Hurricane Isaias made landfall in southeast North Carolina, then moved north through coastal North Carolina. Significant rain fell across the Coastal Plain, Sandhills and eastern Piedmont of North Carolina as Isaias moved northward through the state along with gusty winds up to 50 to 60 miles per hour.
Every event with a place to put it; 13 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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 RAH wrote it up.
Hurricane Isaias made landfall in southeast North Carolina, then moved north through coastal North Carolina. Significant rain fell across the Coastal Plain, Sandhills and eastern Piedmont of North Carolina as Isaias moved northward through the state along with gusty winds up to 50 to 60 miles per hour. Isaias produced two to five inches of rain across much of eastern NC, resulting in flash flooding, as well as minor flooding along the Neuse River.
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 Raleigh, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 3, 6:50 PM EST, 4 hours 10 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Raleigh NC 750 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020 .SYNOPSIS... Tropical cyclone Isaias will track north along the Georgia coast late this afternoon and the South Carolina coast this evening. The storm is expected to make landfall across the far northern South Carolina coast before midnight and then move north-northeast across eastern portions of North Carolina tonight through Tuesday morning. A more typical summertime pattern of afternoon and evening thunderstorms will then return for the remainder of the week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 335 PM Monday... The official forecast for Tropical Storm Isaias shows the storm moving a touch faster through North Carolina, and it now appears that the bulk of the impacts from the storm will be felt during the overnight hours as opposed to persisting into Tuesday morning. 25+ mph winds should first be felt right around sunset in southern Sampson County, with winds ramping up during the rest of the evening and into the overnight hours. The eye of the storm is expected to pass to the east of the forecast area, so winds should remain elevated with the storm moving through. Although Isaiah is still forecast to briefly become a hurricane before making landfall, no hurricane force winds are expected in the forecast area. With the quicker storm movement, all wind speeds greater than 25 mph should be out of the region by 8am Tuesday. The slightly faster storm speed should also result in slightly lower rainfall forecasts as the storm will be over the region for less time. Still think that there will be 4-6 inch rainfall totals along the I-95 corridor, but that the overall coverage of those highest rainfall totals will be reduced. With all widespread rainfall out of the forecast area by Tuesday afternoon, think that a chance for scattered showers/thunderstorms will remain across the forecast area with clearing skies behind the storm, except sinking motion in the wake of the storm will likely limit overall coverage. With the storm moving out of the region more quickly, bumped up high temperatures another degree or two, into the mid to upper 80s. && .SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 340 PM Monday... A slow moving cold front will move across the western NC mountains on Tuesday evening and then stall across central NC for much of the short term period into Friday night. A broad upper trough axis stretching from the Great Lakes into the northern Gulf of Mexico early in the period gradually weakens through the work week although the trough axis lingers to our west. The result will be a period of unsettled weather with mainly afternoon and evening showers and storms. Given the significant rain that will fall across parts of the Carolinas tonight and early Tuesday, any significant rain from thunderstorms on Wednesday could result in some additional or enhanced flooding issues. Temperatures on Wednesday in the wake of the departing TC will range near seasonable around 90 and then cool a slight bit into the mid to upper 80s on Thursday and Friday. Morning lows will range around 70. -Blaes && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 305 PM Monday... The cold front that stalls out over NC in the wake of TS Isaias looks like it will washout or be fairly unidentifiable by Saturday. With one shortwave moving off the Mid-Atlantic coast on Saturday and the central US ridge trying to build eastward, a general WNW flow aloft should become established into early next week. This pattern suggests near normal temps each day, with diurnal convection potentially augmented/enhanced by disturbances in the NW flow aloft. Confidence in the timing of those disturbances would be fairly low, so will keep pops near climo in the lower end chance range. Afternoon highs 88-92. && .AVIATION /00Z TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 745 PM Monday... Aviation conditions will deteriorate from the south this evening as widespread showers, thunderstorms, and strengthening winds associated with the core of the tropical storm spread north across the Sandhills, the Coastal Plain and in the eastern Piedmont. This will result in widespread IFR to MVFR conditions in heavy tropical downpours at KRDU, KRWI and KFAY, especially between 03Z and 09Z. The strongest winds with gusts to around 45kts at KRWI, 35kts at KFAY and 25kts at KRDU will occur for a 3 to 5 hour period during this window. Further west, periods of showers and storms, heavy at times with less extreme winds are expected at the KGSO and KINT terminals. As the storm rapidly moves northeast and exits NC into VA by 12Z, conditions will improve quickly from south to north just after daybreak Tuesday with VFR conditions and winds gusts falling below 20kts by 16Z Tuesday. A large area of BKN cumulus will develop with bases around 4kft during the afternoon with the potential for scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Looking further ahead, a more typical summer time pattern with mainly afternoon and evening showers and storms are expected through Friday. -Blaes && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Tropical Storm Warning for NCZ010-011-026>028-041>043-077-078- 086-088-089. Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday afternoon for NCZ007>011- 021>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089. && SYNOPSIS...Blaes NEAR TERM...Green SHORT TERM..Blaes LONG TERM...BLS AVIATION...Blaes
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 902 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020 NCZ011-027-028-043-078-089-050115- Halifax-Nash-Edgecombe-Wilson-Wayne-Sampson- 902 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON... ...TORNADO WATCH 414 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EDT TUESDAY... ...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central 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. Tornado Watch. Flash Flood Watch. Tropical Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Tropical Storm Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ010-026-041-042-077-086-088-050115- Warren-Franklin-Wake-Johnston-Harnett-Hoke-Cumberland- 902 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON... ...TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central 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. Tropical Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Tropical Storm Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ007>009-021>025-038>040-073>076-083>085-050115- Person-Granville-Vance-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Orange-Durham- Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Anson-Richmond- Scotland- 902 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central 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. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. 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... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
610 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020
NCZ007>010-032315-
Vance NC-Person NC-Warren NC-Granville NC-
610 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN PERSON...
NORTHWESTERN WARREN...VANCE AND GRANVILLE COUNTIES UNTIL 715 PM
EDT...
At 608 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 7 miles northwest of
Norlina to Kittrell. Movement was northwest at 20 mph.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with these storms.
Heavy rain and deadly cloud to ground lightning will also be
possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Henderson, Oxford, Kittrell, Stovall, Middleburg, Gillburg, Mayo
Reservoir, Steele Creek Marina & Campground, Kerr Lake and South
Henderson.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
45 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around
trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture and other light outdoor
objects.
&&
LAT...LON 3654 7819 3623 7836 3623 7838 3616 7842
3616 7846 3618 7849 3616 7851 3635 7896
3654 7886
TIME...MOT...LOC 2208Z 126DEG 19KT 3652 7829 3622 7844
77Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
614 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020
NCZ007-008-023>026-040-041-032315-
Chatham NC-Franklin NC-Durham NC-Alamance NC-Person NC-Wake NC-
Granville NC-Orange NC-
614 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN
ALAMANCE...PERSON...ORANGE...SOUTHERN GRANVILLE...NORTHWESTERN
WAKE...NORTHEASTERN CHATHAM...DURHAM AND WEST CENTRAL FRANKLIN
COUNTIES UNTIL 715 PM EDT...
At 613 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Franklinton to near
Cary. Movement was northwest at 25 mph.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with these storms.
Heavy rain and deadly cloud to ground lightning will also be
possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Burlington, Graham, Roxboro,
Hillsborough, Creedmoor and Carrboro.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
45 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around
trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture and other light outdoor
objects.
&&
LAT...LON 3609 7844 3571 7891 3609 7941 3624 7931
3624 7915 3642 7914 3648 7898
TIME...MOT...LOC 2213Z 146DEG 22KT 3609 7855 3580 7889
77PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
824 PM EDT MON AUG 3 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0530 PM TROPICAL STORM 3 NW NEW HOPE 35.85N 78.59W
08/03/2020 WAKE NC 911 CALL CENTER
TREE DOWN ON ROAD AT INTERSECTION OF CALVARY
DR. AND GREEN RD.
&&
AKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
839 PM EDT MON AUG 3 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0539 PM TROPICAL STORM 1 SSE RALEIGH 35.81N 78.65W
08/03/2020 WAKE NC BROADCAST MEDIA
TREE DOWN AT GLENWOOD AVE AND COWPER DR.
&&
AKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1108 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020
NCZ026-041>043-077-078-085-086-088-089-040400-
Scotland NC-Johnston NC-Franklin NC-Sampson NC-Hoke NC-Harnett NC-
Wake NC-Wayne NC-Cumberland NC-Wilson NC-
1108 PM EDT Mon Aug 3 2020
...AN AREA OF SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN
WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN SCOTLAND...WAYNE...SAMPSON...
HARNETT...CUMBERLAND... WAKE...SOUTHWESTERN WILSON...JOHNSTON...HOKE
AND SOUTHWESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT...
At 1104 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of showers and
isolated thunderstorms along a line extending from near
Fayetteville to Goldsboro. Movement was northwest at 45 mph.
Heavy rain of one half to three quarters of an inch per hour will
accompany these showers and isolated storms; and minor flooding will
be possible.
Locations impacted include...
Raleigh, Fayetteville, Cary, Goldsboro, Smithfield, Clinton, Raeford,
Lillington, Fort Bragg and Wake Forest.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in
ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and
minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra caution to avoid
hydroplaning, especially in urban areas where prolonged heavy rain
can quickly lead to flooding.
&&
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 AM EDT for central North
Carolina.
LAT...LON 3485 7850 3483 7890 3495 7904 3482 7936
3506 7944 3521 7925 3517 7910 3527 7922
3558 7892 3570 7896 3600 7845 3586 7823
3573 7821 3577 7808 3559 7780 3518 7783
3519 7816 3474 7820 3471 7811 3456 7825
TIME...MOT...LOC 0304Z 138DEG 39KT 3542 7816 3512 7862 3482 7902
26The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 55 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:30 UTC.
55 heavy rain, 13 tropical storm, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Frequent wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph resulted in scattered to numerous trees and power lines down across Wayne County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Wayne County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
Frequent wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph resulted in scattered to numerous trees and power lines down across Sampson County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Sampson County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
Frequent wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph resulted in scattered trees and power lines down across Johnston County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Johnston County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
Frequent wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph resulted in scattered trees and power lines down across Cumberland County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Cumberland County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
Frequent wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph resulted in scattered trees and power lines down across Harnett County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Harnett County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
Frequent wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph resulted in scattered to numerous trees and power lines down across Wilson County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Wilson County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
Frequent wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph resulted in scattered to numerous trees and power lines down across Nash County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Nash County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
Frequent wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph resulted in scattered to numerous trees and power lines down across Edgecombe County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Edgecombe County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
Frequent wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph resulted in scattered to numerous trees and power lines down across Halifax County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Halifax County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
Frequent wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph resulted in scattered trees and power lines down across Wake County, including some on structures. This resulted in some power outages in Wake County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
Frequent wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph resulted in scattered trees and power lines down across Franklin County, including some on structures. This resulted in some power outages in Franklin County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
Frequent wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph resulted in scattered trees and power lines down across Warren County, including some on structures. This resulted in some power outages in Warren County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
A couple of trees were reported down across the county due to high winds from Tropical Cyclone Isaias. One tree was reported down near the intersection of Highway 15 and Munns Road and the other tree down was located in the 2600 block of Brogden Road.
River gage WSSN7 on Walnut Creek at South State Street rose above flood stage and came out of its banks. Also, at least one road was closed due to flash flooding in Holly Springs. Rainfall totals exceeded 4 inches in some locations across Wake County.
One lane of Highway 70 near Elm Street was closed due to flash flooding.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.53 inches.
A rainfall total of 4.01 inches was recorded in Raleigh, most of which fell between 8 PM Monday and 5 AM Tuesday.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.93 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.56 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.08 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 4.00 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.28 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.17 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.26 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.12 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 5.06 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.65 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 4.00 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.27 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.78 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.13 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.56 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 4.24 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.25 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.05 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.24 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.00 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.10 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.33 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.70 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.16 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.73 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.79 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.80 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.67 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.17 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.53 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.53 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.23 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.64 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.73 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.00 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.12 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.17 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.02 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.31 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.00 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.10 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.90 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.26 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.00 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.67 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 4.06 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.12 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.70 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.29 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.86 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.35 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.43 inches.
Storm total rainfall for Tropical Cyclone Isaias was 3.62 inches.
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 2020The 2020 hurricane season
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: 919645, 919646, 919647, 919648, 919653, 919649, 919650, 919651, 919652, 919654, 919655, 919656, 919657, 916766, 916769, 919658, 916771, 919659, 919660, 919661, 919662, 919664, 919665, 919666, 919667, 919668, 919669, 919670, 919671, 919672, 919673, 919674, 919675, 919676, 919677, 919678, 919679, 919680, 919681, 919682, and more.