Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2025
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 69, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 8, 2025, 4:45 PM EDT for McDowell County, Rutherford County, North Carolina. It was in force for 45 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- May 8, 2025, 4:45 PM EDT (20:45 UTC)
- Expired
- May 8, 2025, 5:30 PM EDT
- In force
- 45 min
- Issued by
- NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.25 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties McDowell County, NC, Rutherford County, NC
The radar
The Greer radar (KGSP), 76 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:47 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 4:23 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 12:00Z, 8.8 hours before the alert went out and 289 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1148 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 42 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 45 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 52 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 8, 2:47 PM EDT, 1 hour 58 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 8, 2:47 PM EDT, 1 hour 58 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 247 PM EDT Thu May 8 2025 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front crosses the area Friday and stalls over the Southeast this weekend into early next week, keeping unsettled weather around through then. The front and associated low pressure system finally clears the area Thursday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 245 PM EDT Thursday: Elongated upper trough and associated height falls stretch from the eastern Atlantic Canada through the Great Lakes and into the Ozarks. This is helping to send an attendant cold front towards the region, with the best forcing encroaching the CFWA and should exist over the area later this afternoon and evening. Deep layer shear of 30-40 kts are present, especially over the North Carolina zones being closer in vicinity to the better forcing and frontal zone. MLCAPE of 1000-2000+ J/kg is currently in place as well. Low-level southwesterly flow has allowed for a decent WAA regime out of the Gulf with PWAT values between 1.00'-1.25". Model guidance continue to agree that ridgetop convergence will set the stage for convective initiation after 19Z. Discrete cells will develop with robust supercell features. Steep and drier low/mid-level lapse rates and lower than normal freezing level (~10,000') suggest the onset threat will be large hail, with isolated convection capable of producing hail of 2" or greater and downbursts (DCAPE 600-800 J/kg), mainly across the North Carolina mountains/foothills. As the activity pushes east, CAMs continue to show upscale growth and the development of a cold pool late afternoon into the evening across the North Carolina Piedmont and northern Upstate to help aid in storm initiation downstream from the original starting point. Storm mode becomes more linear and allows for the hail threat to diminish, but upticks the damaging wind threat as the convection pushes further east. CAMs also depict another area of interest across the Upstate and northeast Georgia as the convection from Tennessee and northern portions of the Deep South grow upscale and make a run at the southern half of the CFWA, where the environment may be left untapped. Storm mode would be more linear in this case and look for the threat to be mainly damaging winds. In both cases when the storm mode shifts more linear, hodographs become a little more deeper as the LLJ (15-25 kts) is better established later this evening. In this case, a tornado or two can't be ruled out, but the lack of low-level shear will make full tornadogenesis difficult. The cold front to the northwest of the area will struggle to reach the CFWA until Friday afternoon as the upper-level pattern amplifies with the trough developing a closed upper low and slows down the frontal boundary advancement. As a result, lingering convection will be possible overnight as model guidance struggle to fully get rid of elevated CAPE and overall forcing. Convective debris will likely linger through much of the nighttime period, but if some clearing can get going expect areas of fog and possibly low stratus to settle in just before daybreak. The now closed upper low will intensify and set up shop over the Mid-Atlantic by Friday as the front gradually enters the CFWA from the northwest by late morning to early afternoon Friday. Another round of convection is expected ahead of the front during peak heating Friday. CAMs are not as excited with this potential, but still show an environment conducive for multi-cellular to supercellular storm mode as 25-35 kts of shear and 1000-2000 J/kg of MLCAPE develop. The overall forcing isn't the best, however, inverted-v profiles and dry mid-level indicate damaging winds will be the main threat, but large hail can't be ruled out. Coverage will be more isolated compared to today, but the severe threat will persist nonetheless as the cold front moves across the area during peak heating Friday. Afternoon highs will end up a few degrees above normal ahead of the front, but cooler than normal for locations behind the front (mainly across the mountains) during peak heating. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 200 PM EDT Thursday: Any left over convection will quickly dissipate with loss of heating Friday evening as drier and cooler high pressure builds in from the north and the frontal boundary moves south of the area. Lows now look to drop to near or 5 degrees below normal. Guidance continues to trend drier for Saturday as the drier air mass and surface high penetrate farther into the Southeast. Even with those expectations, there may be some showers over the Lakelands into the Upper Savannah River Valley as moisture may try to lift north over the stalled frontal boundary. Even if that occurs, any precip will be very light. Despite the cooler air mass, the lack of precip will allow temps to warm more than previously expected as no real cold air damming develops. Highs will still be around 5 degrees below normal. This drier trend continues into Sunday with precip slower to move back north as the moist low level flow and isentropic lift take longer to develop in response to the developing upper low and associated surface low near the Gulf Coast remaining farther south and west of the area. Still have a chance of showers moving into NE GA and the Upstate by afternoon with slight chance over NC. But again, any precip would be light. The lack of precip keeps the CAD from forming and allowing temps to warm more than previously expected. Didn't go full on with the model blend given the uncertainty, but highs end up around 5 degrees below normal but could be warmer if the precip remains slow to develop. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Thursday: Widespread precip does begin moving back into the area Sunday night as the stacked low pressure system begins moving north and a stronger, moist low level southerly flow and isentropic lift develop. This does help the hybrid cold air damming to set in by Monday and holding on through Monday night as precip continues. The CAD erodes Tuesday as the high moves well off shore cutting off support for the CAD and the stacked lows move north and east. Widespread precip remains over the area though with the strong, moist southerly flow and isentropic lift. The lows only slowly move northeast on Wednesday keeping moisture and precip over the area through the day. The lows finally move northeast of the area on Thursday, but some lingering NW flow showers may continue. There is a threat of moderate to heavy rainfall with this system. The guidance has poor run to run consistency of QPF however. In fact, overall precip will likely be on the lower side of guidance given the now drier short term. Still, some excessive rainfall and minor flooding can't be ruled out. There will be some thunderstorms once the CAD erodes, but chance of severe storms looks quite low for now. Highs will be around 10 degrees below normal Monday in the CAD, then slowly warming to near normal by Wed and above normal by Thursday. && .AVIATION /19Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... At KCLT and elsewhere: Diurnal cu with very low VFR cigs continue to roam the sky in anticipation of a SHRA/TSRA developing after 19Z in the mountains and pushing east across the rest of the area by 00Z, maybe a little after. Placed a TEMPO group at all TAF sites to forecast the best timing for TSRA and associated restrictions at each terminal. Strong winds (=> 30 kts) and large hail (=> 1") are possible through the afternoon and evening. Expect the coverage in SHRA/TSRA to dwindle around 06Z or so. Model guidance still hint at restrictions forming overnight through mid-morning with IFR/MVFR cigs/vsby. There are uncertainties for the overall extent of restrictions, but with the potential for heavy rainfall, ground fog could become an issue to go along with low stratus. Most vsby/cig restrictions should scatter around mid to late Friday morning. Winds continue out of the west to southwest this afternoon, while likely becoming variable with any thunderstorm that passes by. Winds should toggle more west to northwesterly on Friday as another round of SHRA/TSRA and associated restrictions are possible just after the end of the 18Z TAF update. Outlook: An unsettled pattern will linger into early next week keeping chances for showers and thunderstorms around as well as associated restrictions. && .GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. NC...None. SC...None. && SYNOPSIS...RWH NEAR TERM...CAC SHORT TERM...RWH LONG TERM...RWH AVIATION...CAC
Hazardous weather outlook, May 8, 4:28 PM EDT, 17 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 8, 4:13 PM EDT, 32 minutes before
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</html>The office that day
Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 3:16 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Polk | 29 min |
| May 8, 3:32 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Rutherford | 28 min |
| May 8, 3:34 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Madison | 26 min |
| May 8, 3:35 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Polk, Rutherford | 24 min |
| May 8, 3:38 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Buncombe, Madison | 31 min |
| May 8, 3:47 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Jackson | 28 min |
| May 8, 3:57 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Henderson | 33 min |
| May 8, 4:04 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Burke, McDowell, Rutherford | 41 min |
| May 8, 4:06 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Polk | 24 min |
| May 8, 4:10 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Buncombe | 35 min |
| May 8, 4:13 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Burke | 32 min |
| May 8, 4:16 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Buncombe | 45 min |
| May 8, 4:33 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Polk, Rutherford | 57 min |
| May 8, 4:39 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Burke, Cleveland, McDowell, Rutherford | 81 min |
| May 8, 4:52 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Caldwell | 23 min |
| May 8, 5:01 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Alexander, Caldwell | 59 min |
| May 8, 5:19 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Cleveland, Rutherford | 56 min |
| May 8, 5:22 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Caldwell | 39 min |
| May 8, 5:41 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Swain | 34 min |
| May 8, 5:44 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Rutherford | 31 min |
| May 8, 5:47 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Davie | 28 min |
| May 8, 5:51 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Henderson | 24 min |
| May 8, 6:00 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Henderson | 30 min |
| May 8, 6:07 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Burke, Catawba, Cleveland, Iredell, Lincoln | 68 min |
| May 8, 6:12 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Jackson | 33 min |
| May 8, 6:16 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Cleveland | 59 min |
| May 8, 6:18 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Henderson, Polk, Rutherford | 57 min |
| May 8, 6:20 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Jackson, Macon, Transylvania | 55 min |
| May 8, 6:22 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Buncombe, Henderson | 68 min |
| May 8, 6:46 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Rowan | 29 min |
| May 8, 7:03 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Henderson, Transylvania | 42 min |
| May 8, 7:09 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Gaston | 66 min |
| May 8, 7:14 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Cabarrus, Rowan | 61 min |
| May 8, 7:19 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Rutherford | 26 min |
| May 8, 7:24 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Cleveland, Rutherford | 51 min |
| May 8, 7:32 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Graham, Swain | 58 min |
| May 8, 7:36 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | GSP | Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford | 3 hr |
| May 8, 7:36 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Rutherford | 24 min |
| May 8, 7:47 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Buncombe | 28 min |
| May 8, 5:25 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Rabun | 35 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Carolina, 2025Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2025
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.