North Carolina, 2025

Tornado in North Carolina, March 5, 2025

March 5, 2025 · NWS GSP · 1 event in 1 county or zone

An area of showers with isolated embedded thunderstorms moved across the North Carolina Piedmont during the morning in advance of a cold front. A brief EF1 tornado developed in association with an embedded line segment in Union County.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$150,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
1

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS GSP wrote it up.

An area of showers with isolated embedded thunderstorms moved across the North Carolina Piedmont during the morning in advance of a cold front. A brief EF1 tornado developed in association with an embedded line segment in Union County.

What forecasters said that day

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 Mar 5, 6:59 AM EST, 1 hour 35 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 5, 6:59 AM EST, 1 hour 35 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
659 AM EST Wed Mar 5 2025

.SYNOPSIS...
A strong cold front will cross the area this morning, bringing gusty
winds, showers, and strong to severe thunderstorms. Gusty winds will
continue behind the front this afternoon through Thursday. There
will be a brief chance of snow at near the Tennessee border behind
the front tonight. High pressure gradually builds in from the west
Thursday through Friday. A quick moving area of low pressure may
bring some precipitation across the region over the weekend.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Key Messages:

1) A Wind Advisory remains in effect until 7 PM this evening for
the entire CWA and a High Wind Warning remains in effect until 1 PM
this afternoon for portions of the NC mountains above 3500 ft.

2) A line of heavy showers with possibly some embedded thunderstorms
will move through our area this morning. Severe thunderstorms remain
possible roughly east of I-26 thru mid to late morning.

3) In the wake of the cold front, NW flow snow is expected along the
NC/TN border this evening thru early Thursday.

As of 6:05 AM EST Wednesday: The cold front is currently making its
way thru the middle of our CWA with a line of heavy showers just ahead
of the front, yet we still have not seen any lightning over our area
with this fropa. Nonetheless, we've been seeing wind gusts in excess
of 40 mph with this line, so numerous SPS's and one warning have been
issued for straight-line winds. The latest CAM guidance remains consis-
tent and still has this line of heavier showers moving east of our CWA
by roughly 15z or 10 AM. Severe chances haven't changed much from the
previous fcst. The Wind Advisory/High Wind Warning look well placed as
even if wind gusts fall just short of criteria, they should be close
enough that the impacts should be similar.

Otherwise, broad/deep upper trofing will lift over our area later
today and Thursday and eventually move off the Atlantic Coast late
Thursday. At the surface, a powerful low pressure system is tracking
towards the Great Lakes and pushing a stout cold front thru our area
this morning. The latest near-term guidance remains consistent wrt
the timing of the fropa and has it moving thru our fcst area between
roughly 09z and 15z or 4 AM and 10 AM EST. In the front's wake, fairly
deep wrap-around moisture within the WLY low-level flow will linger
over the NC mtns and likely produce some additional precipitation,
especially along the NC/TN border region. As for the severe threat
associated with the fropa, it's still looking like the greater threat
will be to our east. With the front moving thru early this morning,
we expect to have limited instability across our CWA even though we
will have substantial amounts of bulk shear and low-level helicity.
As such, SPC still has roughly the eastern half of our fcst area in
a Marginal Risk for day 1 and our eastern fringe of zones in a Slight
Risk. The main threats from any strong to severe storms that develop
are expected to be damaging straight-line winds and maybe some small
hail. Considering the amount of low level helicity associated with the
front, a few brief tornadoes will also be possible. In addition, the
larger-scale gradient wind will remain very gusty into Thursday. Thus,
a High Wind Warning and Wind Advisory will remain in effect until this
evening. Additional wind products may be needed for late tonight and
Thursday. Expect wind gusts up to 70 mph for zones above 3500 ft and
gusts of 40 to 55 mph elsewhere. Lastly, as the front moves east of
our CWA today, colder air will eventually spread over the NC mtns and
we will likely get some amount of NW flow snow later tonight thru early
Thursday. At this point, it's looking like locations away from the NC/TN
border should get less than 2 inches of accumulation, while the favored
locations along the border could get more like 2 to 6 inches.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
As of 1230 AM Wednesday: A large low pressure system will continue
to track northeast into Quebec Thursday, but will still be quite
deep, resulting in a tight pressure gradient continuing across
the region. Wrap-around moisture from this system may be able to
wring out a few snow showers after daybreak Thursday along the TN
border. But little additional snow accums are expected before the
RH decreases midday. The bigger story Thursday will be continued
gusty winds. The 850 mb flow will still be 40-50 kt across the
mountains with strong CAA Thursday morning. So, advisory-level
wind gusts may continue above 3500 ft into at least early aftn. It
will be breezy elsewhere. Temps will be slightly below normal,
and downsloping and mixing may allow RH values to approach critical
levels across portions of the Piedmont. Hopefully, today's rainfall
will help mitigate the fire wx concerns.

Sfc high pressure builds into the Southeast Thursday night
into Friday, allowing winds to decrease fairly quickly Thursday
evening. With clear skies, temps will bottom out a few degrees
below normal. Forecast soundings show fairly thick high clouds
streaming across the area within zonal flow. This may have some
impact on temps, which look to be near normal. Dry air mass
settling in will likely result in RH values approaching critical
fire weather levels. This will be combined with breezy west to
southwesterly winds ahead of an approaching cold front from the
northwest. Moisture ahead of this front finally arrives into the
mountains Friday night, which may bring a few rain showers to the
TN border counties before daybreak Saturday. Otherwise, it will
be partly to mostly cloudy with above normal min temps.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 1253 AM Wednesday: The operational models have good continuity
from run to run regarding the systems expected to affect the region
over the upcoming weekend. A cold front trailing a sfc low moving
off the Mid-Atlantic Coast will run into the mtns on Saturday
morning, which should hold up whatever precip is associated with
it. A lack of forcing and a shallow depth of moisture suggest that
precip east of the mtns will be a tough prospect, so precip chances
were kept out of there. Downslope flow during the warmest time
of day will allow for high temps 10-15 degrees above normal. Hot
on the heels of that system, the models continue to show moist
isentropic upglide developing from the west late in the day, well
out ahead of an upper low moving quickly east across the srn Plains,
and its associated sfc low that reaches the Delta Region by the
end of the day. It seems unlikely that precip would reach this far
east by sunset, but the quick eastward progress should bring some
chance of light precip east across the fcst area Saturday night. The
models are consistent with their differences as well, with the GFS
continuing to spread precip much farther north and the Canadian
staying so far south as to keep us dry. The fcst will continue
to follow the model blend and defer to the GFS, with a chance of
precip overnight and moving east Sunday morning. There should be
enough cold air available to allow wet snow to fall at elevations
above 4k feet, so the potential exists for a light accumulation,
but the differing model tracks leave us with low confidence. Temps
will get knocked back down to normal with the clouds and light
precip potential. Once that system is off to the east (if it ever
does really affect the area), the rest of the medium range should
be dry and fair. A flat mid/upper ridge should build in from the
west Monday and move overhead Tuesday, supporting high pressure
moving across the Southeast. A warming trend can be expected into
the middle part of next week. The next system is not expected to
reach us from the west before the end of Wednesday.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: MVFR cigs and gusty S to SE winds will
continue thru mid-morning. A line of heavier showers and maybe
a few isolated TSRA will move thru near daybreak, thus I kept
the PROB30 for TSRA. Also, the actual time any TS affect the ter-
minals will be relatively short. IFR is possible with the line of
storms as well. LLWS is also expected with the front as a strong
low-lvl jet crosses the area. Conditions improve to MVFR and then
VFR thru the morning as the front moves east of the area and drier
air moves in. Winds turn SWLY and remain gusty thru the end of the
taf period.

Outlook: Gusty winds linger thru much of Thurs with VFR conditions
expected to prevail Thurs and Fri. A weak cold front may bring more
showers and associated restrictions on Sat while another Gulf low
may bring additional showers and associated restrictions on Sun.

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Wind Advisory until 7 PM EST this evening for GAZ010-017-018-
     026-028-029.
NC...Wind Advisory until 7 PM EST this evening for NCZ033-035>037-
     048>053-056>059-062>065-068>072-082-501>510.
     High Wind Warning until 1 PM EST this afternoon for NCZ048-049-
     051>053-058-059-062>064.
SC...Wind Advisory until 7 PM EST this evening for SCZ008>014-019-
     101>109.

&&

SYNOPSIS...ARK
NEAR TERM...JPT
SHORT TERM...PM
LONG TERM...ARK
AVIATION...JPT
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 4, 10:18 PM EST, 10 hours 16 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1018 PM EST Tue Mar 4 2025

GAZ018-026-028-029-NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-502-504-506-508-
510-SCZ008>014-019-104>109-060330-
Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-
Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union-Greater Caldwell-
Greater Burke-Eastern McDowell-Greater Rutherford-Eastern Polk-
Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Chester-Greenwood-
Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-Central Greenville-
Southern Greenville-Northern Spartanburg-Southern Spartanburg-
1018 PM EST Tue Mar 4 2025

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 7 PM EST WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, Piedmont
North Carolina, western North Carolina and Upstate South 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.

   Wind Advisory.

.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.

   Wind Advisory.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

NCZ053-059-062>064-060330-
Buncombe-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson-Transylvania-
1018 PM EST Tue Mar 4 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST WEDNESDAY
ABOVE 3500 FEET...
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST WEDNESDAY BELOW
3500 FEET...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western 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.

   High Wind Warning.
   Wind Advisory.

.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.

   High Wind Warning.
   Wind Advisory.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

GAZ010-017-NCZ065-501-503-505-507-509-SCZ101>103-060330-
Rabun-Habersham-Henderson-Caldwell Mountains-Burke Mountains-
McDowell Mountains-Rutherford Mountains-Polk Mountains-
Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
1018 PM EST Tue Mar 4 2025

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, western
North Carolina and Upstate South 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.

   Wind Advisory.

.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.

   Wind Advisory.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

NCZ048-049-051-052-058-060330-
Madison-Yancey-Swain-Haywood-Graham-
1018 PM EST Tue Mar 4 2025

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST WEDNESDAY
ABOVE 3500 FEET...
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST WEDNESDAY BELOW
3500 FEET...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western 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.

   High Wind Warning.
   Wind Advisory.

.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.

   High Wind Warning.
   Wind Advisory.

Accumulating snow is expected along the Tennessee border Wednesday
night and early Thursday morning. Most populated areas will see
less than 2 inches, but high elevations on northwest facing ridges
could see up to 4 inches.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

NCZ033-050-060330-
Avery-Mitchell-
1018 PM EST Tue Mar 4 2025

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western 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.

   Wind Advisory.

.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.

   Wind Advisory.

Accumulating snow is expected along the Tennessee border Wednesday
night and early Thursday morning. Most populated areas will see
less than 2 inches, but high elevations on northwest facing ridges
could see up to 4 inches.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 5, 6:16 AM EST, 2 hours 18 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
616 AM EST Wed Mar 5 2025

NCZ068-508-SCZ008-012-013-019-108-109-051200-
Greater Rutherford NC-Cleveland NC-Cherokee SC-
Northern Spartanburg SC-Laurens SC-Southern Spartanburg SC-
Greenwood SC-Union SC-
616 AM EST Wed Mar 5 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN RUTHERFORD...
CLEVELAND...CENTRAL LAURENS...EASTERN SPARTANBURG...CHEROKEE...UNION
AND SOUTHEASTERN GREENWOOD COUNTIES THROUGH 700 AM EST...

At 615 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Forest City NC to 21 miles south of
Greenwood SC. Movement was east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Cross Hill, Lake Greenwood State Park, Lake Greenwood, Gaffney,
Cowpens, Enoree, Carlisle, Waterloo, Kingstown, and Thicketty.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

Conditions are favorable for development of a very brief, weak
tornado. Be prepared to take immediate action if a tornado is sighted
or a Tornado Warning is issued.

&&

LAT...LON 3398 8205 3399 8214 3535 8190 3542 8146
      3527 8133 3505 8141 3503 8149 3485 8145
      3482 8149 3476 8145 3473 8149 3466 8144
      3449 8148 3445 8154 3453 8164 3437 8178
      3430 8190 3420 8194 3413 8187 3395 8205
TIME...MOT...LOC 1115Z 256DEG 38KT 3530 8185 3388 8210

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

8
Special weather statement, Mar 5, 6:46 AM EST, 1 hour 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
646 AM EST Wed Mar 5 2025

NCZ035-056-501-502-504-508-051230-
Greater Rutherford NC-Caldwell Mountains NC-Greater Burke NC-
Greater Caldwell NC-Alexander NC-Catawba NC-
646 AM EST Wed Mar 5 2025

...GUSTY SHOWERS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL CATAWBA...ALEXANDER...CALDWELL
AND SOUTHEASTERN BURKE COUNTIES THROUGH 730 AM EST...

At 645 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers along a line
extending from near Blowing Rock to 11 miles south of Morganton.
Movement was northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Granite Falls, Northlakes, Lake Rhodhiss, Longview, Cooksville,
Rhodhiss, Collettsville, Millersville, Ellendale, and Hickory.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3612 8155 3607 8141 3604 8140 3602 8135
      3600 8133 3603 8127 3603 8110 3562 8114
      3556 8158 3556 8166 3558 8169 3555 8169
      3554 8175 3588 8175 3590 8173 3592 8175
      3605 8175 3607 8174 3607 8175 3612 8175
TIME...MOT...LOC 1145Z 238DEG 41KT 3612 8167 3559 8165

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

8
Special weather statement, Mar 5, 6:53 AM EST, 1 hour 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
653 AM EST Wed Mar 5 2025

NCZ036-056-068>071-051230-
Gaston NC-Iredell NC-Cleveland NC-Lincoln NC-Mecklenburg NC-
Catawba NC-
653 AM EST Wed Mar 5 2025

...GUSTY SHOWERS WILL IMPACT CATAWBA...LINCOLN...CENTRAL IREDELL...
NORTHWESTERN MECKLENBURG...SOUTHEASTERN CLEVELAND AND GASTON COUNTIES
THROUGH 730 AM EST...

At 653 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers along a line
extending from 7 miles southwest of Newton to 7 miles southeast of
Shelby. Movement was northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Strong thunderstorms will be near...
  Boger City, Iron Station, Crowders Mountain State Park, High
  Shoals, and Claremont around 700 AM EST.
  Lookout Shoals Lake, Denver, Ranlo, Lake Norman, and Dallas around
  710 AM EST.
  Lake Norman State Park, Westport, Statesville, and Troutman around
  720 AM EST.

Other locations impacted by these storms include Startown, Terrell,
Bandys, Lucia, and Crouse.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

Conditions are favorable for development of a very brief, weak
tornado. Be prepared to take immediate action if a tornado is sighted
or a Tornado Warning is issued.

&&

LAT...LON 3594 8071 3568 8077 3565 8076 3535 8082
      3517 8148 3517 8151 3564 8138
TIME...MOT...LOC 1153Z 242DEG 42KT 3561 8133 3521 8144

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

8
Special weather statement, Mar 5, 6:58 AM EST, 1 hour 36 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
658 AM EST Wed Mar 5 2025

NCZ068-070-071-SCZ008-009-013-014-051245-
Gaston NC-Cleveland NC-Mecklenburg NC-York SC-Cherokee SC-Union SC-
Chester SC-
658 AM EST Wed Mar 5 2025

...GUSTY SHOWERS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN MECKLENBURG...SOUTHEASTERN
CLEVELAND...GASTON...CHESTER...YORK...EASTERN CHEROKEE AND UNION
COUNTIES THROUGH 745 AM EST...

At 656 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers along a line
extending from 8 miles south of Shelby to 12 miles south of Union.
Movement was east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

The gusty showers and heavy rain will be near...
  Hickory Grove, Kings Mountain, Crowders Mountain, Monarch Mill, and
  Grover around 700 AM EST.
  Sharon and Gastonia around 710 AM EST.
  Mcconnells, Clover, Lowrys, and York around 720 AM EST.
  Lake Wylie, Chester State Park, Newport, Mcadenville, and Belmont
  around 730 AM EST.
  Steele Creek and Tega Cay around 740 AM EST.

Other locations impacted by these storms include Crowders, Saratt,
Leeds, Kings Creek, and Cornwell.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

Conditions are favorable for development of a very brief, weak
tornado. Be prepared to take immediate action if a tornado is sighted
or a Tornado Warning is issued.

&&

LAT...LON 3445 8155 3448 8155 3453 8164 3517 8150
      3535 8081 3502 8086 3508 8091 3501 8091
      3494 8087 3483 8090 3455 8092 3457 8142
      3450 8142 3449 8148
TIME...MOT...LOC 1156Z 254DEG 32KT 3517 8149 3455 8163

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

8
Special weather statement, Mar 5, 7:33 AM EST, 1 hour 1 minute before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
733 AM EST Wed Mar 5 2025

NCZ036-037-056-057-069>072-051315-
Rowan NC-Davie NC-Gaston NC-Iredell NC-Lincoln NC-Cabarrus NC-
Mecklenburg NC-Catawba NC-
733 AM EST Wed Mar 5 2025

...GUSTY SHOWERS WILL IMPACT WESTERN CABARRUS...SOUTHEASTERN
CATAWBA...DAVIE...EASTERN LINCOLN...SOUTHEASTERN IREDELL...CENTRAL
MECKLENBURG...ROWAN AND EASTERN GASTON COUNTIES THROUGH 815 AM EST...

At 732 AM EST, Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers along a line
extending from 3 miles southwest of Statesville to 3 miles south of
Gastonia. Movement was northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Charlotte, Enochville, Belmont, Huntersville, Concord,
Mt Holly, Cooleemee, Troutman, Salisbury, and Gastonia.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

Conditions are favorable for development of a very brief, weak
tornado. Be prepared to take immediate action if a tornado is sighted
or a Tornado Warning is issued.

&&

LAT...LON 3588 8042 3586 8039 3584 8039 3585 8042
      3583 8043 3583 8046 3584 8047 3583 8049
      3577 8045 3574 8046 3572 8041 3525 8061
      3515 8112 3516 8123 3581 8093 3602 8043
      3601 8041 3599 8042 3596 8038 3589 8037
TIME...MOT...LOC 1232Z 242DEG 36KT 3576 8093 3520 8117

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

8
Local storm report, Mar 5, 8:29 AM EST, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
829 AM EST Wed Mar 5 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1100 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Robbinsville            35.33N 83.81W
03/04/2025                   Graham             NC   Utility Company

            Numerous reports of tree and utility line
            damage countywide.

&&

CSH

The radar

The Columbia radar (KCAE), 136 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:31 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Union

When
March 5, 8:34 AM EST to 8:37 AM EST
Where
Union County, 2.22 mi S of Indian Trail Arpt to 2.16 mi NW of Unionville
Rating
EF1
Path length
2.25 mi
Path width
75 yd
Property damage
$150,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
35.088, -80.577

NWS storm survey found the path of an EF1 tornado that began in the vicinity of Porter Ridge High School. Tree branches were broken and a free-standing light pole was broken off at the base. The fence around the schools tennis court was also blown over and two storage buildings collapsed nearby. The tornado moved northeast across Ridge Road, where a house under construction was heavily damaged, presumably due to air rushing in via window and garage door openings, which lifted off part of the roof. Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped along Friendship Baptist Church Rd. Minor structural damage occurred to a house in the Benton Acres neighborhood. The tornado continued northeast to Lawyers Rd just west of US 601, snapping several hundred yards of wooden power poles, while causing little damage to adjacent homes. The tornado apparently dissipated at this location.

What these are

Tornado
A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in North Carolina in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for North Carolina, 2025Warnings in North Carolina, March 2025

Sources

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: 1241568.