Scattered thunderstorms developed near the Blue Ridge during the early afternoon, organizing into clusters as they moved east/southeast. Multiple storms and clusters of storms produced brief severe weather, mainly in the form of damaging winds.
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 near the Blue Ridge during the early afternoon, organizing into clusters as they moved east/southeast. Multiple storms and clusters of storms produced brief severe weather, mainly in the form of damaging winds.
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 Jul 23, 1:38 PM EST, 1 hour 3 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
238 PM EDT Sun Jul 23 2017
.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will become stationary from west to east across our
region through the middle of the week then dissipate. This should
result in a little cooler temperature and better chances for rain
over the next few days.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 235 PM EDT Sunday: Convection will move off the Blue Ridge and
SE across the foothills and piedmont of the Carolinas and NE GA
through early evening. Some of these storms will be severe with
damaging downbursts the main threat but isolated large hail cannot
be ruled out. The NC Southern Piedmont and eastern Upstate look to
have the best chance of seeing severe storms given the movement of
the current broken line of severe storms. That said, there is plenty
of instability and DCAPE over NE GA and the western Upstate, so
those areas are vulnerable as well.
Convection diminishes this evening as the line moves SE of the area.
However, there will be more MCS convection moving into the NC
mountains overnight. The latest CAM guidance shows this convection
diminishing as it moves into the foothills and dissipating before
reaching the piedmont. Have followed these trends in the PoP
forecast. Mountain valley fog, some dense, is expected again and
locations outside of the mountains that receive rainfall may see
some as well. Lows will again be above normal but not quite as warm
as last night.
Convection redevelops Monday as outflow boundaries from the
overnight MCS move across the area. Coverage will be better along
and south of the I-85 corridor where the timing of the boundary
movement will coincide with the higher instability. North of the
corridor instability will be much less leading to only isolated
coverage at best. DCAPE and sfc delta theta-E values while still on
the high side, will not be as high as Sunday. Instability will reach
moderate levels but just barely. Therefore, the chance of severe
storms will be less but not non-existent. Highs will be in the lower
90s outside of the mountain, and while still humid, heat index
values should remain below 100.
&&
.SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 200 PM Sunday: A weak and nearly stationary cold front
will remain over central GA and SC Monday night into Tuesday,
immediately south of the CWFA. Aloft, we will remain somewhat
under the influence of the northeast CONUS trough, though
without significant embedded vorticity in play early in the
period. More abundant moisture will be present over the south,
near the front, which could increase cloud cover. But otherwise it
appears conditions will be close to climatology, with seasonably
modest instability and weak shear producing a small pulse severe
threat. Partial thicknesses change little from Monday, so max
temps should be similar.
Tuesday night, high pressure will shift into New England in the
wake of the upper trough. A weak upper low is shown to cut off
and remain over the Carolina coast, and allows enough vorticity
to persist over the area that isolated t-storms still could fire
overnight across mainly the Piedmont. The eastward push of the high
will bring cooler air south into the area, which virtually all
guidance indicates will knock max temps down to a couple degrees
below normal, in conjunction with increased cloud cover. Nonetheless
consensus SBCAPE values remain fairly large given still-elevated
sfc dewpoints and good lapse rates afforded by the upper low. PoPs
peak above climo and pulse threats return once again.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 145 PM Sunday: The medium range begins Wednesday evening with
a weak closed off 500mb low over the Carolinas and Georgia. As the
next northern stream shortwave crosses the Great Lakes on Thursday,
it kicks this weak low off to the east with the 500mb trough digging
over the East through the weekend. As the Great Lakes shortwave
moves to far eastern Canada, the associated cold front moves slowly
southeast. This front should be nearing the Ohio River early Friday.
As the front approaches from the north, frontal associated
convection will increase first across areas along and north of I-40
Friday afternoon and then spread across much of the rest of the area
Friday evening. The front becomes stationary west to east across our
region through the weekend. The eventual location of the axis of the
trough next weekend varies among the models. This axis location will
have significant influence on our weather. Also, mesoscale
convective systems are expected to develop near the Rockies or
northern Plains states and track southeast in the northwest 500mb
flow toward our region of the nation. Therefore, our weather will
remain unsettled through the weekend. Temperatures will be near
normal.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Line of convection developing across the NC
mountains and becoming strong to severe. Have gone pessimistic with
the TAFs in response and indicate VRB winds and TSRA in a TEMPO.
Storms could linger a while in the evening outside of the mountains
so have VFR VCTS in place. Guidance not very favorable for
restrictions outside of the mountain valleys overnight, so have
limited them to KAVL. That said, they will be possible as most
locations will receive rainfall. Scattered convection expected
Monday for all but KHKY. SW wind today becomes light overnight, then
W to SW for Monday.
Outlook: Increasing chances of convection expected through the
middle of next week ahead of a series of weakening cold fronts.
Overnight restrictions will continue in the mountain valleys with
chance increasing elsewhere.
Confidence Table...
18-24Z 00-06Z 06-12Z 12-18Z
KCLT High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KGSP High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KAVL High 100% High 100% High 92% High 96%
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...RWH
SHORT TERM...Wimberley
LONG TERM...DEO
AVIATION...RWHHazardous Weather Outlook...CORRECTED National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 557 AM EDT Sun Jul 23 2017 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065- 068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-241000- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-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-Union- Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-Greater Burke- McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell-Rutherford Mountains- Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk-Oconee Mountains- Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee- Greater Pickens-Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Cherokee-York- Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Chester-Greenwood- 557 AM EDT Sun Jul 23 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to develop across the area this afternoon into early evening. The air mass in place is expected to become moderately to highly unstable. Therefore, many of the storms may become severe, capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hail. This is in addition to the usual threat of cloud- to-ground lightning and locally heavy rainfall. While most of the activity will diminish after sunset, additional thunderstorms may move into western North Carolina from Tennessee and Virginia overnight, bringing a second round of thunderstorms producing lightning and gusty winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. ..Monday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. ..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. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. ARK
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
257 PM EDT SUN JUL 23 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0140 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 SSW RHODHISS 35.74N 81.44W
07/23/2017 BURKE NC BROADCAST MEDIA
TREES DOWN ON CAPE HICKORY CUTOFF ROAD.
&&
OUTLAWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
259 PM EDT SUN JUL 23 2017
NCZ036-056-057-069-071-231930-
Rowan NC-Iredell NC-Lincoln NC-Mecklenburg NC-Catawba NC-
259 PM EDT SUN JUL 23 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CATAWBA...
SOUTHEASTERN IREDELL...NORTHEASTERN LINCOLN...NORTH CENTRAL
MECKLENBURG AND SOUTHWESTERN ROWAN COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM EDT...
At 258 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from near Statesville to 11 miles southeast of Newton,
and moving southeast at 15 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Huntersville, Statesville, Cornelius, Mooresville, Davidson,
Westport, Troutman, Cleveland, Lake Norman and Lake Norman State
Park.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and half inch hail will be possible in these
areas.
LAT...LON 3551 8075 3551 8078 3549 8079 3548 8078
3541 8085 3556 8108 3580 8083 3570 8056
TIME...MOT...LOC 1858Z 301DEG 14KT 3575 8087 3556 8107
KRENTZSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
303 PM EDT SUN JUL 23 2017
SCZ001-002-005-006-010-231945-
Pickens Mountains SC-Greater Pickens SC-Anderson SC-
Oconee Mountains SC-Greater Greenville SC-
303 PM EDT SUN JUL 23 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL GREENVILLE...NORTH
CENTRAL ANDERSON...PICKENS AND NORTHEASTERN OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL 345
PM EDT...
At 302 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 10 miles north of Pickens to 13 miles north of
Walhalla, and moving southeast at 25 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Greenville Downtown, Easley, Pickens, Clemson, West Greenville,
Berea, Welcome, Powdersville, Central and Liberty.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and half inch hail will be possible in these
areas.
LAT...LON 3477 8289 3478 8288 3481 8289 3481 8290
3479 8292 3493 8305 3504 8272 3485 8234
3466 8279
TIME...MOT...LOC 1902Z 309DEG 36KT 3503 8276 3495 8297
KRENTZSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
306 PM EDT SUN JUL 23 2017
SCZ014-231930-
Chester SC-
306 PM EDT SUN JUL 23 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN CHESTER COUNTY UNTIL 330
PM EDT...
At 306 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southeast of Chester, or 6 miles northeast of Blackstock,
moving southeast at 40 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Chester, Great Falls, Richburg, Blackstock, Fishing Creek Reservoir,
Chester State Park and Cornwell.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and dime size hail will be possible in these
areas.
LAT...LON 3454 8088 3455 8097 3456 8119 3463 8128
3479 8109 3466 8089 3463 8090 3462 8089
3460 8089 3458 8088 3455 8087
TIME...MOT...LOC 1906Z 309DEG 36KT 3464 8111
KRENTZPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
307 PM EDT SUN JUL 23 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0250 PM HAIL ELLENBORO 35.33N 81.76W
07/23/2017 E1.00 INCH RUTHERFORD NC PUBLIC
QUARTER SIZED HAIL.
&&
OUTLAWPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
316 PM EDT SUN JUL 23 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0144 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 E FLETCHER 35.43N 82.47W
07/23/2017 HENDERSON NC FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
HOOPERS CREEK AREA HAS AT LEAST TWO TREES DOWN.
&&
OUTLAWThe Columbia radar (KCAE), 75 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:40 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
County comms reported multiple trees blown down just north of Cornwell.
Spotter reported a few trees blown down.
County comms reported a few trees blown down between Duncan and Moore.
EM reported parts of roofs were blown off of three warehouse-style commercial buildings in the Rock Hill area.
Public reported trees blown down along Highway 49 southwest of Union.
County comms reported two trees blown down.
Public reported part of the metal roof removed from a warehouse type building and a metal storage container blown over at a flea market on Highway 29.
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 historyWarnings in South Carolina, July 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 715451, 715452, 715454, 715453, 715455, 715458, 715457.