Scattered thunderstorms developed over northeast Georgia during the afternoon. One of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts.
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 thunderstorms developed over northeast Georgia during the afternoon. One of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts.
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 15, 9:27 AM EST, 3 hours 35 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1027 AM EDT Tue Aug 15 2023
.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will cross the area today. Expect a few strong to
severe storms ahead of the front. As drier high pressure builds
across our region beginning Wednesday, we will have milder
temperatures and lower humidity lasting thru late week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 1025 AM: Positively tilted shortwave extends from Michigan to
near Memphis. Wind shift associated with attendant cold front is
evident as band of scattered convection from East TN to MS. Not
really any change to expectations for today. The front appears timed
to pass our portion of the Blue Ridge Escarpment in the 16-18z
timeframe, and east from there. Latest HREF timing looks only very
slightly slower than the previous cycle. 12Z RAOBs show a moderately
to very unstable airmass with moderate shear. There is also
significant DCAPE in place. The updated Day 1 SPC convective outlook
looks very similar to the old Day 2, and has a marginal risk for
most of our Piedmont. As shear is generally better toward the north,
not too surprising that there is decent consensus among CAMs for
linear segments producing rotating updrafts across the NC Piedmont.
Perhaps as a nod to the consistency of this solution, a small
portion of the Slight extends into that area. A plume of 2-inch-ish
PWATs will follow the front and some swaths of excessive rain and
localized flash flood risk would be no surprise. The potential for
organized lines and some embedded rotation alone suggest damaging
wind will be a severe mode. Hail potential is better than typical
for August, as well despite the very high freezing levels. Not quite
about tornadoes despite LCLs being kept low by the sfc moisture--
especially given ESRH likely topping out around only 100 m2/s2.
Temps won't be quite as hot as what we experienced yesterday,
but where the front has the least effect, in our far southeast,
dewpoints will remain well above normal and heat index is likely
to exceed 105 and so we retain Heat Advisory. Adding Laurens and
Union SC to the advisory based on how their heat indices verified
yesterday. Somewhat drier air does begin to filter in by late
afternoon in the mountains and overnight in the Piedmont, as winds
turn northwesterly. This may limit the risk/extent of dense fog
tonight, although any areas seeing heavy rain today could see at
least brief vsby restrictions thru early Wed. Lows fall back to
normal or even a little below.
&&
.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
As of 1243 AM EDT Tuesday: No major changes to the forecast tonight.
The operational models are in good agreement that by daybreak
Wednesday, the frontal circulation will be just east of the forecast
area, with a Canadian sfc high building into the western Carolinas.
The upper pattern will de-amplify through the period, with heights
rising subtly even as what's left of the Z500 trough axis shifts
east into the Carolinas. There's not much else to say. sbCAPE
fields are misleading...as all the models depict some 400-700 J/kg
across parts of the CWA Wednesday afternoon and especially Thursday
afternoon...but a cursory look at soundings indicates there'll be a
stout subsidence inversion in place across the entire region...and
that LFCs associated with this instability will be at a staggering
20,000 feet! So, it's safe to say that the period should be dry,
apart from the outside chance of a little shower getting some
traction Wednesday afternoon east of I-77...but this looks about as
likely as my new kitten is to stop trying to eat the cord on my
alarm clock (read: not likely at all). Weak CAA behind the front
will allow temperatures to fall as that Canadian high pushes
in...and so both Wednesday and Thursday will feature highs up to a
category below normal, in the mid/upper 80s, and lows similarly
below normal in the mid-60s.
&&
.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 101 AM EDT Tuesday: Once again, changes to the long term have
been only minor. It continues to look dry...with a cluster analysis
of the three global ensembles indicating a high-predictability
forecast. Firstly...Friday will feature a slow frontal passage
(high confidence) timed beginning as early as Friday morning and
ending as late as midnight Friday night (moderate confidence). It'll
likely be dry, however, as any moisture will already have been
shunted off to the east by the previous front. Further, the parent
low will be somewhere in Ontario doing its own thing and unable to
provide any good dynamical forcing for rain. So, this whole event
should do nothing but lower temperatures, which will have moderated
to around normal for Friday, going into the weekend...allowing for
below-normal temperatures again on Saturday. A robust subsidence
inversion will remain in place through the weekend...inhibiting
convection altogether.
As broad upper ridging develops over the Ozarks and lower
Midwest...a warming trend will be in store, with temps back around
normal on Sunday, and slowly creeping above normal Monday and
beyond. Model profiles look less and less suppressive for
convection starting Monday, so it's possible that by Monday
afternoon, diurnal convection may crop up. For now, lapse rates and
shear don't look any more indicative of pulse severe than typical
for this time of year, and storm motion looks just fast enough, and
profiles look just dry enough, that heavy rain shouldn't be an
issue. There's certainly room for change to this thinking, but
decent confidence at this point on a quiet few days through the
first half of next week!
&&
.AVIATION /15Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Cold front is approaching the area this
morning. Exit region of parent shortwave will provide forcing via
upper divergence. As we destabilize and as forcing amplifies over
the mountain ridges, a new round of TSRA is expected which will
potentially affect all terminals thru mid-afternoon, possibly
excepting KAND. Organized segments producing swaths of wind of at
least 30-40KT will be possible, and with exceptional moisture TSRA
will be capable of torrential rain. Degree of restrictions and wind
mention in TEMPOs reflect the confidence therein. KAND only receives
PROB30 with activity looking more likely to the north and east.
Clearing will begin by late afternoon in the mountains and progress
east, with winds turning NW as front passes. Onset of drier air
probably won't be fast enough to completely preclude mtn valley
fog/stratus at daybreak Wed, although the NW flow may generate low
VFR to MVFR cloud cover instead, and thus confidence limited for Wed
morning. Convergent flow and lingering llvl moisture over the
Piedmont is shown to produce areas of low VFR cloud cover in lieu of
radiation fog there. But if those do not develop, pockets of IFR may
instead develop tonight wherever heavy rain falls this aftn.
Outlook: A cold front is expected to stall just east of the area,
allowing drier air to filter in from the NW on Wednesday and beyond.
Mountain valley fog and low stratus will be possible each morning.
&&
.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for GAZ029.
NC...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ071-072-082.
SC...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ009-011>014-
019.
&&
SYNOPSIS...Wimberley
NEAR TERM...RWH/Wimberley
SHORT TERM...MPR
LONG TERM...MPR
AVIATION...RWH/WimberleyHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 456 AM EDT Tue Aug 15 2023 GAZ010-017-NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062-063-501-503-505-SCZ101-160900- Rabun-Habersham-Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe- Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Caldwell Mountains- Burke Mountains-McDowell Mountains-Oconee Mountains- 456 AM EDT Tue Aug 15 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Widely scattered thunderstorms may develop today across the mountains of northeast Georgia and the western Carolinas. Any storm which develops will be capable of producing gusty winds and cloud-to-ground lightning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. GAZ018-026-028-NCZ035>037-056-057-064-065-068>070-502-504-506>510- SCZ008-010-102>109-160900- Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan- Transylvania-Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Greater Caldwell- Greater Burke-Eastern McDowell-Rutherford Mountains- Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk-Cherokee-Anderson- Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee- Greater Pickens-Central Greenville-Southern Greenville- Northern Spartanburg-Southern Spartanburg- 456 AM EDT Tue Aug 15 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop today across the area. Some of these storms will become strong to severe, capable of producing damaging winds and large hail. Any storm which develops will be capable of producing gusty winds and cloud-to-ground lightning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. GAZ029-NCZ071-072-082-SCZ009-011>014-019-160900- Elbert-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-York-Abbeville-Laurens-Union SC- Chester-Greenwood- 456 AM EDT Tue Aug 15 2023 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Heat Advisory. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop today across the area. Some of these storms will become strong to severe, capable of producing damaging winds and large hail. Any storm which develops will be capable of producing gusty winds and cloud-to-ground lightning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. MPR
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
904 AM EDT Tue Aug 15 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1111 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 9 WSW Santeetlah 35.30N 84.01W
08/14/2023 Graham NC 911 Call Center
2 OR 3 trees down not far from the Tennessee
border.
&&
DEOSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
110 PM EDT Tue Aug 15 2023
GAZ026-151745-
Franklin GA-
110 PM EDT Tue Aug 15 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Franklin
County through 145 PM EDT...
At 110 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles north of Commerce, moving east at 40 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...
Carnesville, Royston, Canon, Franklin Springs and Victoria Bryant
State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3425 8334 3426 8334 3433 8339 3439 8338
3440 8310 3436 8311 3435 8311 3434 8310
3431 8310 3427 8311 3424 8317 3425 8320
3424 8325 3426 8330 3423 8335
TIME...MOT...LOC 1710Z 267DEG 35KT 3428 8344
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MOORESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
138 PM EDT Tue Aug 15 2023
NCZ036-037-057-151815-
Rowan NC-Davie NC-Iredell NC-
138 PM EDT Tue Aug 15 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Davie,
northern Iredell and northwestern Rowan Counties through 215 PM
EDT...
At 137 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles north of Statesville, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 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...
Statesville, Mocksville, Cooleemee, Harmony, Stony Point,
Turnersburg, Olin, Sheffield, Scotts and Cool Springs.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3576 8097 3582 8105 3593 8101 3604 8058
3582 8049
TIME...MOT...LOC 1737Z 253DEG 41KT 3585 8090
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MOORESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
154 PM EDT Tue Aug 15 2023
SCZ010-105-151830-
Anderson SC-Greater Pickens SC-
154 PM EDT Tue Aug 15 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Anderson and central Pickens Counties through 230 PM EDT...
At 154 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Clemson, or near Central, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 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...
Easley, Clemson, Powdersville, Piedmont, Central, Pendleton, Liberty,
Norris and Six Mile.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3464 8283 3465 8283 3467 8285 3470 8285
3470 8287 3473 8285 3474 8288 3480 8289
3493 8252 3488 8249 3482 8249 3478 8245
3473 8247 3471 8246 3471 8247 3468 8246
3463 8284
TIME...MOT...LOC 1754Z 253DEG 26KT 3474 8279
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CACThe Greer radar (KGSP), 104 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:00 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
County comms reported multiple trees blown down in the city of Elberton, with some on power lines.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, August 2023
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: 1136936.