Isolated afternoon thunderstorms developed over the North Carolina Piedmont in association with a frontal zone and area of low pressure. One of the storms produced brief wind damage in Cabarrus County.
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The episode as NWS GSP wrote it up.
Isolated afternoon thunderstorms developed over the North Carolina Piedmont in association with a frontal zone and area of low pressure. One of the storms produced brief wind damage in Cabarrus 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 24, 1:35 PM EST, 2 hours 54 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
235 PM EDT Tue Apr 24 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
A slowly moving low pressure system will exit our region by
late tonight. The atmosphere will dry briefly Wednesday before
another moist area of low pressure crosses the region Thursday
through early Saturday. High pressure builds across our area by the
end of the weekend.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 215 pm: Upper low can be seen in the latest water vapor
imagery wobbling E/SE across the Ohio/Tenn Valleys early this
afternoon. A weak surface low persists across the upper Savannah
River Valley, with a boundary extending east across northern SC.
Weak instability has developed in the vicinity of and south of this
boundary, where temps warming into the 70s have combined with
dewpoints in the 60s to yield sbCAPE of 500-1000 J/kg per the latest
SPC mesoanalysis. Scattered deep convection has been developing in
the vicinity of the boundary throughout the day and a gradual
increase in intensity has been noted over the past hour or so. The
trend suggests at least a few thunderstorms should develop during
mid/late afternoon.
Otherwise, precip remains most concentrated near the eastern Blue
Ridge in response to a persistent SE upslope flow, although the
conveyor belt is showing some signs of weakening, probably due to
weakening of the upslope component. Overall coverage of shower
activity is expected to gradually diminish into the evening, as
upper low continues to wobble toward the Southern Appalachians,
allowing the low level flow to continue to weaken while shifting to
more of a downslope regime. Some ongoing minor flooding supports
continuation of the Flood Watch through 4pm across portions of the
NC Blue Ridge.
The surface low will move east of the area tonight, ahead of the
upper low which is forecast to move across western NC overnight. The
result will be shunting of the deeper moisture to our east and north
as the low level flow turns NW/downslope. Precip probabilities
should therefore become increasingly confined to light shower
chances along the TN border, which will persist into Wed, while
skies should begin clearing east of the mtns late tonight through
the morning. Tonight's min temps should be a category or two above
climo in most areas, while highs tomorrow are forecast to be close
to normal.
&&
.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 220 PM EDT Tuesday: the short term fcst picks up at 00z on
Thursday with a brief flattening of the upper pattern before another
upper trof digs down across Southern Arkansas. The trof axis is
expected to lift up and over the CWFA late Thurs into early Fri as
another trof dives down the backside of the broader upper trof.
This second trof axis is not expected to reach the fcst area until
early Sat, which is just beyond the short term period. At the sfc,
the large low that has been impacting our region will finally lift
northward and over New England. In the low's wake, weak high pressure
will briefly move over the area from the northwest. The high will be
short-lived as another low develops to our west and approaches the
fcst area Thurs afternoon. The operational models are now in much
better agreement with the timing and placement of this low. It is
expected to move over the CWFA late Thurs/early Fri and lift north
of the area late Friday. As for the sensible fcst, PoPs were increased
for the later half of Thurs as the deeper moisture associated with
the low overspreads the CWFA. They remain high thru early Fri morning
and then taper off during the rest of the day. Some sfc-based instability
is present Thurs afternoon/evening, especially over our southern and
eastern zones, so isolated to scattered thunder is included over those
areas. High temps will be about a category below normal for Thurs and
near normal for Fri. Lows are expected to remain a few degrees above
climatology both days.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 230 PM Tuesday: The extended forecast starts at 00z Saturday
with yet another potent shortwave trough rounding the base of the
mean longwave trough over the Southeast states. The medium range
guidance is still not in good agreement on the details of this wave.
The 12z EC still is the further south and least phased of the
deterministic models. It takes the wave all way to the FL Panhandle.
This results in a relatively dry soln. The 12z GFS still on the
wetter side of guidance, keeping showery wx for the area on Saturday
with the shortwave tracking right thru the Carolinas. For now, the
WPC preference is toward the EC soln, and results in only SLGT CHC
PoPs for Saturday. Temps will be near normal.
From Sunday onward, conditions look dry with temps warming above
normal for the start of next week. The eastern trough should finally
start to shift east and an upper ridge will build in from the west.
By next Tuesday, the models are in decent agreement on a fairly
amplified western trough and eastern ridge pattern across the
country. Sfc high pressure will dominate our weather for Monday and
Tuesday.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Scattered to numerous showers continue to
fire this afternoon along and north of a surface boundary extending
across northern SC, with activity primarily concentrated across the
NC foothills in response to a SE upslope flow. An area of weak
instability has developed in the vicinity and especially south of
the boundary, and the intensity of showers has been gradually
increasing over the pass hour or so in these areas. Would expect at
least a few of these to develop into TS, with the best chance for TS
existing at KAND and KCLT, where tempos for -TSRA are carried for a
while this afternoon into the evening. Otherwise, IFR to lMVFR
clouds will persist north of the boundary through much of the
afternoon, although we do expect most sites in these areas to lift
above the IFR level by mid-afternoon. As the flow begins to turn
around to more of a downslope regime, cigs may improve to VFR (or
even scatter by late evening), although ample low level moisture
could allow stratus and/or fog to fill back in overnight, but
overall confidence in flt conditions is fairly low tomorrow morning.
generally E/NE winds will gradually weaken through the evening while
turning toward the NW at most terminals.
Outlook: After very brief drying Wednesday, moisture and unsettled
weather may quickly return Wednesday night into Thursday as a trough
of low pressure redevelops across the eastern part of the country. A
drier cold front will likely cross the region by the early weekend.
Confidence Table...
18-24Z 00-06Z 06-12Z 12-18Z
KCLT Med 79% High 86% Med 70% Med 68%
KGSP High 83% High 89% High 84% High 100%
KAVL High 94% High 85% High 86% Med 74%
KHKY Med 68% High 80% Med 61% Med 70%
KGMU Med 76% High 93% High 88% High 86%
KAND High 80% High 99% 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...Flood Watch until 4 PM EDT this afternoon for NCZ033-049-050-
053-064-065-501>507-509.
SC...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...Carroll
NEAR TERM...JDL
SHORT TERM...JPT
LONG TERM...ARK
AVIATION...JDLHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 422 PM EDT Tue Apr 24 2018 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-502-504- 506-508-510-SCZ001>014-019-252030- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell- Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus- Union-Greater Caldwell-Greater Burke-Eastern McDowell- Greater Rutherford-Eastern Polk-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains- Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens- Greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville- Laurens-Chester-Greenwood- 422 PM EDT Tue Apr 24 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Moderate rainfall will continue at times over the area this evening. Isolated flooding may develop in low-lying and flood prone areas. In addition, isolated to scattered thunderstorms may develop and produce occasional cloud-to-ground lightning and gusty winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. ..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. ..Monday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Skywarn spotters are requested to forward any reports of hail, damaging winds, and flooding to our office. NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-503-505-507-509-252030- Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Graham- Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson- Caldwell Mountains-Burke Mountains-McDowell Mountains- Rutherford Mountains-Polk Mountains- 422 PM EDT Tue Apr 24 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Moderate rainfall will continue at times over the area tonight. Isolated flooding may develop in low-lying and flood prone areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. ..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. ..Monday...No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Skywarn spotters are requested to forward any reports of flooding to our office. JPT
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
443 PM EDT TUE APR 24 2018
NCZ071-242115-
Mecklenburg NC-
443 PM EDT TUE APR 24 2018
...A THUNDERSTORM WITH TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL IMPACT MECKLENBURG
COUNTY UNTIL 515 PM EDT...
At 442 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a thunderstorm with
torrential rainfall near Uptown Charlotte, or near Central Charlotte,
moving northeast at 20 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Uptown Charlotte, Huntersville, Central Charlotte, South Charlotte,
Northeast Charlotte, Southwest Charlotte, East Charlotte, Northwest
Charlotte, Mint Hill and Pineville.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3501 8085 3511 8093 3510 8094 3517 8101
3525 8101 3534 8098 3536 8092 3538 8096
3537 8097 3539 8097 3539 8095 3541 8096
3544 8095 3530 8067 3526 8066 3523 8059
3522 8060
TIME...MOT...LOC 2042Z 225DEG 15KT 3519 8089
ARKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
516 PM EDT TUE APR 24 2018
NCZ071-072-242145-
Mecklenburg NC-Cabarrus NC-
516 PM EDT TUE APR 24 2018
...A THUNDERSTORM WITH TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL IMPACT CENTRAL
CABARRUS AND NORTHEASTERN MECKLENBURG COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM EDT...
At 515 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a thunderstorm with
torrential rainfall 8 miles northeast of Uptown Charlotte, or over
Reedy Creek Park, moving northeast at 20 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Downtown Concord, Kannapolis, Northeast Charlotte, East Charlotte,
West Concord, Mint Hill, Harrisburg, Reedy Creek Park, Charlotte
Motor Speedway and UNC Charlotte.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3525 8046 3520 8054 3521 8055 3517 8059
3512 8068 3530 8084 3551 8079 3551 8074
3533 8041
TIME...MOT...LOC 2115Z 234DEG 18KT 3528 8071
ARKThe Greer radar (KGSP), 148 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:28 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Ham Radio operator reported a couple of trees and some power lines blown down on Hudspeth Road. A small tree was also downed closer to the Speedway.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, April 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: 753368.