A couple of waves of strong to severe thunderstorms moved across the North Carolina Piedmont during the afternoon and the evening. A few of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts.
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 couple of waves of strong to severe thunderstorms moved across the North Carolina Piedmont during the afternoon and the evening. A few of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts.
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 3, 1:52 PM EST, 13 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 252 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025 .SYNOPSIS... A cold front crosses the area tonight, bringing temperatures back to near normal for Sunday and Monday under partly cloudy skies. Dry high pressure builds in Tuesday, then another unsettled pattern likely develops by midweek. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 241 PM EDT Saturday: The obvious concern for the rest of the afternoon remains the severe tstm potential, mainly over the area east of the mtns, and the I-77 corridor in particular. Got a bit of a late start with the persistent cloud cover, but enough spots thinned out to allow for destabilization to the tune of 1000-2000 J/kg of sfc-based CAPE uncapped. The rapid development of storms that we have seen early this afternoon suggest that perhaps storms will release the CAPE and limit the numbers of strong/severe storms, unlike yesterday. The main area of concern will continue to be the area east of the mtns, and in particular the I-77 corridor and to the east, where large hail and damaging wind gusts are the main concern. Don't be surprised if the SPC issues a Svr Watch for that area...or not. Either way it will be active. Meanwhile, the western third of the fcst area will be blanketed by a remnant wide band of light rain and extensive clouds. Note the HRRR continues to move this off to the east slow thru late afternoon and allow for the redevelopment of showers and storms in a band off to the west. Radars show a QLCS of sorts slowly developing in the TN Valley region, forced by the mid-level DPVA ahead of a strong short wave. This could bring a wind threat into the mtns this evening if we manage to get some destabilization over the mtns in the wake of the remnant rain/clouds. Temps will be seasonally warm, but will nudge the highs down a few degrees because of the cloud cover and early storms. The next 24 hours or so will be spent under the cyclonic flow aloft associated with the mid/upper low rotating across the mid-MS Valley to the Cumberland Plateau and OH Valley. Even if the band/QLCS weakens and no longer poses a wind damage threat this evening, the primary short wave rotating around the low will force this precip eastward across the fcst area tonight, also aided by upper divergence and low level upglide, warranting a likely/categorical precip prob. We would be remiss to not mention the outside chance of some flooding rain tonight as the remnant MCS moves through as moisture will be deep and plentiful, but the PMMs on the 12Z HREF favor the heaviest rain late this afternoon west of the mtns and this evening just east of the fcst area. No Flood Watch is planned, but urban areas will have to be monitored. Low temps will be close to normal. By daybreak Sunday, the passage of the main wave should carry most of the precip with it and the dry slot should spread across the fcst area. The close proximity of the upper low will act to keep temps right on the cool side of normal. Cold air aloft will allow for shower development with some daytime heating, mainly over the mtns, so a slight chance to chance prob will be carried there. && .SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of Noon Saturday... Key messages: 1. Isolated/scattered showers will be possible Monday near the TN border. 2. Otherwise, Dry thru Tuesday, with temps around or a little below normal. An upper low will spin over the Ohio Valley Monday, and begin to drift northeast toward the eastern Great Lakes Tuesday. The low's proximity may allow for some instability and isolated to scattered diurnal showers along/near the TN border Monday aftn. The rest of the forecast area will see mostly sunny skies and temps will be a category or two below normal. Tuesday looks dry, as the low drifts away, and a west-east axis of sfc high pressure builds in on the south side of the low. Temps return to near normal under mostly sunny skies and comfortable humidity levels. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/... As of Noon Saturday... Models are in decent agreement on the pattern thru the medium range. They have converged on another upper low cutting off...this time over the Ozarks region, then drifting southeast into the Lower MS Valley. A deep trough is progged to dig thru the Northeast, and may interact with this low, but the latest GFS and ECMWF keep the southern low spinning thru the weekend in a Rex block. This will likely set up an unsettled wx pattern for the forecast area starting Wednesday. An area of sfc low pres will form over the Lower MS Valley and activate a warm front across the Southeast. Gulf moisture will spread over the front and produce areas of showers off and on thru Friday. There will be some diurnal component to the activity, but there may some shower chances continuing at night. At this point, it doesn't look like a heavy rain/flood threat, but locally heavy rainfall cannot be ruled out. Severe chances will also be muted with generally elevated CAPE and marginal bulk shear. Max temps will be near to slightly below normal, while lows will generally be a few degrees above normal under plenty of cloud cover. && .AVIATION /19Z SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... At KCLT and elsewhere: The immediate concern is the TSRA around KCLT for the first hour of the fcst, after which there should be a lull of a few hours before the next round. Meanwhile, scattered tsra will develop east of the mtns thru the afternoon, which will be covered by a TEMPO group. Expect prevailing VFR and temporary MVFR low cloud ceilings around storms. Wind should remain light S to SSW in general, gusty near storms. Meanwhile, across the mtns, a band of weakening light rain will slowly diminish as it moves east. Model guidance fires up another batch of thunderstorms late this afternoon and early this evening over the east, suggesting another TEMPO for KCLT. Late tonight, a second weakening band of remnant convection is expected to move in from the west, which will be covered with a PROB30. MVFR to IFR ceiling is expected with that feature. The low levels will remain juicy, thus the restrictions will persist into the late morning. Light S winds should prevail. Outlook: Unsettled weather and associated restrictions may continue into early Sunday across parts of the area. In the wake of a cold front after dawn Sunday, drier weather and predominately VFR conditions are expected to return. && .GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. NC...None. SC...None. && SYNOPSIS...ARK NEAR TERM...PM SHORT TERM...ARK LONG TERM...ARK AVIATION...PM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 519 AM EDT Sat May 3 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>109-040930- 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- 519 AM EDT Sat May 3 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, Piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Thunderstorms will pose a risk of severe weather at times this afternoon through around midnight, in the form of damaging wind gusts and large hail. Multiple rounds of storms are possible at a given location. Some localized flash flooding is also possible, particularly in areas that experience more than one round of heavy rainfall. .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, tornadoes, or flash flooding to our office. Wimberley
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
202 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025
SCZ011-019-031830-
Abbeville SC-Greenwood SC-
202 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN ABBEVILLE AND
NORTHWESTERN GREENWOOD COUNTIES THROUGH 230 PM EDT...
At 201 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Abbeville, moving northeast at 30 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hodges, Donalds, Abbeville, Shoals Junction, Cokesbury, Due West,
Ware Shoals, and Lake Greenwood.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3408 8237 3415 8250 3442 8233 3435 8217
3433 8217 3433 8215 3432 8213 3431 8212
3431 8211 3430 8209
TIME...MOT...LOC 1801Z 212DEG 28KT 3417 8236
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ARKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
226 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025
NCZ071-082-031915-
Union NC-Mecklenburg NC-
226 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN MECKLENBURG AND
UNION COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM EDT...
At 226 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northeast of Lancaster, or near Buford, moving northeast at 30
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Indian Trail, Trinity, Lake Park, Wesley Chapel, Monroe, Mint Hill,
Jaars, Wingate, Matthews, and Stallings.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3482 8075 3507 8079 3526 8065 3518 8050
3518 8048 3481 8032
TIME...MOT...LOC 1826Z 222DEG 25KT 3479 8067
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
247 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025
NCZ072-031930-
Cabarrus NC-
247 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CABARRUS COUNTY THROUGH 330 PM
EDT...
At 247 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14
miles southeast of Downtown Concord, or near Midland, moving north at
20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Mt Pleasant, Midland, Downtown Concord, and Harrisburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3519 8051 3526 8065 3550 8053 3550 8029
TIME...MOT...LOC 1847Z 200DEG 18KT 3523 8045
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
249 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025
SCZ012-013-109-031945-
Laurens SC-Southern Spartanburg SC-Union SC-
249 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL LAURENS...SOUTHEASTERN
SPARTANBURG AND SOUTHWESTERN UNION COUNTIES THROUGH 345 PM EDT...
At 249 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Laurens, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Cross Keys, Rose Hill State Park, Cross Anchor, Sedalia, Enoree,
Clinton, Ora, and Laurens.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3445 8185 3454 8214 3478 8184 3462 8161
TIME...MOT...LOC 1849Z 226DEG 28KT 3449 8200
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
257 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025
NCZ082-031945-
Union NC-
257 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN UNION COUNTY THROUGH 345
PM EDT...
At 257 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles northeast of Monroe, or near Unionville, moving northeast at 30
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Marshville, Sturdivants, and New Salem.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3482 8032 3481 8032 3517 8048 3516 8044
3517 8042 3516 8041 3518 8037 3517 8036
3518 8033 3517 8032 3519 8030 3520 8028
TIME...MOT...LOC 1857Z 223DEG 25KT 3506 8048
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
301 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025
NCZ057-031945-
Rowan NC-
301 PM EDT Sat May 3 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN ROWAN COUNTY
THROUGH 345 PM EDT...
At 300 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southeast of Salisbury, or 4 miles southwest of High Rock Lake,
moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Gold Hill, Faith, Rockwell, High Rock, Granite Quarry, High Rock
Lake, and Spencer.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3550 8051 3573 8040 3572 8038 3572 8034
3571 8033 3568 8033 3567 8031 3563 8029
3563 8027 3559 8021 3555 8021 3554 8020
3551 8018
TIME...MOT...LOC 1900Z 216DEG 24KT 3560 8034
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TWThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 168 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:04 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Public reported two trees blown down at Old Beatty Ford Rd and Emmanuel Church Rd.
Utility company reported a couple of trees blown down on power lines in southwest Charlotte.
Public reported trees blown down at Tennessee St and Pennsylvania Ave.
Public reported multiple trees blown down, some across roads from the Catawba River to the area around Youngblood Rd and McKee Rd.
NWS storm survey found the path of a very brief and weak tornado that touched down just west of Killian Farm Rd, where a tree was snapped along with multiple large limbs. The tornado continued southeast, crossing Caswell Road where additional limbs were snapped. The tornado dissipated in a wooded area long Highway 73 just west of the Catawba River.
Utility company reported trees blown down on power lines and causing an outage between University City Blvd and East WT Harris Blvd.
Utility company reported trees blown down on power lines and causing an outage around Long Bow Rd.
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 historyThe tornado archive for North Carolina, 2025Warnings 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: 1266906, 1266902, 1266905, 1266903, 1266910, 1266904, 1266908.