Special Weather Statement, NWS Raleigh, NC

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
240 PM EDT Mon May 10 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will move across the region this afternoon and evening.
High pressure will move into the eastern United States behind the
cold front, bringing very cold temperatures for mid-May.

&&

.NEAR TERM /TONIGHT AND TUESDAY/...
As of 240 PM Monday...

Tonight and Tuesday's forecast was done early in anticipation of
severe weather, and was completed before the 12Z GFS or ECMWF were
run. It primarily uses 00Z high-resolution models, the 09Z SREF, and
the 12Z NAM.

A cold front is currently along the Virginia-North Carolina state
line, just about to bring showers and thunderstorms into the
forecast area. Modest wind shear and instability values warrant a
slight risk (level 2 of 5) for most of the forecast area and a
marginal risk along the northern, western, and southern fringes of
the region. The primary threat is damaging wind gusts, but large
hail is also a possibility. Although the line is still in the
process of forming, the Triad will be impacted through 4pm, the
Triangle and Rocky Mount between 5pm-7pm, and Fayetteville after
sunset. The front will continue to take its time moving across the
area, not finishing its passage until after midnight. The bulk of
the rainfall and any severe weather threat should also be done by
midnight, but the chance for a shower will linger across southern
counties through the night. Overnights lows will be noticeably
cooler than last night, in the 50s.

High pressure will briefly ridge into North Carolina from the Great
Lakes, but with today's front remaining nearly stationary across
South Carolina, cloud cover will still be around for much of the
day, even if the forecast remains dry. The combination of widespread
cloud cover and northeasterly winds will keep conditions cold for
mid May, with highs only reaching the mid 60s.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
As of 135 PM Monday...

The cold front will be settling to our S Tue night, as the most
dense/coldest air within the incoming large Arctic high centered
over the Upper Midwest will finally be able to breach the mountains
and arrive in central NC. Just as the cold air arrives, the long
shear axis from the Can Maritimes to N OH to NE continues to push
slowly ESE, leading to accelerating upper flow to our N and NE,
placing NC within the RRQ of this strengthening jet and beneath
strengthening large scale forcing for ascent. This will prompt low
pressure development along the front, and this low will cross GA and
far S SC before pushing offshore late Wed. Models generally agree on
precip spreading into S and W portions Tue night, with amounts and
coverage peaking very late Tue night through Wed morning, with
slight chance far N to likely far S, in conjunction with this upper
lift and passage of weak mid level perturbations. This forcing for
ascent and slug of deeper moisture (PW=1.25"-1.5" S of Hwy 64) will
slide to our SE late Wed into Wed evening (the ECMWF remains a bit
faster than the GFS/NAM), so pops will trend downward NW to SE.
After lows Tue night in the mid 40s N to mid 50s S, expect highs
only in the upper 50s to within a couple degrees of 60 Wed, making
for a raw and anomalously chilly day. (Record low max temps for May
12th are as follows: 58 at RDU set in 1960, 50 at GSO set in 1960,
and 61 at FAY set in 1949.) Lows Wed night in the 40s with pops
diminishing but mostly cloudy skies hanging on, esp S, as a small
jet streak reloads the larger jet to our N and NE. -GIH

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 210 PM Monday...

Below normal temps will gradually moderate during this period. The
large cool surface high starts Thu centered over the LP of MI and
drifts a bit eastward but largely remains covering SE Canada down
through the Northeast, Mid Atlantic and Ohio Valley into the
weekend. The tail end of the long sheared vorticity axis breaks off
into a weak trough over IA/MO/IL, and this will track ESE through
Fri night, bringing chance pops mainly across the S and SE, peaking
late Thu night and Fri, as a surface low develops near CHS and
deepens while drifting ENE and offshore. Uncertainty persists
regarding the degree of low level dry air and how much it could keep
precip from reaching the ground, esp given that the surface low will
be so far S, so will keep pops on the low end for now. The front
kicks back N and NE through the Miss Valley/Mid South Sat, beneath
rising mid level heights in the wake of the departing shortwave
trough. The presence of this frontal zone oriented NW to SE into W
NC and across SC with destabilization potential over the nation's
midsection and waves aloft tracking SE from the Great Lakes region
brings about concern for a possible MCS riding SE along the frontal
zone as we get into Sun/Mon. Will keep the forecast dry for now,
given that there is model discrepancy on such a potential, but it's
something worth keeping in mind. Cool highs in the 60s to around 70
Thu/Fri will warm into the 70s Sat and further modify to the mid 70s
to lower 80s Sun/Mon. -GIH

&&

.AVIATION /17Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 125 PM Monday...

24 hour TAF period: A line of showers and thunderstorms has started
developing along a cold front across northern North Carolina and
southern Virginia over the last hour. High-resolution models
indicate that this line is not likely become a solid line as far
west as the Triad and INT/GSO, an idea supported by the recent radar
observations, so only VCSH has been included in those TAFs. However,
a period of TSRA has been maintained at RDU, RWI, and FAY. Recent
model guidance is also suggesting that the line will take a little
longer to move from northwest to southeast, so the timing of the
thunderstorms has been delayed as well. While a heavier shower/storm
could produce additional restrictions, generally stuck with MVFR
visibilities and VFR ceilings at this time. The front will stall to
the south of the region, but do not think that low ceilings will
affect RDU and RWI as indicated in the previous forecast. However,
FAY should be close enough to the front to have a multiple hour
period of IFR cigs and an extended stretch of MVFR restrictions.

Outlook: Although the extended period will generally be dry, there
will be a chance for showers and restrictions on Wednesday and
Thursday night with two separate systems moving through the region.

&&

.RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Green
NEAR TERM...Green
SHORT TERM...Hartfield
LONG TERM...Hartfield
AVIATION...Green

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
447 AM EDT Mon May 10 2021

NCZ026>028-039>043-074>078-084>086-088-089-110900-
Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Randolph-Chatham-Wake-Johnston-Wilson-
Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Richmond-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-
Sampson-
447 AM EDT Mon May 10 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

There is a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms today, with the main
threats being damaging wind gusts and severe hail.

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

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed.

NCZ007>011-021>025-038-073-083-110900-
Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-
Orange-Durham-Davidson-Stanly-Anson-
447 AM EDT Mon May 10 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

There is a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms today, with the
main threats being damaging wind gusts and severe hail.

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

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

JJT

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
556 PM EDT MON MAY 10 2021

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

0440 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 SW SWEPSONVILLE       35.98N 79.42W
05/10/2021                   ALAMANCE           NC   PUBLIC

            POWER POLES AND TREES BRANCHES WERE REPORTED
            DOWN ALONG KEYSTONE ROAD BETWEEN MOUNT
            HERMON ROCK CREEK ROAD AND BASS MOUNTAIN
            ROAD.

&&

77

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
557 PM EDT Mon May 10 2021

NCZ041-042-102245-
Johnston NC-Wake NC-
557 PM EDT Mon May 10 2021

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN WAKE AND CENTRAL
JOHNSTON COUNTIES UNTIL 645 PM EDT...

At 556 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cary, moving southeast at 30 mph.

Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Raleigh, Cary, Smithfield, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, Clayton, Apex,
Holly Springs, Morrisville and Selma.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
40 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around
light outdoor objects.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
central North Carolina.

LAT...LON 3568 7893 3588 7874 3564 7820 3537 7846
TIME...MOT...LOC 2156Z 301DEG 26KT 3573 7877

GIH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
557 PM EDT Mon May 10 2021

NCZ026-027-041-102300-
Nash NC-Franklin NC-Wake NC-
557 PM EDT Mon May 10 2021

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN NASH...NORTHEASTERN
WAKE AND CENTRAL FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 700 PM EDT...

At 557 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Wake Forest, or 12 miles southwest of Louisburg, moving east at 25
mph.

Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Nashville, Louisburg, Wake Forest, Zebulon, Bailey, Bunn, Rolesville,
Spring Hope, Youngsville and Middlesex.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
40 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around
light outdoor objects.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
central North Carolina.

LAT...LON 3604 7796 3581 7798 3575 7814 3577 7825
      3579 7824 3582 7826 3579 7830 3589 7855
      3614 7843
TIME...MOT...LOC 2157Z 287DEG 23KT 3596 7844

10

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
601 PM EDT MON MAY 10 2021

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

0507 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 WNW FEARRINGTON       35.85N 79.15W
05/10/2021                   CHATHAM            NC   EMERGENCY MNGR

            A LARGE TREE WAS REPORTED DOWN ON A HOSE
            ALONG LAMONT NORWOOD ROAD NEAR TOBACCO ROAD.

&&

77

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
605 PM EDT MON MAY 10 2021

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

0507 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 WNW FEARRINGTON       35.85N 79.15W
05/10/2021                   CHATHAM            NC   EMERGENCY MNGR

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 5
            WNW FEARRINGTON. A LARGE TREE WAS REPORTED
            DOWN ON A HOME ALONG LAMONT NORWOOD ROAD
            NEAR TOBACCO ROAD.

&&

77

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
636 PM EDT Mon May 10 2021

NCZ040>042-076-077-102315-
Lee NC-Johnston NC-Chatham NC-Harnett NC-Wake NC-
636 PM EDT Mon May 10 2021

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN HARNETT...
NORTHEASTERN LEE...SOUTHWESTERN WAKE...WEST CENTRAL JOHNSTON AND
SOUTHEASTERN CHATHAM COUNTIES UNTIL 715 PM EDT...

At 635 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles northeast of Sanford, moving southeast at 40 mph.

Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Lillington, Fuquay-Varina, Angier, Erwin, Coats, Harris Lake Boat
Launch, Seminole, Raven Rock State Park, Buies Creek and Shearon
Harris Reservoir.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
40 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around
light outdoor objects.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
central North Carolina.

LAT...LON 3553 7915 3570 7901 3553 7856 3531 7869
TIME...MOT...LOC 2235Z 293DEG 33KT 3558 7904

GIH