A line of thunderstorms moved into upstate South Carolina from northeast Georgia during the early afternoon and quickly intensified. Multiple reports of locally damaging wind gusts were received, and a weak tornado moved across Kings Mountain State Park and vicinity.
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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 GSP wrote it up.
A line of thunderstorms moved into upstate South Carolina from northeast Georgia during the early afternoon and quickly intensified. Multiple reports of locally damaging wind gusts were received, and a weak tornado moved across Kings Mountain State Park and vicinity.
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 May 22, 12:48 PM EST, 41 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
148 PM EDT Fri May 22 2020
.SYNOPSIS...
An upper-level low pressure system just northwest of the region
early this morning will move away to the northeast today. A strong
disturbance rounding the south side of this system will cross the
western Carolinas and northeast Georgia late today. A strengthening
high pressure ridge will then build over the southeast through the
weekend, with warming temperatures but also afternoon and evening
thunderstorms redeveloping each day. The high pressure ridge will
dominate the southeast through much of next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
130 PM Update...Convection upstream has remained intact and is now
crossing the wrn parts of the FA. Instability will be moderate,
however, these storms will remain rather organized with good support
from an ulvl s/w and a passing h3 jet core. Thus...a severe
thunderstorm watch is now in effect for most areas east of the NC
mtns. have issues a svr tstm warning for a bowing structure across
Oconee Co. Radar base velocities are not real high with this
feature, yet with wet antecedent soils, tress can be toppled with
sub-severe winds. Will likely issue convective statements/warnings
on this line as it moves east of the FA thru 00z.
1030 AM Update...Shallow convec showers and thunderstorms are
crossing into the far wrn zones currently. Not expecting much impact
with these storms outside of periodic cloud-to-ground lightning.
Still anticipating a possibly semi-organized line of storms later
this afternoon associated with a stout upper-level vort lobe. Much
will depend on the amt of instability achieved after more widespread
cloudiness spreads in during the early afternoon.
As of 635 am EDT: The Dense Fog Advisory has been expanded to
Laurens SC and Union NC through 9 am. There continues to be a race
ongoing between visibility crashing in dense fog due to the abundant
low level moisture, and mid-level clouds arriving from the west
ahead of the leading edge of the upper level forcing. There should
be a slightly longer period of areas of dense fog across the western
NC foothills and piedmont, as well as the eastern Upstate of SC,
east of a Spartanburg to Laurens line, before the clouds spill in to
improve the visibility. A dense fog advisory remains in effect for
these areas through 9 am, while an SPS has been featured for
mountain river valley fog.
Otherwise, water vapor imagery shows a deep, closed low pressure
system slowly filling over upper portions of the Ohio River Valley
early this morning. After the low clouds and fog burn off mid to
late morning, heating and instability will rebound quickly through
the afternoon hours. As the upper jetlet associated with the upper
low lifts northeast today, improving upper divergence will cross the
western Carolinas during the afternoon and evening hours. In
addition, embedded H5 vorticity lobes south of the departing upper
low will cross the heart of the forecast area from 18Z this
afternoon through about 03Z this evening. This should provide plenty
of forcing for convection during the afternoon and evening hours.
Mid-level lapse rates should increase to about 6.5 deg C/km, SBCAPE
values should rise above 2000 J/kg, especially over the southern
half of the forecast area. Sfc to 3 km shear values should reach 40
to 45 kt late in the day and likely peak near I-77 by early evening.
The marginal severe threat thus appears warranted across the
forecast area, with perhaps the greatest risk near the I-85 corridor
where instability and shear will best overlap to produce a damaging
wind/isolated tornado threat.
The filling upper low will lift steadily away through the Mid-
Atlantic tonight, with a shallow upper ridge beginning to build over
the southern Appalachians. Showers could persist into the nighttime
hours given the lingering low-level moisture, but thunder chances
will steadily diminish with the loss of instability and departing
upper forcing. Anticipate a smaller than climo diurnal range on
temps through the near term.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 330 am EDT Friday: A 500 mb ridge axis will strengthen over
the southeast through the weekend, with 585 dm heights on Saturday
rising to 586 dm by Sunday afternoon. With the ridge axis setting up
just west of the mountains Saturday afternoon, there is some
potential for upstream convection to ride down the ridge and across
the northern tier of the forecast area late in the day. Piedmont
locations should see 2500 J/kg of sbCAPE late day with heating, plus
the northern tier could experience 30+ kt of shear. Timing any MCS
development or movement will be challenging, so the forecast will
follow mainly a diurnal peak with instability, especially with lapse
rates steepening up over the mountains Saturday afternoon.
With capping under the ridge still fairly limited through late
weekend, ridge top convection will likely develop again with heating
Sunday afternoon. SBCAPE values should rebound to 2000+ again late
in the day, and a surface backdoor cold front may approach from the
northeast very late Sunday. Steering flow will be quite weak on
Sunday, meaning any convection could pose local hydro issues from
slowly moving storms. Anticipate max temps rising to some 5 to 10
degrees above climo through the weekend.
&&
.LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 330 AM Friday: A blocky, amplified pattern will develop across
the CONUS thru the medium range, as an upper ridge closes off over
the Mid-Atlantic, while an upper low develops over the Southern
Plains. This will keep a persistent easterly to southeasterly deep-
layer flow atop the forecast area thru most of next week. This
results in slightly above normal temps, despite plenty of cloudiness
from persistent Atlantic moisture fetch across the region. Generally
isolated to scattered diurnal convection is expected each day,
especially in the high terrain, as we enter more typical late-spring
pulse convective season. The higher PWAT plume will stay west of the
area, so heavy rain threat should be localized to slow-moving or
training convection. Severe threat looks isolated.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
At KCLT and Elsewhere: A mixed bag in the TAFs with a line of convec
storms moving quickly across the FA this afternoon. Have timings for
TS and VCTS with some lowering CIGs into MVFR mainly across the the
mtns this afternoon and then again across the non/mtns late within
PROB30s for general thunder and precip trailing the main MCS this
afternoon/evening. Winds will remain fairly low-end outside of gusty
storms as a llvl ridge builds in from the east.
Outlook: Afternoon to evening showers and thunderstorms will be
possible over the weekend and into early next week. Restrictions are
also possible each morning from low clouds and fog and again later
in the day under any thunderstorms.
Confidence Table...
17-23Z 23-05Z 05-11Z 11-12Z
KCLT High 100% High 100% High 100% High 89%
KGSP Med 75% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KAVL Med 69% Med 60% High 100% Med 66%
KHKY High 100% Med 65% Med 75% Low 53%
KGMU High 87% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KAND High 81% High 100% High 100% High 100%
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...None.
SC...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...HG
NEAR TERM...HG/SBK
SHORT TERM...HG
LONG TERM...ARK
AVIATION...SBKHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 133 PM EDT Fri May 22 2020 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ036-037-056-057-068>072-082-503>510- SCZ001>014-019-231745- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Iredell-Davie-Catawba- Rowan-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC- Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell- 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- 133 PM EDT Fri May 22 2020 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 202 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South 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. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. NCZ033-035-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-502-231745- Avery-Alexander-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe- Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania- Henderson-Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell- 133 PM EDT Fri May 22 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina and western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Thunderstorms are possible afternoon and evening. Cloud to ground lightning and locally heavy rainfall can be expected with any of these thunderstorms. The thunderstorms may also produce very gusty winds, and damaging gusts to 60 mph will be possible in a couple storms. Flash flooding from torrential rainfall is also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. 8
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
107 PM EDT Fri May 22 2020
GAZ010-NCZ062>064-SCZ001-002-004-221745-
Rabun GA-Transylvania NC-Southern Jackson NC-Macon NC-
Pickens Mountains SC-Greater Oconee SC-Oconee Mountains SC-
107 PM EDT Fri May 22 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT RABUN...SOUTHEASTERN MACON...
SOUTHWESTERN TRANSYLVANIA...SOUTHEASTERN JACKSON...NORTHWESTERN
PICKENS AND OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL 145 PM EDT...
At 106 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles southwest of Clayton, or near Tiger, moving east at 40 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Seneca, Walhalla, Clayton, Highlands, Mountain City, Tiger, Dillard,
Sky Valley, Cashiers and Salem.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea size hail and very heavy rainfall rates
up to 2 inches per hour will be possible in these areas.
Doppler radar indicates weak rotation with this storm. Spin-up of a
very brief, weak tornado cannot be ruled out. Be prepared to take
immediate action if a tornado is sighted or a Tornado Warning is
issued.
LAT...LON 3517 8285 3482 8287 3481 8289 3478 8288
3474 8290 3474 8288 3468 8288 3471 8335
3473 8338 3473 8341 3475 8343 3473 8348
3474 8352 3499 8355 3500 8348 3500 8352
3502 8352 3504 8356 3506 8356
TIME...MOT...LOC 1706Z 266DEG 33KT 3483 8345
RMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
134 PM EDT Fri May 22 2020
GAZ018-026-028-SCZ001-004-005-010-221800-
Hart GA-Franklin GA-Stephens GA-Greater Pickens SC-Greater Oconee SC-
Anderson SC-Oconee Mountains SC-
134 PM EDT Fri May 22 2020
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT FRANKLIN...STEPHENS...
NORTHWESTERN HART...NORTHWESTERN ANDERSON...SOUTHWESTERN PICKENS AND
OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL 200 PM EDT...
At 134 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 8 miles west of Walhalla to 5 miles north of
Homer, and moving east at 40 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Clemson, Toccoa, Seneca, Walhalla, Carnesville, Hartwell, Central,
Pendleton, Liberty and Westminster.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea size hail and very heavy rainfall rates
up to 2 inches per hour will be possible in these areas.
Doppler radar indicates weak rotation with These storms. Spin-up of a
very brief, weak tornado cannot be ruled out. Be prepared to take
immediate action if a tornado is sighted or a Tornado Warning is
issued.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
northeastern Georgia...and Upstate South Carolina.
LAT...LON 3436 8339 3443 8338 3446 8340 3448 8346
3453 8344 3481 8320 3483 8290 3481 8290
3483 8284 3485 8262 3432 8297
TIME...MOT...LOC 1734Z 275DEG 35KT 3477 8320 3441 8353
RMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
200 PM EDT Fri May 22 2020
GAZ018-026-028-029-SCZ001-004>006-010-221845-
Elbert GA-Hart GA-Franklin GA-Stephens GA-Greater Pickens SC-
Greater Oconee SC-Anderson SC-Oconee Mountains SC-
Greater Greenville SC-
200 PM EDT Fri May 22 2020
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT FRANKLIN...STEPHENS...
NORTHWESTERN ELBERT...HART...CENTRAL GREENVILLE...ANDERSON...SOUTHERN
PICKENS AND SOUTHERN OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM EDT...
At 159 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 8 miles north of Clemson to 4 miles northwest of
Carnesville, and moving east at 40 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Anderson, Easley, Clemson, Seneca, Hartwell, Carnesville, Greenville
Downtown, Toccoa, Greenville Eastside and West Greenville.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph, pea size hail and very heavy rainfall rates
up to 2 inches per hour will be possible in these areas.
Doppler radar indicates weak rotation with These storms. Spin-up of a
very brief, weak tornado cannot be ruled out. Be prepared to take
immediate action if a tornado is sighted or a Tornado Warning is
issued.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for
northeastern Georgia...and Upstate South Carolina.
LAT...LON 3417 8310 3423 8308 3427 8312 3424 8317
3424 8325 3426 8330 3423 8335 3426 8334
3433 8339 3443 8338 3446 8340 3448 8343
3450 8343 3485 8290 3481 8290 3486 8280
3485 8229 3421 8274 3416 8276 3415 8306
TIME...MOT...LOC 1759Z 268DEG 34KT 3479 8286 3443 8327
RMThe Greer radar (KGSP), 21 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:31 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple sources reported a few trees large limbs and power lines blown down throughout the city of Greenville and vicinity. One tree fell on a vehicle on Coolidge Ave.
Highway Patrol reported a tree blown down on Tigerville Rd at Belvue School Rd and another tree down on Jackson Grove Rd. Spotter reported fence sections blown down and 4-inch diameter limbs snapped from the top of trees nearby on Feversham Ct.
Emergency manager reported multiple trees and power lines blown down on West Georgia Rd and Highway 418. Public reported about a dozen trees blown down around Windover Ln in Fountain Inn. Numerous other trees were reported down across southern Greenville County, especially in the Pelzer area.
Public reported trees blown down that damaged a chain link fence on Parris Bridge Rd at Sandifer Rd. Nws employee reported a karge tree uprooted near downtown Spartanburg, and Highway Dept reported multiple trees down at Brice Rd and Chapel Dr.
Highway dept reported trees blown down near the intersection of Highways 184 and 187.
Spotter reported numerous trees blown in the vicinity of Lake Stone Road.
Public reported a couple of oak trees blown down and numerous large limbs down on Webster Dr in the Thicketty community. Highway Dept reported a couple of trees blown down on the northeast side of Gaffney.
NWS storm survey found the path of an EF1 tornado that began near the intersection of Tucker Rd and Zayes Rd, crossing S Rutherford, St Oak Grove Rd, and Highway 5 before crossing into Kings Mountain National Military Park. Numerous trees and large limbs were snapped and uprooted along the entire path but structural damage was minimal in this largely rural area.
Public reported multiple trees and power lines blown down in Buffalo and in Monarch Mill, with some trees on houses in Monarch Mill.
NWS storm survey found that an EF1 tornado that began just southeast of Blacksburg in Cherokee County crossed into York County in Kings Mountain National Military Park crossing Piedmont Rd and Park Rd before moving out of the park in the area around Highway 161 N and Whitworth Rd. The tornado weakened around this point, but additional damage was found around Henry Knob Rd and Grandview Rd N where the tornado appeared to lift. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted along the path in York County but structural damage was minimal in this largely rural area.
Public reported multiple trees blown down and an outbuilding blown over on Lilly Dr and multiple trees down along Lawrence Rd near Clover. Amateur Radio reported numerous trees blown down along the shore of Lake Wylie just south of Catawba Station including on Highway 274 Fasana Dr Brandt Rd and Seaside Rd.
Highway dept reported trees blown down on Highway 321 at Sky Line Dr.
Public reported via Social Media 3/4 inch hail along Flat Rock Rd.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Carolina in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for South Carolina, 2020Warnings in South Carolina, May 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: 896653, 896656, 896657, 896658, 896659, 896661, 896662, 896673, 897774, 896672, 896674, 896664, 896682.