A line of strong to severe thunderstorms producing strong to damaging winds moved into far western North Carolina late in the evening, and progressed through the mountains, foothills, and portions of the northwest Piedmont through the early part of the overnight. Numerous trees were blown down, especially across the mountains.
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 strong to severe thunderstorms producing strong to damaging winds moved into far western North Carolina late in the evening, and progressed through the mountains, foothills, and portions of the northwest Piedmont through the early part of the overnight. Numerous trees were blown down, especially across the mountains.
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 27, 6:38 PM EST, 3 hours 18 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
738 PM EDT Sat May 27 2017
.SYNOPSIS...
Warm and humid air will remain over our region through at least
Monday, as high pressure settles east of the Florida coast. A cold
front will slowly approach from the northwest, but will struggle to
push through the area during the middle of next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 725 PM EDT: A severe thunderstorm watch has been posted for
most of western North Carolina as upstream convection is drawing a
bead on western NC and additional discrete convection will likely
form over the higher terrain and quickly advect out over the
piedmont through late evening. Corfidi vector steering flow appears
to mainly impact western NC and convective inhibition remains fairly
decent farther south and east. Damaging straight line winds and
large hail due to the steep lapse rates will be the main threats
with this first round.
A second round is possible with an MCS developing over central and
western TN later this evening that should run across the far
southwest mountains and northeast GA overnight/upper Savannah river
area overnight. The forecast has been updated accordingly for higher
northern tier PoPs, with a severe thunderstorm mention this evening,
and then higher southwest sections PoPs for the overnight hours.
The forecast area will remain solidly in the MCS tracks on Sunday
from convection developing from the west in the unstable elevated
mixed layer. Shear will remain more than adequate for
organized/severe convection, with perhaps a better potential for
rotating cells in areas of enhanced low level helicity near the
boundary. Thus, all manner of severe weather is possible on Sunday.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 230 PM EDT...This portion of the forecast becomes very fuzzy
with multiple embedded ripples of vorticity (some convective feed-
back) moving through our region. Although the models offer various
output in this section of the forecast, we will play one outgoing
shot of convection Sunday evening, then lower POPS, with another
shot of energy perhaps reaching our western forecast area (FA)
Monday morning with another uptick in POPS western sections.
The evolution of additional thunderstorms Monday will be somewhat
dependent on whether the early morning convection (if it happens),
tempers the atmosphere. On the other hand we still have a broad
southwesterly flow aloft in place, due to the large upper low north
of the Great Lakes, and spokes of energy rotating through. Also a
weak surface wind shift dropping south into the area, helping to
provide a focus. Considering the unstable nature of the atmosphere
we will continue with medium range chances, and future forecasts may
be able to focus in on additional details.
For Monday night and Tuesday, with the flow aloft southwesterly it
is hard to imagine the front/boundary pushing through our FA, unless
cold pool driven. Therefore we will bring POPS down Monday night,
and then run lower chances on Tuesday, especially south of I40.
There actually may be a series of wind shift lines to cross the area
through Tuesday.
Since we note a downward nudge in the thermal profile Tuesday, we
will back readings off a few degrees compared to Monday.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 210 PM Saturday: A closed upper low located just north of the
Great Lakes will rotate east but then return to just north of the
Great Lakes next weekend from Hudson Bay. This broad feature creates
a big trough over the east. Meanwhile, at the surface, a stalled
frontal boundary stretches from Texas to the Carolinas through the
second half of the week except for Thursday when high pressure
coming down from near the Great Lakes pushes the front south of our
area but only for about a day. Shortwave energy and waves of low
pressure will pass across the deep south increasing the chance of
showers and storms Friday and Saturday. Severe threat should be
quite low.
Expect temperatures to be near normal through the medium range
period.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
At KCLT: Timing of the convection developing from the west still
looks good for 02Z to 06Z, with TEMPO thunder and associated W to NW
flow gusts. There may well be a lull overnight and then the region
will remain in the tracks of upstream MCSs through Sunday afternoon.
Will time the second round with a PROB30 18Z to 24Z. Expect mainly
southwest flow with low end gusts during mixing away from
thunderstorms, and then robust WNW gusts during thunder.
Elsewhere: Several rounds of thunderstorms will be possible at the
mountain and foothills TAF sites as upstream convection rolls
through this evening, overnight, and likely again on Sunday
afternoon. Will handle the first round with TEMPO TSRA at KAVL and
KHKY, with mainly just VCTS at the Upstate TAF sites. The second
round moving across the SW NC mountains and NE GA overnight will
probably miss the Upstate sites just to the southwest. Will feature
a PROB30 for mainly Sunday afternoon for round three of MCS
activity. Expect mostly SW flow with low end gusts during mixing,
except more robust NW gusts with thunderstorms.
Outlook: Thunderstorms and associated restrictions, mainly of the
afternoon/evening variety, as well as the potential for areas of
morning fog and/or low stratus will continue through at least the
middle of next week.
Confidence Table...
23-05Z 05-11Z 11-17Z 17-18Z
KCLT High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KGSP High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KAVL High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KHKY High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KGMU High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KAND High 100% 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...DEO
NEAR TERM...HG
SHORT TERM...TS
LONG TERM...DEO
AVIATION...HGHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 709 PM EDT Sat May 27 2017 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-NCZ082-SCZ001>010-281200- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Union-Oconee Mountains- Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee- Greater Pickens-Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Cherokee-York- Anderson- 709 PM EDT Sat May 27 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Thunderstorms are expected to either develop, or move into the area from Tennessee, as the evening unfolds. The storms could last until after midnight in some locations. Large hail, damaging winds, cloud to ground lightning and brief heavy downpours will be possible. An isolated tornado threat can not be ruled out, particularly north of I85. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. ..Sunday...Severe weather possible. Another round of strong to severe storms is possible Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening across the region. ..Monday...Severe weather possible. Afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop again on Monday. A few storms may be severe, with the greatest threat expected to be across the Piedmont. ..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. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Skywarn spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-068>072-501>510-281200- Avery-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood- Buncombe-Catawba-Rowan-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon- Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston- Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell- Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell- Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk- 709 PM EDT Sat May 27 2017 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 282 IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina and western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. ..Sunday...Severe weather possible. Another round of strong to severe storms is possible Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening across the region. ..Monday...Severe weather possible. Afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop again on Monday. A few storms may be severe, with the greatest threat expected to be across the Piedmont. ..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. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Skywarn spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. GAZ029-SCZ011>014-019-281200- Elbert-Abbeville-Laurens-Union-Chester-Greenwood- 709 PM EDT Sat May 27 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. There is a chance that thunderstorms could develop across the region this evening, or move into the area from the north. The primary threats from the storms would be locally damaging winds, large hail, cloud to ground lightning and brief heavy rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. ..Sunday...Severe weather possible. Another round of strong to severe storms is possible Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening across the region. ..Monday...Severe weather possible. Afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop again on Monday. A few storms may be severe, with the greatest threat expected to be across the Piedmont. ..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. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Skywarn spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. Sturey
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
919 PM EDT SAT MAY 27 2017
NCZ033-280215-
Avery NC-
919 PM EDT SAT MAY 27 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
NORTHEASTERN AVERY COUNTY UNTIL 1015 PM EDT...
At 918 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 9 miles northwest of Beech Mountain, or 8 miles
east of Hampton, moving southeast at 25 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Banner Elk, Beech Mountain In Avery County, Sugar Mountain, Seven
Devils, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Elk Park and B.R.
Parkway-Linville Falls To Grandfather.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea
size hail will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent lightning is occurring with this storm. If outdoors, try to
get indoors or into a hard topped vehicle. Otherwise, stay away from
open areas and isolated high objects such as trees. When indoors,
stay away from windows and doors and avoid using wired electronic
devices. Do not take a shower or bath. Try to unplug unnecessary
appliances before the storm approaches.
&&
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 200 AM EDT for
western North Carolina.
LAT...LON 3627 8189 3625 8190 3624 8190 3623 8191
3621 8190 3619 8188 3619 8186 3616 8183
3611 8181 3610 8178 3607 8175 3607 8174
3604 8176 3617 8200 3629 8192
TIME...MOT...LOC 0118Z 297DEG 22KT 3630 8202
CDGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1001 PM EDT SAT MAY 27 2017
NCZ035>037-057-280300-
Rowan NC-Davie NC-Iredell NC-Alexander NC-
1001 PM EDT SAT MAY 27 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT DAVIE...
NORTHEASTERN ALEXANDER...NORTHERN IREDELL AND NORTHWESTERN ROWAN
COUNTIES UNTIL 1100 PM EDT...
At 1000 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms with
intense lightning along a line extending from 7 miles east of Pilot
Mountain to 9 miles southeast of Wilkesboro, and moving east at 35
mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Mocksville, Statesville, Bermuda Run, Cooleemee, Harmony, Love
Valley, Spencer, High Rock Lake, Fork Church and Advance.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 45 mph and half
inch hail will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall may flood areas with poor drainage, such as
ditches and underpasses. Avoid these areas and do not cross flooded
roads. Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly. Seek
higher ground if threatened by flood waters. Do not drive across
flooded roads.
Frequent lightning is occurring with these storms. If outdoors, try
to get indoors or into a hard topped vehicle. Otherwise, stay away
from open areas and isolated high objects such as trees. When
indoors, stay away from windows and doors and avoid using wired
electronic devices. Do not take a shower or bath. Try to unplug
unnecessary appliances before the storms approach.
&&
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 200 AM EDT for
the Piedmont of North Carolina.
LAT...LON 3569 8033 3573 8060 3585 8096 3603 8126
3603 8107 3606 8098 3604 8049 3606 8046
3601 8042 3599 8042 3596 8038 3589 8037
3588 8042 3584 8039 3585 8042 3583 8046
3584 8048 3579 8048 3573 8045 3571 8032
TIME...MOT...LOC 0200Z 284DEG 34KT 3636 8035 3603 8107
CDGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1028 PM EDT SAT MAY 27 2017
NCZ033-280315-
Avery NC-
1028 PM EDT SAT MAY 27 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT NORTHERN
AVERY COUNTY UNTIL 1115 PM EDT...
At 1028 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 9 miles southeast of Elizabethton, or 5 miles east
of Hampton, moving east at 30 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Banner Elk, Elk Park, Beech Mountain In Avery County, Sugar Mountain,
Seven Devils and Grandfather Mountain State Park.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea
size hail will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent lightning is occurring with this storm. If outdoors, try to
get indoors or into a hard topped vehicle. Otherwise, stay away from
open areas and isolated high objects such as trees. When indoors,
stay away from windows and doors and avoid using wired electronic
devices. Do not take a shower or bath. Try to unplug unnecessary
appliances before the storm approaches.
&&
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 200 AM EDT for
western North Carolina.
LAT...LON 3627 8189 3625 8190 3624 8190 3623 8191
3621 8190 3619 8188 3619 8186 3616 8183
3612 8181 3610 8177 3615 8201 3629 8192
TIME...MOT...LOC 0228Z 279DEG 21KT 3627 8209
CDGThe Knoxville radar (KMRX), 81 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:57 UTC.
15 thunderstorm wind, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
County comms reported numerous trees blown down throughout Swain County, especially in the Bryson City area.
County comms reported numerous trees blown down throughout Macon County.
County comms reported numerous trees blown down throughout the county.
County comms reported numerous trees blown down throughout the county, although the heaviest concentration of damage appeared to be in the Jonathan Creek area north of Waynesville.
County comms reported numerous trees and power lines blown down throughout Madison County.
County comms and public reported multiple trees blown down across the western part of the county.
County comms reported multiple trees and large limbs blown down on Wildwood Drive.
County comms reported widespread trees blown down across Yancey County, particularly along the Highway 19 corridor. One tree clipped a home on Sam Green Rd near Arbuckle Rd (near the Mitchell County line).
County comms reported multiple trees blown down throughout Henderson County.
County comms reported multiple trees blown down throughout the county, with the highest concentration of damage in the Lake Lure area.
County comms reported scattered trees and power lines blown down throughout the county.
County comms reported a few trees blown down around Polkville.
County comms reported White Oak Creek overflowed its banks and flooded portions of White Oak Rd and Buchanan Dr after in excess of 2 inches of rain fell across Bakersville in an hour or less. Water briefly approached one home. Additionally, a stream gauge on Cane Creek approached, but did not exceed established flood stage, but the creek did overflow its banks briefly.
County comms reported numerous trees blown down across the county. One tree fell on a home on Glaspy Rd in the eastern part of the county, causing significant damage.
Public reported (via Social Media) several large trees blown down in the Denver area.
Spotter reported multiple trees and power lines blown down in southeast Catawba County, with one tree down on a home.
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, 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: 704537, 704523, 704526, 704528, 704531, 704539, 704530, 704544, 704542, 704549, 704550, 704569, 704576, 704590, 704580, 704583.