A cold front over the eastern Tennessee and lower Ohio Valley led to the development of a broken line of showers and storms tracking into the Carolinas in the late afternoon and evening hours. A few storms produced damaging wind reports over Anson and Chatham Counties.
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 RAH wrote it up.
A cold front over the eastern Tennessee and lower Ohio Valley led to the development of a broken line of showers and storms tracking into the Carolinas in the late afternoon and evening hours. A few storms produced damaging wind reports over Anson and Chatham Counties.
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 Raleigh, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 30, 2:07 PM EST, 1 hour 6 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 307 PM EDT Fri May 30 2025 .SYNOPSIS... A lead cold front will move east across the area this afternoon through early tonight. A secondary cold front will move southeast late Saturday into Saturday night. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 307 PM Friday... * A Level 3/Enhanced Risk for this afternoon and evening ---primarily through 8 pm A lead, pre-frontal band of showers and storms has progressed into the western Piedmont. Thunderstorms are expected to intensify and move east through this evening as it progresses east over the next several hours, where moderate instability of 1000-1500 J/Kg of ML CAPE has developed area-wide. A strengthening mid level jet and incoming dynamic upper trough will enhance wind shear with curved hodographs to support the risk for rotating updrafts and supercells. Damaging wind gusts and hail are the primary severe threats. Isolated tornadoes are also possible. The severe threat is greatest through 5 pm across the western Piedomt, 4 to 7 pm across the central Piedmont and western Sandhills, and 5-9 pm over the coastal plain. Additionally, the development of a secondary, trailing convective band still appears likely along the actual cold front. However, the greatest severe threat appears it will be with the lead band. Skies are expected to clear out from west to east after midnight with CAA during the latter half of the night allowing for seasonably cool overnight lows Saturday morning in the lower to mid 50s across the across the NW to around 60 east. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT/... As of 105 PM Friday... Aloft, a couple of s/w disturbances will swing across the area on Sat, rotating around a larger parent low meandering over southeast Canada/the Northeast US. At the surface, in the wake of a front (which will primarily bring a drop in dewpoints) moving across the area tonight, another front will push swd into and across the area Sat eve/night. The winds should be more wly than swly on Sat, with dewpoints largely in the mid to upper 50s. Forecast soundings off the NAM have MUCAPE peaking around 500 J/Kg with Effective Shear around 40 kts. Hi-res guidance suggests convection should develop upstream beneath the s/w as it approaches, and should hold together as it moves across the area Sat aft/eve. Best chances for showers/storms will be across the north, but cannot be ruled out anywhere. However, there is still some uncertainty wrt how long the convection will sustain itself. All of central NC remains in a Marginal Risk for severe weather on Sat. Given the strong wind fields and steep low and mid level lapse rates, the primary threat with the storms will be strong potentially damaging wind gusts and perhaps some marginally severe hail. Outside of convection, expect wind gusts into the mid 20s mph across the area on Sat. Generally expect highs in the mid 70s to low 80s N-S. The weather should dry out for Sat night, with a further decrease in dewpoints and lows ranging from around 50 degrees along the VA border to upper 50s south. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 205 PM Friday... * One more round of showers and storms possible on Sunday * Turning drier and warmer next week The combination of an upper low over eastern Canada, along with a shortwave trough diving southeastward through TN and GA, should allow for one more day of shower and thunderstorm chances across the area on Sunday. Today's ensemble cluster analysis suggests a weak frontal boundary will stall across the Sandhills Sunday morning, serving as the focal point for afternoon shower and thunderstorm development coincident with the arrival of the approaching shortwave trough. Highest precip chances should be located along and south of US-64 during the afternoon hours, transitioning to the Coastal Plain in the evening. Pre-frontal heating in the warm sector ahead of the front should allow MLCAPEs to rise into the 500-1000 J/KG range, and I'll hang onto the mention of thunder in the forecast through mid evening. In the wake of the departing shortwave trough, along with the eastward migration of the Canadian upper low, longwave ridging will set up across much of the eastern CONUS next week. This will promote a gradual increase in temperatures (and humidities) across NC, with daytime highs starting off in the lower 80s on Monday, but reaching the upper 80s to mid 90s from Tuesday onward. Dewpoints will take some time to recover and the first half of the week will likely see them generally in the lower 60s. The return of the upper 60s/lower 70s looks to hold off until late in the week. By that time a longwave trough and attendant surface cold front will approach from the west, bringing increased shower and thunderstorm chances to the area (mainly western Piedmont). FROPA, and a return of more widespread precip chances, are likely to hold off until the weekend. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 200 PM Friday... Still have a few sites bouncing back and forth between VFR and MVFR ceilings. Otherwise, the morning stratus layer has lifted. Winds will gust to 17 t0 22 kts at times, especially at KRDU, KRWI and KFAY where better sfc heating is occurring. A cold front and accompanying band of strong to severe thunderstorms will move east through the area generally between 18Z and 00 or 01Z, resulting in periods of sub-VFR restriction in heavy rain. Additionally, strong convective wind gusts of 40 to 60 kts, hail will be possible underneath the stronger cores. Skies will clear out from west to east between 00 to 06z. Breezy conditions will develop after daybreak Saturday, with wind gusts of 20 to 25 kts expected. Outlook: Additional, scattered showers/storms may redevelop between 18-00z Saturday with daytime heating, beneath cool temperatures aloft accompanying a mid/upr-level trough, on Sat. Rain chances shift to southern NC Sunday followed by predominately dry, VFR conditions through the middle part of next week. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...CBL/MWS NEAR TERM...CBL SHORT TERM...KC LONG TERM...Leins AVIATION...CBL
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 143 PM EDT Fri May 30 2025 NCZ007-008-021>025-038>041-311745- Person-Granville-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Orange-Durham-Davidson- Randolph-Chatham-Wake- 143 PM EDT Fri May 30 2025 ...TORNADO WATCH 348 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central 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. Tornado Watch. Severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon through evening. Although large hail and damaging wind gusts will be the primary hazards, an isolated tornado or two will also be possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Thunderstorms with hail and strong to locally damaging wind gusts will be possible Saturday afternoon. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation needed this afternoon and evening. NCZ009>011-026>028-042-043-073>078-083>086-088-089-311745- Vance-Warren-Halifax-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Johnston-Wilson-Stanly- Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Anson-Richmond-Scotland-Hoke- Cumberland-Sampson- 143 PM EDT Fri May 30 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon through evening. Although large hail and damaging wind gusts will be the primary hazards, an isolated tornado or two will also be possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Thunderstorms with hail and strong to locally damaging wind gusts will be possible Saturday afternoon. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation likely needed this afternoon and evening.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1053 AM EDT Fri May 30 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0330 PM Hail Whispering Pines 35.25N 79.37W
05/29/2025 M1.00 Inch Moore NC 911 Call Center
&&
23
796
NWUS52 KRAH 301815
LSRRAH
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
215 PM EDT Fri May 30 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0925 PM Flash Flood Henderson 36.32N 78.42W
05/29/2025 Vance NC 911 Call Center
car stuck in flood waters.
0929 PM Flash Flood 2 NE Henderson 36.35N 78.38W
05/29/2025 Vance NC 911 Call Center
water on roadway.
0932 PM Flash Flood 3 SW Middleburg 36.37N 78.36W
05/29/2025 Vance NC 911 Call Center
Road closed due to high water.
0934 PM Flash Flood 1 N South Henderson 36.31N 78.41W
05/29/2025 Vance NC 911 Call Center
road closed due to high water.
0937 PM Flash Flood 2 WSW Henderson 36.32N 78.44W
05/29/2025 Vance NC 911 Call Center
Road Closed. Marsha Ave and Cameron Dr,
Henderson.
0645 PM Flash Flood 3 NE Finger 35.41N 80.33W
05/29/2025 Stanly NC Cocorahs
Flooding reported on Pauls Crossing Rd.
0723 PM Flash Flood 3 S New London 35.41N 80.23W
05/29/2025 Stanly NC Public
flooding at the intersection of Austin rd
and old Salisbury rd in albemarle.
0820 PM Flash Flood 1 N Albemarle 35.38N 80.19W
05/29/2025 Stanly NC Public
high water across road way. US 52 near Boyd
St.
0822 PM Flash Flood 3 ENE New London 35.46N 80.17W
05/29/2025 Stanly NC Public
Water over roadway on Old Whitney Rd New
London. (road impassable).
0840 PM Flash Flood 2 WSW Rougemont 36.21N 78.96W
05/29/2025 Orange NC 911 Call Center
water on Bunny Rd near David Robinson Dr.
0845 PM Flash Flood Hillsborough 36.07N 79.10W
05/29/2025 Orange NC 911 Call Center
Cars impassible on Exchange Park Ln and S.
Churchton St. in Hillsborough.
0918 PM Flash Flood 3 S Carr 36.18N 79.22W
05/29/2025 Orange NC 911 Call Center
road washed out near Lib Rd and Pentacost Rd
in Cedar Grove, NC.
0330 PM Hail Whispering Pines 35.25N 79.37W
05/29/2025 M1.00 Inch Moore NC 911 Call Center
0335 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Vass 35.26N 79.28W
05/29/2025 Moore NC 911 Call Center
tree down in Vass.
0526 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 7 S Four Oaks 35.35N 78.41W
05/29/2025 Johnston NC Utility Company
Tree down on power lines at Oak Forest Rd
and Hayes Rd, resulting in power outages.
0410 PM Hail 1 ENE Anderson Creek 35.28N 78.92W
05/29/2025 M1.00 Inch Harnett NC 911 Call Center
0552 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Stokesdale 36.24N 79.98W
05/29/2025 Guilford NC 911 Call Center
Trees down in Stokesdale.
0845 PM Flash Flood 4 SE Greensboro 36.05N 79.77W
05/29/2025 Guilford NC Public
street flooding near MLK Jr Dr and on ramp
to I40.
0910 PM Flash Flood Oxford 36.31N 78.60W
05/29/2025 Granville NC 911 Call Center
Road was closed due to high water, has since
reopened.
0900 PM Flash Flood Rougemont 36.22N 78.93W
05/29/2025 Durham NC 911 Call Center
flooding around Rougemont, NC.
0930 PM Flash Flood 4 SW Bahama 36.13N 78.92W
05/29/2025 Durham NC 911 Call Center
road flooded on both sides of the roadway.
Road Impassable.
0453 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Godwin 35.22N 78.68W
05/29/2025 Cumberland NC 911 Call Center
Tree down at Dunn Rd and McLean St.
0500 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ENE Godwin 35.23N 78.65W
05/29/2025 Cumberland NC 911 Call Center
Tree down at Dunn Rd and Rhodes Pond Rd.
0550 PM Flash Flood 5 SW Bonnie Doone 35.06N 79.04W
05/29/2025 Cumberland NC Public
Report from mPING: Street/road flooding;
Street/road closed; Vehicles stranded.
0900 PM Flash Flood 1 SSW Glen Raven 36.11N 79.47W
05/29/2025 Alamance NC 911 Call Center
ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING. W Webb Ave near
Flora Ave and Park Rd.
0900 PM Flash Flood 1 NE Elon College 36.10N 79.50W
05/29/2025 Alamance NC 911 Call Center
high water amounts on roadways in Elon.
&&
153
NWUS52 KRAH 301834
LSRRAH
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
234 PM EDT Fri May 30 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0330 PM Hail Whispering Pines 35.25N 79.37W
05/29/2025 M1.00 Inch Moore NC 911 Call Center
0335 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Vass 35.26N 79.28W
05/29/2025 Moore NC 911 Call Center
tree down in Vass.
0410 PM Hail 1 ENE Anderson Creek 35.28N 78.92W
05/29/2025 M1.00 Inch Harnett NC 911 Call Center
0453 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Godwin 35.22N 78.68W
05/29/2025 Cumberland NC 911 Call Center
Tree down at Dunn Rd and McLean St.
0500 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ENE Godwin 35.23N 78.65W
05/29/2025 Cumberland NC 911 Call Center
Tree down at Dunn Rd and Rhodes Pond Rd.
0526 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 7 S Four Oaks 35.35N 78.41W
05/29/2025 Johnston NC Utility Company
Tree down on power lines at Oak Forest Rd
and Hayes Rd, resulting in power outages.
0550 PM Flash Flood 5 SW Bonnie Doone 35.06N 79.04W
05/29/2025 Cumberland NC Public
Report from mPING: Street/road flooding;
Street/road closed; Vehicles stranded.
0552 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Stokesdale 36.24N 79.98W
05/29/2025 Guilford NC 911 Call Center
Trees down in Stokesdale.
0645 PM Flash Flood 3 NE Finger 35.41N 80.33W
05/29/2025 Stanly NC Cocorahs
Flooding reported on Pauls Crossing Rd.
0723 PM Flash Flood 3 S New London 35.41N 80.23W
05/29/2025 Stanly NC Public
flooding at the intersection of Austin rd
and old Salisbury rd in albemarle.
0820 PM Flash Flood 1 N Albemarle 35.38N 80.19W
05/29/2025 Stanly NC Public
high water across road way. US 52 near Boyd
St.
0822 PM Flash Flood 3 ENE New London 35.46N 80.17W
05/29/2025 Stanly NC Public
Water over roadway on Old Whitney Rd New
London. (road impassable).
0840 PM Flash Flood 2 WSW Rougemont 36.21N 78.96W
05/29/2025 Orange NC 911 Call Center
water on Bunny Rd near David Robinson Dr.
0845 PM Flash Flood Hillsborough 36.07N 79.10W
05/29/2025 Orange NC 911 Call Center
Cars impassible on Exchange Park Ln and S.
Churchton St. in Hillsborough.
0845 PM Flash Flood 4 SE Greensboro 36.05N 79.77W
05/29/2025 Guilford NC Public
street flooding near MLK Jr Dr and on ramp
to I40.
0900 PM Flash Flood Rougemont 36.22N 78.93W
05/29/2025 Durham NC 911 Call Center
flooding around Rougemont, NC.
0900 PM Flash Flood 1 NE Elon College 36.10N 79.50W
05/29/2025 Alamance NC 911 Call Center
high water amounts on roadways in Elon.
0900 PM Flash Flood 1 SSW Glen Raven 36.11N 79.47W
05/29/2025 Alamance NC 911 Call Center
ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING. W Webb Ave near
Flora Ave and Park Rd.
0910 PM Flash Flood Oxford 36.31N 78.60W
05/29/2025 Granville NC 911 Call Center
Road was closed due to high water, has since
reopened.
0918 PM Flash Flood 3 S Carr 36.18N 79.22W
05/29/2025 Orange NC 911 Call Center
road washed out near Lib Rd and Pentacost Rd
in Cedar Grove, NC.
0925 PM Flash Flood Henderson 36.32N 78.42W
05/29/2025 Vance NC 911 Call Center
car stuck in flood waters.
0929 PM Flash Flood 2 NE Henderson 36.35N 78.38W
05/29/2025 Vance NC 911 Call Center
water on roadway.
0930 PM Flash Flood 4 SW Bahama 36.13N 78.92W
05/29/2025 Durham NC 911 Call Center
road flooded on both sides of the roadway.
Road Impassable.
0932 PM Flash Flood 3 SW Middleburg 36.37N 78.36W
05/29/2025 Vance NC 911 Call Center
Road closed due to high water.
0934 PM Flash Flood 1 N South Henderson 36.31N 78.41W
05/29/2025 Vance NC 911 Call Center
road closed due to high water.
0937 PM Flash Flood 2 WSW Henderson 36.32N 78.44W
05/29/2025 Vance NC 911 Call Center
Road Closed. Marsha Ave and Cameron Dr,
Henderson.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
347 PM EDT Fri May 30 2025
NCZ025-040-041-075>077-302045-
Lee NC-Chatham NC-Durham NC-Harnett NC-Wake NC-Moore NC-
347 PM EDT Fri May 30 2025
...A CLUSTER OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL
MOORE...NORTH CENTRAL HARNETT...LEE...WAKE...CHATHAM AND
SOUTHEASTERN DURHAM COUNTIES THROUGH 445 PM EDT...
At 347 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Pittsboro, moving northeast at 25 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...
Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Sanford, Pittsboro, Garner, Fuquay-Varina,
Angier, Goldston, and RDU International.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for central North
Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3571 7848 3546 7880 3537 7954 3568 7952
3599 7866
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 238DEG 22KT 3567 7907
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
359 PM EDT Fri May 30 2025
NCZ083>085-302100-
Scotland NC-Anson NC-Richmond NC-
359 PM EDT Fri May 30 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL SCOTLAND...ANSON AND
SOUTHEASTERN RICHMOND COUNTIES THROUGH 500 PM EDT...
At 358 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Sturdivants, or 9 miles southwest of Wadesboro, moving east at 45
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...
Laurinburg, Rockingham, Wadesboro, Hamlet, Hoffman, Polkton, Dobbins
Heights, Gibson, Lilesville, and Morven.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3507 8029 3503 7946 3471 7945 3472 7957
3480 7968 3482 8032
TIME...MOT...LOC 1958Z 272DEG 38KT 3490 8021
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CAThe Columbia radar (KCAE), 144 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:11 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was reported down at Peachland-Polkton Rd and Freedom Rd.
A tree was reported down on powerlines near Deep Creek Road.
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: 1254579, 1254580.