Scattered to numerous thunderstorms developed along a cold front across western North Carolina during the afternoon. A couple of the storms produced brief damaging winds across the northern foothills.
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 along a cold front across western North Carolina during the afternoon. A couple of the storms produced brief damaging winds across the northern foothills.
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 2, 1:51 PM EST, 48 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
251 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020
.SYNOPSIS...
Rain chances increase across the region into Monday night as
tropical moisture begins to interact with a stalling front, ahead of
Tropical Storm Isaias. The storm will pass near the Georgia and
Carolina coasts Monday through early Tuesday, enhancing our risk of
heavy rainfall and isolated flooding.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 230 pm EDT: Through sunset, coincident with the axis of the
more robust updraft helicity, scattered, locally severe thunderstorms
capable of damaging wind gusts will develop across Upstate SC and
into the North Carolina foothills. Diurnal lessening and/or
dissipation of deeper convection is expect as the evening wears on,
but overnight, within the developing favorable upper jet
circulation/divergence and llvl theta-e ridge numerous showers and
embedded tstms should redevelop in the mtns/fthls. At this point,
despite the varying magnitude of model late night convective
response and orientation, enough solutions are focusing on the
Northern NC Blue Ridge where the residence time of tropical showers
and storms will be the longest, perhaps running into Monday evening.
Based on this, a Flash Flood Watch will be issued for this area, and
successive shifts can monitor for any expansion if needed. Within
broadening plume of tropical moisture will maintain going trend of
pops ramping up to categorical throughout Monday, although there
exists only a low end probability that GSP's far eastern zones will
see anything more than the onset of breezy conditions by sunset on
Monday.
&&
.SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 250 PM Sunday: Tropical storm Isaias will be passing by to our
east Monday night and moving away from the area Tuesday. Expect
widespread precipitation will be ongoing during the evening then
tapering off quickly from west to east overnight. Heavy rainfall may
still be ongoing as well, but should follow similar pattern and
taper off quickly overnight. Flash Flood Watch will remain in effect
Monday night as a result. Gusty winds will be possible Monday night
as the cyclone moves northward. However, wind speeds should be well
below advisory level. Still, a few trees could fall given the
rainfall expected.
Isolated to scattered convection will linger Tuesday but significant
heavy rainfall is not expected. Some low end gusts will be possible
as well, but should be lower than Monday night. Highs will be a
couple of degrees below normal.
Expect a return to scattered diurnal convection on Wednesday. Highs
will back to around normal.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 1250 PM Sunday: Starting Wed evening with a closed upper low
over Quebec which will move east to the Canadian maritimes by
Friday. The upper trough remains over the eastern half of the CONUS
at least early in this forecast period. A moist low level flow will
aid in the convective development late each day. The axis of the
upper trough on both the GFS and ECMWF on Wed night will be over the
Mississippi Valley. This axis shifts to the East Coast by Sunday.
There is a notable difference on Day 7 in that the EC maintains the
trough over the East Coast into early next week while the GFS begins
replacing the East Coast trough with a ridge. Models are in
agreement that the more active day may be on Sunday as a significant
shortwave reaches our region. Temperatures will be near normal.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
At KCLT and Elsewhere: A pretty typical summertime afternoon within
the warm sector featuring sswly sfc flow with the chance of some low
amplitude wind gusts. Sct-bkn vfr lvl cu will continue develop into
numerous tstms as the afternoon wears on and tempo for tsra will be
carried for all terminal locations until sunset. With diurnal
lessening/dissipation of the deep convective cvrg this evening, most
of the FA will feature just varying degrees of debris clouds until
forcing returns overnight, where numerous showers and a few
thunderstorms are expected to redevelop in and close to the higher
terrain. For the daytime hours on Monday, expect deteriorating
flight conditions and as scattered outer rain bands encroach the
piedmont well downstream of tropical system.
Outlook: Shower and thunderstorm coverage will linger into Monday
night between a stalled mountain front and within the tropical
moisture. Daily rounds of diurnal convection will likely continue
well into late week, even with the tropical system pulling away to
the northeast.
Confidence Table...
19-01Z 01-07Z 07-13Z 13-18Z
KCLT High 100% High 100% High 83% High 89%
KGSP High 100% High 100% High 88% High 88%
KAVL High 100% High 96% Low 48% Med 76%
KHKY High 100% High 100% Med 69% High 84%
KGMU High 100% High 100% High 86% High 86%
KAND High 100% High 100% High 100% 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 are available at
the following link:
www.weather.gov/gsp/aviation
&&
.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None.
NC...Flash Flood Watch from 2 AM EDT Monday through Tuesday morning
for NCZ033-049-050-501>506.
SC...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...DEO
NEAR TERM...CSH
SHORT TERM...RWH
LONG TERM...DEO/08
AVIATION...CSHHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 303 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ035>037-048-051>053-056>059-062>065- 068>072-082-507>510-SCZ001>014-019-031915- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell- Davie-Madison-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Catawba-Rowan-Graham- Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson- Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC- 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-Union SC-Chester-Greenwood- 303 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms will continue into the evening. Any thunderstorms that develop will produce gusty winds, locally heavy rainfall, and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning. One or two thunderstorms may become severe late today, with damaging wind gusts the primary threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage during the day Monday, continuing to produce locally heavy rainfall. Isolated flash flooding may occur late Monday. As Tropical Storm Isaias makes its nearest pass to our region Monday night into early Tuesday, breezy and occasionally gusty winds may develop. A few trees could fall in areas where soils are saturated by the heavy rainfall. Isaias could bring additional precipitation Monday night. Flooding may become an increasing concern in areas that receive multiple rounds of heavy rainfall. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. NCZ033-049-050-501>506-031915- Avery-Yancey-Mitchell-Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell- Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell- 303 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM EDT MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Scattered thunderstorms will continue across the area through the evening. Any thunderstorms that develop will produce gusty winds, locally heavy rainfall, and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning. A few thunderstorms may become severe late today, with damaging wind gusts the primary threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
223 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020
GAZ028-029-021845-
Elbert GA-Hart GA-
223 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN ELBERT AND
SOUTHWESTERN HART COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM EDT...
At 222 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles southwest of Hartwell, or near Bowman, moving northeast at 20
mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Bowman, Vanna and Nuberg.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail will be possible in these
areas.
LAT...LON 3418 8310 3419 8309 3420 8309 3421 8308
3423 8308 3426 8311 3436 8302 3426 8290
3415 8307
TIME...MOT...LOC 1822Z 230DEG 16KT 3423 8305
LANESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
231 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020
NCZ502-504-021900-
Greater Burke NC-Greater Caldwell NC-
231 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CALDWELL AND EAST
CENTRAL BURKE COUNTIES UNTIL 300 PM EDT...
At 231 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles east of Morganton, or near Lake Rhodhiss, moving northeast at
20 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Lenoir, Sawmills, Granite Falls, Valdese, Hudson, Cajah's Mountain,
Drexel, Connelly Springs, Rutherford College and Rhodhiss.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and half inch hail will be possible in these
areas.
LAT...LON 3593 8152 3578 8135 3577 8135 3577 8136
3572 8161 3578 8168
TIME...MOT...LOC 1831Z 235DEG 17KT 3578 8156
LANESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
251 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020
GAZ028-SCZ010-021915-
Hart GA-Anderson SC-
251 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN HART AND SOUTH
CENTRAL ANDERSON COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM EDT...
At 251 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles southeast of Hartwell, moving northeast at 20 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Lake Hartwell and Nuberg.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and pea size hail will be possible in these
areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Lake Hartwell is in the path of this storm. Cloud to ground
lightning and gusty winds will create dangerous boating conditions.
Move to shore immediately.
&&
LAT...LON 3431 8294 3444 8276 3431 8269 3428 8277
3429 8278 3428 8280 3428 8281 3427 8282
3427 8284 3425 8291
TIME...MOT...LOC 1851Z 234DEG 16KT 3431 8284
LANESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
309 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020
NCZ035-502-021945-
Greater Caldwell NC-Alexander NC-
309 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL ALEXANDER AND EAST
CENTRAL CALDWELL COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM EDT...
At 308 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southwest of Taylorsville, or near Bethlehem, moving northeast
at 25 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Taylorsville, Bethlehem, Lake Hickory, Little River, Vashti,
Millersville, Ellendale and Hiddenite.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and pea size hail will be possible in these
areas.
LAT...LON 3582 8111 3582 8114 3583 8114 3582 8120
3581 8122 3582 8125 3581 8125 3580 8138
3589 8143 3603 8110 3603 8108
TIME...MOT...LOC 1908Z 246DEG 23KT 3587 8130
LANESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
315 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020
SCZ012-021945-
Laurens SC-
315 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN LAURENS COUNTY
UNTIL 345 PM EDT...
At 315 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles southwest of Laurens, or near Waterloo, moving northeast at 15
mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Waterloo, Lake Greenwood and Mountville.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and pea size hail will be possible in these
areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Lake Greenwood is in the path of this storm. Cloud to ground
lightning and gusty winds will create dangerous boating conditions.
Move to shore immediately.
&&
LAT...LON 3431 8211 3431 8212 3432 8214 3433 8215
3433 8217 3435 8217 3437 8220 3448 8201
3433 8193 3430 8210
TIME...MOT...LOC 1915Z 246DEG 12KT 3436 8210
LANESpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 322 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020 SCZ010-021945- Anderson SC- 322 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL ANDERSON COUNTY UNTIL 345 PM EDT... At 320 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6 miles southeast of Anderson, or near Homeland Park, moving northeast at 15 mph. Locations to be impacted include... Belton, Homeland Park and Broadway Lake. Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail will be possible in these areas. LAT...LON 3436 8261 3443 8269 3459 8247 3448 8236 TIME...MOT...LOC 1920Z 233DEG 12KT 3444 8258 LANE
The Greer radar (KGSP), 131 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:39 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Fire dept reported trees blown down at County Home Rd and Lee Cline Rd on Herman Sipe Rd and on 1st Ave Place NE.
Fire dept reported part of a chicken house destroyed and numerous trees and a few power lines blown down at the intersection of Sulfur Springs Rd and Hiddenite Church Rd.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, August 2020
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: 919325, 919330.