Scattered to numerous thunderstorms and scattered storm clusters moved into the South Carolina Piedmont from western North Carolina during the late afternoon and early evening. One severe storm produced damaging wind gusts in the Lake Wylie area.
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 GSP wrote it up.
Scattered to numerous thunderstorms and scattered storm clusters moved into the South Carolina Piedmont from western North Carolina during the late afternoon and early evening. One severe storm produced damaging wind gusts in the Lake Wylie area.
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 Jul 26, 1:58 PM EST, 2 hours 42 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
258 PM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021
.SYNOPSIS...
A weak cold front will move south across our area tonight and
Tuesday. This will result in scattered to numerous showers and
thunderstorms with a few locations getting excessive rainfall in a
short time. Expect drier and hotter conditions Wednesday through
Friday with high temperatures feeling like 100 degrees in the
piedmont. A weak cold front will drop south this weekend cooling
temperatures to near normal.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 240 PM EDT Monday: Ridging remains entrenched over the western
U.S. with modest troughing over the Eastern Seaboard. The wind
maximum is well to our north, with the Carolinas situated beneath
a comparatively relaxed wind pattern. Meanwhile, a persistent
Bermuda high sits over the western Atlantic, and continues to
dominate surface flow, pumping moisture into areas east of the
Appalachians. A weak shortwave crosses the region this afternoon,
inducing minor height falls and providing weak QG forcing. At the
surface, the attendant cold front is already crossing the CWA,
generating convective activity as it encounters moderately-unstable,
moisture-rich air across the foothills. Afternoon PWATs exceed 2"
across much of the Piedmont/Upstate in the wake of several days'
worth of southerly flow and moisture advection off the Atlantic
coast, so convection should have no trouble continuing well into
this evening. CAMs favor increased SBCAPE toward the south, over
the southern Appalachians, SC Upstate and perhaps the southern
Piedmont of NC.
Slightly higher-than-anticipated effective shear across the
Carolinas means that a few stray severe cells cannot be ruled out
this afternoon, but as convection continues, the primary threat
will be heavy rainfall. MBE velocities won't exceed 5kts, and
warm cloud depth will crest 12 kft for several hours. Already, a
few backbuilding cells have been detected on radar, so this may be
the trend for the next few hours. The HREF's probability-matched
mean depicts upwards of an inch of QPF in some spots across the
Upstate, and accordingly the WPC has placed the entire CWA under
a marginal risk for excessive rainfall.
Heights may tick up a tad on Tuesday, but with the weakening
boundary stalling along or south of the I-85 corridor, we'll retain
the risk of widespread showers, especially across the southern
tier of our counties. CAMs suggest there will be a lull in precip
overnight tonight as upper forcing diminishes, before a rebound in
instability in the early afternoon tomorrow allows convection to
begin firing off again. With SBCAPE values potentially exceeding
2500 J/kg, warm cloud depths at least 10-11 kft, and afternoon
LFCs even a bit lower than today's, convection will once again
be widespread, and these cells be will rain-producers similar
to today's. The entire CWA remains in the WPC's marginal risk
for excessive rainfall tomorrow. While confidence remains low
on the exact coverage and behavior of tomorrow's convection, the
CAMs agree that the most intense activity should have moved to our
south and east by late Tuesday evening, though scattered showers
will likely linger across the Upstate and perhaps the Southern
Piedmont through the end of the near term.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 245pm EDT Monday: After rain trails off Tuesday night,
temperatures rebound on Wednesday following the clouds and rain that
kept temperatures in check on Tuesday. Mid-90s are expected over
most of the foothills and Piedmont areas, and 80s to near 90 in the
mountains. Weak FROPA on Tuesday only drops surface dewpoints a few
degrees over the mountains, and with continued high humidity, heat
index values will be on the sultry side a few degrees above observed
temperatures. MLCAPE and convective forcing both are much reduced
Wed. and Thurs, and PWATs drastically decline to around 1.5" on
Wednesday, with low chances of rain or thunder.
General northwest flow aloft continues through Thursday and beyond
with weak surface high pressure giving light and somewhat variable
winds.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 2:45pm EDT Monday: General northwest flow continues through
the extended with generally weak and variable surface winds and
occasional shortwave passages that enhance the chances for afternoon
thunder. Persistent ridge keeps the central CONUS in its grip, with
a deep upper trough over the eastern half of the CONUS. There is
some chance for thunder, mostly in the afternoons, each day, with
the best chance for enchancement Saturday or Sunday as eastern CONUS
trough deepens considerably as it is reinforced by a large shortwave.
Temperatures across the area remain seasonally warm to hot, a few
degrees above normal, with slight cooling towards the end of the
week as eastern CONUS trough deepens.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: All TAF sites are VFR at this time.
Scattered clouds are increasing in coverage across the region
as a cold front approaches from the northwest. This front has
already begun to spin up a line of showers and thunderstorms
over the northern foothills, and should continue to produce such
activity throughout the afternoon and evening. All TAF sites
carry at least chance TSRA and vicinity thunder from 19Z until 00Z.
The most intense convection should diminish past this point in time,
though scattered showers should persist for several more hours into
the night. There is increased confidence in the development of
IFR restrictions at KHKY, and LIFR restrictions at KAVL owing to
the development of fog/low stratus in the hours before sunrise.
All other sites remain VFR/MVFR into the morning. We should
see scattered showers and storms tomorrow afternoon again, but
confidence is low enough on the timing and coverage to simply
carry VCSH and a few PROB30s.
Outlook: With the frontal boundary gradually becoming more diffuse
past Tuesday evening, drier air filters into the area and results in
a lull in activity Wednesday and Thursday. Diurnally-drive pulse
thunderstorms should pick up again on Friday, along with a chance
for fog and low stratus Friday and Saturday morning.
Confidence Table...
19-01Z 01-07Z 07-13Z 13-18Z
KCLT High 100% High 100% High 100% High 100%
KGSP High 100% High 100% High 94% High 92%
KAVL High 100% High 100% Med 66% Med 77%
KHKY High 100% High 95% High 82% Med 77%
KGMU High 100% High 95% High 98% High 91%
KAND High 100% High 100% High 100% High 93%
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...MPR
SHORT TERM...WJM
LONG TERM...WJM
AVIATION...MPRHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 405 AM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021 NCZ036-037-057-270815- Iredell-Davie-Rowan- 405 AM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A backdoor cold front will allow for shower and thunderstorm development this afternoon into this evening. The main hazards are cloud- to-ground lighting, isolated strong to severe storms bringing the potential for damaging wind gusts, and heavy downpours. Any areas that repeatedly see heavy downpours could experience excessive rainfall leading to the potential for isolated flooding or flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035-048>053-056-058-059-062>065- 068>072-082-501>510-SCZ001>014-019-270815- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Avery-Alexander- Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Catawba-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- 405 AM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A backdoor cold front will allow for shower and thunderstorm development this afternoon into this evening. The main hazards are cloud- to-ground lighting and heavy downpours. Any areas that repeatedly see heavy downpours could experience excessive rainfall leading to the potential for isolated flooding or flash flooding. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms cannot be ruled out. The main potential impact from any strong to severe storm would be isolated damaging wind gusts. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 409 PM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021 NCZ071-072-262045- Cabarrus NC-Mecklenburg NC- 409 PM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WESTERN CABARRUS AND CENTRAL MECKLENBURG COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM EDT... At 409 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5 miles northeast of Uptown Charlotte, or near Hidden Valley, moving east at 15 mph. Locations to be impacted include... Uptown Charlotte, Huntersville, Kannapolis, Northeast Charlotte, East Charlotte, Northwest Charlotte, West Concord, Harrisburg, Freedom Park and University City. Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible in these areas. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Gusty winds can blow down trees that are dead, or that have weakened root systems. Outdoor furniture and similar items can be tossed around if not anchored. Seek shelter indoors. 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 3517 8087 3534 8094 3547 8065 3521 8055 TIME...MOT...LOC 2009Z 250DEG 12KT 3529 8079 ARK
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 415 PM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021 GAZ010-SCZ001-262045- Rabun GA-Oconee Mountains SC- 415 PM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN RABUN AND CENTRAL OCONEE COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM EDT... At 415 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10 miles northwest of Walhalla, or 5 miles west of Oconee State Park, moving southeast at 10 mph. Locations to be impacted include... Walhalla, Oconee State Park, Pine Mountain, Mountain Rest and Long Creek. Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible in these areas. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Gusty winds can blow down trees that are dead, or that have weakened root systems. Outdoor furniture and similar items can be tossed around if not anchored. Seek shelter indoors. 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 3481 8333 3497 8327 3494 8298 3471 8309 TIME...MOT...LOC 2015Z 295DEG 10KT 3486 8321 ARK
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
417 PM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021
SCZ003-006-007-262045-
Greenville Mountains SC-Spartanburg SC-Greater Greenville SC-
417 PM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN GREENVILLE AND
NORTHWESTERN SPARTANBURG COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM EDT...
At 417 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles south of Columbus, or 4 miles southwest of Campobello, moving
east at 10 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Lyman, Landrum, Wellford, Inman, Campobello, Lake Bowen, Lake
Robinson and Gowensville.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible in these areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Gusty winds can blow down trees that are dead, or that have weakened
root systems. Outdoor furniture and similar items can be tossed
around if not anchored. Seek shelter indoors.
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 3500 8232 3518 8229 3519 8202 3519 8201
3493 8207
TIME...MOT...LOC 2017Z 282DEG 7KT 3508 8220
ARKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
420 PM EDT MON JUL 26 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0345 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 WNW TERRELL 35.62N 81.06W
07/26/2021 CATAWBA NC FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
FIRE DEPT/RESCUE RECEIVED CALL OF TREE ACROSS ROADWAY
NEAR INTERSECTION OF JOE JOHNSON RD AND MATHIS CHURCH RD
&&
WIMBERLEYSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 438 PM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021 SCZ007-008-262115- Cherokee SC-Spartanburg SC- 438 PM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN SPARTANBURG AND NORTHWESTERN CHEROKEE COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM EDT... At 437 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12 miles southeast of Columbus, or over Lake Bowen, moving east at 20 mph. Locations to be impacted include... Spartanburg, Boiling Springs SC, Cowpens, Inman, Mayo, Chesnee, Cowpens National Battlefield, Lake Bowen, USC Upstate and Campobello. Wind gusts up to 40 mph will be possible in these areas. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Gusty winds can blow down trees that are dead, or that have weakened root systems. Outdoor furniture and similar items can be tossed around if not anchored. Seek shelter indoors. 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 3503 8217 3519 8213 3518 8174 3493 8180 TIME...MOT...LOC 2037Z 280DEG 18KT 3511 8207 ARK
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 515 PM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021 SCZ006-007-012-262145- Laurens SC-Spartanburg SC-Greater Greenville SC- 515 PM EDT Mon Jul 26 2021 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WITH INTENSE LIGHTNING WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN LAURENS...EAST CENTRAL GREENVILLE AND WEST CENTRAL SPARTANBURG COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM EDT... At 515 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm with intense lightning 11 miles east of Greenville Downtown, or near GSP Airport, moving southeast at 20 mph. Locations to be impacted include... Greer, Taylors, Five Forks, Fountain Inn, Duncan, Lyman, Reidville, GSP Airport, Moore and Wellford. In addition to intense lightning, wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible in these areas. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Gusty winds can blow down trees that are dead, or that have weakened root systems. Outdoor furniture and similar items can be tossed around if not anchored. Seek shelter indoors. 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 3490 8239 3504 8223 3485 8194 3466 8217 TIME...MOT...LOC 2115Z 316DEG 16KT 3488 8220 ARK
The Greer radar (KGSP), 110 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:38 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Ham radio operator reported multiple trees damaged, with one snapped near the intersection of Duck Haven Ln and Bonum Rd. County comms also reported power lines down on Executive Ct off Charlotte Hwy.
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, July 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: 975632.