Scattered showers and thunderstorms produced several wet microbursts during the afternoon and evening in an environment that was characterized by high CAPE and low shear. This resulted in several reports of wind damage across the Sandhills and portions of the Piedmont.
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.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms produced several wet microbursts during the afternoon and evening in an environment that was characterized by high CAPE and low shear. This resulted in several reports of wind damage across the Sandhills and portions of the Piedmont.
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 Jul 24, 3:21 PM EST, 2 hours 39 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Raleigh NC 421 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020 .SYNOPSIS... An upper level trough and weak surface front will slowly move into the area from the northwest today through tonight. The trough will weaken and move east over the weekend. Upper level high pressure will build back over the area early next week. && .NEAR TERM /TODAY AND TONIGHT/... As of 355 PM Friday... Two areas of showers and storms, one from the SW and one from the SE, will move into the southern Piedmont, Sandhills, and southern Coastal Plain over the next several hours. Despite the clouds and showers this morning, MLCAPE values have still risen to sufficient levels for thunderstorms, 1500-2500 J/kg (highest south). This combined with an upper trough approaching the region from the NW, and PW values near or in excess of 2 inches across the SE half of the region, will result in an environment conducive for showers and storms late this afternoon into the evening. The best chance will be in the south (60-70% POPs) where moisture and instability will be highest. North of there, coverage may remain more scattered, but the HRRR has consistently shown some storms moving across the northern Piedmont later this evening, so will have to monitor this over the next several hours. The primary severe threat with any storms will be damaging winds. They should generally be of the pulse variety, as deep-layer shear is nonexistent. Very heavy rain and localized flash flooding will also be a possibility, especially considering the storms will be slow-moving. Convection will dissipate after midnight with loss of daytime heating. Lows tonight will be in the low-70s. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT/... As of 415 PM Friday... The upper-level trough will move east of the area tomorrow, and moisture should be slightly lower compared to today (PW values about 1.6 to 1.9 inches). As a result, coverage of showers and storms should be slightly lower compared to today, and opted to continue high chance POPs everywhere rather than likely. The best chance for convection is across SE zones where moisture will be greatest. Increasing thicknesses and less cloud cover should result in slightly higher temperatures tomorrow compared to today, generally low-90s, but heat indices should still remain just below Heat Advisory criteria. Any showers and storms will dissipate after sunset with loss of daytime heating. Lows Saturday night will once again be in the low-70s. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 310 PM Friday... The first part of next week begins with upper-level shortwave ridging building across central NC from the west on Sunday and lingering to our east through the middle of the week. At the same time, a surface trough will develop along the Mid-Atlantic coast into central NC, and remain across the area through most of next week. Subsidence from the ridge will create higher temperatures each day with highs in the low 90s on Sunday increasing to the mid- 90s by Tuesday. Southwesterly flow at the surface will maintain dewpoint temperatures in the low to mid 70s across the region, helping to increase the heat index to the low 100s for many areas Monday and Tuesday. A Heat Advisory may be needed, however temperatures are borderline at this time. The ridging will mitigate widespread shower/thunderstorm activity on Sunday and Monday, with only isolated to scattered diurnal development expected. An upper-level trough will swing across the region sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday, increasing precipitation chances Tuesday and Wednesday. This will also help lower high temperatures back to the low 90s for the rest of the work week. Although the trough exits the area mid-week, additional waves will move across the region through the end of the week, keeping precipitation chances higher to close out the work week. The frontal passage mid- week will transport a slightly drier airmass into the Piedmont, lowering dew point temperatures into the mid to upper 60s. Low temperatures will range from the low to mid 70s. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 210 PM Friday... Mainly VFR conditions are expected during the next 24 hours, except where any storms occur this afternoon and possibly some MVFR visibilities in the Triad early tomorrow morning. Scattered cumulus will continue to develop throughout central NC this afternoon, but a lull in precipitation is expected over the next few hours before showers and storms begin to develop. Based on high-res model guidance and the clouds/showers across a good portion of the area this morning, am expecting showers and storms to mostly hold off until after 21z. The best chance for showers and storms will be over southern and eastern parts of the area (FAY and RWI). Where any storms do occur, expect a brief drop in ceilings and visibilities to sub-VFR along with gusty winds, and have included a TEMPO group for this at all TAF sites late this afternoon and evening. Rain chances will lessen considerably after midnight, but based on model guidance and what occurred this morning, there is a chance for mist and MVFR visibilities at INT and GSO once again early tomorrow morning. Looking beyond 18z Saturday: There is a continued good chance of showers and storms tomorrow afternoon and evening, but coverage should be a bit lower than today and more confined to southern parts of the area. Rain chances will be lowest on Sunday and Monday before increasing again on Tuesday and especially Wednesday. While widespread prolonged sub-VFR conditions are not expected, as always, brief drops to sub-VFR are possible in any storms. Patchy sub-VFR stratus and fog are also possible in the early morning each day. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...Danco/Hartfield NEAR TERM...Danco SHORT TERM...Danco LONG TERM...JJT AVIATION...Danco
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 351 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020 NCZ007-021>023-038-039-252000- Person-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Davidson-Randolph- 351 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few storms may become strong to severe through this evening, with damaging winds as the primary threat. Also, the risk of heavy rainfall and the slow movement of showers and storms may produce areas of flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. NCZ008>011-024>028-040>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-252000- Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Orange-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe- Chatham-Wake-Johnston-Wilson-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett- Wayne-Anson-Richmond-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson- 351 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A few storms may become strong to severe through this evening, with damaging winds as the primary threat. Also, the risk of heavy rainfall and the slow movement of showers and storms may produce areas of flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Dangerously hot weather will return, with heat index values expected to reach 100 to 105 degrees each day Sunday through Wednesday. Tuesday is likely to be the hottest day. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. JJT
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
106 PM EDT FRI JUL 24 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0230 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SSW WINSTON-SALEM 36.09N 80.27W
07/23/2020 FORSYTH NC PUBLIC
TREES DOWN IN PARKING LOT OF WAKE FOREST
BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER. SOME CARS WERE ALSO
DAMAGED AS A RESULT.
&&
AKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
216 PM EDT FRI JUL 24 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0524 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 SW GARNER 35.67N 78.66W
07/23/2020 WAKE NC PUBLIC
MULTIPLE TREES DOWN AT EAGLE RIDGE IN
GARNER.
&&
AKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
217 PM EDT FRI JUL 24 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0644 PM LIGHTNING 3 ENE LAKE WHEELER 35.72N 78.68W
07/23/2020 WAKE NC 911 CALL CENTER
REPORT OF A LIGHTNING STRIKE TO A
RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE.
0524 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 SW GARNER 35.67N 78.66W
07/23/2020 WAKE NC PUBLIC
MULTIPLE TREES DOWN AT EAGLE RIDGE IN
GARNER.
0331 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 SW PILOT 35.86N 78.30W
07/23/2020 WAKE NC 911 CALL CENTER
TREE DOWN AT 2200 BLOCK OF SHEPARD SCHOOL
RD.
0310 PM TSTM WND DMG 4 WSW PILOT 35.85N 78.33W
07/23/2020 WAKE NC 911 CALL CENTER
POWER LINE DOWN AT PIPPIN RD AND ZEBULON RD.
0247 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 SW PILOT 35.85N 78.31W
07/23/2020 WAKE NC TRAINED SPOTTER
TREE DOWN ON PIPPIN RD IN ZRBULON.
0247 PM TSTM WND GST 3 SW PILOT 35.85N 78.31W
07/23/2020 M73 MPH WAKE NC PUBLIC
STORM SPOTTER REPORTED NORTH OF ZEBULON.
0247 PM TSTM WND DMG 4 SW PILOT 35.84N 78.33W
07/23/2020 WAKE NC TRAINED SPOTTER
TRREES AND POWERLIENS DOWN ON HWY 96 AND
RILEY HILL RD, ZEBULON.
0243 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 SW PILOT 35.86N 78.30W
07/23/2020 WAKE NC TRAINED SPOTTER
TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN ON SHEPARD SCHOOL
RD.
0738 PM TSTM WND DMG CLINTON 35.00N 78.33W
07/23/2020 SAMPSON NC 911 CALL CENTER
TREE DOWN AT INTERSECTION OF LARKINS ST. AND
WALKER ST.
0738 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NNE CLINTON 35.02N 78.33W
07/23/2020 SAMPSON NC 911 CALL CENTER
POWER LINES DOWN AT BEAMAN ST NEAR NORTHEAST
BOULEVARD RD.
0419 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 WNW DORTCHES 36.02N 77.88W
07/23/2020 NASH NC 911 CALL CENTER
TREE DOWN AT DORTCHES RD AND RED OAK.
0417 PM TSTM WND DMG MIDDLESEX 35.79N 78.20W
07/23/2020 NASH NC 911 CALL CENTER
MULTIPLE TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN AT EXUM
AND OAK ST.
0245 PM TSTM WND DMG 4 WNW NASHVILLE 35.98N 78.03W
07/23/2020 NASH NC 911 CALL CENTER
TREE DOWN AT VICK RD AND PLEASANT GROVE
CHURCH RD.
0830 PM HEAVY RAIN LILLINGTON 35.39N 78.82W
07/23/2020 E3.50 INCH HARNETT NC 911 CALL CENTER
3-4 INCHES OF RAIN RESULTED IN PONDING OF
WATER ON SEVERAL ROADS IN LILLINGTON.
0600 PM FLASH FLOOD 4 SSE GREENSBORO 36.03N 79.79W
07/23/2020 GUILFORD NC PUBLIC
MULTIPLE REPORTS OF ROADWAYS FLOODED DUE TO
RYAN CREEK AND SOUTH BUFFALO CREEK RISING
ABOVE ITS BANKS. STREETS INCLUDED ARE S ELM
EUGENE ST, ALAMANCE CHURCH RD, AND RANDLEMAN
ROAD.
0545 PM FLASH FLOOD 4 SSE GREENSBORO 36.03N 79.80W
07/23/2020 GUILFORD NC EMERGENCY MNGR
GAUGE AT RYANS CREEK (RYAN7) ENTER FLOOD
STAGE AT 8.06 FT, CONFIRM BY MULTIPLE
REPORTS FROM EM.
0409 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 SW PLEASANT GARDEN 35.94N 79.81W
07/23/2020 GUILFORD NC 911 CALL CENTER
POWER LINES DOWN AT TALLEYRAND RD. AND
RANDLEMAN RD.
0354 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 SE GREENSBORO 36.05N 79.80W
07/23/2020 GUILFORD NC 911 CALL CENTER
POWER LINES DOWN AT CRAIG ST AND RANDLEMAN
RD.
0347 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 ESE GREENSBORO 36.06N 79.78W
07/23/2020 GUILFORD NC 911 CALL CENTER
POWER LINES DOWN AT JULIAN ST. AND OMAHA ST.
0333 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 E GREENSBORO 36.09N 79.75W
07/23/2020 GUILFORD NC 911 CALL CENTER
POWERLINES DOWN ON SYKES AVE AND EAST
WENDOVER AVE.
0456 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NNE SEDGE GARDEN 36.10N 80.13W
07/23/2020 FORSYTH NC 911 CALL CENTER
LIGHTNING STRUCK HOUSE ON BARNSDALE RIDGE
RD, KERNERSVILLE.
0245 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 E WALKERTOWN 36.17N 80.10W
07/23/2020 FORSYTH NC NWS EMPLOYEE
SEVERAL TREES DOWN 3MILES EAST OF
WALKERSTOWN.
0230 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SSW WINSTON-SALEM 36.09N 80.27W
07/23/2020 FORSYTH NC PUBLIC
TREES DOWN IN PARKING LOT OF WAKE FOREST
BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER. SOME CARS WERE ALSO
DAMAGED AS A RESULT.
0715 PM FLASH FLOOD THOMASVILLE 35.88N 80.08W
07/23/2020 DAVIDSON NC 911 CALL CENTER
MULTIPLE ROAD CLOSED DUE TO HIGH WATER.
STREETS INCLUDE: RANDOLPH ST, FISHER FERRY
ST, CUNNINGHAM BRICK YARD RD, FOREST DR
ETC...
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
456 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020
NCZ089-242200-
Sampson NC-
456 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN SAMPSON COUNTY UNTIL
600 PM EDT...
At 456 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southeast of Clinton, moving northeast at 15 mph.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible with this storm.
Heavy rain and minor flooding will also be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Clinton, Turkey and Hobbton.
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.
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3490 7846 3527 7831 3526 7827 3522 7824
3520 7816 3509 7817 3508 7816 3490 7815
3481 7817 3478 7823
TIME...MOT...LOC 2056Z 222DEG 13KT 3490 7825
PWBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
500 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020
NCZ086-088-242200-
Hoke NC-Cumberland NC-
500 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WESTERN CUMBERLAND AND HOKE
COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM EDT...
At 459 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Antioch, or near Raeford, moving northeast at 10 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Fayetteville, Raeford, Fort Bragg, Antioch, Pope AFB, Hope Mills,
Spring Lake, Eastover, Vander and Cedar Creek.
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 trash cans, potted plants, lawn furniture and other
light outdoor objects.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3484 7935 3486 7934 3494 7935 3499 7938
3521 7923 3520 7921 3519 7918 3517 7914
3518 7913 3517 7913 3517 7910 3519 7909
3520 7905 3514 7879 3485 7868 3485 7883
3483 7890 3490 7894 3495 7904 3483 7919
TIME...MOT...LOC 2059Z 265DEG 10KT 3491 7928
PWBSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Raleigh NC 654 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020 NCZ074-075-250000- Moore NC-Montgomery NC- 654 PM EDT Fri Jul 24 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN MOORE AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES UNTIL 800 PM EDT... At 654 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Troy, moving east at 15 mph. Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Troy, Carthage, Biscoe, Robbins, Star, Candor, Steeds, Eldorado, Seven Lakes and Highfalls. 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. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 3552 7947 3531 7939 3517 7991 3551 8006 TIME...MOT...LOC 2254Z 254DEG 13KT 3529 7985 PWB
The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 105 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:02 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Three trees were reported down along Spies Road.
Three trees were reported down in the vicinity of Old Apex Road and Howland Avenue.
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, July 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: 906947, 906948.