A line of strong to severe storms developed along a cold front over the Tennessee Valley and moved into western North Carolina during the evening. Locally damaging wind gusts were reported in Swain County before the storms weakened over the rugged terrain.
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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 strong to severe storms developed along a cold front over the Tennessee Valley and moved into western North Carolina during the evening. Locally damaging wind gusts were reported in Swain County before the storms weakened over the rugged terrain.
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 Jun 21, 5:04 PM EST, 1 hour 27 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
604 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will bring widespread showers and storms to the region
on Tuesday, before continental high pressure builds in on Wednesday,
causing a drop in temperatures and a lull in active weather. Over
the weekend, renewed moisture should spur a cycle of diurnal showers
and thunderstorms in advance of a slowly-approaching cold front late
in the forecast period.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 6pm EDT Monday: Some strong thunderstorms have erupted over
the piedmont, with more shallow scattered convection over the
mountains. These showers will continue to move northeastward for
the next several hours at least.
A cold front aided by an anomalous ulvl h5 trof will reach the wrn
NC mtns overnight before sunrise and a few associated tstms may
become quite strong due to enhanced lift and a decent measure of
elCAPE. As the front pushes east thru the day, instability will
remain on the low to moderate side as soundings show deep saturation
and skinny sbCAPE ahead of the line. Nonetheless, bulk shear values
will reach the 30-40 kt range and multicells producing stg outflows
and hail will be likely along and ahead of the front. A few of these
storms could reach severe limits, esp across the NC/SC Piedmont
later in the afternoon during max heating. With the high PWATS ahead
of the boundary, these storms could also produce very good rainfall
rates and localized flooding is possible. The latest NAM lingers the
front over the area thru the evening which is a little
disconcerting, yet most models keep the activity pushing east of the
FA by 00z or so. Max temps Tue will be held about 10 degrees below
normal due to enhance cloud cover and precip.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 145 PM EDT Monday: A 500mb trough axis edges to our east and
lifts out over New England on Wednesday, meaning we'll see minimal
forcing as the height gradient relaxes and winds aloft become nearly
zonal by Thursday. The frontal boundary settles to our south and
east through Tuesday night, stalling over Georgia and the Atlantic
coast. Low-end midlevel RHs suggest that precip should be light to
nonexistent by the start of the short-term forecast period for all
but the eastern tier of the CWA. Can't rule out some patchy rain in
some spots owing to residual low-level moisture, but it should be
low-end as guidance indicates accumulations of less than a quarter
inch past 00Z Wednesday. This is especially possible in the
mountains, where models may be failing to resolve some low-level
moisture trapped in mountain valleys (in fact, a few models like the
NAMnest and SREF are picking up on this).
In any case, surface flow should veer from northerly to easterly
over the course of the forecast period, acting to introduce a bit of
extra moisture into the profiles on Thursday. This indicates that
Thursday could see a few more clouds than Wednesday, and perhaps
even an isolated thunderstorm or two. By and large though,
instability will remain too weak, and profiles too capped, to get
much convective activity going through the afternoon. Models
continue to trend toward the good moisture remaining well south of
us, so the likelihood of any major impacts on Thursday seems
diminished.
Temps behind the cold front should drop several degrees owing to
strong CAA as the front passes. So, highs should be a couple
degrees below normal both Wednesday and Thursday.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 200 PM EDT Monday: By Thursday night, the surface high will be
sliding off the Atlantic coast, and surface flow will continue to
veer toward a southeasterly WAA regime. Atlantic moisture will
creep into the Carolinas and introduce an increase in PoPs starting
on Friday. Consequently, each day this weekend should feature
partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies, with a potential for pulse
thunderstorms every afternoon. By Monday, a slowly-propagating
500mb trough over the Midwest begins to impact the region, as
another frontal boundary pushes across the Appalachians.
Temperature advection will remain weak or nonexistent through to the
weekend, when flow off the Atlantic may prompt minimal WAA. However,
the increased cloud cover at this point should counteract any
temperature increase, so highs should remain a few degrees below
normal for the duration of the period.
&&
.AVIATION /22Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: An active TAF period is in store for all
terminals. A cold front will work into the NC mtns tonight and push
east thru the day Tue. Expect CIGS to drop to IFR across the mtns and
at KAND before daybreak as a showers and a few tstms develop within
a pre-frontal trof. MVFR CIGS are likely elsewhere, including KCLT.
However, morning fog will not be a factor as sfc winds remain
elevated overnight. Deep convection and tstms should get going
rather early across the mtns and begin affecting KAVL arnd 08z. Have
included PROB30s for TSRA and flight restrictions at all sites to
account for a best chance convective window as the front traverse
east. The front should exit the FA by 00z, however, lingering -shra
and MVFR CIGS will be possible at KCLT thru the late period.
Outlook: Drier weather and mostly VFR conds return to the region for
Wed and Thu. A weak warm front affects the region Fri and Sat, which
will likely bring back flight restrictions.
Confidence Table...
22-04Z 04-10Z 10-16Z 16-18Z
KCLT High 100% High 100% High 82% High 86%
KGSP High 100% High 100% High 87% High 86%
KAVL High 100% High 100% Med 72% High 91%
KHKY High 100% High 100% Med 70% High 83%
KGMU High 97% High 100% High 92% High 86%
KAND High 100% High 100% Med 72% High 89%
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...MPR
NEAR TERM...SBK/WJM
SHORT TERM...MPR
LONG TERM...MPR
AVIATION...SBKHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 514 AM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021 GAZ010-017-NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-503-505-507-509- SCZ001>003-220915- Rabun-Habersham-Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe- Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania- Henderson-Caldwell Mountains-Burke Mountains-McDowell Mountains- Rutherford Mountains-Polk Mountains-Oconee Mountains- Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains- 514 AM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across the mountains of the Carolinas and northeast Georgia this afternoon. Storms will become more numerous tonight, as a cold front pushes in from the west. A few storms may become severe, with damaging wind gusts the main threat. Also, isolated flash flooding cannot be ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. 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. GAZ018-026-028-029-NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-502-504-506-508- 510-SCZ004>014-019-220915- Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan- Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC- Greater Caldwell-Greater Burke-Eastern McDowell-Greater Rutherford- Eastern Polk-Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-Greater Greenville- Spartanburg-Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Union SC- Chester-Greenwood- 514 AM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms may push east from the mountains into the Piedmont this evening through the overnight tonight. The main threat will be cloud-to-ground lightning, gusty winds, and locally heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. ARK
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
512 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
SCZ004>008-010-212215-
Greater Pickens SC-Cherokee SC-Greater Oconee SC-Anderson SC-
Spartanburg SC-Greater Greenville SC-
512 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
...THUNDERSTORMS WITH TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL IMPACT
GREENVILLE...SPARTANBURG...NORTHERN ANDERSON...WEST CENTRAL
CHEROKEE...PICKENS AND OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM EDT...
At 511 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms with torrential
rainfall along a line extending from 5 miles south of Seneca to 11
miles southeast of Downtown Greenville, and moving northeast at 30
mph.
Locations to be impacted include... Greenville, Spartanburg, Easley,
Clemson, Pickens, Seneca, Greer and Mauldin.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph, pea size hail and very heavy rainfall rates
up to 2 inches per hour will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.
Torrential rainfall may flood areas with poor drainage, such as
ditches and underpasses. Avoid these areas and do not cross flooded
roads. Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly. Seek
higher ground if threatened by flood waters.
&&
LAT...LON 3454 8308 3487 8276 3504 8161 3475 8212
3478 8215 3472 8218 3467 8226
TIME...MOT...LOC 2111Z 237DEG 25KT 3461 8294 3471 8230
8Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
604 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
SCZ006>009-013-212245-
York SC-Cherokee SC-Union SC-Spartanburg SC-Greater Greenville SC-
604 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
...THUNDERSTORMS WITH TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL
GREENVILLE...SOUTHWESTERN YORK...CENTRAL SPARTANBURG...SOUTHERN
CHEROKEE AND NORTHERN UNION COUNTIES UNTIL 645 PM EDT...
At 604 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms with torrential
rainfall along a line extending from 11 miles east of Downtown
Greenville to 9 miles south of Spartanburg to near Union, and moving
northeast at 25 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Spartanburg, Five Forks, Pacolet, Roebuck, Jonesville, Pacolet Mills,
Reidville, Croft State Park, Moore and Cedar Springs.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph, dime size hail and very heavy rainfall rates
up to 2 inches per hour will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.
Dime to nickel size hail can cause considerable damage to vehicles.
Consider moving vehicles to a covered storage area before the storm
arrives.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio and
tv stations, as well as local cable tv outlets for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3478 8200 3477 8213 3478 8215 3477 8215
3476 8234 3496 8192 3497 8158 3489 8129
3472 8170
TIME...MOT...LOC 2204Z 244DEG 21KT 3480 8220 3481 8193 3477 8172
8Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
608 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
SCZ006-012-212245-
Laurens SC-Greater Greenville SC-
608 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT
NORTHWESTERN LAURENS AND SOUTHEASTERN GREENVILLE COUNTIES UNTIL 645
PM EDT...
At 608 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with
intense lightning 12 miles south of Downtown Greenville, or 5 miles
south of Donaldson Center, moving east at 25 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Simpsonville, Fountain Inn, Piedmont and Fork Shoals.
In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 45 mph and dime
size hail will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.
Dime to nickel size hail can cause considerable damage to vehicles.
Consider moving vehicles to a covered storage area before the storm
arrives.
Frequent lightning is occurring with this storm. If outdoors, try to
get indoors or into a hard topped vehicle. Otherwise, stay away from
open areas and isolated high objects such as trees. When indoors,
stay away from windows and doors and avoid using wired electronic
devices. Do not take a shower or bath. Try to unplug unnecessary
appliances before the storm approaches.
&&
LAT...LON 3462 8245 3464 8245 3465 8246 3466 8246
3467 8247 3468 8246 3469 8246 3478 8219
3462 8213
TIME...MOT...LOC 2208Z 255DEG 22KT 3467 8238
8Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
700 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
NCZ033-501>504-212345-
Caldwell Mountains NC-Burke Mountains NC-Greater Burke NC-
Greater Caldwell NC-Avery NC-
700 PM EDT Mon Jun 21 2021
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CALDWELL...SOUTHEASTERN AVERY AND
NORTHWESTERN BURKE COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM EDT...
At 700 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 3 miles southeast of Blowing Rock to 10 miles
east of Spruce Pine, and moving east at 15 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Lenoir, Gamewell, Blowing Rock In Caldwell County, Table Rock,
Edgemont, Globe, Collettsville, Patterson and Upton.
Wind gusts up to 45 mph and pea size hail will be possible in these
areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
The combination of gusty winds and saturated soil conditions will
cause scattered trees and power lines to fall. Seek shelter inside an
interior room.
Torrential rainfall may flood areas with poor drainage, such as
ditches and underpasses. Avoid these areas and do not cross flooded
roads. Water levels of small streams may also rise rapidly. Seek
higher ground if threatened by flood waters.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio and
tv stations, as well as local cable tv outlets for additional
information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3612 8155 3610 8152 3610 8150 3609 8147
3609 8145 3607 8144 3607 8141 3605 8139
3604 8140 3604 8137 3582 8163 3585 8192
3588 8191 3591 8191 3612 8170
TIME...MOT...LOC 2300Z 271DEG 14KT 3610 8163 3590 8188
8The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 86 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:32 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
County dispatch reported multiple trees and power lines blown down across portions of Swain County.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, June 2021
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: 967664.