Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed in association with a weak surface trough in a warm, moist environment. A few isolated storms became severe, producing wind damage across several counties in Central North Carolina.
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 thunderstorms developed in association with a weak surface trough in a warm, moist environment. A few isolated storms became severe, producing wind damage across several counties in Central North Carolina.
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 Jul 13, 1:50 PM EST, 2 hours 50 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 250 PM EDT Thu Jul 13 2017 .SYNOPSIS... Above normal heat and humidity will persist through Friday. A cold front will approach from the north on Saturday, then stall over eastern portions of the Carolinas through Sunday. && .NEAR TERM /Through Tonight/... As of 145 PM EDT Thursday... Expect sensible weather very similar to yesterday, with highs in the mid 90s, isolated to scattered convection possible during the afternoon and evening hours. With rich low-level moisture present over and upstream of central NC at 925/850mb per 17Z SPC mesoanalysis, dewpoints appear less likely to mix out west of the Hwy 1 corridor this afternoon. As such, a heat advisory is in effect for the majority of central NC (aside from the climatologically cooler/drier Triad and northern Piedmont), with maximum heat indices in the 102-107F range. Expect lows tonight in the mid 70s. As an upper level low progresses ESE across the upper Great Lakes, the height gradient will tighten over the OH Valley and a weak albeit more pronounced SW/SSW flow aloft (and potential for small amplitude disturbances) may be present on the western periphery of the upper level ridge in the southern Appalachians. Convection allowing models suggest there will be increased convective coverage in the mountains (compared to yesterday), with activity more likely to drift/propagate east through the western Piedmont toward the Triangle late this aft/eve. Additionally, isolated diurnal convection will be possible in assoc/w a weak sfc trough invof Hwy 1 and invof the seabreeze in the SE Coastal Plain. -Vincent && .SHORT TERM /Friday and Friday Night/... As of 145 PM EDT Thursday... The upper level low tracking ESE through the upper Great Lakes tonight will progress toward New England Fri/Fri night, with an associated sfc low and attendant cold front progressing into the Mid- Atlantic. Expect a better chance for diurnal convection (compared to previous days) as central NC becomes situated at the southern periphery of the westerlies and a well-defined surface trough develops east of the Appalachians. Otherwise, with little change in airmass, expect sensible weather conditions similar to today, e.g. highs in the mid 90s and dewpoints in the 70-75F range. A heat advisory may be needed once again for portions of central NC, however, due to uncertainty in the timing/coverage/location of convection and uncertainty w/regard to afternoon dewpoints given stronger low-level flow (~15 knots) and better mixing than previous days, no advisory will be issued at this time. Expect lows Fri night in the lower/mid 70s. Any robust updraft will be capable of producing brief/isolated severe downbursts Fri aft/eve given relatively better forcing /greater convective coverage/ and stronger flow aloft (20-25 knots) than in previous days along with moderate instability, moderate DCAPE, and high PWAT. -Vincent && .LONG TERM /Saturday through Thursday/... As of 250 PM EDT Thursday... Initial weak backdoor cold front sags south into the northern tier early Saturday, progressing slowly to the southern tier Saturday night. Instability will favor the south which will have much higher instability due to the favorable diurnal cycle, as well as steeper (>6K/km) mid level lapse rates ahead of the associated short wave. Shear will be rather weak, but could see severe downburst potential with precip loading in the very moist (PW >2.0") airmass. Will have chance PoPs across the north, increasing to likely PoPs progressively southeastward as the evening approaches. Highs will range from upper 80s north to low 90s south. Convection will remain focused more to the southeast overnight and Sunday as the front stalls in the coastal plain, with only slight chances northwest ranging to likely Sunday afternoon across the southern coastal plain. Highs Sunday will be fairly uniform across the area due to the front's cloudiness and precip tempering highs in the east. Most areas will be within a degree or two north or south of 90. A second mid level short wave and associated surface front will move east into the area Monday into Monday night, providing increased chances for convection. We will also have potential for isolated damaging downbursts as storm strength will be enhanced by diffluence aloft as a 50 knot jet streak lifts northeast of the area Monday evening. PoPs will again be higher in the southeast due to the systems coincident arrival during max heating. Highs will again be mainly within a degree or so of 90. Deeper moisture will edge offshore, but the short wave trof remains pinned along the Atlantic coast Tuesday through midweek. Forcing and shear will be weak, with mainly diurnal PoPs in the 20-30% range. Highs will be creeping up just a bit each day as the airmass modifies...from ~90 Tuesday to low & perhaps mid 90s on Thursday. && .AVIATION /18Z Thursday through Tuesday/... As of 145 PM EDT Thursday... 24-HR TAF Period: VFR conditions will prevail through the majority of the TAF period. Isolated to scattered convection will be possible this afternoon and evening, potentially affecting all terminals, though the INT/GSO/RDU terminals should have a relative better chance. Expect southwest winds at 7-12 knots. VRB15G30KT can be expected in thunderstorms. Low ceilings may develop at any terminal early Friday morning, however, confidence is too low to warrant mention at this time. Looking Ahead: Fri/Fri night will be very similar to the current TAF period. Expect an increased potential for primarily afternoon and evening convection and early morning stratus /low ceilings/ over the weekend/early next week as a weak cold front progresses into the region from the north and stalls over the Carolinas. -Vincent && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for NCZ010-011- 026>028-041>043-073>078-083>086-088-089. && SYNOPSIS...Vincent NEAR TERM...Vincent SHORT TERM...Vincent LONG TERM...mlm AVIATION...Vincent
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 847 AM EDT Thu Jul 13 2017 NCZ010-011-026>028-041>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-141300- Warren-Halifax-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Wake-Johnston-Wilson-Stanly- Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Anson-Richmond-Scotland-Hoke- Cumberland-Sampson- 847 AM EDT Thu Jul 13 2017 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central 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. Heat Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. A heat advisory may be needed again on Friday. Isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible during the afternoon and evening hours on Friday and Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ007>009-021>025-038>040-141300- Person-Granville-Vance-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Orange-Durham- Davidson-Randolph-Chatham- 847 AM EDT Thu Jul 13 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible during the afternoon and evening hours on Friday and Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
325 PM EDT THU JUL 13 2017
NCZ041-042-132015-
Johnston NC-Wake NC-
325 PM EDT THU JUL 13 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN WAKE AND CENTRAL
JOHNSTON COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM EDT...
At 324 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Clayton, or 12 miles north of Smithfield. This storm was nearly
stationary.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Smithfield, Clayton, Coats Crossroads and Flowers.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
45 mph are capable of knocking down small or weakened trees and
blowing around trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture and other
light outdoor objects.
Very heavy rain can be expected due to the slow movement of this
storm. Prolonged heavy rain will result in ponding of water on
roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and minor flooding of
creeks and streams. Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra
caution to avoid hydroplaning.
&&
LAT...LON 3574 7853 3575 7847 3575 7841 3574 7835
3571 7830 3566 7829 3558 7831 3553 7838
3551 7844 3551 7852 3553 7860 3558 7862
3565 7861 3569 7857
TIME...MOT...LOC 1924Z 010DEG 3KT 3567 7843
VINCENTSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
342 PM EDT THU JUL 13 2017
NCZ086-132015-
Hoke NC-
342 PM EDT THU JUL 13 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL HOKE COUNTY UNTIL 415 PM
EDT...
At 342 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Raeford, moving east at 10 mph.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Raeford, Silver City and Bowmore.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
45 mph are capable of knocking down small or weakened trees and
blowing around trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture and other
light outdoor objects.
Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in
ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and
minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra caution to avoid
hydroplaning, especially in urban areas where prolonged heavy rain
can quickly lead to flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 3494 7931 3498 7936 3504 7939 3509 7938
3514 7935 3516 7930 3518 7923 3517 7916
3514 7912 3509 7910 3504 7909 3499 7909
3495 7913 3493 7918 3493 7926
TIME...MOT...LOC 1942Z 273DEG 10KT 3506 7927
VINCENTSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
450 PM EDT THU JUL 13 2017
NCZ022-023-132130-
Guilford NC-Alamance NC-
450 PM EDT THU JUL 13 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN ALAMANCE AND
NORTHEASTERN GUILFORD COUNTIES UNTIL 530 PM EDT...
At 449 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
McLeansville, or 10 miles west of Burlington, moving east at 15 mph.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with this storm.
Heavy rain and minor flooding and deadly cloud to ground lightning
will also be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Greensboro, Burlington, McLeansville, Elon College, Gibsonville,
Alamance, Lake Guilford Mackintosh Marina, Monticello,
Altamahaw-Ossipee and Glen Raven.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
45 mph are capable of knocking down small or weakened trees and
blowing around trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture and other
light outdoor objects.
Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in
ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and
minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra caution to avoid
hydroplaning, especially in urban areas where prolonged heavy rain
can quickly lead to flooding.
&&
LAT...LON 3606 7975 3614 7978 3621 7971 3621 7957
3618 7940 3610 7941 3602 7944 3603 7961
TIME...MOT...LOC 2049Z 279DEG 15KT 3612 7964
KDSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
500 PM EDT THU JUL 13 2017
NCZ086-132145-
Hoke NC-
500 PM EDT THU JUL 13 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN HOKE COUNTY UNTIL
545 PM EDT...
At 459 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Raeford, moving east 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...
Raeford, Silver City and Rockfish.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Wind gusts of this magnitude are capable of producing tree damage,
including isolated instances of knocking down small or weakened
trees. Unsecured, light outdoor objects may also blow around, or
away.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3490 7926 3500 7928 3507 7922 3507 7909
3504 7909 3499 7905 3498 7905 3497 7904
3495 7904 3487 7915
TIME...MOT...LOC 2059Z 281DEG 12KT 3498 7916
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
527 PM EDT THU JUL 13 2017
NCZ021-038-132230-
Forsyth NC-Davidson NC-
527 PM EDT THU JUL 13 2017
...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY WINDS WELL AHEAD OF THEM WILL
AFFECT FORSYTH AND NORTHWESTERN DAVIDSON COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM EDT...
At 524 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of thunderstorms
along a line extending from Rockford to near Huntsville to 7 miles
north of Cleveland. Movement was east at 15 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Winston-Salem, Lexington, Clemmons, Bermuda Run, Huntsville, Linwood,
High Rock Lake, Lewisville, Walkertown and Rural Hall.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Winds from these thunderstorms will occur well ahead of, or in the
absence of, any precipitation, perhaps by as much fifteen minutes
prior.
&&
LAT...LON 3611 8050 3614 8044 3622 8043 3626 8045
3626 8016 3605 8009 3571 8033 3574 8046
3581 8047 3583 8049 3584 8039 3586 8039
3588 8042 3589 8037 3596 8038 3599 8042
3601 8042 3606 8046 3604 8049 3608 8052
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 269DEG 14KT 3625 8063 3606 8056 3584 8071
26The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 116 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:41 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees and power lines were blown down along a swath from McLeansville to Gibsonville.
Multiple trees were blown down along a swath from Gibsonville and Elon.
A couple of trees were blown down in northwest Orange County.
A power pole was blown down onto a fence on Rainey Ridge Road near Concord.
Multiple large trees and several large branches were blown down along a swath between Falls Lake and Raleigh, resulting in damage to vehicles, as well as some roof and siding damage.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, 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: 714196, 714199, 714202, 714205, 714206.