A line of showers and thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front pushes across Upstate South Carolina during the afternoon. In addition to locally damaging winds, several brief, weak tornadoes touched down, including a fatal tornado in Union 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 showers and thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front pushes across Upstate South Carolina during the afternoon. In addition to locally damaging winds, several brief, weak tornadoes touched down, including a fatal tornado in Union 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 Apr 3, 10:17 AM EST, 2 hours 14 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1117 AM EDT Mon Apr 3 2017
.SYNOPSIS...
A strong upper level system and associated cold front will move
northeast and east of our region tonight. Weak high pressure crosses
our area Tuesday and Tuesday night. A strong cold front approaches
on Wednesday preceded by another round of showers and thunderstorms.
Expect much below normal temperatures at the end of the week with
snow showers in the North Carolina mountains.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
1100 AM EDT Update...Conv coverage is beginning to increase in
coverage across the wrn zones. Good cloud cover has kept the
atmos stable and expect llvl moist adv to maintain clouds along
the ne/ly propagating warm front thru the early afternoon.
Thunder has been minimal and short-lived as instability remains
elevated and shallow. However...there are stronger fast moving
SPS type storms developing across the sw/rn zones in higher sfc
td/s. A more organized squall line still looks good to track
east across the FA beginning aft 18z wrn zones and exiting east
of the I-77 corridor arnd 22z. The best sfc-based instability
will develop across the srn zones in diff heating...mainly along
and south of the I-85 corridor. With high levels of 0-1km
SRH...a 50kt-60kt llvl jet and increasing upper dynamics...this
line of storms will be capable of producing large
hail...damaging winds and perhaps a few tornadoes thru the
afternoon...again mainly along and south of I-85
As of 630 AM EDT Monday: All in all the fcst continues to look
good regarding timing of convection through the day per latest
CAM guidance. Starting to see light upglide/upslope shra on
radar as expected, thus the low end pops along the southern/central
escarpment remain valid. Otherwise, tweaked t/td and sky to account
for recent ob/sat trends and left the remainder of today's fcst
as it was.
As of 330 AM EDT Monday: An active weather day in store across
northeast GA and the western Carolinas. The upper pattern
this morning is highlighted by an open H5 low rotating over the
Southern Plains, while an amplified ridge axis moves east atop
the Appalachians to setup along the east coast. At the surface,
a region of cyclogenesis beneath the aforementioned H5 low has led
to broad baroclynicity over the Deep South where a cold front is
moving into the MS River valley, and a warm front pushes northward
approaching the I40 corridor. Meanwhile to the east, a broad yet
weak sfc anticyclone dominates the pattern across the Mid Atlantic,
which has worked to keep flow over the Carolinas somewhat backed
through early morning. That said, this pattern is modifying at
this time as sfc plots across the Midlands now feature veer sely
flow and recovering dewpoints. With that, low stratus has spread
across the region thanks to a decoupled PBL and the aforementioned
moisture advection. Guidance continues to favor development of
Blue Ridge Escarpment showers over the next few hours via upsloping
processes, thus low end pops were included.
The real story of the day however will be the evolution of the
MLC mentioned above, and any associated convection. Currently,
convection continues across the Lower MS River valley consequent
of ample sfc buoyancy and modest upper jet divergence. As the
warm front spreads further to the north, additional instability
will be uncovered across north/central AL/GA as the current Gulf
coastal MCS races east. This will lead to additional development
north of I20 across AL/GA where guidance favors a linear squall.
Timing the movement of the prefrontal squall line, and any
potential pre squall discrete cells is in question as the CAM
guidance is significantly faster than the operational guidance.
Given the consensus of the CAM guidance, the fcst leaned heavily
on said timing, while also considering the potential for said
discrete cells. Thus, the fcst will feature pops ramping up
through morning, however sharply after sunrise where the HighRes
windows as well as the HRRR suggest development of discrete tsra
developing along and behind the intruding warm front across the
Upper Savannah River Valley. If this occurs, these cells will race
to the northeast oriented along the I85 corridor, however possibly
struggling to survive initially as instability will suffer thanks
to abundant stratus thus limiting insolation. As the morning
unfolds, any convection is expected to gain strength as additional
instability develops thanks to any heating and warm frontal surge,
especially once the squall line arrives over the western tier
of the cwfa just before noon. This line will be rather robust
given ample upper support and uncovered sfc based cape upwards
of 1k j/kg, especially along/south of I85. Shear continues to
impress as sfc flow remains backed to the sse ahead of the line
beneath a strong 50-60kt swly llv jet max, all yielding long right
turning hodographs and llv srh reaching near 5-6 hundred m2/s2.
Therefore, any of the deeper convection could and likely will
exhibit rotation, leading to the potential of embedded supercells.
The primary threats today will be damaging winds and large hail,
with an isolated tornado threat maximized along/south of I85
consequent with the best shear/instability overlapping. In addition
to this, deep synoptic lift amongst moist profiles will lead to
the potential of heavy rainfall, however any flash flooding threat
should remain confined to the escarpment given upsloping potential,
as well as any localities that experience cell training. SPC has
downgraded the outlook for today to a slight risk, primarily due
to uncertainty of pre squall discrete cells, and faster timing
which will negate better heating induced instability.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 320 AM Monday, the very active pattern will continue through
the week, with a smorgasbord of weather expected during the middle
part of the week and continuing into the medium range.
Much of Tuesday will be dry and very warm, as strong westerly flow
develops across the area in the wake of departing occluded front.
Max temps are expected to be 10-15 degrees above normal: in the mid
70s across the mountain valleys, and upper 70s to lower 80s across
the Piedmont and foothills. The dry and unseasonably warm weather
continues into Tue night before the bottom drops out again on
Wed...
Most deterministic guidance are again trending faster regarding the
onset of precip chances on Tuesday, igniting convection along a
developing warm front across the Gulf Coast states between 06 and
12Z Wed, and spreading it quickly northeast into much of the western
Carolinas and northeast GA through the morning and early afternoon.
The good news is that this faster timing could reduce the chances of
severe convection somewhat, as the atmosphere would have
insufficient time to destabilize significantly. Indeed, the latest
NAM, which is the fastest of the operational models does not develop
positive surface-based instability until Wed evening, ahead of an
advancing cold front. Nevertheless, there is still plenty of
uncertainty regarding the exact timing of precip and the existence
of any instability. Heavy rainfall also looks to be a growing
concern, as unseasonably high PWATs and healthy elevated instability
will be feeding this convection. The silver lining in this regard is
that areas south of I-85 appear to be the most likely heavy rain
target, and these are not the areas that have (nor are expected to)
receive the heaviest rainfall in the days leading up to this event.
As mentioned above, guidance is in pretty good agreement in allowing
some pre-cold front surface-based instability to develop from our
forecast area westward into the TN Valley late Wed into Wed evening.
In fact, the NAM in particular explodes convection along the front
across the southern Appalachians Wed evening and spreads it across
the forecast area through the overnight. If a similar scenario were
to unfold, this may prove to be the period having the greatest
mid-week severe weather threat, not to mention a continued flooding
threat.
Finally, there appears to be the potential for strong gradient winds
on Thursday, as strong cold advection overspreads the area in the
wake of the cold front. A westerly pressure gradient is advertised,
and this pattern tends to bring strong winds to the Upstate
Piedmont. Would not be surprised if a wind advisory becomes
necessary for part of the area on Thursday. Developing moist W/NW
flow across the TN Valley and southern Appalachians should result in
shower generation across the mtns throughout Thu, some of which
could spill out into the Piedmont, especially with the cold core of
an upper low passing over the region. Pops will therefore be
maintained throughout the day. Falling freezing levels could result
in some snow shower activity across the high elevation by the end of
the day.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 350 AM Monday, The main story of the medium range will be the
potential for accumulating northwest flow snow across the mtns and
unseasonably cool temperatures in the early part of the period, as a
cold upper trough slides across the region. The most likely period
for accumulating snow showers would be Thu night into Friday. The
most likely areas to see decent accumulations will be across the
high elevations near the Tennessee border, but even the lower
valleys across the far western mtns could see some light amounts.
Snow showers should gradually taper off Friday night/early Saturday.
Meanwhile, all areas should see temps 10-15 degrees below normal Fri
and Fri night before conditions begin to moderate later in the
period. Frost concerns could creep up for portions of the Piedmont
and foothills over the weekend.
&&
.AVIATION /15Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
At KCLT and Elsewhere: Still looking like a convectively active
and restrictive taf cycle ahead for all sites featuring VFR/MVFR
and even IFR/LIFR. All tafs will initialize IFR through the first
few hours before briefly improving to MVFR ahead of convection.
Meanwhile, the deep upper low centered over the central CONUS
will continue tracking east/northeast with an associated cold
front and vast prefrontal convection moving across the southeast.
With that, CAM guidance continues to favor an accelerated time
table for convection across all terminals, however still possibly
in two waves. The initial wave looks to develop out ahead of a
squall line in the form of discrete cells across the lower I85
corridor region. Said cellular activity is expected struggle at
first by slowly intensify as it moves up the I85 corridor to affect
the SC sites and KAVL. Meanwhile the squall line will trail the
discrete convection by about 1-2 hours and will affect all sites.
Therefore all tafs feature increasing wx mention into mid/late
morning eventually giving way to tsra tempos to account for the
first wave, then leading into prevail tsra for approx 1-2 hours as
the squall line passes through the region. All timing is still
based on a CAM guidance consensus, and is reflected accordingly
at each site. Any of the aforementioned convection could, and
likely will reach severe limits at times with large hail and
damaging winds being the primary concerns on the whole. However,
further south amongst a more unstable airmass and enhanced llv srh,
a tornado threat will exist and should be considered.
Outlook: Expect brief drying on Tuesday, with another low pressure
system and associated restrictions possibly impacting the area
from late Wednesday into Thursday.
Confidence Table...
15-21Z 21-03Z 03-09Z 09-12Z
KCLT High 94% High 83% Med 74% High 93%
KGSP High 89% High 92% Med 70% High 100%
KAVL High 100% High 90% Med 72% High 100%
KHKY High 85% High 81% Med 79% High 91%
KGMU High 90% High 90% Med 70% High 100%
KAND High 94% High 90% Med 64% High 98%
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...JDL
NEAR TERM...CDG/SBK
SHORT TERM...JDL
LONG TERM...JDL
AVIATION...CDGHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 1134 AM EDT Mon Apr 3 2017 GAZ010-017-018-SCZ001>009-041545- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains- Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens- Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Cherokee-York- 1134 AM EDT Mon Apr 3 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. A potent upper level system will drive a cold front through the region today. Ample instability and high shear will lead to a slight risk of severe thunderstorms. A squall line will move through region this afternoon precluded by a few discrete cells. The primary threats with any severe thunderstorms will be damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall, and isolated tornadoes. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. ..Tuesday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. ..Wednesday...Severe weather possible. Another strong upper level system will affect the region Wednesday afternoon and evening. Another round of isolated severe thunderstorms is expected. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes could occur once again. The thunderstorm threats will come to an end by early Thursday morning with the passage of a cold front. ..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. NCZ036-056-057-062>065-068>072-082-504-506>510-041545- Iredell-Catawba-Rowan-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson- Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union-Greater Burke- Eastern McDowell-Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford- Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk- 1134 AM EDT Mon Apr 3 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina and western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. A potent upper level system will drive a cold front through the region today. Ample instability and high shear will lead to a slight risk of severe thunderstorms. A squall line will move through region this afternoon and evening, with the primary threats being damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall, and perhaps an isolated tornado. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. ..Tuesday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. ..Wednesday...Severe weather possible. Another strong upper level system will affect the region Wednesday afternoon and evening. Another round of isolated severe thunderstorms is expected. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes could occur once again. The thunderstorm threats will come to an end by early Thursday morning with the passage of a cold front. ..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. NCZ033-035-037-048>053-058-059-501>503-505-041545- Avery-Alexander-Davie-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe- Graham-Northern Jackson-Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell- Burke Mountains-McDowell Mountains- 1134 AM EDT Mon Apr 3 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina and western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. A potent upper level system will drive a cold front through the region today leading to isolated to scattered thunderstorms, some of which could become severe. Instability will be lowest across regions of western North Carolina along and north of Interstate 40. Therefore the risk for severe thunderstorms in marginal for these locales. Any severe thunderstorms that do develop will present primary threats of damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. ..Tuesday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. ..Wednesday...Severe weather possible. Another strong upper level system will affect the region Wednesday afternoon and evening. Another round of isolated severe thunderstorms is expected. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes could occur once again. The thunderstorm threats will come to an end by early Thursday morning with the passage of a cold front. ..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. GAZ026-028-029-SCZ010>014-019-041545- Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Union-Chester- Greenwood- 1134 AM EDT Mon Apr 3 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. A potent upper level system will drive a cold front through the region today. Ample instability and high shear will lead to an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms. A squall line will move through region this afternoon precluded by a few discrete cells. The primary threats with any severe thunderstorms will be damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall, and isolated tornadoes. The threat for isolated tornadoes is highest for this region. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. ..Tuesday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. ..Wednesday...Severe weather possible. Another strong upper level system will affect the region Wednesday afternoon and evening. Another round of isolated severe thunderstorms is expected. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes could occur once again. The thunderstorm threats will come to an end by early Thursday morning with the passage of a cold front. ..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
1040 AM EDT MON APR 3 2017
GAZ018-026-028-031515-
Hart GA-Franklin GA-Stephens GA-
1040 AM EDT MON APR 3 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH GUSTY WINDS AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING
WILL IMPACT FRANKLIN...EASTERN STEPHENS AND HART COUNTIES UNTIL 1115
AM EDT...
At 1040 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 6 miles west of Danielsville, or near Ila, moving
northeast at 60 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Hartwell, Carnesville, Toccoa, Royston, Reed Creek, Lavonia, Gumlog,
Canon, Franklin Springs and Bowersville.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3427 8312 3424 8317 3424 8325 3426 8330
3423 8335 3426 8334 3433 8339 3439 8338
3446 8339 3464 8326 3461 8323 3461 8316
3458 8316 3448 8304 3447 8300 3449 8291
3446 8286 3443 8285 3423 8306 3423 8308
TIME...MOT...LOC 1440Z 203DEG 57KT 3415 8333
HGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1107 AM EDT MON APR 3 2017
SCZ001-004-005-010-031530-
Greater Pickens SC-Greater Oconee SC-Anderson SC-Oconee Mountains SC-
1107 AM EDT MON APR 3 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
NORTHWESTERN ANDERSON...SOUTHWESTERN PICKENS AND SOUTHEASTERN OCONEE
COUNTIES UNTIL 1130 AM EDT...
At 1106 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 12 miles southwest of Seneca, or near Tugaloo State
Park, moving northeast at 65 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Clemson, Seneca, Walhalla, Central, Pendleton, Westminster, Lake
Hartwell, Lake Keowee, Townville and Sandy Springs.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3448 8304 3450 8306 3450 8307 3452 8309
3453 8308 3453 8310 3456 8313 3456 8314
3460 8317 3460 8316 3461 8319 3472 8317
3489 8302 3465 8267 3449 8290 3448 8299
3447 8300
TIME...MOT...LOC 1506Z 207DEG 60KT 3453 8308
HGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1238 PM EDT MON APR 3 2017
GAZ010-017-018-026-NCZ062-SCZ001-031715-
Franklin GA-Rabun GA-Stephens GA-Habersham GA-Macon NC-
Oconee Mountains SC-
1238 PM EDT MON APR 3 2017
...A CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN FRANKLIN...
STEPHENS...HABERSHAM...RABUN...MACON AND WESTERN OCONEE COUNTIES
UNTIL 115 PM EDT...
At 1238 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated the leading edge of a cluster
of thunderstorms along a line extending from 5 miles southeast of
Andrews to 4 miles east of Cleveland to 4 miles southeast of
Gainesville, and moving northeast at 45 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Toccoa, Franklin, Clayton, Clarkesville, Carnesville, Cornelia,
Baldwin, Demorest, Mount Airy and Highlands.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and very heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches
per hour 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.
&&
LAT...LON 3521 8372 3533 8334 3486 8303 3460 8317
3456 8314 3425 8325 3423 8335 3446 8340
3449 8354 3443 8362 3450 8367 3454 8362
3465 8366 3473 8362 3480 8368 3488 8366
3499 8355 3500 8348 3515 8365 3516 8374
TIME...MOT...LOC 1638Z 242DEG 37KT 3514 8375 3459 8368 3425 8378
MOORESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
115 PM EDT MON APR 3 2017
GAZ018-026-028-SCZ001-004-010-031800-
Hart GA-Franklin GA-Stephens GA-Greater Oconee SC-Anderson SC-
Oconee Mountains SC-
115 PM EDT MON APR 3 2017
...A CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT FRANKLIN...STEPHENS...
HART...WEST CENTRAL ANDERSON AND OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL 200 PM EDT...
At 114 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated the leading edge of a cluster
of thunderstorms along a line extending from 3 miles northeast of
Toccoa to 10 miles north of Carnesville to 4 miles northeast of
Commerce, and moving northeast at 45 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Toccoa, Seneca, Hartwell, Walhalla, Carnesville, Royston,
Westminster, Reed Creek, Lavonia and Gumlog.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and pea size hail 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.
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.
Lake Hartwell is in the path of these storms. Cloud to ground
lightning and gusty winds will create dangerous boating conditions.
Move to shore immediately.
&&
LAT...LON 3423 8301 3423 8308 3427 8312 3424 8317
3424 8325 3426 8330 3423 8335 3426 8334
3433 8339 3469 8334 3471 8335 3495 8292
3482 8290 3479 8288 3474 8290 3473 8286
3464 8283 3463 8285 3462 8283 3421 8298
TIME...MOT...LOC 1714Z 241DEG 45KT 3463 8330 3451 8329 3425 8340
MOORESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
120 PM EDT MON APR 3 2017
GAZ010-NCZ059-062>064-SCZ001-031800-
Rabun GA-Transylvania NC-Southern Jackson NC-Northern Jackson NC-
Macon NC-Oconee Mountains SC-
120 PM EDT MON APR 3 2017
...A CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EASTERN RABUN...
SOUTHEASTERN MACON...SOUTHWESTERN TRANSYLVANIA...JACKSON AND NORTHERN
OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL 200 PM EDT...
At 120 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated the leading edge of a cluster
of thunderstorms along a line extending from 10 miles east of
Franklin to 8 miles southeast of Clayton, and moving northeast at 40
mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Cullowhee, Highlands, Cashiers, Lake Toxaway, Lake Glenville, Devils
Fork State Park, Gorges State Park, Oconee State Park, Lake Jocassee
and B.R. Parkway-Black Balsam To Mount Pisgah.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and very heavy rainfall rates up to 2 inches
per hour 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.
&&
LAT...LON 3526 8327 3541 8305 3534 8297 3532 8296
3530 8291 3525 8286 3506 8289 3504 8292
3501 8291 3501 8293 3499 8294 3495 8291
3472 8334
TIME...MOT...LOC 1720Z 244DEG 35KT 3523 8321 3479 8330
MOOREThe Greer radar (KGSP), 76 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:33 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind, 6 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Public reported multiple large trees blown down in the West Union community.
NWS storm survey and em reported numerous trees blown down due to downburst winds, with one tree on a house and multiple other homes receiving mostly minor damage due to falling limbs. The damage was mainly from Wood St, across Meredith St, to Fernway Dr.
NWS Storm survey found a short tornado path within large area of downburst damage in central. The tornado very briefly touched down near the intersection of Joseph St and Wood St, bringing down dozens of trees in a wooded area behind residences.
Media reported multiple trees blown down in Starr.
NWS storm survey determined a tornado touched down in eastern Pickens County near Saluda Dam and Pistol Club Roads, downing trees, damaging outbuildings, and ripping metal sheeting off roofs at a farm site. Some minor structural damage, mainly in the form of missing shingles, occurred to a nearby house. The tornado weakened as it moved E/NE and may have lifted briefly before crossing into Greenville County at Saluda Lake.
A weak tornado moved into the Berea area, crossing from Pickens County at Saluda Lake. Multiple trees were blown down, with trees down on vehicles and a trailer on White Horse Rd.
Various sources reported multiple large trees blown down in the Paris Mountain area, particularly along State Park Rd, where metal roofing was also removed from a barn. More sporadic tree damage was reported across the Eastside to the Five Forks area. One tree fell on a vehicle near the intersection of Five Forks Rd and Woodruff Rd.
Public reported multiple trees blown down in the Brockman Rd area, with a couple on houses.
Public reported more than a dozen trees blown down along Farmer Rd, with media reporting siding and shingle damage to homes in the same area. Public also reported siding and shingle damage to homes in the area around New Cut Rd and Gowan Rd.
NWS storm survey found a tornado path that roughly paralleled Owens Rd, touching down just east of highway 14 and lifting after about 3/4 mile. Most of the damage consisted of downed trees, but some Minor Structural damage occurred, mainly in the form of minor roof damage. One tree fell on a mobile home.
NWS Storm survey found the path of an EF1 tornado that began around healing springs Church Road and Eaves Road, moving northeast between these Two Roads, then lifting near the intersection of Eaves Rd and old highway 176. A mobile home on Eaves Rd was overturned off its frame and flipped multiple times. A 65-year-old male occupant of the home was killed.
NWS storm survey found an area of downburst wind damage that began about 100-200 yards south of a short tornado track and continued E/NE north of Carlisle. Multiple trees were blown down, with at least one tree down on a vehicle.
County comms reported scattered trees blown down across the county.
NWS survey team reported a weak tornado touched down briefly, knocking down a few trees.
Spotter reported multiple trees blown down on Calvary Church Road.
EM reported part of the roof was blown off a bank on Church St and metal roofing removed from a building on Beltline Rd. Numerous trees were also blown down across the city.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado, Union | 2017-04-03 | 65 | Male | Mobile/Trailer Home | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Carolina in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for South Carolina, 2017Warnings in South Carolina, April 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: 697673, 690888, 690882, 690889, 690883, 690884, 693252, 693250, 693251, 690886, 690887, 690890, 693249, 696529, 693248, 693247.