Scattered thunderstorms developed across western North Carolina during the afternoon and evening, a few of the storms briefly became severe, producing isolated wind damage.
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.
Scattered thunderstorms developed across western North Carolina during the afternoon and evening, a few of the storms briefly 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 Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 29, 3:36 PM EST, 1 hour 32 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
436 PM EDT Mon May 29 2017
.SYNOPSIS...
A series of weak cold fronts will cross the area through mid week.
Weak high pressure will make Thursday the drier day of the week.
Expect a stronger cold front to reach our region over the weekend.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 430 PM: Surface trough in place across the Piedmont with
approaching shortwave moving out of the Deep South and a bit of
an upper jetlet are the main forcing mechanisms for convection
this afternoon. Deep upper trough/low over Lake Superior and upper
high just east of the Bahamas has led to strong southwesterly fetch
aloft, helping to draw moisture out of the Gulf. Given the abundant
deep shear invof the jetlet, multicell clusters are expected to
be the main storm mode. Main threat remains gusty/damaging winds,
though some low-end hail cannot be ruled out. Severe Tstm Watch
in effect for most of NE GA, the Upstate, and US 74 corridor
of the NC Piedmont, as well as adjacent portions of central GA
and SC. This watch primarily covers the threats associated with
storms developing within the CWFA. However, there is the additional
threat that clusters will organize over GA and move NE into our
area closer to sunset. While not a significant concern, at least
minor hydro threat cannot be ruled out with any training cells.
Convection should wane overnight and we lose most of our deep-layer
forcing as we push into tomorrow, but surface trough remaining
in place and southwest flow aloft continuing will allow for
diurnal convection, possibly enhanced a tad with the proximity
of the trough aloft. Best chances for Tuesday remain across the
Piedmont (especially SC/GA where the trough will linger) and the
SW mountains. Guidance is trending cooler for tomorrow but we're
warming up more than anticipated today so have erred on the warm
side, but still right at seasonal normals. Lows tonight a handful
or so degrees above.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 200 pm Monday: At long last, the axis of the upper trough,
that has been over the central Conus for what seems like ages, will
finally push to the East Coast by the end of the short term. This
will drag a weak cold front through our area on Wednesday. While
this should provide a focus for deep convection Wed afternoon,
coverage may not meet the expectations of a typical late-spring
fropa. Progged mid-level lapse rates are very poor, while forecast
soundings depict a well-mixed/relatively dry boundary layer. As a
result, no short term guidance source depicts anything more than
modest levels of CAPE Wed afternoon and pops will be advertised only
in the 20-30% range across much of the area (maybe 40% in the high
elevations near the Blue Ridge). Deep layer shear will remain
somewhat respectable, so a severe storm or two cannot be ruled out,
but the threat should be limited by the overall lack of robust
buoyancy.
By Thursday, guidance suggests weak but relatively dry high pressure
should be building into the area, limiting diurnal destabilization.
In fact, most guidance produces little or no qpf response across our
area Thu afternoon. Pops will be limited to a slight chance across
roughly the southern half of the area (closer to the departing
frontal zone). Temps will generally remain close to normal, perhaps
a degree or two above, through the period.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 210 PM Monday: A deep SW flow out of the Gulf will develop
Thursday night and persist into the weekend. The persistent upper
level closed low and trough over eastern Canada will rotate and
surge a bit further south during the weekend with axis roughly along
the East Coast. A surface cold front will be pushed south with
moderately strong high pressure dropping down from the western Great
Lakes. This cold front will be the focus of more widespread
convection as it reaches our region late Saturday night and Sunday
morning. If this scenario occurs with front arriving in the cooler
part of the day, this should prevent stronger convection. Of course,
this is nearly a week away and timing of frontal passage could speed
up or slow down. Some strong convection ahead of the cold front may
reach the NC mountains Saturday evening before weakening Saturday
night. Late Saturday is the best chance of severe with prefrontal
forcing and effects of convective generation from diurnal max
heating. Drier air should filter in from the north by late Sunday
night. The front should stall out over Florida to start the upcoming
week with drier weather for at least a couple of days.
Max temps are forecast to be near normal and Min Temps forecast to
be about 5 degrees above normal due to the cloud cover and higher
moisture level preventing radiational cooling.
&&
.AVIATION /21Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Guidance all still has convection blossoming
across the Blue Ridge in the next couple of hours and spreading east
across the area through the afternoon/evening. Have timed TEMPO TSRA
as close as possible, including VRB gusty winds as that is the main
threat in any strong/severe storms. Generally VFR through the
evening except in any TSRA, but with cigs becoming BKN-OVC 5-7kft.
could see some MVFR cigs/vsby in the predawn hours on Tuesday.
Introduced another PROB30 at most sites starting 15z Tuesday with
more typical diurnal convection expected.
Outlook: Primarily afternoon and evening TSRA are possible each day,
bringing periodic restrictions. Areas of morning fog and/or low
stratus may potentially develop especially where RA fell the
previous evening. This pattern will continue through at least the
end of the work week.
Confidence Table...
20-02Z 02-08Z 08-14Z 14-18Z
KCLT High 100% High 96% High 83% High 88%
KGSP High 100% High 100% Med 78% High 83%
KAVL High 98% High 89% High 86% High 91%
KHKY High 100% High 100% High 80% High 98%
KGMU High 100% High 96% Med 76% High 84%
KAND High 100% High 97% High 94% High 88%
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...TDP/Wimberley
SHORT TERM...JDL
LONG TERM...DEO
AVIATION...TDPHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 319 PM EDT Mon May 29 2017 GAZ017-018-026-028-029-NCZ068>072-082-SCZ001>014-019-301930- Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston- Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains- Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens- Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville- Laurens-Chester-Greenwood- 319 PM EDT Mon May 29 2017 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 298 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and 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...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... Skywarn spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, or flash flooding to our office. GAZ010-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-501>510-301930- Rabun-Avery-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain- Haywood-Buncombe-Catawba-Rowan-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon- Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Caldwell Mountains- Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains- Eastern McDowell-Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford- Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk- 319 PM EDT Mon May 29 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina and western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Coverage of showers and thunderstorms will continue to increase across the area into the evening hours. A few of the storms may become severe with damaging winds and large hail. A severe storm could develop over any location, but the greatest threat will be across the Piedmont. .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... Skywarn spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, or flash flooding to our office. Lane
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
504 PM EDT MON MAY 29 2017
GAZ029-SCZ011-292130-
Elbert GA-Abbeville SC-
504 PM EDT MON MAY 29 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
SOUTHEASTERN ELBERT AND SOUTHWESTERN ABBEVILLE COUNTIES UNTIL 530 PM
EDT...
At 504 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 11 miles southeast of Elberton, or near Nancy Hart
State Park, moving northeast at 35 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Calhoun Falls, Lowndesville, Nancy Hart State Park, Bobby Brown State
Park, Middleton, Lake Strom Thurmond, Lake Russell, Russell State
Park, Lake Secession and Fortsonia.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph, dime size
hail and very heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour 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 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 900 PM EDT for
northeastern Georgia...and Upstate South Carolina.
LAT...LON 3398 8261 3397 8264 3399 8265 3397 8278
3399 8283 3398 8286 3399 8287 3424 8269
3428 8262 3414 8239 3407 8247 3408 8248
3407 8253 3405 8256 3401 8260 3399 8258
3397 8259
TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 216DEG 30KT 3395 8277
HGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
511 PM EDT MON MAY 29 2017
NCZ508-510-292145-
Greater Rutherford NC-Eastern Polk NC-
511 PM EDT MON MAY 29 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT CENTRAL
RUTHERFORD AND CENTRAL POLK COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM EDT...
At 511 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 6 miles northeast of Columbus, moving east at 25
mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Forest City, Rutherfordton, Columbus, Spindale, Ellenboro, Bostic,
Green Hill, Mill Spring, Henrietta and Harris.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph, dime size
hail and very heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour 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 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 900 PM EDT for
the Piedmont of North Carolina...and Upstate South Carolina.
LAT...LON 3528 8174 3526 8174 3519 8216 3519 8217
3536 8223 3552 8183
TIME...MOT...LOC 2111Z 251DEG 23KT 3530 8212
HGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
540 PM EDT MON MAY 29 2017
GAZ029-SCZ011-292215-
Elbert GA-Abbeville SC-
540 PM EDT MON MAY 29 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
SOUTHEASTERN ELBERT AND SOUTHERN ABBEVILLE COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM
EDT...
At 540 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 15 miles southeast of Elberton, or near Lake Strom
Thurmond, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Abbeville, Calhoun Falls, Lake Strom Thurmond, Bobby Brown State
Park, Lake Russell and Rice Town.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph, half inch
hail and very heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour 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 900 PM EDT for
northeastern Georgia...and Upstate South Carolina.
LAT...LON 3398 8261 3397 8264 3399 8265 3398 8270
3404 8275 3429 8246 3410 8228 3407 8232
3406 8236 3406 8244 3408 8248 3407 8250
3407 8253 3401 8260 3399 8258 3396 8257
TIME...MOT...LOC 2140Z 232DEG 21KT 3402 8262
HGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
546 PM EDT MON MAY 29 2017
SCZ019-292215-
Greenwood SC-
546 PM EDT MON MAY 29 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN
GREENWOOD COUNTY UNTIL 615 PM EDT...
At 545 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 22 miles north of Evans, or 5 miles south of
McCormick, moving east at 30 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Troy, Greenwood State Park, Ninety Six Historic Site, Ninety Six,
Lake Greenwood, Kirksey, Dyson, Callison, Epworth and Bradley.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 45 mph, half inch
hail and very heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour 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 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 900 PM EDT for
Upstate South Carolina.
LAT...LON 3398 8205 3399 8215 3397 8218 3399 8221
3399 8229 3397 8231 3398 8231 3421 8195
3419 8192 3418 8192 3418 8191 3415 8190
3413 8187 3410 8190 3409 8192 3404 8194
3396 8201 3395 8205
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 252DEG 24KT 3383 8228
HGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
549 PM EDT MON MAY 29 2017
NCZ068-508-292215-
Greater Rutherford NC-Cleveland NC-
549 PM EDT MON MAY 29 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
SOUTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD AND CLEVELAND COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM EDT...
At 549 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms with
intense lightning along a line extending from 6 miles northeast of
Rutherfordton to 3 miles southeast of Forest City, and moving east at
25 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Shelby, Forest City, Boiling Springs NC, Belwood, Lawndale, Patterson
Springs, Fallston, Polkville, Ellenboro and Lattimore.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph, half inch
hail and very heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour will be
possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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 900 PM EDT for
the Piedmont of North Carolina.
LAT...LON 3542 8146 3536 8140 3531 8137 3517 8147
3519 8193 3531 8186 3548 8196 3554 8152
TIME...MOT...LOC 2149Z 269DEG 23KT 3542 8187 3531 8180 3523 8186
HGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
550 PM EDT MON MAY 29 2017
NCZ069-070-292215-
Gaston NC-Lincoln NC-
550 PM EDT MON MAY 29 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
SOUTHEASTERN LINCOLN AND GASTON COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM EDT...
At 550 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 8 miles northwest of Gastonia, or 4 miles north of
Bessemer City, moving east at 35 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Gastonia, Mt Holly, Belmont, Bessemer City, Dallas, Stanley, Lowell,
Ranlo, High Shoals and Mcadenville.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 40 mph, half inch
hail and very heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour 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 900 PM EDT for
the Piedmont of North Carolina.
LAT...LON 3535 8096 3535 8097 3534 8099 3533 8098
3527 8102 3524 8101 3524 8132 3526 8132
3527 8135 3542 8137 3549 8095 3545 8094
3543 8096 3539 8095 3537 8099 3536 8097
3538 8096 3536 8092
TIME...MOT...LOC 2150Z 263DEG 31KT 3534 8127
HGThe Greer radar (KGSP), 115 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:06 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
County comms reported multiple trees blown down on Hovis Rd and on Rhyne St.
Public reported several trees blown down in the Lowesville area.
Public reported two large trees blown down.
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: 704609, 704611, 704599.