4:50 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPMcDowell9 hr
Aug 17, 4:58 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPYancey4 hr
Aug 17, 4:59 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAvery, Burke, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey46 min
Aug 17, 5:14 PM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatGSPTransylvania4 hr
Aug 17, 5:17 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPHaywood12 hr
Aug 17, 5:26 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAvery, McDowell, Mitchell, Rutherford, Yancey49 min
Aug 17, 5:28 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAvery, Burke, Caldwell47 min
Aug 17, 5:32 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPMitchell4 hr
Aug 17, 5:48 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningGSPBuncombe26 hr
Aug 17, 6:00 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPAvery, Burke, Caldwell9 hr
Aug 17, 6:16 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPHenderson, Polk, Rutherford3 hr
Aug 17, 6:42 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPPolk, Rutherford48 min
Aug 17, 6:57 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningGSPBurke, McDowell6 hr
Aug 17, 7:59 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPCleveland46 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 2021Every tornado warning in 2021Tornadoes 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.