Aided by large scale ascent ahead of a broad midlevel trough centered over the Tennessee Valley, multicellular convection produced some isolated wind damage across central North Carolina, along with some heavy rain and flash flooding.
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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.
Aided by large scale ascent ahead of a broad midlevel trough centered over the Tennessee Valley, multicellular convection produced some isolated wind damage across central North Carolina, along with some heavy rain and flash flooding.
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 6, 2:00 PM EST, 51 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Raleigh NC 300 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020 .SYNOPSIS... A weak cold front will drift into central NC this afternoon and evening, before stalling tonight. The front will remain over the region into Saturday before slowly dissipating late in the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 1140 AM Thursday... Surface analysis continues to indicate a quasi-stationary frontal boundary stretching from central VA into the Western Piedmont of NC (west of the Triad). Observations indicate the fog has generally burned off across the region, but some low stratus still remains, though low-level mixing will continue to scour this out through the remainder of the morning into the early afternoon. CAM guidance shows showers and storms should begin developing over central NC around 1-2 PM and becoming scattered to numerous, with the best chance in the late afternoon and early evening hours. There is also a pretty clear signal from model guidance that the most widespread convection during this time will be in SE zones, where the greatest instability (MLCAPE 2500+ J/kg) and moisture (PW in excess of 2 inches) are. With a lack of cooling stabilizing outflow from morning convection like we saw yesterday, and with greater effective shear (around 30 kts), the threat of strong to severe storms appears slightly higher, and the SPC has placed all of central NC in a marginal risk for severe storms this afternoon and evening. The main threat with the storms will be damaging winds. Late tonight, a line of convection associated with the frontal boundary looks to move into the NW Piedmont, but at this time it appears the heaviest precipitation will be just to our north and west near and north of the VA border. However, isolated flash flooding is possible with any slow-moving and/or training storms today and tonight, and the WPC has placed portions of the far northern Piedmont in a slight risk for excessive rainfall, with a marginal risk elsewhere. More widespread low stratus and fog will also be possible early tomorrow morning. Cloud cover today should again keep high temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s, and lows tonight will again be in the upper- 60s to lower-70s. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 130 PM Thursday... A positive tilt, weakening mid level trough, characterized by weakly rising heights within the trough base, will extend from the lwr Great Lakes swwd into the OH Valley at 12Z Fri, then drift ewd across the Northeast, middle Atlantic, and cntl Appalachians through 12Z Sat. Weak 500 mb height falls (10-20 meter) will precede the trough along and offshore the nrn middle Atlantic and srn New England coast, with only glancing/peripheral influence over cntl NC. At the surface, A weak front/aggregate outflow boundary from convection forecast to settle sewd into cntl NC tonight will likely stall as parent convection dissipates over the Piedmont through Fri morning. That feature, along with both a lee trough to the west and the sea breeze to the southeast will serve as initial foci for convective initiation through midday-early afternoon Fri. Multi-cell outflow propagation, amidst modest swly flow around 20-25 kts as in previous days, will continue through early Fri night, supported weakly by the passing mid level trough. Another day of mostly mid upr 80s will be followed by near climo low temperatures around 70 degrees. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 140 PM Thursday... Generally weak wnw flow aloft will prevail through early to mid next week, as a shear axis/weakness and relative minimum in mid level heights develops over the Southeast, between a pair of subtropical ridges forecast to extend across the srn Rockies/srn Plains and cntl N. Atlantic, respectively. At the surface, a weakening front will dissolve into a remnant lee trough over the srn middle Atlantic Foothills and Piedmont through Sat, where the trough will linger through next week in typical summertime fashion on the wrn periphery of Bermuda high pressure. The sensible weather related to the pattern described above will feature temperatures mostly in the upr 80s, to around 90 at FAY Sat, heating slightly to around 90 or so through early to mid next week. Mainly diurnal convection will then focus along the lee trough and sea breeze each afternoon. && .AVIATION /19Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 300 PM Thursday... Scattered thunderstorms are developing across the region outside of the NW Piedmont, and they will become more numerous through the afternoon and early evening hours especially at the eastern TAF sites (RDU/FAY/RWI). Gusty winds, strong updrafts/downdrafts, heavy rain, and MVFR/IFR ceilings/visibilities are possible with any storm. Otherwise, mainly VFR conditions will continue through the afternoon and evening, with light and variable winds around 5-7 kts or less. Later this evening into tonight, model guidance shows convection dissipating in the southeast but more moving over the NW Piedmont, so keep mention of vicinity thunder at INT/GSO through the overnight hours. There is once again a good chance for sub-VFR ceilings/visibilities with low stratus/fog early tomorrow morning, especially at INT/GSO. Based on what happened today, MVFR ceilings may linger through the late morning again tomorrow (especially in the Triad), so have mention of this in the TAFs as well. Looking beyond 18z Friday: Expect additional scattered showers and storms each afternoon and evening through the end of the period, lessening by the weekend before increasing early next week. In addition, fog/low stratus are possible each early morning especially at INT/GSO, with associated sub-VFR conditions possible. Otherwise, VFR conditions are expected through the period. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...Badgett NEAR TERM...Danco SHORT TERM...MWS LONG TERM...MWS AVIATION...Danco
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 525 AM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020 NCZ007>011-021>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-070930- Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance- Orange-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Wake- Johnston-Wilson-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Anson- Richmond-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson- 525 AM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Patchy dense fog this morning will create visibility of 1/2 mile or less at times. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms will develop this afternoon, some of which could be severe and generate heavy rain. Damaging wind gusts and isolated flash flooding are possible near storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
105 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020
NCZ089-061800-
Sampson NC-
105 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020
...SLOW-MOVING THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN SAMPSON COUNTY
UNTIL 200 PM EDT...
At 103 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a scattered, slow-moving
thunderstorms near Harrells, or 16 miles south of Clinton, moving
northeast at 5 to 10 mph.
Heavy rain of one to two inches and minor flooding will be possible
with thse storms.
Locations impacted include...
Harrells and Garland.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3461 7831 3463 7832 3464 7831 3465 7832
3467 7832 3470 7837 3473 7839 3475 7839
3478 7843 3483 7847 3497 7815 3490 7815
3474 7820 3471 7813 3472 7811 3471 7811
3460 7829
TIME...MOT...LOC 1703Z 242DEG 7KT 3477 7828
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
143 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020
NCZ008-025-041-061845-
Durham NC-Wake NC-Granville NC-
143 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN GRANVILLE...NORTH
CENTRAL WAKE AND CENTRAL DURHAM COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM EDT...
At 143 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Butner, or 7 miles northeast of Durham, moving east at 15 mph.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Durham, Creedmoor, Wake Forest, Butner, Falls Lake, Falls Lake State
Rec Area, Purnell, Gorman, Rollingview Marina and Lake Michie.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
40 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around
trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture and other light outdoor
objects.
&&
LAT...LON 3624 7851 3618 7851 3618 7850 3617 7850
3608 7854 3602 7855 3598 7844 3600 7894
3613 7896
TIME...MOT...LOC 1743Z 259DEG 13KT 3606 7886
23Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
305 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020
NCZ042-075>077-062000-
Johnston NC-Lee NC-Harnett NC-Moore NC-
305 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN MOORE...HARNETT...
LEE AND SOUTHWESTERN JOHNSTON COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM EDT...
At 303 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms 11 miles northwest of Lillington, moving east at 20
mph. Another area of strong thunderstorms over Erwin and Dunn will
move north and will intercept the other storms approaching from
the west.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Heavy rain and minor flooding and deadly cloud to ground lightning
will also be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Sanford, Lillington, Dunn, Angier, Benson, Erwin, Coats, Broadway,
Vass and Cameron.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
40 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around
trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture and other light outdoor
objects.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3525 7930 3539 7935 3551 7921 3555 7903
3552 7897 3558 7891 3552 7871 3554 7868
3552 7856 3536 7843 3527 7849 3532 7854
3530 7858 3527 7858 3525 7862 3527 7872
3526 7882 3524 7888
TIME...MOT...LOC 1903Z 271DEG 18KT 3550 7898
23Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Raleigh NC 326 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020 NCZ023>025-040-062000- Chatham NC-Durham NC-Alamance NC-Orange NC- 326 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN ALAMANCE... SOUTHEASTERN ORANGE...NORTH CENTRAL CHATHAM AND SOUTHWESTERN DURHAM COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM EDT... At 326 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9 miles west of Carrboro, or 12 miles north of Pittsboro, moving northeast at 25 mph. Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Durham, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Carrboro, Efland, Eno River State Park, Sutphin, Cane Creek Reservoir, Schley and Saxapahaw. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as 40 mph are capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture and other light outdoor objects. 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. && LAT...LON 3580 7928 3588 7938 3616 7906 3597 7888 TIME...MOT...LOC 1926Z 227DEG 22KT 3588 7925 23
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
327 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020
NCZ026>028-041-042-062030-
Edgecombe NC-Nash NC-Johnston NC-Franklin NC-Wake NC-
327 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2020
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NASH...NORTHWESTERN
EDGECOMBE...EASTERN WAKE...NORTH CENTRAL JOHNSTON AND CENTRAL
FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT...
At 326 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 10 miles north of Nashville
to near Bunn to 8 miles east of Raleigh. Movement was southeast at 10
mph.
Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these
storms.
Heavy rain and minor flooding will also be possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Raleigh, Rocky Mount, Nashville, Garner, Clayton, Zebulon, Dortches,
Bailey, Bunn and Knightdale.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter in a nearby building or vehicle. Wind gusts as high as
50 mph are capable of knocking down small or weakened trees and
blowing around light outdoor objects.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3604 7753 3591 7781 3584 7785 3584 7790
3574 7818 3572 7818 3557 7852 3582 7868
3605 7836 3621 7809 3620 7800 3618 7798
3619 7797 3619 7792 3614 7789 3614 7778
3616 7775 3613 7772 3615 7770 3608 7753
TIME...MOT...LOC 1926Z 297DEG 9KT 3611 7801 3598 7829 3583 7850
10The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 21 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:50 UTC.
7 flash flood, 3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
One tree was reported down on power lines along North Carolina Highway 97 near Little River Park.
One tree was reported down near the intersection of Riley Hilll Road and Jack Mitchell Road.
Two tree were reported down near the intersection of Stafford Mill Road and North Bunker Hill Road.
Flash flooding was reported near the intersection of Merriweather Road and Zachary Street.
Flash flooding was reported near the 2500 block of Lewisville Clemmons Road.
Flash flooding was reported near the intersection of South Peace Haven Road and Innisfail Lane.
Flash Flooding was reported near the 2500 block of New Walkertown Road.
Flash Flooding was reported at the intersection of Abbotts Creek Church Road and V V Willard Road.
Flash flooding was reported near the 6500 block of Old Lexington Road.
River Fork Creek near Oak Ridge exceeded flooded stage and was out of it’s banks.
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: 911349, 911350, 911351, 915836, 915837, 915839, 915840, 911352, 915841, 915833.