A slow moving cold front dropped south and into central North Carolina on May 28th. Showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of the front across southern portions Virginia during the afternoon.
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 RAH wrote it up.
A slow moving cold front dropped south and into central North Carolina on May 28th. Showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of the front across southern portions Virginia during the afternoon. Outflow from these showers and thunderstorms propagated southward and combined with convective outflows from convection that developed across portions of the foothills and mountains of North Carolina to produce widespread showers and thunderstorms. Some of these stomrs produced damaging wind gust.
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 May 28, 1:53 PM EST, 3 hours 19 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC 253 PM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010 .SYNOPSIS... A COLD FRONT WILL DRIFT SOUTHWESTWARD INTO THE REGION TODAY THROUGH SATURDAY...INCREASING THE CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. MORE STABLE CONDITIONS ARE ANTICIPATED FOR SUNDAY AND MONDAY AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS ALOFT OVER THE AREA. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... AS OF 240 PM FRIDAY... MID TO LATE AFTERNOON CONVECTION STILL EXPECTED TO DEVELOP. CUMULUS FIELDS BECOMING EXTENSIVE IN THE FOOTHILLS AND BEGINNING TO FORM IN THE WESTERN AND NORTHERN PIEDMONT. AIR MASS TYPICAL OF A DRIER SUMMER DAY WITH WEAK WINDS BUT DECENT SURFACE INSTABILITY. THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD BE PULSE IN NATURE AND ISOLATED DAMAGING WINDS POSSIBLE. NO DECENT SURFACE BOUNDARIES PRESENT BUT THETA-E GRADIENT BEST IN OUR WEST AND SOUTH PARTS. UPPER LEVEL SHORT WAVE IN THE MIDWEST DIVING SOUTH SOUTHWEST AND ITS JET LEVEL DIVERGENCE FIELD LOOKS TO REMAIN WEST OF OUR AREA. SOME FOG LATE TONIGHT BUT NOT EXPECTED TO BE SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO MENTION IN THE TEXT PRODUCTS. SOME STRATUS LATE TONIGHT. LOW LEVEL MOISTURE LOOKS BEST TOWARD VIRGINIA AND INTO THE NORTHWEST PIEDMONT... AND THESE AREAS FAVORED... THOUGH BRIEF SUNRISE LOW OVERCAST POSSIBLE ALMOST ANYWHERE. OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURES WILL AGAIN BE MILD WITH MID TO UPPER 60S FORECAST. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... AS OF 240 PM FRIDAY... MID LEVEL WINDS BECOME SOLIDLY SOUTHWEST SATURDAY AND MINIMALLY CONVERGENT ACROSS NORTH PARTS DURING THE AFTERNOON. MODELS ARE TOO MOIST WITH THEIR SURFACE DEW POINTS... OVERDOING SURFACE INSTABILITY PARAMETERS. WARMING ABOVE 700 MILLIBARS FORECAST... WHICH WILL LESSEN THE STRENGTH OF ANY UPDRAFTS IN THE MID LEVELS. FORTY PERCENT RAIN CHANCE NORTH AND THIRTY PERCENT SOUTH. AFTERNOON HIGH TEMPERATURES 80 TO 84. SATURDAY NIGHT WILL SEE CONVECTION DIMINISH WITH THE LOSS OF AFTERNOON HEATING. LIGHT SOUTHWEST FLOW OVERNIGHT WITH LOW TEMPERATURES 65 TO 69. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... AS OF 250 PM FRIDAY... A RETROGRESSING CUTOFF LOW WILL BE PINNED OVER THE GULF STATES SUNDAY AND MONDAY IN A LINGERING REX BLOCKING PATTERN. MEANWHILE...WE WILL BE STAGNANT AND COOKING UNDER A GRADUALLY WEAKENING RIDGE AXIS OVERHEAD. FORCING WILL BE VERY LIMITED AND AM ONLY LOOKING FOR ISOLATED DIURNAL CONVECTION SUNDAY AND MONDAY WITH HIGHS REACHING AROUND 90 AFTER MORNING LOWS IN THE 65 TO 70 RANGE. THE BLOCKING PATTERN BEGINS TO BREAK DOWN AND DEAMPLIFY AND THE UPPER CUTOFF LOW WILL WEAKEN AND BEGIN TO BE ABSORBED INTO THE BROADER WESTERLY FLOW OVER THE CONUS. REMNANTS OF THIS LOW WILL BE PICKED UP ON THE SOUTHERN END OF AN APPROACHING FRONT MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY. AS SUCH...POPS WILL INCREASE TO CHANCE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY WITH A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN HIGH TEMPS...85-90. LOTS OF UNCERTAINTY IN THE LATER EXTENDED...BUT WARM TEMPS...UPPER 80S...AND ABUNDANT MOISTURE WILL BE IN PLACE. WORTH AT LEAST A CLIMATOLOGICAL CHANCE FOR AFTERNOON/EVENING CONVECTION. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... AS OF 215 PM... CUMULUS BEGINNING TO DEVELOP OVER THE AREA WITH CONVECTION EXPECTED MID TO LATE AFTERNOON. LITTLE TO KEEP THUNDERSTORMS GOING OVERNIGHT EXCEPT THE INSTABILITY OF THE AIR MASS... BUT SOME STORMS MAY PERSIST TO MIDNIGHT. AREAS OF IFR CEILINGS AND MVFR FOG BEFORE DAWN INTO SUNRISE SATURDAY MORNING. SCATTERED SHOWERS WITH A FEW THUNDERSTORMS... MAINLY AFTERNOON. THE STORMS WILL NOT BE AS VIGOROUS AS THOSE EXPECTED TODAY. FOR SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY....EXPECT PROLONG PERIODS OF VFR CONDITIONS WITH A FEW HOURS OF MVFR CEILINGS AND VISIBILITY BETWEEN 09Z-13Z EACH MORNING. AFTERNOON SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS... A BIT MORE WIDESPREAD TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SYNOPSIS...RE NEAR TERM...RLH SHORT TERM...RLH LONG TERM...MLM AVIATION...RLH
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC 416 AM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010 NCZ007>011-021>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-290930- 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- 416 AM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. A FEW STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TODAY AND THIS EVENING AS A COLD FRONT DRIFTS SOUTHWESTWARD ACROSS THE REGION. THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER HAZARDS WILL BE DAMAGING DOWNBURST WINDS AND LARGE HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS. IN ADDITION...NEARLY CONTINUOUS LIGHTNING STRIKES MAY OCCUR WITH THE STRONGER STORMS. SINCE THE WINDS ALOFT ARE WEAK...THE LACKING OF A STEERING FLOW WILL RESULT IN SLOW MOVING SHOWERS AND STORMS. THIS MAY LEAD TO LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH MAY CAUSE BRIEF FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS...STREAMS AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS. THE THREAT FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE GREATEST BETWEEN 1 PM AND 10 PM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
528 PM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010
NCZ083-282215-
ANSON-
528 PM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL MOVE ACROSS ANSON COUNTY THROUGH 615 PM
EDT...
AT 528 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
POLKTON...OR ABOUT 6 MILES WEST OF WADESBORO...MOVING NORTHWEST AT 15
MPH.
SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE...POLKTON AND
PEACHLAND.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
PEA SIZE HAIL.
GUSTY WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH.
DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE FIRST LIGHTNING FLASH BEFORE HEADING TO
SAFETY. MOVE INDOORS AT THE FIRST SIGN OF THREATENING SKIES OR THE
FIRST SOUND OF THUNDER. MAKE SURE THAT LIGHTNING IS WELL AWAY FROM
YOUR LOCATION BEFORE RESUMING OUTDOOR ACTIVITY.
&&
LAT...LON 3519 8028 3520 8026 3520 8024 3516 8022
3517 8019 3515 8017 3516 8015 3496 8005
3488 8024 3496 8032
TIME...MOT...LOC 2128Z 151DEG 16KT 3497 8018
GIHSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
537 PM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010
NCZ021-282215-
FORSYTH-
537 PM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL MOVE ACROSS FORSYTH COUNTY THROUGH 615
PM EDT...
AT 536 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
PFAFFTOWN...AND WAS NEARLY STATIONARY.
SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE...PFAFFTOWN.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
PEA SIZE HAIL.
GUSTY WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH.
SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARLY BUILDING OR VEHICLE. STRONG WINDS ARE
CAPABLE OF KNOCKING DOWN SMALL TREES AND BLOWING AROUND TRASH CANS...
POTTED PLANTS...LAWN FURNITURE AND OTHER LIGHT OUTDOOR OBJECTS.
&&
LAT...LON 3614 8045 3615 8045 3620 8045 3626 8034
3626 8026 3626 8017 3610 8007 3602 8037
TIME...MOT...LOC 2136Z 243DEG 2KT 3614 8032
KRRSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
600 PM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010
NCZ083-282230-
ANSON-
600 PM EDT FRI MAY 28 2010
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL MOVE ACROSS ANSON COUNTY THROUGH 630 PM
EDT...
AT 559 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
ANSONVILLE...OR ABOUT 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF WADESBORO...MOVING
NORTHWEST AT 15 MPH.
SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE ANSONVILLE... AND
HIGHWAY 52 NORTH OF WADESBORO.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
PEA SIZE HAIL.
GUSTY WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH.
HEAVY RAINFALL AND MINOR FLOODING.
DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE FIRST LIGHTNING FLASH BEFORE HEADING TO
SAFETY. MOVE INDOORS AT THE FIRST SIGN OF THREATENING SKIES OR THE
FIRST SOUND OF THUNDER. MAKE SURE THAT LIGHTNING IS WELL AWAY FROM
YOUR LOCATION BEFORE RESUMING OUTDOOR ACTIVITY.
THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE HEAVY RAINFALL...WHICH WILL CAUSE MINOR
FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS INCLUDING DITCHES...CREEKS...ROADWAYS AND
AREAS OF POOR DRAINAGE. AVOID THESE AREAS AND DO NOT CROSS FLOODED
ROADS. MOTORISTS SHOULD ALSO REDUCE DRIVING SPEEDS TO AVOID
HYDROPLANING.
&&
LAT...LON 3519 8028 3520 8026 3520 8024 3516 8022
3517 8019 3515 8017 3518 8015 3517 8013
3519 8011 3515 8007 3510 8006 3509 8003
3496 7992 3490 8013 3507 8030
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 148DEG 11KT 3506 8014
GIHThe Columbia radar (KCAE), 148 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:12 UTC.
22 thunderstorm wind, 4 flash flood, 3 hail, 2 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
One tree was reported down on a house on North Carolina Highway 145 and several trees were in the road along Highway 145 at Cason Oldsfield Road. Numerous trees were also reported down between Southwest Morven and North Lilesville.
One tree was reported blown down onto a car near the intersection of Robinhood Road and Speaks Farm Road.
Several trees were reported down just northwest of Norwood, NC.
Multiple trees were reported down on Indian Mount Road.
Large tree limbs were reported downed and hanging on power lines near the intersection of Kinney Road and Kinway Court.
Several trees were reported down at Valley Dr and North Carolina Highway 24 and 27 east of Albemarle, NC.
Several trees were reported down at Marty Lane and Lewisville-Clemmons Road.
Flash flooding was reported at several locations in Clemmons, NC, including Lewisville Clemmons Road. In addition, a vehicle was reported to be under water at the intersection of Stadium Drive and Brookland Drive.
Several trees were reported down in the intersection of Phillipi Church Road and Club Pond Road.
Several trees were reported down in the road at the intersection of Kinnamon Road and Bluebonnet Lane.
Several trees were reported down on Blackstone Road.
One tree was reported down near 400 South Plank Road.
One tree was reported down on Cotten Road.
One tree was reported down on power lines in the 1600 block of Goldston Carbonton Road.
A two-story log cabin burned down on Lake Hart Trail in Brassfield, NC. A lightning strike caused the fire. Firefighters took seven hours to put out the blaze and used 200,000 gallons of water.
Numerous trees were reported down at 7800 Massey Chapel Road.
A lightning strike caused an electrical failure at a pump station near Durham, North Carolina. The electrical failure allowed 18,000 gallons of sewage to spill into the Eno River.
Quarter sized hail was reported at 3719 United States Highway 70 near Hillsborough, NC.
Multiple trees were reported down throughout the county, with the great concentration across Hillsborough, NC. A housing development off Rhonda Road in Hillsborough, NC had damage to numerous cars and homes.
Nickel sized hail was reported in Southern Wake County.
Quarter sized hail was reported near Hillsborough, NC.
Power line was reported downed on Cole Mill Road near Kimball Drive.
.
Several trees were reported down on Jones Ferry Road in North Chatham County.
One tree was reported down near the intersection of Massey Chapel and Fayetteville Road. Power was also out at this location after the storm.
Several trees were reported down at Cheek Road and Hardee Street.
Several trees were reported down at 1100 Taylor Street in Durham, NC.
Several trees were reported down at 500 North Hyde Park Avenue in Durham, NC.
Widespread flooding was reported throughout the city of Durham, NC, including roads closed, water coming up through manhole covers and trash cans floating in the street. Some roads which were reported to be flooded included; the intersection of Neal road and Wildberry Lane, the intersection of United States Highway 15/501 and Hillsborough Road, Hillandale Road and Carver Road. In addition, cars were reported to be floating near I-85 and the Durham freeway, Hillandale Road and Carver Road, and Morreene Steet. Flooding also collapsed a roof at an apartment complex off of Crest Street.
Flash flooding was reported on Barber Mill Road at Government Road, and along Polenta Road at McLemore Road and Indian Camp Road.
Several trees were reported down at the intersection of Moore Road and Cleveland Road.
Flash flooding was reported at the intersection of Little Divine Road and North Carolina Highway 96 and at Old Beulah Road and North Carolina Highway 96. Both roads were impassable.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2010Every state in 2010This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, May 2010
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: 236312, 236240, 236316, 236314, 236311, 236242, 236243, 236786, 236315, 236245, 236313, 236740, 236739, 236247, 236906, 236785, 236905, 236907, 236783, 236237, 236238, 236318, 236738, 236317, 236741, 236742, 236743, 236823, 236900, 236669, 236904.