A line of heavy rain showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front and pushed through western North Carolina during the afternoon. Isolated pockets of wind damage occurred within the line, along with a brief, weak tornado in Catawba County.
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 GSP wrote it up.
A line of heavy rain showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front and pushed through western North Carolina during the afternoon. Isolated pockets of wind damage occurred within the line, along with a brief, weak tornado in Catawba County.
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 May 1, 1:34 PM EST, 1 hour 11 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
234 PM EDT Mon May 1 2017
.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will cross the Western Carolinas and northeast Georgia
from the west today, bringing the potential for strong to severe
thunderstorms to the region. Dry high pressure will settle over the
southeast Tuesday into Wednesday. A low pressure system will move
from the plains to the Ohio Valley Wednesday night through Thursday,
with a band of deep moisture moving into our region ahead of the
associated cold front. The cold front will move east of the area on
Friday, with windy and cooler conditions and continued northwest
flow moisture across the mountains into the weekend.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 220 PM EDT: Strong to potentially severe line of convection
continues to cross the area at this time. A damaging wind gust could
occur with any storm as it moves through the area. Although any
thunderstorm related damaging winds will be isolated, a strong
gradient wind has developed with the strong low level jet crossing
the area. Cannot rule out a few downed trees or power lines with
these non-thunderstorm winds as well. These winds should diminish
from west to east as the jet crosses the area, but gusty winds will
linger through the afternoon. Winds will pick back up across the
mountains as the associated cold front moves east of the area. The
winds will be stronger and longer lasting, so a wind advisory has
been issued for the NC Mountains as a result.
Skies clear behind the front this evening with clear skies
continuing through the day Tuesday. That said, some clouds will move
back into the mountains from time to time tonight and Tuesday.
Still, expect mostly clear skies even there. Winds taper off across
the mountains during the afternoon but remain gusty. Low end gusts
develop outside of the mountains during the afternoon as well. Lows
tonight will be near to a little above normal. Highs Tuesday will
rise to right around normal.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
As of 3pm EDT Monday: On Wednesday, area will continue to be in a
postfrontal regime with low-level flow from the west that will keep
things dry. Next upstream system digs into the TX/LA area Wednesday
evening and surface trough ahead of it will begin the process of
moisture return with 850mb winds becoming southerly. Main dynamical
impact of this system will be Thursday afternoon through Friday
morning with a round of precipitation. Storm total amounts for
Thurs. through Fri. morning are currently around an inch to an inch
and a quarter. MLCAPE and SBCAPE with this system may remain below 400
j/kg, greatly reducing the chances for any severe weather with the
system, though wind shear will be strong, so severe is not
out-of-the-question. Ridge of surface high pressure along the
Appalachians ahead of next system will give some CAD northeasterly
surface flow that will serve to keep the better instability south
and southwest of the area. Temperatures will be near normal on
Wed., and have warm low Thurs. morning due to warm/moist advection.
Thurs. highs will be moderated by cloud cover.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 3pm EDT Monday: By Friday morning, the EC model is somewhat
behind the GFS in dragging the front/line of precip. through the
area as upper longwave makes its way towards the Atlantic. However,
both models have an area of lighter precipitation in the wrap-around
behind the system which will continue lighter showers, especially in
areas upslope to westerly flow into Saturday morning. Both models
also have a secondary back-door front with some showers moving down
Sunday morning. Long-term may have above average predictability as
GFS and EC both agree on the establishment of a blocky Omega type
pattern with the upper trough parking itself over the northeast
CONUS. With this pattern, embedded waves will give some 10 to 20
percent chance for showers each day Saturday through Tuesday (mostly
over the higher terrain), but no big event is currently in the
forecast, and moisture/CAPE will be limited due to lack of southerly
flow under generally weak low-level pressure gradient.
Low-dewpoints will give cool lows 5 or so degrees below normal with
highs near normal in periods without clouds, and below normal in
periods with clouds.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
At KCLT and Elsewhere: Very gusty S to SW winds have developed ahead
of the approaching cold front. Convection has increased as well. Have
increased winds and included very gusty variable winds with the
TEMPO for TSRA. Expect gusts to linger behind the convection along
with low VFR and some showers. Winds turn SW or WSW and drop off
this evening with clearing skies. KAVL will see winds turn NNW this
evening and remain gusty through the period.
Outlook: Drier weather will persist Tuesday. A return of
afternoon/evening thunderstorms is possible Wednesday, while another
cold front may bring another round of widespread showers and storms
by Thursday into Friday.
Confidence Table...
18-24Z 00-06Z 06-12Z 12-18Z
KCLT Med 73% High 98% High 100% High 100%
KGSP High 84% High 99% High 100% High 100%
KAVL High 93% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KHKY Med 78% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KGMU High 82% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KAND High 93% High 100% High 100% High 100%
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...None.
NC...None.
SC...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...HG
NEAR TERM...RWH
SHORT TERM...WJM
LONG TERM...WJM
AVIATION...RWHHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 301 PM EDT Mon May 1 2017 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-SCZ001>006-010-021915- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Oconee Mountains- Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee- Greater Pickens-Greater Greenville-Anderson- 301 PM EDT Mon May 1 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Passage of front has ended the chances for severe weather this afternoon. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. ..Tuesday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. ..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. NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-503-505-507-509-021915- Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Graham- Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson- Caldwell Mountains-Burke Mountains-McDowell Mountains- Rutherford Mountains-Polk Mountains- 301 PM EDT Mon May 1 2017 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON EDT TUESDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Passage of front has ended the chances for severe weather this afternoon. Behind the front, winds at higher elevations will be strong and a wind advisory has been issued for tonight through Tuesday morning for gusts up to 50mph. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. ..Tuesday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. ..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. NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-502-504-506-508-510-SCZ007>009- 011>014-019-021915- Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston- Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union-Greater Caldwell-Greater Burke- Eastern McDowell-Greater Rutherford-Eastern Polk-Spartanburg- Cherokee-York-Abbeville-Laurens-Chester-Greenwood- 301 PM EDT Mon May 1 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. A line of thunderstorms is currently moving west to east across the area. There will be some chance for severe wind gusts as the line passes, along with periods of lightning and torrential rain. Line will pass quickly and any chance for severe weather will end as it passes. Line is expected to be completely east of the area by 8pm. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. ..Tuesday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. ..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.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
112 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
NCZ064-SCZ001>005-011745-
Transylvania NC-Greater Pickens SC-Pickens Mountains SC-
Greater Oconee SC-Oconee Mountains SC-Greenville Mountains SC-
112 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN TRANSYLVANIA...
NORTHWESTERN GREENVILLE...NORTHWESTERN PICKENS AND NORTHEASTERN
OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL 145 PM EDT...
At 112 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 5 miles southwest of Brevard to 13 miles
northwest of Pickens to 4 miles northeast of Seneca, and moving
northeast at 45 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Seneca, Pickens, Brevard, Six Mile, Rosman, Salem, Lake Keowee,
Jocassee Gorges, Lake Jocassee and Dupont State Forest.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Gusty winds can blow down trees that are dead, or that have weakened
root systems. Outdoor furniture and similar items can be tossed
around if not anchored. Seek shelter indoors.
Lakes Jocassee and Keowee are in the path of these storms. Cloud to
ground lightning and gusty winds will create dangerous boating
conditions. Move to shore immediately.
&&
LAT...LON 3493 8305 3517 8282 3531 8262 3529 8262
3529 8261 3526 8262 3526 8260 3512 8260
3485 8268 3465 8300
TIME...MOT...LOC 1712Z 225DEG 36KT 3518 8280 3498 8291 3474 8291
LANESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
145 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
NCZ065-509-510-SCZ002-003-005-006-011815-
Henderson NC-Polk Mountains NC-Eastern Polk NC-Greater Pickens SC-
Pickens Mountains SC-Greenville Mountains SC-Greater Greenville SC-
145 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN HENDERSON...
SOUTHWESTERN POLK...NORTHEASTERN GREENVILLE AND NORTHEASTERN PICKENS
COUNTIES UNTIL 215 PM EDT...
At 144 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 13 miles northeast of Pickens to 7 miles south of
Easley, and moving northeast at 50 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Greenville, Easley, Columbus, Taylors, Berea, Welcome, Travelers
Rest, Slater-Marietta and Tryon.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio and
tv stations, as well as local cable tv outlets for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3512 8261 3535 8218 3520 8220 3519 8222
3509 8222 3491 8224 3481 8247 3482 8249
3474 8266
TIME...MOT...LOC 1744Z 227DEG 43KT 3505 8258 3472 8263
LANESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
209 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
SCZ006-010-011830-
Anderson SC-Greater Greenville SC-
209 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN GREENVILLE AND
NORTHEASTERN ANDERSON COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM EDT...
At 208 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from near Greenville Downtown to 11 miles northeast of
Anderson, and moving northeast at 40 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Mauldin, Simpsonville, Welcome, Powdersville, Piedmont, Williamston
and West Pelzer.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio and
tv stations, as well as local cable tv outlets for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3482 8249 3492 8222 3485 8223 3484 8221
3463 8226 3454 8255
TIME...MOT...LOC 1808Z 245DEG 34KT 3485 8242 3462 8249
LANESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
223 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
NCZ508-510-SCZ003-006>008-012-011915-
Greater Rutherford NC-Eastern Polk NC-Cherokee SC-Laurens SC-
Greenville Mountains SC-Spartanburg SC-Greater Greenville SC-
223 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD...
SOUTHEASTERN POLK...NORTHWESTERN LAURENS...NORTHEASTERN GREENVILLE...
SPARTANBURG AND NORTHWESTERN CHEROKEE COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM EDT...
At 223 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 5 miles south of Columbus to 12 miles south of
Greenville Downtown, and moving northeast at 40 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Spartanburg, Greenville Eastside, Greer, Mauldin, Taylors,
Simpsonville, Five Forks, Fountain Inn, Boiling Springs SC and
Woodruff.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio and
tv stations, as well as local cable tv outlets for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3465 8240 3517 8228 3523 8197 3525 8175
3473 8188
TIME...MOT...LOC 1823Z 239DEG 35KT 3516 8219 3468 8234
LANESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
253 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
NCZ068-508-011930-
Greater Rutherford NC-Cleveland NC-
253 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD AND
WESTERN CLEVELAND COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM EDT...
At 253 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 7 miles south of Rutherfordton to 10 miles
northwest of Spartanburg, and moving northeast at 50 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Forest City, Shelby, Boiling Springs NC, Belwood, Lawndale,
Polkville, Ellenboro, Lattimore, Mooresboro and Bostic.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio and
tv stations, as well as local cable tv outlets for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3555 8151 3552 8151 3550 8149 3525 8157
3520 8192 3543 8185 3556 8152
TIME...MOT...LOC 1853Z 234DEG 43KT 3527 8200 3504 8209
LANESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
311 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
SCZ011-019-011945-
Abbeville SC-Greenwood SC-
311 PM EDT MON MAY 1 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN ABBEVILLE AND
GREENWOOD COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM EDT...
At 311 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles south of Abbeville, or 6 miles west of Troy, moving northeast
at 50 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Greenwood, Ninety Six, Troy, Greenwood State Park, Ninety Six
Historic Site, Promised Land, Bradley, Coronaca, Kirksey and Dyson.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible in these areas.
LAT...LON 3406 8233 3406 8240 3429 8210 3417 8191
3415 8190 3413 8187 3407 8193 3397 8219
3399 8221 3402 8225 3397 8231
TIME...MOT...LOC 1911Z 235DEG 44KT 3396 8240
LANEThe Greer radar (KGSP), 103 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:43 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
County comms reported a tree blown down near Vale and another tree down on Startown Rd. At least two other trees were blown down in the southern part of the county.
Storm Survey team found an area of downburst damage between Maiden and Catawba. Numerous trees were blown down through the area, with some falling on homes. Two small areas of tornadic damage were found embedded within the larger damage path.
NWS Storm survey found a couple of areas of weak tornado damage embedded within a larger downburst damage swath between maiden and newtown. The tornado touched down twice along a 3 mile path, first off jack Whitener Rd and Sipe Rd. The tornado lifted briefly before touching down again near Smyre Farm Rd just south of highway 16. At least one home received minor damage from falling trees.
Trained spotter reported trees and power lines blown down on Kentwood Rd. Public reported (via Social media) a tree blown down on Elementary Rd and Old Farm Rd. Also, another spotter reported trees and lines down on Friendship Rd north of Statesville.
Public reported (via Social Media) a tree blown down on Josh Birmingham Pky at Harlee Ave and another tree down on Billy Graham Pky and Morris Field Dr.
Public reported (via Social Media) a tree was blown down on a car on Wright Rd.
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 historyThe tornado archive for North Carolina, 2017Warnings in North Carolina, May 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: 700211, 700218, 700224, 700216, 700213, 700214.