A wavy frontal boundary sagged slowly south through Eastern North Carolina during the afternoon hours. Scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms developed along and ahead of the front, and moved southeast across much of the region, eventually making it all the way to the coast.
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 MHX wrote it up.
A wavy frontal boundary sagged slowly south through Eastern North Carolina during the afternoon hours. Scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms developed along and ahead of the front, and moved southeast across much of the region, eventually making it all the way to the coast. The magnitude of severe weather with this event made it particularly unique, producing rare hail up to 2 in diameter and wind gusts in excess of 70 mph. Additionally, large hail was observed all the way to the coast. Some instances of flash flooding were reported as well due to the very heavy rainfall rates.
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 Newport/Morehead City, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 9, 10:20 AM EST, 3 hours 39 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
1120 AM EDT Sun Jul 9 2023
.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front will approach the area today and slowly sag
through the area tonight and Monday upping the chance for
severe thunderstorms to impact the area. Periods of heavy rain
are possible and may lead to localized flooding concerns. The
typical summertime pattern with high pressure offshore and
troughing inland will redevelop mid to late next week bringing
hot and muggy weather.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
As of 11 AM Sunday...Fog has dissipated and early morning
convection have moved offshore. Showers are redeveloping across
the Pamlico/Albemarle peninsula where MLCAPE has increased to
1500 J/kg and CIN has diminished. Expect widely scattered
showers and storms to continue to develop across ENC as
instability increases with daytime heating. A strong line of
pre-frontal storms are pushing across the western piedmont late
this morning which has already necessitated severe warnings.
Guidance best aligned with this convection shows the line moving
into the western portions of the FA around 3-4 PM and pushing
offshore around 8-10 PM this evening. The best chance for severe
across the FA will be as this line pushes across the area but
isolated strong to severe storms cannot be ruled out ahead of
this line. Severe parameters mentioned in the previous
discussion still on track with damaging wind gusts and heavy
rainfall producing localized flooding the greatest threats from
the storms this afternoon and evening.
Previous discussion...A negatively-tilted shortwave and an
associated 60-80 kt upper jet will overspread the Mid-
Atlantic/Carolinas during peak heating today. A light to modest
southerly flow will help advect in and/or keep dewpoints in the
mid to upper 70s, highest coast. While mid-level lapse rates
will be poor, heating of a very moist boundary layer should
yield MLCAPE of at least 1-2 kJ/kg ahead of the advancing
shortwave and prefrontal trough at the SFC ahead of an
associated front with the more aggressive CAMs suggesting MUCAPE
values approaching 3.5kJ/kg. Deep layer shear will gradually
increase from a meager 10-15kt this morning to ~30-35kt as the
upper jet noses into the area, and will be more parallel to the
advancing surface boundary. The combination of moderate
instability and seasonably strong forcing should lead to a line,
or broken line, of storms developing over central NC that will
eventually progress east across most, if not all, of Eastern NC
during the afternoon and evening hours. Initiation in the FA
could be as early as 16-18Z with the most likely onset starting
~20Z.
The low-mid level flow with this system won't be particularly
strong, which will keep the tornado threat low. However, the 0-3km
shear vector will be oriented perpendicular to any north/south line
of storms that develop, so it's not completely out of the realm of
possibility to see a brief, weak vortex, or two, develop along the
line. The main severe threat will be gusty/damaging winds. This
potentially may be slightly enhanced by a zone of drier mid-
level air overspreading the area which could enhance the
development of stronger downdrafts. The damaging wind threat
will also be enhanced for any rotating updraft. A threat of
large hail cannot be ruled out, either, but this will probably
be focused to our west where storms will be more discrete before
upscale growth occurs.
Given the wet pattern of late, there are several corridors
throughout Eastern NC where precip anomalies are running 1-3"+ above
normal. While storm motions will be faster compared to the past
couple of days, there will be a risk of flash flooding thanks to
at least moderate instability, a high PWAT airmass, an
increasing signal for training cells, and seasonably strong
forcing. These factors have led to the issuance of a Flood Watch
for the entire FA starting at 18Z.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 AM MONDAY/...
As of 0400 Sunday...Strongest convection will last well into
the evening given the stronger forcing at play, but a gradual
decrease in coverage is expected behind the initial line, which
is forecast to be over the ENC coast ~00Z. Here, moderate to
heavy rainfall and the threat for severe tstorms associated with
the prefrontal trough will still be ongoing, albeit on a
downward trend, for another hour or two with rainfall amounts
around half an inch over the Crystal Coast with locally higher
amounts possible again. In the wake of the prefrontal trough,
more isolated to widely scattered convection remains possible
ahead of the approaching front which will enter the FA after
midnight and inch toward the coast through the overnight period
to be located over the NOBX bowing to the SW over the Inner
Banks, approaching the Crystal Coast. Slightly lower MinTs
thanks to rain cooled air, ~70 inland, low 70s beaches.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 245 AM Sunday...A weak/diffuse cold front will bring
unsettled conditions to the area Monday. The front will then
dissipate/move offshore Mon night followed by drier and
warmer/muggy conditions through much of the upcoming week.
Monday...A seasonably strong shortwave will dig down across the
Mid-Atlantic and into the Southeast on Monday. An associated
cold front will likely push off the coast either late Monday or
early Tuesday.
Divergence aloft, sufficient shear, and increased forcing
during this period could lead to increased convective activity,
with the SPC continuing to forecast a "Marginal" risk for severe
weather across eastern NC. There are significant differences in
the models regarding the coverage/location of this convection
though so have capped PoPs at chance. The best chance for
scattered to numerous storms appears to be along and south of
Highway 70. Marginally severe hail and damaging wind gusts are
the main threats.
Tuesday through Saturday...The front is now expected push off
the NC coast before stalling, leaving the area in a weakly
forced pressure pattern mid through late week. Drier mid and
upper level air on the back side of the upper level trough will
move into the region and will help significantly inhibit
coverage of afternoon convection during this period. There will
still be some widely scattered mainly diurnally driven showers
and thunderstorms due to the unstable afternoon airmass, but
coverage will be much less than the previous several days.
Temps begin to warm to around 90 inland Tue and into the lower
to mid 90s Wed into next weekend.
&&
.AVIATION /15Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
SHORT TERM /through Tonight/...
As of 1115 AM Sunday...Morning fog has dissipated with VFR
across rtes. Another round of TSRA is expected to move across
rtes mid afternoon into mid evening ahead of an approaching
front with some tstorms having potential to become severe. Have
tried to fine tune the timing of the TEMPO MVFR groups for when
line of storms are most likely to impact TAF sites with MVFR
conditions likely, but IFR flight cats are possible under
stronger storms. Coverage of showers/storms becomes more
scattered behind the main line of convection tonight with the
potential for some post frontal low level stratus to bring
subVFR flight cats to inland terminals and perhaps as far E as
EWN in the early morning hours. Placement of the stratus will be
dependent on exact location of the front in the morning, which
is slated to be somewhere between the inland and coastal TAF
sites at the end of the TAF period. Have introduced scattered
MVFR deck for inland sites to show this trend.
LONG TERM /Monday through Thursday/...
As of 245 AM Sunday...Brief periods of sub-VFR conditions will
be possible Mon afternoon and evening due to scattered tstms.
There will also be potential for early morning patchy fog,
especially in locations that see rain the day before. Otherwise,
VFR conditions are expected Tuesday into late week with only
isolated to widely scattered afternoon/evening tstms expected.
&&
.MARINE...
SHORT TERM /through Sunday night/...
As of 0400 Sunday...Thunderstorm risk continues through the
the period with isolated to scattered convection early, mainly
over PamSound and coastal waters near Hatt/NOBX near an area of
greater moisture convergence, transitioning to a greater threat
for stronger tstorms and heaviest rainfall occuring in a line
that will be approaching coastal waters from the W ~00Z Monday.
Light winds and seas of 2-3 feet early before increasing to
Serly 10-20kt. At this time, the potential of 25kt winds outside
of storms remains low, so no SCA is planned at this time. With
the increasing winds, periods will decrease from the longer
~11sec swell to 7-8sec wind waves across the coastal waters,
with a choppier conditions expected for inland rivers and
sounds. The line of tstorms ahead of the front tonight could
produce 40kt+ winds and hail. Significant reductions to
visibility due to heavy downpours can be expected as well.
LONG TERM /Monday through Thursday/...
As of 245 AM Sunday...Good boating conditions will continue
into mid next week with winds mostly 15 kt or less expected.
W/SW winds Mon become NW Mon night, onshore Tue and S/SW Wed and
Thu with winds possibly increasing to 15-20 kt on Thu. Seas
will be mainly 2-3 ft through mid week.
&&
.MHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...Flood Watch until 10 PM EDT this evening for NCZ029-044>047-
079>081-090>092-094-193>196-198-199-203>205.
MARINE...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...MHX
NEAR TERM...SK/CEB/RM
SHORT TERM...CEB
LONG TERM...JME
AVIATION...JME/CEB
MARINE...JME/CEBHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC 455 AM EDT Sun Jul 9 2023 NCZ029-044>047-079>081-090>092-094-193>196-198-199-203>205-100900- Martin-Pitt-Washington-Tyrrell-Mainland Dare-Greene-Beaufort- Mainland Hyde-Duplin-Lenoir-Jones-Pamlico-Northern Craven- Southern Craven-West Carteret-East Carteret-Inland Onslow- Coastal Onslow-Northern Outer Banks-Ocracoke Island-Hatteras Island- 455 AM EDT Sun Jul 9 2023 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Severe thunderstorms are forecast to impact the area from west to east this afternoon into tonight, with the greatest potential for strong damaging wind gusts and the possibility of hail. Moderate to locally heavy rainfall may lead to flooding. Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds and hail are possible Monday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
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</html>The Morehead City radar (KMHX), 61 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:59 UTC.
12 thunderstorm wind, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Cooperative reported numerous power outages due to wires blown down in the Richlands area.
A significant portion of a large tree was snapped off near the base. The report was via Facebook. The time was estimated based on radar data.
Multiple power outages in northern Duplin County.
Powerlines were blown down. The time was estimated based on radar data.
A tree was blown down near Bear Hole Rd. The time was estimated based on radar data.
Multiple power outages were reported by the power company. The time was estimated based on radar data.
A tree was blown down onto the road, blocking the roadway.
Powerlines were blown down.
Highway 50 was flooded near the intersection of Cool Spring Road. The time was estimated based on radar data.
Shingles were blown off the roof. Trees were snapped. The spotter noted very strong winds as the storms moved through.
Numerous roads were reported flooded southwest of Jacksonville.
A tree was blown down.
Carteret Craven Electrical Cooperative reported numerous power outages due to downed wires.
Carteret Craven Electrical Cooperative reported numerous power outages due to downed wires.
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 historyWarnings in North Carolina, July 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1127858, 1127859, 1127849, 1127854, 1127855, 1127852, 1127848, 1127847, 1127861, 1127851, 1127862, 1127853, 1127856, 1127857.