Scattered thunderstorms and storm clusters moved across northeast Georgia during the afternoon. A couple of the storm clusters produced damaging winds in portions of Rabun and Stephens Counties.
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 and storm clusters moved across northeast Georgia during the afternoon. A couple of the storm clusters produced damaging winds in portions of Rabun and Stephens Counties.
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 May 4, 12:54 PM EST, 45 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
154 PM EDT Sat May 4 2019
.SYNOPSIS...
A weak cold front will approach the region from the west today and
then move east of the area through Sunday. Weak upper-level
disturbances will cross the region on Monday and Tuesday. A
stationary surface front will then become draped just north of the
area on Wednesday. Instability will return south of the stalled
front through late week as another cold front approaches from the
west.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 150 PM EDT Saturday: Main update for the 18Z TAF issuance
along with minor adjustments to temperatures/PoPs to coincide
with latest trends, as the rest of the near term forecast
remains on track. Per latest obs, temperatures are running a few
degrees faster than previously anticipated in a handful of
locations, with upper 70s to lower 80s currently across the
area. Showers and thunderstorms are beginning to move
into/develop across the western portions of the FA, especially
northeast GA and the southern NC mountains. Expect this activity
to continue through this evening as latest mesoanalysis
continues to illustrate plenty of support for thunderstorm
development, with the potential for strong to severe storms.
Otherwise, from the previous discussion...
A well defined shortwave will move thru the lower Mississippi Valley
this morning. This wave helped drive MCS activity overnight. Some
of the DPVA generated by this shortwave, and/or MCVs associated
with that nocturnal convection, will be carried in our direction,
and 250mb winds become increasingly divergent with time today. Warm
and moist sfc conditions, along with modestly favorable mid to upper
level lapse rates, will support diurnal destabilization concurrent
with the improving dynamics. SPC has retained a Slight Risk for
our CWFA on the latest Day 1 outlook. The only question at this
point is how much buoyancy will develop; while some disparity
is seen between guidance members, HREF SBCAPE progs along with
the operational NAM/GFS agree on the Piedmont eventually seeing
values exceed 1000 J/kg. Several sources show a sharp gradient
between the Piedmont and mountains. Shear profiles will improve as a
midlevel jetlet arrives later in the day, which will lengthen mostly
unidirectional hodographs. Accordingly the 00z-cycle CAMs depicted
a linear MCS forming over northern GA and propagating ENE in the
more unstable Piedmont air. The 06z NAMNest and latest HRRR show
the same idea, just delaying a bit w.r.t. the 00z guidance. This
scenario likely would result in swaths of wind damage if it were
to occur (HRRR runs have been producing small areas of 45-50 kt
downdrafts, with county-sized areas of 30-40 kt). The stronger
component storms and/or discrete cells forming away from any
MCS could also be capable of 1 to 2 inch hail. Locally heavy
rain is likely along the leading edge of storm clusters today,
with CAM output suggesting a quick inch of rain could occur with
the strongest cells. The overall storm motion coupled with recent
dry weather in most areas keeps FFG values on the high side and
the overall flash flood threat small, though if small clusters do
develop the unidirectional flow will permit training.
A lull is likely in precip after the afternoon storms run their
course, but precip will return tonight with the passage of a weak
cold front trailing the shortwave and attendant sfc low as it moves
toward the Mid-Atlantic coast. As is often the case, the nature of
the second round is not well agreed upon by the various models,
with varying degrees of moisture and instability depicted in the
wake of the earlier activity. Enough moisture is expected to be
available near the front to retain a mid-range PoP in most areas
throughout the night. Upper forcing will be most significant in the
NW half of the area, and westerly upslope lift will set up later,
and likely to categorical PoPs thus result for the mountains and
foothills. Cloud cover will offset any cooling trend, so mins will
be similar to those this morning. Some low stratus and fog appears
likely to redevelop, with the cold front too weak to really scour
out the moist air, and precip occurring after dark. Confidence is
too low to warrant any Dense Fog Advisory at this point.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
As of 2 am EDT Saturday: Although the upper-level flow pattern
flattens out considerably by Sunday, embedded 500 mb vorticity lobes
will cross the region during peak heating Sunday afternoon to keep
scattered convection going atop the region. Instability will be
greatest southeast of Interstate 85, especially if the passing, weak
surface cold front gets a bit hung up near the extreme southern
Appalachians as the 00Z models are indicating. However, low-level
northwesterly downsloping flow and mid-level drying eventually
working in from the west should keep coverage more on the scattered
side for the bulk of the day. The better instability/shear overlap
for strong to severe thunderstorms should be shunted east of the
forecast area across the coastal plain of the Carolinas by Sunday
afternoon/evening.
The shallow, passing upper trough will move offshore on Monday with
heights beginning to build from the west. The numerical models have
trended toward slightly less boundary layer drying for the early
part of the week, and any return to weak southerly surface to 850 mb
flow could yield isolated showers in the upslope zones in and near
the mountains for Monday afternoon/early evening. Temperatures will
rebound to at least a category above climatology through Monday.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 230 am EDT Saturday: Flat upper ridging will develop atop the
region Tuesday through Tuesday night. A surface cold front will
stall north of the area from the Ohio Valley to the mid-Atlantic
region while offshore surface high pressure permits a return to
southerly flow across the southeast - along with warming
temperatures. Diurnal instability could force some isolated to
scattered showers and thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon/evening,
especially near the Blue Ridge mountain range.
A shortwave will likely lift from east Texas to the central
Appalachians Wednesday into Wednesday night. Forcing ahead of this
feature, along with gradually building instability over the
southeast, will permit an uptick in precipitation chances -
especially over the southern Appalachians. Any precipitation along
and near the stalled front to the north could also allow some
ageostrophic adjustment southward of the boundary in backdoor
fashion, but the latest model runs appear to delay this a bit more
into late week. Wherever the southward progression of the boundary
stops, mid to upper 60s dewpoints are likely to pool in the
associated warm sector and yield considerable afternoon instability.
Meanwhile, deep-layer southwesterly flow will get established
through late week well east of low pressure developing over the
desert southwest. The combination of these features will require
scattered to numerous diurnal shower/thunderstorm chances east of an
approaching cold front Thursday through Friday. Warm sector maxes
will top out well into the 80s, with some upper 80s over the
southern piedmont. The I-40 corridor could be considerably cooler
than forecast depending on the eventual backdoor front evolution.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: VFR prevails across the area this
afternoon, with the exception of KCLT, which is currently marginal
MVFR due to lingering low cigs. Expect these cigs to scatter out
over the next hour. Showers and thunderstorms, some which may become
severe, are expected to affect all terminals through the afternoon
and early evening hours, as latest radar imagery depicts showers and
thunderstorms already developing/moving into the area, up to just
west of the I-77 corridor/KCLT. Low cigs and periods of heavy
rainfall are expected to create periods of flight restrictions, as
noted in going TAF fcst, with gusty winds possible in strong storms.
Though some improvement to VFR is still possible after convection,
confidence is low attm, as a gradual downward trend of flight
restrictions to MVFR/IFR (low cigs/areas of fog) is expected tonight
into the morning hours on Sunday, with another round of showers,
isolated thunderstorms possible overnight. Confidence on fog/stratus
trend for the overnight hours is low attm, given the poor confidence
of the guidance as seen over the past few nights. On Sunday,
improvement to VFR is possible towards the end of the valid TAF
period, but more likely to be marginal MVFR with lingering low cigs,
areas of fog/low vsbys, and VCSH/VCTS. SSW winds throughout today
AOB 10 kts (higher in stronger storms), will gradually veer Sunday
into Sunday afternoon as a weak cold front drops southeastward
through the area.
Outlook: SHRA/TSRA potential will continue through Sunday evening.
Otherwise, expect VFR.
Confidence Table...
18-24Z 00-06Z 06-12Z 12-18Z
KCLT High 100% High 97% High 84% High 92%
KGSP High 100% High 99% High 84% High 97%
KAVL High 100% Med 78% High 83% High 91%
KHKY High 100% High 91% Med 79% High 93%
KGMU High 100% High 99% Med 75% High 91%
KAND High 100% High 99% High 89% High 88%
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...HG
NEAR TERM...SGL/Wimberley
SHORT TERM...HG
LONG TERM...HG
AVIATION...SGLHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 356 AM EDT Sat May 4 2019 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065- 068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-050800- 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- 356 AM EDT Sat May 4 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Numerous thunderstorms are expected to impact the area today, especially along a developing line of storms expected to sweep northeast through the region this afternoon and evening. Some of these thunderstorms will likely become severe, with damaging winds and large hail being the primary threats. The thunderstorms will move quickly, but briefly heavy rainfall could produce isolated flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas. Expect frequent cloud to ground lightning in the stronger thunderstorms as well. A few thunderstorms could linger into the overnight hours. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. HG
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
215 PM EDT SAT MAY 4 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0200 PM HAIL 4 S FALLSTON 35.37N 81.50W
05/04/2019 E1.75 INCH CLEVELAND NC TRAINED SPOTTER
SPOTTER REPORTED UP TO GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL.
&&
JPTSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
216 PM EDT Sat May 4 2019
GAZ010-017-018-SCZ001-041845-
Rabun GA-Stephens GA-Habersham GA-Oconee Mountains SC-
216 PM EDT Sat May 4 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WESTERN STEPHENS...HABERSHAM...
RABUN AND NORTHWESTERN OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM EDT...
At 216 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles southeast of Hiawassee, or 4 miles southwest of Moccasin Creek
State Park, moving northeast at 35 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Clayton, Clarkesville, Toccoa, Cornelia, Baldwin, Demorest, Mount
Airy, Alto, Mountain City and Tiger.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph and dime size hail will be possible in these
areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Dime to nickel size hail can cause considerable damage to vehicles.
Consider moving vehicles to a covered storage area before the storm
arrives.
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 3482 8365 3488 8366 3491 8363 3492 8360
3494 8360 3495 8355 3499 8355 3500 8308
3447 8339 3449 8354 3443 8362 3450 8367
3454 8362 3460 8365 3462 8364 3465 8366
3468 8364 3474 8362 3477 8363 3480 8368
TIME...MOT...LOC 1816Z 234DEG 29KT 3479 8362
CarrollPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
219 PM EDT SAT MAY 4 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0212 PM HAIL 4 ESE FALLSTON 35.41N 81.44W
05/04/2019 E0.75 INCH GASTON NC TRAINED SPOTTER
PENNY SIZED HAIL REPORTED SE OF FALLSTON, NC.
&&
JPTSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
221 PM EDT Sat May 4 2019
NCZ052-059-041845-
Haywood NC-Northern Jackson NC-
221 PM EDT Sat May 4 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN JACKSON AND
SOUTHEASTERN HAYWOOD COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM EDT...
At 221 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Waynesville, or near B.R. Parkway-Balsam Gap To Black
Balsam Area, moving northeast at 15 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Clyde, Balsam, B.R. Parkway-Black Balsam
To Mount Pisgah, B.R. Parkway-Balsam Gap To Black Balsam Area,
Canton, Black Balsam Area, Maggie Valley and B.R. Parkway-Smoky
Mountains To Balsam Gap.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and dime size hail will be possible in these
areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Dime to nickel size hail can cause considerable damage to vehicles.
Consider moving vehicles to a covered storage area before the storm
arrives.
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 3551 8278 3547 8280 3544 8278 3531 8290
3529 8292 3527 8301 3532 8316 3561 8305
TIME...MOT...LOC 1821Z 203DEG 15KT 3536 8301
CarrollSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
223 PM EDT Sat May 4 2019
NCZ051-059-062-063-041900-
Swain NC-Southern Jackson NC-Northern Jackson NC-Macon NC-
223 PM EDT Sat May 4 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL MACON...SOUTHWESTERN
JACKSON AND SOUTH CENTRAL SWAIN COUNTIES UNTIL 300 PM EDT...
At 223 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Franklin, moving northeast at 15 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Franklin, Cullowhee, Lake Glenville, Ellijay, Scaly Mountain,
Savannah, Tuckasegee, Otto, Cullasaja and Cowee.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and dime size hail will be possible in these
areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Dime to nickel size hail can cause considerable damage to vehicles.
Consider moving vehicles to a covered storage area before the storm
arrives.
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 3540 8341 3528 8304 3500 8328 3500 8352
3502 8352
TIME...MOT...LOC 1823Z 203DEG 15KT 3516 8338
CarrollSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 238 PM EDT Sat May 4 2019 NCZ505-041915- McDowell Mountains NC- 238 PM EDT Sat May 4 2019 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN MCDOWELL COUNTY UNTIL 315 PM EDT... At 238 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13 miles southwest of Marion, or near Old Fort, moving northeast at 10 mph. Locations to be impacted include... Old Fort. Wind gusts up to 45 mph and dime size hail will be possible in these areas. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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 3558 8220 3562 8223 3573 8214 3564 8206 TIME...MOT...LOC 1838Z 231DEG 10KT 3560 8223 LANE
The Greer radar (KGSP), 107 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:39 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
County comms reported multiple trees blown down in the Mountain City area.
County comms reported multiple trees blown down in Toccoa.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, May 2019
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: 828291, 828293.