Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms developed over the northern part of Upstate South Carolina. One storm briefly strengthened, producing a small area of wind damage.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS GSP wrote it up.
Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms developed over the northern part of Upstate South Carolina. One storm briefly strengthened, producing a small area of wind damage.
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 Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 16, 2:11 PM EST, 3 hours 34 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC 311 PM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009 .SYNOPSIS... A LARGE AREA OF SUBTROPICAL HIGH PRESSURE CENTERED OVER THE ATLANTIC WILL REMAIN THE DOMINANT WEATHER FEATURE ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA THROUGH MIDWEEK. A COLD FRONT WILL APPROACH THE REGION TOWARD THE END OF THE WEEK. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/... MOIST AIRMASS REMAINS OVER AREA WITH WEAK S UPSLOPE FLOW. CAPE VALUES HAVE INCRSD TO 1-2K J/KG WITH WEAKLY UNSTABLE SOUNDING PROFILES. WENT WITH AT LEAST SCT SHWRS/TSTMS ACROSS THE CWA THRU THE EVE. DAMAGING WIND OR HAIL THREAT RELATIVELY SMALL BUT WITH THE SLOW STEERING WINDS...PSBL FLASH FLOODING IS MAIN CONCERN...ESPLY IN AREAS WHERE SLOW MOVG STORMS BACK-BUILD OR TRAIN. CONVECTION WILL TAPER OFF LATE THIS EVE BUT KEPT LOW CHANCE POPS IN OVERNIGHT. TEMPS WILL COOL TO NEAR AVG...THEN CONVECTION WILL INCREASE WITH HEATING MON AS MOIST S FLOW CONTINUES. HAVE SOLID CHANCE SHWRS/TSTMS OVER MOST OF CWA BY 16Z. UPPER FLOW REMAINS LGT AND SLOW MOVG STORMS MAY BE OF CONCERN AGAIN. AFTN HIGHS SHOULD BE NEAR TO SLIGHTLY BELOW AVG. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT/... AS OF 250 PM SUNDAY...THE REMNANT CIRCULATION AND MOISTURE ASSOCIATED WITH T.S. CLAUDETTE SHOULD BE LOCATED NEAR THE NRN BORDER OF MS/AL MONDAY NIGHT. THE CWA WILL REMAIN EAST OF MOST OF THE RAINFALL...HOWEVER...DEEP MOISTURE...WEAK UPSLOPE FLOW...LINGERING CAPE SHOULD SUPPORT A FEW MTN SHRA/TSRA OVERNIGHT. TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY...THE CWA WILL REMAIN UNDER WEAK RIDGING WITHIN THE MID LEVELS WITH A SHALLOW LEE TROF AT THE SFC. FORECAST SOUNDINGS CONTINUE TO INDICATE WEAK INSTABILITY AND A POSSIBLE H7 INVERSION EACH AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THIS PATTERN SHOULD SUPPORT MAINLY SCT SHRA/TSRA DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING. TEMPERATURES ARE FORECAST TO REMAIN AT OR SLIGHTLY ABOVE NORMAL. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... AS OF 230 PM SUNDAY...MODELS FEATURE EXCELLENT AGREEMENT REGARDING LARGE SCALE FEATURES FOR THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST PERIOD. STARTING WEDNESDAY NIGHT...THE MID AND UPPER LEVEL PATTERN SHOWS A STRONG ANTICYCLONE CENTERED ALONG THE SE COASTLINE. BY FRIDAY THE AC WEAKENS CONSIDERABLY AS A RATHER STOUT TROF AND ATTENDING CLOSED LOW PUSHES ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST AND INTO THE GREAT LAKES REGION. THIS TROF THEN SLOWS INTO THE WEEKEND LEAVING THE FA ON ITS EASTERN PERIPHERY THROUGH SUNDAY. A COLD FRONT IS EXPECTED TO APPROACH FROM THE WEST ON SATURDAY AND SLOWLY PUSH ACROSS THE FA THROUGH SUNDAY. EXPECT DIURNAL CONVECTION WITH SLIGHTLY ABOVE NORMAL TEMPS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. THERE SHOULD THEN BE SOME DEGREE OF AN INCREASE IN COVERAGE FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY...WITH A DECREASING POP TREND THROUGH SUNDAY AS THE FRONT IS PROGGED TO PUSH EAST OF THE AREA. TEMPS ALSO COOL AS HEIGHTS FALL WITH THE APPROACHING TROF AND WEAKENING UPPER RIDGE. ONE POTENTIAL COMPLICATING FACTOR FOR THE FORECAST INVOLVES ANY TROPICAL SYSTEMS...OR THE REMNANTS OF...IN THE VICINITY OF THE FA THIS WEEKEND. AT THIS POINT...CONFIDENCE IS SIMPLY TOO LOW TO PREDICT ANY EFFECTS WITH ANY DEGREE OF CERTAINTY. && .AVIATION /19Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... WEAK INSTABILITY COMBINED WITH HEATING AND S UPSLOPE FLOW WILL CONTINUE TO SPUR CONVECTION THRU THIS EVE. WENT WITH CB CLOUDS... VCTS FOR ALL TERMINALS AT 18Z ISSUANCE...WITH TEMPO -TSRA AT KCLT AND KAVL. CONVECTION WILL TAPER OFF OVERNIGHT BUT LOW CLOUDS SHOULD LINGER AND SCT SHWRS WILL BE PSBL. EXPECT MVFR CIG/VSBY LATE TNGT THRU 14-15Z WITH IFR AT KAVL. EXPECT DEEPER CONVECTION TO DEVELOP AGAIN WITH HEATING MON AFTN. OUTLOOK...PLENTY OF LOW LEVEL MOISTURE FOR LOW CLOUDS AND FOG EACH MORNING THROUGH MID WEEK. CIGS/VSBY WILL ALSO BE RESTRICTED VCNTY ISOLD-SCT MAINLY AFTN-EVE SHWRS/TSTMS. && .GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...NONE. NC...NONE. SC...NONE. && SYNOPSIS...ARK NEAR TERM...RB SHORT TERM...NED LONG TERM...BSH AVIATION...RB
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC 406 AM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065- 068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-170815- RABUN-HABERSHAM-STEPHENS-FRANKLIN-HART-ELBERT-AVERY-ALEXANDER- IREDELL-DAVIE-MADISON-YANCEY-MITCHELL-SWAIN-HAYWOOD-BUNCOMBE-CATAWBA- ROWAN-GRAHAM-NORTHERN JACKSON-MACON-SOUTHERN JACKSON-TRANSYLVANIA- HENDERSON-CLEVELAND-LINCOLN-GASTON-MECKLENBURG-CABARRUS-UNION NC- CALDWELL MOUNTAINS-GREATER CALDWELL-BURKE MOUNTAINS-GREATER BURKE- MCDOWELL MOUNTAINS-EASTERN MCDOWELL-RUTHERFORD MOUNTAINS- GREATER RUTHERFORD-POLK MOUNTAINS-EASTERN POLK-OCONEE MOUNTAINS- PICKENS MOUNTAINS-GREENVILLE MOUNTAINS-GREATER OCONEE- GREATER PICKENS-GREATER GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG-CHEROKEE-YORK- ANDERSON-ABBEVILLE-LAURENS-UNION SC-CHESTER-GREENWOOD- 406 AM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST GEORGIA...PIEDMONT NORTH CAROLINA...WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON. THE GREATEST COVERAGE IS EXPECTED TO BE ACROSS THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS...THE UPSTATE...AND THE UPPER SAVANNAH RIVER VALLEY. HEAVY DOWNPOURS AND CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING WILL BE THE MAIN THREATS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... NONE. ARK
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
228 PM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0220 PM FLASH FLOOD 5 SW CHARLOTTE 35.15N 80.90W
08/16/2009 MECKLENBURG NC LAW ENFORCEMENT
2 VEHICLES REPORTED FLOATING IN WATER AT TYVOLA ROAD AND
I-77.
&&
BSHSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC 246 PM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009 NCZ071-161930- MECKLENBURG- 246 PM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN MECKLENBURG COUNTY THROUGH 330 PM EDT... AT 245 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR CAROWINDS...OR 9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CENTER CITY CHARLOTTE...MOVING EAST AT 5 MPH. * OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO CAROWINDS AND PINEVILLE. SMALL HAIL...AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. INTENSE LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. IF OUTDOORS...STAY AWAY FROM ISOLATED HIGH OBJECTS SUCH AS TREES. MOVE INDOORS IF POSSIBLE. WHEN INDOORS...STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS AND AVOID USING TELEPHONES UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY. TRY TO UNPLUG UNNECESSARY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES BEFORE THE THUNDERSTORM APPROACHES. MCAVOY
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC 302 PM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009 NCZ068-069-161945- CLEVELAND-LINCOLN- 302 PM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN CLEVELAND AND WESTERN LINCOLN COUNTIES THROUGH 345 PM EDT... AT 302 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 6 MILES NORTHEAST OF LAWNDALE...OR 14 MILES NORTH OF SHELBY...MOVING EAST AT 5 MPH. * OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BELWOOD. WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. HEAVY RAINS MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND UNDERPASSES. AVOID THESE AREAS AND DO NOT CROSS FLOODED ROADS. WATER LEVELS OF SMALL STREAMS AND RIVERS MAY ALSO RISE...THEREFORE SEEK HIGHER GROUND IF THREATENED BY FLOOD WATERS. MCAVOY
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC 318 PM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009 NCZ068-162000- CLEVELAND- 318 PM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL CLEVELAND COUNTY THROUGH 400 PM EDT... AT 317 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING FROM THE NORTH SIDE OF SHELBY TO LAWNDALE. THE STORMS WERE DRIFTING SLOWLY TO THE NORTH. * OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SHELBY... LAWNDALE...KINGSTOWN AND FALLSTON. WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH...AND RAINFALL RATES OF 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. HEAVY RAINS MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND UNDERPASSES. AVOID THESE AREAS AND DO NOT CROSS FLOODED ROADS. WATER LEVELS OF SMALL STREAMS AND RIVERS MAY ALSO RISE...THEREFORE SEEK HIGHER GROUND IF THREATENED BY FLOOD WATERS. MCAVOY
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
435 PM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0226 PM TSTM WND DMG CRAMERTON 35.23N 81.07W
08/16/2009 GASTON NC COUNTY OFFICIAL
ONE TREE ACROSS A ROAD.
&&
NEDSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC 555 PM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009 SCZ006-162300- GREATER GREENVILLE- 555 PM EDT SUN AUG 16 2009 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL GREENVILLE COUNTY THROUGH 700 PM EDT... AT 553 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR FURMAN UNIVERSITY...OR 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF GREENVILLE...MOVING NORTH AT 5 MPH. * OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO CHERRYDALE POINT...FURMAN UNIVERSITY...TRAVELERS REST...PARIS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK AND BEREA. SMALL HAIL...AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. RAINFALL RATES OF 1 TO 2 INCHES AN HOUR ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. INTENSE LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. IF OUTDOORS...STAY AWAY FROM ISOLATED HIGH OBJECTS SUCH AS TREES. MOVE INDOORS IF POSSIBLE. WHEN INDOORS...STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS AND AVOID USING TELEPHONES UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY. TRY TO UNPLUG UNNECESSARY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES BEFORE THE THUNDERSTORM APPROACHES. MCAVOY
The Greer radar (KGSP), 27 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:45 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Three trees were blown down on Valley Rd a little over three miles northwest of Travelers Rest.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Carolina in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyWarnings in South Carolina, August 2009
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 194859.