A thunderstorm complex over the Middle Mississippi Valley in the morning tracked into the lower Ohio Valley and eastern Tennessee during the early afternoon. As this thunderstorm complex crossed the North Carolina mountains, a bowing segment developed and tracked from the western Piedmont into the Triangle, Sandhills and Coastal Plain.
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 thunderstorm complex over the Middle Mississippi Valley in the morning tracked into the lower Ohio Valley and eastern Tennessee during the early afternoon. As this thunderstorm complex crossed the North Carolina mountains, a bowing segment developed and tracked from the western Piedmont into the Triangle, Sandhills and Coastal Plain. This bowing line produced several reports of straight line wind damage, especially across Randolph 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 Raleigh, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 26, 8:30 PM EST, 0 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 930 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will approach late today and move through the region Monday night. Dry high pressure will settle into the region toward the middle of next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 930 PM Sunday... The severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 11 PM for our northwestern counties. Satellite and radar imagery reveals a well- defined MCV northeast of Mount Airy over far south-central VA. As such, the strongest storms are currently along and east of this feature, stretching from the northeast/northwest Piedmont and southwest to just northwest of Charlotte. Based on latest trends, the main severe risk looks to be across the northern and northwest Piedmont. However, a strong line also exists just northwest of Stanly County and this is roughly moving ESE. Damaging straight line winds appear the main risk into late this evening. As the late evening wears on, it is difficult to say how the storms may hold together as they track into the Triangle, Sandhills, and Coastal Plain. Most CAMs have the storms either splitting to the north and south of the Triangle, though this will be something to watch for. Certainly convective inhibition will play a role as the night wears on, limiting overall storm coverage. We do think that the storms should start to dissipate after midnight as the MCV pushes to the east. However, upstream convection currently over MO/IL/KY is forecast to reach portions of the southern Appalachians by early Mon and could reach the Triad toward sunrise, though convective inhibition will keep most activity sub-severe until the better chance comes Mon aftn/eve. Lows should dip into the mid 60s to around 70, with some patchy fog possible. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT/... As of 316 PM Sunday... There is decently high uncertainty wrt to thunderstorms on Monday. An upstream MCS is forecast to interact with the mountains early Monday morning. Most guidance suggests the mountains should eat this up before reaching our western areas. However, there is will still likely be some ongoing showers (and perhaps a little thunder) through about mid-morning across the western to central Piedmont associated with this decaying MCS. Lingering cloudiness may persist through late Monday morning, however clouds should clear enough in the afternoon to support the development of scattered thunderstorms. The spatial extent for afternoon showers/storms will largely depend on 1) where outflow boundaries set up from the upstream morning convection and 2) where mid-level vorticity/MCV features traverse. The recent RAP runs suggest mid-level features could maximize along and south of the NC/SC border Monday afternoon. It's therefore not surprising that latest HRRR runs tends to focus late afternoon convection across our Sandhills/Southern Coastal Plains (and moreso active in central SC). Additional weaker perturbations are depicted further north into central VA maximizing over the Chesapeake Bay. As such, some high-res guidance (eg. NamNest, ARW) depict a bit more activity further north across our central to northern Piedmont/Coastal Plain Monday afternoon associated with these perturbations. Any storms that do develop Monday afternoon will have increasing effective shear to work with (up to 30 to 40 kts). As such, severe thunderstorms will be possible with any stronger storms that fire. In fact, guidance is pretty riled up about some stronger mid-level lapse rates (~7.5 to 8 C/km) developing across our far southern areas eastward towards the coast. Additionally, model-derived hodographs, HREF max/min helicity neighborhood probabilities, and model-derived STP values all support the potential for rotating storms (and possible tornadoes) from roughly US-1 east across the inner/outer banks Monday afternoon and evening. Given this potentially juicy parameter space, it's no shock that the SPC has outlined our area in a 15% probability for severe hail and wind (supported by strong mid-level lapse rate potential), with a smaller area of up to 5 % probability for tornadoes across locations east of Raleigh. The overall mean-layer flow should be strong enough to preclude any widespread flooding concerns, however, can't rule out isolated urban flash flooding with any heavier downpour. Rain chances should diminish late Monday night into the overnight hours. Persistent swly flow will promote highs in the mid to upper 80s/lower 90s. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 155 PM Sunday... By Tuesday morning, a cold front should be along the coastline of the Carolinas or immediately offshore. This should keep a slight chance of thunderstorms in the forecast along the I-95 corridor, but by nighttime, a several day period of dry weather should begin. The front will slowly push east, and a surface high will establish itself over southwestern Ontario Wednesday morning. The high will expand to the southeast through the rest of the week, with the center reaching West Virginia by Saturday morning. An upper ridge along the East Coast will begin to break down on Saturday, and a shortwave could bring some isolated showers across western counties Saturday afternoon/evening, although this scenario is only shown in ensembles and not by deterministic models. A stronger shortwave appears likely to move across the Appalachian mountains Sunday and bring a chance of showers to all locations. Surprisingly, the GFS is showing a decent cap on Saturday and Sunday, so do not have lightning in the weekend forecast. Temperatures will trend downward through the beginning of the period, with highs ranging from the mid 70s to the low 80s on Friday. High temps will then rebound for the weekend, returning into the 80s. Thursday and Friday nights will be the coolest, with widespread lows in the 50s. && .AVIATION /00Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 734 PM Sunday... Main forecast challenge in the near-term will be the threat of showers and storms with upstream convection over western NC and VA. The radar trends the last few hours have brought high confidence in TSRA reaching GSO/INT, roughly between 00 and 02z, with lesser confidence at RDU/FAY/RWI. As such, greatest restrictions are expected at GSO/INT. Confidence remains low on how the storms upstream will hold together as they track ESE toward RDU/FAY and perhaps RWI as well. As such, the TEMPO groups were retained but for the MVFR range. Shower/storm activity should wane after 05-06z as the storm complex pushes east of the terminals. Guidance indicates a low-end chance of sub-VFR stratus or low VIS at GSO/INT Mon morning. Otherwise, another upstream MCS in the Midwest could bring -SHRA in the morning on Mon, most favored at GSO/INT/RDU. A better chance of storms appears in the aftn/eve period ahead of a cold front. However, confidence is low on where storms may develop. Right now, guidance would suggest the best chance would be along/east of US-1. Hence, we introduced PROB30 groups at RDU/FAY/RWI. Ahead of any storms, southwest winds Mon afternoon will gust to 25-30 kt. Outlook: A broken line of showers and storms may impact the terminals Mon evening, with the highest chance at RDU/FAY/RWI. Activity should move out by early Tue, with VFR persisting much of the upcoming week. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...Badgett NEAR TERM...Kren SHORT TERM...Luchetti LONG TERM...Green AVIATION...Kren
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 618 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 NCZ007>009-021>025-038>040-272230- Person-Granville-Vance-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Orange-Durham- Davidson-Randolph-Chatham- 618 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 321 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...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. There is a Slight risk, level 2 of 5, of severe storms Monday. Scattered to numerous showers and storms are possible, with the greatest threats in the late afternoon through the evening. Some storms may be severe, with damaging straight line winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes as the primary threats. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. NCZ010-011-026>028-041>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-272230- Warren-Halifax-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Wake-Johnston-Wilson-Stanly- Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Anson-Richmond-Scotland-Hoke- Cumberland-Sampson- 618 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. There is a Marginal risk, level 1 of 5, of severe storms today into tonight. A broken line of storms may cross the area late this afternoon through this evening. Some storms may be severe, with a primary threat of damaging straight line winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. There is a Slight risk, level 2 of 5, of severe storms Monday. Scattered to numerous showers and storms are possible, with the greatest threats in the late afternoon through the evening. Some storms may be severe, with damaging straight line winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes as the primary threats. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
819 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
NCZ022-023-270115-
Guilford NC-Alamance NC-
819 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT ALAMANCE AND GUILFORD COUNTIES
THROUGH 915 PM EDT...
At 818 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Pine Hall to 6 miles northeast of High
Point. Movement was east at 40 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...
Greensboro, High Point, Burlington, Graham, Mebane, Elon,
McLeansville, Summerfield, Gibsonville, and Stokesdale.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
parts of central North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3624 7926 3596 7926 3599 7998 3607 8004
3626 8004
TIME...MOT...LOC 0018Z 262DEG 33KT 3627 8005 3602 7993
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
901 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
NCZ021-022-038-039-270145-
Guilford NC-Forsyth NC-Randolph NC-Davidson NC-
901 PM EDT Sun May 26 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT FORSYTH...DAVIDSON...NORTHWESTERN
RANDOLPH AND GUILFORD COUNTIES THROUGH 945 PM EDT...
At 900 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Enon to Mocksville to near Cleveland. Movement
was east 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 vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Lexington, Randleman,
Thomasville, Kernersville, Clemmons, Bermuda Run, and Huntsville.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
portions of central North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3611 8050 3614 8044 3623 8043 3626 8023
3624 7953 3599 7960 3568 7994 3566 8031
3572 8033 3574 8046 3583 8049 3584 8039
3588 8042 3589 8037 3596 8038 3599 8042
3601 8042 3606 8046 3604 8049 3608 8052
TIME...MOT...LOC 0100Z 263DEG 48KT 3616 8045 3591 8053 3571 8075
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
JDThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 132 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:28 UTC.
23 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees and powerlines were blown down across Davidson County, including the town of Thomasville.
A tree was blown down onto Flat Swamp Rd near Summerville Church Rd.
A tree was blown down onto the roadway near the intersection of Brantley Gordon Rd and Sandstone Trail in Denton.
A tree was blown down onto powerlines near the 100 block of W River Dr. in Randleman.
A tree was blown down onto powerlines along Swaim St in Randleman.
A tree fell on the roadway near the 1900 block of Old County Farm Rd in Sophia.
A tree was blown down onto the roadway near the intersection of Zoo Parkway and Crestview Church Rd in Asheboro.
A tree fell across the roadway near the intersection of Lambert Drive and Sherwood Ave in Asheboro.
A tree fell on a house near the 800 block of Worth St in Asheboro.
A tree fell on a house near the intersection of Summit Ave and Mt Cross St in Asheboro.
A tree fell on a house near the 1000 block of Oakdale St in Asheboro.
A tree fell on the roadway near the intersection of North Carolina Highway 22 North and Cedar Falls Rd in Franklinville.
A tree fell across the roadway near the intersection of Holly Spring Rd and Souther Rd in Ramseur.
A tree fell on the roadway near the intersection of of Fork Creek Mill Rd and Picketts Mill Rd in Seagrove.
A tree was blown down onto powerlines along Bonlee Rd near Glenn Adams Dr in Bonlee.
There were widespread reports of downed trees and powerlines across Chatham County, including the town of Pittsboro.
A tree was blown down onto powerlines along New Hill Olive Chapel Rd near Humie Olive Rd.
A tree was blown down onto powerlines along south Main St. near Stevens Ave in Broadway.
A tree was blown down onto powerlines near the intersection of US 401 and Rawls Church Rd in Rawls.
Branches, of which the largest were six to eight inches in diameter, were snapped from a maple tree along Flint Point Lane near Holly Springs.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of Hillsboro St and College St in Youngsville.
The public reported trees uprooted or snapped near Glen Clova Dr near Eagle Ridge.
A tree was blown down on Olde South Rd near the intersection of Penny 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, 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: 1173614, 1173617, 1173621, 1173626, 1173627, 1173665, 1173647, 1173650, 1173656, 1173655, 1173661, 1173669, 1173667, 1173672, 1173629, 1173619, 1173632, 1173630, 1173634, 1173638, 1173642, 1173635, 1173637.