Isolated thunderstorms developed over western North Carolina during the afternoon. A couple of the storms produced brief strong-to-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.
Isolated thunderstorms developed over western North Carolina during the afternoon. A couple of the storms produced brief strong-to-damaging wind gusts. Additional thunderstorms, along with a few storm clusters then moved into the mountains from east Tennessee during the late evening and overnight, resulting in a rare tornado, along with additional 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 14, 1:52 PM EST, 38 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
252 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023
.SYNOPSIS...
A weak cold front will drift slowly from Tennessee and across our
area tonight and reach the eastern Carolinas by Tuesday night.
Expect a few strong to severe storms ahead of the front. As drier
high pressure builds across our region in mid week, we will have
milder temperatures and lower humidity into late week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 145 PM EDT Monday: The leading outflow from this morning's
convective activity is now pushing into the NC mountains, and
is triggering some new storms. The more bullish 12z NAMnest and
FV3 CAMs are verifying the best with this, and they keep building
more storms as the boundary pushes east across the forecast area
this aftn into early evening. They may still be overdone, but the
latest SPC mesoanalysis page shows uncapped MLCAPE of 1500-2500
J/kg across the Piedmont. Effective shear is pretty weak, but is
expected to increase across western NC thru the aftn to about 30
kt. So a few multicell clusters may form, increasing the damaging
wind threat. PoPs were tweaked to show more solid chances across
the NC Piedmont and northern and eastern SC Piedmont.
Activity should wane and/or push east early this evening. However,
another round of convection is expected to form along an approaching
cold front across eastern TN/KY. The deep-layer flow is progged
to back to west-southwesterly, becoming more parallel to the
boundary. So this activity is expected to be less organized, but
may cause some training cells and an excessive rainfall threat. The
12z HREF probability-matched mean QPF keeps the axis of heaviest
rainfall across the Great TN Valley, but with a tight gradient
along the TN/NC border. Confidence is too low for any kind of Flood
Watch, but isolated flooding near the TN border cannot be ruled
out tonight. Otherwise, cloud cover from the eastern TN convection
will probably help keep temps elevated and limit mountain valley
fog formation. Lows expected to be in the upper 60s to 70 in the
mountain valleys and low to mid 70s across the Piedmont.
The front should push across the forecast area during the day
Tuesday, as a strong shortwave/upper low swings across the OH
Valley. The front is likely to be near the eastern edge of the
Blue Ridge around midday, when diurnal destabilization picks up and
convection initiates. MLCAPE will likely be over 2000 J/kg east of
the mountains, and effective shear around 30-40 kts, allowing for
some storm organization. The HRRR has been showing updraft helicity
swaths, with a quasi-supercell storm mode across the eastern third
of the forecast area. The updated Day 2 SPC convective outlook
has a marginal risk extended back west across our entire Piedmont,
with a slight just into Rowan and Cabarrus counties. If the frontal
timing slows much more, the slight risk may be extended further
west into our area. Temps should be a little cooler in the west
thanks to the fropa, while the southeast corner will see another
hot and humid day, with heat indices in the 100-105 range.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 213 PM Monday: Expect the frontal boundary to still be
lurking over the southeastern zones at sunset on Tuesday, with
some storms along the front primarily around metro Charlotte,
but this activity should continue to move out of the fcst area
thru mid-late evening. By daybreak Wednesday we should notice the
air mass change with a continental high building in from the west
with much drier air. The center of the high will remain to our
west and gradually weaken on Wednesday and Thursday while the old
front has stalled along the coast. The proximity of the front might
keep a few showers/storms just to the southeast of the fcst area
on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon and the fcst will keep that,
even though it is much more likely the convection will be to our
east both days. Temps will be a welcome relief on Wednesday...maybe
a category below normal with low dewpoints...and still a degree
or two below normal for Thursday.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 113 PM Monday: The latest model guidance shows a subtle trend
back toward more confidence in a dry solution for the end of the
week into early next week. The main player will be the sprawling
upper anticyclone over the Plains, the center of which may migrate
from OK to IA through the medium range period. The eastern extent
of the anticyclone is shown to gradually expand eastward over the
weekend to eventually envelop the entire forecast area in even
the slowest guidance. The immediate effect will be to suppress
deep convection with a formidable cap and relatively dry boundary
layer, such that even the usual ridgetop shower activity appears
unlikely through the weekend. By Monday, there could be enough
modification to the air mass to allow for some mountain afternoon
convection. For the time being, at least, temperature guidance
looks close to normal, with a warming trend as we start the new
week. Looking ahead, the big question is when/if the center of
the upper anticyclone will ever make it east of the MS River,
and it looks like the answer so far is...not yet.
&&
.AVIATION /19Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Convection is firing along a leading boundary
from early morning activity, pushing into western NC. Confidence is
increasing that scattered TSRA will form across the area this aftn,
so have VCTS and/or TEMPOs for TS at all sites. Activity should exit
to the east and wane early this evening. Then overnight, another
round of convection is expected near the TN/NC border. Some of this
may affect KAVL, but most is expected to stay NW. Cloud cover from
this activity may limit mountain valley fog development, but will
show at least a hint of some restrictions at KAVL early Tuesday
morning. A cold front will push across the area during the day
Tuesday, and is expected to trigger a broken line of convection
roughly along the Blue Ridge. The showers and tstms will then
track east across the Piedmont thru the 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 GAZ018-026-028-
029.
NC...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for NCZ070-071-082.
SC...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for SCZ009>014-019-
104-105.
&&
SYNOPSIS...DEO
NEAR TERM...ARK
SHORT TERM...PM
LONG TERM...PM
AVIATION...ARKHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 541 AM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023 GAZ010-NCZ033-035-048>053-058-059-062>065-501>507-509-SCZ101>103- 150945- Rabun-Avery-Alexander-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe- Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania- Henderson-Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains- Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell- Rutherford Mountains-Polk Mountains-Oconee Mountains- Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains- 541 AM EDT Mon Aug 14 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 at times through Tuesday morning. Any of these storms may produce dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning, gusty winds, and locally heavy rainfall. A few thunderstorms may pose an additional risk of severe weather, in the form of damaging wind gusts, and/or hail the size of a quarter or larger. The greatest risk of severe weather may actually develop before dawn Tuesday ahead of an approaching cold front. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. GAZ017-NCZ036-037-056-057-068-069-072-508-510-SCZ008-106>109-150945- Habersham-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Cleveland-Lincoln-Cabarrus- Greater Rutherford-Eastern Polk-Cherokee-Central Greenville- Southern Greenville-Northern Spartanburg-Southern Spartanburg- 541 AM EDT Mon Aug 14 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 this afternoon and evening. Any of these storms may produce dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning, gusty winds, and locally heavy rainfall. A few thunderstorms may pose an additional risk of severe weather, in the form of damaging wind gusts, and/or hail the size of a quarter or larger. Also, heat index may rise above 100 this afternoon, possibly reaching 105 in a few locations. These conditions may pose a risk of heat-related illness in sensitive groups such as the elderly. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. A few thunderstorms developing again Tuesday afternoon may produce localized damaging wind gusts, and/or hail the size of a quarter or larger. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. GAZ018-026-028-029-NCZ070-071-082-SCZ009>014-019-104-105-150945- Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Union NC-York- Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Union SC-Chester-Greenwood-Greater Oconee- Greater Pickens- 541 AM EDT Mon Aug 14 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. Also, scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. Any of these storms may produce dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning, gusty winds, and locally heavy rainfall. A few thunderstorms may pose an additional risk of severe weather, in the form of damaging wind gusts, and/or hail the size of a quarter or larger. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. A few thunderstorms developing again Tuesday afternoon may produce localized damaging wind gusts, and/or hail the size of a quarter or larger. Heat index is not likely to be as high as Monday, but still may top 100, and this may may pose a risk of heat-related illness in sensitive groups such as the elderly. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. Wimberley
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
150 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023
NCZ501-502-141815-
Caldwell Mountains NC-Greater Caldwell NC-
150 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Caldwell County through 215 PM EDT...
At 150 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles north of Lenoir, or 5 miles southwest of Elkville, moving east
at 25 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...
Kings Creek and Patterson.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3610 8152 3610 8150 3609 8147 3609 8145
3607 8144 3607 8141 3605 8139 3604 8139
3604 8137 3600 8133 3594 8134 3600 8159
3612 8156 3612 8155
TIME...MOT...LOC 1750Z 278DEG 21KT 3603 8149
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
MOORESpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
248 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023
NCZ035-036-141915-
Iredell NC-Alexander NC-
248 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Alexander
and northern Iredell Counties through 315 PM EDT...
At 248 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles east of Taylorsville, or 4 miles northwest of Stony Point,
moving southeast at 25 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...
Statesville, Taylorsville, Stony Point, Harmony, Love Valley,
Hiddenite, Turnersburg, Olin, Vashti and Union Grove.
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 3600 8071 3569 8092 3592 8125 3604 8112
3604 8111 3603 8110 3603 8107 3604 8105
3605 8102
TIME...MOT...LOC 1848Z 296DEG 23KT 3593 8109
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
HGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
307 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023
NCZ036-037-057-141930-
Rowan NC-Davie NC-Iredell NC-
307 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Davie,
northern Iredell and northwestern Rowan Counties through 330 PM
EDT...
At 306 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles north of Statesville, or 6 miles southeast of Love Valley,
moving east at 25 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...
Statesville, Mocksville, Harmony, Cleveland, Love Valley, Stony
Point, Turnersburg, Olin, Cool Springs and Sheffield.
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.
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 3601 8052 3581 8057 3568 8075 3584 8105
3587 8104 3597 8100 3602 8096
TIME...MOT...LOC 1906Z 291DEG 23KT 3591 8092
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
HGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
327 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023
NCZ036-037-057-142000-
Rowan NC-Davie NC-Iredell NC-
327 PM EDT Mon Aug 14 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Davie, northeastern
Iredell and northwestern Rowan Counties through 400 PM EDT...
At 327 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles west of Mocksville, or 4 miles southeast of Harmony, moving
east at 25 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...
Mocksville, Statesville, Bermuda Run, Cooleemee, Harmony, Cleveland,
Fork Church, Advance, Turnersburg and Cool Springs.
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.
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 3589 8037 3589 8040 3588 8042 3587 8039
3585 8039 3585 8042 3583 8043 3584 8048
3583 8049 3579 8048 3577 8045 3572 8046
3570 8049 3578 8086 3602 8079 3604 8045
3601 8042 3599 8042 3596 8038
TIME...MOT...LOC 1927Z 279DEG 21KT 3590 8074
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
HGThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 123 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:27 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Spotter reported a tree blown down on a vehicle near Sheffield.
County comms reported power lines blown down on Judge Rd at Warrior Dr. Utility company reported trees blown down on power lines on Thermal View Dr.
County comms reported two or three trees blown down near the Tennessee border.
NWS storm survey found the path of a rare EF1 tornado over far northern Avery County. The tornado touched down just east of where Dark Ridge Rd crosses into Tennessee, where multiple large tree limbs were snapped. The damage path extended east/northeast into a heavily wooded area, re-emerging in the Whaley community, crossing Joe Parlier Rd and Beech Mountain Rd, before moving along Buckeye Rd. The most significant damage was observed in this area, with multiple small-to-medium size trees snapped and some larger trees uprooted. The damage path was lost near this point, as the tornado crossed into another heavily wooded area. It was determined that the tornado continued into Watauga County just south of Buckeye Rd, as additional damage was found in that county. This was only the second confirmed tornado in Avery County's history, with the other one having occurred on 9 April 1965.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for North Carolina, 2023Warnings in North Carolina, 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: 1136915, 1136916, 1136919, 1136920.