Scattered thunderstorms developed across the North Carolina foothills during the afternoon and moved southeast. One storm produced brief damaging winds in the Conover area.
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 across the North Carolina foothills during the afternoon and moved southeast. One storm produced brief damaging winds in the Conover area.
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 Aug 6, 1:53 PM EST, 50 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
253 PM EDT Mon Aug 6 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
A Bermuda high pressure pattern should linger across the region
through the early part of the week, allowing for seasonally warm
temperatures and scattered afternoon and evening showers and
thunderstorms. A cold front will eventually drop down across the
region during the middle part of the week, and is expected to stall
just to our south through late week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 230 PM: At the sfc, an ill-defined pressure field continues
to support light and variable winds around the area. Hot and muggy
conditions are reported on area obs sites with dewpoints still in
the lower 70s at many locations; mixing has brought values down into
the comparatively dry upper 60s at others. A weak upper ridge exists
aloft but is not enough to suppress convection given the exceptional
instability (3000 J/kg or more per SPC mesoanalysis). Scattered
storms have already popped up over the WNC mountain ridges, and
should propagate into the Piedmont through early evening, given
net west to northwest steering flow. DCAPE values are not very
impressive so the main threat this aftn/evening likely will be
slow-moving storms dumping heavy rain. Storm cores so far today
have been pretty high, if not small in diameter, so an isolated
severe gust or marginally severe hail could occur.
The upper ridge over the Southeast will flatten a little bit tonight
as a trough and cold front move thru the mid-Mississippi and Ohio
valleys. Weak flow will continue in the low levels and thermal
advection will remain basically neutral. The diurnally spawned
convection should diminish and/or propagate south of the CWFA by
late evening, and mid to upper level moisture decreases allowing
an opportunity for good radiation. Mountain valley fog is expected
once again along with some fog in the Piedmont as well. Mins will
be a little above normal on account of the humid conditions.
Little real change is seen in the pattern Tuesday. With the ridge
becoming slightly weaker, however, lapse rates are a little better
aloft and accordingly SBCAPE values progged by the NAM/GFS are
greater than depicted for today (Mon). Curiously, however, the
NAM, NAMNest, and GFS all develop considerably less convection
tomorrow compared to today. PoPs will accordingly be very similar
to today. Max temps will once again top out in the mid-upper 80s
in the mountain valleys, and lower 90s for the Piedmont.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 245 PM EDT Monday: The convection on Tuesday may bleed over
into Tuesday night before diminishing. We held onto POPS a little
longer in our eastern forecast area (FA), where the low level
convergence boundary taps into perhaps undisturbed instability. The
second area is in the mountains, but that should ramp down after
midnight.
How Wednesday plays out is interesting. It appears part of the
progressive upper trough passes by to our north, while some upper
level ridging sneaks back into the area. There will be a tail end to
the upper trough which will be approaching, but perhaps not as fast
as thinking earlier. Considering the amount of instability however,
height falls, a per frontal low level convergent zone, there should
be showers and thunderstorms ignited. The best chances will be in
our western FA, where more ingredients are in the place. As a result
we bring POPS up to likely. We kept our eastern and southern FA in
the chance category.
The tail end of the upper trough should ease into our area Wednesday
night into Thursday. This will be in tandom with the surface front,
converging with the pre low level wind shift, settling into our
region. Meanwhile with less of a northwesterly push it is likely the
surface front will become stationary or wavy, and ripples of energy
will ride along it. The upshot we settled POPS down in the chance or
slight chance category Wednesday night, and then upped them again
Thursday.
With moisture pooling along the wavy boundary, per latest PW data,
it is a signal for pockets of heavy rain. The models are still not
terribly excited but will monitor.
In the temperature department, since we kept our southern and
eastern parts of our FA on the low POP chance Wednesday, we brought
temperatures up into the lower and middle 90s. This then pushes heat
indices near 100 in spots Wednesday afternoon. Still very warm and
muggy in the mountains.
We have knocked temperatures back a few degrees based on the overall
thermal structure for Thursday.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 245 PM Monday: A mid level trof will be a persistent
feature for the extended period from Thursday night through the
weekend into Monday. A stalled surface boundary will also be in
the vicinity providing a focus for shower and thunderstorm
development. This will lead to a wetter period with chance to
likely Pops each day. Highs will be a little less hot than most
of this week due to cloud cover and rainfall.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Light and VRB winds are expected this aftn
and tonight. Low VFR cumulus will increase in coverage through
late aftn, with clouds thinning overnight. SCT TSRA this afternoon
has prompted the inclusion of TEMPOs at all terminals. Gusty
thunderstorm outflows, while not expected to be strong enough to
cause damage, will likely be the only significant winds early in the
period. Expect rapid WSHFTs as they blow through. Near daybreak,
MVFR patchy fog will develop across the region, with IFR expected
in mountain valleys. Tomorrow is similar to today in terms of
expectations. A PROB30 is already in the fcst at KCLT and KAVL.
Outlook: Typical mid-summer conditions are fcst the next several
days. Diurnal, scattered thunderstorms will continue mainly
in the afternoons, with coverage tending to increase toward the
weekend. Associated morning restrictions will be possible each day,
especially in mountain valleys.
Confidence Table...
19-01Z 01-07Z 07-13Z 13-18Z
KCLT High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KGSP High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KAVL High 100% High 100% High 90% High 96%
KHKY High 100% High 100% High 90% High 96%
KGMU High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KAND High 100% High 92% High 90% High 96%
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...SW
NEAR TERM...Wimberley
SHORT TERM...TS
LONG TERM...SW
AVIATION...WimberleyHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 459 AM EDT Mon Aug 6 2018 NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-503-505-507-509-070900- 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- 459 AM EDT Mon Aug 6 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the mountains of western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop across the North Carolina mountains this afternoon and evening. Any of these thunderstorms will have the potential to produce cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, locally heavy rainfall, and briefly gusty winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Thunderstorm coverage will increase across the area through the week. The daily thunderstorms will have the greatest coverage during the afternoon and evening hours and may produce cloud-to-ground lightning, heavy rainfall, and gusty winds. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-502-504- 506-508-510-SCZ001>014-019-070900- 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- 459 AM EDT Mon Aug 6 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, the foothills and piedmont of western North Carolina, and Upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop across the region this afternoon and evening. Any of these thunderstorms will have the potential to produce cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, locally heavy rainfall, and briefly gusty winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Thunderstorm coverage will increase across the area through the week. The daily thunderstorms will have the greatest coverage during the afternoon and evening hours and may produce cloud-to-ground lightning, heavy rainfall, and gusty winds. Additionally, heat index values will range from 95 to 100 degrees during the afternoon hours on Tuesday and Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. HG
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
143 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
NCZ035-056-501-502-061845-
Caldwell Mountains NC-Greater Caldwell NC-Alexander NC-Catawba NC-
143 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT NORTH
CENTRAL CATAWBA...WESTERN ALEXANDER AND EASTERN CALDWELL COUNTIES
UNTIL 245 PM EDT...
At 143 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 11 miles west of Boomer, or near Elkville, moving
southeast at 20 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Taylorsville, Hickory, Bethlehem, Cedar Rock, Lake Hickory, St.
Stephens, Kings Creek, Little River In Alexander County, Ellendale
and Millersville.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea size
hail and 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.
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 3610 8152 3610 8150 3609 8147 3609 8145
3607 8144 3607 8141 3605 8139 3604 8140
3602 8135 3600 8133 3603 8127 3603 8122
3593 8109 3574 8133 3606 8161 3611 8153
TIME...MOT...LOC 1743Z 320DEG 16KT 3607 8145
STUREYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
246 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
NCZ052-053-064-065-509-061915-
Buncombe NC-Transylvania NC-Haywood NC-Henderson NC-
Polk Mountains NC-
246 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
...A HEAVY RAIN SHOWER WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
NORTHEASTERN TRANSYLVANIA...HENDERSON...SOUTHEASTERN HAYWOOD AND
SOUTHWESTERN BUNCOMBE COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM EDT...
At 246 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a heavy rain shower with
intense lightning 9 miles northwest of Hendersonville, or near Mills
River, moving southeast at 15 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Hendersonville, Arden, Mills River, Fletcher, Flat Rock, Etowah,
Mountain Home, Laurel Park, Bent Creek and B.R. Parkway-Mount Pisgah
To The Nc Arboretum.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea size
hail 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.
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 3527 8229 3518 8246 3517 8249 3516 8250
3517 8250 3516 8253 3516 8255 3515 8257
3515 8258 3551 8284 3562 8263
TIME...MOT...LOC 1846Z 325DEG 12KT 3540 8261
RWHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
250 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
NCZ035-502-504-061915-
Greater Burke NC-Greater Caldwell NC-Alexander NC-
250 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
ALEXANDER...SOUTHEASTERN CALDWELL AND EASTERN BURKE COUNTIES UNTIL
315 PM EDT...
At 250 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 7 miles east of Lenoir, or near Cedar Rock, moving
southeast at 15 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Lenoir, Taylorsville, Sawmills, Granite Falls, Bethlehem, Hudson,
Hildebran, Rhodhiss, Cedar Rock and Hickory Regional Airport.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea size
hail 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.
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.
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 3582 8107 3581 8108 3579 8113 3583 8114
3583 8116 3580 8134 3577 8135 3570 8142
3592 8155 3601 8133 3600 8133 3603 8127
3604 8119 3603 8117 3604 8113 3603 8107
3605 8103
TIME...MOT...LOC 1850Z 325DEG 12KT 3591 8141
RWHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
316 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
SCZ002-003-005-006-061945-
Pickens Mountains SC-Greater Pickens SC-Greenville Mountains SC-
Greater Greenville SC-
316 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL GREENVILLE AND
NORTHEASTERN PICKENS COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM EDT...
At 315 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles northeast of Pickens, or 5 miles southwest of Slater-Marietta,
moving southeast at 15 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Greenville Downtown, Easley, West Greenville, Taylors, Berea,
Welcome, Travelers Rest, Slater-Marietta, Paris Mountain State Park
and Cherrydale Point.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea size hail 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.
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 3500 8271 3510 8253 3490 8229 3480 8247
3482 8248 3482 8249 3478 8258
TIME...MOT...LOC 1915Z 325DEG 12KT 3499 8257
RWHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
335 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
NCZ036-057-062000-
Rowan NC-Iredell NC-
335 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
NORTHEASTERN IREDELL AND NORTHWESTERN ROWAN COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM
EDT...
At 335 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 6 miles northeast of Statesville, moving southeast
at 10 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Statesville, Cleveland, Cooleemee, Mount Ulla, Turnersburg, Woodleaf,
Cool Springs and Piedmont Research Station.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea size
hail 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.
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.
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 3562 8068 3579 8091 3594 8079 3592 8070
3585 8070 3586 8069 3585 8067 3584 8067
3584 8063 3582 8061 3583 8060 3582 8059
3582 8057 3580 8055
TIME...MOT...LOC 1935Z 301DEG 9KT 3583 8078
RWHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
339 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
NCZ035-056-062015-
Alexander NC-Catawba NC-
339 PM EDT MON AUG 6 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT CENTRAL
CATAWBA AND SOUTHWESTERN ALEXANDER COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM EDT...
At 339 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 4 miles east of Hickory, or near Conover, moving
southeast at 10 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Hickory, Newton, St. Stephens, Conover, Bethlehem, Maiden, Claremont,
Catawba, Lookout Shoals Lake and Mountain View.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea size
hail 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.
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.
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 3580 8108 3578 8111 3577 8110 3577 8109
3576 8109 3574 8107 3571 8107 3571 8100
3555 8113 3556 8122 3568 8139 3590 8123
TIME...MOT...LOC 1939Z 301DEG 9KT 3572 8126
RWHThe Greer radar (KGSP), 131 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:44 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
EM reported multiple trees blown down on the north side of Conover, with a tree down on a mobile home on County Home Rd and several trees blocking I-40 near mile marker 132.
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, August 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: 779857.