Scattered thunderstorms developed over Upstate South Carolina during the late afternoon and evening. A couple of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts in the foothills.
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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.
Scattered thunderstorms developed over Upstate South Carolina during the late afternoon and evening. A couple of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts in the foothills.
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 Aug 25, 5:15 PM EST, 13 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
615 PM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021
.SYNOPSIS...
An upper ridge will become dominant over the region Thursday through
the weekend, with periods of Atlantic moisture brought into our
region. A cold front will approach from the north early next week.
Above normal temperatures are expected through the first half
of next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 600 PM EDT Wednesday: As expected, storms scattered around
the CWA are being quite effective at producing microbursts. Although
we have not received any reports of wind damage, several obs sites
have measured 30-40 kt gusts from cells with cores near warning
criteria. SPC maintained Marginal Risk for almost the whole
fcst area on latest Day 1 update. Localized rain accums of 1-2"
have occurred given slow storm motion and elevated PWATs. These
conditions will gradually wane in intensity and storm coverage
should diminish heading thru the evening; MLCAPE and MUCAPE are
depicted by SPC mesoanalysis as being below modeled values at
this hour, but are progged to decline slowly overnight. Lingering
outflows may lead to new development as there remain broad areas
of the CWA that have not been worked over.
Fog will be of some concern in many areas tonight, assuming
convective debris dissipates as expected. Crossover temps are on
the high end, near 70 in many spots. Fog/low stratus development is
likely around areas where rain fell (or will fall) today, probably
locally dense in the mtn valleys. Convergence axis (weak boundary)
working further inland from the coast later tonight looks unlikely
to be strong enough to kick off anything but highly isolated
convection, if at all, but may bring some cloud cover that could
limit the extent of any fog. Low temps will remain seasonally warm.
The weakness in the pattern aloft will linger into Thursday
before the Atlantic subtropical ridge starts building westward,
so expect Thursday to play out very similar to Wednesday. PW might
be slightly less and mid level temps slightly warmer, but there
should be a good chance of convection at least over the higher
terrain in the afternoon. The trend east of the mtns will be more
toward climo, however, as drier air filters in from the east over
the I-77 corridor at least. Temps will be a bit above normal over
the east, but close to normal elsewhere.
&&
.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 100 PM EDT Wednesday: A 595dm subtropical ridge will be
situated over the Atlantic coast Thursday night into Friday morning.
Only meager synoptic forcing will be available, perhaps over the
lower SC Upstate. In response to the building subtropical ridge,
the Bermuda High will retrograde westward through Saturday,
and low-level flow will turn from almost due southerly, to more
southeasterly, allowing surface moisture to tick slightly upward.
Friday, isolated to widely scattered convection is possible given
favorable SBCAPE (~1000-1500 J/kg) and PWATs in the 1.5-1.7" range.
Better coverage should be limited by a growing subsidence inversion
owing to deep high pressure at the surface and aloft. Saturday,
model soundings indicate a strengthening subsidence inversion,
less favorable instability, and increasingly dry air aloft, which
should once again hinder widespread convection. Nonetheless,
the presence of dry air aloft means any storms that do break
out could be capable of producing downbursts. Both afternoons,
convection will be most active over the western part of the CWA,
where terrain effects will enhance lifting.
&&
.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 130 PM EDT Wednesday: Ridging will persist throughout much
of the medium range forecast. For the most part, this means a
continuance of diurnally-driven showers and thunderstorms, and
above-normal temperatures each afternoon. The mid-levels look
to remain dry, as the subtropical ridge funnels moisture around,
rather than over, the Carolinas. A trough axis should pass well
north of the area on Monday and Tuesday, with the attendant weak
cold front pushing across the area Tuesday afternoon or evening.
For now, the track of an approaching tropical system in the Gulf
of Mexico is unclear. Global models currently suggest that the
blocking ridge set up over the Carolinas should steer such a
system to the west by Wednesday or beyond; however, the details
are unclear, and even if this situation plays out, some tropical
moisture might be able to filter into the area midweek.
&&
.AVIATION /22Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Looks like a good setup for wet microbursts
across the region this afternoon, with ample buoyancy, mid level
dry air, and a deep well mixed boundary layer. Guidance shows
the development of scattered thunderstorms during peak heating,
so all TAFs get a TEMPO with variable gusty winds. Flight category
should be VFR outside of storms with a light SE wind. Overnight,
expect fog to develop where storms move this afternoon. Most places
get at least a TEMPO for some MVFR vis in the pre-dawn hours, but
the mtns get LIFR for valley fog/stratus. This should mix out by
13Z to 14Z. Thursday should be very similar.
Outlook: Conditions for storms become less favorable for the late
part of the week. Overnight restrictions can be expected in the
mountain river valleys and in any areas that receive heavy rainfall
the previous day.
Confidence Table...
22-04Z 04-10Z 10-16Z 16-18Z
KCLT High 100% High 100% High 80% High 100%
KGSP High 100% High 97% Med 77% High 94%
KAVL High 100% High 82% Low 35% High 100%
KHKY High 100% High 100% Med 70% High 100%
KGMU High 100% High 95% Med 77% High 97%
KAND High 100% High 100% High 100% High 97%
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...DEO
NEAR TERM...PM/Wimberley
SHORT TERM...MPR
LONG TERM...MPR
AVIATION...PMHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 1118 AM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065- 068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-261530- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Avery-Alexander- Iredell-Davie-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Catawba- Rowan-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania- Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC- Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-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- 1118 AM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and evening. Any of these thunderstorms may produce dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning, locally heavy rainfall, and gusty winds. A few storms may become severe, with damaging wind gusts possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. MPR
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
501 PM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021
SCZ006-007-012-252130-
Laurens SC-Spartanburg SC-Greater Greenville SC-
501 PM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Laurens, east central Greenville and central Spartanburg Counties
through 530 PM EDT...
At 501 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles south of Spartanburg, or near Moore, moving west at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Fountain Inn, Woodruff, Duncan, Roebuck, Reidville, Moore and Lyman.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3488 8188 3470 8191 3469 8221 3496 8216
TIME...MOT...LOC 2101Z 097DEG 9KT 3480 8199
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ARKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
519 PM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021
NCZ070-071-SCZ009-252145-
Gaston NC-Mecklenburg NC-York SC-
519 PM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Mecklenburg, southeastern Gaston and northeastern York Counties
through 545 PM EDT...
At 519 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles west of Uptown Charlotte, or 4 miles north of Steele Creek,
moving northeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Gastonia, Central Charlotte, Southwest Charlotte, Mt Holly, Belmont,
Cramerton, Lowell, Mcadenville, Charlotte Douglas Airport and Steele
Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3506 8109 3523 8119 3537 8095 3512 8081
TIME...MOT...LOC 2119Z 245DEG 8KT 3519 8101
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ARKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
527 PM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021
SCZ007-012-252200-
Laurens SC-Spartanburg SC-
527 PM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Laurens and southwestern Spartanburg Counties through 600 PM EDT...
At 526 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles north of Laurens, or 5 miles southeast of Woodruff, moving
north at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Woodruff, Roebuck, Moore, Reidville, Enoree, Pauline, Cross Anchor
and Ora.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3458 8207 3476 8216 3478 8215 3480 8217
3480 8216 3484 8220 3490 8188 3461 8186
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 167DEG 13KT 3468 8199
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ARKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
554 PM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021
NCZ068-070-SCZ008-009-252230-
Gaston NC-Cleveland NC-York SC-Cherokee SC-
554 PM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Cleveland, south central Gaston, northwestern York and northeastern
Cherokee Counties through 630 PM EDT...
At 553 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles northwest of York, or near Kings Mountain State Park, moving
northwest at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
York, Gastonia, Clover, Grover, Smyrna, Kings Mountain State Park,
Crowders Mountain State Park, South Gastonia, Blacksburg and Kings
Mountain.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3504 8115 3496 8135 3515 8153 3528 8123
TIME...MOT...LOC 2153Z 153DEG 8KT 3511 8132
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ARKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
625 PM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021
SCZ002-005-006-010-252300-
Pickens Mountains SC-Greater Pickens SC-Anderson SC-
Greater Greenville SC-
625 PM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Greenville,
north central Anderson and southeastern Pickens Counties through 700
PM EDT...
At 625 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Greenville Downtown, or near West Greenville, moving west at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Greenville Downtown, Easley, Pickens, West Greenville, Berea,
Welcome, Powdersville, Liberty, Cherrydale Point and Furman
University.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3494 8237 3476 8235 3468 8270 3495 8274
TIME...MOT...LOC 2225Z 084DEG 15KT 3485 8245
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ARKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
627 PM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021
NCZ068-508-SCZ008-252300-
Greater Rutherford NC-Cleveland NC-Cherokee SC-
627 PM EDT Wed Aug 25 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Rutherford, southwestern Cleveland and northwestern Cherokee Counties
through 700 PM EDT...
At 627 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles northwest of Gaffney, or 4 miles northeast of Cowpens National
Battlefield. This storm was nearly stationary.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Cowpens National Battlefield, Cliffside, Henrietta and Caroleen.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3522 8164 3508 8170 3512 8184 3516 8186
3528 8180
TIME...MOT...LOC 2227Z 115DEG 1KT 3518 8176
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ARKThe Greer radar (KGSP), 23 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:28 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Amateur radio reported multiple trees blown down on Piney Rd and Piney Dr.
County comms reported trees and power lines blown down on Crosswell School Rd.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in South Carolina in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in South Carolina, August 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: 982307, 982306.