South Carolina, 2012

Damaging Winds in South Carolina, July 27, 2012

July 27, 2012 · NWS GSP · 13 events in 8 counties and zones

Despite weak upper flow, a very unstable airmass supported the development of scattered thunderstorms over the region. Most of the storms developed along the Blue Ridge with subsequent outflow boundaries supporting additional convection across the foothills and Piedmont.

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
$10,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
13

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.

Despite weak upper flow, a very unstable airmass supported the development of scattered thunderstorms over the region. Most of the storms developed along the Blue Ridge with subsequent outflow boundaries supporting additional convection across the foothills and Piedmont. In many cases damaging outflow winds were caused by rather weak storms.

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 Jul 27, 1:29 PM EST, 31 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 27, 1:29 PM EST, 31 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
229 PM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

.SYNOPSIS...
A WEAK COOL FRONT WILL SLOWLY SETTLE SOUTHEAST ACROSS THE REGION
THROUGH THE WEEKEND BEFORE GRADUALLY DISSIPATING. ANOTHER WEAK FRONT
IS EXPECTED TO APPROACH THE REGION BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
AS OF 230 PM...SCATTERED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS HAVE FIRED AS
ANTICIPATED AND EXPECT THEY WILL BECOME NUMEROUS IN THE MID TO
LATE AFTERNOON HOURS ACROSS THE NORTHERN TIER. UPPER VORT MAX
MOVING ACROSS UPSTATE SC AND GENERALLY LOWERING HEIGHTS ALOFT
DRIVING THE CONVECTION. IN REGARD TO THE SEVERE THREAT...THE MID
LEVEL FLOW WILL BE MUCH BETTER TO THE N OF OUR AREA THIS
AFTN...BUT 500 MB WINDS COULD APPROACH 25 KT ACROSS THE FAR NRN
TIER WHICH WOULD SUPPORT A MULTICELL MODE THERE. FARTHER TO THE
SOUTH...THE STRONGLY HEATED BOUNDARY LAYER WILL PRODUCE CAPES OF
1500-2000J WHICH WILL SUPPORT A PULSE SEVERE THREAT PRIMARLY FOR
WET MICROBURSTS.

EXPECT CONVECTION TO WANE QUICKLY AFTER 00Z AS WEAK NVA SETTLES IN
BEHIND THE VORT. HOWEVER...A WEAK AREA OF CONVERGENCE OVER THE
EASTERN UPSTATE MAY ALLOW A COUPLE ISOLATED STORMS TO HANG ON
THERE INTO THE LATE EVENING PER NAM/GFM RESPONSE THAT AREA.

EXPECT GENERALLY A QUIET OVERNIGHT PERIOD WITH DISSIPATING DEBRIS
CLOUDS AND SOME MOUNTAIN VALLEY FOG LATE. A BLEND OF BIAS CORRECTED
MOS INDICATES THAT MIN TEMPS SHOULD BE ABOUT A CATEGORY LOWER THAN
LAST NIGHT...BUT STILL ABOVE AVERAGE.

ON SAT...THE MORNING SHOULD BE GENERALLY QUIET. HOWEVER...DURING THE
AFTERNOON A SECONDARY COLD FRONT WILL CROSS THE AREA FROM NW TO SE.
THIS FRONT WILL BE DRIVEN BY A RATHER IMPRESSIVE SHORT WAVE FOR MID
SUMMER IN THE DEEP SOUTH. HENCE...EXPECT CONVECTIVE DEVELOPMENT
DURING THE MID/LATE AFTERNOON HOURS WITH BEST COVERAGE FROM THE NC
FOOTHILLS ACROSS THE NC PIEDMONT...BUT EXTENDING WEST INTO THE
EASTERN UPSTATE OF SC. SOUNDINGS INDICATE SOME DRY AIR ALOFT SO A
DAMAGING WIND THREAT WILL BE PRESENT AS WELL. MAX TEMPS ON SAT SHOULD
BE ABOUT A CATEGORY LOWER THAN TODAY BASED ON A MOS BLEND. SO NO
HEAT ADVIORY NECESSARY ON SAT ALTHOUGH IT WILL REMAIN HOT AND ABOVE
AVERAGE.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
AT 200 PM EDT FRIDAY...AN UPPER TROUGH WILL REMAIN ALONG THE EAST
COAST FROM SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY. A SHORTWAVE WILL EXIT THE
BASE OF THE TROUGH ON SATURDAY NIGHT...AND ANOTHER WILL MOVE INTO
THE THE TROUGH ON SUNDAY. THE REMAINS OF A FRONT WILL BE LOCATED
JUST SOUTHEAST OF OUR AREA ON SUNDAY...AND DEW POINTS SLIGHTLY BELOW
NORMAL ARE EXPECTED. MODEL TIME HEIGHTS SUGGEST A LINGERING MOIST
LAYER BETWEEN 850 AND 700 MB...WITH WEAK UPWARD VERTICAL MOTION
PRESENT. CHANCE POPS WILL BE CARRIED ON SUNDAY... FAVORING THE
MOUNTAINS FOR OROGRAPHIC EFFECTS...AND THE PIEDMONT WHICH WILL BE
CLOSER TO THE FRONT AND BETTER MOISTURE. NAM SOUNDINGS APPEAR
FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE WEATHER...WITH INSTABILITY AND MODEST LOW LEVEL
SHEAR. GFS SOUNDING ARE CHARACTERISTICALLY LESS UNSTABLE....AND ALSO
HAVE LESS SHEAR. TEMPERATURES WILL BE NEAR NORMAL.

ON SUNDAY NIGHT THE SECOND SHORTWAVE ROUNDS THE BASE OF THE
TROUGH... AND ON MONDAY IT EXITS THE AREA. THE OLD SURFACE BOUNDARY
REMAINS JUST OFF TO OUR EAST...AND THE 850 TO 700 MB LAYER REMAINS
MOIST. WITH NO APPARENT UPPER LEVEL FORCING...ONLY VERY SMALL POPS
WILL BE CARRIED IN AN AIR MASS THAT REMAINS UNSTABLE...WITH SURFACE
DEW POINTS RECOVERING TO NEAR NORMAL VALUES.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
AS OF 1215 PM FRIDAY...MEDIUM RANGE MODELS ARE CONTINUING TO
ADVERTISE THE POTENTIAL FOR ENERGY ROTATING INTO THE REGION ON
TUESDAY WITHIN THE BASE OF LINGERING EASTERN CONUS L/WV TROUGH.
GIVEN THE UNSETTLED LOOK OF THE LARGE SCALE PATTERN...SOLID CHANCE
POP WILL BE NUDGED UPWARD. INTO WEDNESDAY...THERE LOOKS TO BE LITTLE
CHANGE IN THE MEAN PATTERN AND ASSOCIATED SENSIBLE WX...DIURNALLY
ENHANCED TSTM CHANCES. DAILY TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE TO BE WITHIN
A FEW DEGREES OF CLIMO. I WOULD EXPECT ABOVE CLIMO TSTM CHANCES TO
CONTINUE INTO THURSDAY AS WELL GIVEN THE ONLY NOMINAL CHANGE TO THE
PATTERN ACRS THE EASTERN CONUS. THE LATEST ECMWF IS HINTING AT A
TRANSITION TOWARD A WEAKER/DEAMPLIFYING FLOW REGIME BY THE END OF
PERIOD. NEW DAY 7 POPS WILL FEATURE SLIGHT AND/OR SMALL DIURNAL
TSTM CHANCES AND TEMPERATURES NEAR PERSISTENCE.

&&

.AVIATION /19Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
AT KCLT...TIMING OF CONVECTION AT THE AIRPORT IS MAIN PROBLEM.
LATEST LOCAL WRF RUN SEEMS TO BE CAPTURING CONVECTIVE TRENDS AND IT
SUGGESTS THUNDERSTORMS AROUND 20Z FOR THE AIRFIELD. HENCE...WILL RUN
A TEMPO FOR TSRA FROM 20-22Z AND THEN A VCSH TIL AROUND 00Z. EXPECT
AFTER 00Z ONLY SOME CONVECTIVE DEBRIS CLOUDS. IF SUBSTANTIAL RAIN
OCCURS AT THE AIRFIELD...CAN'T RULE OUT SOME MVFR TYPE FOG EARLY ON
SAT...BUT FOR NOW HAVE NOT INTRODUCED THAT. ON SAT...THE MORNING
SHOULD BE QUIET WITH CONVECTION ARRIVING AFTER THIS TAF TIMEFRAME.

ELSEWHERE...SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON
ACROSS THE AREA TRIGGERED BY AN UPPER AIR DISTURBANCE.
HENCE...EXPECT ALL AIRFIELDS TO BE AFFECTED IN APPROXIMATELY 19Z-23Z
TIMEFRAME. EXPECT CONVECTION TO WANE QUICKLY AFTER 00Z AS TROUGH
MOVES TO THE EAAT. EXPECT SOME IFR/LIFR MOUNTAIN VALLEY FOG AND
AROUND KHKY AS EXPECT MOST AREAS TO HAVE SOME RAINFALL. CONVECTION
ON SAT SHOULD BE AFTER THIS TAF PERIOD.

OUTLOOK...A DAILY CHANCE OF SCT AFTERNOON CONVECTION WILL THEN
CONTINUE INTO THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK AS AN UPPER TROF REMAINS OVER
THE AREA.

AN EXPERIMENTAL AVIATION FORECAST CONSISTENCY TABLE SHOWING THE
PERCENTAGE OF GUIDANCE MEMBERS AGREEING WITH THE SCHEDULED ISSUANCE
CATEGORY IS AVAILABLE AT FOLLOWING LINK (USE LOWER CASE)...

WWW.WEATHER.GOV/GSP/AVIATION/TABLES.HTM

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR GAZ029.
NC...HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR NCZ071-072-082.
SC...HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR SCZ009-011>014-
     019.

&&

SYNOPSIS...CSH
NEAR TERM...LG
SHORT TERM...JAT
LONG TERM...CSH
AVIATION...LG
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 27, 5:21 AM EST, 8 hours 39 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
621 AM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

GAZ018-026-028-NCZ036-037-057-068>070-508-510-SCZ001>008-010-281030-
STEPHENS-FRANKLIN-HART-IREDELL-DAVIE-ROWAN-CLEVELAND-LINCOLN-GASTON-
GREATER RUTHERFORD-EASTERN POLK-OCONEE MOUNTAINS-PICKENS MOUNTAINS-
GREENVILLE MOUNTAINS-GREATER OCONEE-GREATER PICKENS-
GREATER GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG-CHEROKEE-ANDERSON-
621 AM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

A WARM AND HUMID AIR MASS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE ACROSS THE AREA
TODAY. HEAT INDEX VALUES ARE EXPECTED TO RANGE BETWEEN 100 AND 104
ACROSS MUCH OF THE PIEDMONT...AS WELL AS PORTIONS OF THE FOOTHILLS
OF THE WESTERN CAROLINAS AND NORTHEAST GEORGIA.

THE ATMOSPHERE WILL ALSO BECOME QUITE UNSTABLE THIS AFTERNOON...
AND COVERAGE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD INCREASE AS A
WEAK COLD FRONT APPROACHES FROM THE WEST. A FEW OF THESE STORMS
WILL LIKELY BECOME SEVERE...WITH LOCALIZED DAMAGING WINDS BEING
THE PRIMARY THREAT. SOME OF THE STRONGER STORMS MAY ALSO PRODUCE A
BRIEF PERIOD OF LARGE HAIL. HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING CAN OCCUR WITH ANY THUNDERSTORM.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

GAZ029-NCZ071-072-082-SCZ009-011>014-019-281030-
ELBERT-MECKLENBURG-CABARRUS-UNION NC-YORK-ABBEVILLE-LAURENS-UNION SC-
CHESTER-GREENWOOD-
621 AM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

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

   HEAT ADVISORY.

THE ATMOSPHERE WILL BECOME QUITE UNSTABLE ACROSS SOUTHERN PIEDMONT
AREAS THIS AFTERNOON...AND COVERAGE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
SHOULD INCREASE AS A WEAK COLD FRONT APPROACHES FROM THE WEST. A
FEW OF THESE STORMS WILL LIKELY BECOME SEVERE...WITH LOCALIZED
DAMAGING WINDS BEING THE PRIMARY THREAT. SOME OF THE STRONGER
STORMS MAY ALSO PRODUCE A BRIEF PERIOD OF LARGE HAIL. HEAVY RAIN
AND FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING CAN OCCUR WITH ANY
THUNDERSTORM.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

GAZ010-017-NCZ033-035-048>053-056-058-059-062>065-501>507-509-281030-
RABUN-HABERSHAM-AVERY-ALEXANDER-MADISON-YANCEY-MITCHELL-SWAIN-
HAYWOOD-BUNCOMBE-CATAWBA-GRAHAM-NORTHERN JACKSON-MACON-
SOUTHERN JACKSON-TRANSYLVANIA-HENDERSON-CALDWELL MOUNTAINS-
GREATER CALDWELL-BURKE MOUNTAINS-GREATER BURKE-MCDOWELL MOUNTAINS-
EASTERN MCDOWELL-RUTHERFORD MOUNTAINS-POLK MOUNTAINS-
621 AM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

THE ATMOSPHERE WILL BECOME QUITE UNSTABLE ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS AND
NORTHERN FOOTHILLS THIS AFTERNOON...AND COVERAGE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD INCREASE AS A WEAK COLD FRONT APPROACHES FROM
THE WEST. A FEW OF THESE STORMS WILL LIKELY BECOME SEVERE...WITH
LOCALIZED DAMAGING WINDS BEING THE PRIMARY THREAT. SOME OF THE
STRONGER STORMS MAY ALSO PRODUCE A BRIEF PERIOD OF LARGE HAIL.
HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING CAN OCCUR WITH
ANY THUNDERSTORM.

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

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

LANE

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 27, 1:10 PM EST, 50 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
210 PM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

NCZ064-065-SCZ002-003-271900-
GREENVILLE MOUNTAINS-HENDERSON-PICKENS MOUNTAINS-TRANSYLVANIA-
210 PM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN GREENVILLE...
NORTHWESTERN PICKENS...SOUTHERN HENDERSON AND SOUTHERN TRANSYLVANIA
COUNTIES THROUGH 300 PM EDT...

AT 205 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR ROSMAN...OR 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF BREVARD...
MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO JONES GAP
  STATE PARK...TABLE ROCK RESERVOIR...ROSMAN...LITTLE RIVER...CEDAR
  MOUNTAIN...ROCKY BOTTOM...MARIETTA...CLEVELAND AND CAESARS HEAD.

SMALL HAIL...WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH AND TORRENTIAL RAIN ARE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

FREQUENT LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. IF OUTDOORS...TRY TO
GET INDOORS OR INTO A HARD TOPPED VEHICLE. OTHERWISE...STAY AWAY FROM
OPEN AREAS AND ISOLATED HIGH OBJECTS SUCH AS TREES. WHEN INDOORS...
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS AND AVOID USING WIRED ELECTRONIC
DEVICES. TRY TO UNPLUG UNNECESSARY APPLIANCES BEFORE THE STORM
APPROACHES.

LAT...LON 3526 8246 3501 8245 3503 8292 3504 8290
      3505 8293 3521 8294

07
Special weather statement, Jul 27, 1:20 PM EST, 40 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
220 PM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

GAZ010-NCZ062>064-SCZ001-002-271900-
MACON-OCONEE MOUNTAINS-PICKENS MOUNTAINS-RABUN-SOUTHERN
JACKSON-TRANSYLVANIA-
220 PM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN RABUN...NORTHERN
OCONEE...NORTHWESTERN PICKENS...SOUTHEASTERN MACON...SOUTHERN JACKSON
AND SOUTHWESTERN TRANSYLVANIA COUNTIES THROUGH 300 PM EDT...

AT 216 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 4 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SCALY...OR 11 MILES
NORTHEAST OF CLAYTON...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO LAKE
  JOCASSEE...SKY VALLEY...PINE MOUNTAIN...SCALY...SAPPHIRE...
  HIGHLANDS...SALEM AND NINE TIMES.

SMALL HAIL...WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH AND TORRENTIAL RAIN ARE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

FREQUENT LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. IF OUTDOORS...TRY TO
GET INDOORS OR INTO A HARD TOPPED VEHICLE. OTHERWISE...STAY AWAY FROM
OPEN AREAS AND ISOLATED HIGH OBJECTS SUCH AS TREES. WHEN INDOORS...
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS AND AVOID USING WIRED ELECTRONIC
DEVICES. TRY TO UNPLUG UNNECESSARY APPLIANCES BEFORE THE STORM
APPROACHES.

LAT...LON 3513 8283 3486 8283 3490 8335 3508 8335

07
Special weather statement, Jul 27, 1:27 PM EST, 33 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
227 PM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

GAZ010-017-SCZ001-271915-
HABERSHAM-OCONEE MOUNTAINS-RABUN-
227 PM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN HABERSHAM...SOUTHERN
RABUN AND WESTERN OCONEE COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM EDT...

AT 223 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR LAKE RABUN...OR 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
CLAYTON...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO LAKE
  RABUN...NACOOHE LAKE...TURNERVILLE...TIGER...TALLULAH FALLS...
  LAKEMONT...WESTMINSTER AND LONG CREEK.

SMALL HAIL...WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH AND TORRENTIAL RAIN ARE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

FREQUENT LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. IF OUTDOORS...TRY TO
GET INDOORS OR INTO A HARD TOPPED VEHICLE. OTHERWISE...STAY AWAY FROM
OPEN AREAS AND ISOLATED HIGH OBJECTS SUCH AS TREES. WHEN INDOORS...
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS AND AVOID USING WIRED ELECTRONIC
DEVICES. TRY TO UNPLUG UNNECESSARY APPLIANCES BEFORE THE STORM
APPROACHES.

LAT...LON 3486 8354 3486 8305 3467 8307 3462 8314
      3464 8327 3469 8334 3466 8338 3469 8356

07
Special weather statement, Jul 27, 1:32 PM EST, 28 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
232 PM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

SCZ012-019-271915-
GREENWOOD-LAURENS-
232 PM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN GREENWOOD AND SOUTHERN
LAURENS COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM EDT...

AT 227 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 4 MILES SOUTHEAST OF WARE SHOALS...OR 11 MILES
NORTH OF GREENWOOD...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO LAKE
  GREENWOOD...WATERLOO...WARE SHOALS...JOANNA...HODGES...CROSS
  HILL...CORONACA AND COKESBURY.

SMALL HAIL...WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH AND TORRENTIAL RAIN ARE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

LAT...LON 3426 8229 3427 8230 3439 8228 3441 8225
      3444 8227 3443 8176 3436 8178 3434 8181
      3434 8183 3430 8189 3424 8190 3421 8193

07
Special weather statement, Jul 27, 1:35 PM EST, 25 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
235 PM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

NCZ065-507>510-271915-
EASTERN POLK-GREATER RUTHERFORD-HENDERSON-POLK MOUNTAINS-RUTHERFORD
MOUNTAINS-
235 PM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN HENDERSON...POLK
AND SOUTHWESTERN RUTHERFORD COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM EDT...

AT 231 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR EDNEYVILLE...OR 9 MILES NORTHEAST OF
HENDERSONVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  EDNEYVILLE...CHIMNEY ROCK...SPINDALE...RUTHERFORDTON...MILL
  SPRING...LAKE LURE...LAKE ADGER...FOREST CITY...DANA AND BAT CAVE.

SMALL HAIL...WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH AND TORRENTIAL RAIN ARE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

LAT...LON 3544 8185 3520 8189 3529 8242 3547 8239

07
Special weather statement, Jul 27, 1:52 PM EST, 8 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
252 PM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

NCZ053-065-507-509-271930-
BUNCOMBE-HENDERSON-POLK MOUNTAINS-RUTHERFORD MOUNTAINS-
252 PM EDT FRI JUL 27 2012

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHERN HENDERSON...
NORTHWESTERN POLK...SOUTHERN BUNCOMBE AND WESTERN RUTHERFORD COUNTIES
THROUGH 330 PM EDT...

AT 247 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 3 MILES SOUTHWEST OF AVERY CREEK...OR 11 MILES
NORTHWEST OF HENDERSONVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS AFFECTED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  EDNEYVILLE...CHIMNEY ROCK...FAIRVIEW...SKYLAND...MOUNTAIN HOME...
  MILLS RIVER...HENDERSONVILLE...FLETCHER...DANA...BILTMORE FOREST...
  BENT CREEK...BAT CAVE AND AVERY CREEK.

SMALL HAIL...WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH AND TORRENTIAL RAIN ARE
EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

FREQUENT LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. IF OUTDOORS...TRY TO
GET INDOORS OR INTO A HARD TOPPED VEHICLE. OTHERWISE...STAY AWAY FROM
OPEN AREAS AND ISOLATED HIGH OBJECTS SUCH AS TREES. WHEN INDOORS...
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS AND AVOID USING WIRED ELECTRONIC
DEVICES. TRY TO UNPLUG UNNECESSARY APPLIANCES BEFORE THE STORM
APPROACHES.

LAT...LON 3555 8222 3536 8222 3530 8228 3534 8266
      3538 8270 3552 8270 3556 8223

07

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 48 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:59 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

13 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pickens

When
July 27, 2:00 PM EST
Where
Pickens County, 3.98 mi WNW of Pumpkintown
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Park/Forest Service
Coordinates
35.030, -82.710

Several large tree limbs blown down around Table Rock State Park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pickens

When
July 27, 2:39 PM EST
Where
Pickens County, 0.69 mi S of Six Mile
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
34.810, -82.820

A few trees were blown down in the Six Mile area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pickens

When
July 27, 2:52 PM EST
Where
Pickens County, 1.13 mi W of Liberty
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
34.780, -82.700

A tree was blown down, bringing down two power poles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Spartanburg

When
July 27, 3:12 PM EST to 3:25 PM EST
Where
Spartanburg County, 1.13 mi E of Landrum to 2.15 mi NNE of Mountain View
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
35.180, -82.160

Multiple trees were blown down across roads across the northern part of the county from I-26 near the state line to the Mayo and Fingerville area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cherokee

When
July 27, 3:52 PM EST to 3:56 PM EST
Where
Cherokee County, 0.69 mi S of Gaffney Cherokee Arp to 1.79 mi NE of Gaffney Cherokee Arp
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
35.090, -81.650

Trees were blown down on Providence Rd on the northeast side of town and a tree down on Pleasant School Rd about 4 miles north northeast of Gaffney.

Thunderstorm Wind, York

When
July 27, 4:37 PM EST to 4:50 PM EST
Where
York County, 0.57 mi W of Sharon to 0.89 mi SW of York
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
34.950, -81.340

Multiple trees were blown down from Sharon to York.

Thunderstorm Wind, Laurens

When
July 27, 4:47 PM EST
Where
Laurens County, 3.97 mi NW of Philton Xrds
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
34.590, -81.850

A tree was blown down on the road and multiple large limbs blown down around Musgrove Mill State Historic Site.

Thunderstorm Wind, York

When
July 27, 5:03 PM EST to 5:10 PM EST
Where
York County, 2.99 mi NNE of Rock Hill Bryant Arp to 0.89 mi SW of Ft Mill
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
35.020, -81.030

Multiple trees and large limbs were blown down in the Tega Cay area and the Fort Mill area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Laurens

When
July 27, 5:32 PM EST to 5:40 PM EST
Where
Laurens County, 2.15 mi SSW of Mountville to 4.77 mi ESE of Mountville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
34.340, -81.980

A tree was blown down at the intersection of Midway School Rd and highway 72 and another tree was downed at Jefferson David Rd and Old Milton Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oconee

When
July 27, 6:25 PM EST
Where
Oconee County, 1.84 mi WNW of Tamassee
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
34.880, -83.060

Numerous trees blown down just west of the Tamassee community.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greenwood

When
July 27, 6:40 PM EST to 6:45 PM EST
Where
Greenwood County, 1.5 mi NNW of Greenwood
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
34.200, -82.180

A few trees were blown down in an around Greenwood, including in the Cedar Lake area, Oak Ridge Dr about 2 miles northeast of town and at Panola Ave and South Main St about 2 miles southeast of town.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greenwood

When
July 27, 7:20 PM EST
Where
Greenwood County, 2.15 mi SSE of Ninety Six
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Park/Forest Service
Coordinates
34.150, -82.010

Large tree limbs were blown down at Ninety Six National Historic Site.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greenville

When
July 27, 8:20 PM EST
Where
Greenville County, 2.76 mi S of Lima to 2.85 mi W of Jordon
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
35.040, -82.430

A tree was blown down at the intersection of highways 25 and 414 and power lines and a tree were blown down near the intersection of Fews Chapel Rd and highway 101 about 8 miles north northwest of Greer.

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

More

Every storm in South Carolina in 2012Every state in 2012This day in weather historyWarnings in South Carolina, July 2012

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: 404596, 404597, 404598, 404599, 404600, 404601, 404602, 404603, 404604, 404605, 404617, 404629, 404630.