Scattered to numerous thunderstorms developed across western North Carolina throughout the afternoon and evening. Several of the storms produced brief severe weather in the form of damaging wind gusts.
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 to numerous thunderstorms developed across western North Carolina throughout the afternoon and evening. Several of the storms produced brief severe weather in the form of damaging wind gusts.
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 Jun 1, 1:48 PM EST, 1 hour 17 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
248 PM EDT Fri Jun 1 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
A moist airmass will persist through the weekend keeping a chance of
showers and thunderstorms in the forecast. A drier and seasonable
air mass will arrive behind a passing cold front early next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 230 pm: The diurnal convective cycle remains slow to get
started this afternoon, probably due to residual thermo and dynamic
effects of the MCS that dissipated across the southern Appalachians
early today (a reservoir of slightly lower dewpoints developed
across the heart of the CWA earlier this afternoon, but it's showing
signs of giving way). In fact, even the cu field is looking very
uninspired in visible satellite imagery early this afternoon.
Nevertheless, CAM guidance continues to initiate some cells within
weak lee trough across the NC foothills and far western Piedmont
within the next couple of hours. Meanwhile, convection continues to
expand along remnant outflow boundary and just north of robust CAPE
axis across NW Georgia and northern AL. This activity should
continue to push steadily east, and probably reach the Upper
Savannah River Valley during late afternoon. Would expect the high
terrain to eventually get in on the act as well, but CAMs remain
quite stingy with any ridge top development, so the highest pops (50
percent) will be reserved for the SC/GA border areas and the NC
Piedmont.
Deep layer shear will begin increasing from the west this evening,
but for the most part, severe convective mode should be limited to
pulse cells, or perhaps some small-scale multicell clustering. In
terms of any lingering hydro threat, it's looking more and more as
if the better coverage will remain east and south of the areas with
the most dire antecedent conditions, which is certainly good news,
but still cannot completely rule out a risk of localized flash
flooding.
Convection will diminish this evening in typical fashion, although a
low level NW flow developing in the wake of a mid-level short wave
trough could allow for the occasional shower along the Tennessee
border. Min temps will continue to run a few degrees above normal.
With weak subsidence developing downstream of a TN/OH Valley short
wave ridge, along with weak downslope flow, deep convection may
initially have a tough go of it on Saturday. However, forecast
soundings indicate more than ample instability, with little
inhibition. As such, scattered convection should eventually fire
along across the ridge tops and move southeast, warranting 30-50
pops across the mountains, and 20-30 across the Piedmont. max temps
will be similar to today's readings.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 2:35 PM Friday: The first part of this forecast cycle should
feature an end to lingering showers and thunderstorms Saturday
evening. This is a result of the diurnal cycle ending and the first
upper level trough shifting off to the east.
We may have a short period of upper level ridging late Saturday
night into Sunday morning. But that will be short lived as a second
trough digs rapidly (northwesterly flow aloft )into our forecast
area (FA), roughly late Sunday morning into Sunday evening. This
upper level trough will be accompanied by a secondary cold front.
The combination of frontal convergence and a decent lobe of energy
with the system, should tap residual moisture allowing for updrafts
and scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop. CAPES remain
very respectable, between 1000-2000 J/KG, and 0-6km bulk shear is up
at around 30 kts. However, there is a fair amount of inhibition, and
potential warm layer persisting. We have edged the POPS Sunday up
slightly and will watch for later changes in the convective
parameters.
The showers and thunderstorms should wane Sunday evening, with dry
conditions by Monday morning.
We should remain generally under a northwest flow aloft Monday with
dry conditions. The exception might be in our northern NC mountains
with a cool pool, and a combination of lingering moisture. As a
result we will carry a few showers Monday afternoon.
Final note on the shower and thunderstorm potential in this period:
it appears showers and thunderstorms will be moving along, based on
sounding information. However we will monitor any slowing of the
showers and storms which might cause a local flash flood threat.
In the temperature department, the thermal profiles are showing a
nice warm-up Sunday, before the frontal passage. Following into
Monday we should shave at least a few degrees (at least) in
comparison to Sunday.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 200 PM Friday: Much drier air continues to filter across the
region Monday night and Tuesday on both the GFS and ECMWF. The GFS
has surface high pressure centered over the SE States late Tuesday.
A backdoor cool front drops down mid week but timing is different
from GFS and EC. The EC keeps us dry through the late week although
low pressure over north Florida to offshore SC brings some moisture
near piedmont at the end of the week. The GFS now has increasing
moisture late in the week with the backdoor front stalling over our
area Thursday with a shortwave dropping down from NW on Friday with
good coverage of convection to start the weekend. Since this is the
first run with this increased moisture, will hold off and only
increase POPs just a tad. Temps near normal.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: The convective cycle has been slow to get
going across the area this afternoon, and based upon the appearance
of the cumulus field, we're probably still a couple of hours or so
away from seeing any appreciable coverage of showers and storms. I
still think we'll see scattered coverage develop across the
foothills/far western Piedmont by mid-afternoon, which will then
move east to impact locations near KCLT by late afternoon/early
evening. This is the only site that receives a tempo for TSRA. With
less certainty elsewhere, the convective mention is limited to VCTS
from 20Z/21Z into the evening hours. Convection will diminish by
late evening. Occurrence of fog and/or low stratus late tonight/
early Saturday will hinge largely on which, if any sites receive
significant rainfall later today. Since that's not at all clear, no
overnight restrictions are carried attm. SW winds at around 10 kts
are expected through the evening at most sites, becoming light
overnight before shifting to the W/NW tomorrow morning.
Outlook: Scattered afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms,
along with possible morning fog at a few locations and/or low cigs
are possible each day through Sunday night. Drier high pressure will
build in from the NW Monday, resulting in even less chances for
convection and restrictions thru the middle of next week.
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 96% High 99%
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...JDL
SHORT TERM...TS
LONG TERM...DEO
AVIATION...JDLHazardous Weather Outlook...CORRECTED National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 514 AM EDT Fri Jun 1 2018 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065- 068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-020900- 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- 514 AM EDT Fri Jun 1 2018 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 across the area this afternoon and evening. In addition to the continued threat of localized flash flooding, a few of the storms will be capable of producing severe weather in the form of damaging downburst winds and large hail. Frequent cloud to ground lightning will be possible with any storm. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. ..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. ..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. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
321 PM EDT FRI JUN 1 2018
NCZ502-504-011945-
Greater Burke NC-Greater Caldwell NC-
321 PM EDT FRI JUN 1 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN CALDWELL AND EAST
CENTRAL BURKE COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM EDT...
At 320 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles southwest of Lenoir, or near Gamewell, moving east at 25 mph.
Other thunderstorms will develop across the foothills of North
Carolina through the afternoon hours, some of which will probably
become severe.
Locations to be impacted include...
Lenoir, Morganton, Sawmills, Granite Falls, Valdese, Gamewell,
Hudson, Cajah's Mountain, Drexel and Connelly Springs.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph, pea size hail and very heavy rainfall rates
up to 2 inches per hour 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.
This storm 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.
&&
LAT...LON 3601 8133 3575 8138 3573 8139 3574 8168
3590 8172 3594 8166 3601 8151 3602 8134
TIME...MOT...LOC 1920Z 259DEG 24KT 3585 8161
MOORESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
347 PM EDT FRI JUN 1 2018
NCZ502-504-012015-
Greater Burke NC-Greater Caldwell NC-
347 PM EDT FRI JUN 1 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN CALDWELL AND CENTRAL
BURKE COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM EDT...
At 347 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles north of Morganton, or near Gamewell, moving east at 20 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Lenoir, Morganton, Sawmills, Granite Falls, Valdese, Gamewell,
Hudson, Icard, Cajah's Mountain and Drexel.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph, pea size hail and very heavy rainfall rates
up to 2 inches per hour 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.
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.
This storm 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.
&&
LAT...LON 3600 8133 3592 8134 3589 8133 3582 8134
3580 8133 3579 8135 3577 8135 3576 8137
3568 8143 3569 8176 3589 8174 3594 8166
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 263DEG 19KT 3585 8166
MOOREThe Greer radar (KGSP), 123 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:02 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Ham radio operator reported several trees blown down around the Highway 18 and Rocky Road area.
County comms reported a few trees blown down on Jack McKinney Rd near Highway 221.
Public reported pea to penny size hail.
County comms reported numerous trees blown down across the county. One tree fell on a house on East Georgia Ave in Bessemer City. Public reported a large tree limb fell on a vehicle in Gastonia.
County comms reported a woman on Shelby Rd was injured when lightning struck and caused a power surge to her stove.
County comms reported numerous trees blown down from the Monroe area east toward the county line.
County comms reported multiple trees and powerlines down across southwest Charlotte.
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, June 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 764388, 764394, 765517, 765528, 765536, 765535, 765530.