Scattered thunderstorms developed across western North Carolina throughout the afternoon and evening. A couple of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts across the Piedmont.
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 thunderstorms developed across western North Carolina throughout the afternoon and evening. A couple of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts across the Piedmont.
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 Sep 24, 2:33 PM EST, 1 hour 51 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
333 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024
.SYNOPSIS...
A moist and cooler airmass will remain in place across the forecast
area through mid-week. Tropical Cyclone Helene is forecast to make
landfall in the Florida panhandle late Thursday, with the remnant
circulation moving quickly north and bringing wind and heavy
rainfall impacts to our area Thursday night into Friday. Calmer
weather over the weekend with high temperatures a little cooler than
normal.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Convection is becoming more widespread across the NC mtns this
afternoon with a few storms reaching stg/svr levels. Overall,
instability is increasing and east of the mtns the overcast conds
are giving way to more sct cloudiness, thus increasing the threat of
storm development in this area as well in a few hours. Deep layered
shear is running arnd 30-40 kts and this could help storms maintain
themselves longer and possibly train over the same areas leading to
minor nuisance flooding.
The overnight period will see an upper trof continue to advance
toward the FA and with increasing difl flow aloft decent lift will
be had for increasing showery activity across the mtns and adjacent
fthills. Not expecting too much rainfall in any one given locale as
the cells will continue to push northeast thru the morning hrs.
On Wed, the synoptic pattern comes together to produce a Predecessor
Rain Event (PRE). This pattern is looking more defined on the
current model runs and has shifted east from previous solns into our
wrn FA areas. This is not a good signature as far as accumulating
rainfall goes as rounds of energy traverse a nearly stationary front
while moisture flux combines off both the ATL and GOM through the
period. Accordingly, model QPF response has become more maximized
over of wrn srn escarpment and NE GA zones where large-scale forcing
will combine with enhanced upslope lift. Right now, it's looking
like 2-3 inches of rain, locally higher, will fall thru 00z Thu
which would likely create flash flooding issues. The WPC has a well
placed MDT risk including our area and a Flood Watch will be issued
this afternoon.
The area will once again be under the gun Wed afternoon for stg/svr
convection with some organization due to continued high shear
levels. These storms will be capable of producing high rainfall
rates and pose a risk of isol flooding outside/east of the PRE area.
All this precip will occur before high amts of tropical rainfall
associated with TC Helene begin moving in during short term period,
thus a sigfnt and more widespread flooding issue is in store after
this near term period. Temps will remain well abv normal tonight
with lows in the m-u60s, while highs Wed reach near normal.
&&
.SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
As of 245 pm Tuesday: Still a lot of moving parts, but confidence
continues to creep upward with regard to the potential impacts
of Helene. Before we get there, however, we will continue to deal
with an increasing threat of significant rainfall to the east of
a stalled frontal boundary draped across the Cumberland Plateau/TN
Valley region Wednesday night into Thursday. Signals point toward
a Predecessor Rainfall Event (PRE) that may already be underway at
00Z Thursday across parts of northeast GA, southwest NC, and the
western Upstate. Although Helene will still be well to the south
at that time, a plume of deep tropical moisture lifting northward
to the east of a large upper low over the mid-MS Valley region,
combined with deep layer forcing, is expected to result in a high
probability of showers. Rainfall efficiency should be high. Although
parts of southwest NC and northeast GA have been dry recently, the
antecedent conditions may not matter much. The ingredients will
be in place for a good chance of significant rainfall more than
24 hours before Helene arrives. Because of the high likelihood
of the PRE, a Flood Watch will continue through Wednesday night
and Thursday. The new convection-allowing model guidance looks
compelling in the Watch area. Any amount of significant rain in
that location will only increase the flood threat down the road.
Which brings us to Helene. The fast-moving storm will approach
Thursday evening with precip increasing, followed by the wind
ramping up after midnight into early Friday morning. The most recent
track guidance has raised the threat of seeing tropical storm force
winds in a swath across northeast Georgia and perhaps southwest
NC on Friday morning. Wind gusts of 40 mph are likely across most
of the forecast area, especially Friday morning. The combination
of frequent strong gusts and saturated ground would result in
numerous power outages. The storm might move fast enough that it
would be departing Friday afternoon. However, there remains enough
uncertainty with the timing and speed of the system that effects
could linger well into the day. The wind impacts may diminish by
evening. The flooding rain threat may peak Friday morning. After
all the rain with the PRE, the QPF is high enough with the direct
impacts of Helene to raise the threat for landslides across the
srn Appalachians. Rainfall amounts of greater than 10 inches are
possible close to the Blue Ridge Escarpment, which in the past has
resulted in numerous landslides and some debris flows. We should
be on the back end of it by sunset Friday. Again, the details are
a moving target, but are coming into more focus.
&&
.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 155 pm EDT Tuesday: Still quite a bit of uncertainty regarding
the post-Helene part of the forecast. It seems likely that we will
enjoy at least a brief period of quietness beginning Friday night,
with some dry air wrapping around the large upper low centered
over the mid-MS Valley region and the remnant of Helene moving up
into the OH Valley. The lull may continue through much of Saturday
and Saturday night as the precip stays wrapped closer to the upper
low, which wobbles to the lower OH Valley region. A small chance
of precip will do, mainly for the area north of I-85. From that
point onward, uncertainty only goes up, mostly because of the fate
of the upper low. Most of the guidance keeps at least a remnant
mid/upper trof to our W/NW through the rest of the period, which
on a grand scale, should keep us in a favorable spot for a chance
of rain each period through Tuesday. Details are the sketchy part,
because if any short waves rotating around the weakening upper
low move overhead with the remnant deep moisture, our precip probs
and amounts would go up. The GFS suggests that to be the case for
Monday, and there is some agreement with the old ECMWF. For now,
we will keep precip in the chance range. Meanwhile, the same models
also suggest a hybrid cold air damming wedge, which would keep
temps on the order of five degrees below normal for Sunday into
Monday, perhaps even lingering into Tuesday. Suffice to say, the
pattern looks somewhat damp and cool, but until we have a better
handle on the fate of Helene and the upper low, all bets are off.
&&
.AVIATION /20Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Low CIGs will persist this afternoon and
begin to lift to MVFR/VFR as a line of -shra/tstms move thru the
area. Have TEMPO thunder all sites this afternoon and a few storms
may be capable of reaching severe levels with high deep shear levels
and and increasing instability. The overnight remains active with
precip continuing mainly across the mtns and fhills while flight
conds reduce to IFR or lower due mostly to CIGs thru the morning hrs
with a better chance of LIFR VSBY developing at KAVL. The atmos
remains unsettled Wed with precip chances returning more widespread
across the mtns as CIGs take a while to improve out of IFR conds.
Winds will remain weak and align generally se/ly to sw/ly.
Outlook: Fog/low stratus will likely develop over the next few
mornings, especially in the mtn valleys. A tropical cyclone will
bring heavy rain and strong winds Thursday into Friday before moving
out of the area Friday night into Sat.
&&
.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Flood Watch from Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon
for GAZ010-017-018-026.
NC...Flood Watch from Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon
for NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-503-505-507-509.
SC...Flood Watch from Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon
for SCZ101>105.
&&
SYNOPSIS...DEO
NEAR TERM...SBK
SHORT TERM...PM
LONG TERM...PM
AVIATION...SBKHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 338 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024 GAZ028-029-NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-502-504-506-508-510- SCZ008>014-019-106>109-251945- Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-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- Central Greenville-Southern Greenville-Northern Spartanburg- Southern Spartanburg- 338 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will move east across the area this evening into the early overnight hours. A few of these storms could become severe and produce damaging wind gusts and hail. Brief, heavy rainfall can occur with any storm. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. A tropical system is expected to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday as it tracks northward. This system is expected to impact the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia Thursday and Friday, bringing gusty winds and heavy rainfall to the area. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. GAZ010-017-018-026-NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501-503-505-507- 509-SCZ101>105-251945- Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell- Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon- Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Caldwell Mountains- Burke Mountains-McDowell Mountains-Rutherford Mountains- Polk Mountains-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains- Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens- 338 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will move east across the area this evening into the early overnight hours. A few of these storms could become severe and produce damaging wind gusts and hail. Brief, heavy rainfall can occur with any storm. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. Gusty winds are also expected as a tropical system impacts the area Wednesday through Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
444 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024
NCZ035-056-502-504-242130-
Greater Burke NC-Greater Caldwell NC-Alexander NC-Catawba NC-
444 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN CATAWBA...
SOUTHWESTERN ALEXANDER...SOUTHEASTERN CALDWELL AND EAST CENTRAL BURKE
COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM EDT...
At 444 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Lenoir, or over Lake Rhodhiss, moving east at 30 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...
Hickory, Lenoir, St. Stephens, Longview, Sawmills, Granite Falls,
Valdese, Gamewell, Bethlehem, and Hudson.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3569 8159 3586 8164 3596 8127 3574 8119
TIME...MOT...LOC 2044Z 253DEG 25KT 3578 8152
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
445 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024
NCZ068-504-508-242130-
Greater Rutherford NC-Cleveland NC-Greater Burke NC-
445 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD...
NORTHWESTERN CLEVELAND AND SOUTH CENTRAL BURKE COUNTIES THROUGH 530
PM EDT...
At 445 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles south of Morganton, or 4 miles west of South Mountains State
Park, moving east at 20 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...
Casar, South Mountains State Park, and Pleasant Grove.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3569 8155 3559 8152 3556 8153 3555 8151
3552 8151 3548 8183 3555 8184 3558 8182
3563 8184
TIME...MOT...LOC 2045Z 253DEG 18KT 3558 8174
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
446 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024
SCZ008-013-108-109-242130-
Cherokee SC-Northern Spartanburg SC-Southern Spartanburg SC-Union SC-
446 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN SPARTANBURG...CHEROKEE
AND NORTHWESTERN UNION COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM EDT...
At 446 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles southeast of Spartanburg, or near Croft State Park, 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Spartanburg, Gaffney, Pacolet, Cowpens, Blacksburg, Mayo, Roebuck,
Pacolet Mills, Cowpens National Battlefield, and Croft State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3471 8181 3481 8201 3518 8180 3517 8145
TIME...MOT...LOC 2046Z 211DEG 30KT 3487 8187
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TWPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
454 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0340 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 ESE Sedalia 34.57N 81.62W
09/24/2024 Union SC Emergency Mngr
Multiple trees down on Hickory Nut Hollow
Road and Eaves Road, with one on a barn.
&&
TWPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
510 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0404 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Carlisle 34.59N 81.46W
09/24/2024 Union SC Utility Company
Tree down on power lines in the Carlisle
area.
&&
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
517 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024
NCZ057-242145-
Rowan NC-
517 PM EDT Tue Sep 24 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN ROWAN COUNTY
THROUGH 545 PM EDT...
At 517 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southeast of Salisbury, or near High Rock Lake, moving 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...
High Rock Lake, Rockwell, Gold Hill, and High Rock.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3550 8024 3550 8038 3565 8045 3570 8033
3568 8033 3567 8031 3563 8029 3562 8025
3558 8021 3555 8021 3554 8020 3553 8020
3551 8019
TIME...MOT...LOC 2117Z 249DEG 13KT 3560 8033
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TWThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 161 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:25 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Spotter reported multiple trees blown down near the intersection of Panther Creek Rd and Stokes Ferry Rd, with additional trees as well as power lines blown down on Bringle Ferry Rd.
Public reported several trees blown down on adjacent properties on the south side of Mocksville.
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, September 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: 1216922, 1216923.