Scattered to numerous thunderstorms and small lines of storms developed across western North Carolina ahead of a cold front during the afternoon and evening. Multiple strong to severe storms developed, producing one tornado and several areas of damaging straight line 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 GSP wrote it up.
Scattered to numerous thunderstorms and small lines of storms developed across western North Carolina ahead of a cold front during the afternoon and evening. Multiple strong to severe storms developed, producing one tornado and several areas of damaging straight line 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 Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 11, 4:44 PM EST, 22 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
544 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024
.SYNOPSIS...
A cold front moves east and off the Carolina coast tonight as drier
air filters into our region from the west and northwest. Very windy
conditions develop Friday into Saturday. Dry and warm weather
returns for the weekend into the middle of next week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/...
545 PM Update...The fcst is in pretty good shape. Still having a
hard time seeing deep cells and lightning across the FA. Mid-level
lapse rates have been meager, which is limiting the updraft
potential. Strong gusts are developing within the diff heating zone
as stout winds at the top of the mixed layer are efficiently
transferring to the surface, so made some tweaks to gusts in the
grids. Expect the ongoing convec activity to become a little more
organized over the next couple hours as it shifts east into an area
of 1500 J/kg sbCAPE and effShear on the order of 70 kts. With low-
level helicity quite high and backed sfc winds downstream, the
potential exists for rotating supercells to develop if updrafts can
become stronger and deeper.
As of 230 PM EDT Thursday: Showers continue lifting northward across
much of the forecast area this afternoon thanks to a low pressure
system lifting northeast across the TN/OH Valley. No lightning is
currently present in this activity, but some stronger storms are
noted in eastern TN as of the writing of this AFD. Mostly cloudy
skies continue across most locations, but breaks in cloud cover are
noted across the western North Carolina mountains and the southern
SC Upstate and portions of northeast Georgia. Any breaks in cloud
cover will allow for destabilization thanks to temps ranging from
the mid to upper 60s and dewpoints ranging from the low to mid 60s
across much of the forecast area. The latest SPC mesoanalysis shows
500-1000 J/kg of SBCAPE in place as of 2pm, and projects a plume of
1500 J/kg of SBCAPE across the southern and eastern zones later this
afternoon. A plume of DCAPE is also noted from 800-1000 J/kg across
the southern and eastern zones this afternoon. The mesoanalysis also
shows 60-70 kts of bulk shear over the area, with 0-1 km shear at 30
kts over the eastern half of the CWA this afternoon. All this to
say, any areas that see breaks in cloud cover will have the
potential to see isolated strong to severe storms develop. The main
threat with any storm that manages to become severe may produce
damaging wind gusts. However, an isolated, brief tornado cannot be
entirely ruled out this afternoon, especially over the NC Piedmont
along/near I-77. Thus, SPC's Day 1 Marginal Risk looks well placed.
The severe threat will end by the early evening hours with the loss
of daytime heating and as the bulk of activity pushes east of the
forecast area. Highs this afternoon will climb a few degrees above
climo. Breezy S/SW winds will continue through this evening.
Rain chances will linger this evening into late tonight, especially
across the western North Carolina mountains thanks to a secondary
cold front tracking across the region. Thus, maintained chance PoPs
through midnight east of the mountains, with likely to categorical
PoPs across the western North Carolina mountains. Have Pops ramping
down to chance after midnight across the western North Carolina
mountains. Winds will gradually increase across the mountains
overnight becoming gusty while gusts east of the mountains will
gradually decrease throughout the overnight hours. With gusts
expected to reach advisory criteria (45-55 mph), a Wind Advisory was
issued for most of the North Carolina mountains starting midnight
tonight. Cloud cover will gradually diminish east of the mountains
overnight into early Friday morning becoming clear to mostly clear.
Lows tonight will end up a few degrees above climo despite the
decreasing cloud cover.
Cloud cover will linger across the western North Carolina mountains
through Friday while mostly sunny skies prevail elsewhere. Shower
and thunderstorm chances should return along the NC/TN border Friday
afternoon thanks to NW flow. Some of this activity may break
containment of the mountains, per the HRRR and NAMNest, but
confidence on this is low at this time. Thus, have highest PoPs
confined to the NC/TN border with lower PoPs elsewhere. Highs on
Friday will end up a few degrees below climo behind the departing
cold front. Winds will once again increase on Friday thanks to a
tight pressure gradient so the Wind Advisory will remain in place
for portions of the North Carolina mountains through Friday evening.
&&
.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 155 pm Thursday: Long wave trough axis will be in the process
of moving east of the area at the start of the period. Persistent,
rather strong/deep NW flow acting on lingering low level moisture
across the TN Valley into the western slopes of the southern
Appalachians to yield continued potential for upslope showers near
the TN/NC border. However, chance PoPs will steadily ramp down
through Fri night, as flow (finally) steadily weakens and moisture
depletes. However, conditions will remain gusty over the mountains
Fri night into at least the first half of Saturday. While critically
low RH is expected to be primarily confined to the Piedmont and
foothills, fire danger will nevertheless be enhanced across much of
the CWA during the daylight hours Saturday.
As trough progresses away from the East Coast during the latter half
of the weekend, the surface gradient will finally relax and winds
become tame. While RH is again expected to be quite low Sunday
afternoon, winds will be well below critical levels. The bigger
story will be the rather dramatic warm-up resulting from height
falls and return SW flow. After near-normal conditions that are
expected Fri night through Sat night, temps are expected to soar to
around 10 degrees above climo Sun afternoon, with widespread lower
80s expected across the Piedmont and foothills, while even the major
mountain valleys are expected to push the 80 mark.
&&
.LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 210 pm Thursday: An upper ridge will build strongly across the
central Conus during the extended period...downstream of the next
major West Coast storm system. This will result in continued very
warm conditions through the period, with temps expected to range
from 10-12 degrees above climo...making it feel more like
mid-to-late May than mid-April. Conditions will otherwise remain
inactive over our area, with slowly moistening conditions expected
through the week. The western storm system is expected to kick out
across the Great Plains early in the week, but the strong ridge is
forecast to deflect this feature into the Great Lakes and Ontario
during mid-week. This may drag an occluding frontal system toward
our area for days 6/7, but indications in the global models is that
this will have little-to-no effect on our sensible weather, and only
token 20-30 PoPs are featured along the TN/NC border during this
time frame.
&&
.AVIATION /22Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Rain is lifting north across the terminals
this afternoon, with the exception of KAND. No lightning is
currently present in this activity. KAND is currently seeing dry
conditions but the terminal should see RA/TSRA chances increase in
the next hour or two. MVFR cigs are noted across most of the
terminals as of 18Z, but KAVL and KHKY are still seeing IFR cigs
thanks to the heavier pockets of RA. Where there is rain vsbys are
ranging from VFR to IFR. Thick clouds remain in place, but starting
to see clouds thin out across the far southern SC Upstate. Wind
direction is primarily S/SSE this afternoon, but should gradually
turn SW over the next few hours. Wind gusts are noted across most of
the terminals this afternoon, and winds should gradually increase
through this evening. There are expected to be breaks in cloud cover
throughout this afternoon, which may allow instability to increase.
Thus, have TEMPOs for TSRA for all terminals this afternoon and
early evening. High-res guidance continues to show RA developing
behind the line of convection this afternoon, so have maintained
VCSH mention east of the mountains. Went with a PROB30 at KAVL for
RA from 0300Z-0500Z as this terminal will have the best potential to
see RA stick around through late tonight. Winds will turn NW across
the mountains tonight, remaining NW on Friday. Winds elsewhere will
remain SW tonight before toggling W on Friday. Wind gusts will
increase across the mountains overnight while gradually decreasing
elsewhere overnight into daybreak Friday. LLWS may be possible at
KAVL shortly after midnight, but it looks too borderline and brief
to mention in the TAF at this time. Gusty winds will stick around
across the mountains on Friday, with gusts increasing east of the
mountains again on Friday. Drier conditions are expected on Friday,
but some showers may break containment of the mountains Friday
afternoon. With this being towards the end of the TAF period, did
not mention this possibility with the 18Z TAFs.
Outlook: Wind gusts will gradually taper off Friday night east of
the mountains, but will remain gusty across the North Carolina
mountains through Saturday. VFR conditions will persist this weekend
and early next week as high pressure builds across the terminals.
&&
.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None.
NC...Wind Advisory from midnight tonight to 9 PM EDT Friday for
NCZ033-048>050-052-053-059-063>065-501-503-505-507-509.
SC...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...DEO
NEAR TERM...AR/SBK
SHORT TERM...JDL
LONG TERM...JDL
AVIATION...ARHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 300 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ035>037-051-056>058-062-068>072-082- 502-504-506-508-510-SCZ008>014-019-101>109-121900- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell- Davie-Swain-Catawba-Rowan-Graham-Macon-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston- Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-Greater Caldwell-Greater Burke- Eastern McDowell-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- 300 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 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 showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and early evening. Some of the storms may produce heavy rainfall, possibly leading to isolated flooding. Isolated severe storms are also possible this afternoon and early evening, with damaging winds being main threat. However, an isolated, brief tornado cannot be entirely ruled out this afternoon, especially over the North Carolina Piedmont near the I-77 corridor. Gusty non-thunderstorm winds will continue through late tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Gusty winds return again on Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. NCZ033-048>050-052-053-059-063>065-501-503-505-507-509-121900- Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Haywood-Buncombe-Northern Jackson- Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Caldwell Mountains- Burke Mountains-McDowell Mountains-Rutherford Mountains- Polk Mountains- 300 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 PM EDT FRIDAY... 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. Wind Advisory. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and early evening. Some of the storms may produce heavy rainfall, possibly leading to isolated flooding. Isolated severe storms are also possible this afternoon and early evening, with damaging winds being main threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. AR
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</html>Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
427 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024
SCZ104-105-112100-
Greater Oconee SC-Greater Pickens SC-
427 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PICKENS AND EAST CENTRAL OCONEE
COUNTIES THROUGH 500 PM EDT...
At 427 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles northeast of Seneca to near Clemson.
Movement was 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 hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Easley, Clemson, Pickens, Central, Liberty, Norris, Six Mile, Lake
Keowee, Pumpkintown, and Dacusville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3480 8295 3504 8266 3504 8264 3496 8253
3492 8252 3491 8250 3488 8249 3484 8249
3484 8248 3483 8249 3483 8248 3479 8254
3468 8278 3463 8284
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 222DEG 33KT 3479 8287 3467 8280
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CACSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
447 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024
SCZ010-012-107-112115-
Laurens SC-Anderson SC-Southern Greenville SC-
447 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN LAURENS...
SOUTHEASTERN GREENVILLE AND EAST CENTRAL ANDERSON COUNTIES THROUGH
515 PM EDT...
At 446 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles east of Anderson, or 4 miles northeast of Belton, moving
northeast at 40 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 hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Mauldin, Simpsonville, Five Forks, Fountain Inn, Belton, Williamston,
Honea Path, West Pelzer, Donaldson Center, and Fork Shoals.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3444 8240 3456 8258 3478 8235 3477 8235
3481 8231 3487 8223 3485 8223 3480 8216
3480 8217 3478 8215 3478 8213 3475 8212
3474 8209 3470 8207 3469 8205
TIME...MOT...LOC 2046Z 219DEG 34KT 3456 8242
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CACSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
459 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024
SCZ008-103-105>109-112145-
Cherokee SC-Northern Spartanburg SC-Central Greenville SC-
Southern Spartanburg SC-Greater Pickens SC-Southern Greenville SC-
Greenville Mountains SC-
459 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN GREENVILLE...
SPARTANBURG...NORTHWESTERN CHEROKEE AND NORTHEASTERN PICKENS COUNTIES
THROUGH 545 PM EDT...
At 459 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 14 miles northeast of Easley to 6 miles east of
Greenville Downtown to 14 miles southwest of Spartanburg. Movement
was northeast at 55 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 hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Greenville Downtown, Spartanburg, Gaffney, Greenville Eastside, West
Greenville, Greer, Mauldin, Taylors, Berea, and Five Forks.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3472 8208 3478 8214 3475 8217 3485 8254
3502 8256 3520 8238 3519 8238 3517 8142
3471 8204
TIME...MOT...LOC 2059Z 226DEG 48KT 3501 8247 3488 8229 3478 8209
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CACSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
528 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024
NCZ068-505>510-SCZ008-112200-
McDowell Mountains NC-Greater Rutherford NC-Cleveland NC-
Polk Mountains NC-Rutherford Mountains NC-Eastern McDowell NC-
Eastern Polk NC-Cherokee SC-
528 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN MCDOWELL...
RUTHERFORD...POLK...NORTHWESTERN CLEVELAND AND NORTHWESTERN CHEROKEE
COUNTIES THROUGH 600 PM EDT...
At 526 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 12 miles southeast of Hendersonville to 7 miles
southeast of Columbus to 8 miles northwest of Spartanburg. Movement
was northeast at 50 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 hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Forest City, Rutherfordton, Columbus, Spindale, Tryon, Lake Lure,
Saluda, Polkville, Ellenboro, and Lattimore.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3544 8154 3511 8184 3518 8187 3519 8189
3520 8229 3519 8232 3519 8236 3523 8236
3531 8232 3539 8226 3542 8228 3546 8226
3550 8222 3552 8223 3553 8217 3555 8222
3558 8221 3559 8187
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 209DEG 45KT 3517 8233 3516 8214 3506 8201
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CACSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
556 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024
NCZ033-068-501>506-508-112300-
McDowell Mountains NC-Greater Rutherford NC-Caldwell Mountains NC-
Burke Mountains NC-Cleveland NC-Greater Burke NC-Greater Caldwell NC-
Eastern McDowell NC-Avery NC-
556 PM EDT Thu Apr 11 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT MCDOWELL...NORTHEASTERN
RUTHERFORD...CALDWELL...SOUTHEASTERN AVERY...NORTHWESTERN CLEVELAND
AND BURKE COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM EDT...
At 556 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 15 miles northeast of Columbus to 5 miles north
of Rutherfordton to 5 miles north of Forest City. Movement was north
at 55 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 hail damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Lenoir, Morganton, Marion, Newland, Sawmills, Valdese, Gamewell,
Hudson, Cajah's Mountain, and Drexel.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3616 8183 3611 8181 3612 8169 3612 8155
3610 8152 3607 8141 3604 8139 3602 8134
3547 8161 3559 8187 3558 8221 3585 8206
3586 8203 3588 8202 3587 8200 3589 8198
3591 8198 3593 8202 3619 8187 3619 8186
TIME...MOT...LOC 2156Z 198DEG 46KT 3544 8206 3545 8193 3541 8184
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CACThe Greer radar (KGSP), 103 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:05 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
County comms reported trees and power lines blown down on Ronnie Fox Rd and a tree blown down on a house on George Hildebran Dr.
Public reported (via Social Media) multiple trees blown down Along Highway 18 northeast of Lenoir. Media and Emergency Management also reported multiple trees blown down and damage to the roof of a home on H T Road. Some trees fell on vehicles.
Fire dept reported large tree limbs blown down on a home on Three Forks Church Rd, multiple trees and power lines blown down on Daniels Lumber Rd, and trees down and blocking part of Sulphur Springs Rd.
Ham radio operator reported a tree blown down on a structure on Chestnut St.
Emergency manager reported numerous trees and power lines blown down from the Harrisburg area, across Concord and points northeast. One tree fell on a structure on Buckingham Ln in Harrisburg.
NWS storm survey found the path of an EF1 tornado that touched down just off of Highway 801, just west of Centenary Church Rd in Mount Ulla. The tornado initially impacted a house near Centenary Church Rd, uplifting the roof deck, resulting in significant loss of roof covering material, collapsing a chimney, and blowing in the garage doors. The structure was also displaced off of its foundation. Tree trunks were snapped and uprooted at this location as well. The tornado moved northeast across the intersection of Back Creek Rd and Highway 801, where several trees were snapped or uprooted. A minute later, the tornado hit Mount Ulla Elementary, where metal sheeting from the gym building was peeled off, while very old wooden poles were broken, most likely hit by metal roofing material. The tornado then crossed Highway 801 and Unberger Rd, where large tree branches were broken, plus sheet metal from the school lofted to the nearby property. The tornado lifted just past this location after traveling a little over a mile.
Public and an off-duty NWS employee reported multiple trees and power lines blown down in the area around Providence Church Rd and Bringle Ferry Rd, including on Ned Marsh Rd. A couple of trees fell on vehicles.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for North Carolina, 2024Warnings in North Carolina, April 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: 1175257, 1175258, 1175256, 1175261, 1175264, 1175263, 1175260.