A strong cold front moved across the region during the early morning hours of May 5th. Widespread Winds damage occurred in associated with the storms, along with one tornado in Granville 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 RAH wrote it up.
A strong cold front moved across the region during the early morning hours of May 5th. Widespread Winds damage occurred in associated with the storms, along with one tornado in Granville 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 Raleigh, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 5, 1:00 AM EST, 8 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 200 AM EDT Fri May 5 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A strong cold front will surge east across the region this morning, moving offshore by early afternoon. An upper level trough will remain across the area through the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /TODAY/... As of 200 AM Friday... The isolated tornado risk will most likely be extended beyond the current Tornado Watch time in our Coastal Plain counties. Widespread showers/rain continued over the NW-N Piedmont keeping this region relatively stable compared to the areas to the south and east of the Triad. The juicy air with dew points at 70 was getting pulled in from the Atlantic with the strong SE low level flow into the current Tornado Watch area. This region, including the Coastal Plain will be the main areas of concern as the bands of showers/isolated thunderstorms move NE across the region this morning. The Hi-Res HRRR has been keying in on a couple of bands of convection that warrant attention. They were moving into our SW-S Piedmont counties currently. A few damaging wind events and possibly a tornado will be the main hazards. The threat may extend westward a few counties from where the Tornado Watch is currently located (from Albemarle to Raleigh to Roanoke Rapids and areas east. The final band, associated with the cold front, will effective shut down the isolated tornado/wind damage threat. Timing of that cold front (which was at 200 am tracking through the GSP area of SC) should be at or very near the Triangle and Fayetteville around 12Z, then our far eastern Coastal Plain before noon. This is supported by the latest Hi-Res guidance / operational GFS/EC. The mid level dry slot and cold front will end the main convection as mentioned this morning. This afternoon, central NC will be in the dry slot with variably cloudy skies. Highs generally 70-75. Winds will shift to the SW behind the front at 15-25 mph with gusts to 30+ mph. Tonight, expect partly to variable cloudy skies as the mid/upper low tracks NNE up the spine of the central and northern Appalachians. The only chance of showers appears to be near the Mountains or closer to the upper low. Otherwise, POP will be NIL. Much cooler and less humid - lows in the 40s. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 305 PM Thursday... Ongoing convective band/QLCS associated with the strong southerly warm conveyor feed(effective lead front)will exit the coastal plain counties/I-95 corridor between 12 to 15z, marking the end of the locally damaging winds and isolated tornado threat across central NC. Once this convective band moves offshore, it should be mostly dry for the remainder of the day with only isolated/slight chance of showers as the upper low moves jogs slowly eastward, de-amplifying into an open wave trough as it finally swings east through the area through overnight. Under a mixture of clouds and sun(cloudier in the west in proximity to the upper low),highs Friday will range from mid/upper 60s NW to mid 70s east. Trailing sfc cold front, marking the leading edge of the cooler air will move east through the area during the late afternoon early evening. Much cooler Friday night with overnight lows in the mid/upper 40s NW to lower 50s east. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 305 PM EDT Thursday... On the heels of lead upper low/wave lifting out of the area, another potent upper wave will dive south, reinforcing the upper trough over the region. Isolated to scattered showers will be possible over the area Saturday afternoon/evening owing to strengthening DCVA as the cold core(H5~ -23 to 26 C) rotates east through the region. Otherwise, it will remain dry with a prolong period of cooler weather(~10 degrees below normal) underneath the negative H5 anomalies(-2 to -3 SD) over the Mid-Atlantic region. Highs in the mid 60s north lower 70s south. Lows in the lower 40s north to mid/upper 40s south. By mid to late week, there is increasing model spread and decreasing forecaster confidence in the evolution of the omega block across the CONUS. Given the blocky pattern, will favor a slower eastward progression of the omega block, with the potential for the upper low to wobble/gyrate over the NE US and Mid-Atlantic regions through late next week. As such, under the continued influence of the upper low/trough, temperatures are expected to remain at or below normal with the potential for disturbances in the deep NW flow aloft to bring scattered rain chances to the area Wednesday and into Thursday. && .AVIATION /06Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 145 AM Friday... 24-Hour TAF period: IFR conditions, mainly ceilings, are expected through around 12Z as widespread rain and embedded convective elements move across central NC. Winds increase with height to 45kts at 5K feet, so scattered showers and thunderstorms could produce gusts as high as 35kts. Conditions will improve fairly quickly from west to east...~12Z west to ~16Z in the east...as a cold front sweeps out the moisture. Initial southeast winds sustained at 10- 15kts at issuance will veer to southerly by 12Z, then southwest by 15Z behind the front, and continue through 00Z with gust diminishing thereafter. Looking ahead: scattered showers and associated MVFR conditions may re-develop again Saturday and Sunday aft/eve as the upper trough over the eastern US amplifies in response to additional shortwave energy pushing a reinforcing cold front across the area. VFR conditions are anticipated Monday through Wednesday as the upper trough lifts NE away from the region. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...Badgett NEAR TERM...Badgett SHORT TERM...CBL LONG TERM...CBL AVIATION...MLM
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Raleigh NC 854 PM EDT Thu May 4 2017 NCZ007>011-021>028-038>041-043-073>076-083-084-051000- Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance- Orange-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Wake- Wilson-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Anson-Richmond- 854 PM EDT Thu May 4 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. A few storms this evening and overnight could become strong to severe, with a primary threat of isolated tornadoes and damaging winds. The threat for an isolated tornado will be greatest south and east of the Triangle. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ042-077-078-085-086-088-089-051000- Johnston-Harnett-Wayne-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson- 854 PM EDT Thu May 4 2017 ...TORNADO WATCH 194 IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM EDT FRIDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central 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. Tornado Watch. A few storms this evening and tonight could become severe, with a primary threat of isolated tornadoes and damaging winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed this evening through the overnight hours.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1039 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017
NCZ083-084-050330-
Richmond NC-Anson NC-
1039 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017
...A strong thunderstorm will affect portions of Richmond and eastern
Anson Counties Until 1130 PM EDT...
At 1038 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
near Cheraw, moving north at 40 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Rockingham, Wadesboro, Hamlet, Ansonville, Ellerbe, Dobbins Heights,
Lilesville, Morven, McFarlan and Diggs.
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.
Doppler radar has indicated weak rotation with this storm. If the
storm intensifies and rotation strengthens, a warning may need to be
issued.
&&
A tornado watch remains in effect until 300 AM EDT for central North
Carolina.
LAT...LON 3481 8011 3513 8014 3516 7982 3506 7959
3481 7973
TIME...MOT...LOC 0238Z 193DEG 36KT 3463 7995
GIHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1159 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017
NCZ075-086-050430-
Hoke NC-Moore NC-
1159 PM EDT THU MAY 4 2017
...A heavy shower with gusty winds will affect portions of
northwestern Hoke and southeastern Moore Counties Until 1230 AM
EDT...
At 1158 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking A heavy shower 7 miles
southeast of Aberdeen, or 8 miles northwest of Raeford, moving north
at 40 mph.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with this shower.
Locations impacted include...
Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Whispering Pines, Vass, Cameron and Ashley
Heights.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This shower may intensify into a thunderstorm, so be certain to
monitor local radio stations and available television stations for
additional information and possible warnings from the National
Weather Service.
Doppler radar has indicated weak rotation with this shower. If the
it intensifies and rotation strengthens, a warning may need to be
issued.
&&
A tornado watch remains in effect until 300 AM EDT for central North
Carolina.
LAT...LON 3509 7942 3540 7936 3531 7919 3527 7922
3524 7917 3521 7915 3521 7912 3505 7918
3501 7930
TIME...MOT...LOC 0358Z 191DEG 36KT 3509 7930
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1211 AM EDT FRI MAY 5 2017
NCZ024-025-040-050500-
Chatham NC-Durham NC-Orange NC-
1211 AM EDT FRI MAY 5 2017
...A heavy shower with gusty winds will affect portions of
northeastern Chatham...southwestern Durham and southeastern Orange
Counties Until 100 AM EDT...
At 1209 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a heavy shower with gusty
winds and weak rotation 7 miles east of Pittsboro, moving north at
30 mph.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with this shower.
Locations impacted include...
Durham, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Carrboro, Crosswinds Boating
Center, Crosswinds Campground, Eno River State Park, Parkwood, Jordan
Lake State Rec Area and Bynum.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This shower may intensify into a thunderstorm, so be certain to
monitor local radio stations and available television stations for
additional information and possible warnings from the National
Weather Service.
Doppler radar has indicated weak rotation with this shower. If the
it intensifies and rotation strengthens, a warning may need to be
issued.
&&
A tornado watch remains in effect until 300 AM EDT for central North
Carolina.
LAT...LON 3607 7884 3587 7889 3587 7891 3584 7891
3579 7893 3573 7895 3569 7904 3576 7916
3610 7913 3612 7897
TIME...MOT...LOC 0409Z 189DEG 27KT 3575 7905
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1252 AM EDT FRI MAY 5 2017
NCZ043-078-050530-
Wayne NC-Wilson NC-
1252 AM EDT FRI MAY 5 2017
...A heavy shower with gusty winds and weak rotation will affect
portions of northeastern Wayne and southeastern Wilson Counties
Until 130 AM EDT...
At 1250 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a heavy shower near
Fremont, or 8 miles northeast of Goldsboro, moving north at 30 mph.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with this shower.
Locations impacted include...
Wilson, Stantonsburg, Black Creek, Saratoga, Eureka and Willbanks.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This shower may intensify into a thunderstorm, so be certain to
monitor local radio stations and available television stations for
additional information and possible warnings from the National
Weather Service.
Doppler radar has indicated weak rotation with this shower. If the
shower intensifies and rotation strengthens, a warning may need to
be issued.
&&
A tornado watch remains in effect until 300 AM EDT for central North
Carolina.
LAT...LON 3557 7782 3545 7783 3543 7789 3549 7797
3579 7794 3580 7777 3573 7772 3568 7767
TIME...MOT...LOC 0450Z 194DEG 25KT 3548 7790
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
135 AM EDT FRI MAY 5 2017
NCZ042-077-089-050615-
Johnston NC-Sampson NC-Harnett NC-
135 AM EDT FRI MAY 5 2017
...A heavy shower with gusty winds and weak rotation will affect
portions of southwestern Johnston...northwestern Sampson and east
central Harnett Counties Until 215 AM EDT...
At 133 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking A heavy shower 11 miles
northwest of Clinton, moving north at 35 mph.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with this shower.
Locations impacted include...
Dunn, Benson, Salemburg and Spivey's Corner.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Doppler radar has indicated weak rotation with this shower. If this
shower intensifies and becomes a thunderstorm, and rotation
strengthens, a warning may be issued.
&&
A tornado watch remains in effect until 300 AM EDT for central North
Carolina.
LAT...LON 3506 7860 3538 7863 3544 7848 3537 7837
3504 7843 3501 7849
TIME...MOT...LOC 0533Z 179DEG 29KT 3510 7849
26The Columbia radar (KCAE), 156 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:05 UTC.
72 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were reported down on both lanes of Griffin Green Boulevard.
Multiple trees were reported down across the county, including Bill Curllee Road and Highway 742.
Numerous trees were reported down in Albemarle, focused near Pee Dee Avenue and East Main Street.
One tree fell onto a home at New Castle Court. The tree crashed through the roof of the house.
One tree was reported down on 5th Avenue.
One tree was reported down blocking one lane of North Carolina Highways 49 and 109.
Trees were reported down on Gravel Hill Road at Johnson Farm Road.
Trees and power lines were reported down on North Carolina Highway 47 at Valley Farm Road, blocking both lanes.
One tree was reported down on Eugene Street and Friendly Avenue.
One tree was reported down on Bells Grove Road near new Hope Road.
Trees were reported down on Waynick Meadow Road at Oak Grove Church Road.
One tree was reported down on Old Highway 49 at Jackson Creek Road.
Trees were reported down on High Pine Church Road near Lassiter Mill Road.
Power pole and power lines were reported down on Old North Carolina Highway 49 near Moore Road.
A car crashed into a downed tree on Sawyersville Road near Moore Road.
Trees were reported down on Mount View Church Road at Old Lexington Road.
One tree was reported down on Flint Hill Road.
Several trees were reported down on Fuller Mill Road at Old Post Office Road.
One tree was blown down on Freeman Electric Road.
Trees and power lines were reported down near the intersection of Beckerdite Road and Brookshire Court.
Trees were reported down on Beeson Farm Road at Edgar Road.
Trees were reported down on Mechanic Road, Granville Road and Lofin Road.
One tree was reported down on Pine View Road near Lazy Pine Road.
Two trees were reported down on Cotton Creek Road.
One tree was reported down on New Salem Road near Business Highway 220.
One tree was reported down near the intersection of Gold Hill Road and Old Liberty Road.
Trees and power lines were reported down near the intersection of Cox Street and Main Street.
One tree was reported down on a home at 179 Kindley Road.
Three trees were reported down on Stratford Drive, some on cars. Power lines were also reported down at this location.
One tree was reported down on a home near Landis Drive and Jackson School Road.
More than two dozen trees were reported down across Guilford County, along with a half dozen trees on homes.
One tree was reported near State Route 42.
One tree was reported down on Plank Road.
One tree was reported down on North Carolina Highway 49 at Thornbrook Road.
Trees and power lines were reported down on Lanes Mill Road near the intersection of Old Coleridge Road.
One tree was reported down at the intersection of Short Street and Neal Street.
One tree was reported down at Wendover Road and Holden Road.
One tree was reported down an North Church Street at Highway 150.
One tree was reported down near the intersection of Spoon Lane and Timber Ridge Lake Road.
One tree was reported down on Durham Street Extension.
One tree was reported down on White Rock Road.
One tree was reported down on Glendon Carthage Road.
One tree was reported down on Glendon Carthage Road north of Carthage.
One tree was reported down on Edwards Road.
Two trees were reported down at the intersection of Carolina Mill Road and Carolina Road.
One tree was reported down on Manns Chapel Road.
One tree and power lines were reported down on Lystra Road near Lystra Preserve Drive.
One tree was reported down on Park Drive.
One tree was reported down at White Cross Road and Old Greensboro Road.
One tree was reported down at the intersection of Hopewell Drive and Pickett Road.
A car crashed into a tree that was reported down on Garrett Road.
Power lines and one tree were reported down at the intersection of Helena-Moriah Road and Surl Mount Tizrah Road.
One tree was reported down at 4200 Brentwood.
One tree was reported down on Highway 53 and Johnson Road.
One tree was reported down at Wade Stedman and North Carolina Highway 24.
One tree was reported down at 6569 Maxwell Road.
One tree was reported down on 24th Street.
One tree was reported down on Salem Road and Martin Luther King Junior Avenue.
One tree was reported down in Benson.
At approximately 5:21 AM EDT, a tornado developed in a heavily wooded area just north of Winding Oak Road, where it produced extensive tree damage consisting of uprooted hardwood trees and snapped softwood trees. The tornado moved northeast, crossing some open fields and then caused a concentrated area of damage to two |nearby homes near 6639 Horner Siding Road. The majority of the structural damage at this location was a result of fallen trees onto homes and outbuildings. Additionally, there was some minor siding damage to one of the homes and the roof of an outbuilding was blown off. The tornado crossed Horner Siding Road where it quickly dissipated in an open field at approximately 5:22 AM EDT. There were no fatalities or injuries. Monetary damages were estimated.
Several trees were reported down around Clinton, including one tree down on a house on Edgar Street.
Multiple trees were reported down in Four Oaks.
One tree was reported down in Wilson Mills.
Trees were reported down on North Carolina Highway 39 near Townsville.
Several trees were reported down in Middlesex, including one tree downed on Taylors Mill Road.
A shed was destroyed off of Sam Adams Road near Highway 97.
Several trees were reported down around Nashville, including one tree on a car.
One tree was reported down on Haynes Road.
One tree was reported down near the intersection of East Langley Road and North United States Highway 301.
One tree was reported down on West Hillardston Road.
Multiple trees were reported down in the area.
One tree was reported down on railroad tracks near Weldon.
One tree was reported down on a road near United States Highway 301.
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: 697131, 697132, 697133, 701154, 701155, 701165, 701168, 701177, 701401, 701432, 701435, 701434, 701440, 701442, 701443, 701438, 701417, 701423, 701416, 701419, 701437, 701191, 701424, 701430, 701431, 701425, 701426, 701402, 701414, 701411, 701412, 701845, 701459, 701864, 701865, 701855, 701444, 701446, 701861, 701445, and more.