A broken line of heavy rain showers and thunderstorms developed across western North Carolina during the late afternoon and evening. A couple of the storms produced severe weather, the most notable of which produced wind damage and a rare brief tornado in the southern mountains.
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.
A broken line of heavy rain showers and thunderstorms developed across western North Carolina during the late afternoon and evening. A couple of the storms produced severe weather, the most notable of which produced wind damage and a rare brief tornado in the southern mountains.
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 May 7, 1:36 PM EST, 2 hours 34 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 236 PM EDT Sun May 7 2023 .SYNOPSIS... An active weather pattern will remain across the the area with temperatures trending warmer and increasing chances for afternoon showers and thunderstorms through the middle of next week. By Wednesday, drier high pressure will move in from the north and remain into the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 210 PM on Sunday: A quiet start to the day with a chance for rain and thunderstorms later this afternoon and evening. An ongoing MCS across the Ohio Valley continues to expand and move south/southeastward toward the CWA. Guidance from the HRRR and HREF have indicated the line of storms crossing the Appalachians and breaking up once it passes the mountains. Other guidance has the MCS breaking up before entering the CWA, which makes for a tricky forecast. Looking at the mesoscale parameters before the storms arrive shows a decent amount of instability setting up across the mountains and foothills with MUCAPE values between 1500-2000 J/kg. Surface moisture continues to increase with dewpoints approaching the 60s in the Piedmont. If the storms can remain in tact, wind and lightning will likely be the primary threats across the mountains and into the western Piedmont. Even with a few hours prior to the arrival of these storms, there still exist some uncertainty as to whether or not the line will break up once it crosses the mountains and how quickly it will move out of the area. Either way, precautions should be taken this afternoon for severe thunderstorms as most of the CWA remains in a Marginal risk for severe weather. Once the storms move out of the area this evening, clearer conditions should persist overnight for at least the eastern half of the region. Guidance continues to diverge on agreement of another wave of showers and thunderstorms into at least Monday morning. If storms matriculate, the western portion of the CWA is likely to have the best chance for another round of showers and thunderstorms. Spotty showers could linger through the afternoon in the Piedmont and quickly dissipate by Monday evening. Confidence on this second wave is low mainly due to uncertainty in how the current line of storms will evolve and therefore, influence tomorrow's chances. As for temperatures, expect warmer values in the mid 80s for Monday and overnight temps in the 60s. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 205 pm Sunday: Upper troughs will steadily deepen along the East and West Coasts during the short term, with a ridge building in between across the Great Plains. Resultant mid/upper NW flow will persist across the southern Appalachians and vicinity through the period, with unseasonably warm and humid conditions expected to continue into Tuesday. As such, mostly diurnal convection is expected during the first half of the period, but with the NW flow regime continuing, some potential for somewhat organized deep convection originating from the vicinity of the Ohio Valley could make a run at the CWA at just about any time. Some potential for isolated severe convection will be possible, especially on Tue afternoon, when short term guidance suggests instability will peak in the vicinity of 2000 J/kg ahead of a frontal boundary sagging south into the CWA. However, deep layer wind shear will remain somewhat modest (generally 20-30 kts), so the severe storm threat is expected to remain near the marginal end of the spectrum. Temps are expected to be around 10 degrees above climo Min night/ Tue. Frontal zone is expected to push south of the area for Wed, as short wave trough digs off the Mid-Atlantic Coast. As a result, much drier/more stable air will filter into the forecast area, bringing temps closer to seasonal norms and putting the kibosh on any deep convective chances. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 220 pm Sunday: Heights will steadily rise through much of the medium range, as an upper ridge slowly builds toward the East, although the ridge may begin to break down by next weekend, as short wave troughs accost it from the west and the east. In the interim, the rising heights will allow for increasing humidity (albeit slowly) and heat during the latter half of the week, with some potential for diurnal convection steadily increasing each day. By next weekend, temperatures are expected to return to levels around 10 degrees above climo. By Day 7/Monday, the global models are in quite good agreement that a strong short wave will carve out a rather deep upper trough across the East, with attendant frontal zone expected to bring decent chances for convection Sunday/Monday. && .AVIATION /19Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... At KCLT and elsewhere: VFR conditions prevail this afternoon at all terminals. Meanwhile, a line of thunderstorms approaching from the NW is anticipated to cross the Appalachians and move across the area with wind and lightning as the primary threats. Timing for KHKY and KCLT is between 22z and 01z this evening. As such, added TEMPO for all terminals except KAND, as the line of storms is expected to break up before reaching the site. There could be temporary restrictions at KCLT when storms initially move through, but should prevail VFR. Winds will remain SW between 10-15kts through the end of the forecast period, with occasional higher gusts associated with any TS in the area. Another round of showers and possible thunderstorms is likely Monday, hence a PROB30 was added to KCLT. Confidence is moderate on this second wave as some uncertainty exists due to storms today. Outlook: Rain and thunderstorm chances expected for the start of the week with temporary restrictions at most terminals possible. High pressure and drier conditions anticipated to move in by mid-week. && .GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. NC...None. SC...None. && SYNOPSIS...JDL NEAR TERM...CP SHORT TERM...JDL LONG TERM...JDL AVIATION...CP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 221 PM EDT Sun May 7 2023 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065- 068>072-082-501>510-SCZ008>014-019-101>109-081830- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-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- Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Union SC-Chester-Greenwood- Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains- Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-Central Greenville- Southern Greenville-Northern Spartanburg-Southern Spartanburg- 221 PM EDT Sun May 7 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Thunderstorms moving from the Ohio River Valley this afternoon could cross the Western Carolina Mountains. If storms can stay together, strong, gusty winds and lightning should be the primary threats to the area. A marginal risk of severe thunderstorms exists across most of the southern Appalachians and surrounding areas for today and this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
441 PM EDT Sun May 7 2023
NCZ504-072130-
Greater Burke NC-
441 PM EDT Sun May 7 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Burke
County through 530 PM EDT...
At 441 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Morganton, or near Glen Alpine, moving southeast at 20
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...
Morganton, Glen Alpine, Lake James, Lake James State Park, South
Mountains State Park and Oak Hill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3569 8162 3560 8174 3561 8175 3576 8191
3581 8183
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 312DEG 18KT 3575 8183
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
451 PM EDT Sun May 7 2023
NCZ035-036-072130-
Iredell NC-Alexander NC-
451 PM EDT Sun May 7 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern
Alexander and northern Iredell Counties through 530 PM EDT...
At 451 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 13 miles south of Ronda to 5 miles east of
Taylorsville to 5 miles north of Hickory. Movement was east at 30
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...
Taylorsville, Stony Point, Harmony, Love Valley, Lookout Shoals Lake,
Lake Hickory, Hiddenite, Turnersburg, Olin and Millersville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3598 8070 3573 8106 3577 8109 3579 8113
3583 8114 3582 8121 3587 8130 3606 8096
TIME...MOT...LOC 2051Z 288DEG 24KT 3603 8090 3591 8108 3582 8132
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
508 PM EDT Sun May 7 2023
NCZ048-072145-
Madison NC-
508 PM EDT Sun May 7 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Madison
County through 545 PM EDT...
At 508 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles south of Greeneville, or 8 miles north of Hot Springs, moving
southeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel 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...
Hot Springs, Allenstand and Walnut.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3598 8261 3597 8258 3596 8258 3580 8276
3594 8290 3595 8287 3595 8285 3592 8282
3593 8281 3594 8281 3597 8278 3598 8279
3600 8278 3603 8270
TIME...MOT...LOC 2108Z 312DEG 24KT 3601 8285
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TWThe Greer radar (KGSP), 142 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:11 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Fire dept reported trees and power lines blown down and blocking a roadway.
County comms reported numerous trees blown down across southern Buncombe County, including in the Arden area.
NWS storm survey found the path of an EF0 tornado that touched down near the intersection of Leslie Way and Sugarloaf Rd and tracked southeast across Sugarloaf Ln and near Naomi Dr. Damage was primarily limited to multiple uprooted trees and snapped large limbs in this area, although minor damage occurred to the roof of one home and to the exterior of a manufactured home. A couple of other houses were damaged by falling trees. The path became more intermittent from there, but additional tree damage was found in a wooded area southeast of Naomi Ln. This was the first confirmed tornado in Henderson County since 21 August 1977, when an F1 tornado tracked from the Dana community into the Green River Game Land area of Polk County.
County comms reported house fire caused by a lightning strike in the Etowah area.
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, May 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: 1101735, 1101736, 1101737, 1101740.