Scattered thunderstorms developed over western North Carolina during the afternoon. One of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts in Caldwell 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 developed over western North Carolina during the afternoon. One of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts in Caldwell 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 25, 1:44 PM EST, 11 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 244 PM EDT Sat May 25 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Temperatures will remain above normal through the holiday weekend with a chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms. A cold front brings another chance of showers and thunderstorms on Monday. Cooler and drier conditions move in behind the front and remain through the end of the week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 225 PM EDT Saturday: Subtle vort energy residing within the mean flow of flat upper ridging over the area is providing enough upper forcing to help kick off ongoing convection across portions of the CFWA. Morning convection likely helped suppress the environment somewhat, but not fully. Starting to see signs of clearing in areas that have been let untapped, mainly in the NC foothills/Piedmont. Could see a few storms being initiated via differential heating boundary due to a near 10 degree temperature difference between locations that received morning shower/storms and those that were able to clear. CAMs are not that excited about the overall coverage of thunderstorms this afternoon/evening, but the storms that do develop have the potential to become strong to severe. 1500-2500 J/kg of sbCAPE, weak deep layer shear, and PWAT values ~1.50" or higher will support wet microbursts as the main threat, but large hail (1.00") can't be ruled out. Model guidance indicate that most of the activity will be diurnally driven as most locations dry out by midnight tonight and will remain that way through the overnight period. Had to lower max temps for today due to more extensive cloud debris, but values will still top out a few degrees above normal. Clouds will gradually scour out overnight, but mid to high clouds may not fully go away. Overnight lows will be ~5 degrees above normal as dewpoints remain elevated and cloud cover lingers. Patchy dense fog can't be ruled out either, especially in locations that receives rainfall this afternoon and evening. Warm and humid airmass continues on Sunday as convection across the Plains and Midwest gradually travel east. This will likely generate an MCV that will slip into the OH Valley, which will push south and east towards the CFWA via CAMs. Deep layer shear won't be great, but an increasing LLJ (20-30 kts) with 40-50 kts of mid-level flow will begin to filter in across the region late Sunday afternoon just as convection gets into the region. A westerly component to the mid-level winds will allow for some type of dry air entrainment. This will help to create a damaging wind threat, especially if a cold pool can become generated and the convection ingest some form of upscale growth. Best locations will be the NC zones and the northern Upstate, but the timing may slip into the beginning portions of the short-term, meaning that the onset isn't expected until after 18Z in the NC mountains before pulling east across the rest of the CFWA. Afternoon highs should be able to reach the upper 80s to near 90 as morning convection is not expected, so there should be less cloud debris until peak heating arrives and convection pops off. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 145 PM EDT Saturday: Weak ridging with diffluent flow aloft will be in place over the Eastern Seaboard as we move into the short term Sunday evening, with an upper trough dragging a surface low and attendant front across the MS/OH Valleys. Some timing differences especially with the GFS wanting to bring some warm frontal precip in overnight, but by and large guidance is in fairly good agreement with the front pushing in on Memorial Day. Temperatures will again climb into the mid and upper 80s across the Piedmont with SBCAPEs well over 2000J/kg and deep layer shear >40kts, and if you believe the NAM, possibly higher. Steep low-level lapse rates and mid level dewpoint depressions that would allow for dry air entrainment accompany these parameters on forecast soundings, supportive of damaging wind gusts. SPC Slight Risk for Day 3 covers a chunk of the NW NC Piedmont, with marginal elsewhere. Main threats will be damaging winds and perhaps large hail especially as the storms form into a line, but cannot rule out isolated tornadoes if any storms are able to get going ahead of the line, which certainly can't be ruled out. There might be enough shear with the system for embedded weak tornadoes (there always seems to be something like that in our area anyway) but again primarily damaging winds. Front moves through Monday night into Tuesday and even with the drier dewpoints, competition with downsloping at the base of the upper trough will bring temperatures up just as high on Tuesday as Memorial Day (but just not quite as oppressive right?). Can't rule out a couple of showers in the NW flow across the mountains Monday night but have a dry forecast for now. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of 215 PM EDT Saturday: Upper trough remains in place over East Coast as we move into the extended, with ridging in place over the Plains. A dry pattern sets up with gradual cooling behind the front, bringing temperatures back towards seasonal normals. A shortwave moves across the flow Wednesday night into Thursday which should serve to increase cloud cover just a tad, but for now have kept the forecast dry. The Plains ridging begins to gradually shift east as we approach the end of the period but timing on global guidance varies on how quickly this occurs, so current forecast remains near seasonal normals as finish out the work week. && .AVIATION /19Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... At KCLT and elsewhere: Scattered showers and thunderstorms expected this afternoon and evening, so included a TEMPO at all TAF sites based on the best timing and associated restrictions. Mid to high clouds and debris continue to roam the area, but conditions are expected to remain VFR outside of a thunderstorm. Winds remain out of the southwest with some low-end gusts, but confidence is not high enough for a mention in the 18Z TAF update. Shower and thunderstorms will quickly dissipate after sunset and should allow for decent clearing overnight. With tight dewpoint depressions and saturated soils, expect for patchy dense fog to develop across the area, especially in locations that receive rainfall. All TAF sites indicate some form of vsby restrictions, but the major mountain valleys maintain the highest confidence. Any lingering fog/low stratus should burn off by mid-morning Sunday. A few mid to high clouds will be possible during the daytime period Sunday, but another round of showers and storms are likely around peak heating or a little after. Will likely need a PROB30 mention in the 00Z TAF update for most terminals. Outlook: A unsettled pattern will linger thru the rest of the weekend and into early next week, allowing for diurnal shower and thunderstorm chances each day and at least patchy fog development each night/morning. && .GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. NC...None. SC...None. && SYNOPSIS...TDP NEAR TERM...CAC SHORT TERM...TDP LONG TERM...TDP AVIATION...CAC
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 358 AM EDT Sat May 25 2024 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065- 068>072-082-501>510-SCZ008>014-019-101>109-260800- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Avery-Alexander- Iredell-Davie-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Catawba- Rowan-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania- Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC- Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-Greater Burke- McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell-Rutherford Mountains- Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains-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- 358 AM EDT Sat May 25 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Scattered thunderstorms expected this evening and tonight. Any of these thunderstorms will be capable of cloud-to- ground lightning. A few of the storms could become severe, posing risks of damaging wind and hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Scattered thunderstorms Sunday will be diurnally driven. A few isolated severe storms possible. A cold front moves into the area Monday and brings another round of showers and thunderstorms. Conditions will be favorable for a few strong to severe storms to produce damaging winds and possible hail. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1034 AM EDT Sat May 25 2024
GAZ010-017-018-SCZ101-102-104-105-251500-
Rabun GA-Stephens GA-Habersham GA-Greater Oconee SC-
Pickens Mountains SC-Greater Pickens SC-Oconee Mountains SC-
1034 AM EDT Sat May 25 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN STEPHENS...EAST CENTRAL
HABERSHAM...EASTERN RABUN...NORTHWESTERN PICKENS AND OCONEE COUNTIES
THROUGH 1100 AM EDT...
At 1033 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 12 miles east of Clayton to 7 miles north of
Toccoa. Movement was east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Seneca, Walhalla, Westminster, Tallulah Falls, Salem, Lake Keowee,
Jocassee Gorges, Lake Jocassee, Devils Fork State Park, and Keowee
Toxaway State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
these storms pass.
&&
LAT...LON 3500 8323 3499 8273 3449 8301 3452 8309
3453 8308 3453 8312 3464 8343
TIME...MOT...LOC 1433Z 281DEG 22KT 3493 8319 3469 8332
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TDP/JPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1234 PM EDT Sat May 25 2024
GAZ029-251700-
Elbert GA-
1234 PM EDT Sat May 25 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN ELBERT COUNTY
THROUGH 100 PM EDT...
At 1233 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles south of Elberton, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Elberton, Nancy Hart State Park, Bobby Brown State Park, Middleton,
Lake Strom Thurmond, Lake Russell, Broad River Campground, Fortsonia,
Sweet City, and Rice Town.
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.
If on or near Lake Russell or Lake Strom Thurmond, get out of the
water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can
strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to
safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.
&&
LAT...LON 3398 8261 3397 8264 3399 8265 3397 8278
3399 8283 3398 8286 3401 8291 3401 8294
3403 8294 3405 8298 3414 8296 3413 8267
3409 8264 3407 8264 3403 8260 3396 8257
TIME...MOT...LOC 1633Z 281DEG 22KT 3404 8288
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TDPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
211 PM EDT Sat May 25 2024
NCZ501-502-251845-
Caldwell Mountains NC-Greater Caldwell NC-
211 PM EDT Sat May 25 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL CALDWELL COUNTY
THROUGH 245 PM EDT...
At 211 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northwest of Lenoir, moving east at 10 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...
Lenoir and Patterson.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3599 8168 3608 8163 3603 8145 3590 8152
TIME...MOT...LOC 1811Z 291DEG 9KT 3600 8160
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
LANEPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
241 PM EDT Sat May 25 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0505 PM Hail 4 WSW Tuxedo 35.20N 82.49W
05/24/2024 M1.00 Inch Henderson NC Public
Social media report of quarter size hail in
the Green River Rd area.
&&
TWPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
248 PM EDT Sat May 25 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0520 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 NE Cleveland 35.14N 82.46W
05/24/2024 Greenville SC Public
Social media report of trees down along Hwy
25. Time and location estimated by radar.
&&
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
250 PM EDT Sat May 25 2024
NCZ035-502-251915-
Greater Caldwell NC-Alexander NC-
250 PM EDT Sat May 25 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN ALEXANDER AND EAST
CENTRAL CALDWELL COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM EDT...
At 250 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles northwest of Hickory, or 4 miles northeast of Granite Falls,
moving east at 10 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...
Lake Hickory, Bethlehem, and Northlakes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3587 8127 3579 8132 3580 8134 3578 8136
3585 8145 3589 8142
TIME...MOT...LOC 1850Z 291DEG 9KT 3585 8139
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
LANEThe Greer radar (KGSP), 133 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:56 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Public reported numerous trees blown down northeast of Granite Falls, including in Dudley Shoals and vicinity.
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, 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: 1186633.