As Tropical Storm Irma moved north/northwest across the Florida Panhandle and southwest Georgia, strong winds developed over northeast Georgia. Although gusts only occasionally exceeded 50 mph in these areas, the prolonged nature of the event, combined with saturated soils resulting from heavy rainfall resulted in many trees falling on roads, power lines, vehicles, and structures.
Every event with a place to put it; 6 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
As Tropical Storm Irma moved north/northwest across the Florida Panhandle and southwest Georgia, strong winds developed over northeast Georgia. Although gusts only occasionally exceeded 50 mph in these areas, the prolonged nature of the event, combined with saturated soils resulting from heavy rainfall resulted in many trees falling on roads, power lines, vehicles, and structures. Many were without power for a day or more.
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 Sep 11, 5:57 AM EST, 3 hours 3 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
657 AM EDT Mon Sep 11 2017
.SYNOPSIS...
Dry high pressure will stay over the Northeast States as Irma
crosses southwest Georgia today and reaches northern Alabama early
Tuesday. Wind and rain will increase across our region today and
tonight then gradually taper off on Tuesday. The remnants of Irma
may move west and stall on Wednesday, then shift back east over the
mountains aided by an incoming cold front.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 655 AM EDT Monday: Northeasterly winds have already become
gusty as the pressure gradient increases between approaching Irma
and the damming high pressure to our NE. Showers associated with
Irma are moving in from the south as well. Expect conditions to
continue to deteriorate through the day as Irma moves north. Winds
will increase becoming strong and very gusty, especially in the
warned area but also over much of the rest of the area. Precip
coverage increases from north to south as well, with the NW NC
Piedmont seeing the latest increase to categorical this afternoon.
Very windy conditions and widespread showers continue this evening
then PoP begins to diminish after midnight as drier air wraps in
from the SW. Winds will also diminish but remain quite gusty through
the night. This all despite the track of the center of Irma remains
well to our west.
Now for the impacts. The wind warning and advisory still look good
with the strongest winds to the west closer to the track. Wind
speeds and gusts may not quite reach criteria, but the chance of
downed trees and power lines is higher than normally expected with
these winds due to the increasingly saturated soil and prolonged
nature of the winds. QPF values across the CWFA range from 1 to 4
inches which are a little lower than previously expected. This is
mainly due to the quick movement of this system. However, those
amounts will fall in a relatively short period of time with higher
values in the upslope areas. Therefore, the current watch looks good
as is. That said, cannot rule out an isolated flood event outside of
the watch west of I-26 and farther north along the Blue Ridge. The
tornado threat, while not high, remains due to the movement of
tropical rain bands across the area. Shear and helicity will be very
high but instability remains the limiting factor. The cool damming
high remains in place through the day today. However, a warm frontal
like feature associated with an Irma rain band moves north across
the area this evening and overnight. Low level WWA develops with
this feature and may be enough to produce some weak surface based or
elevated CAPE. Any instability that develops would be able to help
produce rotating updrafts given the strong shear and helicity. The
greatest potential is to our south and east where instability will
be higher. However, locations along and south of I-85 are in the
threat area this evening rotating to the I-77 corridor overnight.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
As of 300 AM Mon: Irma is expected to be a minimal tropical storm
centered just north of Birmingham, AL, by 8 AM Tue. The more
significant wind gusts Tuesday, already too weak to warrant
headlines, will be confined to higher elevations and should taper
off with time. The low-level flow will be generally southeasterly,
continuing to drive moderate to heavy rainfall along the Blue
Ridge. A partial dry slot will spread north into the Piedmont
from the southeast, replacing a zone of deep moisture and warm
advection that will shift north by afternoon. This is reflected in
a continuation of high PoPs east of the mountains in the morning,
which trends down gradually into Tuesday evening.
In the areas east of I-77 or north of I-40, model consensus
depicts small, though non-negligible, SBCAPE developing in the
aforementioned dry slot with diurnal warming. This instability will
be shallow and may not reach levels cold enough for ice nucleation
and therefore implies little chance of thunder. However, 0-1km
bulk shear and SRH still will be alarmingly high in the early
morning. These weaken as Irma tracks away from the CWFA and itself
weakens, but there remains potential for some overlap between the
stronger flow and the CAPE. SPC feels the probabilities are small
enough not to have included any of our zones in a risk area, and
indeed the potential for overlap looks small. Nonetheless it is
worth mentioning the possibility of a brief tornado will remain
nonzero through Tuesday afternoon.
The dry slot is progged to fill in a bit Tuesday night, suggesting
the clearing trend will slow. Upsloping will be the main forcing so
the cloud cover is mainly expected over the mountains and areas
south. Rainfall rates and wind speeds look to be nothing like
what will occur with the storm itself. This southerly flow will
persist through Wednesday so we will hang on to slight-chance
to chance PoP. With thinner cloud cover and warmer temps, some
instability may develop in the Piedmont, though not enough for
thunder mention. The remnant low associated with the remnants of
Irma will move out of the Ohio/Tenn Valleys late in the day Wed,
leading to height falls over our area Wed night and a gradual
upward trend in precip chances. Min temps will be about normal.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 210 AM EDT Monday: The remnants of Irma on Thursday morning is
forecast to be over central Kentucky. This system will continue to
move slowly east and northeast at the end of this week toward Ohio
and West Virginia. The closed 500mb low may open up in the weak flow
under the upper ridge as the EC shows or may remain a weak closed
low as the GFS shows. The GFS keeps the weak remnant low of Irma
stationary on the Ohio and WV border as if waiting on the arrival of
jose. Jose is expected to be about 500 miles east of Florida on
Saturday as it moves north. The EC is the quickest model with moving
Irma remnants out of the Eastern Seaboard as it dispatches Irma by
Saturday night out over the Atlantic. The GFS merges Irma remnants
with Jose Sunday night east of NC and VA. After the current period
of Day 7 ends, the GFS takes Jose toward potential impact along mid
Atlantic coast while the EC steers Jose toward the eastern tip of
Canada. We will have to wait to see how this evolves.
Temperatures will be around 5 degrees below normal Thursday then
near normal temperatures through the weekend.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
At KCLT and Elsewhere: Conditions deteriorate through the morning as
winds, low clouds, and precip increase as Irma moves NE. Expect cigs
to fall through MVFR to IFR and possibly LIFR by afternoon. Vsby
will fall a little slower, but IFR likely as heavier showers move
in. Gusty NE winds increase in speed through the day with very windy
conditions developing by afternoon. LLWS will also be a threat as
strong winds just above the surface move in as well. Cigs and vsby
improve during the evening but no better than MVFR as the heavier
precip moves north. Winds diminish but remain very high. KAVL will
see a turn to the SE in the evening. LLWS threat continues as well.
Cannot rule out an isolated TSRA during the evening outside of the
mountains, but chance too low to include for now.
Outlook: Conditions slowly improve Tuesday but a chance of
convection remains. Scattered generally diurnal convection chances
continue through the week. Morning mountain valley fog/stratus also
possible.
Confidence Table...
11-17Z 17-23Z 23-05Z 05-06Z
KCLT High 100% High 80% Med 70% Med 75%
KGSP High 100% High 90% Med 70% High 87%
KAVL High 94% High 85% High 85% High 100%
KHKY High 100% High 80% High 85% Med 75%
KGMU High 100% High 85% Med 70% High 87%
KAND High 100% High 85% High 100% Med 75%
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...High Wind Warning until 2 AM EDT Tuesday for GAZ010-017-018-
026-028-029.
Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for GAZ010-017-018-
026-028-029.
NC...Wind Advisory until 4 AM EDT Tuesday for NCZ033-035>037-
048>053-056>058-069>072-082-501>506.
High Wind Warning until 2 AM EDT Tuesday for NCZ059-062>065-
068-507>510.
Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for NCZ063>065-505-
507-509.
SC...Wind Advisory until 4 AM EDT Tuesday for SCZ009-014.
High Wind Warning until 2 AM EDT Tuesday for SCZ001>008-
010>013-019.
Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for SCZ001.
&&
SYNOPSIS...DEO
NEAR TERM...RWH
SHORT TERM...Wimberley
LONG TERM...DEO
AVIATION...RWHHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 434 AM EDT Mon Sep 11 2017 NCZ059-062-068-508-510-SCZ002>008-010>013-019-120845- Northern Jackson-Macon-Cleveland-Greater Rutherford-Eastern Polk- Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee- Greater Pickens-Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Cherokee-Anderson- Abbeville-Laurens-Union-Greenwood- 434 AM EDT Mon Sep 11 2017 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT TUESDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Northeast Georgia, western upstate South Carolina, and adjoining counties in North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. High Wind Warning. In addition to the wind hazards, locally excessive rainfall and isolated tornadoes will be possible, especially this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. ..Tuesday...Tropical Storm hazards possible. Irma will move away from our area and further weaken over the course of the day, but flash flood and wind threats still will exist in our area through mid-morning. ..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. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>058-069>072-082-501>504-506-SCZ009-014- 120845- Avery-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood- Buncombe-Catawba-Rowan-Graham-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus- Union-Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains- Greater Burke-Eastern McDowell-York-Chester- 434 AM EDT Mon Sep 11 2017 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EDT TUESDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the mountains and Interstate 40 corridor of Western North Carolina, and the greater Charlotte area of both North and South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. In addition to the wind hazards, locally excessive rainfall and isolated tornadoes will be possible, especially this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. ..Tuesday...Tropical Storm hazards possible. Irma will move away from our area and further weaken over the course of the day, but flash flood and wind threats still will exist in our area through mid-morning. ..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. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ063>065-507-509-SCZ001-120845- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Southern Jackson- Transylvania-Henderson-Rutherford Mountains-Polk Mountains- Oconee Mountains- 434 AM EDT Mon Sep 11 2017 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT TUESDAY... ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Northeast Georgia, the mountainous portion of Oconee County South Carolina, and the Blue Ridge section of southwest North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. High Wind Warning. Flash Flood Watch. In addition to these hazards, isolated tornadoes will be possible, especially this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. ..Tuesday...Tropical Storm hazards possible. Irma will move away from our area and further weaken over the course of the day, but flash flood and wind threats still will exist in our area through mid-morning. ..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. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. NCZ505-120845- McDowell Mountains- 434 AM EDT Mon Sep 11 2017 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EDT TUESDAY... ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the mountainous portion of McDowell County North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Wind Advisory. In addition to these hazards, isolated tornadoes will be possible, especially this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. ..Tuesday...Tropical Storm hazards possible. Irma will move away from our area and further weaken over the course of the day, but flash flood and wind threats still will exist in our area through mid-morning. ..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. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. Wimberley
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
6 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
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, September 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: 722062, 722063, 722064, 722065, 722066, 722067.