Scattered showers and storms developed in advance of a weak moving cold front. Some of these storms became severe, producing wind damage and isolated flooding across the western half 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.
Scattered showers and storms developed in advance of a weak moving cold front. Some of these storms became severe, producing wind damage and isolated flooding across the western half 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 Aug 27, 1:28 PM EST, 53 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 228 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016 .SYNOPSIS... An upper level ridge will persist over the region through the weekend. An upper level disturbance over the Atlantic will then drift west and linger over the Southeast states early next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 1042 AM Saturday... 12Z upper air analysis along with the 14Z meso analysis suggest that best chance for scattered convection this afternoon across roughly the south half of our forecast area. A mid/upper level anti-cyclone positioned to our north will maintain a deep ely flow over our region with the best moisture confluence across the sandhills and the southern piedmont. While the atmosphere will be slight- moderately unstable across the northeast piedmont/northern coastal plain, difficult to discern any mechanism to initiate lift, aside from strong heating. Even across the southern counties, little if any support discernible aloft to initiate/sustain convection. Thus, appears we will need to rely on orographic lift and residual outflow boundaries from previous days convection along with strong heating to initiate lift. With the meso analysis depicting the best moisture axis residing across our southern and western counties, should see the greatest concentration of convection in this part of the forecast area (though no worse than scattered (30-40 percent)). A few strong storms possible with the main hazard being strong gusty winds ~40-45kts and frequent lightning. This has been addresses in the latest HWO product. Afternoon temps in track to reach the low-mid 90s. Counting on some cloud build up/scattered convection to moderate temps a little this afternoon. If this does not occur, places such as Fayetteville and Laurinburg may reach the upper 90s. Afternoon heat index values expected to vary from 98-102 degrees across the north and 102-105 degrees across the south. Do not plan an advisory at this time but will continue to monitor. What convection is occurring at 6 PM will quickly diminish/dissipate around sunset. Under clear-partly cloudy skies, overnight temps will lower into the low-mid 70s. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... As of 350 AM Saturday... The upper level ridge will continue a northward drift on Sunday, while an upper disturbance over the Atlantic slowly drifts west and undercuts the ridge, essentially settling over the Southeast US through early next week. This disturbance along with increasing moisture flux off of the Atlantic - PW increasing to around 2 inches - and weak to moderate instability will likely result in enhanced convective coverage along the coast, drifting inland through the day. Coverage will be best over the coastal plain, diminishing with westward extent into the Piedmont where deeper mixing and drier air will limit coverage. Some of the showers may continue into the evening and overnight hours, mainly across the southern coastal plain. Highs 89-92, warmest west. Lows 69-74. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 226 PM SATURDAY... Monday through Wednesday: The models still indicate a mid- to upper- level low over the western Atlantic will move westward along the southern periphery of the high from Bermuda to the east coast of the U.S. through early next week. The high will weaken as the low approaches and stalls along the Carolina coast through Wednesday. At the surface, some weak ridging lingers over western NC as the low sits just off the coast. Surface winds will be primarily northeasterly. Chances for showers and storms should remain limited to the southern and southeastern portions of Central NC. Highs will be in the mid 80s to around 90 degrees and lows in the upper 60s to low 70s expected. Thursday through Saturday: An upper level trough will amplify over the eastern U.S. Wednesday night and Thursday, when it's expected to absorb the stalled coastal low. The trough axis should then shift offshore late in the week. At the surface, a cold front is forecast to slide southward into Central NC Thursday night or Friday, although the extent of southward progression is still fairly uncertain. Highest confidence of frontal passage in the northeast and lowest in the southwest. As a result, best chances for convection will be with the front as it moves into and stalls over the Carolinas, though that will also depend on the diurnal timing. The temperature forecast gets a bit more difficult with the aforementioned front, but for now expect a decrease in highs from near 90 degrees on Thursday into the mid 80s Friday and Saturday with lows generally in the mid 60s to low 70s. && .AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 1255 PM Saturday... There is high confidence that VFR conditions will prevail across central NC through Sunday night. The exception will be isolated- scattered showers and storms through 00Z and associated MVFR ceilings and visibility. The stronger storms will also be accompanied by gusty sfc winds up to 40kts. The scattered convection will be most probable near KFAY between 18Z-22Z...and near and south of the Triad terminals between 20Z and 00Z. The bulk of convection will dissipate with loss of heating, though a shower threat will linger until midnight south of the Triad. After 04Z, should see pockets of low clouds develop and eventually overspread most of central NC with IFR/LIFR ceilings highly probable at most TAF sites between 09Z-14Z Sunday. VFR conditions expected to prevail by 16Z Sunday. VFR conditions are expected to prevail across central NC through most of the upcoming work week. There will be a good chance for early morning IFR/low end MVFR conditions each day due to low clouds and/or fog. In addition, there will be scattered showers and storms each afternoon, with the highest concentration expected in the vicinity of KFAY. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...BS NEAR TERM...WSS SHORT TERM...BS LONG TERM...KC AVIATION...WSS
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC 1016 AM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016 NCZ007>011-026>028-280930- PERSON-GRANVILLE-VANCE-WARREN-HALIFAX-FRANKLIN-NASH-EDGECOMBE- 1016 AM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. NCZ021>025-038>041-280930- FORSYTH-GUILFORD-ALAMANCE-ORANGE-DURHAM-DAVIDSON-RANDOLPH-CHATHAM- WAKE- 1016 AM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL REACH BETWEEN 98 AND 102 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON. HEAT SAFETY RULES SHOULD BE INVOKED IN ORDER TO PREVENT HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES. ISOLATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON. THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER HAZARDS WILL BE STRONG GUSTY WINDS 40 TO 55 MPH AND FREQUENT TO EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. NCZ042-043-073>078-083>086-088-089-280930- JOHNSTON-WILSON-STANLY-MONTGOMERY-MOORE-LEE-HARNETT-WAYNE-ANSON- RICHMOND-SCOTLAND-HOKE-CUMBERLAND-SAMPSON- 1016 AM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL REACH BETWEEN 102 AND 105 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON. HEAT SAFETY RULES SHOULD BE INVOKED IN ORDER TO PREVENT HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES. ISOLATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON. THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER HAZARDS WILL BE STRONG GUSTY WINDS 40 TO 55 MPH AND FREQUENT TO EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. 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 RALEIGH NC
137 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016
NCZ027-041-042-271815-
JOHNSTON NC-WAKE NC-NASH NC-
137 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN
JOHNSTON...EAST CENTRAL WAKE AND SOUTHWESTERN NASH COUNTIES UNTIL 215
PM EDT...
AT 136 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM
NEAR ZEBULON...OR 16 MILES NORTH OF SMITHFIELD...MOVING SOUTHWEST AT
10 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
DEADLY CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
SMITHFIELD...CLAYTON...ZEBULON...KNIGHTDALE...WENDELL...MIDDLESEX...
FLOWERS...EMIT AND BUCKHORN RESERVOIR.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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...AND OTHER LIGHT OUTDOOR OBJECTS.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
&&
LAT...LON 3574 7817 3573 7819 3571 7816 3568 7816
3553 7840 3577 7855 3584 7827 3582 7825
3585 7824 3585 7823
TIME...MOT...LOC 1736Z 064DEG 8KT 3574 7827
WSSSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
142 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016
NCZ021-022-271815-
GUILFORD NC-FORSYTH NC-
142 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PORTIONS OF WESTERN GUILFORD
AND EAST CENTRAL FORSYTH COUNTIES UNTIL 215 PM EDT...
AT 141 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
GREENSBORO...MOVING WEST AT 15 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
DEADLY CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
GREENSBORO...HIGH POINT...KERNERSVILLE...SUMMERFIELD...STOKESDALE...
JAMESTOWN...LAKE BRANDT...LAKE JEANETTE MARINA...
OAK HOLLOW MARINA AND COLFAX.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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...AND OTHER LIGHT OUTDOOR OBJECTS.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
&&
LAT...LON 3612 7968 3600 7971 3596 8005 3601 8004
3602 8007 3623 8005
TIME...MOT...LOC 1741Z 096DEG 11KT 3607 7980
WSSSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
145 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016
NCZ040-076-271830-
LEE NC-CHATHAM NC-
145 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PORTIONS OF LEE AND
SOUTHEASTERN CHATHAM COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM EDT...
AT 144 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR
SANFORD...MOVING WEST AT 15 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
DEADLY CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
SANFORD...GOLDSTON...BROADWAY...GUM SPRINGS...CUMNOCK...MONCURE AND
TRAMWAY.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY BUILDING OR VEHICLE. WIND GUSTS AS HIGH AS
50 MPH ARE CAPABLE OF KNOCKING DOWN SMALL OR WEAKENED TREES AND
BLOWING AROUND TRASH CANS...AND OTHER LIGHT OUTDOOR OBJECTS.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
&&
LAT...LON 3543 7933 3544 7933 3545 7934 3569 7932
3561 7898 3550 7899 3543 7906 3541 7931
TIME...MOT...LOC 1744Z 096DEG 11KT 3553 7909
WSSSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
242 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016
NCZ041-271915-
WAKE NC-
242 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PORTIONS OF SOUTHWESTERN WAKE
COUNTY UNTIL 315 PM EDT...
AT 242 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR
GARNER...OR NEAR RALEIGH...MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 10 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
DEADLY CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
RALEIGH...CARY...GARNER...FUQUAY-VARINA...APEX...HOLLY SPRINGS...LAKE
BENSON...NEW HILL AND LAKE WHEELER.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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... AND OTHER LIGHT OUTDOOR OBJECTS.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
&&
LAT...LON 3568 7851 3555 7879 3572 7895 3576 7894
3584 7861
TIME...MOT...LOC 1842Z 063DEG 8KT 3574 7865
WSSSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
244 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016
NCZ038-271930-
DAVIDSON NC-
244 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PORTIONS OF NORTHERN DAVIDSON
COUNTY UNTIL 330 PM EDT...
AT 244 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 7
MILES NORTHWEST OF THOMASVILLE...OR 9 MILES NORTH OF
LEXINGTON...MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 10 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
DEADLY CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
LEXINGTON...THOMASVILLE...LINWOOD...HIGH ROCK LAKE...
ARCADIA AND WELCOME.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
&&
LAT...LON 3584 8044 3583 8043 3585 8042 3584 8039
3586 8039 3588 8042 3589 8041 3589 8037
3596 8038 3597 8040 3598 8038 3600 8032
3600 8022 3603 8021 3603 8016 3588 8007
3571 8037 3572 8039 3583 8045
TIME...MOT...LOC 1844Z 063DEG 8KT 3593 8021
WSSSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
310 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016
NCZ075-272000-
MOORE NC-
310 PM EDT SAT AUG 27 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MOORE
COUNTY UNTIL 400 PM EDT...
AT 309 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR
CARTHAGE...MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 10 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
DEADLY CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
SOUTHERN PINES...CARTHAGE...PINEHURST...ABERDEEN...
WHISPERING PINES...PINEBLUFF...FOXFIRE...TAYLORTOWN...
VASS AND CAMERON.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY BUILDING OR VEHICLE. WIND GUSTS AS HIGH AS
50 MPH ARE CAPABLE OF KNOCKING DOWN SMALL OR WEAKENED TREES AND
BLOWING AROUND TRASH CANS...AND OTHER LIGHT OUTDOOR OBJECTS.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
&&
LAT...LON 3533 7964 3540 7929 3537 7928 3535 7927
3534 7926 3534 7925 3523 7920 3521 7924
3521 7925 3520 7928 3508 7952
TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 067DEG 8KT 3529 7933
WSSThe Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 91 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:19 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
One tree was reported down on a residence on Lakeview Drive.
Power lines were reported down.
Power lines were reported down near Montgomery Memorial Hospital.
One tree was reported down near the intersection of North Carolina Highway 731 and and United States Highway 52.
One tree was reported down near the intersection of United States Highway 52 and Old United States Highway 52.
A few trees and large tree limbs were reported down.
One tree was reported down on Cocoa Drive near Woodedge Drive.
Up to one foot of water was reported flooding Wendover Avenue.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, August 2016
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: 656072, 656075, 656077, 656078, 656079, 656080, 656081, 656090.