Showers and thunderstorms developed along and ahead of a stationary boundary over Central North Carolina. One thunderstorm became severe, producing isolated wind damage.
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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.
Showers and thunderstorms developed along and ahead of a stationary boundary over Central North Carolina. One thunderstorm became severe, producing isolated wind damage.
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 16, 2:28 PM EST, 1 hour 55 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 328 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A weak cold front will gradually dissipate tonight into Monday. High pressure aloft will build east from the Plains states mid to late week, leading to hot weather. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 227 PM Sunday... As of 18Z, a lingering boundary is still showing up on sfc obs separating mid 70s dwpts south of it from mid-upr 60s dwpts to the north of it. This boundary is roughly along a KAVC-KHNZ-KRDU-KSOP line then extending w-swwd. A couple tstms have developed invof of this feature, particularly north near the NC/VA border lakes, and south of the boundary across the southern Coastal Plain and Sandhills. The latest round of CAMs generally agree that additional showers/tstms will develop invof this boundary, and eastward in the airmass that's more moist and buoyant. While SFC and ML CAPE is abundant south/east of the boundary, deep layer shear is very weak, so expect the deepest updrafts to be short-lived. Nevertheless, the stronger cells will be capable of producing torrential downpours and excessive lightning. In summary, for the rest of this afternoon and evening, the lowest PoPs (slight chance) will be across the Triad, with PoPs increasing south and east, to likely PoPs across our SE zones. Look for showers/tstms to wind down and move to our east overnight. Forecast soundings and MOS guidance suggest some fog will be possible, particularly along and east of I-95. Lows tonight from the upper 60s Triad and north near the VA border, to lower 70s south and east. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT/... As of 227 PM EDT Sunday... Little change in the pattern with the longwave trough axis remaining along the Appalachians. Yet both the GFS and NAM show the plume of highest pwat shifting to our east, and this is noted in forecast soundings that show pwat falling to 1.5" or less across our entire CWA Monday afternoon. Models suggest the best chance for rain will be to our west developing over the mountains and drifting east across the foothills, and to our east near the coast in the deeper moisture, with lesser coverage across central NC compared to today. Thus, will stay just below PoPs climo, going with 20-30% across our CWA, highest east near the better moisture and lowest west. Nearly all the guidance suggests high temps near climo, thus upper 80s for highs. Mainly dry Monday night with any isolated showers/tstms dissipating by early overnight. Lows around 70. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 330 PM EDT Sunday... Tue/Wed: A weak upper level trough along/east of the Appalachians will progress slowly toward the Mid-Atlantic/Southeast coast Tue/Wed. Expect near normal temperatures, with the best potential for diurnal convection along the coast and in the mountains/ foothills. Thu-Sun: An upper level ridge will build eastward from the Central Plains to the lower MS river valley and Deep South on Thu/Fri, then progress slowly toward the SE coast Sat/Sun. 12Z guidance suggests that central NC will be situated on the northeast periphery of the ridge, in NW flow aloft. Unseasonably strong deep layer shear, atypically steep mid-level lapse rates, and an increased potential for shortwave energy /DPVA/ typically accompany NW flow aloft. With the above in mind, an enhanced potential for organized severe weather may be present over portions of the region late this week into this weekend, particularly the Mid-Atlantic states. Expect above normal temps in the mid 90s (perhaps upper 90s S/SW in closer proximity to the ridge) and near or above-climo chances for convection, though confidence is lower than average. -Vincent && .AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 1235 PM Sunday... Through the 24 hour TAF period: Expect VFR conditions for KINT/KGSO. To the south and east of KGSO over toward the I-95 corridor, flight conditions will be locally impacted and reduced by scattered showers and tstms this afternoon and evening, and potential for fog later tonight. Outside of the precip and fog, VFR conditions expected. Winds generally less than 10 kt at all TAF sites. Outlook... 18z Mon through late-week. Morning LIFR to IFR CIGS and VSBYS possible at all sites, but especially KRDU/KFAY/KRWI between 06z-14z/Mon and again Tue am. Otherwise, MVFR to VFR CIGS are expected. There is a chance of MVFR to IFR conditions with scattered PM showers/storms Monday and Tuesday, otherwise, lesser rain chances during the second half of the week. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...Badgett NEAR TERM...np SHORT TERM...np LONG TERM...Vincent AVIATION...np/Badgett
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 253 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2017 NCZ007-008-021>025-038>040-073-074-083-171900- Person-Granville-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Orange-Durham-Davidson- Randolph-Chatham-Stanly-Montgomery-Anson- 253 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Increasingly hot and humid weather is expected across the state by mid to late week. Heat indices exceeding 105 degrees will be possible, especially Thursday through Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ009>011-026>028-041>043-075>078-084>086-088-089-171900- Vance-Warren-Halifax-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Wake-Johnston-Wilson- Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Richmond-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson- 253 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms with excessive lightning and locally heavy rainfall are expected this afternoon and evening. Isolated flooding will be possible, primarily in urban areas and other flood prone locations. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Increasingly hot and humid weather is expected across the state by mid to late week. Heat indices exceeding 105 degrees will be possible, especially Thursday through Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
402 PM EDT SUN JUL 16 2017
NCZ041-042-162100-
Johnston NC-Wake NC-
402 PM EDT SUN JUL 16 2017
...AN AREA OF SHOWERS AND STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTH
CENTRAL WAKE AND WEST CENTRAL JOHNSTON COUNTIES UNTIL 500 PM EDT...
At 402 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of showers and
strong thunderstorms near Garner, or 13 miles south of Raleigh,
moving south at 5 mph.
Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 40 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...
Garner, Clayton and Lake Benson.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
40 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs 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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3571 7851 3558 7841 3549 7866 3550 7866
3550 7868 3551 7869 3552 7869 3552 7871
3553 7874 3568 7873
TIME...MOT...LOC 2002Z 349DEG 5KT 3564 7861
EllisSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
420 PM EDT SUN JUL 16 2017
NCZ042-078-088-089-162115-
Johnston NC-Sampson NC-Wayne NC-Cumberland NC-
420 PM EDT SUN JUL 16 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN WAYNE...NORTHERN
SAMPSON...NORTHEASTERN CUMBERLAND AND SOUTH CENTRAL JOHNSTON COUNTIES
UNTIL 515 PM EDT...
At 420 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Dunn, or 18 miles southeast of Lillington, moving northeast at 15
mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 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...
Godwin, Newton Grove, Wade, Falcon, Linden, Hobbton and Spivey's
Corner.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
40 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs 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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3509 7871 3526 7878 3527 7872 3526 7870
3525 7862 3527 7858 3530 7858 3536 7823
3513 7816 3509 7817 3508 7816 3501 7815
TIME...MOT...LOC 2020Z 245DEG 13KT 3523 7855
EllisSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
450 PM EDT SUN JUL 16 2017
NCZ041-042-077-162145-
Johnston NC-Harnett NC-Wake NC-
450 PM EDT SUN JUL 16 2017
...A CLUSTER OF STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN
HARNETT... SOUTHWESTERN WAKE AND SOUTHWESTERN JOHNSTON COUNTIES
UNTIL 545 PM EDT...
At 450 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Angier, or 12 miles northeast of Lillington, moving southwest at 10
mph. Other strong storms were near Fuquay Varina, and near Coats
Crossroads.
Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Heavy rain and minor flooding will also be possible.
Locations impacted include...
Fuquay-Varina, Angier, Benson, Apex, Holly Springs, Coats
Crossroads, Duncan and Shearon Harris Reservoir.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
Strong winds may occur well ahead of any rain or lightning. Do not
wait for the sound of thunder before taking cover. SEEK SHELTER
IMMEDIATELY inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows.
&&
LAT...LON 3553 7896 3558 7892 3559 7893 3570 7886
3560 7863 3562 7837 3533 7850
TIME...MOT...LOC 2046Z 041DEG 8KT 3552 7865
WSSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
454 PM EDT SUN JUL 16 2017
NCZ085-162200-
Scotland NC-
454 PM EDT SUN JUL 16 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SCOTLAND COUNTY UNTIL 600 PM
EDT...
At 453 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Mccoll, or 8 miles east of Bennettsville, moving northeast at 10 mph.
Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this
storm.
Heavy rain and minor flooding will also be possible.
Locations impacted include...
Laurinburg, Maxton, Gibson, East Laurinburg and Laurel Hill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3476 7962 3490 7957 3491 7956 3492 7957
3494 7956 3485 7934 3484 7935 3482 7936
3477 7933 3463 7946 3463 7947
TIME...MOT...LOC 2053Z 204DEG 9KT 3466 7954
WSSSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Raleigh NC 458 PM EDT SUN JUL 16 2017 NCZ027-028-043-162200- Edgecombe NC-Nash NC-Wilson NC- 458 PM EDT SUN JUL 16 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN NASH...WEST CENTRAL EDGECOMBE AND NORTHEASTERN WILSON COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM EDT... At 458 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Elm City, or 10 miles southwest of Rocky Mount, moving northeast at 10 mph. Dime size hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Rocky Mount, Nashville, Wilson, Elm City, Dortches, Red Oak, Sharpsburg, Tar River Reservoir, New Hope and Kingsboro. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 3572 7781 3579 7802 3610 7791 3599 7761 TIME...MOT...LOC 2058Z 204DEG 9KT 3583 7789 WSS
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Raleigh NC 516 PM EDT SUN JUL 16 2017 NCZ026-041-162200- Franklin NC-Wake NC- 516 PM EDT SUN JUL 16 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN WAKE AND CENTRAL FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM EDT... At 516 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Bunn, or 11 miles south of Louisburg. This storm was nearly stationary. Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Heavy rain and minor flooding will also be possible. Locations impacted include... Bunn, Rolesville, Youngsville and Pilot. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 3584 7826 3588 7848 3610 7848 3605 7815 TIME...MOT...LOC 2116Z 191DEG 4KT 3593 7836 WSS
The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 36 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:23 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
One tree was blown down near the intersection of Oakridge Duncan Road and NC Highway 42.
One tree was blown down onto West Academy Street near Coley Farm Road.
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: 714188, 714189.