Isolated thunderstorms developed across western North Carolina during the evening. One storm produced brief damaging winds across Rutherford County.
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 GSP wrote it up.
Isolated thunderstorms developed across western North Carolina during the evening. One storm produced brief damaging winds across Rutherford County.
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 17, 7:18 PM EST, 2 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
818 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
.SYNOPSIS...
A weak frontal boundary will remain stalled just to the south of the
area through the weekend. Another weak front will approach the region
on Tuesday, keeping the area in a typical summertime pattern of afternoon
and evening showers and thunderstorms.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 755 PM, scattered convection erupted over the heart of the
Upstate over the past couple of hours. Pops have been increased to
solid chance across the Lakelands for the next couple of hours. An
isolated microburst will remain possible with the strongest storms,
with heavy rain still being a concern due to slow cell motions.
Otherwise, upper heights will continue to rise as a large
anticyclone builds across the Mississippi Delta region while nearly
zonal flow prevails across the northern OH valley into the Great
Lakes. At the surface and closer to home, lee troffing will
prevail across portions of northeast GA and the western Carolinas as
high pressure remains centered over the western Atlantic. Pops will
fall off tonight as heating is lost leading into a mostly clear
night. Guidance once again favors dense mtn valley fog as well as
patchy dense fog over the fthills/piedmont, thus such was included
in the fcst. Monday doesn't look all that different than today,
with the exception of further H5 height rises. Therefore pops on
Monday are reflective of such by way of only mid range chance pops
over the high terrain, with slight chances once again favored
along/east of I77.
&&
.SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
of 235 PM EDT Sunday: Our forecast area will be caught on the
eastern edge of a "ring of fire" associated with a large sprawling
high pressure system in the central part of the county. Meanwhile a
broad upper level trough, located from the western Great Lakes to
the New England states, will move very little.
The models are suggesting a couple of scenarios with our region in a
semi northwesterly flow aloft. One of which is a series of short
waves which will be dropping southeastward across the area Monday
night through Wednesday. However the timing differences in the
models are large, and also may be tied into convection, from
upstream storms expected in the first half of the new work week.
We decided to side with the idea of left over showers and storms on
the wane Monday evening...near the lee side trough and orographic
enhancement. A cold front will then settle toward our region in the
predawn hours Tuesday, and then inch south through our forecast area
through Wednesday. With plentiful moisture in place, we increased
the chance of showers and thunderstorms, from the predawn hours in
mainly the North Carolina mountains, and then across the region
Tuesday.
The idea then from that point forward was to refocus showers and
thunderstorms to south, with the front.
Currently Tuesday appears to have the best shot for coverage of
showers and thunderstorms. We have kept most of the precipitation
chances in the southern one half of our region Wednesday.
Meanwhile we are close to the temperature profile from the suite of
model guidance through this part of the forecast cycle.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 145 PM Sunday...the medium range fcst picks up at 00Z on
Thursday with very broad upper ridging over the central CONUS
and a lingering upper trof off the New England Coast. The trof
is slow to move farther offshore, but eventually does by the start
of the weekend. At the same time, the ridge tries to spread farther
east early in the period, but makes little progress and begins to
flatten out by Friday. For the remainder of the period, heights
slowly fall over the SE region as the ridge gradually flattens.
At the sfc, relatively dry high pressure will be centered to our
north to start the medium range. The high is expected to slowly
slide eastward and eventually merge with the prevailing Bermuda High
by the start of the weekend. This will bring southerly, relatively
moist flow back to the region by the end of the work week. The models
suggest that another weak cold front could approach the fcst area late
Saturday into early Sunday, however it currently looks pretty diffuse.
As for the sensible fcst, no notable changes were needed with less
than climo POPs for Thurs and Fri and near climo POPs for the weekend.
Temps should start out around normal and steadily warm each day.
By Sunday, I have highs in the upper 90s for most of the lower
elevations.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
At KCLT: Convection has behaved in staying away from the terminal
this evening, and expect this trend to continue through the night.
Could see some marginal MVFR fog develop toward daybreak, and this
trend has been continued in from the inherited TAF, albeit pushed a
couple of hours later. Otherwise, light S winds should persist
through the period. Chances for convection tomorrow afternoon appear
to be more or less similar to today, so convection is omitted for
the time being.
Elsewhere: Chances for convection are dwindling, although showers
will be in the vicinity of the Upstate SC terminals and KHKY for the
first couple of hours of the forecast period. Otherwise, the main
concern will revolve around the potential for development of fog
and/or low stratus, especially at KGMU/KGSP (which saw brief heavy
rain this afternoon), and at KAVL. Still expect LIFR conditions to
develop at KAVL, but these conditions have been pushed later, as
trends do not favor the early onset that was seen last night. Will
also advertise MVFR fog at all other sites, but would not rule out
some localized/brief IFR or LIFR conditions near KGMU/KGSP toward
daybreak. Otherwise, scattered convection will develop once again
Monday afternoon, so PROB30s for TSRA are carried at all sites.
Outlook...Fairly typical midsummer weather with afternoon showers
and thunderstorms expected each day. A front will sag into the area
on Tuesday, which may result in the most active day of the week.
Morning fog and low stratus will be possible each day in the
mountain valleys and also in locations that receive heavy rainfall
in the preceding PM.
Confidence Table...
00-06Z 06-12Z 12-18Z 18-00Z
KCLT High 100% High 93% High 97% High 100%
KGSP High 100% High 80% High 100% High 100%
KAVL High 100% Med 63% Med 77% High 100%
KHKY High 100% High 100% High 94% High 100%
KGMU High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KAND High 100% High 94% High 97% High 100%
The percentage reflects the number of guidance members agreeing
with the scheduled TAF issuance flight rule category. Complete hourly
experimental aviation forecast consistency tables and ensemble forecasts
are available at the following link:
www.weather.gov/gsp/aviation
&&
.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None.
NC...None.
SC...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...JPT
NEAR TERM...CDG/JDL
SHORT TERM...TS
LONG TERM...JPT
AVIATION...JDLHAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC 505 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065- 068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-181215- RABUN-HABERSHAM-STEPHENS-FRANKLIN-HART-ELBERT-AVERY-ALEXANDER- IREDELL-DAVIE-MADISON-YANCEY-MITCHELL-SWAIN-HAYWOOD-BUNCOMBE-CATAWBA- ROWAN-GRAHAM-NORTHERN JACKSON-MACON-SOUTHERN JACKSON-TRANSYLVANIA- HENDERSON-CLEVELAND-LINCOLN-GASTON-MECKLENBURG-CABARRUS-UNION- CALDWELL MOUNTAINS-GREATER CALDWELL-BURKE MOUNTAINS-GREATER BURKE- MCDOWELL MOUNTAINS-EASTERN MCDOWELL-RUTHERFORD MOUNTAINS- GREATER RUTHERFORD-POLK MOUNTAINS-EASTERN POLK-OCONEE MOUNTAINS- PICKENS MOUNTAINS-GREENVILLE MOUNTAINS-GREATER OCONEE- GREATER PICKENS-GREATER GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG-CHEROKEE-YORK- ANDERSON-ABBEVILLE-LAURENS-CHESTER-GREENWOOD- 505 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST GEORGIA...PIEDMONT NORTH CAROLINA...WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED UNTIL SHORTLY AFTER SUNDOWN. HOWEVER UNTIL THEN A FEW OF THE STORMS MAY PRODUCE FREQUENT CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING...LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL AND GUSTY WINDS. ONE OR TWO STORMS MIGHT EVEN BECOME SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS THE PRIMARY THREAT...ALTHOUGH SOME HAIL CAN NOT BE RULED OUT. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. ..MONDAY...NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. ..TUESDAY...NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. ..WEDNESDAY...NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. ..THURSDAY...NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. ..FRIDAY...NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. ..SATURDAY...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. STUREY
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
656 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
SCZ006-010-172330-
GREATER GREENVILLE SC-ANDERSON SC-
656 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL GREENVILLE AND
EAST CENTRAL ANDERSON COUNTIES UNTIL 730 PM EDT...
AT 656 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 11
MILES EAST OF ANDERSON...OR NEAR BELTON...MOVING SOUTH AT 5 MPH.
LOCATIONS TO BE IMPACTED INCLUDE...
BELTON...WILLIAMSTON...HONEA PATH...WEST PELZER...DONALDSON CENTER...
PIEDMONT...FORK SHOALS AND PRINCETON.
HALF INCH HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THESE
AREAS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL MAY FLOOD AREAS WITH POOR DRAINAGE...SUCH AS
DITCHES AND UNDERPASSES. AVOID THESE AREAS AND DO NOT CROSS FLOODED
ROADS. WATER LEVELS OF SMALL STREAMS MAY ALSO RISE RAPIDLY. SEEK
HIGHER GROUND IF THREATENED BY FLOOD WATERS. DO NOT DRIVE ACROSS
FLOODED ROADS.
&&
LAT...LON 3461 8256 3474 8238 3456 8223 3454 8224
3439 8246
TIME...MOT...LOC 2256Z 353DEG 5KT 3457 8245
NEDPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
708 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0620 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 NW MAULDIN 34.81N 82.34W
07/17/2016 GREENVILLE SC LAW ENFORCEMENT
SCHP REPORTED A TREE DOWN ON I-85 AT MM 48
&&
KRENTZSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
731 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
SCZ006-010-012-180000-
GREATER GREENVILLE SC-LAURENS SC-ANDERSON SC-
731 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL LAURENS...
SOUTHEASTERN GREENVILLE AND EAST CENTRAL ANDERSON COUNTIES UNTIL 800
PM EDT...
AT 731 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 13
MILES NORTHEAST OF ANDERSON...OR NEAR WILLIAMSTON...MOVING SOUTH AT
15 MPH.
LOCATIONS TO BE IMPACTED INCLUDE...
BELTON...WILLIAMSTON...HONEA PATH...WEST PELZER...FORK SHOALS AND
PRINCETON.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL MAY FLOOD AREAS WITH POOR DRAINAGE...SUCH AS
DITCHES AND UNDERPASSES. AVOID THESE AREAS AND DO NOT CROSS FLOODED
ROADS. WATER LEVELS OF SMALL STREAMS MAY ALSO RISE RAPIDLY. SEEK
HIGHER GROUND IF THREATENED BY FLOOD WATERS. DO NOT DRIVE ACROSS
FLOODED ROADS.
&&
LAT...LON 3435 8255 3465 8254 3469 8230 3451 8220
3446 8231 3448 8232 3440 8244
TIME...MOT...LOC 2331Z 358DEG 11KT 3459 8243
NEDSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
801 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
SCZ019-180030-
GREENWOOD SC-
801 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN GREENWOOD COUNTY
UNTIL 830 PM EDT...
AT 801 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 11
MILES SOUTH OF GREENWOOD...OR 5 MILES NORTHEAST OF TROY...MOVING
SOUTH AT 5 MPH.
LOCATIONS TO BE IMPACTED INCLUDE...
TROY...BRADLEY AND CALLISON.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 55 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL MAY FLOOD AREAS WITH POOR DRAINAGE...SUCH AS
DITCHES AND UNDERPASSES. AVOID THESE AREAS AND DO NOT CROSS FLOODED
ROADS. WATER LEVELS OF SMALL STREAMS MAY ALSO RISE RAPIDLY. SEEK
HIGHER GROUND IF THREATENED BY FLOOD WATERS. DO NOT DRIVE ACROSS
FLOODED ROADS.
&&
LAT...LON 3398 8207 3399 8210 3399 8215 3397 8217
3398 8220 3399 8222 3402 8224 3397 8231
3400 8232 3408 8230 3410 8210 3398 8206
3397 8206
TIME...MOT...LOC 0001Z 353DEG 5KT 3402 8220
NEDPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
811 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0752 PM TSTM WND DMG 4 NW CALLISON 34.05N 82.18W
07/17/2016 GREENWOOD SC 911 CALL CENTER
REPORT OF ROOF BLOWN OFF HOUSE ON BREEZEWOOD ROAD.
0747 PM TSTM WND DMG 4 SW GREENWOOD 34.14N 82.20W
07/17/2016 GREENWOOD SC 911 CALL CENTER
TREES BLOWN DOWN AT THE INTERSECTION OF BRIARWOOD AND
ALEXANDER ROADS.
0749 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 SE VERDERY 34.09N 82.21W
07/17/2016 GREENWOOD SC 911 CALL CENTER
TREE BLOWN DOWN ON WHITEHALL ROAD.
&&
KRENTZSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
815 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
NCZ508-510-180045-
GREATER RUTHERFORD NC-EASTERN POLK NC-
815 PM EDT SUN JUL 17 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD AND
SOUTHEASTERN POLK COUNTIES UNTIL 845 PM EDT...
AT 815 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 6
MILES SOUTHWEST OF FOREST CITY...OR 6 MILES SOUTH OF
SPINDALE...MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 15 MPH.
LOCATIONS TO BE IMPACTED INCLUDE... FOREST
CITY...RUTHERFORDTON...SPINDALE...HARRIS...GREEN CREEK...CAROLEEN
AND HENRIETTA.
DIME SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THESE
AREAS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO AND
TV STATIONS...AS WELL AS LOCAL CABLE TV OUTLETS FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
&&
LAT...LON 3535 8177 3518 8184 3519 8204 3521 8215
3536 8200
TIME...MOT...LOC 0015Z 029DEG 13KT 3526 8195
NEDThe Greer radar (KGSP), 51 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:17 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
County comms reported multiple trees blown down south of Rutherfordton.
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, July 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: 651865.