Tornadoes and Hail in North Carolina, February 24, 2016

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in North Carolina, February 24, 2016
Start: 2016-02-24T13:10
End: 2016-02-24T19:15
Location: North Carolina

February 24, 2016 · NWS RAH · 40 events in 23 counties and zones

A few rounds of thunderstorms moved through Central North Carolina in association with a strong low pressure system moving northeastward from the Lower Mississippi River Valley into the Tennessee Valley and Ohio Valley. The resultant highly sheared environment over the coastal plain early in the day and increasing instability across Central North Carolina during the afternoon resulted in…

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: $1.2 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 40

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 Feb 24, 12:30 PM EST, 40 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 24, 12:30 PM EST, 40 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
1230 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

.SYNOPSIS...A POWERFUL UPPER LEVEL LOW AND ACCOMPANYING SURFACE
CYCLONE THAT WILL TRACK THROUGH THE TN AND OH VALLEYS. A TRAILING
COLD FRONT WILL SWEEP EAST ACROSS OUR REGION LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING. BLUSTERY CONDITIONS WILL FOLLOW AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS
EAST TONIGHT AND THU.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
AS OF 1245 PM WEDNESDAY...

...STRONG WINDS AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY THIS AFTERNOON...

TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 7 PM...WITH WIDESPREAD
SHOWERS AND A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ONGOING EARLY THIS AFTERNOON.
THE POTENTIALLY STRONGEST LINE IS MOVING ACROSS THE YADKIN RIVER
INTO THE WESTERN PIEDMONT...WILL REACH THE TRIAD BETWEEN 1 AND 2
PM...AND INTO THE TRIANGLE AREA 3-4 PM. OVERALL FORECAST TRENDS ARE
ON TRACK.

PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS...WEDGE HAS ERODED OUT OF ALL BUT THE FAR
NORTHWEST PIEDMONT COUNTIES THIS MORNING...SETTING TABLE FOR SOME
MODEST DESTABILIZATION HEADING INTO THE AFTERNOON. WINDS HAVE BEEN
ON THE UPTICK DUE TO THE MIXING...WITH GUSTS EXCEEDING 30 MPH
BECOMING MORE NUMEROUS. SOME MINOR UPDATES TO REFLECT TIMING OF
THESE TRENDS ARE IN ORDER...OTHERWISE THE SEVERE THREAT IS ON TRACK
PER DISCUSSION BELOW.

AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH WILL SWING ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST STATES
TODAY...WHILE THE ASSOCIATED JET STREAK STRENGTHENS FROM THE GULF
COAST TOWARD THE CAROLINAS AND AN INTENSE LOW-LEVEL JET (60 KT AT
850MB AT KFFC) TRANSLATES ACROSS CENTRAL NC...ALL CONCURRENT WITH A
STABILIZES AIRMASS IN THE WAKE OF AN INLAND RETREATING WEDGE/COASTAL
WARM FRONTS.  THIS WILL SET THE STAGE FOR A MULTIFACETED AND
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SEVERE WEATHER SITUATION.

GIVEN THE LARGE SCALE FORCING...IT APPEARS THERE WILL BE A COUPLE
TIME PERIODS FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE WEATHER.  THE FIRST WILL UNFOLD
THIS MORNING (AND MAY ALREADY BE GETTING GOING WITH AN ELEVATED
SUPERCELL APPROACHING RICHMOND COUNTY AT 3AM) AS WARM ADVECTION AND
MUCAPE INCREASE ATOP THE STUBBORN WEDGE AIRMASS WHICH IS STILL NEAR
THE COAST.  THE WEDGE FRONT AND EVENTUALLY THE TRUE WARM SECTOR ARE
PROGGED TO SLOWLY MIX INLAND THIS MORNING AND THEN MORE QUICKLY BY
MIDDAY...WITH THE NORTHWEST PIEDMONT LIKELY TO BREAK OUT BY 2PM.
MANY OF THE CAMS SHOW CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF CONVECTION TO OUR
SOUTH THAT MOVES NORTH...AND WITH TIME SURFACE BASED CONVECTION WILL
BE MORE LIKELY...WITH A GROWING CONCERN FOR THOSE STORMS
INTERSECTING THE HELICITY LADEN WARM FRONT (0-3KM SRH OF 300-400
M2/S2). THE BEST TIME FRAME FOR THIS APPEARS TO BE FROM 5 AM THROUGH
11AM...MAINLY IN THE COASTAL PLAIN.

AND THEN THIS AFTERNOON MODELS SEEM TO BE KEYING IN ON DEVELOPMENT
FORCED BY THE MAIN UPPER TROUGH AND ALONG A CONFLUENCE ZONE (AHEAD
OF THE MAIN COLD FRONT) THAT IS CURRENTLY OVER CENTRAL AL. THIS LINE
WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO STRENGTHEN RAPIDLY AS IT ENCOUNTERS THE
WARM SECTOR...CHARACTERIZED BY TEMPS IN THE UPPER 60S/LOWER 70S AND
DEWPOINTS IN THE MID 60S...AND 500-1000 J/KG MLCAPE. THE WELL-TIMED
ARRIVAL OF A DRY SLOT MAY ALSO HELP TO ENHANCE INSTABILITY...AS WELL
AS DCAPE. LOW-LEVEL WINDS WILL HAVE VEERED TO MORE SOUTHERN BY
THEN...BUT 0-3KM SRH WILL STILL BE 200-300 M2/S2 AND LONG HODOGRAPHS
WILL SUPPORT BOWING LINE SEGMENTS AND SUPERCELLS.  THE TIME FRAME
FOR THIS APPEARS TO BETWEEN NOON AND 6PM.  THE HRRR HAS REALLY
LATCHED ONTO THIS IN THE PAST 3 OR 4 RUNS.

SPC HAS UPGRADED A PORTION OF THE AREA TO A MODERATE RISK (FROM THE
TRIANGLE NORTH AND EAST)...OWING TO THE BEST OVERLAP OF KINEMATICS
AND EVENTUALLY DESTABILIZATION.  DAMAGING WINDS WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR
NEARLY ALL OF CENTRAL NC (POSSIBLY MISSING THE NORTHWEST PIEDMONT
IF THEY DO NOT BREAK OUT PRIOR TO THE SECOND LINE OF CONVECTION)
...IF NOT FROM CONVECTION THEN FROM 20-25MPH WINDS AND GUSTS TO 40-
45MPH (ENHANCED EVEN BY SUB-SEVERE SHOWERS AND STORMS). A FEW
TORNADOES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE AND A STRONG...LONG TRACK TORNADO CANNOT
BE RULED OUT. THE CURRENT WIND ADVISORY WILL CONTINUE FROM 9AM
THROUGH MIDNIGHT.

THE CONVECTIVE LINE SHOULD RACE EAST OF THE AREA BY 7PM OR SO...WITH
A FEW ADDITIONAL SHOWERS POSSIBLE ALONG THE MAIN COLD FRONT.  LOWS
WILL BOTTOM OUT IN THE 41-48 RANGE.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT/...
AS OF 355 AM WEDNESDAY...

SHORT WAVE ENERGY WILL CONTINUE TO ROTATE ACROSS THE OHIO VALLEY
AROUND THE MAIN UPPER TROF THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT...WITH THE
FINAL AND STRONGEST SHORT WAVE SHIFTING THE TROF AXIS OFFSHORE BY
FRIDAY MORNING. MOISTURE WILL BE SQUEEZED OUT OVER THE WESTERN
SLOPES...WITH SCATTERED TO BROKEN STRATOCUMULUS (PERHAPS A STRAY
SPRINKLE OR TWO IN THE TRIAD) SPILLING ACROSS THE NORTHERN TIER.

COLD AIR WILL BE REINFORCED...WITH A STRONG PRESSURE GRADIENT
LINGERING THURSDAY FEATURING SUSTAINED WESTERLY WINDS OF 15 TO 25
MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 35 MPH...AND WITH A FEW INFREQUENT GUSTS
INTO THE UPPER 30S TO NEAR 40S KTS POSSIBLE. HIGHS WILL BE A
CATEGORY OR SO BELOW NORMAL...WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED BLUSTERY
CONDITIONS AND AN ASSOCIATED CHILLIER FEEL THAN TEMPERATURES IN THE
LOW TO MID 50S WOULD OTHERWISE SUGGEST. SKIES WILL BECOME CLEAR
OVERNIGHT...WITH THE DIURNAL TEMPERATURE FALL TEMPERED BY GOOD
MIXING TO KEEP FRIDAY MORNING MINS MOSTLY IN THE LOWER 30S.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
AS OF 1000 AM WEDNESDAY...

COOL AIR ADVECTION DUE TO BROAD TROFFING ACROSS THE EASTERN CONUS
WILL RESULT IN DRY WEATHER THROUGH THE WEEKEND...WITH HIGHS
STRUGGLING TO REACH 50 ON BOTH FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. MORNING MINS
WILL BE IN THE 30S SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MORNINGS.

A FINAL MOISTURE STARVED SHORT WAVE WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS THE AREA
LATER SATURDAY...INITIATING A SHORT-LIVED WARMING TREND THAT WILL
BEGIN SUNDAY AS PROGRESSIVE SHORT WAVE RIDGING MOVES ACROSS
CONCURRENT WITH MILD HIGH PRESSURE BUILDING IN FROM THE SOUTH. HIGHS
SUNDAY WILL REACH NEAR NORMAL...MID TO UPPER 50S...AND REACH 60 TO
65 ON MONDAY AHEAD OF OUR NEXT WEAK AND DRY COLD FRONT WHICH WILL
MOVE THROUGH LATER MONDAY TO COOL US BACK INTO THE MID AND UPPER 50S
ON TUESDAY. THE FRONT WILL DISSIPATE AND LIFT NORTH WITH MILD RETURN
FLOW DEVELOPING MID WEEK AS A STRONGER FRONTAL SYSTEM TAKES SHAPE
OVER THE LOWER PLAINS...WITH EXPECTED IMPACTS NOT EXPECTED TO REACH
THE EAST COAST UNTIL THURSDAY. HIGHS WEDNESAY SHOULD REACH THE LOW
TO MID 60S.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
AS OF 1230 PM WEDNESDAY...

MAIN HAZARD WILL BE SEVERE STORMS THIS AFTERNOON...INITIAL COLD AIR
WEDGE HAS ERODED AND AN INTITIAL LINE OF POTENTIALLY SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING EAST...INTO THE TRIAD TAF SITES
(GSO/INT) BETWEEN 18 AND 20Z. EASTERN SITES MAY EXPECT SCATTERED
ACTIVITY THROUGH THE AFTERNOON...WITH THE MAIN LINE REACHING THE
SITES 19-22Z. GUSTS ACCOMPANYING THE STORMS COULD REACH 50 KNOTS AND
POSSIBLY PRODUCE A TORNADO OR TWO.

MEANWHILE...THE PREVAILING CONDITIONS THROUGH 00Z WILL FEATURE
ROUNDS OF SHOWERS WITH MVFR CEILINGS AND SUSTAINED SOUTHERLY WINDS
15 TO 20 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 30 KNOTS. AFTER THE CONVECTION
WANES...VFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OVERNIGHT...WITH SOUTH TO
SOUTHWEST WINDS SUBSIDING TO 10 TO 15 KNOTS GUSTING 20 TO 25
OVERNIGHT. CONDITIONS THURSDAY REMAIN VFR...BUT WINDS WILL PICK UP
AGAIN BY MIDMORNING...WITH SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS 15 TO 20 GUSTING
TO 30 KNOTS AFTER 15Z...SUBSIDING TO LESS THAN 10 KNOTS AROUND 00Z
TOMORROW EVENING (BEYOND THE VALID TAF PERIOD).

FRIDAY AND BEYOND...VFR CONDITIONS WITH NO PRECIPITATION ARE
EXPECTED THROUGH THE WEEKEND...LIKELY LINGERING INTO MIDWEEK.

&&

.RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WIND ADVISORY THROUGH MIDNIGHT
 EST TONIGHT FOR NCZ008>011-024>028-040>043-073>078-083>086-088-089.

&&

SYNOPSIS...26/MLM
NEAR TERM...22/MLM
SHORT TERM...26/MLM
LONG TERM...MLM
AVIATION...MLM

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 24, 11:27 AM EST, 1 hour 43 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
1127 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

NCZ007-021>023-038-039-251630-
PERSON-FORSYTH-GUILFORD-ALAMANCE-DAVIDSON-RANDOLPH-
1127 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...TORNADO WATCH 26 IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL 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.

   TORNADO WATCH.

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

STRONG...BLUSTERY WINDS ARE LIKELY ON THURSDAY...WITH SUSTAINED
SPEEDS AROUND 20 MPH AND GUSTS TO AROUND 35 MPH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

NCZ008>011-024>028-040>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-251630-
GRANVILLE-VANCE-WARREN-HALIFAX-ORANGE-DURHAM-FRANKLIN-NASH-EDGECOMBE-
CHATHAM-WAKE-JOHNSTON-WILSON-STANLY-MONTGOMERY-MOORE-LEE-HARNETT-
WAYNE-ANSON-RICHMOND-SCOTLAND-HOKE-CUMBERLAND-SAMPSON-
1127 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT...
...TORNADO WATCH 26 IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL 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.

   TORNADO WATCH.
   WIND ADVISORY.

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

STRONG...BLUSTERY WINDS ARE LIKELY ON THURSDAY...WITH SUSTAINED
SPEEDS AROUND 20 MPH AND GUSTS TO AROUND 35 MPH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

26

In the hours before

Local storm report, Feb 24, 9:27 AM EST, 3 hours 43 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
927 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

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

0915 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST ROCKINGHAM APT          34.89N  79.76W
02/24/2016  M37 MPH          RICHMOND           NC   AWOS

            KRCZ REPORTED A PEAK WIND GUST OF 37 MPH AT 915 AM EST.

&&

EVENT NUMBER RAH1600390

VINCENT

Local storm report, Feb 24, 9:47 AM EST, 3 hours 23 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
947 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

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

0935 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST ROCKINGHAM APT          34.89N  79.76W
02/24/2016  M39 MPH          RICHMOND           NC   AWOS

            KRCZ REPORTED A PEAK WIND GUST OF 39 MPH AT 935 AM EST.

&&

EVENT NUMBER RAH1600391

VINCENT

Local storm report, Feb 24, 10:19 AM EST, 2 hours 51 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
1019 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

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

0920 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST MACKALL ARMY AIRFIELD   35.04N  79.50W
02/24/2016  M39 MPH          RICHMOND           NC   AWOS

            KHFF REPORTED A PEAK WIND GUST OF 39 MPH AT 920 AM EST.

&&

EVENT NUMBER RAH1600392

VINCENT

Local storm report, Feb 24, 11:25 AM EST, 1 hour 45 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
1125 AM EST WED FEB 24 2016

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

1105 AM     FUNNEL CLOUD     9 SSE HOPE MILLS        34.84N  78.90W
02/24/2016                   CUMBERLAND         NC   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            ROTATING FUNNEL CLOUD OBSERVED IN HEAVY RAIN IN
            SOUTHWESTERN CUMBERLAND COUNTY NEAR THE BLADEN COUNTY
            LINE. LOCATION IS APPROXIMATE. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

&&

EVENT NUMBER RAH1600393

BLAES

Special weather statement, Feb 24, 12:08 PM EST, 1 hour 2 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
1208 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

NCZ042-043-078-241800-
JOHNSTON NC-WILSON NC-WAYNE NC-
1208 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PORTIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN
JOHNSTON...WILSON AND CENTRAL WAYNE COUNTIES UNTIL 100 PM EST...

AT 1208 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 10 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SMITHFIELD...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

WIND GUSTS AS HIGH AS 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
GOLDSBORO...WILSON...ELM CITY...FREMONT...MICRO...PINE LEVEL...
KENLY...PRINCETON...LUCAMA AND STANTONSBURG.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY BUILDING OR VEHICLE. WIND GUSTS UP TO 50
MPH ARE CAPABLE OF KNOCKING DOWN TREE LIMBS AND BLOWING AROUND TRASH
CANS...POTTED PLANTS...LAWN FURNITURE AND OTHER LIGHT OUTDOOR
OBJECTS.

&&

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM EST FOR CENTRAL NORTH
CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3557 7782 3547 7783 3522 7824 3541 7842
      3586 7782 3584 7776 3582 7775 3573 7772
      3568 7766
TIME...MOT...LOC 1708Z 227DEG 34KT 3538 7825

VINCENT

Special weather statement, Feb 24, 12:26 PM EST, 44 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
1226 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

NCZ078-089-241830-
WAYNE NC-SAMPSON NC-
1226 PM EST WED FEB 24 2016

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT PORTIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN WAYNE
AND SAMPSON COUNTIES UNTIL 130 PM EST...

AT 1226 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 7 MILES NORTH OF LAGOON...OR 7 MILES EAST OF
ELIZABETHTOWN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 80 MPH.

WIND GUSTS AS HIGH AS 50 MPH AND HALF INCH HAIL WILL BE POSSIBLE
WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
GOLDSBORO...CLINTON...MOUNT OLIVE...WALNUT CREEK...HARRELLS...
ROSEBORO...GARLAND...SALEMBURG...TURKEY AND SEVEN SPRINGS.

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...POTTED PLANTS...LAWN FURNITURE AND OTHER
LIGHT OUTDOOR OBJECTS.

&&

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM EST FOR CENTRAL NORTH
CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3461 7831 3467 7832 3470 7837 3476 7840
      3495 7860 3547 7783 3539 7780 3534 7782
      3518 7783 3515 7790 3519 7802 3518 7807
      3519 7816 3490 7815 3474 7820 3471 7813
      3472 7811 3471 7811 3455 7825
TIME...MOT...LOC 1726Z 218DEG 70KT 3466 7848

BLAES

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 72 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:07 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

28 thunderstorm wind, 8 hail, 4 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Wayne

When: February 24, 1:10 PM EST to 1:12 PM EST
Where: Wayne County, 4.13 mi WSW of Seven Spgs to 3.31 mi W of Seven Spgs
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.01 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.217, -77.921

The National Weather Service in Raleigh, NC has confirmed a brief tornado touchdown several miles west southwest of Seven Springs in southeast Wayne County. The tornado began on Camp Jubilee Road between Pineview Cemetery Road and Indian Springs Road, where numerous trees were downed and branches snapped. The tornado proceeded northeast through open fields before damaging a turkey barn and several mobile homes on the southern side of Sanderson Road. The tornado then destroyed a shed and a fence as it progressed north of Sanderson Road, plastering|insulation onto the walls of several structures on either side of the road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Forsyth

When: February 24, 1:20 PM EST to 2:02 PM EST
Where: Forsyth County, 0.89 mi NW of Hanes to 4.11 mi SSE of Kernersville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.090, -80.310

Several trees were uprooted along a swath from 3 miles west-southwest of Winston-Salem to 4 miles south-southeast of Kernersville. One tree fell on a house near the intersection of South Bunker Hill Road and Sandy Ridge Road, damaging the roof.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When: February 24, 1:30 PM EST to 1:50 PM EST
Where: Davidson County, 2.67 mi SW of Cotton Grove to 1.32 mi ESE of Fair Grove
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 35.700, -80.300

A couple of homes were damaged by thunderstorm wind gusts along a swath from Hickory Point Drive, south-southeast of Linwood, to Fairwood Drive in Trinity.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wilson

When: February 24, 1:35 PM EST
Where: Wilson County, 0.56 mi E of Saratoga
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.650, -77.770

Multiple trees were blown down approximately 1 mile east-southeast of Saratoga.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anson

When: February 24, 1:57 PM EST
Where: Anson County, 1.49 mi NNW of Deep Creek
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 34.870, -80.180

A power line was blown down on Union Church Road near Highway 109 South.

Thunderstorm Wind, Anson

When: February 24, 2:10 PM EST
Where: Anson County, 4.18 mi N of Polkton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.060, -80.210

A tree was blown down on McSwain Road near Highway 742 North and Johnson Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Guilford

When: February 24, 2:10 PM EST to 2:15 PM EST
Where: Guilford County, 2.07 mi N of Sedgefield to 0.69 mi S of Hamilton Lakes
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.050, -79.900

Multiple trees were blown down along a swath from 4 miles south-southeast of the Piedmont Triad Airport to 1 mile south of Greensboro.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: February 24, 2:46 PM EST to 2:48 PM EST
Where: Montgomery County, 1.13 mi E of Mt Gilead to 0.89 mi SE of Troy
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.220, -80.000

A couple of trees were blown down along a swath from Mount Gilead to Troy.

Thunderstorm Wind, Randolph

When: February 24, 3:10 PM EST to 3:15 PM EST
Where: Randolph County, 0.89 mi SE of Coleridge to 2.07 mi N of Cheeks
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 35.640, -79.620

A few trees were blown down and a garage partially collapsed onto a vehicle along a swath from 1 mile west of Coleridge to 1 mile South of Coleridge.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chatham

When: February 24, 3:26 PM EST to 3:27 PM EST
Where: Chatham County, 2.64 mi WSW of Bear Creek to 1.78 mi NE of Bear Creek
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.600, -79.420

Numerous trees were blown down along a swath from 4 miles northeast of Harpers Crossroads to 3 miles northwest of Goldston, one of which fell on a residence.

Thunderstorm Wind, Alamance

When: February 24, 3:45 PM EST
Where: Alamance County, 0.69 mi S of Mebane
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.090, -79.280

One large tree was blown down in Mebane.

Thunderstorm Wind, Orange

When: February 24, 3:50 PM EST to 3:58 PM EST
Where: Orange County, 0.56 mi W of Chapel Hill to 1.31 mi ENE of Glenn
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.920, -79.080

A few trees were blown down, some on power lines, along a swath from Pine Street in Carrboro to near Eno.

Hail, Orange

When: February 24, 3:55 PM EST to 3:56 PM EST
Where: Orange County, 2.15 mi SSE of Hillsborough to 0.89 mi SE of Occoneechee
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.050, -79.110

Quarter to half dollar size hail fell in a swath from 2 miles south-southwest of Hillsborough to 2 miles east-southeast of Hillsborough.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chatham

When: February 24, 3:57 PM EST to 4:30 PM EST
Where: Chatham County, Bear Creek to 0.89 mi NE of Merry Oaks
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 35.620, -79.380

A few trees were blown down along a swath from Bear Creek to US-1 at mile marker 84.

Tornado, Durham

When: February 24, 4:00 PM EST to 4:01 PM EST
Where: Durham County, 0.71 mi NNE of Huckleberry Spg to 1.1 mi NE of Huckleberry Spg
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.43 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.059, -78.945

The National Weather Service in Raleigh, NC has confirmed a brief tornado touchdown 5 miles northwest of downtown Durham in Durham County North Carolina. The touchdown occurred in a dense forest area near the intersection of Hillandale Road and Rose of Sharon Road. In this area, tree damage was extensive, mainly consisting of snapped trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Durham

When: February 24, 4:00 PM EST to 4:05 PM EST
Where: Durham County, 2.17 mi SW of Huckleberry Spg to 2.15 mi SSW of Orange Factory
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.030, -78.980

In addition to the tornado damage in Durham county, numerous trees were blown down by rear-flank downdraft winds. Downed trees fell onto and damage homes and vehicles, with the damage most extensive along Rose of Sharon Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Person

When: February 24, 4:15 PM EST
Where: Person County, 0.89 mi SW of Allensville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.390, -78.890

A tree was blown down near the intersection of Denny's Store Road and Allensville Road, approximately 5 miles north of Surl.

Thunderstorm Wind, Orange

When: February 24, 4:20 PM EST
Where: Orange County, 2.17 mi NE of Chapel Hill Wllms Ar
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 35.950, -79.040

Multiple trees were blown down near the intersection of Kenmore Road and Shady Lawn Road in Chapel Hill.

Hail, Granville

When: February 24, 4:30 PM EST
Where: Granville County, 0.89 mi SW of Oxford to 0.56 mi W of Lewis
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.310, -78.590

Half dollar to tennis ball sized hail fell in a swath from Oxford to 4 miles north of Oxford.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lee

When: February 24, 4:30 PM EST
Where: Lee County, Sanford
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.480, -79.180

One tree was blown down onto a shed and a truck in Sanford.

Tornado, Granville

When: February 24, 4:32 PM EST to 4:35 PM EST
Where: Granville County, 0.8 mi W of Huntsboro to 1.11 mi ENE of Oxford Henderson Arp
Rating: EF2
Path length: 2.59 mi
Path width: 125 yd
Continued into: Vance, Nc (RAH)
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.350, -78.544

The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched|down in eastern Granville County and continued into western Vance|County. The tornado initially touched down at location along Salem|Road, about 3.7 miles northeast of Oxford. The tornado then|traveled northeast passing by and just to the north of the|Henderson-Oxford Airport. The tornado then crossed into Vance|County and continued for another 2.5 miles. The total path length was|approximately 5 miles.

The damage along this path consisted of several stands of|softwood trees snapped and blown down, several outbuildings blown|down and/or destroyed, several cars and storage trailers uplifted|and carried up to 50 yards away, and seven homes that were|damaged, including one that was destroyed (roof and two exterior|walls blown away). The degree of damage along most of the path|suggested 95 to 110 mph wind speeds (EF-1), with a small segment|of the path having more intense damage which suggested top wind|speeds of 125 mph (EF-2).

Tornado, Vance

When: February 24, 4:35 PM EST to 4:38 PM EST
Where: Vance County, 0.6 mi ESE of Dexter to 2.83 mi ENE of Dexter
Rating: EF2
Path length: 2.48 mi
Path width: 125 yd
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.376, -78.510

The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched|down in eastern Granville County and continued into western Vance|County. Once the tornado crossed into Vance County, it continued for another 2.5 miles. The total path length was approximately 5 miles.

Hail, Vance

When: February 24, 4:38 PM EST to 4:45 PM EST
Where: Vance County, Williamsboro to 0.89 mi SE of Townsville
Measured: 3 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.430, -78.430

Tennis ball size to three inch diameter hail fell in a swath from 6 miles southwest of Bullocksville to 3 miles southeast of Tungsten.

Hail, Granville

When: February 24, 4:48 PM EST to 4:50 PM EST
Where: Granville County, 0.56 mi W of Creedmoor
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.120, -78.690

Ping pong ball to golf ball sized hail was reported in Creedmoor.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wake

When: February 24, 4:50 PM EST
Where: Wake County, 1.68 mi E of Apex
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.730, -78.840

One tree was blown down in Apex.

Thunderstorm Wind, Granville

When: February 24, 4:52 PM EST
Where: Granville County, 2.07 mi S of Kinton Fork
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.320, -78.630

A large tree was blown down onto power lines on Enon Road, 2 miles west-northwest of Oxford.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: February 24, 5:05 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 2.82 mi NNE of Pocomoke
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.120, -78.520

A tree was blown down onto a house approximately 4 miles west-northwest of Franklinton.

Hail, Vance

When: February 24, 5:12 PM EST
Where: Vance County, 1.81 mi ESE of Dabney
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.340, -78.450

Quarter size hail was reported 2 miles west-northwest of Henderson, near the intersection of Enon Road and Highway 158.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cumberland

When: February 24, 5:20 PM EST to 5:30 PM EST
Where: Cumberland County, 3.5 mi S of Hope Mills to 1.13 mi E of Fayetteville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.920, -78.940

A couple of trees were blown down along a swath from Interstate 95 Southbound at mile marker 39 to North Ramsey Street in Fayetteville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: February 24, 5:23 PM EST to 5:24 PM EST
Where: Warren County, Manson to 1.49 mi NNW of Ridgeway
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 36.420, -78.280

A couple of trees were blown down along a swath from Manson Drewry Road to Ridgeway-Drewry Road, a few miles west of Norlina.

Hail, Warren

When: February 24, 5:29 PM EST
Where: Warren County, 0.89 mi NE of Paschall
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.540, -78.160

Golf ball size hail was reported near Paschall, approximately 4 miles north-northeast of Wise.

Hail, Cumberland

When: February 24, 5:30 PM EST to 5:40 PM EST
Where: Cumberland County, 4.18 mi S of Hope Mills to Cedar Creek
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.910, -78.940

Quarter to ping pong ball sized hail was reported along a swath from 5 miles south-southeast of Hope Mills to Cedar Creek.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wake

When: February 24, 5:46 PM EST to 5:50 PM EST
Where: Wake County, 0.56 mi W of Starmount to 0.89 mi SW of Starmount
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 35.850, -78.580

A few trees were blown down, 2 of which were on structures, along a swath from 3 miles north-northwest of New Hope to the Fruit of Labor World Cultural Center on Lake Ridge Drive.

Hail, Wake

When: February 24, 5:50 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST
Where: Wake County, 1.49 mi SSE of Brookhaven to 0.89 mi SW of Starmount
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.850, -78.660

Ping pong ball sized hail was reported along a swath from North Hills mall to the intersection of New Hope Road and Capital Boulevard in Raleigh.

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: February 24, 5:53 PM EST to 6:02 PM EST
Where: Warren County, 3.23 mi SSW of Liberia to 2.22 mi E of Macon
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 36.310, -78.130

A few trees were blown down along a swath from Parktown Road, 5 miles east-southeast of Afton, to Harristown Road, 2 miles east-southeast of Macon.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sampson

When: February 24, 5:55 PM EST
Where: Sampson County, 1.13 mi E of Hobbton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.170, -78.310

A barn was destroyed by thunderstorm wind gusts at 700 Suttontown Road in Hobbton.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: February 24, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 0.89 mi NW of Franklinton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.110, -78.460

One tree fell on a home at 103 Ramey Circle in Franklinton.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wake

When: February 24, 6:02 PM EST
Where: Wake County, 1.32 mi ENE of Macedonia
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.760, -78.730

Several trees were blown down near the 5500 block of Dillard Drive in Cary.

Thunderstorm Wind, Edgecombe

When: February 24, 6:55 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where: Edgecombe County, 0.89 mi SE of Tarboro Arpt to 0.89 mi NW of Speed
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.890, -77.490

A tree was blown down and a roof was blown off a mobile home along a swath from Shiloh Farm Road, just outside of Princeville, to Highway 122, just northeast of Speed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When: February 24, 7:15 PM EST
Where: Halifax County, 0.69 mi S of Scotland Neck
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.120, -77.420

Multiple trees and power lines were blown down near Scotland Neck.

What these are

Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in North Carolina in 2016 Every state in 2016 This day in weather history The tornado archive for North Carolina, 2016 Warnings in North Carolina, February 2016

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: 620330, 620363, 620372, 620368, 620553, 620362, 620367, 620364, 620365, 620382, 620409, 620407, 620352, 620399, 614677, 620377, 620404, 620411, 620353, 620408, 620331, 620759, 620354, 620356, 620410, 620387, 620402, 620357, 620385, 620398, 620358, 620360, 620394, 620370, 620396, 620414, 620415, 620416, 620401, 620412.