Scattered to numerous thunderstorms and clusters of storms moved across northeast Georgia during the afternoon. One cluster of storms produced brief damaging winds in the Piedmont.
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.
Scattered to numerous thunderstorms and clusters of storms moved across northeast Georgia during the afternoon. One cluster of storms produced brief damaging winds in the Piedmont.
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 4, 1:56 PM EST, 1 hour 44 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
256 PM EDT Tue Jul 4 2017
.SYNOPSIS...
Broad high pressure will remain centered over the western Atlantic
while a slow moving, weak cold front lingers over the region through
midweek. A second cold front will push through the area this weekend
with somewhat drier and cooler air briefly settling in behind it.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 240 PM EDT: Convection developing across GSP metro area will
move into an area slightly more favorable for severe wind gusts thru
late afternoon as it moves into an axis of greater dCAPE (>800 J/kg)
that pokes northward over the eastern Piedmont of SC. Additional
storms are expected to develop through late afternoon in a zone near
old frontal boundary, outflow boundary from morning convection, and
cloudy/clear boundary from morning activity that runs roughly across
northern third of GA and across Upstate to CLT metro area. In that
regard, the Marginal Risk might be placed a bit too far N. Will
tweak the precip chances to account for this. Temps will be
modulated a bit depending on where storms develop/move.
Over the next 24 hours, expect more of the same as weak upper waves
move along in a quasi-zonal flow over the top of moisture pooled
along an old surface boundary. The synoptic scale guidance has not
necessarily handled this the best, as it continues to put more of
the precip too far N. Think Upstate SC/northeast GA has at least as
good a chance as the NC mtns because of access to better
instability, and the fcst will trend toward that idea. There will
certainly be a diurnal enhancement, but will not rule out precip
lingering well into the overnight hours closer to the path of the
upper waves. Expect Wednesday to be nearly the same, with boundaries
developing near edge of convective debris and outflows playing a
role in forming new precip starting by midday. Cannot rule out a few
more severe storms in the Marginal Risk area. Temps will also be
similar to this past afternoon.
&&
.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 230 PM EDT: In the early part of this forecast cycle the upper
low in Missouri will be opening up and lifting northeast. Meanwhile,
this will allow the Bermuda High to re-adjust its position with H5
heights rising across our forecast area (FA) from Wednesday night
into Thursday. This is particularly the case across parts of NE
Georgia and upstate South Carolina.
We will allow showers and thunderstorms to diminish or end Wednesday
night, except in the western North Carolina mountains, where upslope
could linger showers through the night.
The signals for showers and thunderstorms Thursday appear to be
better established for western North Carolina, where another in a
series of upper level pockets of energy ripples through the region.
This is coincident with a moist and unstable airmass, and a multi-
convergent surface pattern. As a result we have POPS reaching likely
in the NC mountains with chance POPS flared out to the east and
south. Our southern FA may nearly be capped, therefore slight chance
should work their.
The question mark is really for Thursday night and Friday. All of
the models are bringing an upper level trough, and some semblance of
a wind shift feature, into our area Thursday night and Friday. H85
wind fields increase to 30-30 knots with the a couple of the models.
Our call on this one is to refocus the shower and thunderstorm
potential Thursday night in our upslope areas, and then bring a
chance of showers and storms through the FA Friday. Confidence in
the latter half of the forecast is below average.
We have went on the warm side of the temperature guidance in those
areas with less thunderstorm potential Thursday and Friday, and near
normal elsewhere. Heat indices in our south and east FA Thursday
could reach into the upper 90s.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 205 PM EDT Tuesday: the extended fcst picks up at 00z on
Saturday with a broad upper trof digging south over the Eastern
CONUS with steep upper ridging in place over the west. This pattern
is expected to remain in place thru most of the period with heights
starting to rise again by early next week as the trof begins to
deamplify and lift northward. At the sfc, a reinforcing cold front
will move thru the fcst area on Saturday with a continental high
briefly sliding over the region in the front's wake. This could
provide a brief period of fair wx on Sunday. According to the GFS,
the high weakens and slides offshore on Monday with moist SLY low
lvl flow returning to the region for the remainder of the period.
The 00z ECMWF is still slower to move the high offshore and is
therefore slower to return SLY flow to the area. For the sensible
fcst, I kept a blend of the model solutions that keeps high-end
chance PoPs on Sat and a slight chance PoP for Sunday. Monday and
Tues return to a more typical summertime afternoon/evening, diurnal
PoP regime. High temps should peak near climatology for Sat with
slightly cooler values for the rest of the period.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
At KCLT: Low clouds have scattered out, so we begin with SCT030 and
a light NW wind per observations. The convection-allowing model
guidance has been suggesting that deep convection would reach the NC
Piedmont between 19Z and 20Z, and the latter looks reasonable based
on what is seen on KGSP radar. The morning update changed to a TEMPO
group for MVFR cig/vis in a thunderstorm from 20Z to 00Z and this
still seems reasonable. When this happens, the wind should come
around to WSW. The guidance now indicates the potential for a second
round of convection during the middle part of the evening, but this
was limited to a VCSH for brevity for the time being. After that,
expect convective debris clouds overnight, with a light wind. The
wind direction should come up from the SW after sunrise Wednesday.
Expect cu to form with some heating.
Elsewhere: Will have to contend with area of showers/storms over the
upstate TAF sites at the start of the period. Think we will briefly
stabilize in its wake for a few hours, but should have time to
destabilize in late afternoon. Thus, another TEMPO was used to bring
TSRA back across the region in the early evening. KAVL similar with
debris showers at present time. Timing a bit later at KHKY.
Otherwise, similar to KCLT with convective debris clouds overnight.
KAVL has the best chance at a fog restriction around sunrise.
Outlook: Moist and unsettled weather will continue through the week.
Nocturnal restrictions can be expected in locations receiving heavy
rainfall.
Confidence Table...
19-01Z 01-07Z 07-13Z 13-18Z
KCLT High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KGSP High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KAVL High 100% High 100% High 91% High 100%
KHKY High 99% High 95% High 88% High 100%
KGMU High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KAND High 100% High 100% High 100% 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...PM
SHORT TERM...TS
LONG TERM...JPT
AVIATION...PMHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 408 AM EDT Tue Jul 4 2017 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065- 068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-050815- 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- 408 AM EDT Tue Jul 4 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms will develop today. The greatest coverage is expected over the North Carolina mountains and Interstate 40 corridor, but all areas will see storms develop. Cloud-to-ground lightning will occur with any thunderstorms. However, conditions today will be favorable for a few of them to produce damaging wind gusts and torrential rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. ..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. ..Sunday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. ..Monday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Skywarn spotters are requested to forward any reports of damaging winds or flash flooding to our office. Wimberley
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 343 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017 NCZ035-036-042030- Iredell NC-Alexander NC- 343 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN ALEXANDER AND NORTHWESTERN IREDELL COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT... At 342 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with intense lightning near Taylorsville, moving east at 10 mph. Locations to be impacted include... Taylorsville, Stony Point, Hiddenite, Millersville and Scotts. In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail 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. 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. Do not take a shower or bath. Try to unplug unnecessary appliances before the storm approaches. && LAT...LON 3585 8119 3596 8117 3598 8092 3576 8098 TIME...MOT...LOC 1942Z 276DEG 10KT 3589 8112 CDG
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
355 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
GAZ010-017-042030-
Rabun GA-Habersham GA-
355 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
NORTHEASTERN HABERSHAM AND SOUTHWESTERN RABUN COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM
EDT...
At 355 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 7 miles north of Clarkesville, or 4 miles southwest
of Lake Rabun, moving east at 20 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Tallulah Falls, Lake Rabun, Lakemont, Tallulah Gorge State Park, Lake
Burton, Seed Lake and Turnerville.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea
size hail 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.
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. Do not take a shower or bath. Try to unplug unnecessary
appliances before the storm approaches.
&&
LAT...LON 3481 8359 3485 8334 3476 8332 3473 8335
3470 8335 3469 8334 3467 8337 3468 8359
TIME...MOT...LOC 1955Z 266DEG 17KT 3473 8353
CDGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
403 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
NCZ071-SCZ009-014-042100-
Mecklenburg NC-York SC-Chester SC-
403 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
SOUTHWESTERN MECKLENBURG...NORTHEASTERN CHESTER AND YORK COUNTIES
UNTIL 500 PM EDT...
At 403 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms with
intense lightning along a line extending from 15 miles southwest of
Gastonia to 6 miles southwest of York to 9 miles northwest of
Chester, and moving east at 25 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Rock Hill, York, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Clover, Newport, Town Of Lake
Wylie, Lesslie, Sharon and Mcconnells.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea
size hail 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.
Frequent lightning is occurring with these storms. 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. Do not take a shower or bath. Try to unplug
unnecessary appliances before the storms approach.
Lake Wylie is in the path of these storms. Cloud to ground lightning
and gusty winds will create dangerous boating conditions.
Move to shore immediately.
&&
LAT...LON 3483 8090 3479 8088 3473 8087 3480 8142
3492 8139 3505 8142 3505 8141 3509 8140
3515 8109 3515 8102 3516 8100 3505 8088
3506 8090 3501 8091 3496 8087 3491 8087
3490 8088 3484 8087
TIME...MOT...LOC 2003Z 263DEG 22KT 3509 8136 3493 8132 3480 8135
CDGSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 405 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017 SCZ011-012-019-042030- Laurens SC-Abbeville SC-Greenwood SC- 405 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN LAURENS...NORTHEASTERN ABBEVILLE AND NORTHWESTERN GREENWOOD COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT... At 404 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with intense lightning 14 miles north of Abbeville, or near Shoals Junction, moving east at 20 mph. Locations to be impacted include... Ware Shoals, Donalds, Shoals Junction and Lake Greenwood. In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail 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. 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. Do not take a shower or bath. Try to unplug unnecessary appliances before the storm approaches. Lake Greenwood is in the path of this storm. Cloud to ground lightning and gusty winds will create dangerous boating conditions. Move to shore immediately. && LAT...LON 3432 8236 3442 8236 3446 8209 3428 8210 TIME...MOT...LOC 2004Z 270DEG 17KT 3437 8228 CDG
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 427 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017 SCZ014-042100- Chester SC- 427 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT WESTERN CHESTER COUNTY UNTIL 500 PM EDT... At 426 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with intense lightning 7 miles west of Chester, or 5 miles west of Chester State Park, moving east at 5 mph. Locations to be impacted include... Chester and Chester State Park. In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail 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. 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. Do not take a shower or bath. Try to unplug unnecessary appliances before the storm approaches. && LAT...LON 3461 8137 3472 8139 3478 8125 3462 8119 TIME...MOT...LOC 2026Z 261DEG 6KT 3468 8134 CDG
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
439 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
GAZ028-029-SCZ010-011-042145-
Elbert GA-Hart GA-Anderson SC-Abbeville SC-
439 PM EDT TUE JUL 4 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT ELBERT...
SOUTHEASTERN HART...SOUTH CENTRAL ANDERSON AND SOUTHWESTERN ABBEVILLE
COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM EDT...
At 439 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms with
intense lightning along a line extending from near Hartwell to 5
miles southeast of Danielsville, and moving east at 25 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Elberton, Calhoun Falls, Due West, Iva, Lake Secession, Lowndesville,
Bobby Brown State Park, Lake Strom Thurmond, Russell State Park and
Nancy Hart State Park.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea
size hail 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.
Frequent lightning is occurring with these storms. 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. Do not take a shower or bath. Try to unplug
unnecessary appliances before the storms approach.
Lake Russell is in the path of these storms. Cloud to ground
lightning and gusty winds will create dangerous boating conditions.
Move to shore immediately.
&&
LAT...LON 3398 8261 3397 8264 3399 8265 3397 8278
3399 8283 3398 8286 3401 8291 3401 8294
3403 8294 3404 8298 3410 8304 3411 8303
3412 8304 3434 8282 3435 8237 3406 8254
3401 8260 3396 8257
TIME...MOT...LOC 2039Z 273DEG 20KT 3433 8289 3407 8315
CDGThe Greer radar (KGSP), 88 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:39 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
County comms reported trees and power lines blown down on Rock Branch Rd.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, July 2017
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: 711982.