Strong low level winds and deep shear developed ahead of an approaching upper trough and cold front.
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 ILM wrote it up.
Strong low level winds and deep shear developed ahead of an approaching upper trough and cold front.
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 Wilmington, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 16, 4:35 PM EST, 1 hour 12 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
535 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
The Tornado Watch has been cancelled with the threat of strong wind
gusts remaining possible through this evening along the cold
front.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Strong to severe storms are possible into early this
evening.
2) Subfreezing temperatures are expected Tuesday night, and possible
again Wednesday night.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Strong to severe storms are possible into early
this evening.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect with the primary
threat of damaging wind gusts and possibly a tornado.
Showers and storms expanded in coverage into early this
afternoon limiting the potential instability but the overall
threat will continue until a strong cold front moves through
into this evening. The winds will continue to remain gusty and
potential for damaging winds exists as the low level winds
remain strong, but the instability will remain a limiting
factor. Also, decent shear remains, maintaining onto the threat
of a tornado. The greatest threat will end from west to east
through 6 to 8 pm this evening before cold front makes its way
offshore.
KEY MESSAGE 2...Subfreezing temperatures are expected Tuesday
night, and possible again Wednesday night.
Freezing temperatures still appear likely Tuesday night, and
confidence is high enough to upgrade the Freeze Watch to a Freeze
Warning. The only exception is coastal Georgetown where temps may
only bottom out around 33-35 degrees, so kept the watch there for
now. Low temps are expected in the upr 20s most areas, with mid 20s
over typical colder spots with good radiational cooling conditions.
For Wednesday night, lows will range through the 30s so there's a
lower chance for a freeze than Tuesday night, however patchy to
areas of frost are expected over much of SE North Carolina and NE
South Carolina.
&&
.AVIATION /21Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Showers and thunderstorms will continue until about 00-02z.
with possible wind gusts in excess of 50 knots. MVFR will
dominate outside of convection, but all terminals will
transition to VFR between 02-04z as dry and cold weather
arrives behind a strong cold front. Winds shift to the west and
northwest behind the front this evening and maintain some
gustiness overnight.
Extended Forecast...VFR through Friday.
&&
.MARINE...
Through Tuesday... Gale Warning continues in effect until
midnight tonight with strong winds and mainly gale gusts. Seas
will remain rough with waterspouts possible through this
evening. Winds shift to the west and northwest behind the front
tonight. A Small Craft Advisory will be needed following the
Gale Warning to address gustiness in cold air advection. Seas
will gradually recover late tonight into daybreak Tuesday.
Tuesday Night through Saturday...Sub-SCA conditions for the
duration of this period with sfc high pressure over the area
much of the time. Winds no higher than 10-15 kt - mainly Tuesday
night and Wednesday, and seas consistently in the 2-4 ft range.
&&
.ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...Freeze Warning from 2 AM to 10 AM EDT Wednesday for NCZ087-096-
099-105>110.
SC...Freeze Warning from 2 AM to 10 AM EDT Wednesday for SCZ017-023-
024-032-033-039-054-055-058-059.
Freeze Watch from late Tuesday night through Wednesday morning
for SCZ056.
MARINE...Gale Warning until midnight EDT tonight for AMZ250-252-254-256.
&&
WHAT HAS CHANGED...ILM
KEY MESSAGES...MAS/RGZ
DISCUSSION...MAS/RGZ
AVIATION...RGZ
MARINE...MAS/RGZHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wilmington NC 533 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026 AMZ250-252-254-256-172145- Coastal waters from Surf City to Cape Fear NC out 20 nm- Coastal waters from Cape Fear NC to Little River Inlet SC out 20 nm- Coastal waters from Little River Inlet to Murrells Inlet SC out 20 nm- Coastal waters from Murrells Inlet to South Santee River SC out 20 nm- 533 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026 ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the adjacent Coastal Waters. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Gale Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ087-096-099-105>110-SCZ017-023-024-032-033-039-054-055-058-059- 172145- Robeson-Bladen-Columbus-Inland Pender-Coastal Pender- Inland New Hanover-Coastal New Hanover-Inland Brunswick- Coastal Brunswick-Marlboro-Darlington-Dillon-Florence-Marion- Williamsburg-Coastal Horry-Inland Georgetown-Central Horry- Northern Horry- 533 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026 ...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 10 AM EDT WEDNESDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Strong wind gusts may be possible with storms through this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Freeze Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. SCZ056-172145- Coastal Georgetown- 533 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026 ...FREEZE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Strong wind gusts may be possible with storms through this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Freeze Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
236 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
SCZ055-056-161900-
Coastal Georgetown SC-Inland Georgetown SC-
236 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT INLAND GEORGETOWN COUNTY
THROUGH 300 PM EDT...
At 235 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Graves, or just west of Georgetown, moving northeast at 55 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...
Georgetown, Sampit, Plantersville, Graves, Yauhannah, and Oatland.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for northeastern
South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3332 7957 3370 7925 3370 7924 3369 7925
3370 7922 3370 7920 3364 7913 3361 7912
3360 7911 3361 7910 3358 7910 3357 7905
3321 7941
TIME...MOT...LOC 1835Z 218DEG 47KT 3339 7939
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TRASpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
255 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
NCZ105-106-161930-
Coastal Pender NC-Inland Pender NC-
255 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN PENDER COUNTY THROUGH
330 PM EDT...
At 254 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Wrightsboro, or near Wilmington, moving 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...
Burgaw, Hampstead, White Stocking, Rocky Point, Topsail, Maple Hill,
Ashton, Woodside, Edgecomb, Scotts Hill, and St. Helena.
This includes Interstate 40 between mile markers 399 and 413.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for southeastern
North Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3431 7776 3435 7781 3437 7782 3438 7781
3439 7782 3436 7789 3438 7790 3438 7792
3436 7793 3437 7794 3437 7796 3438 7796
3437 7799 3436 7798 3434 7799 3433 7804
3472 7782 3472 7773 3469 7767 3447 7757
TIME...MOT...LOC 1854Z 217DEG 45KT 3431 7792
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TRASpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
336 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
NCZ099-162000-
Columbus NC-
336 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT COLUMBUS COUNTY THROUGH 400 PM
EDT...
At 335 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Tabor City, or 18 miles southwest of Whiteville, moving northeast at
55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Whiteville, Tabor City, Chadbourn, Bethel, Lake Waccamaw, Hallsboro,
Nakina, and Williams.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for southeastern
North Carolina...and northeastern South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3446 7865 3445 7866 3445 7862 3443 7860
3437 7843 3402 7874 3420 7896 3447 7876
3447 7867
TIME...MOT...LOC 1935Z 216DEG 47KT 3411 7887
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TRASpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
453 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
SCZ017-023-032-162145-
Marlboro SC-Florence SC-Darlington SC-
453 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...GUSTY SHOWERS WILL IMPACT WESTERN FLORENCE...DARLINGTON AND
WESTERN MARLBORO COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM EDT...
At 452 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers along a line
extending from Carolina Sandhills Wildlife Refuge to near Oakland.
Movement was east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Clyde around 505 PM EDT.
Hartsville, Kellytown, Lydia, and Hartsville around 510 PM EDT.
Lamar and Oats around 520 PM EDT.
Auburn, Swift Creek, and Cartersville around 525 PM EDT.
Timmonsville, Darlington Raceway, Dovesville, and Floyd around 530
PM EDT.
Darlington, Mont Clare, and Sardis around 535 PM EDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM EDT for northeastern
South Carolina.
&&
LAT...LON 3449 8005 3449 7989 3453 7983 3461 7981
3461 7978 3469 7987 3481 7993 3481 7968
3474 7959 3388 7987 3388 7994 3395 7997
3399 7989 3409 8008 3415 8015 3423 8011
3433 8018 3436 8018 3433 8024 3437 8029
TIME...MOT...LOC 2052Z 277DEG 32KT 3462 8032 3403 8050
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TRASpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
546 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
NCZ087-SCZ017-023-024-032-033-162230-
Robeson NC-Marion SC-Marlboro SC-Florence SC-Dillon SC-Darlington SC-
546 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
...GUSTY SHOWERS WILL IMPACT WESTERN ROBESON...FLORENCE...
DILLON...DARLINGTON...MARION AND MARLBORO COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM
EDT...
At 545 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers along a line
extending from 8 miles northwest of Mccoll to Florence Darlington
Technical College Main Campus. Movement was east at 40 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...
Florence, Bennettsville, Marion, Dillon, Red Springs, Pembroke,
Maxton, Mccoll, Latta, Rowland, Quinby, Clio, Sellers, Blue Brick,
Zion, Hamer, Mars Bluff, Brownsville, and South Of The Border.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 near mile marker 141.
Interstate 95 in South Carolina between mile markers 156 and 198.
Interstate 95 in North Carolina between mile markers 1 and 6.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3402 7939 3403 7992 3478 7965 3463 7946
3477 7933 3482 7936 3484 7935 3483 7919
3491 7909
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 266DEG 33KT 3477 7962 3423 7980
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TRAPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
605 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0553 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Florence 34.19N 79.72W
03/16/2026 M58 mph Florence SC ASOS
&&
Event Number ILM2600211
ARMSTRONGThe Wilmington radar (KLTX), 90 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:48 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A thunderstorm produced a measured wind gust of 50 knots at Lumberton Airport.
The public reported a measured gust of 52 knots in Fairmont, NC.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, March 2026
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: 1312427, 1312428.