Flash Flood and Hail in North Carolina, May 28, 2010

Name: Flash Flood and Hail in North Carolina, May 28, 2010
Start: 2010-05-28T10:40
End: 2010-05-28T20:49
Location: North Carolina

May 28, 2010 · NWS GSP · 32 events in 17 counties and zones

A weak upper low triggered numerous thunderstorms over western North Carolina. Several of the storms produced damaging wind and large hail.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 2
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 32

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 GSP wrote it up.

A weak upper low triggered numerous thunderstorms over western North Carolina. Several of the storms produced damaging wind and large hail.

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 Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 28, 9:29 AM EST, 1 hour 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 28, 9:29 AM EST, 1 hour 11 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
1029 AM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010

.SYNOPSIS...
A WEAK COLD FRONT WILL SLOWLY APPROACH FROM THE NORTH TODAY
AND MOVE SOUTHWARD THROUGH THE AREA ON SATURDAY. A STRONGER COLD
FRONT WILL APPROACH THE REGION FROM THE NORTHWEST EARLY NEXT WEEK
WITH WEAK HIGH PRESSURE MOVING IN BEHIND THE FRONT.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
SCATTERED MORNING CONVECTION SOUTHERN AND WESTERN PORTIONS OF NC
PIEDMONT AND FOOTHILLS HAS NOT PRODUCED SIGNIFICANT WIND OR HAIL...
BUT IT INDICATES THE POTENTIAL FOR STRONG CONVECTIVE STORMS LATER
TODAY. CURRENT MESOANALYSIS PLACES HIGHEST CAPES OVER UPSTATE SC AND
JUST EAST OF MOUNTAINS IN NC. THIS HAS GENERAL AGREEMENT WITH
NUMERICAL GUIDANCE FOR THE SAME TIME.  AS LATE MORNING PROGRESSES
INTO AFTERNOON... MIXING AND WIND FLOW RESULT IN A REARRANGEMENT OF
LOW LEVEL MOISTURE SO THAT CAPES DECREASE OVER UPSTATE SC AND
INCREASE IN AN ARC ALONG SPINE OF SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS EASTWARD
ALONG NORTHERN PERIPHERY OF OUR CWA THEN SOUTHEASTWARD JUST EAST OF
CWA. SURFACE HEATING WILL PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THUNDERSTORMS
AND CAPE WILL SUPPLY FUEL FOR STRONG UPDRAFTS. WEAK UPSLOPE FLOW
APPEARS LIKELY TO CONTRIBUTE TO FAIRLY WIDESPREAD COVERAGE OVER
HIGHER TERRAIN. SURFACE FEATURES DIFFICULT TO PIN DOWN... BUT THERE
IS STILL EVIDENCE OF WEAK NORTH-SOUTH BOUNDARY JUST TO EAST OF CWA.
BOUNDARY COULD MOVE INTO EASTERN CWA AS MID-ATLANTIC SURFACE HIGH
PRESSURE SYSTEM DRIFTS SOUTHEASTWARD. SOUTHEAST/ONSHORE SURFACE FLOW
WIL RESULT IN POOLING OF DEW POINTS IN THE VICINITY OF BOUNDARY
WHICH WILL CONTRIBUTE TO HIGHER CAPES. MID AND UPPER LEVEL RIDGE
RIGHT OVER THE AREA... SO WINDS ALOFT WILL BE VERY LIGHT.
MULTICELLULAR SEVERE CONVECTION PRODUCING DOWNBURSTS AND HAIL APPEARS
QUITE POSSIBLE BUT LACK OF STRONG WINDS AND SHEAR SHOULD LIMIT
POTENTIAL FOR MORE ORGANIZED CONVECTIVE SYSTEMS. ANOTHER OUTCOME OF
AFTERNOON AND EVENING CONVECTION WILL BE POTENTIAL FOR LOCALLY HEAVY
RAIN IN SLOWLY MOVING STORMS... ESPECIALLY OVER OR NEAR MOUNTAINS
WHERE UPSLOPE WILL AUGMENT CONVERGENCE AND VERTICAL MOTION.

PREVIOUS DISCUSSION APPLICABLE TO TONIGHT...
CONVECTION SHOULD BE MAINLY DIURNAL TONIGHT AS INSTABILITY WEAKENS
WITH COOLING AND MID/UPPER SUPPORT WANES AS WEAK RIDGING BUILDS IN.
CANNOT RULE OUT LINGERING SHOWERS OR STORMS THO. ANY SEVERE OR
FLOODING THREAT SHOULD END DURING THE EVENING AS WELL. LOWS WILL BE
AROUND 5 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
AS OF 315 AM FRIDAY...THE CLOSED UPPER LOW WILL CONTINUE TO SPIN SW
OF THE FA AND SLOWLY DRIFT SOUTHWARD ACROSS CENTRAL MS. THE MAIN
SURFACE FEATURE IS IN THE FORM OF A BOUNDARY THAT SINKS SOUTHWARD
ACROSS THE FA WITH DEEP LAYER MOISTURE SITUATED WEST TO EAST ACROSS
THE CAROLINAS AND INTO THE DEEP SOUTH. CONVERGENCE ALONG THIS
REMNANT BOUNDARY AS WELL AS SOME UPSLOPE FLOW WILL ALLOW FOR
SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS COVERAGE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TO
DEVELOP IN THE LATE MORNING/EARLY AFTERNOON. BEST COVERAGE IS
EXPECTED TO BE IN THE SOUTHERN ESCARPMENT AREAS AND I HAVE PAINTED A
STRIPE OF LIKELY POPS THERE. ELSEWHERE...EXPECT SCATTERED CONVECTION
TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING...EVENTUALLY FAVORING
MORE OF THE WESTERN HALF OF THE FA IN THE LATE EVENING AND
OVERNIGHT. INSTABILITY IS EXPECTED TO BE LESS ON SATURDAY THAN ON
FRIDAY WITH MORE CONSIDERABLE CLOUD COVER AND WARMER PROFILES SO A
LESSER SEVER THREAT EXISTS. STILL...A FEW STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS
WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH ISOLATED HEAVY RAINFALL IN THE WEAK STEERING
FLOW ENVIRONMENT.

ON SUNDAY...DEEP LAYER DRYING IS PROGGED ON THE NAM (THE FAVORED
MODEL SOLUTION) MAINLY ACROSS EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE FA. THE UPPER
SAVANNAH RIVER VALLEY AND THE FAR WESTERN MOUNTAINS WILL BE CLOSE TO
THE EASTERN EXTENT OF THE DEEPER MOISTURE AND AS SUCH WILL CARRY
HIGHER POPS DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THROUGH SUNDAY
NIGHT...THE UPPER LOW WILL GRADUALLY WEAKEN AND BEGIN TO SLOWLY
SHIFT EASTWARD OPENING UP AS A BAGGY TROF AROUND 12Z MONDAY.

TEMPERATURES ON SATURDAY WILL BE FAIRLY CLOSE TO NORMAL AS MOSTLY
CLOUDY SKIES REDUCE INSOLATION AND WORK TO KEEP TEMPS DOWN IN THE
VICINITY OF THE BOUNDARY. BY SUNDAY...LESS EXTENSIVE CLOUD COVER AND
INCREASED LOW LEVEL THICKNESSES ALLOW TEMPS TO WARM BACK INTO THE
MID AND UPPER 80S OUTSIDE THE MOUNTAINS.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
AS OF 315 AM FRIDAY...LITTLE CHANGE WAS MADE TO THE GOING FORECAST.
BAGGY TROF FROM THE UPPER LOW OVER THE DEEP SOUTH WILL PERSIST
THROUGH ABOUT TUESDAY BEFORE FINALLY PUSHING EAST OF THE FA. THE
UPPER FLOW BRIEFLY TAKES ON A ANTICYCLONIC CURVATURE BEFORE THE NEXT
TROF BEGINS TO MOVE ACROSS THE DEEP SOUTH AND TOWARDS THE FA LATE IN
THE PERIOD. AT THE SURFACE...ONE FRONT WILL MOVE INTO THE SOUTHERN
APPALACHIANS FROM THE WEST ON TUESDAY...WASH OUT ACROSS THE REGION
ON WEDNESDAY...WITH INCREASING MOISTURE AND RETURN FLOW SETTING UP
OUT AHEAD OF THE NEXT AND MORE SIGNIFICANT BOUNDARY APPROACHING
THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT. THEREFORE...THE FORECAST REFLECTS ABOVE
NORMAL TEMPERATURES WITH DIURNAL SLIGHT CHANCE TO CHANCE POPS FOR
CONVECTION EACH AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

&&

.AVIATION /15Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
AT KCLT...LIGHT NORTHEAST WINDS WITH SCT LOW VFR CLOUD AND BKN CI
EXPECTED THRU THE MORNING. WINDS LESS THAN 8 KTS WILL EVENTUALLY
VEER TO S FRIDAY AFTERNOON AS VFR LVL CU CIGS DEVELOP. INCREASED
CHANCES FOR LATE DAY TSTMS WILL EXIST ON FRIDAY AND CONTINUE THRU
THE EVENING. WINDS BECOME SE BY LATE AFTERNOON.

ELSEWHERE...LIGHT NORTHEAST WINDS WITH SCT LOW VFR CLOUD AND BKN CI
EXPECTED THRU THE MORNING. SCATTERED TO WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND
TSTMS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING.
WINDS BECOME SLY FOR THE AFTERNOON THEN SE TO NE BY LATE AFTERNOON
OR DURING THE EVENING.

OUTLOOK...A COLD FRONT WILL REMAIN OVER THE AREA ON SAT AND WITH A
MOIST UPGLIDE FLOW EXPECT SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS AGAIN SAT AFTERNOON/EVENING. MVFR/IFR RESTRICTIONS IN
EITHER SHOWERS/STRATUS/FOG WILL CONTINUE INTO SUNDAY MORNING...WITH
IMPROVING CONDITIONS SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...NONE.
NC...NONE.
SC...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS...JPT
NEAR TERM...LGL/RWH
SHORT TERM...BSH
LONG TERM...BSH
AVIATION...RWH

Hazardous weather outlook, May 28, 9:40 AM EST, 1 hour before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
1040 AM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-
068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-291445-
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-
1040 AM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST GEORGIA...PIEDMONT
NORTH CAROLINA...WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

THUNDERSTORM COVERAGE WILL INCREASE ACROSS THE REGION THIS
AFTERNOON. SOME THUNDERSTORMS MAY BECOME SEVERE...PRODUCING LARGE
HAIL AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS DURING THE AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.
SOME OF THE THUNDERSTORMS COULD ALSO PRODUCE VERY HEAVY
RAINFALL... RESULTING IN LOCALIZED FLOODING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

MORE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA ON SATURDAY.
THOUGH THE THREAT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IS LESS THAN ON
FRIDAY...A COUPLE OF THESE STORMS COULD BECOME STRONG ENOUGH TO
PRODUCE LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTERS ARE REQUESTED TO FORWARD ANY REPORTS OF LARGE
HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS...TORNADOES OR FLASH FLOODING TO OUR OFFICE.

LGL

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 28, 7:44 AM EST, 2 hours 56 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
844 AM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010

NCZ068-506-508-281330-
CLEVELAND-EASTERN MCDOWELL-GREATER RUTHERFORD-
844 AM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD...
NORTHWESTERN CLEVELAND AND SOUTHEASTERN MCDOWELL COUNTIES THROUGH 930
AM EDT...

AT 836 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR LAWNDALE...OR 11 MILES NORTH OF SHELBY...
MOVING WEST AT 15 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BOSTIC...
  THERMAL CITY...SUNSHINE...SPINDALE...RUTHERFORDTON...FERO...
  POLKVILLE...KINGSTOWN AND CASAR.

CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...PEA SIZE HAIL...AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 40
MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

LAT...LON 3554 8157 3536 8158 3534 8207 3556 8206
      3559 8203

JPT

Special weather statement, May 28, 9:42 AM EST, 58 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
1042 AM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010

NCZ049-050-505-281515-
MCDOWELL MOUNTAINS-MITCHELL-YANCEY-
1042 AM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL MCDOWELL...SOUTHEASTERN
MITCHELL AND SOUTHEASTERN YANCEY COUNTIES THROUGH 1115 AM EDT...

AT 1036 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 4 MILES SOUTHWEST OF MARION...MOVING NORTHWEST AT
10 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO WOODLAWN...
  OLD FORT...SPRUCE PINE...MOUNT MITCHELL STATE PARK...CELO AND
  BUSICK.

DANGEROUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...PEA SIZE HAIL...AND WIND GUSTS
OF 30 TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

LAT...LON 3596 8207 3574 8198 3570 8204 3569 8204
      3566 8205 3562 8217 3586 8233

JPT

Special weather statement, May 28, 10:28 AM EST, 12 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
1128 AM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010

NCZ503>505-281600-
BURKE MOUNTAINS-GREATER BURKE-MCDOWELL MOUNTAINS-
1128 AM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN MCDOWELL AND WESTERN
BURKE COUNTIES THROUGH NOON EDT...

AT 1126 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR MORGANTON...MOVING NORTHWEST AT 15 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO TABLE
  ROCK...MORGANTON...GLEN ALPINE...WOODLAWN AND ASHFORD.

SMALL HAIL...AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS
STORM.

LAT...LON 3581 8164 3565 8175 3569 8186 3572 8187
      3577 8194 3574 8199 3578 8208 3587 8202
      3587 8199 3591 8199 3591 8195 3594 8196
      3597 8194

JPT

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 107 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:40 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

15 thunderstorm wind, 14 hail, 1 heavy rain, 1 flash flood, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Burke

When: May 28, 10:40 AM EST
Where: Burke County, 1.32 mi ESE of Oak Hill
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.770, -81.750

Two trees were blown down northwest of Morganton.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: May 28, 12:20 PM EST
Where: Jackson County, 1.13 mi E of Dillsboro
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.370, -83.250

Trees and power lines were blown down in the Dillsboro area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Macon

When: May 28, 12:30 PM EST
Where: Macon County, 0.56 mi W of Dean
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.220, -83.380

Trees were blown down in the Riverbend area north of Franklin.

Heavy Rain, Jackson

When: May 28, 1:45 PM EST
Where: Jackson County, 1.64 mi WSW of Gay
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.288, -83.305

A blocked culvert caused Bettys Creek Rd to be closed due to flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cleveland

When: May 28, 3:00 PM EST
Where: Cleveland County, 0.56 mi E of Patterson Spgs
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.230, -81.520

Numerous large tree limbs were blown down in the Patterson Springs area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cleveland

When: May 28, 3:00 PM EST
Where: Cleveland County, 0.56 mi E of Earl
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.200, -81.520

Trees were blown down along Lavendar Rd, about 2 miles south of Patterson Springs.

Hail, Cleveland

When: May 28, 3:05 PM EST
Where: Cleveland County, 0.69 mi S of Earl
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.190, -81.530

Flash Flood, Macon

When: May 28, 3:10 PM EST to 4:30 PM EST
Where: Macon County, 1.76 mi N of Leatherman to 2.66 mi SE of Cowee
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.305, -83.386

Several roads flooded in the northeast part of the county, including Leatherman Gap Rd and Old Mill Rd.

Hail, Cleveland

When: May 28, 3:20 PM EST
Where: Cleveland County, 0.89 mi SE of Shelby
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.290, -81.540

Hail, Gaston

When: May 28, 3:40 PM EST
Where: Gaston County, 0.68 mi E of Alexis
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.399, -81.118

Penny size hail was reported in the Alexis community.

Hail, Lincoln

When: May 28, 3:42 PM EST
Where: Lincoln County, 2.18 mi SE of Iron Station
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.430, -81.140

Hail, Lincoln

When: May 28, 3:50 PM EST
Where: Lincoln County, 2.98 mi SSW of Kidville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.460, -81.090

Lightning, Lincoln

When: May 28, 4:00 PM EST
Where: Lincoln County, 1.7 mi NNE of Mariposa
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 35.444, -81.063

A father and son were injured when struck by lightning on Old Plank Rd.

Hail, Rutherford

When: May 28, 4:01 PM EST
Where: Rutherford County, 4.05 mi S of Rutherfordton
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.312, -81.980

Hail up to quarter size was reported near the intersection of Coxe Rd and Baber Rd.

Hail, Henderson

When: May 28, 4:05 PM EST
Where: Henderson County, 0.89 mi SE of Mills River
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 35.390, -82.570

Quarter size hail was reported in Mills River and up to 2 miles west of town.

Hail, Mecklenburg

When: May 28, 4:06 PM EST to 4:10 PM EST
Where: Mecklenburg County, 4.77 mi SW of Smithville to 0.74 mi SSE of Huntersville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.432, -80.941

Hail up to the size of nickels fell from the south end of Lake Norman to Huntersville.

Hail, Mecklenburg

When: May 28, 4:14 PM EST
Where: Mecklenburg County, 0.69 mi N of Wilgrove
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.230, -80.680

Hail, Polk

When: May 28, 4:18 PM EST
Where: Polk County, 2.82 mi SSW of Melvin Hill
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 35.190, -82.040

Thunderstorm Wind, Mecklenburg

When: May 28, 4:20 PM EST
Where: Mecklenburg County, 0.56 mi E of Mint Hill
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.180, -80.660

Several trees were blown down in the Mint Hill area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: May 28, 4:20 PM EST to 4:24 PM EST
Where: Union County, 1.13 mi E of Unionville to 1.11 mi SE of Fairview
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.080, -80.500

Multiple trees blown down between Fairview and Unionville.

Hail, Rutherford

When: May 28, 4:25 PM EST
Where: Rutherford County, 2.15 mi SSW of Rutherfordton
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.340, -81.980

Thunderstorm Wind, Cabarrus

When: May 28, 4:30 PM EST
Where: Cabarrus County, 4.71 mi WNW of Roberta Mills
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.390, -80.730

A couple trees were blown down in the western part of the county.

Hail, McDowell

When: May 28, 4:45 PM EST to 4:48 PM EST
Where: McDowell County, 3.94 mi N of Dysortville to 0.85 mi E of Dysortville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.657, -81.884

Penny to nickel size hail fell from Deer Park Rd, about 7 miles east southeast of Marion, to the Dysartsville community.

Hail, Burke

When: May 28, 4:50 PM EST
Where: Burke County, 3.05 mi SE of Glen Alpine
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.700, -81.760

Thunderstorm Wind, Catawba

When: May 28, 4:55 PM EST
Where: Catawba County, 2.36 mi NNE of Hickory
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.760, -81.300

A tree was blown down and several large limbs were blown onto power lines on 23rd Ave NE.

Hail, Burke

When: May 28, 5:16 PM EST
Where: Burke County, 2.81 mi W of Enola
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.670, -81.700

Golf ball size hail damaged vehicles near Burkemont.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iredell

When: May 28, 5:20 PM EST
Where: Iredell County, 0.56 mi E of Statesville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.780, -80.890

A few trees were blown down in the Statesville area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rowan

When: May 28, 5:20 PM EST
Where: Rowan County, 2.07 mi N of Cleveland
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.760, -80.680

A tree and multiple power lines were blown down on Foster Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rowan

When: May 28, 5:25 PM EST
Where: Rowan County, 0.89 mi NW of Milford Hills
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.710, -80.530

A couple trees were blown down near the intersection of Woodleaf Rd and Ridge Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iredell

When: May 28, 5:55 PM EST
Where: Iredell County, Harmony
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.950, -80.770

A few trees were blown down in the Harmony area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davie

When: May 28, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Davie County, 0.56 mi E of Mocksville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 35.900, -80.560

Trees were blown down in and around Mocksville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: May 28, 8:49 PM EST
Where: Jackson County, 6.63 mi ESE of Grimeshawes
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 35.030, -83.020

Utility company reported numerous trees blown down in the Bad Creek area on both sides of the state line.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in North Carolina in 2010 Every state in 2010 This day in weather history Warnings in North Carolina, May 2010

Sources

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: 233996, 233997, 233998, 236999, 234402, 234403, 234404, 236965, 234405, 234406, 234407, 234408, 237000, 234409, 234410, 234411, 234412, 234415, 234416, 234417, 234418, 235611, 235614, 235615, 235616, 235617, 235618, 235619, 235620, 235636, 236369, 236390.