Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 225, NWS Raleigh, NC
NWS Raleigh, NC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 21, 2026, 2:57 PM EDT for Cumberland County, Sampson County, North Carolina. It was in force for 49 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
- Aug 21, 2026, 2:57 PM EDT (18:57 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 21, 2026, 3:46 PM EDT
- In force
- 49 min
- Issued by
- NWS Raleigh, NC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Cumberland County, NC, Sampson County, NC
The radar
The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 72 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:01 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 1:40 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Newport, NC (KMHX), launched 12:00Z, 7.0 hours before the alert went out and 159 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
- 2125 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -29 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 913 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 20 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -8 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 17 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- -0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.4
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 Aug 21, 2:45 PM EDT, 12 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- As of 245 PM Friday... 1) There is a risk of excessive rainfall across the entire forecast area, primarily during the afternoon and early evening. 2) There is a risk of severe thunderstorms across the entire forecast area this afternoon and evening, with the greatest threat along and south of US-64.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 21, 2:45 PM EDT, 12 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 245 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... * Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for southern counties this afternoon. * Flood watch expanded to Anson county. && .KEY MESSAGES... As of 245 PM Friday... 1) There is a risk of excessive rainfall across the entire forecast area, primarily during the afternoon and early evening. 2) There is a risk of severe thunderstorms across the entire forecast area this afternoon and evening, with the greatest threat along and south of US-64. && .DISCUSSION... As of 245 PM Friday... KEY MESSAGE 1... There is a risk of excessive rainfall across the entire forecast area, primarily during the afternoon and early evening. The Weather Prediction Center has the entire forecast area under a slight (level 2 of 4) risk for excessive rainfall. Locally, a flood watch was issued overnight for much of the area, excluding the Triad and areas northeast of the Triangle, going through Saturday morning. A boundary is set up across southern counties, having pushed slightly farther south than anticipated. From Sanford and Erwin to the northeast, low clouds and northerly flow have kept temperatures primarily in the 70s, while out in the Triad and southern counties, more sun has allowed for temperatures to climb in the 80s and lower 90s. While convective-allowing models have performed poorly over the last day or two, there are still indications that thunderstorms currently developing along the North Carolina/South Carolina border will expand in coverage and push to the north during the afternoon. With slow storm movement, deep moisture, and "skinny CAPE", these storms will have the potential to bring multiple inches of rain in a short period of time. In particular, the 12Z HREF shows approximately a 50% potential for 3 inches of rain in 3 hours just to the south of the Triangle during the late afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms will likely peak in coverage before sunset, continue into the evening, then rapidly drop off after midnight. KEY MESSAGE 2... There is a risk of severe thunderstorms across the entire forecast area this afternoon and evening, with the greatest threat along and south of US-64. The Storm Prediction Center has placed the Triad and counties along the VA/NC border in a marginal (level 1 of 5) risk, with the rest of the forecast area in a slight (level 2 of 5) risk. The primary threat is damaging winds, although large hail cannot be ruled out. As of 2pm, there is minimal MLCAPE and large amounts of CIN along and to the north of US-64, while the greatest instability is to the south of the boundary that was discussed in Key Message 1. That is the primary reason that the Severe Thunderstorm Watch that was issued around 1:30pm only included the southern half of the forecast area and did not extend any farther to the north. Across Cumberland and Sampson counties, the MLCAPE is as high as 3000 J/kg. There is at least 30 kt of effective bulk shear across the forecast area, which should help to eventually organize storms. The greatest threat for severe thunderstorms should be over the next several hours, and the Severe Thunderstorm Watch is valid through 9pm. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 145 PM Friday... TAF period: Confidence is lower than normal in the details of these TAFs due to the uncertainty with thunderstorms and where they will develop today; however, confidence is high that all terminals will experience at least some rain this afternoon and have low ceilings overnight. Thunderstorms are beginning to develop along the North Carolina/South Carolina border and will increase in coverage as they move northeast. Have gone with prevailing showers at all sites, continuing a TEMPO group during the most likely 4 hour window for thunderstorms. Visibility reductions with the storms may be slightly greater than normal considering heavy rain rates are expected today. There is a bit of uncertainty as to how long the prevailing rain will last into this evening, but IFR ceilings are likely to quickly expand from INT/GSO south and east after dark, with all sites expected to eventually develop LIFR ceilings. The ceilings should lift to MVFR by late Saturday morning, with scattered showers developing by that time at RDU/FAY/RWI. Outlook: Precipitation will primarily be at RDU/FAY/RWI Saturday afternoon, although it cannot be ruled out at INT/GSO. Widespread restrictions are not currently forecast for any sites Saturday night, although if precipitation is heavy enough, there could be local restrictions. Dry VFR conditions are expected Sunday through Tuesday night before a chance of thunderstorms returns to all terminals Wednesday. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Saturday morning for NCZ023>025-039>043- 073>078-083>086-088-089. && DISCUSSION...Green AVIATION...Green
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 21, 11:44 AM EDT, 3 hours 13 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 1144 AM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026 NCZ023>025-039>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-221545- Alamance-Orange-Durham-Randolph-Chatham-Wake-Johnston-Wilson-Stanly- Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Anson-Richmond-Scotland-Hoke- Cumberland-Sampson- 1144 AM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING... 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. Flood Watch. Flood Watch. There is also a marginal to slight risk of severe thunderstorms through this evening. The main threat will be damaging wind. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ007>011-021-022-026>028-038-221545- Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Forsyth-Guilford-Franklin-Nash- Edgecombe-Davidson- 1144 AM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. There is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms into this evening. The main threat is from damaging wind. Locally heavy rain is also possible, with localized minor flooding of urban and poor drainage areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Aug 21, 12:26 PM EDT, 2 hours 31 minutes before
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</html>Local storm report, Aug 21, 12:43 PM EDT, 2 hours 14 minutes before
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</html>Special weather statement, Aug 21, 1:05 PM EDT, 1 hour 52 minutes before
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</html>Local storm report, Aug 21, 2:53 PM EDT, 4 minutes before
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</html>Local storm report, Aug 21, 2:56 PM EDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
256 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0210 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSE Rockfish 34.97N 79.07W
08/21/2026 Hoke NC 911 Call Center
Tree down on home on Briar Hill Road.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Raleigh, NC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2:13 AM EDT | Flood Watch | RAH | Alamance, Anson, Chatham, Cumberland, Durham, Harnett and 14 more | 24 hr |
| Aug 21, 7:44 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Forsyth | 91 min |
| Aug 21, 9:31 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Davidson, Forsyth | 59 min |
| Aug 21, 12:26 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Richmond | 49 min |
| Aug 21, 12:28 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Hoke, Moore, Richmond, Scotland | 47 min |
| Aug 21, 1:05 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Hoke | 55 min |
| Aug 21, 1:28 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Hoke, Scotland | 62 min |
| Aug 21, 1:38 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RAH | Hoke, Moore, Richmond, Scotland | 92 min |
| Aug 21, 2:06 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Cumberland, Hoke | 54 min |
| Aug 21, 2:46 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Sampson | 44 min |
| Aug 21, 2:47 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RAH | Cumberland | 3 hr |
| Aug 21, 3:07 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RAH | Sampson, Wayne | 4 hr |
| Aug 21, 3:25 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Sampson, Wayne | 65 min |
| Aug 21, 3:27 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RAH | Cumberland, Sampson | 3 hr |
| Aug 21, 3:34 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Sampson | 41 min |
| Aug 21, 4:08 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Anson, Davidson, Montgomery, Randolph, Stanly | 52 min |
| Aug 21, 4:31 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Anson, Richmond, Scotland | 59 min |
| Aug 21, 4:41 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Anson, Davidson, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Stanly | 64 min |
| Aug 21, 5:05 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RAH | Montgomery, Stanly | 3 hr |
| Aug 21, 5:15 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RAH | Anson, Montgomery, Richmond | 3 hr |
| Aug 21, 5:23 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Anson, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond and 2 more | 67 min |
| Aug 21, 5:27 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RAH | Anson, Richmond, Stanly | 3 hr |
| Aug 21, 5:33 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RAH | Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Stanly | 3 hr |
| Aug 21, 5:36 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Alamance, Chatham, Orange | 54 min |
| Aug 21, 5:49 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Alamance, Chatham, Orange, Randolph | 41 min |
| Aug 21, 6:03 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RAH | Chatham, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph | 27 min |
| Aug 21, 6:22 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Hoke, Richmond, Scotland | 38 min |
| Aug 21, 6:28 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Chatham, Harnett, Lee, Moore | 47 min |
| Aug 21, 6:34 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Orange, Wake | 41 min |
| Aug 21, 7:01 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Granville, Vance, Warren | 59 min |
| Aug 21, 7:07 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RAH | Durham, Harnett, Wake | 53 min |
| Aug 21, 7:09 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RAH | Alamance, Durham, Orange | 3 hr |
| Aug 21, 7:39 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RAH | Durham, Granville, Person, Vance | 3 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.