In a warm southwest flow regime ahead of a weak cold front, a very moist air mass combined with moderate instability and improved shear resulted in a couple of organized lines of storms with damaging winds. One moved across the far northeastern Piedmont and northern Coastal Plain, including Warren and Halifax counties, while the other affected Chatham, Moore, and Lee counties.
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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.
In a warm southwest flow regime ahead of a weak cold front, a very moist air mass combined with moderate instability and improved shear resulted in a couple of organized lines of storms with damaging winds. One moved across the far northeastern Piedmont and northern Coastal Plain, including Warren and Halifax counties, while the other affected Chatham, Moore, and Lee counties. There were numerous reports of downed trees and power lines in these areas.
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 27, 1:55 PM EST, 3 hours 29 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 255 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... * No significant changes from the previous forecast. && .KEY MESSAGES... As of 255 PM Wednesday... 1) Convective coverage through this evening should be less than previous days overall, but still expect scattered to numerous showers and storms across the SE Coastal Plain and in the north and west including the Triad and Triangle. A few strong wind gusts are possible across the north. 2) Mainly dry conditions are expected on Friday before rain chances increase again in the south on Saturday, though overall coverage and amounts should be less than in recent days. 3) A drier and cooler period will follow from Sunday into Wednesday with mainly isolated diurnal convection. The one exception is Monday when shower/storm coverage looks greater. && .DISCUSSION... As of 255 PM Wednesday... KEY MESSAGE 1... Convective coverage through this evening should be less than previous days overall, but still expect scattered to numerous showers and storms across the SE Coastal Plain and in the north and west including the Triad and Triangle. A few strong wind gusts are possible across the north. We remain in a moist SW flow regime, on the western periphery of offshore-centered ridging and in the warm sector S of a weak front to our N over the Ohio Valley and Mason Dixon line. Our PW remains well above normal but slightly lower than yesterday, as shortwave troughing dipping into the N Mid Atlantic and Northeast has tamped down the mid level ridging, causing our mid level flow to veer to more westerly. But we're still seeing moderate SBCAPE in the 2000- 3000 J/kg range, with decent heating having started with the lifting of the morning multi-layer stratus, and our deep layer bulk shear is around 30 kts, a bit higher than previous days. Regional radar trends are fitting fairly well with earlier CAM output showing sct- numerous showers and storms over central and NE SC across SE NC, with another band of convection over the NC and SW VA mountains and adjacent foothills. These two areas should culminate in peaks of shower/storms coverage across the N Piedmont/far N Coastal Plain as well as the E Sandhills across the SE Coastal Plain, through the mid evening hours. With the improved bulk shear fostering better cell organization and higher DCAPE than previous days, there's a risk for strong to isolated severe wind gusts across the N Piedmont into the N Coastal Plain. Isolated minor flooding remains possible where cells can train, with the highest chance in the urban Piedmont areas like the Triad area cities and towns which saw 1-3" yesterday. Convective activity should dwindle and exit out of the central and SE Coastal Plain shortly after midnight, with fair to partly cloudy skies late tonight and patchy fog possible in the S and E. As the front to our north settles S into NC Thu with a weakening trend, pops will be largely shifted across our southern half, mainly along and S of Hwy 64, as slightly lower dewpoints settle into our northern areas. Isolated downpours are possible Thu afternoon in the far SE, but the overall threat for heavy rain and any strong storms looks quite low. KEY MESSAGE 2... Mainly dry conditions are expected on Friday before rain chances increase again in the south on Saturday, though overall coverage and amounts should be less than in recent days. The quasi-stationary boundary looks to be well to our south on Friday according to recent deterministic guidance and the vast majority of GFS/ECMWF/CMC ensembles. Thus Friday should be partly to mostly sunny and largely free of precipitation, with fairly good confidence. The next chance for showers and storms comes from late Friday night/early Saturday morning into Saturday afternoon (first in the SW) as the stalled boundary to our south tries to lift back north and a weak wave of low pressure associated with an upper disturbance currently over the TX and OK panhandles rides east along the front. The main chance for convection would be across our southern zones, but given only slightly above normal PW values, overall coverage and rainfall amounts do not appear high. Still, this will depend on exactly how far north the low and boundary are able to get, which is uncertain. Conditions will turn more comfortable on Friday and Saturday as highs reach the upper-70s to lower-80s (near normal) and dew points drop into the 50s. Forecast lows Friday night are in the upper-50s to lower-60s. KEY MESSAGE 3... A drier and cooler period will follow from Sunday into Wednesday with mainly isolated diurnal convection. The one exception is Monday when shower/storm coverage looks greater. Another low pressure system tracking across and offshore New England will drop a backdoor cold front south through central NC on Saturday. This will mostly put an end to our rain chances by Saturday evening, with drier weather from Sunday into the middle of next week under the influence of NW flow aloft as we remain on the backside of longwave troughing over the North Atlantic. Still can't rule out isolated showers or storms each day with disturbances rotating around the trough and marginal daytime instability. The best chance for this looks to be on Monday as a stronger shortwave moves SE through the Northeast US and Mid-Atlantic. Still, ensemble mean rainfall amounts are less than half an inch as PW values are not overly impressive. Temperatures will turn cooler than normal from Sunday through Wednesday with highs in the mid-70s to lower-80s and lows in the 50s. && .AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 145 PM Wednesday... Much of central NC is hovering between sct and bkn MVFR-level clouds, yielding a mix of MVFR and VFR cigs with VFR vsbys. The remaining MVFR cigs are likely to continue lifting slowly, such that by 19z-20z, VFR cigs should be prevalent and dominate through this evening, outside of showers/storms. Our atmosphere is not quite as damp as the last couple of days, which should cut down a bit on shower and sct storm coverage, with a later onset time. But the Triad (INT/GSO) is expected to see sct-numerous showers and storms 19z-00z, and we're already seeing this activity NW of the Triad, expected to drop ESE. Confidence in showers/storms is lower at RDU/RWI/FAY, but these sites should see a period of mainly showers with embedded storms between 22z and 04z. Isolated gusts up to 30-45 mph are possible in and near any storms across northern terminals. Rain chances will quickly dwindle by 05z-06z. Overnight, the arrival of slightly drier air just off the ground and N-to-S passage of a prefrontal boundary shifting surface winds to W and NW will lead to a reduced chance of sub-VFR cigs compared to what we've seen the last couple of mornings. Low level moisture will be highest at FAY overnight, so they will see the highest chance of MVFR cigs, while cigs should hold mostly VFR at INT/GSO/RDU/RWI, albeit with areas of MVFR fog possible 07z-13z. VFR conditions are expected at all sites after 14z Thu, but rain chances will ramp back up at FAY toward the end of the TAF period. Surface winds will remain mainly from the SW through sunset, 10-15 kts with sporadic 15-20 kt gusts this afternoon (outside of storms), then light from the SW and W overnight and from the W and NW starting Thu morning. Looking beyond 18z Thu, the chance for showers and embedded storms will remain high in the S (FAY) through the rest of Thu afternoon to early evening, with lower chances at northern terminals. Otherwise, conditions will be mostly VFR through Fri night as the front settles just to our S. Then, as a disturbance aloft tracks E-to-W over the Carolinas Sat and the front weakens and lifts back N, showers/isold storm chances will return, mainly across the S affecting FAY with lower rain chances in the N. Another cold front will drop south through NC late Sat, and VFR conditions should prevail for Sun/Mon. && .CLIMATE... Record High Minimum Temperatures: May 27: KGSO: 72/1991 KRDU: 72/1991 KFAY: 72/2006 May 28: KGSO: 70/2012 KRDU: 74/1914 && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && DISCUSSION...Hartfield/Danco AVIATION...Hartfield CLIMATE...RAH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 501 AM EDT Wed May 27 2026 NCZ007>011-021>025-280915- Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance- Orange-Durham- 501 AM EDT Wed May 27 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A few storms this afternoon and early evening could produce damaging wind gusts. .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. NCZ026>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-280915- Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Wake-Johnston- Wilson-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Anson-Richmond- Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson- 501 AM EDT Wed May 27 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .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.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
419 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
NCZ007>010-272130-
Vance NC-Person NC-Warren NC-Granville NC-
419 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF
PERSON...VANCE...NORTHWESTERN WARREN AND NORTHERN GRANVILLE COUNTIES
THROUGH 530 PM EDT...
At 416 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms from Yanceyville to near Clarksville, moving east at
30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Henderson, Oxford, Roxboro, Concord, Stovall, Middleburg, Mayo
Reservoir, Steele Creek Marina & Campground, Kerr Lake, and Bethel
Hill.
This includes Interstate 85 between Mile Markers 204 and 224.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
If on or near Kerr Lake, get out of the water and move indoors or
inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles
from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not
be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 3632 7826 3624 7909 3624 7915 3654 7914
3654 7830
TIME...MOT...LOC 2016Z 262DEG 26KT 3652 7909
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
PWBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
546 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
NCZ008>011-026-272230-
Franklin NC-Vance NC-Warren NC-Halifax NC-Granville NC-
546 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT VANCE...WARREN...NORTHERN
GRANVILLE...NORTHWESTERN HALIFAX AND NORTH CENTRAL FRANKLIN COUNTIES
THROUGH 630 PM EDT...
At 546 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Norlina to Oxford.
Movement was east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Roanoke Rapids, Henderson, Oxford, Warrenton, Norlina, Littleton,
Weldon, Middleburg, Macon, and Gillburg.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 95 near Mile Marker 173.
Interstate 85 between Mile Markers 206 and 233.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3651 7790 3650 7782 3648 7776 3649 7773
3648 7765 3645 7763 3643 7759 3620 7821
3636 7874 3655 7826 3654 7790
TIME...MOT...LOC 2146Z 283DEG 30KT 3648 7815 3632 7859
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
LHThe Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 96 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:21 UTC.
11 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Power outages were reported to be caused by fallen trees or limbs damaging equipment.
Numerous trees and power lines were reported down in western and central Halifax county.
Approximately 50-60 trees were downed, along with some power lines. There was also damage to a nearby farm near the 3200 block of North Carolina Highway 58.
A tree was down on a powerline near the Hollister area, resulting in nearly 400 power outages.
There were numerous reports of trees down across the area from Littleton and Halifax into Scotland Neck.
A tree was down blocking the road near the intersection of Siler City Glendon Road and North Carolina Highway 902.
A tree was down on power lines on the 200 block of Everette Dowdy Road.
A tree was down on the 100 block of Jesse Phillips Road blocking both lanes of travel.
A tree was down on Bonlee Carbonton Road and Lucian Hilliard Road.
A tree was down blocking one lane of the 800 block of Putnam Glendon Road.
A couple trees were down in the area around the intersection between Dycus Road and Camelot Lane.
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, May 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: 1336383, 1336384, 1336386, 1336385, 1336387, 1336388, 1336389, 1336390, 1336391, 1336392, 1336393.