Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 166, NWS Raleigh, NC
NWS Raleigh, NC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 28, 2026, 7:47 PM EDT for 6 counties in North Carolina. It was in force for 73 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
- Jul 28, 2026, 7:47 PM EDT (23:47 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 28, 2026, 9:00 PM EDT
- In force
- 73 min
- Issued by
- NWS Raleigh, NC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Possible
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Alamance County, NC, Durham County, NC, Granville County, NC, Orange County, NC, Person County, NC, Wake County, NC
The radar
The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 64 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:51 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 1:14 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
| Jul 28, 6:50 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 11.8 hours before the alert went out and 86 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
- 321 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -111 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1087 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 29 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 56 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 70 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.2
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 Raleigh, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 28, 7:05 PM EDT, 42 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- As of 705 PM Tuesday... 1) Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for most of central NC through 100 AM. Main threat damaging wind. Secondary threat isolated tornado. 2) Dry through Saturday, then unsettled into next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 28, 7:05 PM EDT, 42 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 705 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... * New Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for all but the far NE part of the region through 100 AM. && .KEY MESSAGES... As of 705 PM Tuesday... 1) Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for most of central NC through 100 AM. Main threat damaging wind. Secondary threat isolated tornado. 2) Dry through Saturday, then unsettled into next week. && .DISCUSSION... As of 705 PM Tuesday... KEY MESSAGE 1... Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for most of central NC through 100 AM. Main threat damaging wind. Secondary threat isolated tornado. There continues to be an isolated tornado threat within a larger area of damaging thunderstorm wind threat as new storms develop into north-central NC. There continues to be a low level boundary (lee trough/outflow) in a SSW to NNE fashion from the Triad into VA. Low level wind shear 30-35 knots exists with the boundary. Severe storms have been rotating given the shear and boundary. Mix layer CAPE is maximized 2000 j/kg over the central Piedmont. Deep convection will probably continue to develop into central NC this evneing, Shear profiles will be supportive of supercells, particularly where coverage remains scattered and cells discrete, versus a tendency for bowing segments within the broken line of frontal convection. Storms should be enhanced through late evening, and likely weakening as they move SE into the Coastal Plain later. Again, a tornado is possible with any of the initital supercells. Insidents of wind damage are likely in the developiing cluters/bow segments. Key Message 2: Dry through Saturday, then unsettled into next week. Late Week through Weekend: High pressure shifts from the Upper Mississippi Valley on Wednesday, settling over the Mid-Atlantic by Friday. Expect near to below-average temperatures and fair weather through Saturday afternoon. The next round of precipitation arrives late Saturday evening into Sunday morning as tropical moisture interacts with a developing stationary boundary. Into Next Week: Unsettled weather persists through at least mid-week as the stationary boundary lingers overhead. Plentiful Gulf and Atlantic moisture will tap into this lingering boundary, bringing multiple rounds of showers and isolated thunderstorms across the region over several days. && .AVIATION /00Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 155 PM Tuesday... Low VFR to MVFR visibility restrictions in a band of now mostly stratiform rain will be possible for the next couple of hours at RWI and Piedmont sites. Deep convection will meanwhile continue to develop --with scattered coverage along an outflow and differential heating boundary draped at 18Z from near TNB to EXX and in a broken line along a synoptic cold front over the lwr OH Valley-- then propagate generally sewd and across the NC Piedmont between 19Z-02Z and, with lower probability of occurrence and if it holds together amid lesser instability and debris cloudiness from the aforementioned stratiform rain, into the RWI and FAY between 23-04Z. In the wake of the convection, clearing aloft will result atop residually moist low-levels and soils tonight, such that areas of mist/fog and low stratus may develop especially at ern sites. VFR conditions and a surface nwly wind, with gustiness into the teens kts especially over the Piedmont, will follow for Wed. Outlook: VFR conditions are generally expected until probably Sunday, when lift ahead of a mid/upr-level low approaching from the OH Valley will favor above average chances of showers/storms and flight restrictions. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && DISCUSSION...Badgett/MWS/CA AVIATION...MWS
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 28, 1:15 PM EDT, 6 hours 32 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 115 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026 NCZ007-021>023-038-039-073-291715- Person-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Davidson-Randolph-Stanly- 115 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 526 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. NCZ008>011-024>028-040>043-074>078-083>086-088-089-291715- Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Orange-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe- Chatham-Wake-Johnston-Wilson-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne- Anson-Richmond-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson- 115 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a slight (level 2 of 5) risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The greatest threat will be damaging wind gusts, though large hail and an isolated tornado will also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 28, 6:04 PM EDT, 1 hour 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
604 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
NCZ022-023-282315-
Guilford NC-Alamance NC-
604 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN ALAMANCE AND
NORTHEASTERN GUILFORD COUNTIES THROUGH 715 PM EDT...
At 604 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Reidsville, moving southeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Burlington, Graham, Mebane, Elon, McLeansville, Gibsonville, Haw
River, Lake Burlington, Monticello, and Lake Cammack Park & Marina.
This includes Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 137 and 145, between
Mile Markers 149 and 151, and Mile Marker 153 and near Mile Marker
155.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Doppler radar has indicated weak rotation with this storm. If the
storm intensifies and rotation strengthens, a warning may need to be
issued.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
central North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3625 7942 3608 7926 3607 7926 3606 7959
3625 7977 3624 7953 3625 7953
TIME...MOT...LOC 2204Z 314DEG 18KT 3634 7971
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
1Local storm report, Jul 28, 7:19 PM EDT, 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
719 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0655 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 E Altamahaw 36.18N 79.48W
07/28/2026 Alamance NC Emergency Mngr
Trees down in the area of Basin Creek Rd and
Danielly Waterwheel Rd.
&&
DLSpecial weather statement, Jul 28, 7:30 PM EDT, 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
730 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
NCZ022-023-039-040-290030-
Guilford NC-Chatham NC-Alamance NC-Randolph NC-
730 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN ALAMANCE...NORTHEASTERN
RANDOLPH...SOUTHEASTERN GUILFORD AND NORTHWESTERN CHATHAM COUNTIES
THROUGH 830 PM EDT...
At 730 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles north of Randleman, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Greensboro, Randleman, Siler City, Pleasant Garden, Liberty, Staley,
Climax, Forest Oaks, Snow Camp, and Randleman Regional Reservior
Marina.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 85 between Mile Markers 33 and 35, and between Mile
Markers 120 and 126.
Interstate 73 between Mile Markers 83 and 98.
Interstate 74 near Mile Marker 79.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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 800 PM EDT for
central North Carolina. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch also remains in
effect until 100 AM EDT for central North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3586 7992 3603 7985 3586 7918 3563 7927
TIME...MOT...LOC 2330Z 288DEG 28KT 3593 7980
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
1The office that day
Everything else NWS Raleigh, NC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 11:09 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Alamance, Orange, Person | 66 min |
| Jul 28, 6:04 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Alamance | 71 min |
| Jul 28, 6:19 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Alamance, Guilford | 71 min |
| Jul 28, 6:24 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RAH | Alamance, Guilford | 51 min |
| Jul 28, 7:01 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RAH | Alamance, Orange | 44 min |
| Jul 28, 7:30 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Chatham | 60 min |
| Jul 28, 7:37 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Orange, Wake | 53 min |
| Jul 28, 7:49 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RAH | Alamance, Durham, Orange | 2 hr |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Carolina, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.