Several clusters of thunderstorms producing gusty winds developed across Upstate South Carolina during the afternoon and evening.
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.
Several clusters of thunderstorms producing gusty winds developed across Upstate South Carolina during the afternoon and evening.
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 18, 1:41 PM EST, 5 hours 21 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
241 PM EDT Sat Aug 18 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
An upper level trough will persist over the eastern half of the
nation through Tuesday with abundant moisture coming up from the
Gulf. A strong and reinforcing trough will arrive early in the week
creating a greater boost to shower and thunderstorm activity around
Tuesday. The passage of the cold front on Wednesday will bring drier
air to start the second half of the week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 230 PM: A prominent upper trough stretching from Ohio to
Alabama this afternoon will cross the southern Appalachians tonight,
preceded by a few embedded lobes of stronger vorticity. Anticipate
peak right entrance region divergence associated with the upper
jetlet east of the trough to cross the forecast area during peak
heating late this afternoon/early this evening. A couple of rounds
of strong DPVA will pass overhead as well. KGSP radar shows
shower/thunderstorm coverage increasing ahead of the upper support
and anticipate the coverage and strength of the convection to
steadily increase through late afternoon. 850 mb winds will see a
brief uptick to 25 kt later this afternoon but deep layer bulk shear
will remain a modest 20 kt through 6 km. Despite the clouds today,
sbCAPE values have already reached 2500 to 3000 J/kg east of the
mountains and this will produce a marginal threat of severe
thunderstorms - mainly in the form of isolated damaging wind gusts.
Precipitable water values running about two standard deviations
above climo, along with deep warm cloud layers around 12 kft, should
permit very efficient rainfall processes to raise the risk of
isolated flooding from heavy rainfall. However, with 3-hr FFG values
at 3 to 4 inches in most areas, and stream levels not very high, do
not plan on any posting any Flash Flood Watches.
The trough will flatten out tonight with upper forcing diminishing
through Sunday. The trough may push a weak front into the region
from the northwest, but with the thermal contrast getting lost as it
drifts into the heart of the area on Sunday. Will keep mountain
showers going overnight in the persistent, moist southwesterly
upslope flow. Abundant moisture continuing in the profiles, and
especially in the boundary layer, along with the aforementioned weak
boundary, will permit well above climo PoPs again Sunday afternoon,
albeit a category less than today. Maximum temperatures will be very
near climate normals.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 230 PM EDT Saturday: As we begin the work week, the region
will be underneath a stubborn shortwave trough centered over the
Mid-Atlantic, but heights aloft will briefly build during the day
Monday as weak shortwave ridging arrives in the progressive flow.
A surface trough axis will persist and bisect the region on Monday
and should serve as a weak focusing mechanism for afternoon
activity. There will be some warming and drying aloft due to
ridge-inducing subsidence for Monday, but the warming is not
significant enough to overcome low-level lapse-rates/instability
and the drying will not reduce low-level moisture content (max PW
values remain near 2 inches) as SWly GoMex moisture flux persists.
Therefore, afternoon convective coverage is expected to remain
scattered to numerous from east to west across the area with brief
periods of heavy rainfall possibly persisting just long enough in
isolated areas to cause minor flooding issues. Guidance is bullish
on remnant activity lingering into the overnight hours with the
ample moisture in place for light showers so chance PoPs persist.
The mid-level pattern quickly evolves late Monday into Tuesday
as another, more potent shortwave trough approaches the region.
The trough will be deamplifying as the primary energy lifts NE
into the Great Lakes area, however, an accompanying cold front
will also be approaching the area later Tuesday. The system
should enhance diurnal coverage especially over the mountains,
closer to the front and the support aloft with numerous showers
and storms forecast. The heavy rainfall potential may be
enhanced somewhat by upper-level diffluence ahead of the trough
axis.
The airmass will not change significantly through Tuesday and
with partly to mostly cloudy skies and above-normal precipitation
chances, max temperatures will remain near to perhaps 1-2 degrees
below normal west over the mountains and Foothills and 1-2 degrees
above normal east over the Piedmont. Low temperatures will remain
2-5 degrees above normal as dewpoints/humidity remain high.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 150 PM EDT Saturday: Starting 00Z Wednesday. At 00Z Wednesday
the axis of the upper trof is forecast to be from the eastern Great
Lakes to near Atlanta. The dynamics should support at least one or
two severe storms ahead of the approaching cold front Tuesday
evening. The high Precipitable Water values of 2 inches plus will be
moving east but still over CLT area at 00Z Wed. This will support
high rainfall rates in the prefrontal convection. By Wednesday
morning, the high PWats are moving off the Carolina coast.
One last upper wave crosses on Thursday as the GFS has one big axis
aligned along the Appalachian Chain early Thursday. The air ahead of
this wave is generally dry and supported by cool surface high
pressure. This cooler high pressure transitions across the region
Thursday and Friday then moving off the East Coast Saturday. As this
high moves off the East Coast, low level wind flow will become
southerly again bringing a gradual increase in humidity for next
weekend. As the upper trof moves off the East Coast at the end of
the week, the ridge over the SW and Texas will build east toward the
Carolinas. Temperatures near normal Wednesday dropping to around 5
degrees below normal late in the week.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Showers and thunderstorms continue to slowly
build east of an approaching upper trough axis this afternoon.
Anticipate decent coverage of TSRA by late afternoon to warrant
TEMPO running to near 00Z, with continued showers through late
evening, and possibly overnight near KAVL. Ceilings are expected to
be mainly lower end VFR this afternoon and evening, but possibly
MVFR at times and certainly MVFR or worse in any thunderstorms.
Although the guidance hasn't been very consistent about the low
cloud and fog potential for early Sunday morning, recent history and
the potential for wet ground from the showers suggests that IFR to
MVFR restrictions look to be a good bet for most areas. Anticipate
mainly southwest winds through the period, with afternoon gusts
today during peak heating, except winds turning NW behind a weak
boundary at KAVL Sunday. Showers will start to build again toward
the end of the TAF period, but with less coverage expected Sunday
afternoon than this afternoon.
Outlook: Expect decent coverage of mainly diurnal showers and
thunderstorms from late Sunday through Wednesday. Drier high
pressure may build in behind a passing front on Thursday. Until
then, restrictions are expected mainly during the morning as low
clouds forms, and then under any afternoon/evening showers and
thunderstorms.
Confidence Table...
18-24Z 00-06Z 06-12Z 12-18Z
KCLT High 100% High 99% Med 71% High 84%
KGSP High 100% High 100% Med 77% High 90%
KAVL High 98% High 100% Low 59% High 81%
KHKY High 80% High 100% Med 60% High 85%
KGMU High 95% High 100% Med 79% High 93%
KAND High 90% High 98% Med 72% High 85%
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...HG
SHORT TERM...JMP
LONG TERM...DEO
AVIATION...HGHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 504 PM EDT Sat Aug 18 2018 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065- 068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-192115- 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- 504 PM EDT Sat Aug 18 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will continue into the evening. A few thunderstorms could become strong enough to produce damaging wind gusts and small hail, especially over the Piedmont. In addition, brief heavy rainfall will accompany all thunderstorms. Some areas may receive a prolonged period of heavy rainfall due to slower-moving or training thunderstorms which could result in isolated flooding of low-lying or poor-drainage areas and small streams. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. On Sunday, scattered to numerous thunderstorms will develop once again across the area and produce high rainfall rates that could lead to isolated urban, low-lying, and small-stream flooding. The flooding threat will be highest in and near the mountains. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. JMP
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
532 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018
NCZ068-070-SCZ008-009-182200-
Gaston NC-Cleveland NC-York SC-Cherokee SC-
532 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CLEVELAND...
SOUTHEASTERN GASTON...NORTHWESTERN YORK AND NORTHEASTERN CHEROKEE
COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM EDT...
At 532 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles northwest of York, or over Kings Mountain State Park, moving
east at 20 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Gastonia, South Gastonia, Clover, Cramerton, Town Of Lake Wylie,
Grover, Kings Mountain State Park, Crowders Mountain State Park, Lake
Wylie and Belmont.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph 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.
&&
LAT...LON 3515 8102 3515 8104 3514 8105 3511 8103
3510 8105 3509 8106 3506 8106 3504 8104
3505 8103 3503 8103 3505 8146 3521 8148
3525 8102
TIME...MOT...LOC 2132Z 270DEG 17KT 3513 8135
ARKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
538 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018
GAZ026-028-029-182200-
Elbert GA-Hart GA-Franklin GA-
538 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN FRANKLIN...NORTHWESTERN
ELBERT AND WESTERN HART COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM EDT...
At 537 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Carnesville, moving east at 20 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Carnesville, Hartwell, Royston, Bowman, Canon, Franklin Springs,
Bowersville, Victoria Bryant State Park, Lavonia and Vanna.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph, pea-sized 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.
&&
LAT...LON 3420 8309 3423 8308 3427 8312 3424 8317
3425 8320 3424 8325 3425 8329 3426 8329
3425 8332 3441 8332 3445 8294 3418 8294
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 270DEG 17KT 3433 8322
ARKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
607 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018
GAZ028-029-SCZ010-011-182230-
Elbert GA-Hart GA-Anderson SC-Abbeville SC-
607 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT ELBERT...HART...SOUTHWESTERN
ANDERSON AND WEST CENTRAL ABBEVILLE COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM EDT...
At 606 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 5 miles northwest of Hartwell to 9 miles east of
Danielsville, and moving east at 25 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Elberton, Hartwell, Anderson, Homeland Park, Reed Creek, Iva, Bowman,
Starr, Lowndesville and Anderson Airport.
Wind gusts up to 45 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 3399 8283 3398 8286 3401 8291 3401 8294
3403 8294 3405 8299 3408 8300 3410 8304
3411 8303 3412 8305 3415 8306 3416 8309
3445 8303 3452 8257 3398 8268 3398 8273
3397 8278
TIME...MOT...LOC 2206Z 268DEG 22KT 3443 8298 3410 8305
ARKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
629 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018
NCZ508-510-182300-
Greater Rutherford NC-Eastern Polk NC-
629 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD AND
NORTHEASTERN POLK COUNTIES UNTIL 700 PM EDT...
At 629 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Rutherfordton, moving east at 25 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Forest City, Rutherfordton, Spindale, Ellenboro, Bostic, Cliffside,
Green Hill, Henrietta, Harris and Caroleen.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph 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.
&&
LAT...LON 3543 8170 3535 8170 3522 8176 3518 8177
3529 8211 3546 8207
TIME...MOT...LOC 2229Z 281DEG 21KT 3536 8200
ARKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
656 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018
NCZ068-508-182330-
Greater Rutherford NC-Cleveland NC-
656 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD AND
SOUTHWESTERN CLEVELAND COUNTIES UNTIL 730 PM EDT...
At 656 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Forest City, moving east at 20 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Forest City, Rutherfordton, Spindale, Ellenboro, Lattimore,
Mooresboro, Bostic, Polkville, Boiling Springs NC and Cliffside.
Wind gusts up to 45 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 3541 8163 3518 8170 3518 8176 3525 8197
3527 8199 3544 8193
TIME...MOT...LOC 2256Z 285DEG 17KT 3533 8187
ARKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
710 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018
SCZ006-007-012-190000-
Laurens SC-Spartanburg SC-Greater Greenville SC-
710 PM EDT SAT AUG 18 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN LAURENS...
SOUTHEASTERN GREENVILLE AND SOUTH CENTRAL SPARTANBURG COUNTIES UNTIL
800 PM EDT...
At 710 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 16
miles west of Laurens, or 9 miles southwest of Fountain Inn, moving
east at 30 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Laurens, Gray Court, Clinton, Fountain Inn, Fork Shoals, Princeton,
Enoree, Hickory Tavern and Ora.
Wind gusts up to 45 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 3447 8231 3449 8233 3451 8235 3451 8236
3454 8239 3465 8240 3474 8190 3446 8187
TIME...MOT...LOC 2310Z 265DEG 28KT 3457 8230
ARKThe Greer radar (KGSP), 78 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:02 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
County comms reported a large tree limb fell on a vehicle on West Creswell Ave.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Carolina in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in South 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: 782129.