A strong upper-level trough tracked eastward across North Carolina from the Gulf Coast states and brought heavy rain and severe weather. A warm front produced heavy rain and flash flooding along with the first round of severe weather during the early to mid afternoon.
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 RAH wrote it up.
A strong upper-level trough tracked eastward across North Carolina from the Gulf Coast states and brought heavy rain and severe weather. A warm front produced heavy rain and flash flooding along with the first round of severe weather during the early to mid afternoon. An assoiciated cold front and surface wave moved across the area during the mid to late afternoon and evening. This is when a line of strong to severe thunderstorms raced across the area, producing widespread damaging wind gusts. There were many reports of downed trees and power lines. A bow echo produced 80 to 100 mph straight line winds near Enfield and near Bunn, which snapped and uprooted trees and resulted in minor to moderate damage to numerous structures. In addition, two EF1 tornadoes were confirmed, one in Randolph County and one in Stanly County.
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 Feb 6, 7:23 AM EST, 4 hours 2 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Raleigh NC 723 AM EST Thu Feb 6 2020 .SYNOPSIS... A front over northern NC this morning will drift northward and become quasi-stationary from northwestern NC to central VA through this afternoon, ahead of a strong area of low pressure and trailing cold front that will track across the Carolinas late this afternoon and early tonight. A secondary cold front will follow and cross the region Friday morning. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 540 AM Thursday... ...Multi-faceted hazard risks include flooding, severe storms, and strong to damaging gradient winds/gusts both in a growing warm sector this afternoon and again in post-frontal CAA/strong MSL pressure rises Friday morning... Downstream of a blocking ridge over the ern Pacific, the nrn and srn branches of the upr jet have phased from nrn Mexico to the lwr Great Lakes. Within the associated phased, full latitude trough from the nrn Plains to nrn Mexico this morning, several notable shortwave perturbations are evident in wv satellite and 00Z/Thu upr air data from the lwr MS Valley wnwwd across the srn and cntl (high) Plains. The lead two of these features over the lwr MS Valley wwd to ern OK this morning will shear rapidly newd with associated upr divergence maxima and forcing for ascent that will focus from the TN Valley newd across the srn Appalachians this morning. Meanwhile, the strongest of these shortwave perturbations, and most influential for cntl NC, were still digging into the longwave trough base this morning and located over ern CO and wrn TX/the Rio Grande, respectively. These features are forecast to laterally interact and be drawn nearer while pivoting newd across the TN Valley and srn Appalachians through 12Z Fri, with associated extreme mid level height falls forecast to maximize between 200-250 meters over wrn NC through that time, with an equally extreme/anomalous 500 mb jet streak that the models indicate will strengthen to around 140 kts over cntl NC through the same time. The SPC Sounding Climo Page indicates winds that strong at that level have only been recorded a handful of times during the period of record at GSO. The related extreme deep layer wind fields will provide for a strongly, mostly- unidirectionally-sheared environment over cntl NC throughout the period. At the surface, a slowly retreating wedge front was analyzed at 10Z across far nrn NC from near ECG wwd to TDF and MWK, then nnwwd to a 999 mb low over WV. A trailing, wavy cold front extended swwd through a pair of 996-998 mb lows over middle TN and nrn AL, then swwd and slightly lagging a srn stream frontal system that delineates the nrn and wrn bound of maritime Tropical air characterized by upr 60s-lwr 70s surface dewpoints and moderate MLCAPE that has surged as far n as cntl AL/GA, swwd to the MS Delta region. The wedge front is likely to become quasi-stationary from nwrn NC newd across cntl VA today, reinforced by periods of widespread rainfall. A growing warm sector, as morning low clouds and areas of rain retreat nwd, will expand across the ern and e-cntl Carolinas through midday to early afternoon, immediately preceding the srn stream/mT front and squall line that will cross the region late this afternoon through early tonight. The slightly lagging frontal zone from WV to middle TN this morning will follow and sweep ewd across cntl NC late tonight and Fri morning. Initially widespread rain this morning is expected to taper off and retreat nwwd into the wrn Piedmont through late morning-midday. Associated boundary layer deepening and mixing southeast of lingering low overcast over the nw Piedmont will cause strong low level winds to mix to the surface and manifest as windy swly surface winds that may gust up to 35-40 mph, strongest from Scotland to Wilson Co. and points sewd. We considered a short-fuse Wind Advisory for those areas from roughly 11 AM to 5 PM, but elected not to issue at this time given that gusts exceeding 40 mph are likely to be isolated. The day shift may elect otherwise should 12Z analyses support slightly stronger warm sector wind. A band of of showers and leading narrow line of intense convection -- with torrential downpours; isolated QLCS/mesovortex tornadoes; and widespread 35-45 kt gusts and isolated higher ones-- will spread east across central NC this afternoon through this evening. While the squall line motion will be ewd, storm motion vectors favor a nwwd cell motion that will favor training and a heightened risk of flooding. Storm total rain amounts are relatively unchanged from previous forecasts, or perhaps slightly less, ranging from 2-4 inches over the Piedmont to 1-3 inches over the Coastal Plain, the latter of which is generally just shy of both 1 and 3-hour Flash Flood Guidance values. As such, no expansion of the FFA will be made at this time. Widespread, trailing "stratiform" rain will likely end within 3-4 hours of the passage of the squall line tonight, along with a lessening of swly surface winds; and this will favor the redevelopment or maintenance of areas of low overcast and fog ahead of the secondary front Fri morning. Scattered showers and even a few storms, owing to markedly cooling temperatures and steepening lapse rates aloft, atop a residually moist and buoyant low level air mass characterized by surface dewpoints in the 50s, will also accompany that secondary front late tonight. Even stronger gradient wind, amidst post-frontal CAA and sharp MSL pressure rises, will likely materialize and spread newd across SC and into at least the wrn half of cntl NC in the few hours prior to 12Z Fri, at which time wind gusts between 35-45 mph will be possible - strongest across the srn Piedmont and Sandhills. A Wind Advisory may be needed for this time period, continuing and expanding ewd into the Coastal Plain early Fri. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 440 AM Thursday... ...Gusty winds with gusts near 40 MPH are expected late Friday morning and early afternoon... The secondary cold front will be moving off the coast by daybreak Friday. The widespread rain and embedded thunderstorms will have moved offshore but scattered showers are still possible during the morning ahead of the approaching upper trough. While the afternoon should be dry in most locations, the vigorous upper trough may be able to squeeze out a shower from the shallow saturated layer atop the boundary layer. Some of the CAMS are suggesting a narrow line of showers the move southeast across central NC during the afternoon. The main story for Friday will be the wind and wind gusts. Cold advection and an impressive pressure field along with decent mixing will support sustained winds of 15 to 25 MPH with gusts of 35 to perhaps 45 MPH during the late morning and early afternoon hours. The strongest gusts will likely occur across the eastern Piedmont, the Sandhills and the Coastal Plain. A wind advisory may be needed. Highs on Friday will range in the upper 50s to lower 60s in most locations, with cooler highs in the mid 50s across the Triad. Dry and chilly conditions are expected on Friday night with lows of 30 to 35. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 440 AM Thursday... An upper level shortwave should will approach and cross the area on Saturday and Saturday night bringing a small threat of some spotty light rain on Saturday afternoon across the Triad and much of the area Saturday night. The system is moisture starved and only light, scattered precipitation is expected. The thermal profile is cold enough such that snow is not out of the question toward the daybreak hours, but have kept the forecast all rain for now given the marginal temperatures. This is supported by SREF forecasts of partial thicknesses near the snow/indeterminate location on the nomogram. Highs on Saturday will range in the upper 40s to lower 50s with lows in the lower to mid 30s on Saturday night. Fair weather is expected for Sunday through early Monday as high pressure extends into the region. A slow moving cold front will approach on Monday and move into the region on Tuesday before a northern stream trough moves across the OH Valley and Mid Atlantic on Wednesday. The result will be a chance of light rain or showers on Tuesday and Wednesday. Highs on Monday will range in the lower to mid 60s and moderate into the 60s to around 70 for Tuesday and Wednesday. -Blaes && .AVIATION /12Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 720 AM Thursday... An area of rain and IFR-MVFR conditions and low level wind shear will overspread cntl NC this morning. The steady rain may then end except perhaps at INT/GSO; and this will allow ceilings to gradually lift and scatter within a growing warm sector over the eastern Carolinas through midday to early afternoon, possibly to VFR at FAY and RWI. Associated boundary layer deepening and mixing will cause strong low level winds to mix to the surface and manifest as a windy and gusty southwesterly surface wind. A band of of showers and leading narrow line of intense convection --with torrential downpours; isolated tornadoes; and widespread 35-45 kt gusts and isolated higher ones-- will spread east across central NC this afternoon through this evening. IFR-MVFR conditions will also result at that time. There will be a lull in the rain and lessening of surface winds tonight, at which time areas of low stratus and fog, and redevelopment of low level wind shear conditions, will be possible. Outlook: A secondary cold front will cross the region with scattered showers, a scouring of any preceding low clouds and fog, and following very strong and gusty southwesterly surface winds Fri morning. A passing mid to upper level disturbance and related surface frontal system will cross the region with an associated chance of light rain and MVFR conditions late Sat into early Sun. && .HYDROLOGY... As of 725 AM Thursday... Heavy rainfall remains very likely through tonight, particularly over the NC Piedmont and points westward into the mountains. Increasing deep moisture transport and surging PWs to daily record values, in the presence of strengthening forcing for ascent through the column, will lead to heavy rainfall; and the orientation of convective bands parallel to the steering flow will result in slow movement and higher rainfall amounts. Storm totals of 2-4", locally higher, are expected through tonight from the Triangle west, with 1- 3 " totals in the east. This rainfall over the headwaters of expansive basins will push many mainstem rivers near or over flood stage, including parts of the Dan, Yadkin, Haw, Deep, Rocky, Cape Fear, Neuse, and Tar Rivers and their tributaries. Flashier rivers like the Haw will see quicker response this afternoon and tonight, resulting in a good chance of moderate or greater flooding. While most other sites are currently expected to peak at minor flood, we'll keep a close eye on upstream rainfall as this event unfolds. River flooding may extend well into the weekend over eastern sections, as this rainwater flows through the tributaries and downriver. -GIH && .CLIMATE... Record high minimum temperatures for February 6. Raleigh area... 61 degrees (2008) Greensboro area... 60 degrees (2008) Fayetteville area... 63 degrees (2008) && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch from Thursday morning through late Thursday night for NCZ007>010-021>026-038>041-073>076-083-084. && SYNOPSIS...MWS NEAR TERM...MWS SHORT TERM...Blaes LONG TERM...Blaes AVIATION...MWS HYDROLOGY...Hartfield CLIMATE...Badgett
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 1111 AM EST Thu Feb 6 2020 NCZ007-021>024-038>040-073>076-083-084-071200- Person-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Orange-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham- Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Anson-Richmond- 1111 AM EST Thu Feb 6 2020 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... ...TORNADO WATCH 27 IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. Tornado Watch. Additionally, a line of heavy showers and thunderstorms will develop and move across the forecast area this afternoon and evening. Widespread wind gusts between 35 and 45 mph will accompany this line, with corridors of locally higher and damaging gusts. An isolated tornado or two will also be possible. The timing of these hazards will be most likely between 3 PM and 9 PM. Lastly, southwesterly wind gusts up to 35 to 45 mph will be possible late tonight and early Friday. The wind combined with saturated soil may result in scattered to numerous uprooted trees. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Strong southwesterly winds, with gusts up to 35 to 45 mph Friday morning, will gradually diminish through Friday afternoon. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. NCZ011-027-028-042-043-077-078-085-086-088-089-071200- Halifax-Nash-Edgecombe-Johnston-Wilson-Harnett-Wayne-Scotland-Hoke- Cumberland-Sampson- 1111 AM EST Thu Feb 6 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A plume of deep moisture ahead of an approaching cold front will favor heavy downpours and rainfall amounts between one and three inches through tonight, with an associated risk of flooding in urban, low lying, and poor drainage areas. Additionally, a line of heavy showers and thunderstorms will develop and move across the forecast area this evening. Widespread wind gusts between 35 and 45 mph will accompany this line, with corridors of locally higher and damaging gusts. Isolated tornadoes will also be possible. The timing of these hazards will be most likely between 6 PM and 11 PM. Lastly, southwesterly wind gusts up to 35 to 45 mph will be possible this afternoon and again late tonight and early Friday. The wind combined with saturated soil may result in scattered to numerous uprooted trees. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Strong southwesterly winds, with gusts up to 35 to 45 mph Friday morning, will gradually diminish through Friday evening. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed. NCZ008>010-025-026-041-071200- Granville-Vance-Warren-Durham-Franklin-Wake- 1111 AM EST Thu Feb 6 2020 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. Additionally, a line of heavy showers and thunderstorms will develop and move across the forecast area this afternoon and evening. Widespread wind gusts between 35 and 45 mph will accompany this line, with corridors of locally higher and damaging gusts. An isolated tornado or two will also be possible. The timing of these hazards will be most likely between 3 PM and 9 PM. Lastly, southwesterly wind gusts up to 35 to 45 mph will be possible late tonight and early Friday. The wind combined with saturated soil may result in scattered to numerous uprooted trees. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Strong southwesterly winds, with gusts up to 35 to 45 mph Friday morning, will gradually diminish through Friday afternoon. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1044 AM EST Thu Feb 6 2020
NCZ021-038-061630-
Forsyth NC-Davidson NC-
1044 AM EST Thu Feb 6 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT FORSYTH AND DAVIDSON COUNTIES
UNTIL 1130 AM EST...
At 1044 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles north of Cleveland, or 9 miles southwest of Mocksville, moving
northeast at 60 mph.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Winston-Salem, Lexington, Thomasville, Kernersville, Clemmons,
Bermuda Run, Huntsville, Linwood, Lewisville and Walkertown.
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.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 500 PM EST for central North
Carolina.
LAT...LON 3611 8050 3614 8044 3626 8045 3626 8004
3625 8004 3574 8006 3570 8033 3571 8032
3572 8033 3574 8046 3583 8049 3584 8039
3588 8042 3589 8037 3596 8038 3599 8042
3601 8042 3606 8046 3604 8049 3608 8052
TIME...MOT...LOC 1544Z 242DEG 53KT 3584 8071
10The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
40 thunderstorm wind, 6 flash flood, 4 hail, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were reported down across the road near the intersection of Harper Road and Village Point Drive.
Trees were reported down across the road near the intersection of Curry Road and State Route 1003.
Numerous trees were reported down, including many on power lines, in Greensboro.
Trees were reported down across the road along Wiley Farm Road.
Trees were reported down along United States Highway 421 near the Old Liberty Road exit.
An EF-1 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 100 mph touched down just west of State Route 2442. An unoccupied large chicken house was completely destroyed, with debris carried over a half mile away and lofted sufficiently to produce a tornado debris signature on the KRAX WSR-88D radar. In addition, a large farm outbuilding was shifted and twisted off of it's foundation. A detached four bay garage had the doors blown in and subsequently collapsed. The tornado then crossed State Route 2442 and caused substantial tree damage and then lifted.
Numerous trees were reported down across Alamance County.
An EF-1 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 110 mph touched down west of Albemarle. A discontinuous damage path started along Flint Ridge Road approximately two mies southwest of Millingport. The damage there consisted of a double-wide manufactured home that had the roof completely removed and shifted off of its foundation. A large storage outbuilding at the same location was completely destroyed. In addition, there was a long and narrow patch of substantial tree damage consisting of both uprooted and snapped hard and softwood trees. This type of damage was noted in numerous locations along Biles road. The tree damage continued east of Biles Road after crossing Millingport Road. The damage path was picked back up along Pennington Road, where a child care center had considerable roof damage and numerous surrounding tree damage. A large swath and path of trees damage continued to the northeast, before the damage mostly ended around Snuggs Park Road.
The goal post at the Albemarle High School was bent from the damaging winds.
Several trees were reported snapped off in the vicinity of Mountain Creek Road and Talbert Drive. The roof to a carport was also blown off.
The roof was reported damaged to a business in the 1400 block of United States Highway 52.
Several trees were reported down in Albemarle. Some of the trees fell on outbuildings and vehicles causing minor damage.
Several trees were reported down near Hillsborough.
Numerous trees were reported down near the intersection of Bethany Church Road and Tom Brown Road.
A tree was reported down on a house along Sam Lowe Road just north of Silk Hope Liberty Road.
Numerous trees were reported down on power lines along Mount Carmel Church Road.
Numerous trees were reported down on power lines along Mount Carmel Church Road.
Two trees were reported down near Moncure.
Several trees were reported down near Bynum Ridge Road.
Numerous trees were reported down on power lines near Moncure.
Multiple trees were reported down on Castalia Drive.
Several trees were reported down in the Summerfield North Subdivision.
Numerous large trees were reported down in and around Vandemere Court and Selfridge Court and Coldstream Court.
Quarter size hail was reported at Wellington Court.
Structural damage was reported to several warehouses, including several air conditioning units getting ripped off from the buildings.
A large tree was reported down off of Rooksley court.
One tree was reported down near the intersection of South Franklin Street and Holding Road.
One tree was reported down across a driveway along Wait Street.
Power poles were reported snapped near the intersection of Lake Wheeler Road and Tryon Road.
Two foot in diameter trees were report down near the intersection of Barham Siding Road and Zebulon Road.
Power lines were reported down near the intersection of Mitchell Mill Road and Highway 96.
One tree was reported down near the intersection of Forestville Road and Burlington Mills Road.
Several trees were reported down off of Mc Wilder Road.
A swath of damage was reported east of Rolesville near Pulley Town Road and continued eastward to near the Wake and Franklin County Line. Numerous pines trees were reported down or snapped off, barns and outbuildings were tossed or destroyed, and damage to fencing.
Trees were reported down on power lines near the 4400 block of Zebulon Road.
One tree was reported down on a house in the 4800 block of United States Highway 401.
One tree was reported down near the 4600 block of Seven Paths Road.
A backyard playground set was reported to be picked up and tossed around 45 feet. This destroyed the playground set.
Trees were reported down along Old Carriage Road.
A couple of outbuildings were damaged along with a few small grain bins that were destroyed near the intersection of Green Star Road and State Route 903. A few homes this area also sustained minor roof damage.
Numerous trees were reported down in and around Norwood.
Several roads around Ansonville were reported closed due to flooding.
Glenwood Avenue was reported flooded due to high water near the Five Points area.
Several trees were reported down across southern portions of the county.
Crabtree Creek at Old Wake Forecast Road crested above flood stage at 14.18 feet.
Highway 301 was reported flooded near Dedication Drive and Angel Drive.
One tree fell on a house on Wayland Drive.
A couple of road were reported flooded in the town of Holly Springs, including Old Holly Springs Apex Road at the Little Branch Bridge and along Rex Road in between People Road and Avent Ferry Road.
John Smith Road was closed due to flooding between Cumberland Road and Crystal Springs Road.
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 historyThe tornado archive for North Carolina, 2020Warnings in North Carolina, February 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: 874188, 874205, 874233, 874235, 875054, 875040, 874302, 875052, 875056, 875058, 875062, 875063, 874307, 874365, 874340, 874983, 874984, 874341, 874369, 874342, 874396, 874379, 874381, 874374, 874383, 874384, 874385, 874387, 874388, 874375, 874376, 874378, 874389, 874390, 874970, 874377, 874394, 874395, 874971, 874975, and more.