Damaging Winds and High Wind in North Carolina, January 7 to 8, 2009

Name: Damaging Winds and High Wind in North Carolina, January 7 to 8, 2009
Start: 2009-01-07T07:00
End: 2009-01-08T02:00
Location: North Carolina

January 7 to 8, 2009 · NWS RAH · 50 events in 30 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 40 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $439,000
Crop damage: $25,000
Events: 50

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS RAH wrote it up.

A very powerful upper level trough in combination with high wind in the low and mid levels of the atmosphere generated a prolonged period of strong damaging winds from 9 am in the morning through the afternoon and into the evening. Widespread power outages along with areas of damage were reported across much of Central North Carolina. A band of convective showers which developed in the morning also generated damaging winds over portions of the eastern piedmont and coastal plain.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jan 7, 7:00 AM EST, 0 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 7, 7:00 AM EST, 0 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
700 AM EST WED JAN 7 2009

.SYNOPSIS...
A WARM FRONT WILL PUSH NORTHWARD THROUGH MUCH OF CENTRAL NC THIS
MORNING... AS A COLD FRONT APPROACHES FROM THE WEST. THE COLD FRONT
WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON. THIS WILL BRING
DRIER AND CHILLY CONDITIONS TO THE STATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
AS OF 620 AM WEDNESDAY...

COMPLEX WEATHER PATTERN TO AFFECT CENTRAL NC NEXT 24 HOURS.

DENSE FOG ADVISORY HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE ACROSS THE FAR
NORTHERN COUNTIES. WARM FRONT IMMEDIATELY SOUTH OF A ROXBORO TO
HENDERSON TO ROANOKE RAPIDS LINE. STRONG SLY FLOW BEHIND THE FRONT
AND WEAKENING CAD REGIME SHOULD ALLOW FRONT TO SURGE FARTHER
NORTH. THUS EXPECT VISIBILITIES TO IMPROVE SHORTLY ACROSS THE FAR NORTH.

OTHERWISE BAND OF SHOWERS AND POTENTIAL FOR ISOLATED THUNDER
ACROSS THE SOUTH EDGING EAST THROUGH THE NW AND SOUTHERN PIEDMONT
AT 1115Z. STRONG GUSTY WINDS OCCURRING WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE
BAND WITH INT AND GSO REPORTING GUSTS BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPH.
EXPECT SIMILAR CONDITIONS AS BAND OF CONVECTION PUSHES FARTHER
EAST INTO THE HEART OF CENTRAL NC. IN FACT WITH THE CORE OF THE
LOW LEVEL JET LYING ALONG OR JUST EAST OF HIGHWAY 1...COULD SEE
GUSTS UP TO 45 OR 50 MPH WITH THIS BAND OF CONVECTION. TEMPS STILL
A CHALLENGE AS WARM AIR HAS OVERWHELMED MOST OF THE AREA WITH MOST
LOCALES SOUTH OF THE WARM FRONT IN THE MID TO UPPER 60S.

DISCUSSION FROM 320 AM FOLLOWS...

VERY STRONG LOW LEVEL JET (60-65KTS AT 925 MB) PROGGED TO CROSS
THE EASTERN COUNTIES THIS MORNING. ONCE THE COLD FRONT CROSSES THE
AREA EARLY THIS AFTERNOON...STRONG SUBSIDENCE IN WAKE OF THE
SYSTEM WILL LIKELY TRANSFER STRONG WINDS TOWARD THE SURFACE WITH
GUSTS 40 TO 45 MPH LIKELY. SINCE THE TOP SOIL IS SATURATED FROM
RECENT RAINFALL...EXPECT SOME TREES AND POWER POLES TO BE TAKEN
DOWN IN THESE WINDS LEADING TO POWER OUTAGES. DUE TO THESE FACTORS
WILL MAINTAIN A WIND ADVISORY FROM 9 AM TO MIDNIGHT. IN THE TRIAD
REGION AND ACROSS THE FAR NORTH...THE RESIDUAL COOL AIR MASS FROM
THE RECENT CAD EVENT WILL PREVENT THE STRONGEST WINDS FROM MIXING
TO THE SURFACE UNTIL THIS AFTERNOON. HOWEVER...FOR SIMPLICITY SAKE
AND TO AVOID CONFUSION WITH A SEGMENTED ADVISORY...WENT AHEAD AND
PLACED THESE AREA IN THE ADVISORY STARTING AT 9 AM.
AGAIN...STRONGEST WINDS WILL LIKELY NOT AFFECT THIS REGION UNTIL
THIS AFTERNOON.

THIS MORNING...BAND OF CONVECTION WILL CROSS THE REGION AHEAD OF
THE SURFACE COLD FRONT. DUE TO VERY STRONG WINDS JUST OFF THE
SURFACE...THE STRONGER SHOWERS/ISOLATED THUNDER MAY BE ABLE TO
TRANSFER THESE WINDS TO THE SURFACE...CAUSING ISOLATED DAMAGING
WIND GUSTS. THIS THREAT APPEARS TO BE GREATEST ACROSS THE SOUTHERN
PIEDMONT...SANDHILLS AND THE EASTERN PIEDMONT INTO THE COASTAL
PLAIN. DUE TO THE FAST MOVEMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL CELLS...ANY
WARNINGS ISSUED WILL LIKELY COVER SEVERAL COUNTIES AT A TIME.

FINALLY...TEMPS TODAY A CRAP SHOOT. TEMPS IN THE SANDHILLS AND
SOUTHERN COASTAL PLAIN ALREADY NEAR PROJECTED FORECAST HIGHS...AND
THE WARM FRONT MOVING NORTH OVER THE NORTHERN COUNTIES NOT HELPING
MATTERS. WITH BAND OF CONVECTION THIS MORNING...MAY SEE TEMPS DROP
INITIALLY THEN TEMPS RECOVER AS SW WINDS KICK-IN BEHIND EXITING
SYSTEM.

TONIGHT...PASSAGE OF INITIAL 850-700MB TROUGH THIS EVENING MAY
CAUSE A FEW SHOWERS EARLY ACROSS THE NORTH. OTHERWISE WINDY
WESTERLY FLOW WILL ADVECT COOLER DRIER AIR. EXPECT WINDS TO
SUBSIDE BELOW ADVISORY CRITERIA BY MIDNIGHT. MIXING NEAR SURFACE
WILL PREVENT AIR MASS FROM REALIZING FULL COOLING POTENTIAL. WENT
WITH MIN TEMPS NEAR OR ON THE WARM SIDE OF GUIDANCE (MID/UPPER 30S
NORTH TO LOWER 40S SE).

&&

.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
AS OF 315 AM WEDNESDAY

MODELS HAVE COME IN WETTER BETWEEN 2000-10000FT OVER THE REGION THU
WITH THE PASSAGE OF ANOTHER DISTINCT MID LEVEL TROUGH. APPEARS TO
BE ENOUGH LIFT THROUGH THE COLUMN TO GENERATE A FEW INSTABILITY
SHOWERS. DUE TO THE COLD TEMPS ALOFT...MAY SEE A FEW SNOW SHOWERS
ACROSS THE NORTH IN SPITE OF SURFACE TEMPS NEAR 40 DEGREES. FOR
NOW....WILL HAVE POPS NO HIGHER THAN 20%. WINDS WILL BE BLUSTERY
BUT NOT AS STRONG AS THOSE EXPECTED LATER TODAY.

THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT....HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD
INTO THE REGION FROM THE WEST. THIS WILL LEAD TO A TRANQUIL
WEATHER PATTERN. WITH SURFACE HIGH IN VICINITY BY FRIDAY
MORNING...WINDS SHOULD SUBSIDE TO NEAR CALM. IF SKIES REMAIN
CLEAR...TEMPS SHOULD FALL INTO THE MID AND UPPER 20S. AS HIGH
DRIFTS EAST FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...AIR MASS WILL BEGIN TO
MODIFY. HIGH TEMPS FRI BE CLOSE TO NORMAL WHILE MIN TEMPS FRIDAY
NIGHT SHOULD BE A FEW DEGREES WARMER THAN THU NIGHT...ESPECIALLY
IN THE WEST.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
AS OF 236 AM WEDNESDAY...

THE MEDIUM RANGE MODELS CONTINUE TO ADVERTISE A MOSTLY DRY COLD
FRONTAL PASSAGE ON SATURDAY. JUST AS IN THE PREVIOUS RUNS... THE
MAIN UPPER LEVEL DYNAMICS ARE FORECAST TO PASS WELL NORTH OF OUR
REGION... WITH VERY LITTLE LOW LEVEL MOISTURE TRANSPORT IN THE LOWER
LEVELS AHEAD OF THE FRONT. HOWEVER... THE 00Z/ECMWF CONTINUES TO
INDICATE A SLIGHTLY BETTER CHANCE OF SHOWERS WITH THE FRONT... WITH
LITTLE SUPPORT FROM THE 00Z/GFS. FOR NOW... WE WILL MAINTAIN A
SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS ON SATURDAY AT 20 PERCENT. SATURDAY SHOULD
ALSO BE WARMER AS THE SW WINDS INCREASE AHEAD OF THE FRONT. IF
THERE IS ENOUGH SUNSHINE... THE TEMPS COULD REACH INTO THE 60S EVEN
IN THE NW PIEDMONT. WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN MID AND HIGH LEVEL
MOISTURE.... WE WILL MAINTAIN THE CURRENT 58-65 NW TO SE.

A COLDER DRY N FLOW WILL FOLLOW THE FRONT SATURDAY NIGHT INTO
SUNDAY. THE AIR MASS WILL BE OF MODIFIED POLAR ORIGIN. THE COLDEST
AIR WILL REMAIN WEST OF THE APPALACHIANS UNTIL SUNDAY NIGHT AND
MONDAY. SUNDAY TEMPS SHOULD BE A FEW DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL. LOWS
35-40 AND HIGHS SUNDAY 50-55 OR SO. FOR MONDAY... LOWS WILL DIP INTO
THE 20S WITH HIGHS IN THE MID 40S TO NEAR 50 (VERY CLOSE TO THE 30
YEAR AVERAGE).

MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY: MODEL SPREAD CONTINUES TO BE OF CONCERN
AND RESULTS IN A LOW CONFIDENCE FORECAST. AN INCREASINGLY +PNA
PATTERN IS SUPPORTED WHICH SHOULD BUILD A WESTERN U.S. UPPER RIDGE
AND DOWNSTREAM EASTERN U.S. TROUGH. BEFORE THIS OCCURS... THERE
COULD STILL BE SOME INTERACTION OF AN OLD STALLED BAROCLINIC ZONE
ALONG THE GULF COAST AND POSSIBLE EJECTION/INTERACTION OF THE SW US
TROUGH WITH NORTHERN STREAM ENERGY. WE CONTINUE TO FAVOR ANY
CYCLOGENESIS/FRONTAL WAVES REMAINING FAR ENOUGH SOUTH AND EAST OF
CENTRAL NC TO KEEP OUR WEATHER DRY... BUT THE LACK OF RUN TO RUN AND
MODEL TO MODEL CONTINUITY MAKES THIS A LOW CONFIDENCE FORECAST.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
AS OF 700 AM WEDNESDAY...

A PRE-FRONTAL LINE OF LOW TOPPED (LESS THAN 20K FEET) CONVECTION
CONTINUED TO PUSH EAST THROUGH THE PIEDMONT AT 700 AM. A BRIEF
PERIOD OF VERY HEAVY RAIN AND GUSTY WIND TO 40 MPH WILL ACCOMPANY
THE LINE THROUGH THE KRDU AND KFAY AND KRWI TERMINALS BETWEEN
14Z-17Z. THE LINE HAD ALREADY PASSED KINT AND KGSO WHERE WINDS
GUSTED TO 30KT OR SO. AFTER THE LINE PASSES... THERE WILL BE A
PERIOD OF LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS FOR SEVERAL HOURS... WITH MVFR TO VFR
CIGS.

A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL PUSH EAST ACROSS THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON.
THIS WILL SHIFT THE WINDS TO MORE WESTERLY AND REMAIN STRONG AND
GUSTY (15-25KT WITH GUSTS TO 35KT). CIGS AND VSBYS WILL RETURN TO
VFR BETWEEN 18Z-21Z. WINDS WILL REMAIN STRONG THROUGH AROUND 03Z/08 OR
SO.

VFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT WITH LIGHT WEST WINDS. A RETURN
TO GUSTY WESTERLY WINDS ARE EXPECTED ON THURSDAY. VFR CONDITIONS
EXPECTED ON FRIDAY THEN ANOTHER COLD FRONT MOVING THROUGH THE AREA
SATURDAY WITH BRIEF MVFR CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES.

&&

.RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WIND ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT FOR NCZ007>011-
021>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089.

&&

SYNOPSIS...BADGETT
NEAR TERM...WSS
SHORT TERM...WSS
LONG TERM...BADGETT
AVIATION...BADGETT

Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 7, 6:20 AM EST, 40 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
620 AM EST WED JAN 7 2009

NCZ007>011-021>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-081100-
PERSON-GRANVILLE-VANCE-WARREN-HALIFAX-FORSYTH-GUILFORD-ALAMANCE-
ORANGE-DURHAM-FRANKLIN-NASH-EDGECOMBE-DAVIDSON-RANDOLPH-CHATHAM-WAKE-
JOHNSTON-WILSON-STANLY-MONTGOMERY-MOORE-LEE-HARNETT-WAYNE-ANSON-
RICHMOND-SCOTLAND-HOKE-CUMBERLAND-SAMPSON-
620 AM EST WED JAN 7 2009

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   WIND ADVISORY.

A BAND OF HEAVY SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CROSS THE
REGION THIS MORNING. THE STRONGER SHOWERS AND STORMS MAY PRODUCE
ISOLATED DAMAGING WIND GUSTS UP TO 60 MPH. LATER THIS
MORNING...SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS
UP TO 40 MPH. THESE WINDS MAY TOPPLE A FEW TREES AND POWER POLES
LEADING TO A FEW POWER OUTAGES. WINDS WILL BEGIN TO DIMINISH LATE
THIS EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY SEVERE OR
SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ASSOCIATED WITH THESE STORMS.

WSS

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jan 7, 5:30 AM EST, 1 hour 30 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
530 AM EST WED JAN 7 2009

NCZ021>023-038-039-073-074-083-084-071400-
FORSYTH-GUILFORD-ALAMANCE-DAVIDSON-RANDOLPH-STANLY-MONTGOMERY-
ANSON-RICHMOND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WINSTON-SALEM...GREENSBORO...
HIGH POINT...BURLINGTON...LEXINGTON...ASHEBORO...ALBEMARLE...
TROY...WADESBORO...ROCKINGHAM
530 AM EST WED JAN 7 2009

...A WET AND WINDY MORNING COMMUTE...

A BAND OF HEAVY SHOWERS AHEAD OF A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL CROSS
THE TRIAD REGION AND THE SOUTHERN PIEDMONT BETWEEN 6 AM AND
8 AM. THESE HEAVY SHOWERS WILL REDUCE THE VISIBILITY AT TIMES TO
JUST FEW HUNDRED FEET PLUS CAUSE WATER TO POND ON THE
ROADS...LEADING TO AN INCREASE LIKELIHOOD OF HYDROPLANING.

IN ADDITION...SOUTH WINDS AHEAD OF THIS BAND OF SHOWERS WILL BE
QUITE STRONG...ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PIEDMONT THROUGH THE
SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE TRIAD. SOUTH WINDS WILL GUSTS BETWEEN 30 AND
35 MPH. THESE GUSTY WINDS WILL MAKE HANDLING OF HIGH PROFILE
VEHICLES VERY DIFFICULT. THOSE DRIVING HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES
SHOULD USE EXTRA CAUTION...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS SUCH AS ON
BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES.

WINDS WILL TEMPORARILY SUBSIDE BEHIND THE SHOWERS BUT ARE
EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN AGAIN LATER THIS MORNING AND CONTINUE THIS
AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING BEHIND THE COLD FRONT.

NCZ007>011-024>028-040>043-075>078-085-086-088-089-071400-
PERSON-GRANVILLE-VANCE-WARREN-HALIFAX-ORANGE-DURHAM-FRANKLIN-NASH-
EDGECOMBE-CHATHAM-WAKE-JOHNSTON-WILSON-MOORE-LEE-HARNETT-WAYNE-
SCOTLAND-HOKE-CUMBERLAND-SAMPSON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ROXBORO...OXFORD...HENDERSON...
WARRENTON...ROANOKE RAPIDS...CHAPEL HILL...DURHAM...LOUISBURG...
NASHVILLE...ROCKY MOUNT...PITTSBORO...RALEIGH...SMITHFIELD...
WILSON...SOUTHERN PINES...SANFORD...LILLINGTON...GOLDSBORO...
LAURINBURG...RAEFORD...FAYETTEVILLE...CLINTON
530 AM EST WED JAN 7 2009

...A WINDY MORNING COMMUTE...

STRONG SOUTH WINDS AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT WILL FREQUENT LY GUSTS UP
TO 30 MPH ACROSS THE REGION EARLY THIS MORNING. THESE GUSTY WINDS
WILL MAKE HANDLING OF HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES VERY DIFFICULT. THOSE
DRIVING HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES SHOULD USE EXTRA
CAUTION...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS SUCH AS ON BRIDGES AND
OVERPASSES.

A BAND OF HEAVY SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CROSS THE
REGION BETWEEN 9 AM AND 12 NOON. THE HEAVIER SHOWERS AND STORMS
MAY PRODUCE WIND GUSTS AS HIGH AS 45 MPH.

STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR BEHIND THE SHOWERS
LATE THIS MORNING AND CONTINUE THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED.

WSS

Special weather statement, Jan 7, 6:40 AM EST, 20 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
640 AM EST WED JAN 7 2009

NCZ021>023-038-039-073-074-083-084-071401-
FORSYTH-GUILFORD-ALAMANCE-DAVIDSON-RANDOLPH-STANLY-MONTGOMERY-
ANSON-RICHMOND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WINSTON-SALEM...GREENSBORO...
HIGH POINT...BURLINGTON...LEXINGTON...ASHEBORO...ALBEMARLE...
TROY...WADESBORO...ROCKINGHAM
640 AM EST WED JAN 7 2009

...A WET AND WINDY MORNING COMMUTE...

A BAND OF HEAVY SHOWERS AHEAD OF A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL CONTINUE
TO MOVE RAPIDLY NORTHEAST THROUGH THE WESTERN PIEDMONT INCLUDING THE
PIEDMONT TRIAD AREA THROUGH 830 AM. THE MAIN PART OF THE LINE WILL
MOVE ACROSS GUILFORD... DAVIDSON... EASTERN FORSYTH... RANDOLPH...
STANLY... ANSON... AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES BETWEEN 640 AM AND 740
AM. THIS INCLUDES GREENSBORO... HIGH POINT... LEXINGTON... TROY...
ALBEMARLE... AND WADESBORO. A 20 TO 30 MINUTE PERIOD OF VERY HEAVY
RAIN AND GUSTY WINDS TO 40 MPH WILL ACCOMPANY THIS LINE. THESE HEAVY
SHOWERS WILL REDUCE THE VISIBILITY AT TIMES TO JUST FEW HUNDRED FEET
PLUS CAUSE WATER TO POND ON THE ROADS...LEADING TO AN INCREASE
LIKELIHOOD OF HYDROPLANING. THE LINE WILL MOVE INTO THE BURLINGTON
AREA BEFORE 730 AM.

NCZ007>011-024>028-040>043-075>078-085-086-088-089-071401-
PERSON-GRANVILLE-VANCE-WARREN-HALIFAX-ORANGE-DURHAM-FRANKLIN-NASH-
EDGECOMBE-CHATHAM-WAKE-JOHNSTON-WILSON-MOORE-LEE-HARNETT-WAYNE-
SCOTLAND-HOKE-CUMBERLAND-SAMPSON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ROXBORO...OXFORD...HENDERSON...
WARRENTON...ROANOKE RAPIDS...CHAPEL HILL...DURHAM...LOUISBURG...
NASHVILLE...ROCKY MOUNT...PITTSBORO...RALEIGH...SMITHFIELD...
WILSON...SOUTHERN PINES...SANFORD...LILLINGTON...GOLDSBORO...
LAURINBURG...RAEFORD...FAYETTEVILLE...CLINTON
640 AM EST WED JAN 7 2009

...A WINDY THEN WET MORNING COMMUTE...

STRONG SOUTH WINDS AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT WILL PRODUCE FREQUENT GUSTS
UP TO 35 MPH ACROSS THE REGION EARLY THIS MORNING. THESE GUSTY WINDS
WILL MAKE HANDLING OF HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES VERY DIFFICULT. THOSE
DRIVING HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES SHOULD USE EXTRA CAUTION...ESPECIALLY
IN OPEN AREAS SUCH AS ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES.

A BAND OF HEAVY SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WILL CROSS THE
REGION BETWEEN 800 AM AND 1100 AM FROM THE WEST. A 20 TO 30 MINUTE
PERIOD OF VERY HEAVY RAIN AND WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH WILL ACCOMPANY
THE LINE. THE LINE SHOULD REACH THE TRIANGLE AREA BETWEEN 830 AM AND
930 AM... THEN PROGRESS TOWARD FAYETTEVILLE... GOLDSBORO... AND
ROCKY MOUNT BETWEEN 930 AM AND 1100 AM.

BADGETT

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 99 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:48 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

31 strong wind, 10 thunderstorm wind, 9 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Strong Wind, Forsyth

When: January 7, 7:00 AM EST to 8:00 PM EST
Where: Forsyth forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.131, -80.256 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Cumberland

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 8:00 PM EST
Where: Cumberland forecast zone
Measured: 46 kt (53 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.049, -78.827 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees fell onto parked cars as well as power lines. Over a thousand people were without power at one point in the area.

Strong Wind, Davidson

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 8:00 PM EST
Where: Davidson forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.793, -80.213 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous trees were blown down countywide with the most number of trees damaged along High Rock Lake. A few homes suffered minor roof damage.

Strong Wind, Durham

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 8:00 PM EST
Where: Durham forecast zone
Measured: 44 kt (51 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.036, -78.876 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Edgecombe

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Edgecombe forecast zone
Measured: 44 kt (51 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.913, -77.597 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Franklin

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Franklin forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.083, -78.286 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Granville

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Granville forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.304, -78.653 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Guilford

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Guilford forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.080, -79.789 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Halifax

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Halifax forecast zone
Measured: 41 kt (47 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.258, -77.652 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Harnett

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Harnett forecast zone
Measured: 46 kt (53 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.369, -78.869 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Johnston

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Johnston forecast zone
Measured: 46 kt (53 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.518, -78.366 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Lee

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Lee forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.475, -79.171 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Montgomery

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Montgomery forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.333, -79.905 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Moore

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Moore forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.311, -79.481 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Moore

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Moore forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.311, -79.481 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Nash

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Nash forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.967, -77.986 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Orange

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Orange forecast zone
Measured: 42 kt (48 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.061, -79.121 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Person

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Person forecast zone
Measured: 45 kt (52 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.390, -78.972 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Randolph

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Randolph forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.710, -79.806 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Richmond

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Richmond forecast zone
Measured: 46 kt (53 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.006, -79.748 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Sampson

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Sampson forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 34.992, -78.371 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Scotland

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Scotland forecast zone
Measured: 45 kt (52 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 34.841, -79.480 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Stanly

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Stanly forecast zone
Measured: 45 kt (52 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.312, -80.251 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Vance

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Vance forecast zone
Measured: 45 kt (52 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.365, -78.408 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Wake

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Wake forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.790, -78.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Warren

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Warren forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.397, -78.107 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Wayne

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Wayne forecast zone
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.364, -78.004 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Wilson

When: January 7, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Wilson forecast zone
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.705, -77.919 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: January 7, 8:50 AM EST
Where: Warren County, 1.11 mi E of Elams
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.530, -77.910

As many as 15 pine trees were blown down near Lizard Creek Road and Northern Cove Drive. The falling trees damaged one house and two cars. In addition several boat houses were lifted up and blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnston

When: January 7, 9:08 AM EST
Where: Johnston County, 3.14 mi ESE of Blackman Xrds
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.350, -78.380

Several trees were blown down near Creek Bridge and Oak Forest Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nash

When: January 7, 9:14 AM EST
Where: Nash County, 1.12 mi W of Stanhope
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.870, -78.100

Several trees were blown down near Nighway 581 and Highway 97. A few were blocking the roadways.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sampson

When: January 7, 9:20 AM EST
Where: Sampson County, Mintz
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.920, -78.480

One tree fell across Cooper Road near Andrews Chapel Road. Another tree fell on a car near the same location.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sampson

When: January 7, 9:20 AM EST
Where: Sampson County, 2.37 mi WSW of Concord
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 34.970, -78.470

Two trees were blown down across White Oak Road near Marion.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wilson

When: January 7, 9:24 AM EST
Where: Wilson County, 5.53 mi S of Buckhorn Xrds
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.600, -78.120

A few trees were reported blown down in Kenly.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When: January 7, 9:32 AM EST
Where: Halifax County, 0.69 mi N of Essex
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.260, -77.950

Power lines were brought down by falling trees in Hollister.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nash

When: January 7, 9:36 AM EST
Where: Nash County, 3.97 mi E of Goldrock
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.080, -77.750

Several trees were blown down between Battleboro and Whitakers along Highway 301.

Thunderstorm Wind, Edgecombe

When: January 7, 9:45 AM EST
Where: Edgecombe County, 1.38 mi S of Leggett
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.960, -77.570

A few trees were blown down across Highway 33 just north of Tarboro.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When: January 7, 9:51 AM EST
Where: Halifax County, 0.89 mi SW of Scotland Neck Arpt
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.160, -77.410

Two trees were blown down in Scotland Neck on Carrot Lane.

Strong Wind, Alamance

When: January 7, 11:00 AM EST to January 8, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Alamance forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 36.044, -79.399 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Anson

When: January 7, 11:00 AM EST to January 8, 2:00 AM EST
Where: Anson forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 34.974, -80.103 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, Chatham

When: January 7, 11:00 AM EST to January 8, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Chatham forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.703, -79.255 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Halifax

When: January 7, 5:00 PM EST to 6:30 PM EST
Where: Halifax forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: $15,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.258, -77.652 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High winds between 55 to 65 mph caused widespread tree damage and power outages across the county during the late afternoon and evening. The high winds completely destroyed an out building on Stamper Siding Road, near Scotland neck.

High Wind, Wake

When: January 7, 5:05 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where: Wake forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.790, -78.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High winds between 55 to 65 mph created widespread wind damage across Wake county. Numerous trees were blown down countywide. Some of the worst damage occurred in Cary when 2 large oak trees fell onto 2 cars and a home. Over 4000 people were without power.