A broken line of strong to severe thunderstorms moved into western North Carolina from Tennessee during the early morning hours. Multiple reports of damaging wind gusts were received, along with isolated large hail.
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.
A broken line of strong to severe thunderstorms moved into western North Carolina from Tennessee during the early morning hours. Multiple reports of damaging wind gusts were received, along with isolated large hail.
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 17, 1:29 AM EST, 1 hour 7 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 229 AM EDT Sat May 17 2025 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front will push a line of strong to severe storms across the area early to mid-morning, with dry conditions returning from west to east late this morning into early this afternoon. The front will stall in the vicinity of the area through early next week, keeping the relatively active pattern around. Warm and above normal temperatures will stick around through early next week before cooler and below normal temperatures return mid to late week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Key Messages: 1) A line of strong-to-severe thunderstorms is expected to impact the mountains in the next few hours, with the threat decreasing eastward. 2) Daytime temperatures above normal today. As of 145 AM EST Saturday: Synoptically, the ridge continues to flatten allowing for shower and thunderstorm chances through the early morning hours. Out west, a potent line of storms has congealed across central TN/KY and is moving eastward. As the line approaches the TN/NC border, damaging winds and heavy rainfall are the main concerns that are expected to weaken crossing the mountains. Taking a look at the environment, modeled soundings ahead of the line shows strong shear (50-60kts) with modest instability both at the surface and aloft. S/SE surface winds do help to increase the SRH into the 200-225 range, allowing for the possibility of an isolated TOR threat as the line first reaches the CWA and into the mountains. Though low to begin with, the TOR risk is still there, but should weaken as it crosses eastward. One concern for this line to stay together is the speed of the line and the CAP in place across most of the area. Given the slower speed, this could allow the cap to erode more ahead of the line and keep a more balanced line. Though some weakening is likely to occur, redevelopment east of the mountains near daybreak is possible, but with damaging winds as the main threat. The Storm Prediction Center continues the Slight risk across most of the mountain areas through 7AM. Current projections for this line of storms reaching the TN/NC border between 3AM-4AM. If it holds together, it could reach the GSP and Charlotte areas after 6AM. Once the line continues to fall apart and moves eastward this morning, the remainder of the forecast period is relatively quiet. Gusty winds throughout most of the CWA today behind the exiting line, but should start to diminish after sunset. Expect very warm daytime highs today with temps approaching the high 80s and overnight lows in the 60s. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... As of 130 AM Saturday... Key Messages: 1) Shower and Thunderstorm Chances Return Sunday Across the Western Zones with Better Coverage Expected on Monday 2) Severe Weather Potential will be Low on Tuesday but Chances Increase Slightly on Monday 3) Warm and Above Normal Temperatures Stick Around Upper-level flow will start out quasi-zonal the first half of Sunday before weak upper ridging builds across the Southeast Sunday evening into Monday night. At the sfc, a stationary front will stall over the forecast area throughout the short term. This front combined with embedded shortwaves tracking over the CWA each day will keep unsettled weather around through the period. Highs each afternoon will end up ~4-6 degrees above normal with lows each night ending up ~8-10 degrees above normal. Both high-res and global model guidance generally agree that the western half of the CWA will have the best chance to see showers and thunderstorms on Sunday. With activity expected to remain scattered at best, capped PoPs to chance (15% to 30%) across the western zones. With a few hundred J/kg of SBCAPE developing Sunday afternoon/early evening across the western zones and 40-50 kts of deep layer shear in place, isolated strong to severe storms are possible. However, confidence on the severe threat for Sunday is low as CAMs depict the strongest activity tracking across the Deep South rather than the NE GA and the western Carolinas. Global model guidance continues to show better coverage of showers and thunderstorms, as well as better instability, on Monday. Thus, have likely (60%) PoPs across the mountains with chance PoPs (20% to 50%) elsewhere. Also have most locations seeing the potential for scattered thunderstorms during the afternoon/early evening hours. With 40-50 kts of deep layer shear and SBCAPE ranging from 1,000- 1,500 J/kg during peak heating on Monday, a few strong to severe storms are possible. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 200 AM Saturday... Key Messages: 1) Shower and Thunderstorm Chances Continue through the Long Term with the Best Coverage Currently Expected on Wednesday 2) Strong to Severe Storms are Possible on Both Tuesday and Wednesday 3) Above Normal Temperatures Linger through Tuesday Night Before Cooler and Below Normal Temperatures Return Mid to Late Week Upper ridging remains in place over the Southeast through Tuesday night before an upper low tracks eastward out of the Midwest into the Northeast Wednesday into Friday. At the sfc, the aforementioned front in the short term will remain stalled over the CWA on Tuesday before a sfc low pressure system tracks east across the Lower Midwest/OH Valley on Wednesday and across the Northeast Thursday into Friday. Thus, unsettled weather will continue through at least Thursday before drier conditions return for most locations on Friday. Warm and above normal temperatures will continue through Tuesday night before cooler and near normal temperatures develop Wednesday into Wednesday night. Even cooler and below normal temperatures return Thursday into Friday behind the low pressure system. Coverage of showers and thunderstorms will gradually increase through Wednesday ahead of the low pressure system so have likely PoPs (60%) across the mountains and chance PoPs elsewhere on Tuesday (20% to 50%) and likely to categorical PoPs (60% to 70%) on Wednesday. Strong to severe storms will be possible again on both Tuesday and Wednesday. However, the severe potential looks better on Tuesday thanks to 40-50 kts of deep layer shear remaining in place as well as 1,500-2,000 J/kg of SBCAPE developing during peak heating. Although deep layer shear will increase to 50-60 kts on Wednesday, SBCAPE will be slightly lower, ranging from 1,000-1,500 J/kg, and may only develop east of the NC mountains. Thus, confidence on strong to severe storms on Wednesday is lower compared to Tuesday. The sfc low will lift northeast of the CWA Wednesday night into Friday allowing a more stable airmass to filter into the region so thunder is not expected on Thursday or Friday. Model guidance is still not in agreement regarding when moisture will push east of the forecast area. The latest GFS shows dry conditions developing from west to east Wednesday night into daybreak Thursday while the latest ECMWF shows precip lingering across mainly the northern half of the area on Thursday. Thus, capped PoPs to chance (25% to 50%) across the northern zones and slight chance (15% to 20%) across the southern zones Thursday. Some NW flow rain showers may linger over the NC mountains Thursday night into Friday so maintained chance PoPs (30% or lower) across these zones for now. && .AVIATION /07Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... At KCLT and elsewhere: VFR conditions are expected across all terminals outside of a few hours of TSRA. A line of TSRA approaches and eventually crosses all sites this morning before 13z. For this, a TEMPO at all terminals with the mountain zones arriving earlier. KAVL by 07z and KCLT after 10z. Expect VRB winds and brief vsby restrictions with the storms. These storms should be out of the area later this morning, leaving gusty winds in its wake. Winds stay W/SW everywhere expect at KAVL where brief WNW winds arrive before turning SW. Expect 15-25kt gusts at all sites through the TAF period expect at KCLT where winds diminish late tonight. Outlook: Thunderstorm chances return Sunday and continue through the middle of next week. Early morning fog/low stratus possible in the mountain valleys and locations where rain fell the previous afternoon/evening. && .GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. NC...None. SC...None. && SYNOPSIS...AR NEAR TERM...CP SHORT TERM...AR LONG TERM...AR AVIATION...CP
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 310 AM EDT Sat May 17 2025 GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-035>037-048>053-056>059-062>065- 068>072-082-501>510-SCZ008>014-019-101>109-180715- 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- 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-Chester-Greenwood-Oconee Mountains- Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee- Greater Pickens-Central Greenville-Southern Greenville- Northern Spartanburg-Southern Spartanburg- 310 AM EDT Sat May 17 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia and the western Carolinas. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A line of strong to severe thunderstorms will track across the North Carolina mountains early this morning. Damaging wind gusts and brief, isolated tornadoes will be the main hazards. However, brief large hail heavy rain will also be possible. The line of storms will gradually weaken as it pushes east of the North Carolina mountains. However, isolated strong to severe storms are possible east of the mountains later this morning. Damaging wind gusts are the main hazard with any severe storms that manage to develop east of the mountains this morning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward any reports of large hail, damaging winds, or tornadoes to our office. AR
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
318 AM EDT Sat May 17 2025
NCZ033-050-170800-
Avery NC-Mitchell NC-
318 AM EDT Sat May 17 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT MITCHELL AND AVERY COUNTIES
THROUGH 400 AM EDT...
At 317 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles west of Mountain City to 6 miles
southeast of Elizabethton to 4 miles west of Erwin. Movement was
southeast at 40 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Bandana, Buladean, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Pineola, Banner
Elk, Linville, Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain In Avery County,
Minneapolis, and Newland.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3627 8189 3621 8190 3619 8186 3611 8181
3608 8176 3593 8215 3595 8220 3602 8220
3599 8225 3604 8230 3603 8234 3608 8235
3607 8241 3612 8236 3613 8225 3616 8222
3615 8215 3611 8213 3612 8203 3629 8192
TIME...MOT...LOC 0717Z 304DEG 37KT 3645 8192 3627 8217 3616 8250
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CACThe Knoxville radar (KMRX), 94 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 07:33 UTC.
9 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Emergency manager reported multiple trees blown down on roads in the Tapoco community.
Public reported quarter size hail.
Country comms reported multiple trees blown down on power lines and blocking roads in Bakersville and vicinity.
Utility company reported trees blown down on power lines with outages in the Micaville community.
County comms reported multiple trees blown down on power lines and blocking roads in the Spruce Pine area.
Utility company reported several trees blown down on power lines and causing outages northeast of Almond.
Utility company reported several trees blown down on power lines and causing outages near East Wonder Rd.
Public reported tree blown down on a house. Another public report of multiple trees uprooted was received from the same area.
Public reported quarter size hail.
Ham radio operator reported large tree limbs blown down in the Fletcher area.
Spotter reported trees blown down on Houstonville Rd East.
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: 1266959, 1266965, 1266957, 1266958, 1266956, 1266960, 1266961, 1266963, 1266964, 1266962, 1266966.