Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 45, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

August 17, 2021Avery County, Burke County, Caldwell County, North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this tornado warning at Aug 17, 2021, 4:17 PM EDT for Avery County, Burke County, Caldwell County, North Carolina. It was in force for 43 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, 4:17 PM EDT (20:17 UTC)
Expired
Aug 17, 2021, 5:00 PM EDT
In force
43 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

Counties Avery County, NC, Burke County, NC, Caldwell County, NC

The radar

The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 140 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:17 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, 8.3 hours before the alert went out and 174 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.

112 
WFUS52 KGSP 172017
TORGSP
NCC011-023-027-172100-
/O.NEW.KGSP.TO.W.0045.210817T2017Z-210817T2100Z/

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

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Caldwell County in western North Carolina...
  Central Avery County in western North Carolina...
  North central Burke County in western North Carolina...

* Until 500 PM EDT.
    
* At 417 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 9 miles west of Lenoir, or 6 miles northwest of
  Gamewell, 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...
  B.R. Parkway-Linville Falls To Grandfather and Blowing Rock In 
  Caldwell County around 440 PM EDT.
  Newland, Seven Devils, Grandfather Mountain State Park and Sugar 
  Mountain around 450 PM EDT.
  Beech Mountain In Avery County, Banner Elk and Elk Park around 500 
  PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this dangerous thunderstorm include
Edgemont, Pineola, Collettsville, Upton and Linville.

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 3627 8189 3625 8190 3624 8190 3623 8191
      3621 8191 3619 8188 3619 8186 3616 8183
      3611 8181 3612 8169 3612 8165 3588 8155
      3581 8175 3617 8200 3629 8192 3628 8191
TIME...MOT...LOC 2017Z 155DEG 27KT 3592 8169 

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

$$

RWH
2 follow-up statements
223 
WWUS52 KGSP 172028
SVSGSP

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

NCC023-172037-
/O.CAN.KGSP.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-210817T2100Z/
Burke NC-
428 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL BURKE 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 North
Carolina.

LAT...LON 3627 8189 3623 8191 3621 8191 3619 8188
      3619 8186 3616 8183 3611 8181 3612 8165
      3597 8159 3593 8178 3595 8178 3595 8180
      3597 8182 3598 8187 3617 8200 3629 8192
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 155DEG 27KT 3599 8173 

$$

NCC011-027-172100-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-210817T2100Z/
Caldwell NC-Avery NC-
428 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN CALDWELL AND CENTRAL AVERY COUNTIES...
    
At 427 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 10 miles south of Blowing Rock, or 8 miles southeast of
B.R. Parkway-Linville Falls To Grandfather, 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...
  B.R. Parkway-Linville Falls To Grandfather and Blowing Rock In 
  Caldwell County around 440 PM EDT.
  Newland, Seven Devils, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Sugar 
  Mountain and Banner Elk around 450 PM EDT.
  Beech Mountain In Avery County and Elk Park around 500 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Edgemont, Pineola, Upton, Linville and Globe.

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 3627 8189 3623 8191 3621 8191 3619 8188
      3619 8186 3616 8183 3611 8181 3612 8165
      3597 8159 3593 8178 3595 8178 3595 8180
      3597 8182 3598 8187 3617 8200 3629 8192
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 155DEG 27KT 3599 8173 

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

$$

RWH
765 
WWUS52 KGSP 172048
SVSGSP

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

NCC027-172058-
/O.CAN.KGSP.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-210817T2100Z/
Caldwell NC-
448 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN CALDWELL 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 North
Carolina.

LAT...LON 3627 8189 3625 8190 3621 8191 3619 8188
      3619 8186 3616 8183 3611 8181 3610 8178
      3607 8175 3607 8174 3596 8181 3598 8187
      3617 8200 3629 8192
TIME...MOT...LOC 2048Z 148DEG 30KT 3612 8186 

$$

NCC011-172100-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-210817T2100Z/
Avery NC-
448 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
AVERY COUNTY...
    
At 448 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 4 miles northeast of Newland, or over Sugar Mountain,
moving northwest at 35 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...
  Banner Elk around 450 PM EDT.
  Beech Mountain In Avery County and Elk Park around 500 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Linville and Pineola.

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 3627 8189 3625 8190 3621 8191 3619 8188
      3619 8186 3616 8183 3611 8181 3610 8178
      3607 8175 3607 8174 3596 8181 3598 8187
      3617 8200 3629 8192
TIME...MOT...LOC 2048Z 148DEG 30KT 3612 8186 

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, 3:48 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPAlexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba42 min
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, 4:20 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.