Clusters of thunderstorms developed ahead of a mid-level trough and very quickly turned severe as they increased in coverage during the mid and late afternoon. Several storm mergers and storm-boundary interactions were observed through radar interrogation.
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 ILM wrote it up.
Clusters of thunderstorms developed ahead of a mid-level trough and very quickly turned severe as they increased in coverage during the mid and late afternoon. Several storm mergers and storm-boundary interactions were observed through radar interrogation. The environment was very unstable and soundings indicated a pronounced inverted-v signature.
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 Wilmington, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 23, 2:16 PM EST, 32 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC 316 PM EDT THU JUN 23 2011 .SYNOPSIS... HOT AND HUMID WEATHER CONTINUES TODAY AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT APPROACHING THE CENTRAL APPALACHIANS. THE FRONT WILL STALL AND THEN WEAKEN NORTH OF THE AREA...AND WILL BRING THE CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS TO THE EASTERN CAROLINAS. ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK AS AN UPPER RIDGE BUILDS OVER THE REGION. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING/... AS OF 3 PM THURSDAY...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE FORECAST AREA THROUGH 10 PM EDT. AS DISCUSSED EARLIER...THE DRIVING FORCE TO ANTICIPATED SEVERE WEATHER IS AN ELONGATED VORTICITY MAXIMUM ASSOCIATED WITH AN APPROACHING FRONTAL SYSTEM. WHILE THE FRONT WILL NOT LIKELY MAKE IT INTACT ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS...ITS ASSOCIATED UPPER SUPPORT WILL MOVE SE ACROSS THE COASTAL PLAINS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. GIVEN A MODERATELY UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE...STRONG HEATING AND P/W VALUES UP NEAR 2 INCHES...THERE IS A GOOD POTENTIAL FOR STRONG TO SEVERE CONVECTION. BIGGEST THREAT WILL BE FROM DAMAGING WINDS. ACTIVITY WILL FADE OVERNIGHT AS UPPER SUPPORT PASSES OFFSHORE AND AS DAYTIME HEATING SHUT DOWN. STEADY SWLY FLOW MEANS OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE TO RUN ABOVE NORMAL...MAINLY IN THE MID 70S FOR MINIMUMS. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... AS OF 3 AM THURSDAY...TROUGHINESS EXTENDING UP AND DOWN THE MID ATLANTIC AND SOUTHEAST ON FRIDAY. AT THE SURFACE BERMUDA HIGH PRESSURE HOLDS IN PLACE ALONG WITH A PIEDMONT TROUGH. HIGH TEMPS WILL BE CLOSE TO CLIMO AND LOW COVERAGE/SCT CONVECTION EXPECTED WITH BOTH TROUGH AND SEABREEZE SERVING AS FOCI ALTHOUGH THE LATTER WILL NOT MAKE MUCH INLAND PROGRESS. DIURNAL HEATING LOSS WILL LEAD TO LITTLE TO NO STORMS OVERNIGHT SAVE FOR PERHAPS WELL OUTSIDE OF MARINE ZONES OVER GULF STREAM. BOTH THE MID AND UPPER TROUGHS WEAKEN ON SATURDAY WHICH SHOULD BOOST AFTERNOON TEMPS A FEW DEGREES AND ALSO SLIGHTLY DECREASE RAIN CHANCES...PROBABLY DOWN INTO THE SCHC/ISO RANGE. IN CONTRAST TO THE GFS AND TO SOME EXTENT THE PREV FORECAST THE WRF SEEMS TO BE FORMULATING A NEW IDEA...THAT THE WESTERLY DOWNSLOPING ASSOC WITH THE TROUGH DRIES US OUT AND THAT RAIN CHANCES THROUGH THE PERIOD ARE QUITE MINIMAL. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... AS OF 3 PM THURSDAY...AT 850 MB...THE RIDGE WHICH IS WEAKENED A BIT WITH THE TROUGH TO NORTH ON SUNDAY. THE RIDGE SLOWLY BEGINS TO BUILD TO THE WEST WITH TIME... AND THE FORECAST AREA WILL BE IN A TUG-A-WAR WITH THE SOUTHEAST TO SOUTHWEST FLOW AS THE RIDGE BUILDS WESTWARD. THE PRECIPITABLE WATERS REBOUND FROM LOWS AROUND 1.65 INCHES ON SUNDAY MORNING TO APPROACHING 2 INCHES BY MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. THE MODELS ARE PROVIDING A SMALL HOPE THAT THE CHANCES FOR AFTERNOON CONVECTION WILL BE RETURNING TO MORE NORMAL PATTERN FOR THE MOISTURE STARVED AREA. FOR TEMPERATURES MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE CLOSER TO THE MID 90S INLAND AND TO NEAR NINETY AT THE BEACHES. LOW TEMPERATURES LOOK TO REMAIN IN THE MID 70S. && .AVIATION /19Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... AS OF 18Z...MODERATE CONFIDENCE IN FORECAST DUE TO POSSIBLE AFTERNOON CONVECTION AND ONGOING WILDFIRE SMOKE DRIFTING INTO THE AREA. CURRENT VIS SATELLITE SHOWS PLUMES OF SMOKE FROM THE WILDFIRE IN SE GEORGIA MAKING ITS WAY UP TO THE TERMINALS CAUSING PERIODS OF MVFR VSBYS. GIVEN THE CURRENT WIND PATTERN EXPECT THIS TO LIKELY PERSIST THROUGHOUT THE DAY. CONVECTION WILL ALSO BE A FORECAST ISSUE LATE THIS AFTERNOON AS UPPER LEVEL ENERGY MOVING THROUGH THE AREA COULD TRIGGER SOME ACTIVITY. ONLY INCLUDING CB IN TAF FOR NOW AS CONVECTION WILL BE ISOLATED AND CONFIDENCE ON COVERAGE AND TIMING IS LOW. APPROACHING LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM IS CREATING A TIGHTENED PG...RESULTING IN GENERALLY STRONGER AND GUSTIER WINDS. SOUTHWEST FLOW WILL BACK TO THE SOUTH AS SEA BREEZE DEVELOPS. OVERNIGHT...REMAINING CLOUD COVER AND STEADY WINDS ALONG WITH NOCTURNAL LLJ SHOULD KEEP ANY FOG/STRATUS FROM DEVELOPING. EXTENDED OUTLOOK...OCCASIONAL RESTRICTIONS POSSIBLE DUE TO ONGOING WILDFIRE IN SE GEORGIA. ISOLATED SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE EACH AFTERNOON. && .MARINE... NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... AS OF 3 PM THURSDAY...PERSISTENT S TO SWLY FLOW IN THE 15 TO 20 KT RANGE WILL KEEP SEAS IN THE 3 TO 5 FT RANGE THROUGH THE NEAR TERM. SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... AS OF 3 AM THURSDAY...SOUTHWESTERLY FLOW SO TYPICAL OF JUNE WILL BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED AS THE GRADIENT BETWEEN THE BERMUDA HIGH AND PIEDMONT TROUGH PINCHES. WRF PARTICULARLY AGGRESSIVE IN ITS LOW LEVEL JET AND SUBSEQUENT MIXING DUE TO WARM SSTS. HAVE BUMPED WINDS UP AND SEAS NOW IN SCEC-REQUIRING 3 TO 5 FT RANGE. WINDS ON SATURDAY COULD EITHER MAINTAIN STATUS QUO OR WEAKEN. A WEAKENING TREND WOULD BE SUPPORTED BY THE FACT THAT THE MID LEVEL TROUGH LIFTS AND THE PIEDMONT TROUGH SQUEEZES THE GRADIENT LESS. HOWEVER...MODELS HINTING AT A LOW LEVEL JET TO SLIGHTLY OFFSET THIS. FOR NOW FEEL A GOOD CAUTIOUS APPROACH IS TO FCST SIMILAR CONDITIONS BOTH DAYS. LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... AS OF 3 PM THURSDAY...THE TROUGH ACROSS THE EASTERN CAROLINAS WILL GIVE WAY TO A MORE CLIMATOLOGICAL PATTERN WITH THE BERMUDA HIGH AND THE SURFACE TROUGH OVER THE NORTH CAROLINA PIEDMONT. THIS WILL ALLOW FOR A SOUTHWEST TO SOUTHERLY FLOW OVER THE WATERS WITH SEA BREEZE INFLUENCES EACH AFTERNOON AND EVENING ACROSS THE COASTAL WATERS. SEAS SHOULD BE WELL BEHAVED AND RANGE BETWEEN 2 AND 3 FEET WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF 4 FEET NORTH OF CAPE FEAR ON TUESDAY. && .ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...NONE. NC...DENSE SMOKE ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM EDT FRIDAY FOR NCZ105-106. MARINE...NONE. && SYNOPSIS...REK NEAR TERM...REK LONG TERM...DRH AVIATION...ECT MARINE...ALL
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC 248 PM EDT THU JUN 23 2011 NCZ105-106-241900- INLAND PENDER-COASTAL PENDER- 248 PM EDT THU JUN 23 2011 ...DENSE SMOKE ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT FRIDAY... ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 542 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. DENSE SMOKE ADVISORY. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. DENSE SMOKE ADVISORY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. NCZ087-096-099-107>110-SCZ017-023-024-032-033-039-053>056-241900- ROBESON-BLADEN-COLUMBUS-INLAND NEW HANOVER-COASTAL NEW HANOVER- INLAND BRUNSWICK-COASTAL BRUNSWICK-MARLBORO-DARLINGTON-DILLON- FLORENCE-MARION-WILLIAMSBURG-INLAND HORRY-COASTAL HORRY- INLAND GEORGETOWN-COASTAL GEORGETOWN- 248 PM EDT THU JUN 23 2011 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 542 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND 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...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. AMZ250-252-254-256-241900- SURF CITY TO CAPE FEAR NC OUT 20 NM- CAPE FEAR NC TO LITTLE RIVER INLET SC OUT 20 NM- LITTLE RIVER INLET TO MURRELLS INLET SC OUT 20 NM- MURRELLS INLET TO SOUTH SANTEE RIVER SC OUT 20 NM- 248 PM EDT THU JUN 23 2011 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
306 PM EDT THU JUN 23 2011
SCZ017-231930-
MARLBORO-
306 PM EDT THU JUN 23 2011
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL MOVE JUST NORTHWEST OF WALLACE...
AT 304 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS...3 MILES NORTHWEST OF
WALLACE...OR 4 MILES NORTH OF CHERAW...MOVING EAST NORTHEAST AT 25
MPH.
THIS STORM COULD INTENSIFY AND BECOME SEVERE WITH LITTLE NOTICE.
STRONG DAMAGING WINDS WOULD BE THE MOST LIKELY IMPACT IF IT DOES
INTENSIFY. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM.
COMMUNITIES IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS ARE CHAVISTOWN AND WALLACE.
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO ALL HAZARDS FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR
UPDATES. FOR ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION...CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT
WEATHER.GOV/ILM.
LAT...LON 3481 7967 3472 7957 3472 7958 3466 7982
3469 7987 3475 7990 3475 7992 3480 7994
3481 7993
HAWKINSThe Columbia radar (KCAE), 100 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:47 UTC.
12 thunderstorm wind, 7 hail, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous trees were reported down.
Darlington 911 center received reports of a funnel cloud near Lamar.
Trees with diameters up to 12 inches were reportedly down near the intersection of South Charleston Road and Pocket Road. The time was estimated based on radar data.
Trees were reportedly down.
Several trees were reportedly down along Sandhill Road.
Trees were reportedly down near the intersection of Grady Road and Highway 41.
Hail up to the size of nickels was reported near Socastee High School.
Hail to the size of half dollars was reported near the intersection of Highway 544 and Highway 31.
Large tree limbs were reportedly down near the intersection of Highway 544 and Highway 31.
Hail to the size of half dollars was reported.
Hail to the size of quarters was reported near Highway 544.
A large tree was reportedly down at the recycle center near the intersection of Highway 544 and Highway 31.
Hail to the size of quarters was reported.
Numerous trees were reportedly down in Carolina Forest. The time was estimated based on radar data. The damage was likely the result of a microburst.
Hail to the size of pennies was reported along Loblolly Lane.
Trees were reported down on Peachtree Road.
About 15 pine trees were either snapped or uprooted. A large shopping center sign was blown down. Large fences were also observed to be blown over. The damage was along and near Highway 501 between Carolina Forest Boulevard and Gardner Lacy Road. The damage was likely the result of a microburst.
Trees were reportedly down along Live Oak Church Road.
Two single engine airplanes were flipped over at the Conway Airport. One plane came to a rest over 100 feet from where it was parked.
Hail to the size of nickels was reported along Highway 701.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Carolina in 2011Every state in 2011This day in weather historyWarnings in South Carolina, June 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 318264, 319079, 318280, 327582, 327589, 327593, 327655, 327666, 327677, 327682, 327695, 327702, 327713, 327727, 327733, 327736, 327768, 327777, 327788, 327805.