Damaging Winds in North Carolina, April 5, 2011

Name: Damaging Winds in North Carolina, April 5, 2011
Start: 2011-04-05T01:20
End: 2011-04-05T09:43
Location: North Carolina

April 5, 2011 · NWS RAH · 31 events in 23 counties and zones

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: 0
Property damage: $1.6 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 31

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.

With a strong cold front approaching the region from the west, a pre-frontal trough moved across the CWA during the overnight hours, resulting in an intense squall line tracking across the entire forecast area. This squall line caused widespread wind damage across all of central North Carolina. After a brief break in the precipitation, another line of severe storms with damaging winds developed along the cold front as it moved through the region during the mid morning hours.

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 Apr 5, 1:14 AM EST, 6 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 5, 1:14 AM EST, 6 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
214 AM EDT TUE APR 5 2011

.SYNOPSIS...
A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL MOVE EAST TO WEST ACROSS THE REGION LATE
TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING. BEHIND THE FRONT... HIGH PRESSURE
WILL BUILD INTO THE CAROLINAS FROM THE SOUTHWEST LATE TUESDAY
AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

&&

.NEAR TERM /TONIGHT AND TOMORROW/...
AS OF 1005 PM MONDAY...

     STRONG WINDS OVERNIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY AND A RISK OF SEVERE
STORMS OVERNIGHT INTO EARLY TUESDAY...

A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 5 AM TUESDAY MORNING...

THE LATEST SURFACE ANALYSIS SHOWS A COLD FRONT EXTENDING FROM THE
GREAT LAKES SOUTHWARD THROUGH EASTERN KENTUCKY AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE
WITH A PRE FRONTAL TROUGH MOVING THROUGH WEST VIRGINA AND ACROSS THE
TENNESSEE/NORTH CAROLINA BORDER. WHAT WAS A VERY STRONG BOWING LINE
OF THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS CENTRAL TENNESSEE HAS WEAKENED A BIT
APPROACHING THE MOUNTAINS BUT IS SHOWING SOME SIGNS OF
REORGANIZATION AS A NEW BOWING SEGMENT IS BEGINNING TO PUSH ACROSS
NORTHERN GEORGIA AND WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. DEWPOINTS ACROSS THE
WESTERN PIEDMONT ARE BEGINNING TO RISE AS MOIST AIR IS BROUGHT UP
FROM THE SOUTH. ACCORDING TO THE LATEST SPC MESOANALYSIS THERE IS AN
AREA OF INCREASED MOST UNSTABLE CAPE...DCAPE...EFFECTIVE SHEAR...AND
LOW/MID LEVEL LAPSE RATES FROM THE WESTERN PIEDMONT EASTWARD INTO
THE WESTERN SANDHILLS. THEREFORE...WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE
REDEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTHERN PART OF THE LINE AS IT MOVES EASTWARD
ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA. STILL LOOKS LIKE THE MAIN THREAT WOULD BE
FROM DAMAGING WINDS WITH A LESSER LIKELIHOOD OF HAIL OR AN EMBEDDED
TORNADO BUT NEITHER CAN BE RULED OUT. TIMING STILL LOOKS GOOD WITH
ONSET IN THE TRIAD AFTER 6Z AND MORE LIKE 9Z IN THE TRIANGLE. WITH
SOME HISTORY OF TRAINING STORMS AND A BROAD AREA OF STRATIFORM RAIN
BEHIND THE LINE...HAVE INCREASED STORM TOTAL QPF NUMBERS TO 0.6
INCHES IN THE NORTH AND CLOSER TO 0.5 IN THE SOUTH WITH HEAVIER
AMOUNTS POSSIBLE IN STRONG STORMS. ALSO WITH THE TRAILING STRATIFORM
HAVE INCREASED POPS AND SKY COVER ON THE BACK END OF THE SYSTEM AS
IT APPEARS SOME LIGHT RAIN MAY REMAIN ACROSS THE AREA A BIT LONGER.
WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN STRONG ACROSS THE AREA ESPECIALLY
TUESDAY AFTERNOON AS THE FRONT EXITS...SKIES CLEAR OUT AND INCREASED
HEATING OCCURS.

AS FAR AS TEMPERATURES GO...HAVE INCREASED LOWS OVER NIGHT IN THE
TRIAD TO LOW 50'S BUT STILL EXPECTING NON DIURNAL TEMPERATURE CURVE
ACHIEVING LOWS CLOSER TO 15Z. OTHERWISE FORECAST REMAINS UNCHANGED
WITH LOWS NEAR 50 IN THE NORTHWEST TO 65 SOUTHEAST. FOR TUESDAY
EXPECT HIGHS NEAR 60 NORTHWEST TO NEAR 70 SOUTHEAST.

AFTER THE FRONT MOVES OUT TOMORROW...DRY AIR WILL MOVE IN COUPLED
WITH STRONG WINDS MAKING FIRE DANGER MORE LIKELY ONCE AGAIN TOMORROW
AFTERNOON. WILL EVALUATE THE NEED FOR AN INCREASED FIRE DANGER
STATEMENT FOR TOMORROW AFTERNOON A BIT LATER ON.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
AS OF 220 PM MONDAY...

RETURN TO A MORE TRANQUIL WEATHER PATTERN THIS PERIOD WITH A
COMMENCEMENT OF A SIGNIFICANT WARMING TREND ON THURSDAY.

SURFACE HIGH OVER THE DEEP SOUTH WILL BUILD AND EXTEND INTO
CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA TUESDAY. BLUSTERY WINDS TUESDAY AFTERNOON
WILL DROP OFF APPRECIABLY BY LATE TUESDAY EVENING AS AIR MASS
COOLS AND STABILIZES. AIR MASS RELATIVELY DRY WITH DEWPOINT
SPREADS OVERNIGHT VARYING FROM ABOUT 10 DEGREES IN THE WEST TO
ABOUT 5 DEGREES IN THE COASTAL PLAIN. WOULD PREFER TO SEE A
NARROWER RANGE FOR WIDESPREAD FROST FORMATION...ESPECIALLY IN THE
WEST. LOCALES WHERE WINDS DECOUPLE INITIALLY WILL STAND THE BEST
CHANCE OF SEEING A DECENT FROST. HAVE ADDED PATCHY FORECAST TO
GRIDS AND WILL CONTINUE TO HIGHLIGHT IN HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK.
MINIMUM TEMPERATURES 33 TO 38.

WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...SURFACE RIDGE DRIFTS EAST SOUTHEAST BY
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THIS WILL ESTABLISH A LOW LEVEL SOUTHWEST FLOW
OVER THE REGION. THE RELATIVELY DRY AIR MASS AND SOUTHWEST FLOW
WILL AID TO MODIFY AIR MASS QUICKLY. AFTER A CHILLY START TO THE
DAY... AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE IN THE MID 60S TO AROUND
70... JUST SHY OF NORMAL FOR EARLY APRIL. NOT AS CHILLY WEDNESDAY
NIGHT AS LIGHT SOUTH SOUTHWEST FLOW MAY OCCUR AND PATCHES OF
MID AND HIGH LEVEL CLOUDINESS PROJECTED TO TRAVERSE WEST TO EAST
ACROSS OUR REGION. MINIMUM TEMPERATURES GENERALLY IN THE MID 40S.
ON THURSDAY...AIR MASS CONTINUES TO MODIFY AS THICKNESSES INCREASE
ABOUT 20 METERS FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. CONTINUED SOUTHWEST FLOW
AND RELATIVELY DRY AIR MASS WILL PUSH AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES INTO
THE MID 70S MOST SPOTS.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
AS OF 245 PM MONDAY...

A VERY WARM PERIOD SHAPING UP FOR MOST OF CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
THIS PERIOD AS UPPER AIR PATTERN CHARACTERIZED BY A MINOR UPPER
RIDGE OVER THE SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES AND A DEEP CLOSED LOW OVER
THE WESTERN UNITED STATES. THIS TYPE OF PATTERN SUGGEST AN ACTIVE
WEATHER REGIME FROM THE MID MISSISSIPPI VALLEY THROUGH THE LOWER
GREAT LAKES INTO THE NORTHERN MID ATLANTIC SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. A
DISTURBANCE IN THIS ACTIVE FLOW TO OUR NORTH MAY DRAG A BACKDOOR
FRONT INTO NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA ON SATURDAY INTO EARLY SUNDAY.
SOME QUESTION STILL ON HOW FAR SOUTH THIS FEATURE MIGRATES INTO
CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA. MID AND UPPER LEVEL RIDGES NOT OVERLY
SHARP BUT DOES MAINTAIN POSITION OVER THE SOUTHEAST UNITED
STATES/FLORIDA PENINSULA THROUGH THE PERIOD. PLAN TO SHOW SOME
COOLING OVER THE FAR NORTHEAST SUNDAY (THOUGH IF 12Z GFS
VERIFIES...COOLING MORE PRONOUNCED SATURDAY OVER THE NORTHERN
COASTAL PLAIN WITH WARMING TREND OCCURRING ON SUNDAY).

DUE TO VICINITY OF THE BOUNDARY...WILL MAINTAIN A SLIGHT
CHANCE TO SMALL CHANCE POP OVER THE NORTHERN THIRD LATE SATURDAY
INTO SATURDAY NIGHT.

MAIN WEATHER STORY WILL BE THE ABNORMALLY WARM TEMPERATURES. LOW
LEVEL THICKNESSES RISE INTO THE 1400 TO 1410 METER RANGE THIS
WEEKEND. THIS SUPPORTS MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES ABOUT 15 DEGREES ABOVE
NORMAL. RECORD MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES DO NOT APPEAR LIKELY AT THIS
TIME AS RECORD MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE UPPER 80S TO LOWER
90S DURING THIS PERIOD.

MONDAY...FRONTAL SYSTEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE WESTERN UNITED STATES
LOW APPROACHES FROM THE WEST. GFS ABOUT 6 HOURS FASTER THAN 00Z
ECMWF AT THIS TIME. KEPT POPS NO HIGHER THAN 20 PERCENT AT THIS
TIME. CONTINUED VERY WARM MONDAY.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
AS OF 145 AM TUESDAY...

STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE CURRENTLY ENTERING THE TRIAD
REGION AT THIS HOUR. BREEZY SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS CONTINUE ACROSS THE
AREA...WITH GUSTS EXPECTED TO BE MUCH HIGHER IN THE VICINITY OF
THUNDERSTORMS...POSSIBLY EXCEEDING 60 MPH WITH THE STRONGEST STORMS.
IFR TO LIFR CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST IN THE HEAVY RAINS...EVEN BEHIND
THE LEADING EDGE OF THE STRONGEST STORMS. THE MAIN LINE OF STORMS
WILL MOVE ACROSS THE WEST (KINT/KGSO) OVER THE NEXT HOUR OR SO AND
SHOULD APPROACH THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE FORECAST AREA (KRDU/KFAY)
BETWEEN 07/08Z AND THEN THE EAST (KRWI) BY 08/09Z. LIGHT TO MODERATE
STRATIFORM RAIN WILL CONTINUE FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS BEHIND THE
INITIAL LINE OF STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS. WINDS WILL SHIFT TO
NORTHWEST BEHIND THE THUNDERSTORMS AND CONTINUE TO BE GUSTY INTO AT
LEAST MID AFTERNOON BEFORE NOTICEABLY DECREASING. SKIES BECOMING
PARTLY CLOUDY SOON AFTER RAIN ENDS TUESDAY MORNING.

VFR CONDITIONS TUESDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY WITH THE POSSIBLE
EXCEPTION OF MVFR CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES LATE THURSDAY NIGHT...
AND THROUGH MUCH OF THE NIGHT FRIDAY NIGHT.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
AS OF 1005 PM MONDAY...

COOLER AND DRIER AIR ARRIVES TUESDAY AFTERNOON... WITH WINDS
BLUSTERY ONCE AGAIN... SUSTAINED AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS GUSTING TO 25 TO
30 KNOTS. WITH RH VALUES BOTTOMING OUT AT 30 TO 40 PERCENT... FIRE
DANGER WILL AGAIN BE ELEVATED. WILL EVALUATE THE NEED FOR INCREASED
FIRE DANGER STATEMENT OVERNIGHT TONIGHT. -GIH/RTE

&&

.RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 5 AM EDT TUESDAY FOR NCZ007>011-021>028-
038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089.

&&

SYNOPSIS...HARTFIELD
NEAR TERM...ELLIS
SHORT TERM...WSS
LONG TERM...WSS
AVIATION...KRR
FIRE WEATHER...HARTFIELD/ELLIS

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 4, 11:51 PM EST, 1 hour 29 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
1251 AM EDT TUE APR 5 2011

NCZ007>010-021>026-038>041-073>076-083-084-060500-
PERSON-GRANVILLE-VANCE-WARREN-FORSYTH-GUILFORD-ALAMANCE-ORANGE-
DURHAM-FRANKLIN-DAVIDSON-RANDOLPH-CHATHAM-WAKE-STANLY-MONTGOMERY-
MOORE-LEE-ANSON-RICHMOND-
1251 AM EDT TUE APR 5 2011

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EDT EARLY THIS MORNING...
...TORNADO WATCH 100 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EDT EARLY THIS MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...THROUGH TONIGHT.

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

   TORNADO WATCH.
   WIND ADVISORY.

SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 25 MPH ARE EXPECTED TO GUST TO 40 TO 45
MPH THIS EVENING THROUGH TONIGHT.

A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL CROSS THE PIEDMONT OVERNIGHT THROUGH
TUESDAY MORNING... ACCOMPANIED BY A LINE OF SHOWERS AND STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS. DUE TO VERY STRONG WINDS ALOFT... A FEW STORMS MAY
BE SEVERE... WITH A PRIMARY THREAT OF DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE
WINDS OVER 60 MPH. THE GREATEST RISK OF SEVERE STORMS WILL BE
BETWEEN 2 AM AND 9 AM.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

PATCHY FROST IS POSSIBLE TUESDAY NIGHT AS COLD AIR MOVES IN BEHIND
THE FRONT. OTHERWISE... HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS
TIME.

NCZ011-027-028-042-043-077-078-085-086-088-089-060500-
HALIFAX-NASH-EDGECOMBE-JOHNSTON-WILSON-HARNETT-WAYNE-SCOTLAND-HOKE-
CUMBERLAND-SAMPSON-
1251 AM EDT TUE APR 5 2011

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EDT EARLY THIS MORNING...
...TORNADO WATCH 100 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EDT EARLY THIS MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...THROUGH TONIGHT.

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

   TORNADO WATCH.
   WIND ADVISORY.

SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 25 MPH ARE EXPECTED TO GUST TO 40 TO 45
MPH THIS EVENING THROUGH TONIGHT.

A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL CROSS THE COASTAL PLAIN AND SANDHILLS
VERY LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MIDDAY TUESDAY... ACCOMPANIED BY A LINE
OF SHOWERS AND STRONG THUNDERSTORMS. DUE TO VERY STRONG WINDS
ALOFT... A FEW STORMS TUESDAY MORNING MAY BE SEVERE... WITH A
PRIMARY THREAT OF DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS OVER 60 MPH. THE
GREATEST RISK OF SEVERE STORMS WILL BE BETWEEN 6 AM AND 1 PM.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

PATCHY FROST IS POSSIBLE TUESDAY NIGHT... MAINLY NORTH OF HIGHWAY
64... AS COLD AIR MOVES IN BEHIND THE FRONT. OTHERWISE...
HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 129 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:19 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

31 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When: April 5, 1:20 AM EST to 1:30 AM EST
Where: Davidson County, 0.89 mi SE of Yadkin College to 0.89 mi NW of Thomasville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $950,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.870, -80.370

Widespread trees and power lines were blown down across the entire county. Falling trees caused substantial damage to many homes, vehicles and outbuildings throughout the county. Extensive structural damage was also caused by strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stanly

When: April 5, 1:22 AM EST to 1:37 AM EST
Where: Stanly County, 2.91 mi WSW of Stanfield to 0.56 mi E of Badin
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.220, -80.480

Several trees were blown down along a swath from just west of Stanfield to near Badin.

Thunderstorm Wind, Guilford

When: April 5, 1:38 AM EST to 2:00 AM EST
Where: Guilford County, 2.36 mi NNW of High Pt to 2.35 mi NNW of Whitsett Clayton Arp
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.000, -80.020

Widespread trees were blown down across all of Guilford County. Numerous homes sustained significant damage from falling trees and strong winds across the county, with 32 structures receiving at least minor damage within the city of Greensboro.

Thunderstorm Wind, Randolph

When: April 5, 1:46 AM EST to 1:50 AM EST
Where: Randolph County, 0.69 mi S of Salem to 0.69 mi N of Seagrove
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.820, -79.800

Numerous trees were blown down across the county along a swath from near Randleman to near Seagrove. A few homes were damaged from falling trees and strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anson

When: April 5, 1:53 AM EST to 2:25 AM EST
Where: Anson County, 1.13 mi W of Polkton to 0.89 mi NW of Cairo
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.000, -80.220

Several trees were blown down along a swath from near Polkton to near Morven.

Thunderstorm Wind, Alamance

When: April 5, 2:03 AM EST to 2:07 AM EST
Where: Alamance County, 2.34 mi WSW of Burlington Arpt to 1.31 mi ENE of Burlington Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.040, -79.520

Numerous trees were blown down along a swath from near Alamance to Burlington. Several homes/buildings received minor damage, with one home sustaining significant damage near Burlington.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chatham

When: April 5, 2:11 AM EST
Where: Chatham County, 1.82 mi ESE of Siler City
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.720, -79.440

Two trees were blown down on two neighboring houses in Siler City.

Thunderstorm Wind, Person

When: April 5, 2:30 AM EST to 2:40 AM EST
Where: Person County, 0.56 mi W of Roxboro to 1.31 mi WSW of Hyco Jct
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 36.400, -78.990

A couple of trees were blown down along a swath from Roxboro to about 5 miles north of Roxboro.

Thunderstorm Wind, Durham

When: April 5, 2:36 AM EST to 2:40 AM EST
Where: Durham County, 2.88 mi WSW of Durham to 0.56 mi W of Durham
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.010, -78.970

A couple of trees were blown down near the city of Durham, with one of the trees landing on a house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Granville

When: April 5, 2:52 AM EST
Where: Granville County, 2.07 mi S of Kinton Fork
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 36.320, -78.630

A few trees were blown down across Hwy 158 near Oxford.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wake

When: April 5, 3:00 AM EST to 3:35 AM EST
Where: Wake County, 1.78 mi NW of Apex to 3.36 mi E of Rockton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.750, -78.890

Numerous trees were blown down along a swath from just west of Apex to near Zebulon. One tree fell on a house near Cary and another tree fell through a mobile home near Garner.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: April 5, 3:06 AM EST to 3:15 AM EST
Where: Franklin County, 0.69 mi N of Franklinton to 1.31 mi ESE of Louisburg Ball Arpt
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 36.110, -78.450

A couple of trees and power lines were blown down along a swath from Franklinton to just north of Louisburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Vance

When: April 5, 3:06 AM EST
Where: Vance County, 1.49 mi NNW of Henderson
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 36.350, -78.410

A tree was blown down on NC 39 North near State Road 3609.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cumberland

When: April 5, 3:23 AM EST
Where: Cumberland County, 0.69 mi S of Shaw Hgts
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.140, -78.930

The ASOS at Fort Bragg Simmons Air Force Base recorded a gust of 59 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harnett

When: April 5, 3:25 AM EST
Where: Harnett County, 2.36 mi NNW of Norrington Xrds
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.380, -78.940

Two trees were blown down on two different homes near Spring Hill Church Road and McDougald Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnston

When: April 5, 3:40 AM EST to 4:00 AM EST
Where: Johnston County, 5.59 mi NNW of Bagley to 0.89 mi SE of Kenly
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.650, -78.220

Numerous trees were blown down along a swath from several miles north of Micro to Kenly. One building was damaged by a falling tree and a home sustained roof damage in Kenly.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harnett

When: April 5, 3:40 AM EST
Where: Harnett County, 3.63 mi SSE of Bunnlevel
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.270, -78.760

A tree was blown down on Horseshoe Bend Road about 3 miles south of Bunnlevel.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nash

When: April 5, 3:48 AM EST to 4:02 AM EST
Where: Nash County, 1.12 mi W of Stanhope to 5.43 mi ESE of Hickory
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.870, -78.100

Several trees were blown down along a swath from near Spring Hope to near Whitakers. One tree fell on a home in Nashville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When: April 5, 3:51 AM EST to 4:00 AM EST
Where: Halifax County, 3.11 mi ESE of Darlington to 1.49 mi SSW of Pender
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 36.300, -77.670

A couple of trees and power lines were blown down along a swath from about 5 miles west of Halifax to just south of Halifax. A fence was damaged in Halifax.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wilson

When: April 5, 4:00 AM EST to 4:10 AM EST
Where: Wilson County, 0.89 mi SE of Lucama to 0.56 mi E of Wilson
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.640, -78.010

A couple of trees were blown down along a swath from Lucama to Wilson.

Thunderstorm Wind, Edgecombe

When: April 5, 4:16 AM EST to 4:22 AM EST
Where: Edgecombe County, 3.42 mi WNW of Leggett to 0.69 mi N of Leggett
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.990, -77.630

A few trees were blown down along a swath from about 3 miles west of Leggett to just east of Leggett.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cumberland

When: April 5, 4:20 AM EST
Where: Cumberland County, 2.15 mi NNW of Slocomb
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.210, -78.840

Two trees were blown down near the intersection of Ramsey Street and Palenstine Road about 6 miles to the southwest of Linden.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chatham

When: April 5, 7:30 AM EST
Where: Chatham County, 0.89 mi SE of Siler City
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.720, -79.460

Six to eight buildings were damaged in Siler City, with some having their roofs blown off due to strong winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Vance

When: April 5, 8:15 AM EST
Where: Vance County, 2.35 mi NNW of Greystone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.400, -78.370

Several trees were blown down near Middleburg and a couple of storage buildings were damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: April 5, 8:23 AM EST to 8:29 AM EST
Where: Warren County, 2.22 mi W of Oakville to 0.69 mi S of Warrenton Wrrn Co Ar
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 36.500, -78.140

A couple of trees were blown down along a swath from near Wise to near Warrenton.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wake

When: April 5, 8:40 AM EST
Where: Wake County, 3.05 mi SW of Knightdale
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.750, -78.520

A tree was blown down in the Knightdale Estates area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When: April 5, 8:41 AM EST to 9:04 AM EST
Where: Halifax County, 4.5 mi W of Summit to 2.15 mi NNW of Days Xrds
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 36.460, -77.900

Multiple trees were blown down along a swath from near Littleton to near Roanoke Rapids.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nash

When: April 5, 9:00 AM EST to 9:04 AM EST
Where: Nash County, 1.49 mi NNE of Spring Hope to 1.12 mi W of Corinth
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.970, -78.110

Multiple trees were blown down along a swath from near Spring Hope to near Nashville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sampson

When: April 5, 9:04 AM EST
Where: Sampson County, 1.7 mi W of Clinton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.000, -78.360

A tree was blown down on Tomahawk Trail near Inverness Road near Clinton.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnston

When: April 5, 9:15 AM EST
Where: Johnston County, 2.67 mi SE of Rains Xrds
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.490, -78.120

Multiple trees were blown down along Hickory Crossroads Road near Princeton.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When: April 5, 9:35 AM EST to 9:43 AM EST
Where: Wayne County, 1.13 mi W of Goldsboro to 0.69 mi N of (Gsb)seymour Johnson
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.380, -78.000

A tree was blown down onto a power line on Mulberry Street in Goldsboro. The AWOS at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base recorded a gust of 60 mph.

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in North Carolina in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history Warnings in North Carolina, April 2011

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: 297755, 297764, 297771, 297774, 298021, 298022, 298026, 298033, 298036, 298038, 298042, 298046, 298047, 298048, 298052, 298059, 298078, 298063, 298065, 298066, 298067, 298079, 298069, 298070, 298071, 298072, 298073, 298074, 298075, 298076, 298077.