An isolated thunderstorm moved into Elbert County from the west during the evening. The storm was responsible for brief 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.
An isolated thunderstorm moved into Elbert County from the west during the evening. The storm was responsible for brief 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 21, 6:38 PM EST, 2 hours 13 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
738 PM EDT Sat Jul 21 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
A broad upper low will settle across the Deep South through early
next week. This low will remain nearly stationary through midweek
and support moist unsettled weather across the region.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 730 PM EDT Saturday: Several storms out there at update time
and have adjusted pops to account for current trends and CAM
forecasts over the next few hours. Increased pops for Sunday as well
based on updated trends along the Blue Ridge. Other updates this
evening are for aviation parameters.
Otherwise, water vapor imagery and RAP heights placed the 500 mb
closed low center near the IL/IN/MI border this afternoon, with
drier mid-level air wrapping around the associated trough and across
the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia. Very good insolation
developed late this morning into this afternoon behind the departing
daybreak rain areas, and LAPS surface based CAPE values have
gradually returned to 1500 to 2500 J/kg across northeast GA and the
western Upstate. RAP and NAM profiles are very unstable this
afternoon, especially across our southern parts, where sbCAPE values
reach some 3000 to 4000 J/kg. The convection-allowing models have
not been terribly consistent on placement or timing, but the general
consensus is that enough triggering will take place as vorticity
lobes round the trough axis to generate scattered to numerous
thunderstorms later this afternoon and this evening. These
thunderstorms will grow in an enviroment with 7+ deg C/km mid-level
lapse rates and approximately 30 to 35 kt of sfc-6 km bulk shear.
This should be sufficient to warrant a Slight risk of severe
thunderstorms across our southern half, with a Marginal risk across
the northern part. Rotating updrafts will support mainly a damaging
wind and large hail threat. The consensus HRRR/NAMnest solution has
mountain triggering overcoming a weak cap circa 19Z, with activity
then developing and spreading quickly east of the mountains through
evening, moving east of the I-77 corridor by midnight. PoPs will
generally follow this trend.
Otherwise, the vertically stacked low pressure system will slowly
pivot southward toward the Ohio River Valley later tonight through
Sunday. Q-vector divergence will continue east of the deepening
trough axis mainly along the I-40 corridor. Reasonably steep 6 to
6.5 deg C/km lapse rates continue on Sunday east of the upper
trough. This will warrant at scattered south to numerous north
coverage again, with mainly a diurnal focus Sunday afternoon.
Temperatures should be at least a category below climo Sunday
afternoon.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 130 PM EDT Saturday: Active weather is likely to continue for
the period from Sunday night through Tuesday. The synoptic scale
feature of interest acrs the eastern CONUS will be the slowly
filling and southward sinking closed upper low. With the mean
southerly flow atop the region deepening on Monday, expect an influx
of higher PWAT values leading to numerous if not widespread
diurnally enhanced deep convection with a heavy rain possibility
especially from the Blue Ridge to the piedmont. Widespread clouds
and showers should aid in max temperatures topping out around 5 deg
F below climo. It does not look like the sensible wx will change
very much through Tuesday, lingering rich PWAT values and a broad
SSEly flow feeding moisture into the Southern Appalachians. Expect
another day of deep convection becoming numerous to widespread with
the ongoing chance of locally excessive rainfall.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 115 PM Saturday: A weakening ulvl trof will linger over the
region thru the first half of the ext range before becoming sheared
out Fri into Sat. This synoptic scenario is well agreed upon by the
op models with the GFS holding onto a pocket of stronger vort energy
a little longer into Fri. At the sfc...broad low pressure will allow
for continued e/ly Atl moist flux early Wed before the deep layered
flow calms and becomes sw/ly in the lower levels Wed night thru the
period. This will lower any flooding potential as sustained mech lift
is reduced...however PWAT values will remain quite high allowing for
high rainfall rates associated with afternoon pulse convec. With
high cloud cover and decent coverage of precip...max temps will
remain a cat or so below normal with normal levels likely returning
Fri/Sat. Mins will remain a little abv normal each morning.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
At KCLT and Elsewhere: Widespread convection coming off the Blue
Ridge this evening has so far missed most of the TAF sites, though
GSP is showing VCTS and got pretty close to KHKY. Have continued
VCTS or TEMPO TSRA for the next few hours, trending into VFR
overnight. Increasing moisture may lead to a brief period of MVFR
cigs around sunrise, but the bigger concern will be the increasing
chances of convection on Sunday. Have introduced PROB30s where there
wasn't one before and expanded the one previously introduced for
KCLT. Expect mainly southwest winds, with low end gusts at times,
and a shift to NW flow at KAVL late.
Outlook: An active/wet period is expected to continue from late
Sunday through the middle part of next week as a slow-moving storm
system impacts much of the East. Numerous showers and thunderstorms
are expected during this period. While there will likely be an
afternoon/evening peak in coverage on most days, higher-than-normal
chances will also exist during the overnight and morning hours.
Confidence Table...
23-05Z 05-11Z 11-17Z 17-18Z
KCLT High 100% High 100% Med 66% High 100%
KGSP High 100% High 100% High 94% High 100%
KAVL High 100% Med 75% Med 64% High 100%
KHKY High 100% High 100% Med 75% 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...SBK
NEAR TERM...HG/TDP
SHORT TERM...CSH
LONG TERM...SBK
AVIATION...TDPHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 550 PM EDT Sat Jul 21 2018 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ068>070-507>510-SCZ001>014-019-222200- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Cleveland-Lincoln- Gaston-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-Union-Chester-Greenwood- 550 PM EDT Sat Jul 21 2018 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 300 IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT SUNDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South 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. Thunderstorms will continue to develop and expand in coverage across the region into this evening. Some of these storms may become severe. The most likely hazards will be damaging winds, large hail, frequent lightning, and minor flooding from heavy rainfall. An isolated tornado will also be possible, mainly east of the Blue Ridge. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. ..Sunday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. ..Monday...Heavy rain possible. A persistent moist southeasterly flow will increase the risk for heavy rainfall across the area starting late Monday and continuing through Wednesday. ..Tuesday...Heavy rain possible. ..Wednesday...Heavy rain possible. ..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>065-071-072-082-501>506-222200- Avery-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood- Buncombe-Catawba-Rowan-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon- Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union- Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-Greater Burke- McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell- 550 PM EDT Sat Jul 21 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina and western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Thunderstorms will continue to develop and expand in coverage across the region into this evening. Some of these storms may become severe. The most likely hazards will be damaging winds, large hail, frequent lightning, and minor flooding from heavy rainfall. An isolated tornado will also be possible, mainly east of the Blue Ridge. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. ..Sunday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. ..Monday...Heavy rain possible. A persistent moist southeasterly flow will increase the risk for heavy rainfall across the area starting late Monday and continuing through Wednesday. ..Tuesday...Heavy rain possible. ..Wednesday...Heavy rain possible. ..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.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
905 PM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0830 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 WNW SARATT 34.92N 81.63W
07/21/2018 CHEROKEE SC 911 CALL CENTER
911 CALL CENTER REPORTED TREES DOWN IN THE FAR
SOUTHERN PART OF CHEROKEE COUNTY. TIME ESTIMATED FROM
RADAR.
&&
LECSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
908 PM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
SCZ001-004>006-010-220145-
Greater Pickens SC-Greater Oconee SC-Anderson SC-Oconee Mountains SC-
Greater Greenville SC-
908 PM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL GREENVILLE...
NORTHERN ANDERSON...SOUTHERN PICKENS AND SOUTHERN OCONEE COUNTIES
UNTIL 945 PM EDT...
At 908 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from near Easley to 10 miles northeast of Toccoa, and
moving southeast at 25 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Easley, Clemson, Seneca, Walhalla, Simpsonville, Welcome,
Powdersville, Piedmont, Central and Pendleton.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and dime size hail will be possible in these
areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.
Dime to nickel size hail can cause considerable damage to vehicles.
Consider moving vehicles to a covered storage area before the storm
arrives.
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.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 200 AM EDT for
northeastern Georgia...and Upstate South Carolina.
LAT...LON 3483 8290 3481 8290 3484 8284 3488 8260
3473 8221 3455 8311 3474 8333
TIME...MOT...LOC 0108Z 298DEG 22KT 3481 8259 3470 8323
08PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
922 PM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0650 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SSW RUTHERFORDTON 35.35N 81.97W
07/21/2018 RUTHERFORD NC 911 CALL CENTER
911 CALL CENTER REPORTED TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN
NEAR RUTHERFORDTON. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
&&
LECPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
930 PM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0555 PM TSTM WND DMG GREEN HILL 35.41N 82.04W
07/21/2018 RUTHERFORD NC 911 CALL CENTER
911 CALL CENTER REPORTED TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN IN
THE GREEN HILL AREA. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
&&
LECPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
949 PM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0938 PM HAIL ANDERSON 34.52N 82.65W
07/21/2018 E1.00 INCH ANDERSON SC SOCIAL MEDIA
&&
TPALMERPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
950 PM EDT SAT JUL 21 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0931 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 NW WILLIAMSTON 34.66N 82.55W
07/21/2018 ANDERSON SC LAW ENFORCEMENT
SCHP REPORTED A TREE DOWN AT SPEARMAN RD AND CHEROKEE RD
0930 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 ENE SENECA 34.71N 82.91W
07/21/2018 OCONEE SC AMATEUR RADIO
AMATEUR RADIO REPORTED TREES DOWN ON FOREST DR AT
CREEKSIDE DR. TIME ESTIMATED FORM RADAR.
0900 PM TSTM WND DMG 9 W PIEDMONT 34.71N 82.62W
07/21/2018 ANDERSON SC LAW ENFORCEMENT
SCHP REPORTED A TREE DOWN AT 725 PICKENS DR. TIME
ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
&&
LECThe Greer radar (KGSP), 104 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:50 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
County comms reported several trees blown down across Brad Dixon Rd.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, July 2018
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: 775573.