Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 1, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this tornado warning at Mar 16, 2026, 7:12 AM EDT for Madison County, Yancey County, North Carolina. It was in force for 33 min. 2 reports 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
- Mar 16, 2026, 7:12 AM EDT (11:12 UTC)
- Expired
- Mar 16, 2026, 7:45 AM EDT
- In force
- 33 min
- Issued by
- NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Madison County, NC, Yancey County, NC
The radar
The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 100 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:15 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16, 7:15 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | Mars Hill, NC | Smattering of downed trees in the Banjo Branch, Turkey Creek Rd & Holcombe Branch areas. |
| Mar 16, 7:15 AM EDT | TORNADO | 4 E Mars Hill, NC | An EF-0 tornado with peak estimated winds around 80 mph touched down several miles east of Mars Hill, uprooting and snapping numerous trees. A path of damage was evident for a little over 2 miles along Paint Fork Road before disappearing into the higher terrai |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this tornado warning; the first came 3 minutes after it went out.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16, 4:36 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 00:00Z, 11.2 hours before the alert went out and 220 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
- 18 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -26 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 690 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 35 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 168 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 293 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
043
WFUS52 KGSP 161112
TORGSP
NCC115-199-161145-
/O.NEW.KGSP.TO.W.0001.260316T1112Z-260316T1145Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
712 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
East central Madison County in western North Carolina...
Central Yancey County in western North Carolina...
* Until 745 AM EDT.
* At 712 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles east of Marshall, or near Mars Hill, moving
northeast 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...
Burnsville around 730 AM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this dangerous thunderstorm include Green
Mountain, Celo, Swiss, and Micaville.
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 post it to X using hashtag nwsgsp.
Your message should describe the event and the specific location
where it occurred.
&&
LAT...LON 3602 8227 3600 8227 3599 8225 3601 8225
3602 8222 3596 8219 3595 8220 3593 8218
3586 8214 3582 8236 3582 8238 3581 8244
3581 8246 3580 8247 3580 8252 3577 8259
3584 8261 3603 8229
TIME...MOT...LOC 1112Z 246DEG 35KT 3582 8253
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
ARK2 follow-up statements
636
WWUS52 KGSP 161124
SVSGSP
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
724 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
NCC115-161134-
/O.CAN.KGSP.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260316T1145Z/
Madison NC-
724 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL MADISON COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 AM EDT for
western North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3602 8227 3600 8227 3599 8225 3601 8225
3601 8222 3596 8219 3595 8220 3591 8217
3586 8214 3582 8235 3582 8241 3587 8243
3590 8245 3591 8249 3603 8229
TIME...MOT...LOC 1124Z 247DEG 39KT 3588 8238
$$
NCC199-161145-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260316T1145Z/
Yancey NC-
724 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 AM EDT FOR CENTRAL
YANCEY COUNTY...
At 724 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 5 miles southwest of Burnsville, moving northeast at 45
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...
Burnsville around 730 AM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Green
Mountain, Celo, Swiss, and Micaville.
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 post it to X using hashtag nwsgsp.
Your message should describe the event and the specific location
where it occurred.
&&
LAT...LON 3602 8227 3600 8227 3599 8225 3601 8225
3601 8222 3596 8219 3595 8220 3591 8217
3586 8214 3582 8235 3582 8241 3587 8243
3590 8245 3591 8249 3603 8229
TIME...MOT...LOC 1124Z 247DEG 39KT 3588 8238
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
ARK651
WWUS52 KGSP 161137
SVSGSP
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
737 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
NCC199-161146-
/O.EXP.KGSP.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260316T1145Z/
Yancey NC-
737 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL YANCEY COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 745
AM EDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning will
be allowed to expire.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 AM EDT for
western North Carolina.
To report severe weather to the National Weather Service
Greenville-Spartanburg, call toll free, 1, 800, 2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, or
post on our Facebook page, or post it to X using hashtag nwsgsp. Your
message should describe the event and the specific location where it
occurred.
Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
Yancey County until 745 AM EDT.
&&
LAT...LON 3602 8227 3600 8227 3599 8225 3601 8225
3601 8222 3596 8219 3595 8220 3591 8217
3586 8214 3582 8235 3582 8241 3587 8243
3590 8245 3591 8249 3603 8229
TIME...MOT...LOC 1136Z 246DEG 35KT 3593 8225
$$
ARKWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Mar 16, 6:52 AM EDT, 20 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1. A line of severe thunderstorms will cross the area this morning with a threat for damaging wind and tornadoes. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings and think about where you would seek safe shelter if a warning was issued for your location. 2. Precipitation will change to snow across the higher mountain elevations this afternoon with period of northwest flow snow through this evening. Gusty winds will develop behind the cold front this afternoon and continue through Tuesday. 3. Cold air mass lingers through Wednesday night, with freezing temperatures returning Tuesday night and possibly again Wednesday night. Warmer temperatures return Thursday into the weekend, with mostly dry conditions continuing.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 16, 6:52 AM EDT, 20 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
652 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
The aviation forecast was updated to reflect the 12Z TAF issuance.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1. A line of severe thunderstorms will cross the area this morning
with a threat for damaging wind and tornadoes. Make sure you have
multiple ways to receive warnings and think about where you would
seek safe shelter if a warning was issued for your location.
2. Precipitation will change to snow across the higher mountain
elevations this afternoon with period of northwest flow snow
through this evening. Gusty winds will develop behind the cold
front this afternoon and continue through Tuesday.
3. Cold air mass lingers through Wednesday night, with freezing
temperatures returning Tuesday night and possibly again Wednesday
night. Warmer temperatures return Thursday into the weekend,
with mostly dry conditions continuing.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Key message 1: A line of severe thunderstorms will cross the area
this morning with a threat for damaging wind and tornadoes. Make
sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings and think about
where you would seek safe shelter if a warning was issued for your
location.
A line severe thunderstorms is moving into E TN and NW GA at this
time. This line moves into our area this morning and quickly moves
east by this afternoon. Instability,shear, and forcing will be
sufficient for these severe storms to remain intact as they cross
the mountains and spread across the rest of the forecast area. The
latest CAMs have sped up the movement of this line with storms
entering the mountains as early as 4 AM and them east of the area by
noon. Have followed suit with our forecast. Low level shear remains
high along with strongly curved hodographs even though SBCAPE is
relatively weak. However, it is strong enough, along with the
forcing, for damaging winds and isolated tornadoes to develop as the
line crosses the area.
Expect gusty S to SW winds to develop across the area outside of any
thunderstorms given the strong low level winds and good mixing. An
area of generally light showers will move in behind the line and
remain over the area into the afternoon before the cold front moves
through with clearing outside of the mountains.
Highs will be earlier than the normal diurnal curve today with a
cold air mass rushing in behind the front.
Key message 2: Precipitation will change to snow across the higher
mountain elevations this afternoon with period of northwest flow
snow through this evening. Gusty winds will develop behind the cold
front this afternoon and continue through Tuesday.
Strong cold advection behind the front will bring a precipitation
changeover to snow across the higher mountain elevations during the
afternoon. These northwest flow snow showers will continue into the
evening before tapering off after midnight. The latest guidance has
increased snowfall totals with amounts of 2 to 6 inches above 3500
feet in the higher elevations along the TN border. Amounts around 8
inches are possible in the highest elevations of the Smokies. The
guidance has increased the probability of these amounts high enough
to increase confidence that a Winter Weather Advisory is needed for
elevations above 3500 feet for the counties along the TN border.
Some valley locations will see a dusting to perhaps an inch. Winds
turn to the NW and become very gusty behind the front. High
elevations of the NC mountains will see gusts as high as 55 mph, so
the Wind Advisory still looks well placed. That said, gusts to 35
mph and possibly 40 mph will be possible for the lower mountain
elevations, and some locations outside of the mountains. The gusty
winds linger into Tuesday, but not as strong as today's winds. The
cold air mass will bring lows 10 to 20 degrees below normal. Highs
Tuesday 15 to 20 degrees below normal.
Key message 3: Cold air mass lingers through Wednesday night, with
freezing temperatures returning Tuesday night and possibly again
Wednesday night. Warmer temperatures return Thursday into the
weekend, with mostly dry conditions continuing.
Upper troughing remains over the region through Friday before
pushing east over the weekend. At the surface, cool and dry high
pressure continues building over the East Coast through Wednesday,
bringing much cooler and well below normal temperatures. Lows
Tuesday night are likely to fall below freezing again, with the NBM
showing a 100% chance of temperatures falling below 33 degrees
across nearly the entire GSP CWA. Lows Wednesday night could fall
below freezing again, but the NBM shows lower probabilities (~40% to
70%) of T<33, mainly for locations east of the mountains. Thus,
confidence on freezing temperatures east of the mountains Wednesday
night is lower compared to Tuesday night. Regardless of lows falling
below freezing again Wednesday night, sensitive plants that have
already bloomed from the recent abnormally warm weather will remain
particularly vulnerable to these cold temperatures each night.
The southern periphery of the surface ridge will extend across the
Southeast through Thursday night before getting pinched off Friday
into Friday night as a cold front sinks southward across the Great
Lakes and Ohio Valley. The area of high pressure will then center
itself over Florida/the eastern Gulf over the weekend while a mostly
dry and weak cold front tracks across Georgia and the Carolinas late
Saturday. This pattern will allow much warmer, well above normal
temperatures to return Friday into the weekend. Thursday will be
warmer as well, but will most locations will see highs end up near
to just below normal. Mostly dry conditions should linger for most
areas as well.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Line of convection moving into the area at
this time. Have TEMPOs for TSRA and strong variable winds with MVFR
restriction for this. Once the line moves through, MVFR SHRA
continues into the afternoon with gusty WSW winds. When the cold
front moves through later in the afternoon, skies clear out and
winds turn W to NW and remain gusty. Winds drop off overnight. KAVL
sees S wind and LLWS, turning NW behind the line with winds
becoming very gusty for the afternoon into the evening. Gusts remain
all night with low VFR and possibly MVFR cigs. There is also a low
chance of flurries there, but too low for the TAF at this time.
Outlook: Gusts subside on Tuesday and come to an end by Wednesday
morning, with VFR through Friday
&&
.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None.
NC...Winter Weather Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 3 AM EDT
Tuesday for NCZ033-048>052-058.
Wind Advisory from 4 PM this afternoon to 5 AM EDT Tuesday for
NCZ033-048>053-058-059-063-064.
SC...None.
&&
AR/RWHIn the hours before
Special weather statement, Mar 16, 4:17 AM EDT, 2 hours 55 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
417 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
SCZ010-102-103-105-106-160845-
Central Greenville SC-Anderson SC-Pickens Mountains SC-
Greater Pickens SC-Greenville Mountains SC-
417 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN GREENVILLE...NORTH
CENTRAL ANDERSON AND PICKENS COUNTIES THROUGH 445 AM EDT...
At 417 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Pickens, moving northeast at 60 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Greenville Downtown, Easley, Clemson, Pickens, West Greenville,
Taylors, Berea, Welcome, Powdersville, and Travelers Rest.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3491 8290 3517 8250 3517 8248 3488 8227
3462 8282
TIME...MOT...LOC 0817Z 240DEG 51KT 3486 8277
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ARSpecial weather statement, Mar 16, 4:31 AM EDT, 2 hours 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
431 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
SCZ010-106-107-160900-
Central Greenville SC-Anderson SC-Southern Greenville SC-
431 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL GREENVILLE AND
NORTHEASTERN ANDERSON COUNTIES THROUGH 500 AM EDT...
At 431 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southeast of Clemson, or 4 miles north of Northlake, moving
northeast at 60 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Greenville Downtown, Greenville Eastside, Mauldin, Five Forks,
Powdersville, Piedmont, Northlake, Pendleton, Donaldson Center, and
West Greenville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3464 8283 3465 8282 3490 8226 3479 8220
3453 8275
TIME...MOT...LOC 0831Z 225DEG 51KT 3463 8270
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ARSpecial weather statement, Mar 16, 4:51 AM EDT, 2 hours 21 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
451 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
NCZ065-508>510-SCZ103-106-108-160915-
Greater Rutherford NC-Henderson NC-Polk Mountains NC-Eastern Polk NC-
Northern Spartanburg SC-Central Greenville SC-
Greenville Mountains SC-
451 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN RUTHERFORD...
SOUTHEASTERN HENDERSON...POLK...NORTHEASTERN GREENVILLE AND
NORTHWESTERN SPARTANBURG COUNTIES THROUGH 515 AM EDT...
At 451 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles west of Columbus to 10 miles northeast
of Greenville Downtown. Movement was northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Columbus, Landrum, Tryon, Campobello, Saluda, Tigerville, Lake Bowen,
Lake Robinson, Paris Mountain State Park, and Green Hill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 AM EDT for
western North Carolina...and Upstate South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3552 8204 3512 8202 3491 8239 3527 8240
3540 8222 3540 8219 3545 8215
TIME...MOT...LOC 0851Z 228DEG 42KT 3525 8233 3498 8231
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ARKSpecial weather statement, Mar 16, 4:55 AM EDT, 2 hours 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
455 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
SCZ010-012-106>109-160930-
Northern Spartanburg SC-Central Greenville SC-Laurens SC-
Southern Spartanburg SC-Anderson SC-Southern Greenville SC-
455 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN LAURENS...
SOUTHEASTERN GREENVILLE...WESTERN SPARTANBURG AND NORTHEASTERN
ANDERSON COUNTIES THROUGH 530 AM EDT...
At 454 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles northwest of Greenville Downtown to 8
miles east of Anderson. Movement was northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Greenville Downtown, Greenville Eastside, West Greenville, Greer,
Mauldin, Taylors, Simpsonville, Berea, Five Forks, and Fountain Inn.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 AM EDT for
Upstate South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3480 8252 3483 8248 3493 8251 3511 8204
3465 8206 3449 8253
TIME...MOT...LOC 0854Z 242DEG 41KT 3492 8249 3454 8250
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ARKSpecial weather statement, Mar 16, 5:44 AM EDT, 1 hour 28 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
544 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
NCZ051-059-161015-
Swain NC-Northern Jackson NC-
544 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN JACKSON AND
NORTHEASTERN SWAIN COUNTIES THROUGH 615 AM EDT...
At 544 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles north of Bryson City, or near Smoky Mountains-Deep Creek,
moving northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Bryson City, Cherokee, Smoky Mountains-Newfound Gap, Smoky
Mountains-Deep Creek, Smoky Mountains-Kuwohi, Smoky
Mountains-Oconaluftee, Smoky Mountains-Balsam Mountain, B.R.
Parkway-Smoky Mountains To Balsam Gap, and Great Smoky Mountains
National Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 AM EDT for
western North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3557 8353 3557 8349 3561 8345 3562 8340
3567 8334 3566 8330 3569 8326 3569 8322
3568 8319 3567 8318 3564 8320 3563 8318
3560 8319 3556 8316 3551 8318 3550 8319
3540 8350 3554 8357
TIME...MOT...LOC 0944Z 243DEG 44KT 3550 8346
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ARSpecial weather statement, Mar 16, 6:01 AM EDT, 1 hour 11 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
601 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
NCZ035-036-056-068-069-501-502-504-161030-
Caldwell Mountains NC-Iredell NC-Cleveland NC-Lincoln NC-
Greater Burke NC-Greater Caldwell NC-Alexander NC-Catawba NC-
601 AM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CATAWBA...ALEXANDER...
NORTHWESTERN LINCOLN...NORTHWESTERN IREDELL...EASTERN CALDWELL...
NORTH CENTRAL CLEVELAND AND SOUTHEASTERN BURKE COUNTIES THROUGH 630
AM EDT...
At 600 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 10 miles east of Blowing Rock to 14 miles
southeast of Morganton. Movement was northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hickory, Statesville, Lenoir, Newton, Taylorsville, St. Stephens,
Conover, Longview, Sawmills, and Granite Falls.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 AM EDT for
western and the Piedmont of North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3607 8141 3604 8140 3602 8135 3600 8133
3603 8127 3604 8120 3603 8117 3604 8113
3603 8107 3606 8098 3605 8078 3581 8082
3543 8161 3610 8155 3611 8153
TIME...MOT...LOC 1000Z 233DEG 39KT 3607 8149 3556 8158
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ARKThe office that day
Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16, 1:56 AM EDT | Winter Weather Advisory | GSP | Avery, Graham, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Swain and 1 more | 37 hr |
| Mar 16, 4:41 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Graham, Swain | 64 min |
| Mar 16, 4:51 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Polk | 24 min |
| Mar 16, 5:24 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford | 51 min |
| Mar 16, 5:24 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Macon | 66 min |
| Mar 16, 5:44 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Swain | 31 min |
| Mar 16, 6:01 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Alexander, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell | 29 min |
| Mar 16, 6:17 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Transylvania | 73 min |
| Mar 16, 6:40 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Buncombe, Madison, Yancey | 65 min |
| Mar 16, 7:05 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford | 55 min |
| Mar 16, 7:31 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Avery, Burke, Caldwell, McDowell, Mitchell | 59 min |
| Mar 16, 7:42 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Cleveland, Polk, Rutherford | 63 min |
| Mar 16, 8:16 AM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Cleveland, Rutherford | 33 min |
| Mar 16, 8:20 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba | 55 min |
| Mar 16, 8:33 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln | 57 min |
| Mar 16, 9:01 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Alexander, Catawba, Davie, Iredell, Rowan | 59 min |
| Mar 16, 9:04 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Cabarrus, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg | 56 min |
| Mar 16, 9:35 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Davie, Rowan | 55 min |
| Mar 16, 9:39 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Union | 66 min |
| Mar 16, 9:40 AM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Cabarrus, Mecklenburg | 35 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes in 2026
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.