A few thunderstorms developed and moved through the Coastal Plain counties of Eastern NC during the afternoon hours. One such storm became severe and produced damaging winds.
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 few thunderstorms developed and moved through the Coastal Plain counties of Eastern NC during the afternoon hours. One such storm became severe and produced damaging winds.
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 Sep 8, 1:44 PM EST, 1 hour 37 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC 244 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023 .SYNOPSIS... Troughing persists near the area into early next week. Ridging building in from offshore could regain control of the weather pattern by the middle of next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 240 PM Fri...Showers and thunderstorms are developing as expected this afternoon, aided by plentiful low level moisture, lift from the sea breeze and good instability with MLCAPES around around 2500 J/kg. The storms should be most numerous along/west of the Highway 17 corridor as the sea breeze continues it's inland march. There is a chance for an isolated damaging wind gust and 1" hail in the stronger storms. SPC has expanded the "Marginal" severe outlook (Level 1 of 5) east into our coastal plain counties to account for this risk. Looks like this convection will be tied closely to the diurnal cycle with the activity waning around 00Z this evening due to the loss of surface heating. Overnight, skies should clear and with continued light winds and high low level moisture content, patchy fog and low clouds are expected to develop especially west of Highway 17 where the guidance has the strongest signal for this to occur. Along and near the coast, scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are forecast to develop over the very warm near shore waters where conditional instability will reside late this evening then advect inland into coastal locations after midnight. Not expecting severe weather with this nocturnal activity but some locally heavy rains will be possible. Lows will range from the upper 60s to lower 70s inland and mid 70s coast. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY/... As of 240 PM Fri...A cut-off upper low is expected to be pulled north towards the Carolinas as another strong shortwave trough, currently over the central plains, dives into the southeastern CONUS. Additional lift will come in the form of a cold front expected to stall out to our west. Ongoing scattered showers and storms along the coast in the morning will spread inland and become more numerous, especially in the afternoon. The main threat will be locally heavy rains as PW values approach 2", though the SPC has outlooked areas just to our west with a "Marginal" severe weather threat (Level 1 of 5) so an isolated damaging wind gust or 1" hail report not out of the question in the stronger storms. Expecting the activity to be most numerous over the southern and central coastal plain which will be closest to the weakening cold front. Highs will be in the mid 80s area wide. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 355 AM Fri... Sunday through Tuesday...The front will remain stalled near the area on Sunday. Above average PWATs streaming along the boundary and the slow-moving southeastern shortwave favor another round of showers and thunderstorms with the threat of heavy rainfall. By the start of the work week, the mid-level energy will begin pushing offshore and the surface front will gradually follow suit. Monday and Tuesday will have the lowest rain chances in the period, thinking that any shower/storm activity will be confined to local seabreezes and remain isolated. Highs remain in the mid to upper 80s. Wednesday and Thursday...By Wednesday, another strong mid- level shortwave will pivot towards the region driving a quick moving cold front towards the Carolinas ushering in better shower and thunderstorm chances as PWATs return to between 1.75-2 inches. Current model consensus has the front fully crossing our area by late Thursday with a much more fall-like continental airmass ushering in a reprieve from current muggy conditions. Major Hurricane Lee will continue to track across the open Atlantic through the period. Bulk of available guidance continues to advertise an out-to-sea solution relative to the Carolinas, but since this is still several days away it remains imperative to stay tuned to updates from the National Hurricane Center. Confidence is high that Lee will bring dangerous coastal conditions, particularly the latter half of next week. See the TIDES/COASTAL FLOOD section for details. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... SHORT TERM /through Saturday/... As of 240 PM Fri...Scattered strong showers and thunderstorms will be in vicinity of the TAF sites through 00Z this evening before dissipating producing occasional sub VFR conditions. Overnight plentiful low level moisture will remain across eastern NC and with good radiational cooling expected, widespread MVFR light fog should occur after 6Z at all terminals. Over the northern and central coastal plain, there is a strong signal for widespread stratus and IFR ceilings to occur late tonight as well (KISO/KPGV). The fog and stratus should mix out by mid morning, setting the stage for diurnal heating and the re-development of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms after 16Z. LONG TERM /Saturday night through Wednesday/... As of 400 AM Fri...Predominantly VFR conditions expected outside of TSRA chances through the period. A High probability of precipitation continues on Sunday, especially for coastal plain terminals. A much more isolated TSRA risk will continue Monday and Tuesday. As with any convective regime, fog is possible in freshly saturated areas each evening if skies can clear sufficiently. && .MARINE... SHORT TERM /through Saturday/... As of 240 PM Fri...Little change is expected through Sat as the waters will remain west of a weakening stalled frontal boundary inland. Expect southerly flow 5-15 kt and 2-3 ft seas in a combination of medium period background/trade swell and weak southerly windswell. Increased convection over the waters is expected tonight into SAt morning, with locally gusty winds and frequent lightning in/near thunderstorms. LONG TERM /Saturday night through Wednesday/... As of 410 AM Fri...Remarkably persistent marine conditions expected through the long term period as generally southerly flow of 10-15 kts continues on the western periphery of the Bermuda high. A cold front will stall over the mainland tomorrow, keeping flow southerly. Seas will remain at around 2-4 feet through the period. Attention turns to distant Major Hurricane Lee from Sunday onwards. Through the long term, the storm will remain well out in the open Atlantic but generate powerful swell. By Sunday, swell periods are expected to jump to between 16-18 seconds as that energy begins to reach the NC coast. The increase in seas will lag by a few days, and swell periods will drop slightly but still at around 14-15 seconds. By Tuesday seas of 6+ feet will begin to impact area waters, increasing further through the remainder of the week. && .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... As of 240 PM Fri...Major Hurricane Lee will pass north of the Lesser Antilles through early next week, producing strong, long period southeastern swell. This longer period swell will initially reach area beaches late Sunday into Monday, with much higher waves most likely arriving on Tuesday and persisting through the coming week. Expect very dangerous surf conditions with large waves, strong rip currents, and powerful shorebreak through much of next week at all area beaches. Additionally, the long period (15-20 seconds) will cause extensive wave run-up, with the potential for extensive beach erosion, ocean overwash, and coastal flooding. Details on the severity of impacts is dependent on the eventual track, intensity, and size of Major Hurricane Lee over the next several days. && .MHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS...MHX NEAR TERM...JME SHORT TERM...JME LONG TERM...MS AVIATION...JME/MS MARINE...JME/MS TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...MHX
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC 408 AM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023 NCZ029-044>047-079>081-090>092-094-193-194-198-090815- Martin-Pitt-Washington-Tyrrell-Mainland Dare-Greene-Beaufort- Mainland Hyde-Duplin-Lenoir-Jones-Pamlico-Northern Craven- Southern Craven-Inland Onslow- 408 AM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ196-203-205-090815- East Carteret-Northern Outer Banks-Hatteras Island- 408 AM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023 ...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North 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. Moderate Rip Current Risk. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Powerful swell from Major Hurricane Lee will bring dangerous surf conditions, including strong rip currents and large waves, to ENC beaches through much of next week. There is potential for additional impacts, including ocean overwash and coastal flooding, beginning middle of next week as well. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ195-199-204-090815- West Carteret-Coastal Onslow-Ocracoke Island- 408 AM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Powerful swell from Major Hurricane Lee will bring dangerous surf conditions, including strong rip currents and large waves, to ENC beaches through much of next week. There is potential for additional impacts, including ocean overwash and coastal flooding, beginning middle of next week as well. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
253 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
NCZ090-081930-
Duplin NC-
253 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Duplin
County through 330 PM EDT...
At 253 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Bowdens, or over Warsaw, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 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...
Warsaw, Mount Olive, Bowdens, Beautancus, Faison, and Calypso.
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 3512 7817 3514 7816 3519 7816 3518 7808
3519 7805 3519 7802 3518 7798 3517 7798
3517 7793 3494 7802 3495 7815 3508 7816
3509 7817
TIME...MOT...LOC 1853Z 196DEG 18KT 3503 7811
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RCFSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
313 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
NCZ090-081945-
Duplin NC-
313 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Duplin
County through 345 PM EDT...
At 312 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Rose Hill, or 8 miles northwest of Wallace, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 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...
Warsaw, Rose Hill, Bowdens, and Magnolia.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3490 7815 3504 7815 3506 7816 3504 7798
3475 7802 3476 7819
TIME...MOT...LOC 1912Z 188DEG 17KT 3482 7810
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RCFSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
339 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
NCZ044-079-082015-
Greene NC-Pitt NC-
339 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Greene
and central Pitt Counties through 415 PM EDT...
At 339 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Winterville, moving north at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 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...
Greenville, Winterville, Ayden, Bell Arthur, House, Bruce, Roundtree,
East Carolina University, Pitt Greenville Airport, Dowdy Ficklen
Stadium, Simpson, and Falkland.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
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 3544 7729 3544 7751 3570 7756 3569 7725
TIME...MOT...LOC 1939Z 175DEG 15KT 3551 7740
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RCFSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
349 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
NCZ079-091-082015-
Greene NC-Lenoir NC-
349 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Greene and
northwestern Lenoir Counties through 415 PM EDT...
At 349 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Walnut Creek, or near La Grange, moving northeast at 35 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...
Kinston, La Grange, Snow Hill, Dawson, Maury, Institute, Jason,
Lizzie, Kinston Regional Jetport, Hookerton, Castoria, and Shine.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3534 7782 3538 7780 3540 7780 3542 7782
3545 7783 3556 7764 3538 7751 3519 7783
TIME...MOT...LOC 1949Z 230DEG 32KT 3531 7784
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
OJCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
359 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
NCZ045-082045-
Washington NC-
359 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Washington
and southeastern Martin Counties through 445 PM EDT...
At 359 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Plymouth, moving northeast 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...
Plymouth, Hinson, Wenona, Pleasant Grove, Westover, Phelps Lake,
Mackeys, and Roper.
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 3579 7641 3570 7671 3570 7673 3577 7681
3579 7679 3581 7680 3582 7678 3585 7678
3587 7674 3592 7672 3593 7670 3594 7669
3595 7670 3594 7671 3593 7674 3594 7674
3599 7666
TIME...MOT...LOC 1959Z 232DEG 11KT 3581 7673
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
8Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
421 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
NCZ029-044-082045-
Martin NC-Pitt NC-
421 PM EDT Fri Sep 8 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central Pitt
and western Martin Counties through 445 PM EDT...
At 421 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
House, or 10 miles north of Greenville, moving north at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 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...
Bethel.
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 3582 7737 3580 7729 3568 7734 3570 7748
3577 7751 3580 7747 3580 7745 3581 7745
3581 7742 3583 7741 3583 7739
TIME...MOT...LOC 2021Z 187DEG 11KT 3573 7740
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RCFThe Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 66 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:21 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Greene County 911 Call Center reported a tree down on power lines near the intersection of HWY13 S and Rodell Barrow Rd. The time was estimated based on radar data.
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, September 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: 1139594.