Widely scattered thunderstorms developed across western North Carolina throughout the afternoon into the early evening. Several of the storms produced severe weather in the form of damaging wind gusts.
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.
Widely scattered thunderstorms developed across western North Carolina throughout the afternoon into the early evening. Several of the storms produced severe weather in the form of damaging wind gusts.
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 Aug 18, 1:05 PM EST, 2 hours 40 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 205 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024 .SYNOPSIS... As a slow moving front sinks further south on Monday, expect showers and thunderstorms mainly over the mountains. Drier high pressure takes control of our weather from Monday night through the rest of the week. Temperatures will be just a little below normal through at least Thursday then a warming trend over the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/... Key Messages: 1. A front crosses the region increasing shower and thunderstorm chances, especially near and along the I-77 corridor this afternoon/evening. 2. Shower and thunderstorm chances mostly in the mountains Monday. 3. Cooler temps for Monday. As of 155 PM Sunday: A strong upper low churns across the Great Lakes region, extending a trough toward the south. Out west, an amplifying ridge helps deepen the trough today and through the forecast period. A modest frontal boundary approaches the area from the west and moves into the CWA by this evening, bringing with it an increased chance for showers and thunderstorms. Guidance from the NAM and RAP show a moderate amount of moisture in the lower levels with drier air aloft. As skies clear for the afternoon hours, instability increases and guidance suggests between 2000-2500 J/kg of sbCAPE at peak heating. Pre-frontal forcing should assist with convective initiation in the next few hours. As of now, CAMs are hinting at storm development mostly concentrated along and east of the I-77 corridor as instability should be greater in this area. Looking at the upper air soundings, dCAPE values are over 1000 J/kg. Plenty of dry air aloft and a well mixed boundary layer, support an environment of enhanced evaporative cooling, fueling increased chances for microbursts and damaging winds. SPC has included most of this area in a Slight risk for today with the latest update. This includes the Charlotte Metro. Hail is also a hazard possible for today. Chance PoPs (40-60%) for this area through the evening and over the mountains along the TN/NC border. Once the front moves through this evening, showers and thunderstorms move eastward and out of the CWA, leaving behind a quieter night ahead. A shower or two cannot be ruled out on the ridgetops though. By Monday, persistent NW flow from the amplifying trough keeps rain chances (40- 60%) once again along the TN/NC border due to lingering moisture and upslope flow. Not anticipating convective activity outside the mountains outside the mountains. As for temperatures, drier and somewhat cooler air behind the front drops highs a few degrees and closer to climo. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 200 PM EDT Sunday: Northwesterly flow aloft remains over the area through the period as an upper low spins across the eastern Great Lakes into New England and a ridge builds over the central CONUS. At the surface, high pressure builds in from the north through the period bringing in drier and cooler air. There may be some lingering mountain showers Monday evening, otherwise a dry forecast is expected. Lows up to 5 degrees below normal Monday night drop to as much as 10 degrees below normal Tuesday night. Highs will be 5 to 10 degrees below normal both days, but slightly cooler on Wednesday. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 145 PM EDT Sunday: Dry and quiet weather expected through the period as an upper trough axis that starts over the area slowly moves east into the Atlantic. A ridge of high pressure starting the period over the central CONUS slowly moves east into the MS River Valley. The center of surface high pressure moves from the Mid West into New England with ridging south of there into our area through the period. This keeps a dry atmosphere with subsidence over the area. Temps as much as 10 degrees below normal Thursday slowly rise back to around normal Sunday as heights rise and the air mass moderates. && .AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... At KCLT and elsewhere: Starting the forecast period with prevailing VFR and persisting at most sites. Showers and TSRA this afternoon and into the early afternoon as a cold front pushes through the area today. The environment supports damaging winds and microbursts, hence a TEMPO for KCLT from 19z-23z. G25 was also added to account for these storm winds. Confidence is lower west of KCLT for TSRA, but kept VCSH for KHKY. Once the front moves through, cigs are likely to decrease to MVFR/IFR at the KAVL early in the morning hours. It's possible scattered BR could form, but 5-8kt winds should help with vsby issues. Winds gradually turn and prevail NW through the end of the period. Low end gusts are expected at KAVL. A few showers are possible Monday afternoon for the mountain terminals so added VCSH at KHKY and KAVL. Outlook: Isolated showers possible TSRA on Monday. Drier conditions return through at least mid week. Patchy fog and low stratus are possible early in the week, mainly in the mountain valleys, and decreases as the week progresses. && .GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. NC...None. SC...None. && SYNOPSIS...DEO NEAR TERM...CP SHORT TERM...RWH LONG TERM...RWH AVIATION...CP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 340 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501>510-SCZ010- 101>107-191945- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell- Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon- Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Caldwell Mountains- Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains- Eastern McDowell-Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford- Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk-Anderson-Oconee Mountains- Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee- Greater Pickens-Central Greenville-Southern Greenville- 340 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Scattered thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and move east through the evening hours. Any storm which develops will be capable of producing gusty winds and cloud-to-ground lightning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. GAZ029-NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-SCZ008-009-011>014-019-108-109- 191945- Elbert-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Cleveland-Lincoln- Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-Cherokee-York-Abbeville-Laurens- Union SC-Chester-Greenwood-Northern Spartanburg-Southern Spartanburg- 340 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 635 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina and upstate South 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. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. Krentz
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
336 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
NCZ065-509-510-SCZ103-182000-
Henderson NC-Polk Mountains NC-Eastern Polk NC-
Greenville Mountains SC-
336 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN HENDERSON...
SOUTHWESTERN POLK AND NORTH CENTRAL GREENVILLE COUNTIES THROUGH 400
PM EDT...
At 336 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles southeast of Hendersonville, or near Saluda, moving southeast
at 15 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Columbus, Flat Rock, Tryon, Saluda, Tuxedo, North Saluda Reservoir,
Glassy Mountain, and East Flat Rock.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
Upstate South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3527 8215 3519 8221 3519 8222 3518 8222
3512 8226 3513 8231 3511 8236 3521 8250
3532 8242
TIME...MOT...LOC 1936Z 299DEG 13KT 3524 8239
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
8Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
343 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
NCZ068-508-SCZ008-182030-
Greater Rutherford NC-Cleveland NC-Cherokee SC-
343 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD...
SOUTHWESTERN CLEVELAND AND NORTHWESTERN CHEROKEE COUNTIES THROUGH 430
PM EDT...
At 343 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of Forest City, or 5 miles north of Chesnee, moving
southeast at 10 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Boiling Springs NC, Cowpens National Battlefield, Chesnee,
Mooresboro, Cliffside, Henrietta, Harris, and Caroleen.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
parts of the Piedmont of North Carolina...and Upstate South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3528 8162 3507 8174 3513 8185 3518 8188
3519 8195 3519 8196 3532 8189
TIME...MOT...LOC 1943Z 293DEG 10KT 3523 8185
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
8Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
421 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
SCZ008-009-182100-
York SC-Cherokee SC-
421 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN YORK AND
NORTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTIES THROUGH 500 PM EDT...
At 421 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Gaffney, 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Gaffney, Blacksburg, Hickory Grove, Smyrna, Kings Mountain State
Park, Cherokee Falls, Draytonville, and Kings Creek.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
Upstate South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3506 8176 3518 8175 3516 8137 3497 8139
TIME...MOT...LOC 2021Z 277DEG 18KT 3511 8167
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
8Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
439 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
NCZ035-036-502-182145-
Iredell NC-Greater Caldwell NC-Alexander NC-
439 PM EDT Sun Aug 18 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT ALEXANDER...NORTHERN IREDELL AND
EAST CENTRAL CALDWELL COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM EDT...
At 438 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles east of Boomer to 6 miles northeast of
Lenoir. Movement was east at 15 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Taylorsville, Lenoir, Cedar Rock, Love Valley, Bethlehem, Lake
Hickory, Harmony, Hiddenite, Little River, and Olin.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms 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 1000 PM EDT for
the Piedmont of North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3605 8070 3598 8070 3580 8134 3595 8154
3604 8119 3603 8117 3604 8113 3603 8107
3606 8098
TIME...MOT...LOC 2038Z 284DEG 11KT 3603 8112 3596 8143
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
8The Greer radar (KGSP), 139 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:44 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Ham radio operator reported two trees blown down in the Happy Valley community.
Fire dept reported trees blown down near the intersection of Highway 115 and Sandburg Rd.
Fire dept reported trees blown down on Warren Bridge Rd near the Wilkes County border.
Ham radio operator reported several trees blown down along Highway 127 between Fellowship Church Rd and the Catawba County line.
Emergency manager reported numerous trees blown down, several of which fell on and damaged structures, and boat houses with roofs blown off in the Lake Norman area, including on Tennessee Circle, and as far south as Highway 150. A couple of other trees were blown down on the north side of Mooresville.
Fire dept reported two trees blown down and blocking Grassy Creek 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: 1211385, 1211386, 1211387, 1211388, 1211389, 1211393.