Strong southerly flow lifted a warm front through central North Carolina Friday afternoon, triggering multiple rounds of severe and tornadic storms producing a radar confirmed tornado near the Orange/Alamance County line and hail up to golf ball size over the southern Piedmont and Sandhills. Numerous wind reports were also noted across the Sandhills and the Northwest and Northeast 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.
Strong southerly flow lifted a warm front through central North Carolina Friday afternoon, triggering multiple rounds of severe and tornadic storms producing a radar confirmed tornado near the Orange/Alamance County line and hail up to golf ball size over the southern Piedmont and Sandhills. Numerous wind reports were also noted across the Sandhills and the Northwest and Northeast 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 May 6, 9:56 AM EST, 3 hours 43 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Raleigh NC 1056 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022 .SYNOPSIS... A warm front and developing area of low pressure will retreat north across NC and into Southside VA from late morning through early this evening. A trailing cold front will move east across the Carolinas tonight. The low pressure and a reinforcing cold front from the north will then wobble from central VA southeast across eastern NC and offshore through Saturday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 1056 AM Friday... Review of the latest observational data and model suites still supports a multi-round, multi-severe threat across central NC between 1-10 pm. An upper level disturbance/impulse is driving some scattered elevated showers and storms over the nrn NC Piedmont. These storms will exit off to the NE over the next few hours. In the meantime, widespread status, with an embedded area of fog over the western Piedmont will be slow to lift until the passage of the warm front, which is currently in the process of retreating north along the SC/NC border. Expect a late morning/midday lull, followed by an abrupt uptick in convection, mainly across the northern half of central NC(Highway 64 north), between 1-3 pm as the upstream convective band, currently crossing the NC mtns and upstate SC, begins to interact and override the warm front. Amidst moderate to strong destablization(2000-3000 J/Kg), shear and helicity parameters will be supportive of a threat for discrete supercells capable of producing damaging winds, hail and tornadoes. This activity should largely be anchored to the warm front, with the front and storms gradually lifting NE into southern/southeaster VA between 5 to 6 pm. During this time, a substantial mid-level dry pocket will greatly limit convective initiation and destabilization as BL dewpoints mix out into the mid/upper 50s. The leading edge of the upper trough//closed low dynamics and attendant surface front into the area NC will bring second round of severe storms to all of central NC as it crosses west-east through the area between 6 to 10 pm. Models have actually trended away from pushing an organized line segment through central NC. Now they suggest more in the way of convective clusters moving through the area. Given continued strong shear(45-50 kts effective shear), these storms will also pose a threat for damaging winds, hail, and even a tornado, especially near a possible meso/triple point low moving INVOF the western Piedmont. The severe threat should exit the area ~10 pm, with some lingering low end chance/ scattered shower activity overnight as the upper low builds in. -CBL Previous discussion: ...There is an Enhanced, Level 3 risk of severe thunderstorms across cntl NC this afternoon-evening... A potent mid/upper-level cyclone will wobble from the Ozarks region this morning to the cntl Appalachians by 12Z Sat. Strong, 80-100 meter 500 mb height falls and associated synoptic lift will overspread the srn mid Atlantic this afternoon and evening, when preceding swly mid-level flow will have strengthened to around 50 kts - with similar effective shear magnitudes. At the surface, a 1003 mb low also over the Ozarks this morning is forecast to deepen another 4-5 mb while tracking across the OH Valley, where it will occlude and yield to a triple point low forecast to develop across the Piedmont of the srn Mid Atlantic and reach the Chesapeake Bay vicinity by 12Z Sat. That triple point will develop along a warm front, one draped this morning from the srn Appalachians sewd across and offshore SC, which will retreat north across cntl NC from late morning through early-mid afternoon. A katafront and associated outflow from convection over the Deep South will then spread east across the Carolinas late this afternoon through this evening, followed by the passage of a synoptic cold front trailing the low now over the Ozarks, overnight. Widespread low stratus and areas of advection fog to the north of the aforementioned warm front will erode from its srn edge over SC and wrn NC with the warm frontal retreat today, with associated strong diurnal heating through the 80s, and to around 90 F in the Sandhills and srn Coastal Plain. Backed surface flow and moisture pooling, and associated maximized boundary layer RH (low LCLs), BL- based instability, and low-level shear will result along that retreating warm front; and this is where the greatest potential for supercells and accompanying all severe hazards --including the potential for a strong tornado-- will exist roughly between 18Z and 22-23Z. In the warm sector to the south, a pocket of dry air now evident at 925 mb in RAP analysis data from the wrn FL peninsula nwd into sern GA, will spread nne across the Carolinas and likely cause surface/mixed layer dewpoints to "mix out" into the mid 50s to around 60 F, with an associated instability minimum that may preclude the development of any open warm sector convection this afternoon. As such, there may be a relative lull between the initial (probably supercellular) storms along the warm front and a separate band of katafrontal showers and storms and outflow that will likely move west to east across central NC between 22Z-03Z Sat. Strong- severe surface wind gusts will pose the primary risk from that band of storms, particularly if surface dewpoints indeed mix out as forecast in the warm sector and promote strong diabatic cooling/cold pool development along their leading edge. However, shear profiles will still be strong and favorably-oriented to the outflow to support a continued, conditional risk of supercells, and nocturnal dewpoint recovery this evening may allow instability to increase immediately preceding the band as it moves east. While the bulk of the convection will move east and out of cntl NC by mid-late evening, continued lift ahead of the mid/upper cyclone and pockets of weak instability beneath cooling temperatures aloft will support a chance of a shower or storm throughout the night, with the relative best chance across the nw Piedmont toward morning. Otherwise, low temperatures behind the synoptic cold front will cool into the upr 50s west to low-mid 60s east, with variably cloudy skies. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT/... As of 310 AM Friday... While the upper low swings through the mid-Atlantic Sat and Sat night, the occluded surface low over WV/OH will slide southeast through the mtns and absorb back into the area of low pressure over the Carolina coast. The cold front associated with the leading low will push through the area on Sat, while the better CAA will follow the trailing low Sat night as cool high pressure is finally able to ridge into central NC on the west side of the low as it shifts offshore. Additional showers and storms are possible as the upper low moves through the region, though the severe threat will be limited, with just a outlook for general thunder from the SPC. Winds will be southwesterly to westerly early, becoming northerly to northeasterly in the wake of the front as the low shifts eastward Sat night. Breezy conditions should persist though Sat night given the strong CAA and tight pressure gradient over the area. Have further lowered temperatures, with highs ranging from around 70 degrees NW to mid 70s SE and lows in the mid 40s to low 50s. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 320 AM Friday... The upper low will move east over the Atlantic Sun/Sun night as the sub-tropical ridge builds through the MS Valley. The closed upper low will sit off the NC coast Mon and Tue, drifting westward and southwestward Wed and Thu. Meanwhile, the nearly stationary sub- tropical ridge to the west will ridge northeastward from TX to the Great Lakes through mid-week. Central NC will remain situated between the two features. At the surface, central NC will be under the influence of cool high pressure ridging southwestward into the area to the west of the offshore low. The low will meander off the NC Coast before migrating southwestward to off the Southeast US coast mid-week and pushing the ridge north and west in the process. The ridge should keep central NC relatively cool and dry through Tue night, with increasing chances for rain Wed/Thu. Sunday will be the coolest day, with highs in the mid 50s NE to mid 60s SW. Lows Sun night in the mid 40s expected. Temperatures should moderate through mid-week, but remain below average through at least Wed/Wed night. && .AVIATION /12Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 800 AM Friday... LIFR-MVFR stratus and fog, lowest over the srn and wrn NC Piedmont, will erode from its swrn edge over SC and wrn NC and disperse to VFR with the ssw to nne retreat of a warm front across cntl NC from late morning through early-mid afternoon. The passage of the warm front, lifting to VFR, and onset of strong diurnal heating and boundary layer mixing, will also cause initially light sely surface winds this morning to veer to sly, increase, and become gusty between 15- 25 kts. While a few (elevated) showers will pass in the vicinity of INT/GSO this morning, the likelihood of scattered supercellular/severe storms will increase as the warm front lifts north, especially near and northeast of the Piedmont sites and RWI, between 18-23Z. There may then be a relative lull in convection between those initial storms and a separate band of showers and storms with strong surface wind gusts that will move west to east across central NC between 22Z- 03Z Sat. Outlook: A few showers and storms may linger or redevelop later tonight through Saturday, as a mid/upper-level low and accompanying surface low cross the region. A cold front will then move sse across NC with following cool and moist nnely flow and widespread IFR-MVFR ceilings Sat night-Sun. Occasional MVFR ceilings may then linger over ern NC, including into the RWI and FAY vicinity, through early to mid next week. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...MWS NEAR TERM...CBL/MWS SHORT TERM...KC LONG TERM...KC AVIATION...MWS
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 232 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022 NCZ007>011-021>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-071845- Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance- Orange-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Wake- Johnston-Wilson-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Anson- Richmond-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson- 232 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022 ...TORNADO WATCH 187 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North 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. Tornado Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
157 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022
NCZ075-084>086-061830-
Scotland NC-Richmond NC-Hoke NC-Moore NC-
157 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central Moore,
northern Scotland, southeastern Richmond and west central Hoke
Counties through 230 PM EDT...
At 157 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles east of Hamlet, or 9 miles northwest of Laurinburg, moving
northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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...
Hoffman, Pinebluff, Camp Mackall, Laurel Hill and Sandhills Game
Land.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3477 7957 3486 7968 3513 7953 3502 7926
TIME...MOT...LOC 1757Z 229DEG 21KT 3486 7958
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KrenSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
221 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022
NCZ078-061845-
Wayne NC-
221 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Wayne
County through 245 PM EDT...
At 221 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Mount Olive, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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...
Goldsboro, Mount Olive, Walnut Creek, Mar-Mac, Brogden, Elroy and
Cliffs Of The Neuse State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3517 7795 3516 7796 3517 7797 3518 7799
3519 7802 3519 7804 3518 7807 3518 7813
3520 7816 3521 7817 3541 7803 3534 7783
TIME...MOT...LOC 1821Z 216DEG 22KT 3521 7803
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KrenThe Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 61 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:41 UTC.
31 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail, 1 lightning, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
The automated wind observation at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base recorded a wind gust of 52 kts.
Multiple trees were reported down near the town of Elroy at the intersection of Central Heights Rd and E New Hope Rd east of Goldsboro.
Trees were reported down near Fearrington near the intersection of E Camden and E Madison.
Multiple trees and power lines were reported down in Lexington, near the intersection of N State St and W 5th St.
A large tree was reported down near the intersection of South Talbert Blvd and North Carolina Ave in the town of Lexington.
Extensive tree damage was reported around Lake Tillery, including trees on residences. The intersection of one report was Indian Mound Rd and Shore Farm Rd near Norwood.
Quarter size hail reported near Apex at the intersection of Apex Barbeque Rd and Kelly Rd.
The wind observation at Raleigh-Durham International airport measured a peak wind of 55 kts.
There were multiple reports of quarter size hail in the town of Morrisville. One report was near the intersection of Singer Way and Rope Walk Ct.
A trained spotter measured half dollar size hail near the town of cary, at the intersection of Castalia Dr and Old Apex Rd.
A large tree was reported down near the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, blocking the road, near the intersection of Airport Blvd and Cedar Fork Dr.
A trained spotter estimated half dollar size hail at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, near the intersection of Airport Blvd and Cedar Fork Dr.
A power outage was caused by downed trees near the town of Jamestown, near the intersection of Kivett Dr and Riverdale Dr.
Local broadcast media reported quarter size hail near Pleasant Garden, near the intersection of Old Randleman Rd and Siler Rd.
A house fire was reported when there was frequent lighting from thunderstorms. No injuries were reported.
Multiple trees were reported down near Falls Lake, near the intersection of Six Forks Rd and Mt Vernon Church Rd.
A tornado touched down two miles east of Mebane at 5:08 PM EDT. Damage at this location consisted of a brick wall of a large manufacturing facility that was blown over. The tornado then continued to move approximately 3.6 miles to the northeast before lifting and dissipating at 5:15 PM EDT. Along the track, damage consisted of mostly uprooted hardwood trees and snapped softwood or pine trees. In several cases, the trees fell onto homes, which resulted in damage to the homes. At least one detached garage was completely destroyed and its roof and walls were scattered in nearly all directions. At this location, the damage path width was at its widest, measuring nearly 400 yards wide. Tree damage became more widely scattered and less intense approximately 4 miles northeast of Mebane, where the tornado subsequently lifted.
Local emergency managers reported many trees down near the town of Wadesboro, near the 100 block of Old Highway 52 S in Anson County.
A tree fell on a vehicle, causing accidents in the city of Wadesboro, near the intersection of Camden Rd and Hargrave St.
Golf Ball size hail was reported in Wadesboro, near the intersection of Camden Rd and Hargrave St.
The public reported golf ball sized hail in the town of Lilesville, near the intersection of Camden St and Morven Rd.
A roof was partially blown off a house, near the intersection of White Store Rd and Hornsboro Rd in the town of White Store. No injuries were reported.
Quarter size hail was reported just north of Saratoga near the intersection of NC Highway 222 and Scarborough Pl.
A Moore County Deputy encountered golf ball sized hail near Eagle Springs at the intersection of NC Highway 705 and Eagle Springs Rd.
Multiple trees were reported down, centered around Koonce Rd and Phillipi Church Rd in the town of Rockfish.
Multiple trees and power lines were reported down in Ellerbe, near the intersection of Haywood Cemetery Rd and Bill Nicholson Rd.
A state official reported a partial roof collapse and a tree that fell on a house in western Fayetteville, near the intersection of Cliffdale Rd and Raven Pl.
Multiple trees were reported down across the city of Fayetteville, near the intersection of Ann St and Lamon St.
Multiple large trees were reported down in Troy, near the intersection of E Main St and S Main St.
A tree fell on a home in Seagrove, near the intersection of W Main St and Yow Dr.
Many trees were reported down in the area from Asheboro to Randleman and Ramseur.
Trees were reported down near the town of Bennett at the intersection of Bennett Siler City Rd and Chatham St.
Trees were reported down near Siler City, near the intersection of Henry Bray Dr and Lambert Chapel Rd.
Numerous power outages were reported east of Angier caused by downed trees, near the intersection of Old Stage Rd N and Piney Grove Rd.
Multiple trees were reported down near Pittsboro, near the intersection of Mt. Gilead Church Rd and Bartlett Dr.
Multiple trees and power lines were reported down near the intersection of Junious Lucas Rd and Lake Artesia Rd.
Multiple trees and power lines were reported down near Turkey, near the 5000 block of Dave Bright Rd.
Multiple trees and power lines were reported down north of Turkey, near the intersection of N Main St and Seay St.
The wind observation at Raleigh-Durham International Airport reported a second wind gust to 61 mph due to a severe thunderstorm.
The Seymour Johnson Air Force Base wind observation site measured a wind gust of 51 knots.
Multiple trees were reported down across Edgecombe County.
Multiple trees were reported down along the intersection of NC Highway 97 and NC Highway 122 in Hobgood.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for North Carolina, 2022Warnings in North Carolina, May 2022
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: 1028292, 1028293, 1028294, 1028296, 1028299, 1028301, 1028304, 1028305, 1028307, 1028308, 1028309, 1028310, 1028311, 1028314, 1028317, 1028318, 1031311, 1028319, 1028320, 1028321, 1028322, 1028323, 1028324, 1028325, 1028326, 1028327, 1028328, 1028329, 1028330, 1028331, 1028332, 1028340, 1028339, 1028333, 1028334, 1028335, 1028336, 1028337, 1028338, 1028341, and more.