A pre-frontal trough and an approaching cold front from upstream thunderstorms combined to spark two areas of storm development that produced severe and damaging wind gusts. The most prolific was a microburst in western Johnston County that shut down Interstate 40 for several hours between North Carolina highway 42 and North Carolina highway 210.
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 RAH wrote it up.
A pre-frontal trough and an approaching cold front from upstream thunderstorms combined to spark two areas of storm development that produced severe and damaging wind gusts. The most prolific was a microburst in western Johnston County that shut down Interstate 40 for several hours between North Carolina highway 42 and North Carolina highway 210.
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 Raleigh, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 18, 1:50 PM EST, 2 hours 17 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 250 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024 .SYNOPSIS... An unseasonably strong upper level trough and attendant cold front approaching from the northwest will move gradually eastward through the region today through Monday. A cooler and less humid air mass will settle into the area from Monday night through Friday. && .NEAR TERM /TODAY AND TONIGHT/... As of 250 PM Sunday... ...There remains a slight risk (level 2 of 5) for severe storms from Raleigh south and east this afternoon and evening... ...There is also a risk for Isolated Pockets of Heavy Rain and Flash flooding along and east of US 1... An unseasonably strong(~3 S.D. below normal)amplifying upper-level trough will dig SEWD into the region through tonight and through the day on Monday. At the surface, a pre-frontal sfc trough which has drifted east into the western Piedmont, will get overtaken by an accompanying cold front, that's currently making it's way through eastern TN and KY, during the evening and overnight hours. Not much has changed in the thinking of the forecast and severe threat later today. An agitated cu field INVOF the pre-frontal is appearing ripe for some convection. Meanwhile, we are seeing thunderstorm activity getting underway over the mtns. Strong daytime heating, featuring afternoon highs in the mid/upper 80s north to lower 90s, has led to development of moderate to strong destabilization area-wide, maximized over the Sandhills and southern coastal plain. Scattered showers and storms are expected to become widespread and move east into the western Piedmont between 18-21z. Thereafter, convection will have a propensity to become better organized as the storms progress eastward into the central Piedmont and western Sandhills between 20-00z, and then across eastern Sandhills and coastal plain counties between 23-03z. Deep layer shear of 30-35 kts will favor multi-cellular severe threat, with damaging winds the primary threat. The severe threat appears greatest between 4 to 10 pm. Additionally, given recent wetness and with area streams and creeks still running high, the convective downpours could also lead to some instances of flash flooding, especially in poor-drainage and urban areas. Bulk of rain and convection will exit east of the area between at or before midnight with mostly dry conditions thereafter. Areas of fog and/or /stratus are possible, mainly across coastal plain, just ahead the cold front moving through the area. Lows ranging from mid 60s north to lower 70s SE. .SHORT TERM /MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT/... As of 130 PM Sunday... Aloft, while the longwave trough sits over the region, a s/w disturbance will move through the trough and over central NC Mon aft/eve. At the surface, the pre-frontal trough will remain over the area Mon, while the effective cold front moves in from the northwest during the day. The cold front should push quickly through the area Mon evening, with the cooler, drier air filtering in behind it Mon night. Highs should be in the mid (NW) to upper (SE) 80s, with lows generally in the low 60s NW to upper 60s SE. Ahead of the front, PWATs should range from 1.5 NW to 1.8 east and SE. MUCAPE will generally peak in the 1000-1500 J/Kg range, with effective shear in the 20-30 kts range Mon aft/eve. The SPC has most of central NC in a Marginal Risk for severe weather Mon, with the primary threat of isolated severe wind gusts during the afternoon/early evening, generally along the front. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 215 PM Sunday... Troughing over the eastern CONUS will be reinforced with a piece of northern stream energy by Tues morning which will act to kick a compact shortwave and lingering mid-level moisture from the Mid- Atlantic into the Northeast by Tues morning. Convergent mid-level flow on the backside of the longwave trough will direct subsidence and a pocket of very dry mid-level air over through the Ohio Valley and into Mid-Atlantic by Wed morning; persisting through much of the work week. At the surface this translates to an unseasonably strong area of pressure over the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley slowly sliding east over and just off the Mid-Atlantic coast ridging through the southern Appalachians and into the Southeast into the weekend. The result of the above pattern will be a prolonged period of fall- like conditions through the work week with highs in the low/mid 80s (equivalent of mid-September) and lows falling into the low 60s (equivalent to mid/late September). Given the clear skies overnight and surface high pressure nearly overhead favoring strong radiational cooling overnight, low/mid 50s may be possible in the Piedmont outside of urban areas. Some isolated shower/storm activity may be possible towards the coast edging into Sampson County by the weekend as an inverted trough axis hedges near the coast and mid 60s dew points return to the far southeast, but other than that, expect dry conditions through the weekend. && .AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 135 PM Sunday... The approach of a strong upper level trough and accompanying cold front into the area will bring a chance of scattered to numerous showers and storms to all TAF sites through the evening. At KGSO and KINT, 21-24z is the most likely timeframe that associated sub-VFR restrictions are possible. Meanwhile, at KRDU, KFAY, and KRWI, 23- 03z, is the most likely period for storms and restrictions. In the wake of the exiting convection, models suggest the potential for some sub-VFR ceilings in fog and/or stratus INVOF of the far eastern TAF sites(KRWI and KFAY) between 08 to 12z Mon. Otherwise VFR conditions overnight with winds veering around to westerly and then NWLY as the cold front crosses the area. Looking beyond 18z Mon: Scattered showers and storms are expected again Monday afternoon and evening as the upper trough continues move through the area. VFR conditions should return Mon night, with predominately VFR conditions through the upcoming work week and drier and cooler air encompasses much of the Eastern US. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...Badgett/CBL NEAR TERM...CBL SHORT TERM...KCP LONG TERM...Swiggett AVIATION...CBL
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 333 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024 NCZ007>011-021>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-191945- Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance- Orange-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Wake- Johnston-Wilson-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Anson- Richmond-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson- 333 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 635 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central 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. There is a risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The main threat is damaging wind. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Isolated strong to severe storms are possible Monday afternoon. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
338 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
NCZ021-182030-
Forsyth NC-
338 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL FORSYTH COUNTY THROUGH
430 PM EDT...
At 337 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Siloam, or near Fairview, 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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Winston-Salem, Huntsville, Lewisville, Walkertown, Rural Hall,
Stanleyville, Pfafftown, and Donnaha.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
central North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3611 8051 3612 8046 3614 8044 3617 8044
3621 8045 3622 8043 3624 8045 3626 8045
3626 8010 3610 8015 3604 8045 3606 8046
3604 8049 3605 8051 3609 8052
TIME...MOT...LOC 1937Z 296DEG 18KT 3631 8060
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
NTLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
353 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
NCZ008-009-025-026-041-182045-
Franklin NC-Vance NC-Durham NC-Wake NC-Granville NC-
353 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN VANCE...SOUTHERN
GRANVILLE...NORTH CENTRAL WAKE...CENTRAL DURHAM AND NORTHWESTERN
FRANKLIN COUNTIES THROUGH 445 PM EDT...
At 353 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Butner, or 7 miles southwest of Creedmoor, moving northeast at 35
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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Durham, Oxford, Creedmoor, Butner, Franklinton, Kittrell, Stem, Lake
Michie, Falls Lake State Rec Area, and Gorman.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
central North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3596 7888 3608 7895 3634 7863 3621 7831
3604 7856 3601 7863
TIME...MOT...LOC 1953Z 231DEG 30KT 3606 7881
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
NTLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
430 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
NCZ040-076-077-182115-
Lee NC-Chatham NC-Harnett NC-
430 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN HARNETT...LEE AND
SOUTHEASTERN CHATHAM COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM EDT...
At 430 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Sanford, moving east 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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Sanford, Broadway, Olivia, Lemon Springs, Gum Springs, Moncure,
Cumnock, Seminole, Raven Rock State Park, and Tramway.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
central North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3536 7927 3557 7928 3573 7899 3569 7897
3561 7899 3558 7890 3549 7885 3538 7886
TIME...MOT...LOC 2030Z 256DEG 17KT 3545 7918
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
NTLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
437 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
NCZ008-009-182115-
Vance NC-Granville NC-
437 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT VANCE AND CENTRAL GRANVILLE
COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM EDT...
At 437 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Oxford, moving northeast 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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Henderson, Oxford, Kittrell, Stem, Middleburg, Dabney, Gillburg,
South Henderson, and John H Kerr Reservoir.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
central North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3639 7829 3631 7828 3617 7846 3618 7849
3617 7849 3613 7852 3610 7856 3621 7873
3647 7853
TIME...MOT...LOC 2037Z 220DEG 17KT 3621 7859
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
NTLThe Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 77 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:04 UTC.
16 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Power outages were caused by fallen trees damaging power equipment in north Henderson.
Trees were reported down in Clemmons.
Considerable tree damage with numerous trees down all along interstate 40 from NC-42 to NC-210 in Johnston County. This region also saw over three thousand power outages.
A large tree was reported down.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of Cleveland Rd and Wellons Rd.
Trees were reported down along interstate 95 near Brogden Rd.
A tree was reported down near mile marker 90 on interstate 95.
Trees were reported down near the intersection of Fuller Mill Rd. and Reddy Foxx Ln.
Numerous trees were reported down in the town of New London.
A tree was reported down in the town of Kenly.
Trees were reported down near the intersection of Tabernacle Church Rd and Snyder Country Rd.
Trees were reported down along Mount Shepard Rd.
A tree was reported down in eastern Fremont.
A tree was reported down near Eureka.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of Millbrook Dr. and Barton Row.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of US Highway 64 and Pea Ridge Rd.
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 historyWarnings in North Carolina, August 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: 1208405, 1208425, 1208404, 1208421, 1208416, 1208407, 1208418, 1208408, 1208406, 1208419, 1208409, 1208410, 1208426, 1208427, 1208422, 1208411.