Scattered thunderstorms moved across northeast Georgia during the afternoon and evening. One of the storms produced large hail in Elbert County.
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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 moved across northeast Georgia during the afternoon and evening. One of the storms produced large hail in Elbert 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 May 26, 2:00 PM EST, 4 hours 5 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 300 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Temperatures remain above normal through Monday. There is a risk of strong to severe thunderstorms from this evening until the cold front passes Monday evening. Cooler and drier conditions return tuesday through Friday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 230 PM EDT Sunday: Embedded shortwaves residing within the mean flow of flat upper ridging will provide the upper forcing for ascent needed to carry multiple waves of potential severe weather across the area. A digging upper trough over the Midwest will swing an attendant cold front towards the region, but won't reach the area until the end of the forecast period. PWAT values ~1.50" with height falls and increasing deep layer shear will support the chance for multiple chances of severe weather as the CFWA resides within a warm sector as stout southwesterly WAA filters into the region. Here is the current forecast as far as how the next 24-36 hours will evolve: Ongoing MCS continues to truck through the OH Valley and the northern extent of the TN Valley. The trends continue to support the southern flank of the bowing segment to graze the northern zones of the CFWA, mainly locations along and north of I-40. Outflows ahead of the line of convection will be the driving force for more thunderstorms to develop south of I-40. The environmental parameters support 2000+ J/kg of sbCAPE, increasing mid-level flow (35-40 kts) allowing effective bulk shear (0-6 km) to keep the bowing segment organized, while allowing for supercells to develop away from the segment, which will most likely impact the NC mountains through the Charlotte Metro. A few CAMs have a few developing across the Upstate, where more instability is available. Large hail and damaging winds will be the primary threat with any supercell that forms. An isolated tornado can't be ruled out, but low-level shear doesn't support strong tornadogenesis. The hail threat won't be present with the southern flank of the bowing segment, but will have a higher straight-line wind threat with DCAPE >1000J/kg, with a few quick spin ups possible, especially if embedded supercells can survive along the line. Expect this threat to begin within the next hour or two across the northern mountains and push east through the area by sunset, maybe a little later. In this case, the bowing segment should survive all the way through the area despite dealing with terrain as MCS Maintenance upticks through the evening. Temperatures will be in the upper 80s to near 90 ahead of the expected convection, making it one of the hottest days of the year so far. One thing to note, a second bowing segment is developing across west-central TN, behind the first and CAMs are struggling to pick up on it. Worried this might be a surprise in the area, but will need to monitor its evolution over the next few hours. The aforementioned bowing segment is just one of possibly three rounds of severe weather during the near term. A second round is likely to occur overnight as the ongoing convection over the Midwest currently travels eastward and maintains itself as it encroaches the region late overnight through mid-morning Monday. The environment doesn't support a persistent MCS through the CFWA, especially east of the mountains. Deep layer shear will increase slightly and elevated instability will be available when the second MCS moves across the area. If a strong cold pool can be generated, then there will be a surprise run across the CFWA Monday morning, with straight line damaging winds being the primary threat. The one good thing is that most of this activity is rather progressive and will lower the hydro threat, but localized flash flooding can't be ruled out. With convective debris and another round of storms overnight, expect overnight lows to remain 5-10 degrees above normal. Last, but not least, the third round that's possible during peak heating on Monday, but will need a few factors to come together for it to reach its full potential. This one will be dependent on how much the environment recovers from the second round of convection and if the atmosphere regenerate more instability. As of now, CAMs do exactly that, with dewpoints in the uppers 60s to near 70 and instability quickly redeveloping by peak heating, ahead of an incoming cold front. Deep layer shear will remain elevated (35-45 kts) and curved hodographs would support rotating supercells on Monday. The question will be if we can tap into any surface instability to take advantage of the otherwise really good kinematics in place. If instability becomes realized Monday afternoon, all three hazards will be possible (large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes) with upscale growth by the time the storms get into the eastern zones and east of the CFWA. The only thing about this forecast is that it will remain uncertain until we see what happens with the second round of convection that's expected overnight. Decided to lower temperatures slightly for Monday as convective debris will be hard to shake off, especially during the morning hours. As a result, afternoon highs on Monday will be at or slightly above normal. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 135 PM Sunday...Upper heights remain nearly zonal Tue which will help maintain dry conds and temps warming about 5-7 degrees abv normal. Surface td/s will mix out deeper than Mon and expect lower RH values making for a rather nice feeling day. Heights and thicknesses begin to drop Tue night thru Wed and with a cP airmass mixing in, don't envision a good chance of precip associated with incoming mlvl s/w Wed afternoon. So, kept the fcst dry and again another nice feeling day with low RH and highs closer to normal. Dry conds continue thru the overnight periods and really no good chance of dense fog as sfc tdd/s generally average arnd 10 F across the fcst area. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 145 PM Sunday...No sigfnt changes were made to the ext range fcst. Still expect a mostly dry period as the mean h8-h5 flow aligns w/ly to nw/ly and continues to reinforce a cP airmass building down the east coast. The latest GFS swings a rather strong h5 s/w thru the pattern Fri, but moisture looks too limited to introduce precip. The going showery activity was maintained Sat as another ulvl wave approaches from the west which will have a better llvl GOM connection. Deep convection looks limited with this system, however, as the wave runs into a strong ridging aloft possibly subduing tstm development. Temps will remain arnd normal levels each and a limited fog potential continues each night due mainly to sfc dryness. && .AVIATION /19Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... At KCLT and elsewhere: VFR conditions expected until showers and thunderstorms develop and introduces associated restrictions. Wind should remain light south to southwesterly with a few low-end gusts. Scattered thunderstorms develop in the afternoon hours so all terminals get a TEMPO for the restrictions with timing based on the HRRR, mainly in the evening. For KCLT and KHKY, there is an outside shot at a severe thunderstorm. Expect for cloud debris to hang out through the evening and into the overnight. Another round of shower and storms with associated restrictions is forecasted to move into the area and tried to time this out with a PROB30 for all TAF sites. Guidance continues to spill MVFR cigs across the area in association with the second round of activity. Winds remain south to southwesterly through the period unless influenced by storms or outflow boundaries. A third round of showers and thunderstorms will be possible during peak heating Monday and will likely disrupt aviation operations once again, but the extent of this will depend on how the second round of storms evolves overnight into the mid- morning hours. Expect some form of cloud cover as cloud debris will linger due to the multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms. Outlook: A unsettled pattern will linger into the early part of the week, allowing for diurnal shower and thunderstorm chances each day and at least patchy fog development each night/morning. Drier weather is expected by midweek. && .GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. NC...None. SC...None. && SYNOPSIS...DEO NEAR TERM...CAC SHORT TERM...SBK LONG TERM...SBK AVIATION...CAC
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 308 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ068>072-082-508-510-SCZ008>014-019- 101>109-271915- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Cleveland-Lincoln- Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-Greater Rutherford-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- 308 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and into the evening. A few isolated severe storms possible, especially in the North Carolina foothills and Piedmont. A cold front moves into the area overnight and brings another chance for thunderstorms before daybreak. The main threats will be damaging winds, cloud-to-ground lightning and hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Another round of afternoon showers and thunderstorms is expected Monday, with a few strong to severe storms possible east of the North Carolina mountains. The main threats will be from strong-to-damaging wind gusts, large hail, and cloud-to-ground lightning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. NCZ035>037-056-057-502-504-506-271915- Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Greater Caldwell-Greater Burke- Eastern McDowell- 308 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 317 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina and western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Another round of afternoon showers and thunderstorms possible Monday with a few strong to severe east of the NC mountains. Main threats will be strong gusty winds, cloud-to-ground lightning and hail. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. NCZ033-048>053-501-503-505-271915- Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe- Caldwell Mountains-Burke Mountains-McDowell Mountains- 308 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 317 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Another round of afternoon showers and thunderstorms possible Monday with a few strong to severe east of the NC mountains. Main threats will be strong gusty winds, cloud-to-ground lightning and hail. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. NCZ058-059-062>065-507-509-271915- Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania- Henderson-Rutherford Mountains-Polk Mountains- 308 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A line of thunderstorms is expected to approach western North Carolina from east Tennessee this evening. Embedded strong to severe thunderstorms will pose a threat of strong to damaging wind gusts. Isolated large hail will also be possible. A cold front approaches the area overnight and is expected to bring another line of storms into the mountains before sunrise. Some of these storms could also be severe with damaging wind gusts being the primary threat. Localized flooding could develop, especially early Monday in locations that receive heavy rainfall with both rounds of storms. Though the threat is low, an isolated, brief tornado cannot be ruled out with either round of storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Another round of afternoon showers and thunderstorms possible Monday with a few strong to severe east of the NC mountains. Main threats will be strong gusty winds, cloud-to-ground lightning and hail. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. Lane
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
526 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
NCZ033-262200-
Avery NC-
526 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN AVERY COUNTY
THROUGH 600 PM EDT...
At 526 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Beech Mountain, or near Elk Park, moving northeast at
30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Banner Elk, Elk Park, and Beech Mountain In Avery County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
western North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3628 8190 3626 8189 3625 8190 3624 8190
3623 8191 3621 8191 3619 8188 3619 8186
3617 8184 3608 8207 3611 8208 3613 8205
3612 8203 3628 8192
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 231DEG 24KT 3618 8202
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
LANEPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
534 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0500 PM Hail 1 S Walnut 35.84N 82.74W
05/26/2024 M1.00 Inch Madison NC Trained Spotter
Nickel to quarter size hail observed near
the French Broad River between Marshall and
Hot Springs.
&&
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
610 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
NCZ051-262245-
Swain NC-
610 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL SWAIN COUNTY THROUGH 645
PM EDT...
At 610 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles southwest of Gatlinburg, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
western North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3556 8375 3556 8372 3557 8371 3557 8363
3558 8360 3556 8358 3556 8350 3561 8345
3561 8343 3562 8340 3548 8338 3552 8375
TIME...MOT...LOC 2210Z 268DEG 26KT 3557 8365
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
LANEPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
627 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0446 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 NNE Burnsville 36.00N 82.26W
05/26/2024 Mitchell NC Law Enforcement
3 trees down near Green Mountain, NC.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
658 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
NCZ033-048>050-505-262345-
McDowell Mountains NC-Yancey NC-Avery NC-Madison NC-Mitchell NC-
658 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN MCDOWELL...EAST
CENTRAL MADISON...MITCHELL...SOUTHWESTERN AVERY AND YANCEY COUNTIES
THROUGH 745 PM EDT...
At 658 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Burnsville, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Spruce Pine, Burnsville, Bakersville, Linville Falls, B.R.
Parkway-Linville Falls To Grandfather, Buladean, Bandana, Ingalls,
Ramseytown, and Green Mountain.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
western North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3597 8193 3596 8194 3591 8191 3588 8191
3584 8193 3582 8236 3582 8238 3581 8247
3596 8250 3606 8241 3612 8225 3613 8214
3611 8213 3610 8208 3613 8205 3612 8203
3614 8202 3614 8196
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 251DEG 29KT 3590 8232
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
JPTSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
702 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
GAZ010-NCZ062>064-SCZ101-102-104-262345-
Rabun GA-Transylvania NC-Southern Jackson NC-Macon NC-
Greater Oconee SC-Pickens Mountains SC-Oconee Mountains SC-
702 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN RABUN...
SOUTHEASTERN MACON...SOUTHWESTERN TRANSYLVANIA...SOUTHEASTERN JACKSON
AND NORTHEASTERN OCONEE COUNTIES THROUGH 745 PM EDT...
At 701 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles southeast of Franklin, or near Highlands, moving east at 30
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Highlands, Sky Valley, Cashiers, Salem, Lake Toxaway, Lake Jocassee,
Devils Fork State Park, Gorges State Park, Bad Creek, and Pine
Mountain.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
western North Carolina. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch also remains in
effect until 1100 PM EDT for western North Carolina...and Upstate
South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3501 8340 3515 8335 3513 8287 3483 8295
TIME...MOT...LOC 2301Z 279DEG 26KT 3505 8324
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
JPTThe Greer radar (KGSP), 89 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:05 UTC.
1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Ham radio operator reported ping pong ball size hail near the intersection of Highway 368 and Rock Branch Rd.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, May 2024
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: 1186701.