Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2021
Tornado Warning 51, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this tornado warning at Aug 17, 2021, 5:26 PM EDT for 5 counties in North Carolina. It was in force for 49 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Aug 17, 2021, 5:26 PM EDT (21:26 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 17, 2021, 6:15 PM EDT
- In force
- 49 min
- Issued by
- NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.0 in
Counties Avery County, NC, McDowell County, NC, Mitchell County, NC, Rutherford County, NC, Yancey County, NC
The radar
The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 119 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:30 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.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 6:03 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 6 Ssw Spruce Pine, NC | FALLEN TREE HAS TAKEN DOWN POWERLINE NEAR STRAWBERRY RIDGE |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 10:42 AM EDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 197 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.
- 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
The text
As transmitted.
993
WFUS52 KGSP 172126
TORGSP
NCC011-111-121-161-199-172215-
/O.NEW.KGSP.TO.W.0051.210817T2126Z-210817T2215Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
526 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
McDowell County in western North Carolina...
Northwestern Rutherford County in western North Carolina...
Mitchell County in western North Carolina...
Southwestern Avery County in western North Carolina...
Eastern Yancey County in western North Carolina...
* Until 615 PM EDT.
* At 525 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 9 miles south of Marion, moving north at 50 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...
Marion around 540 PM EDT.
Spruce Pine and B.R. Parkway-Craggy To Little Switzerland around
550 PM EDT.
Bakersville around 600 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this dangerous thunderstorm include Nebo,
Buladean, Bandana, Ingalls and Thermal City.
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 3584 8193 3581 8199 3576 8192 3547 8188
3543 8213 3613 8230 3614 8229 3613 8227
3616 8222 3616 8220 3614 8218 3615 8215
3611 8213 3610 8208 3613 8205 3612 8203
3619 8199
TIME...MOT...LOC 2125Z 169DEG 45KT 3554 8201
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
RWH2 follow-up statements
256
WWUS52 KGSP 172135
SVSGSP
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
535 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021
NCC161-172145-
/O.CAN.KGSP.TO.W.0051.000000T0000Z-210817T2215Z/
Rutherford NC-
535 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN RUTHERFORD COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for western North
Carolina.
LAT...LON 3584 8193 3581 8199 3576 8192 3554 8189
3552 8197 3555 8200 3554 8203 3554 8207
3552 8215 3613 8230 3613 8225 3616 8222
3616 8220 3614 8218 3615 8215 3611 8213
3610 8208 3613 8205 3612 8203 3618 8199
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 163DEG 34KT 3562 8204
$$
NCC011-111-121-199-172215-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0051.000000T0000Z-210817T2215Z/
McDowell NC-Mitchell NC-Avery NC-Yancey NC-
535 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM EDT FOR
MCDOWELL...MITCHELL...SOUTHWESTERN AVERY AND EASTERN YANCEY
COUNTIES...
At 535 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 4 miles southwest of Marion, moving north at 40 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...
Marion and Old Fort around 540 PM EDT.
Spruce Pine and B.R. Parkway-Craggy To Little Switzerland around
600 PM EDT.
Bakersville around 620 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Nebo,
Buladean, Bandana, Ingalls and Pleasant Gardens.
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 3584 8193 3581 8199 3576 8192 3554 8189
3552 8197 3555 8200 3554 8203 3554 8207
3552 8215 3613 8230 3613 8225 3616 8222
3616 8220 3614 8218 3615 8215 3611 8213
3610 8208 3613 8205 3612 8203 3618 8199
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 163DEG 34KT 3562 8204
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
RWH500
WWUS52 KGSP 172147
SVSGSP
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
547 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021
NCC011-111-121-199-172215-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0051.000000T0000Z-210817T2215Z/
McDowell NC-Mitchell NC-Avery NC-Yancey NC-
547 PM EDT Tue Aug 17 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
MCDOWELL...MITCHELL...SOUTHWESTERN AVERY AND EASTERN YANCEY
COUNTIES...
At 547 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles northwest of Marion, or 7 miles northeast of B.R.
Parkway-Little Switzerland To Linville, moving north at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Spruce Pine around 600 PM EDT.
Bakersville around 610 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Nebo,
Buladean, Bandana, Ingalls and Green Mountain.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3584 8193 3581 8199 3572 8191 3569 8191
3569 8219 3613 8230 3613 8225 3616 8222
3616 8220 3614 8218 3615 8215 3611 8213
3610 8208 3613 8205 3612 8203 3618 8199
TIME...MOT...LOC 2147Z 169DEG 45KT 3578 8208
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
RWHThe office that day
Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 2:22 AM EDT | River Flood Warning | GSP | Henderson, Transylvania | 4 days |
| Aug 17, 3:01 AM EDT | River Flood Advisory | GSP | Buncombe, Henderson | 79 min |
| Aug 17, 3:27 AM EDT | River Flood Advisory | GSP | Buncombe | 26 hr |
| Aug 17, 3:59 AM EDT | River Flood Warning | GSP | Madison | 40 hr |
| Aug 17, 4:12 AM EDT | River Flood Warning | GSP | Buncombe | 31 hr |
| Aug 17, 4:20 AM EDT | River Flood Warning | GSP | Buncombe, Henderson | 4 days |
| Aug 17, 11:36 AM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Alexander, Iredell | 39 min |
| Aug 17, 12:05 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Iredell | 25 min |
| Aug 17, 12:06 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Iredell | 39 min |
| Aug 17, 12:33 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Alexander | 12 min |
| Aug 17, 12:42 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Iredell | 18 min |
| Aug 17, 1:09 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Jackson, Macon, Transylvania | 5 hr |
| Aug 17, 1:25 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Transylvania | 4 hr |
| Aug 17, 1:56 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Transylvania | 34 min |
| Aug 17, 2:01 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Catawba, Lincoln | 29 min |
| Aug 17, 2:02 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Iredell | 28 min |
| Aug 17, 2:02 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Alexander | 28 min |
| Aug 17, 2:31 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Burke, Caldwell | 44 min |
| Aug 17, 2:31 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Macon | 19 min |
| Aug 17, 3:02 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Caldwell | 43 min |
| Aug 17, 3:06 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Alexander, Caldwell | 39 min |
| Aug 17, 3:12 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Haywood | 3 hr |
| Aug 17, 3:41 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Buncombe | 5 hr |
| Aug 17, 3:48 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba | 42 min |
| Aug 17, 4:07 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Avery, Burke, McDowell, Mitchell | 53 min |
| Aug 17, 4:08 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Madison | 9 hr |
| Aug 17, 4:16 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Buncombe, Henderson | 5 hr |
| Aug 17, 4:17 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Avery, Burke, Caldwell | 43 min |
| Aug 17, 4:20 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Henderson, Polk, Rutherford | 12 min |
| Aug 17, 4:24 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Haywood | 4 hr |
| Aug 17, 4:35 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford | 8 hr |
| Aug 17, 4:50 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | McDowell | 9 hr |
| Aug 17, 4:58 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Yancey | 4 hr |
| Aug 17, 4:59 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Avery, Burke, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey | 46 min |
| Aug 17, 5:14 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Transylvania | 4 hr |
| Aug 17, 5:17 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | GSP | Haywood | 12 hr |
| Aug 17, 5:28 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Avery, Burke, Caldwell | 47 min |
| Aug 17, 5:32 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Mitchell | 4 hr |
| Aug 17, 5:48 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | GSP | Buncombe | 26 hr |
| Aug 17, 6:00 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Avery, Burke, Caldwell | 9 hr |
| Aug 17, 6:16 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Henderson, Polk, Rutherford | 3 hr |
| Aug 17, 6:42 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Polk, Rutherford | 48 min |
| Aug 17, 6:57 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | GSP | Burke, McDowell | 6 hr |
| Aug 17, 7:59 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Cleveland | 46 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.