Scattered convection developed ahead of an approaching cold front in a warm, moist environment characterized by moderate instability and bulk shear. Several of the thunderstorms became severe as they progressed through Central North Carolina from west to east.
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 convection developed ahead of an approaching cold front in a warm, moist environment characterized by moderate instability and bulk shear. Several of the thunderstorms became severe as they progressed through Central North Carolina from west to east.
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 8, 1:45 PM EST, 3 hours 14 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 245 PM EDT Sat Jul 8 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will approach central NC from the northwest this afternoon, moving across the region this evening. The front will stall near the coast overnight through Sunday. && .NEAR TERM /Through Tonight/... As of 245 PM EDT Saturday... The mid level shear axis and its accompanying surface front will be moving across the moiuntains into the northwest Piedmont in the next couple of hours. Have had ample time to heat up ahead of the system and expect to see a rapid increase in convective coverage in the northwest by 20Z, with more widely scattered, diurnally driven convection popping up in the southeast where deeper moisture is available. The window of more strongly forced convection will be ~3 hours, with the window reaching the US1 corridor around 22Z and into the southeast an hour or two later. Downbursts will be the primary severe threat with stronger storms tapping DCAPE of >1k Joules, strongest in the southeastern quadrant where the deeper moisture lies. Weak shear, very high freezing level, and progressive movement will minimize other severe threats. The front will move southeast of the area, with convection ending over all but the southern coastal plain and eastern sandhills, by around midnight. The front will slow or stall near the southern coast, maintaining a slight chance of showers in the far southeast for the remainder of the overnight. Behind the front, clearing will be progressive from the northwest. Overnight mins will range from the mid 60s northwest to the lower 70s southeast. && .SHORT TERM /Sunday and Sunday Night/... As of 245 PM EDT Saturday... The surface front will remain stalled in the far southeast on Sunday into Sunday night and will thus be the main focus for scattered diurnally driven convection in the afternoon into evening. Outside of the far southeast, expect mostly sunny skies with tolerable highs in the 85 to 90 range. Mins Sunday night will be mostly upper 60s to lower 70s. && .LONG TERM /Monday through Saturday/... As of 230 PM EDT Saturday... The frontal system will continue to linger south of the forecast area on Monday. While there is a possibility this boundary will retrograde to the north, convection should be confined to the extreme southeastern counties. By Tuesday the upper trough begins to flatten out and become very zonal. As a result the surface storm track will stay well to our north as a low pressure system moves through the Great Lakes and into New England. This pattern will keep central NC under high pressure with surface boundaries and diurnal heating being the only real forcing for convection. Temperatures will rise into the low to possibly mid 90s in most locations Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday with lows staying in the 70s. The pattern begins to change on Friday as a second low pressure system moves across the northeast but then is blocked by high pressure in the North Atlantic. This will will cause the upper level trough to deepen once again and push the surface low, and its attendant front southward. This will increase rain chances for the end of the week but should help cool off temperatures as cloud cover increases. Highs by Saturday should moderate back into the upper 80s. && .AVIATION /18Z Saturday through Wednesday/... As of 135 PM EDT Saturday... VFR conditions will predominate through the 24 hour TAF period. Diurnally driven convection will be enhanced this afternoon through evening as a cold front moves southeast across central NC. Scattered showers and thunderstorms with the potential for producing strong gusty winds are expected to blossom in the northwest (GSO/INT areas) from 20-00Z and accompany the front as it moves through. The eastern TAF sites will have a 3-4 hour window of convection as well, from ~22Z to 03Z. The threat for scattered convection will diminish after 03Z tonight as the front moves southeast of the area, where it will stall and linger near the coast through Sunday. Convection will be focused in the frontal zone Sunday, perhaps impacting the FAY and RWI sites during the afternoon/evening. A drier, more stable air mass expected to settle across central NC Monday through Wednesday, maintaining a period of VFR conditions. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...mlm NEAR TERM...mlm SHORT TERM...mlm LONG TERM...Ellis AVIATION...mlm
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 317 PM EDT Sat Jul 8 2017 NCZ007>011-021>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-091930- Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance- Orange-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Wake- Johnston-Wilson-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Anson- Richmond-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson- 317 PM EDT Sat Jul 8 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms will develop over the region this afternoon and persist into the first half of this evening. A few of the storms will become briefly severe, producing damaging wind gusts. The threat for severe storms will be greatest across the northwest Piedmont between 4 PM and 8 PM, and across the remainder of the Piedmont and the northern coastal plain between 6 PM and 10 PM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
419 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
NCZ008-025-026-041-082100-
Franklin NC-Durham NC-Wake NC-Granville NC-
419 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN GRANVILLE...NORTH
CENTRAL WAKE...CENTRAL DURHAM AND NORTHWESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES
UNTIL 500 PM EDT...
At 418 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Butner, or 9 miles north of Durham, moving east at 30 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.
Heavy rain and deadly cloud to ground lightning will also be
possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Durham, Creedmoor, Wake Forest, Butner, Franklinton, Youngsville,
Falls Lake State Rec Area, Purnell, Gorman and Falls Lake.
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.
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 3596 7844 3606 7897 3615 7895 3617 7846
3616 7846 3617 7845 3617 7844 3616 7842
3617 7841
TIME...MOT...LOC 2018Z 270DEG 25KT 3611 7887
77Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
419 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
NCZ078-089-082115-
Sampson NC-Wayne NC-
419 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN WAYNE AND NORTHEASTERN
SAMPSON COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM EDT...
At 419 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles west of Mount Olive, moving east at 25 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Deadly cloud to ground lightning will also be possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Mount Olive, Seven Springs and Cliffs Of The Neuse State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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 3518 7783 3516 7788 3515 7789 3517 7793
3516 7797 3518 7799 3519 7802 3519 7804
3518 7807 3519 7816 3509 7817 3508 7816
3506 7816 3509 7832 3524 7831 3528 7783
TIME...MOT...LOC 2019Z 274DEG 24KT 3515 7822
EllisSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
427 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
NCZ038-082130-
Davidson NC-
427 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT DAVIDSON COUNTY UNTIL 530 PM
EDT...
At 427 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cooleemee, or 8 miles north of Salisbury, moving east at 25 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Deadly cloud to ground lightning will also be possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Lexington, Thomasville, Linwood, Denton, Gordontown, High Rock Boat
Dock Marina, Nc Wildlife Access Boat Launch, High Rock Lake Marina &
Campground, High Rock Lake and Welcome.
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.
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.
Boaters on the open water and those camping outdoors are especially
vulnerable to the dangers of lightning. Seek harbor immediately and
find safe shelter in a nearby building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3584 8048 3583 8046 3584 8045 3583 8043
3585 8042 3584 8039 3586 8039 3589 8041
3589 8032 3587 8005 3557 8007 3563 8028
3568 8033 3572 8033 3572 8038 3574 8046
3577 8045 3579 8048 3581 8047
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 281DEG 20KT 3579 8045
EllisSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
436 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
NCZ009>011-026-027-082115-
Nash NC-Franklin NC-Vance NC-Warren NC-Halifax NC-
436 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN NASH...SOUTHERN
VANCE...SOUTHERN WARREN...WEST CENTRAL HALIFAX AND NORTHERN FRANKLIN
COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM EDT...
At 436 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Kittrell, or 9 miles northwest of Louisburg, moving east at 30 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.
Heavy rain and deadly cloud to ground lightning will also be
possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Louisburg, Franklinton, Dortches, Kittrell, Red Oak, Castalia,
Centerville, Glenview, Ingleside and Medoc Mountain 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 and
blowing around trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture and other
light outdoor objects.
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 3633 7779 3598 7782 3610 7853 3612 7853
3617 7850 3618 7851 3628 7851
TIME...MOT...LOC 2036Z 271DEG 24KT 3619 7842
77Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
532 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
NCZ038-039-082230-
Randolph NC-Davidson NC-
532 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL DAVIDSON AND WESTERN
RANDOLPH COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM EDT...
At 531 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles east of High Rock Lake, or 10 miles southeast of Lexington,
moving east at 20 mph.
Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 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...
High Point, Asheboro, Lexington, Thomasville, Linwood, Archdale,
Trinity, Denton, Gordontown and High Rock Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
This thunderstorm is producing an excessive amount of deadly cloud to
ground lightning. Seek shelter indoors and stay away from windows. If
you cannot seek shelter indoors, an enclosed vehicle can provide safe
shelter. Deadly lightning strikes can occur well ahead of an
approaching storm, prior to the arrival of rain and wind.
&&
LAT...LON 3587 8005 3592 8005 3591 7983 3551 7979
3551 8018 3554 8020 3555 8021 3558 8021
3563 8026 3564 8029 3567 8031 3568 8033
3572 8033 3572 8042 3574 8046 3577 8045
3579 8047
TIME...MOT...LOC 2131Z 277DEG 17KT 3568 8016
10PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
543 PM EDT SAT JUL 8 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0540 PM NON-TSTM WND DMG 2 NE NEWSOM 35.55N 80.15W
07/08/2017 DAVIDSON NC 911 CALL CENTER
ONE TREE DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF
HIGHWAY 8 AND NEWSOM RD.
&&
BSDThe Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 141 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:56 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
One tree was uprooted and blocking the westbound lane of Highway 47, just east of Sagebrush Trail. Two large tree limbs were also blown down on Highway 47 between Sagebrush Trail and Valley Farm Road.
Several trees were blown down along a swath from Asheboro to 6 miles northwest of Glendon.
A few trees were blown down along a swath between Middlesex and Pilot. One tree was blocking the roadway at the intersection of Highway 97 and Massey Road. Two trees were also blown down onto Rocky Cross Road between Highway 97 and Burgess Road.
A couple of trees were blown down along a swath from 4 miles west of Harpers Crossroads to 3 miles northwest of Goldston. One tree was blown down in the Bennett area while the other was blown down in the Bear Creek area.
One tree was blown down near the intersection of Bowmantown Road and Boston Road.
Two trees were blown down near the intersection of Wendell Boulevard and Wendell Falls Parkway. Both trees were approximately 12 inches in diameter, one was uprooted and the other was snapped.
One tree was blown down on Ruben Hart Road.
One tree was blown down on Interstate 95 near mile marker 125.
One tree was blown down onto the roadway at the 4900 block of St. Rose Church Road.
Three trees were blown down along a swath from 6 mile north of Coats Crossroads to 3 miles east of Benson. One of the trees was blown down onto power lines on Cleveland School 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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 714237, 714235, 714239, 714238, 714240, 714241, 714242, 714243, 714244, 714245, 714236, 714246.