Showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front approaching from the northwest. A couple of storms became severe and resulted in wind damage and large hail.
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.
Showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front approaching from the northwest. A couple of storms became severe and resulted in wind damage and large hail.
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 28, 2:10 PM EST, 3 hours earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 310 PM EDT Fri Jul 28 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will approach from the northwest tonight, and cross our region overnight through Saturday morning . Cooler and drier air will filter into the area through the weekend and will linger through the early part of next week. && .NEAR TERM /LATE AFTERNOON THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 310 PM Friday... Little change required to the near term forecast. Scattered convection gradually developing at mid afternoon with the highest convective coverage expected between 22Z-06Z. Atmosphere has become moderately unstable with sfc based CAPE around 3000 J/kg across the Piedmont and Sandhills, thanks to afternoon temps near 90/lower 90s. Latest meso-analysis suggest SBCAPE may go as high as 4000 by late afternoon across the eastern counties. This buoyant air mass coupled with increasing effective bulk shear of 30- 35kts suggest an increased potential for organized convection late this afternoon-early evening in the form of broken convective segments and attendant locally damaging wind threat. Enhanced low level helicity will be found close to the VA border where an old outflow boundary resides. Any storms with sufficient updrafts that intersect or cross this boundary will begin to rotate and potentially produce a weak tornado threat through the evening hours. Still appears that the greatest convective coverage will occur between 22Z and 04Z, with coverage diminishing west-to-east during the overnight hours. A surface cold front will enter our nw counties well after midnight. Thus, most locations will retain the muggy air mass, yielding minimum temperatures primarily in the low-mid 70s. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... As of 310 PM Friday... The sfc cold front will slowly drift sewd Saturday, maintaining a threat for scattered showers and storms across our far eastern-se counties. The bulk of the storms will remain below severe criteria though gusty winds will be common with the storms. The strengthening s/w responsible for our active weather tonight will be in close proximity to our northern counties Saturday, triggering scattered showers and possibly a t-storm or two. Expect the higher concentration of showers in vicinity of the VA border. The s/w will cross our region Saturday night, possibly accompanied by a few showers, primarily northeast and east of Raleigh. A notably drier air mass will gradually overspread central NC late Saturday and Saturday night, leading to less humid conditions. A mixture of sun and clouds and a steady ne flow will result in cooler max temps Saturday. The clouds are expected to be more extensive north-northeast compared to the southwest. High temperatures upper 70s-lower 80s north to mid-upper 80s south. Min temps Saturday night low-mid 60s. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 1245 PM Friday... Bit of a change in the way ECMWF handles the east coast trof later this weekend. Latest shows much more progressive movement, with the trof lifting out quickly early Sunday, in contrast the GFS's slow rotation across the area through Sunday night. Not a huge problem, mainly would affect the sky coverage, with the ECMWF clearing us quickly while the GFS's later solution would produce some isolated lingering showers in the northeast early Sunday. After this trof exits, a pleasantly dry and cooler airmass will be in place, with very gradual warming through the midweek. Seasonal conditions return Thu and Fri as weak return flow nudges humidity and warmer temperatures up the coast. Highs will start off Sunday from the upper 70s across the north to lower 80s in the south. These highs will warm to the mid 80s on Tuesday, then to around 90 Thursday and Friday. Morning mins will be pleasant...in the low to mid 60s through midweek, warming to around 70 by Friday morning. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 120 PM Friday... Scattered convection and associated MVFR parameters will occur in the vicinity of most TAF sites across central NC late this afternoon through tonight. At this time, the convection will likely be more concentrated in vicinity of the Triad terminals as well as KRDU between 21Z through 03Z, and in proximity of KRWI and KFAY between 23Z and 05Z. The stronger storms will produce small hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph. A sfc cold front will slowly drift sewd across central NC overnight into Saturday morning. The frontal passage will be noted by the sfc winds veering to a nwly direction. Expect scattered showers and a few t-storms to occur ahead of the front overnight into early Saturday. An upper level s/w will cross overhead late Saturday into Saturday night. This feature may trigger scattered showers in vicinity of KRDU, KRWI, and KFAY Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening, as well as periods of MVFR ceilings. Surface winds Saturday will be breezy with gusts close to 20 mph from the north northeast. The gusts will be most common in vicinity of KFAY and KRWI. Once this feature exits our region Saturday night a drier more stable air mass will overspread the region, leading to an extended period of VFR parameters. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...CBL NEAR TERM...WSS SHORT TERM...WSS LONG TERM...mlm AVIATION...WSS
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Raleigh NC 207 PM EDT Fri Jul 28 2017 NCZ021>024-038>040-042-073>078-083>086-088-089-290930- Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Orange-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Johnston- Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Anson-Richmond-Scotland- Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson- 207 PM EDT Fri Jul 28 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. An unseasonably strong cold front will move into the region tonight through early Saturday. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop ahead of the front, some of which may be severe. The primary severe weather threat will be damaging wind gusts. The severe weather threat appears greatest between 5 PM and 11 PM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ007>011-025>028-041-043-290930- Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe- Wake-Wilson- 207 PM EDT Fri Jul 28 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. An unseasonably strong cold front will move into the region tonight through early Saturday. Scattered thunderstorms will develop ahead of the front. A few of the storms could become severe, with damaging wind gusts the primary threat. An isolated weak tornado cannot be ruled out. The severe weather threat appears to be best between 5 PM and 11 PM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
354 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
NCZ026-282100-
Franklin NC-
354 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL FRANKLIN COUNTY UNTIL
500 PM EDT...
At 354 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northwest of Bunn, or 7 miles southwest of Louisburg, moving
east at 10 mph.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Louisburg and Bunn.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Wind gusts of this magnitude are capable of producing tree damage,
including isolated instances of knocking down small or weakened
trees.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is also occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3613 7817 3604 7812 3600 7814 3596 7817
3592 7819 3593 7835 3593 7838 3599 7844
3607 7843
TIME...MOT...LOC 1954Z 261DEG 10KT 3601 7837
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
416 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
NCZ011-282115-
Halifax NC-
416 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
...A CLUSTER OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT CENTRAL HALIFAX
COUNTY UNTIL 515 PM EDT...
At 414 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Halifax to 8 miles
south of Garysburg. Movement was east at 15 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph, and heavy rain and minor flooding, will be
possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Halifax and Tillery.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
50 mph are capable of knocking down small or weakened trees and
blowing around trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture and other
light outdoor objects.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is also occurring with these
storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek
a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3621 7751 3627 7778 3635 7769 3640 7755
3637 7755 3635 7758 3634 7759 3630 7755
3631 7750 3632 7747 3632 7744 3629 7741
3626 7741 3625 7738
TIME...MOT...LOC 2014Z 269DEG 12KT 3629 7765 3633 7751
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
519 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
NCZ021-038-039-282200-
Forsyth NC-Randolph NC-Davidson NC-
519 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT FORSYTH...DAVIDSON AND
NORTHWESTERN RANDOLPH COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM EDT...
At 517 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Lone Hickory to near
Cleveland to near Enochville. Movement was east at 30 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with these storms.
Deadly cloud to ground lightning will also be possible with these
storms. A severe thunderstorm warning may be needed shortly.
Locations impacted include...
High Rock Lake, Winston-Salem, High Point, Lexington, Thomasville,
Kernersville, Clemmons, Bermuda Run, Linwood, Lewisville and Trinity.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
If on or near High Rock Lake, get out of the water and move indoors
or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles
from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not
be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 3614 8044 3622 8044 3626 8030 3626 8013
3603 8004 3592 8005 3592 8000 3588 7998
3552 8008 3551 8018 3568 8033 3572 8033
3574 8046 3579 8048 3584 8048 3585 8039
3588 8042 3589 8037 3593 8037 3609 8052
TIME...MOT...LOC 2117Z 258DEG 25KT 3605 8079 3578 8067 3555 8073
WSSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
525 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
NCZ041-282230-
Wake NC-
525 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL WAKE COUNTY UNTIL 630 PM
EDT...
At 524 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a rapidly developing
strong thunderstorm over Cary, moving northeast at 15 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Garner, Rdu International, Apex,
Morrisville, Knightdale, Rolesville and William B Umstead State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
50 mph are capable of knocking down small or weakened trees.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is also occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3604 7860 3596 7847 3579 7842 3568 7875
3571 7886 3581 7889 3592 7878 3592 7876
3594 7873 3598 7871 3606 7863
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 233DEG 11KT 3575 7881
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
607 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
NCZ021-022-038-039-282300-
Guilford NC-Forsyth NC-Randolph NC-Davidson NC-
607 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT FORSYTH...DAVIDSON...
NORTHWESTERN RANDOLPH AND WESTERN GUILFORD COUNTIES UNTIL 700 PM
EDT...
At 606 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Pilot Mountain State
Park to near Clemmons to Linwood. Movement was northeast at 30 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms.
Heavy rain and minor flooding and deadly cloud to ground lightning
will also be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Lexington, Thomasville,
Kernersville, Clemmons, Linwood, High Rock Lake and Lewisville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
50 mph are capable of knocking down small or weakened trees and
blowing around trash cans, and other light outdoor objects.
&&
LAT...LON 3614 8044 3621 8045 3622 8043 3626 8045
3625 7985 3587 7988 3566 8031 3568 8033
3572 8033 3572 8038 3595 8036 3612 8046
TIME...MOT...LOC 2206Z 231DEG 26KT 3629 8046 3600 8029 3574 8032
WSSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
608 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
NCZ009-026-282315-
Franklin NC-Vance NC-
608 PM EDT FRI JUL 28 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN VANCE AND FRANKLIN
COUNTIES UNTIL 715 PM EDT...
At 607 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Wake Forest, or 12 miles northeast of Raleigh, moving northeast at 20
mph.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Henderson, Louisburg, Franklinton, Kittrell, Bunn, Youngsville,
Ingleside and Gillburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Wind gusts of this magnitude are capable of producing tree damage,
including isolated instances of knocking down small or weakened
trees.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning and heavy rain are also occurring
with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a
thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3629 7829 3627 7831 3627 7828 3625 7820
3613 7805 3590 7833 3591 7835 3593 7835
3594 7839 3598 7843 3602 7855 3608 7854
3617 7850 3621 7851 3630 7850
TIME...MOT...LOC 2207Z 220DEG 17KT 3597 7854
26The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 157 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:07 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
One tree was blown down near the intersection of NC-740 and Woodhurst 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 713570, 713569.