Scattered thunderstorms and storm clusters developed across northeast Georgia during the afternoon. One of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts in Franklin County.
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 and storm clusters developed across northeast Georgia during the afternoon. One of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts in Franklin County.
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 27, 2:00 PM EST, 2 hours 38 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
300 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023
.SYNOPSIS...
A stationary front stalls across the western Carolinas and northeast
Georgia to produce heavy rainfall from showers and thunderstorms
through Tuesday. Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to strengthen as
it moves northward Tuesday and becomes a hurricane before making
landfall in northern Florida on Wednesday. All interests should pay
close attention to the forecast early this week for the latest on
the tropical system.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
As of 210 PM Sunday: A stationary boundary should settle just to the
south of the CWA Sunday afternoon and continue to influence the
wetter pattern through this forecast period and into mid-week.
Meanwhile, the upper ridge begins to retrograde westward, allowing
for a trough to move southward from the upper Great Lakes. This
developing trough will remain across the upper NE as the overall
synoptic pattern turns quasi-omega over the CONUS. This should allow
for multiple rounds of shortwaves to traverse the region from now
through Monday night. As surface winds veer more S/SE, combined with
southerly mid-level flow, moisture will increase throughout the
area, setting the stage for a wetter pattern. At this point, showers
and thunderstorms are likely Sunday afternoon, after noon, with
initiation beginning across the NC mountains. The enviroment remains
primed to support widespread showers and thunderstorms with 2000-
2500 J/kg of SBCAPE, PWATS approaching 2 inches, and widespread DPVA
embedded within the shortwave trough. Therefore, categorical PoPs
across the NC Mountains and widespread chances through the NC/SC
Piedmonts. Confidence is increasing on heavy rainfall with local
impacts of isolated flooding, especially in parts of the NC
mountains for Sunday, with up to an inch possible and local higher
amounts not out of the question today. Urban areas could see
flooding impacts and those in these areas are advised to never drive
through flooded roadways. Rain chances continue to remain in place
through the end of the forecast period, especially as PWAT values
increase above 2 inches on Monday. Given the higher deep-layer
moisture, the chance for fog and low level stratus will settle
across the CWA after midnight and through the morning. All in all, 1-
2 inches of rain likely through Monday night, with embedded
convection and localized flooding risks. As for the temperatures,
temps will be hot today with a Heat Advisory in effect for the
southern counties through 8 PM EDT. With the boundary, temps
will drop below climo on Monday with highs reaching the 80s.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
As of 2pm EDT Sunday: Chances for rain remain elevated Tuesday with
very moist soundings that have PWAT around 2". Afternoon convection
is the most likely time for anything close to severe, but forecast
SBCAPE levels are only around 1000 j/kg. Shear remains just above
slight as upper trough will still be just west of the region, but
combination of ingredients suggest severe potential Tuesday
afternoon will be down a notch from the previous couple days.
Rainfall amounts will be comparable with previous days, with an inch
or so on average but some areas getting little and others getting
enough for some localized flooding. Accumulation of rain on
successive days could be an issue due to saturation of the ground in
some areas, so some risk of flooding will persist through Tuesday
into Wednesday. High temps will remain near normal under mostly
cloudy skies with warm lows 5 or so degrees above normal due to
persistent low-level moisture.
On Wednesday, TS Idalia is scheduled to pass along the SC coast.
Idalia will dominate the weather during her passage. Current NHC
guidance has Idalia running along the SC coast with limited impacts
as far inland as the upstate. In fact, EC solution has hardly any
rain in the GSP service area on Wednesday. Northeast winds, though,
should pick-up to 20 to 40 kts along the southeast CWA fringe,
unless future guidance on Idalia has her further SE. There remains
considerable uncertainty as to the timing and precise track of
Idalia. Small track changes can result in a large change in which
areas get a lot of precipitation. If Idalia tracks further inland
across SC then is currently expected, a swath of 3 to 6 inches of
rain would move further inland as well, but that is not currently
the forecast. Current forecast is something of a blend of the
various possibilities and does not have alarming amounts of rain in
this area for Idalia.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 2:30pm EDT Sunday: Current guidance for Idalia has the storm
exiting the SC coast Thursday afternoon with dryer and cooler air
wrapping in from the northwest behind her. This could bring in the
coolest air in over a month with lows Friday morning up to 10
degrees below normal. Idalia remnants phase with the northeast CONUS
trough which moves off as well on Thursday leaving high pressure
which will help warm things Friday afternoon back up to normal
levels. Dewpoints slowly recover as well Friday through Sunday, but
chances of rain remain low until Sunday at least when the EC has the
next upstream trough approaching the mountains.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Starting the forecast period off VFR at all
terminals but conditions will change as a nearly stationary front
has stalled across the area. Widespread showers and TS are expected
throughout all terminals starting across the western mountains this
afternoon and affecting KAVL by 19z, then spreading eastward by 21z.
TEMPOs are currently at all sites for the TS activity. After 03z,
SHRA anticipated to linger overnight at all sites. Given the high
moisture, widespread low-level stratus and fog is anticipated to
develop and affect CIGS/VSBY. TEMPO at KAVL for IFR/LIFR 08-11z. All
other terminals including KCLT are expected to go IFR for CIGS
around midnight and remain into the 15-17z range on Monday. KCLT
should improve to VFR by 17z with a break in rainfall likely.
Another round of TS likely Monday afternoon. For now, a PROB30 at
KCLT with additional PROB30s issued for other sites in future
issuance. As for winds, light and remains NE/E through 12z with a
shift to E/SE through the end of the TAF period at KCLT.
Outlook: Shower and thunderstorm chances continue into the week as a
front remains stalled near the forecast area. Flight restrictions
due to fog and low stratus will be possible each night and into the
morning hours.
&&
.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for GAZ018-026-028-
029.
NC...None.
SC...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ010-011-019-
104-105.
&&
SYNOPSIS...DEO
NEAR TERM...CP
SHORT TERM...WJM
LONG TERM...WJM
AVIATION...CPHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 426 AM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023 GAZ010-017-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065-068>072-082- 501>510-SCZ008-009-012>014-101>103-106>109-280830- Rabun-Habersham-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-Cherokee-York-Laurens- Union SC-Chester-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains- Greenville Mountains-Central Greenville-Southern Greenville- Northern Spartanburg-Southern Spartanburg- 426 AM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, Piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina, and Upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop across the region today, forming first over the mountains by the early to middle part of the afternoon, then filling in across the foothills and Piedmont through the evening hours. These thunderstorms will produce frequent cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, gusty winds, and torrential rainfall. Isolated flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas will be possible. The strongest storms may produce damaging wind gusts and hail as large as quarters. Scattered thunderstorms may linger through the overnight hours into early Monday morning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Showers and thunderstorms will be widespread on Monday and Tuesday. The flooding threat will steadily build across the region during this period and torrential rainfall with any of these storms could quickly produce flash flooding. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible mainly on Monday, with damaging wind gusts the primary threat. In addition, a tropical cyclone is expected to strengthen in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and move northward toward the Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday. Uncertainty regarding the eventual track is moderate to high, but gusty winds and heavy rainfall from this system could affect the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia Wednesday into Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to relay any reports of severe weather or flooding to the National Weather Service. GAZ018-026-028-029-SCZ010-011-019-104-105-280830- Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Anderson-Abbeville-Greenwood- Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens- 426 AM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for parts of northeast Georgia and the western Upstate of 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. Numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop across the region today, especially from late afternoon through the evening hours. These thunderstorms will produce frequent cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, gusty winds, and torrential rainfall. Isolated flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas will be possible. The strongest storms may produce damaging wind gusts and hail as large as quarters. Scattered thunderstorms may linger through the overnight hours into early Monday morning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Showers and thunderstorms will be widespread on Monday and Tuesday. The flooding threat will steadily build across the region during this period and torrential rainfall with any of these storms could quickly produce flash flooding. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible mainly on Monday, with damaging wind gusts the primary threat. In addition, a tropical cyclone is expected to strengthen in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and move northward toward the Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday. Uncertainty regarding the eventual track is moderate to high, but gusty winds and heavy rainfall from this system could affect the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia Wednesday into Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to relay any reports of severe weather or flooding to the National Weather Service. HG
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
432 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023
NCZ504-506-272100-
Greater Burke NC-Eastern McDowell NC-
432 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central
McDowell and southwestern Burke Counties through 500 PM EDT...
At 432 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southwest of Morganton, or 4 miles southwest of Glen Alpine,
moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Morganton, Drexel, Glen Alpine, Lake James State Park, South
Mountains State Park, Lake James, Lake Rhodhiss, Pleasant Grove, Oak
Hill and Dysartsville.
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 3580 8158 3556 8157 3557 8160 3557 8167
3558 8169 3558 8170 3561 8172 3560 8174
3561 8175 3559 8177 3559 8179 3558 8180
3559 8190 3577 8191 3582 8159
TIME...MOT...LOC 2032Z 268DEG 12KT 3568 8182
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RWHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
437 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023
GAZ017-018-026-272115-
Franklin GA-Stephens GA-Habersham GA-
437 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Franklin, Stephens and southeastern Habersham Counties through 515 PM
EDT...
At 437 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southwest of Toccoa, or 4 miles east of Mount Airy, moving east
at 10 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...
Toccoa, Cornelia, Demorest, Mount Airy, Baldwin, Avalon, Martin,
Boydville and Eastanolee.
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 3467 8330 3465 8329 3464 8326 3442 8317
3440 8338 3443 8338 3446 8340 3448 8347
3449 8354 3456 8358
TIME...MOT...LOC 2037Z 251DEG 9KT 3450 8342
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RWHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
444 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023
NCZ048-049-272115-
Yancey NC-Madison NC-
444 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Madison
and Yancey Counties through 515 PM EDT...
At 444 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles west of Burnsville, or 7 miles northeast of Mars Hill, moving
east at 10 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...
Burnsville, Mars Hill, Ramseytown, Faust, Wolf Ridge, Micaville,
Green Mountain, Celo, Swiss and Poplar.
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 3605 8234 3603 8234 3603 8231 3604 8230
3602 8227 3600 8227 3599 8225 3601 8225
3584 8216 3582 8236 3582 8238 3579 8257
3595 8265 3597 8261 3595 8256 3601 8246
3606 8242 3608 8235
TIME...MOT...LOC 2044Z 251DEG 9KT 3591 8248
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RWHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
459 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023
NCZ068-069-504-508-272130-
Greater Rutherford NC-Cleveland NC-Lincoln NC-Greater Burke NC-
459 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Rutherford, western Lincoln, northern Cleveland and south central
Burke Counties through 530 PM EDT...
At 459 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14
miles northeast of Forest City, or 5 miles west of Casar, moving east
at 15 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...
Belwood, Lawndale, Fallston, Polkville, Waco, Casar, Kingstown, South
Mountains State Park, Vale and Sunshine.
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 3558 8152 3557 8153 3557 8144 3556 8136
3542 8140 3542 8146 3537 8141 3531 8143
3542 8181 3560 8177
TIME...MOT...LOC 2059Z 282DEG 13KT 3550 8171
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RWHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
510 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023
GAZ026-028-272145-
Hart GA-Franklin GA-
510 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Franklin and
western Hart Counties through 545 PM EDT...
At 509 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Carnesville, moving east at 15 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...
Carnesville, Royston, Lavonia, Canon, Franklin Springs, Bowersville,
Victoria Bryant State Park, Gumlog and Vanna.
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 3427 8312 3424 8317 3425 8320 3424 8325
3425 8329 3426 8329 3426 8331 3437 8335
3449 8305 3448 8303 3424 8294 3423 8308
TIME...MOT...LOC 2109Z 251DEG 14KT 3431 8324
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RWHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
515 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023
NCZ036-037-057-272145-
Rowan NC-Davie NC-Iredell NC-
515 PM EDT Sun Aug 27 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Davie,
east central Iredell and northwestern Rowan Counties through 545 PM
EDT...
At 515 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Statesville, moving east 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...
Statesville, Troutman, Cleveland, Piedmont Research Station, Cool
Springs, Mount Ulla and Woodleaf.
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.
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 3569 8093 3587 8093 3592 8061 3565 8060
TIME...MOT...LOC 2115Z 267DEG 11KT 3579 8085
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
RWHThe Greer radar (KGSP), 109 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:39 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
County comms reported multiple trees blown down with one on power lines on Rice Mill Rd and additional trees down closer to Canon.
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: 1136963.