Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 10, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this tornado warning at Jul 28, 2026, 7:26 PM EDT for Graham County, Swain County, North Carolina. It was in force for 49 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
- Jul 28, 2026, 7:26 PM EDT (23:26 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 28, 2026, 8:15 PM EDT
- In force
- 49 min
- Issued by
- NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 2.0 in
Counties Graham County, NC, Swain County, NC
The radar
The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 100 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:27 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 7:30 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Nne Tapoco, NC | Social media photos of trees downed near Deals Gap. |
| Jul 28, 7:40 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 5 Ssw Santeetlah, NC | Tree and utility line damage in the Snowbird area leading to power outages. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 1:14 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 228 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
- 1100 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -68 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1061 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 17 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 28 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 30 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 1.3
The text
As transmitted.
739
WFUS52 KGSP 282326
TORGSP
NCC075-173-290015-
/O.NEW.KGSP.TO.W.0010.260728T2326Z-260729T0015Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
726 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Swain County in western North Carolina...
Graham County in western North Carolina...
* Until 815 PM EDT.
* At 725 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 12 miles northwest of Robbinsville, or 4 miles west of
Smoky Mountains-Twentymile Creek, moving southeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and hail up to two inches in diameter.
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...
Town Of Santeetlah around 740 PM EDT.
Robbinsville around 750 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this dangerous thunderstorm include
Tapoco, Cheoah, Deals Gap, and Nantahala.
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 3545 8397 3546 8396 3547 8392 3552 8387
3528 8366 3528 8368 3525 8371 3524 8376
3526 8379 3525 8381 3525 8385 3523 8393
3544 8400
TIME...MOT...LOC 2325Z 334DEG 26KT 3547 8393
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
MPR1 follow-up statement
119
WWUS52 KGSP 290005
SVSGSP
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
805 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
NCC075-173-290015-
/O.EXP.KGSP.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-260729T0015Z/
Swain NC-Graham NC-
805 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN SWAIN AND GRAHAM COUNTIES
WILL EXPIRE AT 815 PM EDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
western North Carolina.
To report severe weather to the National Weather Service
Greenville-Spartanburg, call toll free, 1, 800, 2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, or
post on our Facebook page, or post it to X using hashtag nwsgsp. Your
message should describe the event and the specific location where it
occurred.
&&
LAT...LON 3545 8397 3546 8396 3547 8392 3552 8387
3528 8366 3528 8368 3525 8371 3524 8376
3526 8379 3525 8381 3525 8385 3523 8393
3544 8400
TIME...MOT...LOC 0005Z 334DEG 26KT 3522 8378
$$
MPRWhat 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 Jul 28, 1:34 PM EDT, 5 hours 52 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1. Severe weather is expected this afternoon and evening ahead of a cold front with the main hazards being damaging winds and large hail, but there will also be an isolated tornado threat. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings. 2. Heat and humidity peak today. A Heat Advisory remains in effect until 8 PM for portions of northeast Georgia and portions of the western South Carolina Upstate. Stay hydrated, limit time outdoors and spend as much time in air conditioning as possible. Never leave people or pets alone in a closed car. Look before you lock! 3. Less humid, drier, and cooler behind the front Wednesday through Friday. Even cooler conditions expected over the weekend into early next week with shower and thunderstorm chances returning.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 28, 1:34 PM EDT, 5 hours 52 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
134 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued for western North Carolina
and is in effect through 8 PM this evening.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1. Severe weather is expected this afternoon and evening ahead of
a cold front with the main hazards being damaging winds and large
hail, but there will also be an isolated tornado threat. Make
sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings.
2. Heat and humidity peak today. A Heat Advisory remains in effect
until 8 PM for portions of northeast Georgia and portions of the
western South Carolina Upstate. Stay hydrated, limit time outdoors
and spend as much time in air conditioning as possible. Never
leave people or pets alone in a closed car. Look before you lock!
3. Less humid, drier, and cooler behind the front Wednesday through
Friday. Even cooler conditions expected over the weekend into
early next week with shower and thunderstorm chances returning.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Key message 1: Severe weather is expected this afternoon and evening
ahead of a cold front with the main hazards being damaging winds and
large hail, but there will also be an isolated tornado threat. Make
sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued and is in effect for western
North Carolina until 8 PM this evening. The watch may need to be
expanded southward later this afternoon or early this evening but
this will depend on how storms evolve over the next several hours.
The Day 1 Severe Weather Outlook continues to highlight a Slight
Risk for much of the GSP CWA with damaging winds and large hail
expected to be the main hazards, although there will also be an
isolated tornado threat, especially across western North Carolina. A
very favorable environment will be in place for late July with 30-40
kts of deep layer shear, 2,000-3,000+ J/kg of SBCAPE, and 2,000-
2,500 J/kg of MLCAPE, so any storms that develop will have the
potential to become severe. Any discrete supercells that develop
initially will have the potential to produce large hail but the hail
threat should gradually lower as cells attempt to converge more into
a line as storms push southward, per the 12Z CAMs. The tornado
threat and damaging wind threat will linger throughout the duration
of the event as both discrete supercells and storms eventually
trying to organize into more of a line will keep these hazards
around. With low-level 0-1 km shear ranging from mostly 10-20 kts
this afternoon and early evening, per 12Z high-res model soundings,
and with ~100-200 J/kg of 0-1 SRH expected, the tornado threat
should remain low and isolated. Storms should clear the GSP CWA by
around 9-10 PM.
Key message 2: Heat and humidity peak today. A Heat Advisory remains
in effect until 8 PM for portions of northeast Georgia and portions
of the western South Carolina Upstate. Stay hydrated, limit time
outdoors and spend as much time in air conditioning as possible.
Never leave people or pets alone in a closed car. Look before you
lock!
Increased SW'ly flow will allow highs to end up around 4-8 degrees
above normal this afternoon. Afternoon temperatures will climb into
the lower to mid 90s east of the mountains and the upper 80s to
lower 90s across the typically warmer mountain valleys. Heat indices
east of the mountains will climb into the upper 90s to lower 100s.
The Heat Advisory remains in effect through 8 PM for Elbert, Hart,
Franklin, and Stephens counties in NE GA and for Greenwood,
Abbeville, Anderson, and Oconee (non-mountains) counties in SC as
these locations will see heat indices range from 105-108 degrees.
Breezy W/SW winds ahead of the cold front will help provide a bit of
relief from the heat and humidity this afternoon and early evening.
Key message 3: Less humid, drier, and cooler behind the front
Wednesday through Friday. Even cooler conditions expected over the
weekend into early next week with shower and thunderstorm chances
returning.
The front will stall across the Deep South/Southeast during the rest
of the workweek as surface high pressure builds into the region from
the north. As a result, dry and cooler conditions will return
Wednesday into Friday night. The front will slowly lift back
northward this weekend into early next week allowing shower and
thunderstorm chances to return. Even cooler temperatures are
expected this weekend into Monday, with highs ending up just below
normal to start August.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Strong to severe TSRA will develop ahead of a
cold front this afternoon and evening. The main hazards are damaging
wind gusts and large hail but there will also be a isolated and low-
end tornado threat. Went with TEMPOs across the NC terminals as
confidence is highest that these areas will see TSRA and associated
restrictions. Maintained PROB30s across the SC terminals as
confidence on TSRA and associated restrictions is lower. VFR
conditions will prevail outside of TSRA this afternoon/evening but
KAVL could see MVFR stratus develop around daybreak. Winds will
generally be SW/W east of the mountains ahead of the front, turning
WNW/NW behind the front overnight. Winds at KAVL will start out
W/WNW ahead of the front, turning NW behind the front early this
evening. Low-end gusts from 18-22 kts can be expected this afternoon
and evening across the terminals, with higher gusts expected within
any TSRA that tracks directly over a terminal. Gusts will gradually
diminish by late this evening east of the mountains but will linger
at KAVL through the 18Z TAF period. Dry conditions return behind the
front late this evening and will linger through Wednesday.
Outlook: Dry and mostly VFR through Friday, with shower and
thunderstorm chances and associated restrictions returning this
weekend into early next week. Low stratus and/or fog will be
possible each morning, mainly in the mtn valleys.
&&
.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for GAZ018-026-028-
029.
NC...None.
SC...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ010-011-019-
104.
&&
ARIn the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 28, 5:52 PM EDT, 1 hour 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Corrected
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
552 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0511 PM Hail 4 NE Stony Point 35.90N 80.99W
07/28/2026 M1.75 Inch Iredell NC Fire Dept/Rescue
Corrects previous hail report from 4 NE
Stony Point. Reports of golf ball sized hail
on Pisgah Church Road.
0511 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 NE Stony Point 35.90N 80.99W
07/28/2026 Iredell NC Fire Dept/Rescue
Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 4
NE Stony Point. Trees down on Pisgah Church
Road.
&&Local storm report, Jul 28, 6:30 PM EDT, 56 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
630 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0601 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 N Bethlehem 35.86N 81.30W
07/28/2026 Alexander NC Fire Dept/Rescue
Reported tree blocking Baker Teague Road.
&&
PLLocal storm report, Jul 28, 6:47 PM EDT, 39 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
647 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0556 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 NW Bethlehem 35.85N 81.34W
07/28/2026 Alexander NC Fire Dept/Rescue
Tree fell on a structure at 196 Unnamed
Lane.
&&
PLSpecial weather statement, Jul 28, 6:49 PM EDT, 37 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
649 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
NCZ035-036-282315-
Iredell NC-Alexander NC-
649 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT ALEXANDER AND CENTRAL IREDELL
COUNTIES THROUGH 715 PM EDT...
At 649 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Taylorsville, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch 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...
Statesville, Taylorsville, Stony Point, Bethlehem, Lake Hickory,
Hiddenite, Little River In Alexander County, Turnersburg,
Millersville, and Ellendale.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
western and the Piedmont of North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3592 8077 3573 8080 3580 8113 3581 8114
3583 8114 3582 8119 3582 8120 3581 8122
3584 8134 3586 8134 3598 8125
TIME...MOT...LOC 2249Z 289DEG 30KT 3589 8119
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CACLocal storm report, Jul 28, 6:57 PM EDT, 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
657 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0633 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ESE Conover 35.71N 81.21W
07/28/2026 Catawba NC Broadcast Media
Trees down.
&&
PLLocal storm report, Jul 28, 7:00 PM EDT, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
700 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0633 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ENE Conover 35.72N 81.20W
07/28/2026 Catawba NC Broadcast Media
Trees down.
&&
PLThe office that day
Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 11:28 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Madison | 47 min |
| Jul 28, 1:17 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Avery | 43 min |
| Jul 28, 2:13 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Alexander | 32 min |
| Jul 28, 2:44 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Alexander, Iredell | 40 min |
| Jul 28, 3:31 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Avery, Mitchell | 29 min |
| Jul 28, 3:35 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Graham | 40 min |
| Jul 28, 3:38 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Haywood | 37 min |
| Jul 28, 3:48 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Graham, Swain | 42 min |
| Jul 28, 3:57 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Madison | 33 min |
| Jul 28, 4:09 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Avery, Mitchell | 36 min |
| Jul 28, 4:17 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Alexander | 43 min |
| Jul 28, 4:26 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Jackson | 34 min |
| Jul 28, 4:49 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Iredell | 41 min |
| Jul 28, 4:52 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Alexander, Iredell | 38 min |
| Jul 28, 4:58 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Avery, Burke, Caldwell, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey | 47 min |
| Jul 28, 5:18 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Madison, Yancey | 42 min |
| Jul 28, 5:21 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Iredell, Rowan | 26 min |
| Jul 28, 5:36 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Madison, Yancey | 39 min |
| Jul 28, 5:42 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Avery, Burke, Caldwell, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey | 48 min |
| Jul 28, 5:45 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Alexander, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell | 45 min |
| Jul 28, 6:02 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Buncombe, Haywood, Madison, Swain | 43 min |
| Jul 28, 6:14 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Buncombe, Madison, Yancey | 61 min |
| Jul 28, 6:17 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Alexander, Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln | 28 min |
| Jul 28, 6:22 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GSP | Buncombe, Madison | 38 min |
| Jul 28, 6:26 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and 1 more | 49 min |
| Jul 28, 6:33 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | GSP | Madison | 2 hr |
| Jul 28, 6:44 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan | 46 min |
| Jul 28, 6:48 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Swain, Transylvania | 57 min |
| Jul 28, 6:49 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GSP | Alexander, Iredell | 26 min |
| Jul 28, 6:50 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford | 55 min |
| Jul 28, 6:54 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Graham, Jackson, Macon, Swain | 51 min |
| Jul 28, 7:07 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Burke, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, McDowell and 2 more | 53 min |
| Jul 28, 7:16 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Henderson, Polk | 59 min |
| Jul 28, 7:24 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Cabarrus, Catawba, Davie, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg and 1 more | 51 min |
| Jul 28, 7:44 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Jackson, Transylvania | 23 min |
| Jul 28, 7:48 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Jackson, Macon | 57 min |
| Jul 28, 7:52 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Jackson, Macon, Swain | 53 min |
| Jul 28, 7:56 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GSP | Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg | 49 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.