A cold front produced showers and thunderstorms during the late afternoon into early evening hours. One particular storm became severe and produced wind damage in Duplin County.
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 MHX wrote it up.
A cold front produced showers and thunderstorms during the late afternoon into early evening hours. One particular storm became severe and produced wind damage in Duplin 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 Newport/Morehead City, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 14, 3:18 PM EST, 2 hours 5 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC Issued by National Weather Service Wilmington NC 418 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Unsettled weather continues today as a trough axis moves through the region. Summer-like weather arrives late this week as a ridge of high pressure builds through the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 4 PM Wednesday... Trough axis associated with a shortwave is swinging through the region this evening. Shear associated with the approaching trough axis will bring linear convection (with embedded supercells possible) that moves eastward. SPC has included the area in another Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5). Large hail and damaging winds will be the main threats for inland locales. A surface trough following the upper trough could prolong showers overnight, despite weak subsidence aloft. At this point, the severe threat should have ended, but I have held PoPs around 30%, especially near the coast where warmer waters will interact with surface lift and remnant convection. Lows in the low to mid 60s, upper 60s for the OBX. As shortwave moves through, there may be some isolated to scattered showers and tstorms that sweep through the region early this morning. No severe weather is expected in the early morning hours with this second round of convection. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY/... As of 4 PM Wednesday... Coverage of storms on Thursday afternoon should be less than previous days. Westerly flow and an approaching surface trough will interact with the Piedmont trough and a pinned sea breeze to produce isolated to widely scattered storms. Weak subsidence aloft creates some question of confidence in this regime producing precip. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 4 AM Wednesday...Ridging will continue on Friday with very warm temperatures arriving with a punch. Expect much of the area to battle with the lower 90s and summer-like humidity. The ridge continues to show signs of holding drier weather for Friday with PoPs retreating northward away from the ridge's periphery. Hot again on Saturday as we likely see some of the warmest temperatures of the year. Downslope flow will push highs into the lower or mid 90s with dew points still in the upper 60s. Heat indices should easily eclipse 100 degrees. Westerly flow intersecting the sea breeze could produce isolated storms during the afternoon with a slight uptick in rain chances during the evening as a cold front approaches the area. Temperatures fall a few degrees following the cold front on Sunday with highs only around 90. Laughable relief from the heat yields very little in the way of forecast changes for Sunday. A few isolated afternoon storms will be possible. Another cold front approaches late Sunday into Monday with drier weather likely through Tuesday. && .AVIATION /19Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... SHORT TERM /through 18Z Thursday/... As of 4 PM Wednesday...VFR through the CWA this afternoon, although a line of strong to severe showers and thunderstorms moving in from the west will bring heavy rain, frequent lightning, and sub-VFR conditions. There is also potential for hail and wind gusts of 60 mph with these storms. The best chance for severe weather is for inland locales, with PGV and ISO first up around 22-00Z. EWN and OAJ follow suit around 23-01Z. Behind the line, some low stratus could linger tonight. Lack of confidence kept me from going anything above sct low stratus deck. There could also be some showers lingering in the morning as a shortwave moves through. Tomorrow afternoon, isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible again, although no severe weather is expected. LONG TERM /Wednesday evening through Sunday/... As of 700 AM Wednesday...Sub-VFR conditions possible overnight tonight due to evening showers and stratus or fog into Thursday morning. Shower chances decrease late this week and into the weekend, but isolated to scattered coverage will be possible each day (primarily during the afternoon). && .MARINE... SHORT TERM /through Thursday/... As of 4 PM Wednesday...Winds out of the south/southwest ahead of a trough this afternoon, 10-20kts. A line of strong to severe showers and thunderstorms will be moving through the region this evening. This could bring hazardous marine conditions to inland sounds and rivers. As storms approach coastal waters tonight, they are expected to weaken, but some SMWs may be needed depending on how much warmer waters reinvigorate the storms. Seas 3-5 ft this afternoon become 3-4 ft tomorrow and winds become southwesterly 10-20 knots again. LONG TERM /Thursday night through monday/... As of 4 AM Wednesday... Pleasant boating conditions for the end of the work week. Saturday afternoon winds pick up again out of the southwest, but are short lived as Sunday lighter winds return. && .EQUIPMENT... Due to a system upgrade, NOAA Weather Radio from the following transmitters will be off the air starting 730 AM Monday May 12th through Wednesday May 14th. New Bern, NC, KEC84 at 162.400 MHz. Cape Hatteras, NC, KIG-77 at 162.475 MHz. Marnie, NC, WWH-26 at 162.425 MHz. Warsaw, NC, KXI-5 at 162.425 MHz. Visit www.weather.gov/mhx for the latest forecast information during the temporary outage. Our internet will NOT be impacted by the upgrade. && .MHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...None. MARINE...None. && SYNOPSIS...MHX NEAR TERM...RJ SHORT TERM...RJ LONG TERM...MHX AVIATION...RJ/MHX MARINE...RJ/MHX EQUIPMENT...MHX
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC Issued by National Weather Service Wilmington NC 124 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025 NCZ203>205-151730- Northern Outer Banks-Ocracoke Island-Hatteras Island- 124 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025 ...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North 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. Moderate Rip Current Risk. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ029-044>047-079>081-090>092-094-193-194-198-151730- Martin-Pitt-Washington-Tyrrell-Mainland Dare-Greene-Beaufort- Mainland Hyde-Duplin-Lenoir-Jones-Pamlico-Northern Craven- Southern Craven-Inland Onslow- 124 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A couple strong to severe thunderstorms have the potential to bring damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, up half dollar coin sized hail, and heavy rain to eastern NC this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ195-196-199-151730- West Carteret-East Carteret-Coastal Onslow- 124 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025 ...MODERATE RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A couple strong to severe thunderstorms have the potential to bring damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, up half dollar coin sized hail, and heavy rain to eastern NC this afternoon and evening. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Moderate Rip Current Risk. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
Issued by National Weather Service Wilmington NC
141 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025
NCZ080-094-193-194-141830-
Beaufort NC-Northern Craven NC-Pamlico NC-Southern Craven NC-
141 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL CRAVEN...
SOUTHWESTERN BEAUFORT AND WEST CENTRAL PAMLICO COUNTIES THROUGH 230
PM EDT...
At 140 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Olympia, or near James City, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch 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...
New Bern, Blounts Creek, Askins, Cayton, Olympia, Edward, Grantsboro,
Royal, Cox Crossroads, Bonnerton, Core Point, South Creek, Ernul,
Fairfield Harbour, Aurora Ferry Terminal, Aurora, and Bridgeton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3505 7690 3511 7709 3541 7710 3544 7687
3535 7666
TIME...MOT...LOC 1740Z 193DEG 18KT 3515 7697
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SGKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
Issued by National Weather Service Wilmington NC
240 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025
NCZ090-141915-
Duplin NC-
240 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN DUPLIN COUNTY
THROUGH 315 PM EDT...
At 240 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles west of Mount Olive, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Mount Olive and Calypso.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3514 7816 3519 7816 3518 7808 3519 7805
3519 7802 3518 7800 3518 7798 3517 7798
3517 7791 3511 7817
TIME...MOT...LOC 1840Z 252DEG 21KT 3519 7830
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SGKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
Issued by National Weather Service Wilmington NC
244 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025
NCZ029-045-080-141915-
Beaufort NC-Washington NC-Martin NC-
244 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON...
SOUTHEASTERN MARTIN AND NORTHWESTERN BEAUFORT COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM
EDT...
At 244 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Bunyan, or near River Road, moving north 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 vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Washington, Pinetown, Hinson, Bunyan, Terra Ceia, Old Ford, Long Acre
VFD, Washington Park, and Smithwick.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3551 7681 3553 7708 3579 7713 3580 7673
TIME...MOT...LOC 1844Z 179DEG 16KT 3558 7694
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SGKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
Issued by National Weather Service Wilmington NC
458 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025
NCZ029-142130-
Martin NC-
458 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MARTIN COUNTY
THROUGH 530 PM EDT...
At 457 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southeast of Scotland Neck, or 15 miles northeast of Tarboro,
moving north at 5 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel 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...
Hobgood, Oak City, and Hassell.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3606 7732 3602 7723 3602 7722 3601 7721
3599 7721 3599 7720 3587 7726 3588 7735
3591 7734 3600 7741 3601 7740 3607 7733
TIME...MOT...LOC 2057Z 197DEG 5KT 3605 7734
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
RJSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
Issued by National Weather Service Wilmington NC
527 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025
NCZ079-091-142215-
Greene NC-Lenoir NC-
527 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN LENOIR AND GREENE
COUNTIES THROUGH 615 PM EDT...
At 526 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Jason, or near La Grange, moving northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel 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...
Snow Hill, Institute, Jason, Lizzie, Castoria, Fort Run VFD, Shine,
and Bull Head VFD.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3557 7782 3561 7777 3556 7759 3534 7764
3536 7782 3537 7780 3539 7780 3541 7781
3543 7783
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 205DEG 16KT 3539 7784
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
RJSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
549 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025
NCZ090-142230-
Duplin NC-
549 PM EDT Wed May 14 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN DUPLIN COUNTY THROUGH
630 PM EDT...
At 548 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Rose Hill, or near Wallace, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel 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...
Wallace, Rose Hill, Beulaville, Kenansville, Chinquapin, Harrells,
Magnolia, Greenevers, and Teachey.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3490 7815 3497 7815 3496 7777 3472 7779
3472 7796 3471 7798 3473 7802 3473 7803
3472 7811 3471 7813 3472 7815 3474 7820
TIME...MOT...LOC 2148Z 265DEG 17KT 3477 7810
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DAGThe Wilmington radar (KLTX), 94 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:22 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were blown down near the intersection of Fussell Rd and Corinth Church Rd. The time was estimate based on radar data.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, May 2025
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: 1245865.