Hail and Damaging Winds in North Carolina, July 17, 2013

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in North Carolina, July 17, 2013
Start: 2013-07-17T12:45
End: 2013-07-17T14:12
Location: North Carolina

July 17, 2013 · NWS RAH · 4 events in 3 counties and zones

A moderately unstable air mass coupled with a weak disturbances crossing the area allow scattered thunderstorms to develop. A few of these storm became severe and produced damaging winds and severe hail across the Southern Piedmont and Western Sandhills.

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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 4

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.

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 Jul 17, 12:45 PM EST, 0 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 17, 12:45 PM EST, 0 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 17, 4:38 AM EST, 8 hours 7 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
538 AM EDT WED JUL 17 2013

NCZ021>025-038>042-073>078-083>086-088-089-180945-
FORSYTH-GUILFORD-ALAMANCE-ORANGE-DURHAM-DAVIDSON-RANDOLPH-CHATHAM-
WAKE-JOHNSTON-STANLY-MONTGOMERY-MOORE-LEE-HARNETT-WAYNE-ANSON-
RICHMOND-SCOTLAND-HOKE-CUMBERLAND-SAMPSON-
538 AM EDT WED JUL 17 2013

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

SCATTERED STRONG STORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON INTO EARLY
EVENING. THESE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HALF INCH
DIAMETER HAIL... WIND GUSTS OVER 45 MPH... AND FREQUENT CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING.

IN ADDITION... HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY LEVELS WILL
PUSH HEAT INDEX VALUES TO AROUND 100 DEGREES OVER MUCH OF
CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA THIS AFTERNOON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL AGAIN APPROACH 100 DEGREES ACROSS CENTRAL
NORTH CAROLINA ON THURSDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY SEVERE OR SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER IMMEDIATELY TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

NCZ007>011-026>028-043-180945-
PERSON-GRANVILLE-VANCE-WARREN-HALIFAX-FRANKLIN-NASH-EDGECOMBE-WILSON-
538 AM EDT WED JUL 17 2013

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY LEVELS WILL PUSH HEAT INDEX
VALUES TO AROUND 100 DEGREES OVER MUCH OF CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
THIS AFTERNOON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL AGAIN APPROACH 100 DEGREES ACROSS CENTRAL
NORTH CAROLINA ON THURSDAY.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 17, 6:56 AM EST, 5 hours 49 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
756 AM EDT WED JUL 17 2013

NCZ089-171300-
SAMPSON-
756 AM EDT WED JUL 17 2013

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL MOVE ACROSS SOUTHERN SAMPSON COUNTY
THROUGH 900 AM EDT...

AT 755 AM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM ABOUT
5 MILES SOUTH OF CLINTON...MOVING SOUTH AT 15 MPH.

SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED BY THIS STORM INCLUDE...IVANHOE...HARRELLS.

HAZARDS INCLUDE...
PEA SIZE HAIL.
GUSTY WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH.
DEADLY CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING.

THIS THUNDERSTORM IS PRODUCING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DEADLY CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING. SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF
YOU CANNOT SEEK SHELTER INDOORS...AN ENCLOSED VEHICLE CAN PROVIDE
SAFE SHELTER. DEADLY LIGHTNING STRIKES CAN OCCUR WELL AHEAD OF AN
APPROACHING STORM...PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF RAIN AND WIND.

&&

LAT...LON 3461 7832 3467 7833 3470 7838 3474 7839
      3480 7845 3488 7844 3487 7815 3474 7819
      3472 7814 3472 7811 3471 7811 3468 7815
      3455 7825
TIME...MOT...LOC 1155Z 001DEG 16KT 3464 7827

13

Special weather statement, Jul 17, 7:43 AM EST, 5 hours 2 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
843 AM EDT WED JUL 17 2013

NCZ085-086-171345-
HOKE-SCOTLAND-
843 AM EDT WED JUL 17 2013

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL MOVE WEST ACROSS SCOTLAND AND HOKE
COUNTIES THROUGH 945 AM EDT...

AT 842 AM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
RAEFORD...MOVING WEST AT 15 MPH.

SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED BY THIS STORM
INCLUDE...RAEFORD...WAGRAM...CAMP MACKALL.

HAZARDS INCLUDE...
DEADLY CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING.
PEA SIZE HAIL.
GUSTY WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH.

SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY BUILDING OR VEHICLE. WIND GUSTS AS HIGH AS
40 MPH ARE CAPABLE OF KNOCKING DOWN TREE LIMBS AND BLOWING AROUND
TRASH CANS...POTTED PLANTS...LAWN FURNITURE AND OTHER LIGHT OUTDOOR
OBJECTS.

THIS THUNDERSTORM IS PRODUCING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DEADLY CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING. SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF
YOU CANNOT SEEK SHELTER INDOORS...AN ENCLOSED VEHICLE CAN PROVIDE
SAFE SHELTER. DEADLY LIGHTNING STRIKES CAN OCCUR WELL AHEAD OF AN
APPROACHING STORM...PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF RAIN AND WIND.

&&

LAT...LON 3476 7952 3499 7958 3502 7952 3509 7915
      3490 7910 3484 7918 3483 7923 3483 7934
      3480 7935
TIME...MOT...LOC 1242Z 080DEG 15KT 3496 7932

13

Local storm report, Jul 17, 9:13 AM EST, 3 hours 32 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
1013 AM EDT WED JUL 17 2013

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1230 AM     TSTM WND DMG     PINETOPS                35.79N  77.64W
07/17/2013                   EDGECOMBE          NC   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN ON FIRST STREET AND ERWIN STREET. LIGHTNING
            KNOCKED OUT POWER TO THE ENTIRE TOWN

&&

EVENT NUMBER RAH1300850

MLM

Special weather statement, Jul 17, 12:00 PM EST, 45 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
100 PM EDT WED JUL 17 2013

NCZ083>085-171800-
ANSON-RICHMOND-SCOTLAND-
100 PM EDT WED JUL 17 2013

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE WEST ACROSS SCOTLAND...RICHMOND
AND ANSON COUNTIES THROUGH 200 PM EDT...

AT 1257 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS
STRETCHING FROM WAGRAM AND LAURINBURG WEST ALONG INTERSTATE 74 TO TO
ROCKINGHAM. THESE STORMS WERE MOVING WEST AT 15 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS INCLUDE LAURINBURG...EAST
ROCKINGHAM...AND...ROCKINGHAM...LILESVILLE...WADESBORO.

HAZARDS INCLUDE...
HEAVY DOWNPOURS AND MINOR FLOODING.
PEA SIZE HAIL.
GUSTY WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH.
DEADLY CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING.

THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DEADLY CLOUD
TO GROUND LIGHTNING. SEEK SHELTER INDOORS AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
IF YOU CANNOT SEEK SHELTER INDOORS...AN ENCLOSED VEHICLE CAN PROVIDE
SAFE SHELTER. DEADLY LIGHTNING STRIKES CAN OCCUR WELL AHEAD OF AN
APPROACHING STORM...PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF RAIN AND WIND.

&&

LAT...LON 3480 7968 3481 8011 3514 8008 3498 7938
      3491 7935 3485 7934 3482 7935 3477 7933
      3473 7936 3472 7958
TIME...MOT...LOC 1657Z 079DEG 12KT 3486 7969

13

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 150 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:45 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Anson

When: July 17, 12:45 PM EST
Where: Anson County, 1.49 mi NNW of Pee Dee
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 34.950, -79.890

Thunderstorm Wind, Richmond

When: July 17, 12:50 PM EST
Where: Richmond County, 1.8 mi NW of Lewarae
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 34.948, -79.853

One tree was reported down along United States Highway 74 at the intersection of Business 74.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anson

When: July 17, 1:18 PM EST
Where: Anson County, 1.42 mi W of Gravelton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 34.949, -79.955

Several trees were blown down across Hailey's Ferry Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scotland

When: July 17, 2:12 PM EST
Where: Scotland County, 1.13 mi E of Springfield
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 34.780, -79.500

Trees were reported down on power lines.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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 2013 Every state in 2013 This day in weather history Warnings in North Carolina, July 2013

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 468952, 468949, 468950, 468951.