Cold pool driven convection crossed the Appalachians and moved into a moderate unstable air mass in place across central North Carolina. Severe hail up to the size |of golf balls and wind damage from fallen trees were reported as the convective band moved through the area.
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.
Cold pool driven convection crossed the Appalachians and moved into a moderate unstable air mass in place across central North Carolina. Severe hail up to the size |of golf balls and wind damage from fallen trees were reported as the convective band moved through the area.
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 13, 1:48 PM EST, 3 hours 9 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC 248 PM EDT FRI MAY 13 2011 .SYNOPSIS... A WEAK SURFACE TROUGH WILL LINGER OVER CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA THROUGH SATURDAY...FOLLOWED BY THE PASSAGE OF A WEAK COLD FRONT SATURDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY SUNDAY. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... AS OF 245 PM... STILL EXPECTING PULSE THUNDERSTORMS TO DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON. LOW CLOUDINESS QUITE SLOW TO CLEAR THE NORTH AS WAS THE CASE THURSDAY. MODELS STILL FORECASTING THE SOUTH CAROLINA SURFACE LOW TO DEEPEN AND PRESSURE FALLS THROUGH THE APPALACHIANS INTO SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA PERHAPS CONFIRMING THIS PROCESS. WEAK SURFACE CONVERGENCE NORTHEAST OF THIS LOW SHOULD AID THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT. ONCE THE PROCESS IS BEGUN... OUTFLOW BOUNDARIES IN THE UNSTABLE AIR MASS SHOULD ALLOW RAIN TO PERSIST WELL INTO THE NIGHT HOURS. VORTICITY COMPLEX NOW IN ALABAMA FORECAST TO BE IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA PIEDMONT AND MOUNTAINS TOWARD SUNRISE SATURDAY. EXPECTING THIS SYSTEM IN COMBINATION WITH THE SLOW MOVING SURFACE LOW AND IN PLACE UNSTABLE AIR MASS TO INITIATE CONVECTION IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA BEFORE NOON... WITH SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORMS PERSISTING INTO THE EARLY EVENING HOURS WITH THE SURFACE LOW AND VORTICITY COMPLEX EXITING THE AREA TOWARD SUNSET. OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW TO MID 60S. SATURDAY HIGH TEMPERATURES IN DOUBT WITH POTENTIAL FOR MORNING PRECIPITATION AND LOW CLOUDINESS. FORECAST OF UPPER 70S TO NEAR 80 IN THE WEST COULD GO EITHER DIRECTION. LOWER 80S EXPECTED IN THE EAST. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... AS OF 230 PM FRIDAY... SUN THROUGH WED: THE EASTWARD MIGRATION OF THE COMPLEX MID-UPPER TROUGH AND NOTABLE LARGE VORTEX OVER THE CENTRAL CONUS TODAY WILL MAINTAIN A PROLONGED PERIOD OF PERTURBED SOUTH TO SOUTHWESTERLY FLOW ALOFT...ATOP ELONGATED SURFACE LOW PRESSURE/TROUGHING...OVER MUCH OF THE EAST COAST THIS PERIOD. BOTH PRECEDING RICH BL MOISTURE WITH DEWPOINTS IN THE MID-UPPER 60S...AND A DEEP MOIST AXIS CHARACTERIZED BY PRECIPITABLE WATER VALUES AROUND 1.5 INCHES OVER THE LOWER MS VALLEY THIS AFTERNOON...ARE EXPECTED TO BE SHUNTED OFFSHORE THE CAROLINAS BY SUN MORNING GIVEN THE STEADY EASTWARD PROGRESSION OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COMPLEX TROUGH ALOFT. HOWEVER...DIABATIC WARMING/BL DESTABILIZATION...BENEATH POCKETS OF LIFT AND COOL MID LEVEL TEMPERATURES ATTENDING A SERIES OF AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR SIGNIFICANT AND LIKELY NEGATIVELY-TILTED PERTURBATIONS (WITH PERIODS OF 12-24 HOURS EACH) FORECAST TO PIVOT AROUND THE MEAN MID-UPPER LOW...SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO DRIVE SCATTERED...PRIMARILY DIURNAL CONVECTION. A PROJECTED STEEP LOW LEVEL LAPSE RATE ENVIRONMENT... CHARACTERIZED BY TEMPERATURES IN THE 70S (TO LOWER 80S IN THE EAST SUN-MON) AND DEWPOINTS MAINLY IN THE 50S (TO AROUND 60 DEGREES EAST)...AND ENHANCED MID-TROPOSPHERIC FLOW ON THE EASTERN FRINGE OF THE MID-UPPER LOW...WOULD POSE A RISK OF DAMAGING WINDS AND MARGINALLY SEVERE HAIL. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/... AS OF 230 PM FRIDAY... WED NIGHT THROUGH FRI: A STEADY CASCADE OF S/W ENERGY UNDERNEATH THE BLOCKING OMEGA RIDGE INITIALLY OVER WEST-CENTRAL CANADA SHOULD CAUSE HEIGHTS TO FALL SUFFICIENTLY TO ALLOW A NEW VORTEX TO DEVELOP AT THE BASE OF THE RIDGE...INVOF CENTRAL PLAINS...THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK. THIS VORTEX WILL SERVE AS A KICKER TO EJECT THE PRECEDING VORTEX NORTHEASTWARD FROM THE TN VALLEY TO THE NORTHEAST...THEREBY ALLOWING HEIGHT RISES IN S/W RIDGING ALOFT TO OVERSPREAD THE SOUTHEAST STATES. THE RESULT SHOULD BE DRY AND WARMING CONDITIONS... WITH TEMPERATURES CREEPING BACK INTO THE 80S BY THE END OF THE WEEK. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... AS OF 215 PM... EXPECT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF ADVERSE AVIATION CONDITIONS THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT WITH EXTENDED PERIODS OF SUB VFR CEILINGS ALONG WITH SCATTERED CONVECTION. THUNDERSTORMS MOSTLY CONFINED TO THE LATE AFTERNOON TO LATE EVENING HOURS WHEN COVERAGE WILL BE MOST WIDESPREAD. A FEW SHOWERS LIKELY TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE NIGHT... ESPECIALLY EAST OF HIGHWAY ONE. EXPECTING LIFR CONDITIONS TO DEVELOP EARLY TONIGHT AND CONTINUE TO AT LEAST MID MORNING SATURDAY BEFORE LIFTING TO MVFR. SCATTERED MAINLY AFTERNOON THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING WITH SHOWERS POSSIBLE ALMOST ANYTIME... THOUGH GENERALLY MORE ISOLATED LATE AT NIGHT. SOME MVFR FOG POSSIBLE EACH MORNING WITHIN A FEW HOURS OF SUNRISE. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SYNOPSIS... NEAR TERM... SHORT TERM...MWS LONG TERM...MWS AVIATION...
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC 454 PM EDT FRI MAY 13 2011 NCZ010-011-026>028-042-043-077-078-085-086-088-089-142100- WARREN-HALIFAX-FRANKLIN-NASH-EDGECOMBE-JOHNSTON-WILSON-HARNETT-WAYNE- SCOTLAND-HOKE-CUMBERLAND-SAMPSON- 454 PM EDT FRI MAY 13 2011 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA. .DAY ONE...THROUGH TONIGHT. THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP TODAY IN THE MOIST UNSTABLE AIR MASS OVER CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA. A FEW MAY BECOME SEVERE WITH THE PRIMARY THREAT DAMAGING DOWNBURST WINDS... AND TO A LESSER DEGREE ONE INCH HAIL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. ISOLATED STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MAY OCCUR SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND SATURDAY EVENING. THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER THREAT WILL BE HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS NEAR 60 MPH. IN ADDITION...FREQUENT LIGHTNING WILL ACCOMPANY THE STRONGER STORMS. THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT APPEARS TO BE GREATEST BETWEEN 3 PM AND 9 PM. NCZ007>009-021>025-038>041-073>076-083-084-142100- PERSON-GRANVILLE-VANCE-FORSYTH-GUILFORD-ALAMANCE-ORANGE-DURHAM- DAVIDSON-RANDOLPH-CHATHAM-WAKE-STANLY-MONTGOMERY-MOORE-LEE-ANSON- RICHMOND- 454 PM EDT FRI MAY 13 2011 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 299 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING... 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. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. ISOLATED STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MAY OCCUR SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND SATURDAY EVENING. THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER THREAT WILL BE HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS NEAR 60 MPH. IN ADDITION...FREQUENT LIGHTNING WILL ACCOMPANY THE STRONGER STORMS. THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT APPEARS TO BE GREATEST BETWEEN 3 PM AND 9 PM. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED THIS EVENING. SPOTTERS SHOULD REPORT SEVERE WEATHER AS SOON AS IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR LATER WATCHES AND WARNINGS.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
1236 PM EDT FRI MAY 13 2011
NCZ089-131715-
SAMPSON-
1236 PM EDT FRI MAY 13 2011
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL MOVE ACROSS SAMPSON COUNTY THROUGH 115
PM EDT...
AT 1236 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 11
MILES NORTHWEST OF IVANHOE...OR ABOUT 13 MILES NORTHEAST OF
ELIZABETHTOWN...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH.
SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE...IVANHOE.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
HALF INCH DIAMETER SIZE HAIL.
GUSTY WINDS OF 35 TO 45 MPH.
DEADLY CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING.
IF YOU SEE LIGHTNING OR HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE AT RISK. TAKE SHELTER
INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU CANNOT FIND SHELTER IN A BUILDING A
VEHICLE PROVIDES SAFETY FROM LIGHTNING.
&&
LAT...LON 3455 7826 3457 7827 3461 7832 3464 7832
3467 7833 3470 7838 3475 7840 3479 7844
3468 7815 3455 7825
TIME...MOT...LOC 1636Z 307DEG 16KT 3469 7839
MWSSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
534 PM EDT FRI MAY 13 2011
NCZ021-132215-
FORSYTH-
534 PM EDT FRI MAY 13 2011
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL MOVE INTO NORTHWEST FORSYTH COUNTY
THROUGH 615 PM EDT...
AT 532 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
SOUTHEAST SURRY AND NORTHEAST YADKIN COUNTY... MOVING EAST AT 30
MPH.
SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE... RURAL HALL...
PFAFFTOWN... STANLEYVILLE... THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF WINSTON-SALEM.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
PEA SIZE HAIL.
GUSTY WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH.
FREQUENT LIGHTNING.
VERY HEAVY RAIN.
IF YOU SEE LIGHTNING OR HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE AT RISK. TAKE SHELTER
INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU CANNOT FIND SHELTER IN A BUILDING A
VEHICLE PROVIDES SAFETY FROM LIGHTNING.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EDT
FRIDAY EVENING FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.
&&
LAT...LON 3612 8046 3614 8044 3621 8045 3623 8044
3624 8046 3626 8046 3627 8045 3626 8010
3625 8005 3599 8034 3612 8049
TIME...MOT...LOC 2132Z 280DEG 26KT 3622 8043
BADGETTSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
542 PM EDT FRI MAY 13 2011
NCZ040-076-132245-
CHATHAM-LEE-
542 PM EDT FRI MAY 13 2011
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL MOVE ACROSS LEE AND CHATHAM COUNTIES
THROUGH 645 PM EDT...
AT 541 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
GOLDSTON...OR ABOUT 11 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SILER CITY...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 15 MPH.
SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE...HARPERS
CROSSROADS...PITTSBORO AND GOLDSTON.
HAZARDS INCLUDE...
PENNY SIZE HAIL.
GUSTY WINDS OF 40 TO 50 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.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EDT
FRIDAY EVENING FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.
&&
LAT...LON 3565 7900 3547 7931 3548 7935 3550 7934
3552 7935 3552 7942 3557 7954 3585 7933
3585 7932
TIME...MOT...LOC 2141Z 216DEG 11KT 3559 7936
KRRThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 92 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:55 UTC.
11 thunderstorm wind, 3 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Four trees were blown down and blocked traffic at the intersection of River Bluff Farms Road near route 67.
One tree was blown down off Silk Hope Gum Springs Road.
Utility pole was snapped and power-lines were blown down on Rock Bridge Road near NC Highway 902.
Two trees were blown down near the intersection of Durham and Hillsborough Road.
Trees and power-lines were blown down hear C.C. Andrews Road and Durham Road.
Quarter size hail was reported at Brier Creek.
A downed tree was blocking traffic on TW Alexander Drive.
Several trees were blown down on NC Highway 401 and Pendergraft Road in Bunnlevel.
Multiple trees were blown down near Midway along Highway 421.
One tree was blown down on Leroy Autry Road.
Multiple trees and power-lines were blown along Highway 150 near Reedy Creek.
One tree fell onto a truck along Wendell Road near Archer Lodge Road. Damages are estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2011Every state in 2011This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, May 2011
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: 309754, 309756, 309760, 309761, 309766, 309767, 309768, 309769, 309771, 309774, 309776, 309778, 309781, 309782.