Review of Friday's storm reports and preview of our 2009 hurricane season

The Atlantic Basin hurricane season begins tomorrow, June 1st. The updated forecast calls for a near normal season with a 70 percent chance of having nine to 14 named storms, of which four to seven could become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5). They also stated that 'global weather patterns are imposing a greater uncertainty in the 2009 hurricane season outlook than in recent years.'

Here is the link to the forecast report from May 21st:

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090521_atlantichurricane.html

Our Forecast for Monday looks to be a quiet one, as high pressure to our north keeps us under mostly sunny skies. There is a slight chance for an isolated shower or storm thanks to easterly winds bringing a sea breeze inland. Our humidity and storm chances are forecast to increase into Tuesday and throughout the rest of the week.

Last week ended on a stormy note, as showers and storms (some developing to strong to severe limits) brought heavy rains, a good deal of lightning and, in some cases, hail. Here's what was reported to the National Weather Service:
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Storm reports from Friday's (May 29th) afternoon / evening storms:

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
1108 PM EDT FRI MAY 29 2009

..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..

0422 PM HAIL 2 S CLINTON 34.97N 78.33W
05/29/2009 E1.00 INCH SAMPSON NC BROADCAST MEDIA

0425 PM HAIL MOUNT OLIVE 35.20N 78.07W
05/29/2009 E0.75 INCH WAYNE NC TRAINED SPOTTER

0450 PM HAIL 5 NNW CONCORD 36.54N 79.09W
05/29/2009 E1.00 INCH PERSON NC TRAINED SPOTTER

SPOTTER REPORTED QUARTER SIZED HAIL ON CUNNINGHAM ROAD IN
NORTHERN PERSON COUNTY.

0545 PM HAIL ALTAMAHAW 36.18N 79.51W
05/29/2009 E0.75 INCH ALAMANCE NC TRAINED SPOTTER

0555 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 WSW BETHEL HILL 36.49N 78.90W
05/29/2009 PERSON NC TRAINED SPOTTER

SPOTTER REPORTED A COUPLE OF TREES DOWN ON BOWMANTOWN
ROAD. TREES WERE A COUPLE INCHES IN DIAMETER. OTHER SMALL
LIMBS DOWN.

0626 PM HAIL ESE ROSEBORO 34.95N 78.51W
05/29/2009 E0.75 INCH SAMPSON NC FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

ROSEBORO FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED PENNY SIZED HAIL ON
EAST PLEASANT STREET IN ROSEBORO.

0655 PM HAIL 3 SSW WILSON 35.69N 77.95W
05/29/2009 E1.00 INCH WILSON NC EMERGENCY MNGR

WILSON COUNTY 911 REPORTED QUARTER SIZED HAIL AT HWY 301
AND WIGGINS MILL RD.

0656 PM HAIL 2 SSW WILSON 35.70N 77.93W
05/29/2009 E1.00 INCH WILSON NC AMATEUR RADIO

AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR REPORTED NICKEL TO QUARTER SIZE
HAIL AT WILSON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS.

0657 PM HAIL NE KENLY 35.59N 78.12W
05/29/2009 E0.75 INCH JOHNSTON NC FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

KENLY FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED PENNY SIZED HAIL IN KENLY.


0701 PM HAIL 3 SSE WILSON 35.70N 77.90W
05/29/2009 E1.75 INCH WILSON NC NWS EMPLOYEE

AN OFF DUTY NWS EMPLOYEE REPORTED GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL
JUST EAST OF WILSON AS HE WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE AREA.

0705 PM HAIL 5 S WILSON 35.66N 77.93W
05/29/2009 E0.88 INCH WILSON NC PUBLIC

MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TOOK PICTURES OF NICKEL SIZED HAIL
ON YANK ROAD IN WILSON.

0706 PM HAIL WNW PINETOPS 35.79N 77.64W
05/29/2009 E0.88 INCH EDGECOMBE NC PUBLIC

0745 PM HAIL WSW TARBORO 35.91N 77.56W
05/29/2009 E1.50 INCH EDGECOMBE NC PUBLIC

QUARTER TO PING-PONG SIZE HAIL WAS REPORTED IN THE
TARBORO CITY LIMITS.

0832 PM HAIL 5 WSW ROSEBORO 34.92N 78.60W
05/29/2009 E0.88 INCH CUMBERLAND NC FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

NICKEL SIZE HAIL REPORTED AT THE BEAVER DAM FIRE
DEPARTMENT OFF OF NC HWY 210

Friday Morning Update on Tropical Depression #1

Tropical Depression #1 is hanging on early this morning in the Atlantic but has not been able to strengthen into a tropical storm. That is not looking likely at this point as it continue to track east-northeast across cooler ocean waters. It is likely the system will weaken over the next 24 hours, and it will not impact any land areas.

The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins Monday, June 1. Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina Monday for reports from the coast on preparations for this year's hurricane season.

First Tropical Depression of the Season Forms

The area of low pressure that was off the coast of North Carolina become the first tropical depression to form in the Atlantic in 2009. The season officially begins on June 1. The depression is forecast to become a tropical storm before weakening over cooler ocean waters. If the system becomes a storm, it will be called Tropical Storm Ana.

The depression is moving to the northeast today and is not forecast to impact land.

Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina for tropical updates at :21 after the hour.

Update on Low off NC Coast

From the National Hurricane Center...

SPECIAL TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK

NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL

755 AM EDT THU MAY 28 2009

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...

SHOWER ACTIVITY HAS INCREASED THIS MORNING IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE LOCATED ABOUT 225 MILES EAST-NORTHEAST OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA. THE LOW IS CURRENTLY MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT 15 MPH ALONG THE RELATIVELY WARM WATERS OF THE GULF STREAM. THIS SYSTEM STILL HAS SOME POTENTIAL TO BECOME A TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER THE NEXT 12-24 HOURS BUT IS NOT EXPECTED TO THREATEN ANY LAND AREAS. THERE IS A LOW CHANCE... LESS THAN 30 PERCENT... OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A TROPICAL CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. AN ADDITIONAL SPECIAL TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK WILL BE ISSUED AT 2PM THIS AFTERNOON.

$$

FORECASTER FRANKLIN/BEVEN

Low off NC Coast

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring an area of low pressure off the North Carolina coast for a slight possibility for weak tropical development. The probability of tropical development is less than 30%, and even if it does develop into a tropical system, it should mainly just impact the Outer Banks with rain showers.

Here's this morning's outlook from the NHC...

SPECIAL TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
810 AM EDT WED MAY 27 2009

CORRECTED TO ADD PROBABILITY OF TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...

AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE ACCOMPANIED BY A FEW SHOWERS IS LOCATED ABOUT 120 MILES SOUTH OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA. WHILE CONDITIONS ARE NOT FAVORABLE FOR SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT...THE SYSTEM HAS A BRIEF OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A TROPICAL CYCLONE BEFORE REACHING THE COLDER OCEAN TEMPERATURES NORTH OF THE CAROLINAS. AS THE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE MOVES TOWARD THE NORTH AT 10-15 MPH... THE SYSTEM COULD BRING SOME SHOWERS TO COASTAL NORTH CAROLINA LATER TODAY. THERE IS A LOW CHANCE... LESS THAN 30 PERCENT... OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A TROPICAL CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. AN AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT WILL INVESTIGATE THE SYSTEM THIS AFTERNOON... IF NECESSARY... AND AN ADDITIONAL SPECIAL TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK WILL BE ISSUED AT 2 PM EDT. SEE LOCAL WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE PRODUCTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

$$FORECASTER LANDSEA/FRANKLIN

Hurricane Preparedness Week

The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season begins in less than a week. Most forecasts for this year predict a near normal season for the number of named storms. Regardless if its a normal, above normal, or below normal season, it only takes one powerful storm to create havoc. A storm could impact the Carolina coast and inland areas of the Carolinas with damaging winds, flooding rains, and tornadoes.

Are you prepared for the upcoming season? Check out the National Hurricane Center's online preparedness guide at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml

Are you ready to hit the water? This week is 'Safe Boating Week'

Wearing a life jacket is one of the most effective and simple life-saving strategies for safe recreational boating. Boaters are required to have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board for every passenger on their vessel.

Modern life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. They are comfortable, lightweight, and perfect for any boating activity or sport.

No matter what the activity or life jacket style chosen, the most important thing is this: remember to grab a life jacket and "Wear It!" To learn more, visit the National Safe Boating Council online, at www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

For more information and safety tips, check out the link below:

http://safeboating.erh.noaa.gov/

--------------------
A Little Sun, Cooler Monday!

After a wet Sunday that featured locally heavy rain, the clouds will be slow to move out. In fact it may take until midday Monday until the Triangle gets a few peeks of sun.

Decreasing clouds today, breezy and cooler with highs in the low to mid 60s. NE winds of 10-20 with occasional gusts to 25.
Clear to mostly clear and chilly tonight. lows in the low to mid 40s. NE winds 3-8.
Tuesday: Sunny and a bit warmer; highs in the lower 70s.

Outlook for the rest of the week: Your Weather on the Ones forecast center is watching a disturbed area of weather off the southeast coast of Florida. Forecast models have been varying on how this system will move this week. There is one idea of this system moving north and west, which would have onshore winds steering clouds and showers toward southern portions of North Carolina later this week, or another solution taking this system more toward the west into the Gulf of Mexico. We'll keep you updated on any changes this week in your Weather on the Ones 7-day forecast.

Monday Morning Storms

The National Weather Service offices in Raleigh and Wilmington have confirmed Monday morning's storm damage in Scotland and Robeson Counties was not done by a tornado. Here's more from their storm reports...

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
443 PM EDT MON MAY 11 2009.

..MICROBURST (STRAIGHT LINE WIND DAMAGE) CONFIRMED 5 MILES NORTHEAST OF ORRUM NC...
LOCATION(CITY, COUNTY)...5 MILES NORTHEAST ORRUM, ROBESON COUNTY
DATE...MAY 11TH 2009
ESTIMATED TIME...858 TO 900 AM
ESTIMATED MAXIMUM WIND SPEED...125 MPH
MAXIMUM PATH WIDTH...350 YARDS
PATH LENGTH...2.5 MILES
* FATALITIES...0
* INJURIES...1

* NOTE THESE NUMBERS COULD CHANGE AFTER THE ISSUANCE OF THIS PRODUCT.

...SUMMARY...

A SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORM ENTERED WESTERN ROBESON COUNTY NEAR MAXTON AROUND 815 AM MONDAY MORNING. STRONG WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STORM TOPPLED NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER LINES AS IT ACCELERATED TO THE EAST. THE MOST SEVERE DAMAGE OCCURRED SOON AFTER THE STORM MOVED EAST OF HIGHWAY 72 APPROXIMATELY 8-10 MILES SOUTH OF LUMBERTON. AROUND THIS TIME... A WET MICROBURST... OR LOCALIZED DOWNBURST ACCOMPANIED BY VERY HEAVY RAIN...BEGAN TO DESCEND. AS THIS ACCELERATING COLUMN OF AIR REACHED THE GROUND...IT RAPIDLY SPREAD TO THE SOUTHEAST RESULTING IN A SWATH OF STRAIGHT LINE WIND DAMAGE TO NUMEROUS TREES...POWER LINES AND HOMES.

THE MICROBURST DAMAGE BEGAN TO APPEAR IN THE VICINITY OF WILTON DRIVE NEAR GEM ROAD. SEVERAL TREES WERE UPROOTED OR SNAPPED OFF AND MINOR TO MODERATE DAMAGE TO SHINGLES AND SIDING WAS OBSERVED. THE DAMAGE BECAME MORE SIGNIFICANT AS THE STORM CROSSED HIGHWAY 72 AND APPROACHED SADIE DRIVE. NUMEROUS LARGE TREES WERE SNAPPED OFF OR UPROOTED ALONG HIGHWAY 72...AND SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL DAMAGE OCCURRED TO APPROXIMATELY EIGHT HOMES ON SADIE DRIVE. ONE OF THOSE HOMES WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND ONE LOST ITS ROOF. IN ADDITION... SEVERAL SHEDS OR OUT BUILDINGS WERE TOTALLY DEMOLISHED.

DAMAGE OF THIS NATURE IS CONSISTENT WITH STRAIGHT LINE WIND SPEEDS OF UP TO 125 MPH. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT A TORNADO OCCURRED WITH THIS STORM... THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE IT PRODUCED IS COMPARABLE TO A RATING OF EF-2. THIS WOULD ALSO BE COMPARABLE TO WIND SPEEDS EXPERIENCED IN A CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
223 PM EDT MON MAY 11 2009

...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STORM SURVEY FINDS DAMAGE IN SOUTHERN SCOTLAND COUNTY DUE TO STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS...

LOCATION: SCOTCH MEADOWS COUNTRY CLUB AND IMMEDIATE VICINITY
DATE: MONDAY MAY 11, 2009
TIME: 808 AM - 811 AM EDT
STRAIGHT LINE WINDS (MICROBURST)PEAK WIND SPEED: ~90 MPH
DAMAGE LENGTH: ~2 MILES
DAMAGE WIDTH AT ENDPOINT: ~2 MILES
* INJURIES: NONE
* FATALITIES: NONE

A STORM SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FOUND THAT DAMAGE IN SOUTHERN SCOTLAND COUNTY THIS MORNING WAS THE RESULT OF A MICROBURST... WITH PEAK WIND SPEEDS OF AROUND 90 MPH. THE MICROBURST BEGAN JUST WEST OF SCOTCH MEADOWS COUNTRY CLUB NEAR FAIRWAY DRIVE AT 808 AM... AND CONTINUED EAST FOR ALMOST 2 MILES BEFORE DISSIPATING NEAR HASTY ROAD BY 811 AM. BY THE TIME SEVERE WINDS HAD DISSIPATED AT HASTY ROAD... THE WIDTH OF THE MICROBURST HAD GROWN TO NEARLY 2 MILES... STRETCHING FROM THE INTERSECTION OF BARNES BRIDGE ROAD AND HASTY ROAD TO THE INTERSECTION OF CRESTLINE ROAD AND HASTY ROAD.

WHEN THE MICROBURST BEGAN NEAR FAIRWAY DRIVE IT KNOCKED DOWN NUMEROUS TREES...WHICH RESULTED IN MINOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO 3 HOMES JUST WEST OF THE SCOTCH MEADOWS COUNTRY CLUB. AS THE MICROBURST PROGRESSED EAST OF THE COUNTRY CLUB TOWARD HASTY ROAD IT DESTROYED TWO BARNS. MINOR TREE DAMAGE WAS NOTED AS FAR EAST AS HASTY ROAD.

Unsettled Weather Pattern Continues

Showers and thunderstorms are back in the forecast over the next few days in North Carolina. At times, the storms could again be strong to severe. Here are the latest severe weather outlooks from the Storm Prediction Center...

For today and tonight --

for Thursday --

and for Friday --

Here are the latest hazarous weather outlooks from the National Weather Service --

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AS A STALLED FRONT WEAKENS AND DISSIPATES ACROSS THE AREA WITH THE STRONGEST STORMS DEVELOPING MAINLY ALONG AND EAST OF INTERSTATE 95. A STRONG UPPER LEVEL WAVE AND ATTENDANT SURFACE TROUGH WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT . THERE WILL BE A CHANCE OF SEVERE STORMS TO ALL OF CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA LATE THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT. THE MAIN SEVERE WEATHER THREATS WILL BE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS AND LARGE HAIL...WITH AN ISOLATED TORNADO THREAT.

RESIDENTS ACROSS CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA ARE ADVISED TO MAINTAIN AWARENESS OF LOCAL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND POSSIBLE WATCHES AND OR WARNING OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AS STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS IMPACT THE AREA.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

A FEW STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS COULD DEVELOP THURSDAY AFTERNOON AS SURFACE TROUGH MOVES EAST THROUGH THE COASTAL PLAIN. THE GREATEST SEVERE THREAT WILL EXTEND ALONG AND EAST OF INTERSTATE 95. STRAIGHT LINE WINDS AND LARGE HAIL WILL BE THE MAIN THREAT.

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THE MAIN SEVERE THREATS WILL BE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND LARGE HAIL... HOWEVER AN ISOLATED TORNADO CANNOT BE RULED OUT MAINLY IN THE VICINITY OF A SURFACE FRONT THAT WILL BE NEAR THE NORTHWESTERN PORTION OF THE REGION. LOCALIZED FLOODING FROM HEAVY RAIN WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE REGION ON THURSDAY.

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP...MAINLY DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SOME OF THE STORMS COULD BECOME SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS. LARGE HAIL AND ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE

..DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

Severe Weather Reports from Tuesday

Here's a look at reports of severe weather in the News 14 Carolina viewing area Tuesday afternoon --

• 3:28pm - Tornado reported by a fire department are rescue squad near Warsaw in Duplin County.
• 3:34pm - Tornado reported by the public at the Kenansville Airstrip in Duplin County.
• 3:48pm - Funnel cloud reported by a trained spotter east of Goldsboro in Wayne County.
• 3:55pm - Funnel cloud reported by a trained spotter east of Coats Crossroads in Johnston County.
• 4:38pm - Funnel cloud reported by a sheriff deputy over Buckhorn Reservoir in Wilson County.
• 4:52pm - Tornado with damage reported on Rock Ridge School Road in Wilson County.
• 4:55pm - Funnel cloud reported by law enforcement on Country Club Drive and NC 58 near Wilson.
• 5:01pm - Funnel cloud reported by a trained spotter looking north east from I-95 and US 264.
• 5:25pm - Power lines and trees reported down south of Sims in Wilson County.
• 5:25pm - Law enforcement report of a tornado on the ground near Highway 102 in Calico in Craven County.
• 5:38pm - Tornado reported by a trained spotter near Emit in Johnston County.
• 6:04pm - Penny size hail reported at the Morrisville Town Hall and Fire Department.
• 6:35pm - Tornado reported by the Cary Fire Department near Highway 1 and Cary Parkway.
• 6:59pm - Nickel size hail reported near Spring Forest Road and Falls of the Neuse Road.
• 7:01pm - Funnel cloud reported by Capitol Police near the State Capitol building in downtown Raleigh
• 7:10pm - Funnel cloud reported near Knightdale.
• 7:15pm - Report of a motorist stranded in 2-3 feet of water at Atlantic Ave. and Highwoods Blvd. in Raleigh
• 7:15pm - 1.4" of rain reported in 25 minutes at Highwoods Blvd. and Capitol Blvd. in Raleigh.
• 7:18pm - Report of a foot of water flowing across Capitol Blvd. and Old Buffaloe Rd.
• 7:23pm - Quarter size hail reported near Knightdale Blvd. and Village Squire Court near Knightdale
• 7:25pm - Amateur radio report of a funnel cloud near Highway 64 and Auburn-Knightdale Road.
• 7:35pm - 1 to 1.5 feet of standing water reported by a trained spotter in the Medfield subdivision in Cary

Wilson County Tornado Pics

The above pictures were taken by News 14 Carolina viewer Mark Wilson along Highway 264 at the Sims exit in Wilson County Tuesday afternoon. Mark reports extensive damage in the area.

E-mail your reports and pictures to weather@news14.com

Isolated storms possible Friday afternoon

Friday afternoon update: The Storm Prediction Center has placed portions of Central NC in a slight risk category for strong to severe storms. Your Weather on the Ones forecast center is monitoring for any developing storms that have the potential to produce damaging winds, large hail and / or frequent lightning. Check with us throughout the afternoon for updates.

Our current weather setup includes a good deal of moisture in the air and some sunshine, which is creating instability this afternoon. Pair that up with a passing upper-level disturbance and that will take this air and lift it vigorously, giving us that possibility for storms to develop. The threat diminishes after sunset tonight, so you'll still be able to partake of your outdoor plans as you kick off your weekend.

Saturday and Sunday we will have a better chance of seeing some scattered showers and storms as a cold front to our north settles over the northern portion of our state. Temperatures will remain warm, highs in the low to mid 80s, lows in the low to mid 60s.

As far as next week, we're still looking at an unsettled weather pattern with a possibility of showers or storms each day and highs in the low to mid 80s.

Stay connected online with the Weather on the Ones Team:
Check out our pages on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/weather-on-the-ones
Weather on the Ones Team http://www.facebook.com/pages/meteorologist-joshua-mckinney Meteorologist Joshua McKinney
http://www.facebook.com/pages/lee-ringer/ Meteorologist Lee Ringer http://www.facebook.com/pages/pati-darak/54218998116 Meteorologist Pati Darak.
Follow our weather team's weather updates on Twitter: http://twitter.com/leeringernews14' Meteorologist Lee Ringer http://twitter.com/mckinney_n14 Meteorologist Joshua McKinney https://twitter.com/patiwx' Meteorologist Pati Darak

Dry and warm weather continues into the weekend, not much help for SC wildfire

As of 11am Thursday, The Governor of South Carolina issued a state of emergency with regard to the wildfire which has rapidly grown since its origin yesterday afternoon.
In a statement from South Carolina Gov. Sanford's office:
'....DOZENS OF HOMES ALREADY DESTROYED AS FIRE NOW COVERS MORE THAN 15,000 ACRES
Columbia, S.C. - April 23, 2009 - Governor Sanford today issued a State of Emergency for Horry County as a wildfire that has already consumed 15,000 acres and destroyed an estimated 70 homes continued.
The state Forestry Commission is the primary agency in charge of fighting the fire, and the state Emergency Management Division has also deployed support assets to the scene in consultation with the Governor’s Office. The state Emergency Operations Center has been activated, with assets dispatched to fight the fire including a National Guard helicopter and other personnel.
State and local officials have already evacuated 2,500 people from their homes, and may evacuate more as the fire continues to spread. Three shelters to accommodate those leaving their homes have been opened, and those shelters are currently housing approximately 250 people. ..'
Areas of southeast North Carolina , especially Brunswick county, will see areas of smoke today as the sea breeze sets up into the afternoon. The National Weather Service has a portion of their site devoted to fire weather forecasting. I'll include it here for your information ( http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ilm/fire/ ) , however, we will also have updates available on News 14 Carolina and on our website www.news14.com .

Dry conditions will persist through the rest of the work week and into the weekend as we see a more summertime weather pattern set up off of our coast. High pressure overhead will drift eastward over Bermuda , increasing our temperatures and our humidity this weekend. Combine that with upper-level ridging and we have a dry, warm pattern into next week!

This week's drought monitor map keeps central NC out of any drought and has continued to keep SW North Carolina out of the 'severe drought' category. Moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions exist in western NC, and abnormally dry conditions persist in SE North Carolina, which is not helpful with the wildfire just to the south. Drought Monitor: http://drought.unl.edu/DM/DM_state.htm?NC,SE

Monday Storm Reports

Scattered strong storms over eastern North Carolina produced hail and spotty wind damage on Monday. Here's a look at reports of severe weather in the News 14 Carolina viewing area passed along by the National Weather Service.

• 3:45pm - Nickel size hail reported west-northwest of Hillsborough in Orange County.
• 4:30pm - Penny size hail reported near Berea in Granville County.
• 4:30pm - Marble to dime size hail covering the ground in town of Clarkton in Bladen County.
• 4:31pm - Penny size hail reported near Whiteville in Columbus County
• 4:33pm - Dime to nickel size hail reported just east of Clarkton in Bladen County.
• 4:35pm - Nickel size hail reported in Bladen County.
• 4:42pm - Penny size hail reported near Webb High School near Oxford in Granville County.
• 4:48pm - Penny size hail reported at the Oxford-Henderson Airport.
• 4:52pm - One inch size hail reported along US 258 in Farmville in Pitt County.
• 4:55pm - Nickel size hail reported in Bladen County.
• 5:00pm - Quarter size hail reported at the Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant in Vance County.
• 5:10pm - Golf ball to possibly baseball sized hail reported near Oak Hill in Granville County.
• 5:10pm - Golf ball size hail near Drewery in Vance County. Hail reportedly damaged a propane tank and caused a leak.
• 5:20pm - Trees down near Exit 220 on I-85 in Vance County. Report of a tree on a car. Penny size hail also reported at the time.
• 5:23pm - Golfball size hail near Norlina on I-85 in Warren County. Report of windshield damagine to cars on I-85 at the time. Trees also reported down from wind in the same area.
• 5:32pm - Nickel size hail reported in Pender County.
• 5:44pm - Penny size hail reported near Four Oaks in Johnston County.

Slight Risk for Severe Storms Monday

The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of central and eastern North Carolina under the slight risk for severe weather on Monday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible Sunday night, but the chance for stronger storms appears a little greater for Monday.

We expect the clouds to break some during the day Monday allowing sunshine to warm temperatures into the mid 70s adding instability to the atmosphere. That instability acts as fuel for thunderstorms. While scattered showers and storms are possible during the day, the chance appears higher for stronger storms in the afternoon. The threat from these strong to severe storms will include large hail, damaging winds, and frequent lightning.

Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina and news14.com for the latest updates...

Storm Reports from Tuesday

Showers and thunderstorms rumbled across North Carolina on Tuesday. Here's a look at severe weather reports from the National Weather Service --

• 2:15pm - 0.5" size hail near Spivey's Corner in Sampson County
• 3:00pm - 0.75" or penny size hail near Biscoe in Moore County
• 3:35pm - 0.75" or penny size hail near El Dorado in Montgomery County
• 3:35pm - 1.75" or golf ball size hail near Cherry Grove in Columbus County
• 5:05pm - 0.75" or penny size hail covered the ground near Kelly in Bladen County
• 7:00pm - 1.75" or golf ball size hail covered the ground near Whiteville in Columbus County

Slight Risk for Strong to Severe Storms Tuesday

The Storm Prediction Center has placed the eastern Carolinas under a slight risk for severe weather today. As thunderstorms develop this morning, some could become strong. In the strongest storms, hail up to the size of nickels, damaging winds, and frequent lightning will be possible. There also is a small risk for an isolated tornado to develop.

Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina and Weather on the Ones for the latest updates through the day.

Storms Possible Late Friday Afternoon and Evening

Severe storms are expected over portions of the southeast this Good Friday. The greatest threat for storms will come this afternoon over northern Georgia and western South Carolina. However, those storms will move into North Carolina this afternoon bringing our area a "slight risk" for severe weather particular during the late afternoon and evening hours.

Here's the hazardous weather outlook from the Raleigh National Weather Service this morning -

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE STORMS ACROSS CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA LATE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH TONIGHT.

A VIGOROUS STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE FROM KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE EASTWARD THROUGH VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA TODAY AND TONIGHT. AS THIS SYSTEM APPROACHES... WINDS WILL INCREASE FROM THE SOUTHWEST... AND GUSTS OF 30 TO 35 MPH ARE POSSIBLE. SUCH GUSTS COULD TOSS AROUND UNSECURED OBJECTS SUCH AS TRASH CANS.

A LINE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE WESTERN PIEDMONT LATE THIS AFTERNOON... THEN TRACK EAST THROUGH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA DURING THE EVENING AND EARLY OVERNIGHT HOURS. SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BECOME SEVERE... ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 64. THE GREATEST RISK WILL BE OVER THE SOUTHWEST COUNTIES NEAR WADESBORO... ALBEMARLE... TROY... ROCKINGHAM... AND LAURINBURG. THE PRIMARY THREATS WITH ANY STORMS WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS OVER 60 MPH AND ISOLATED TORNADOES. THE MOST LIKELY TIME FOR SEVERE STORMS WILL BE BETWEEN 6 PM AND 3 AM TONIGHT.

EVERYONE IN THE AREA SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE LATEST CONDITIONS AND FORECASTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND NIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE AREA SATURDAY AFTERNOON... BUT THESE ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BECOME STRONG. HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED BETWEEN 6 PM AND 3 AM THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT. SPOTTERS SHOULD STAY TUNED AND REPORT ANY SEVERE WEATHER IMMEDIATELY TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH.

Storm Chance Late Friday Night?

We'll enjoy pleasant and mild weather Thursday afternoon into the day Friday, but storms may be brewing for Friday night. A front moving toward North Carolina may help to produce severe storms across the southeast Friday afternoon that will move east into the Carolinas Friday evening and Friday night. Those storms may not arrive in our area until the overnight hours into early Saturday morning. Right now we just expect a "slight risk" of severe weather.

Here is this morning's hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service in Raleigh:

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

A STORM SYSTEM MOVING INTO THE AREA FROM THE WEST LATE FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT WILL BRING A RISK OF STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE STORMS. AT THIS TIME... IT APPEARS THAT THE GREATESTTHREAT WITH ANY STORMS WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS... AND WOULD OCCUR PRIMARILY BETWEEN 8 PM FRIDAY EVENING AND 5 AM SATURDAY MORNING.

PEOPLE IN THE AREA SHOULD MONITOR THE LATEST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY NIGHT.

Monday's Storm Damage

Above photos from the National Weather Service Office in Wilmington.

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has confirmed an EF-2 tornado touched down near Clarkton in Bladen County on Monday.

Here's the official storm report --

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
536 PM EDT MON APR 6 2009

...TORNADO CONFIRMED SOUTHEAST OF CLARKTON NC ON APRIL 6...

LOCATION...5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CLARKTON NC
ESTIMATED TIME...1040 TO 1042 AM EDT
BEGINNING LAT/LON...34.4393/-78.5929
ENDING LAT/LON...34.4490/-78.5719
EF-SCALE RATING...EF2
ESTIMATED WIND SPEED...115 MPH
PATH WIDTH...100 YARDS
PATH LENGTH...1.5 MILES
INJURIES...NONE
FATALITIES...NONE

...SUMMARY...

A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STORM SURVEY CONFIRMED AN EF2 TORNADO WITH WINDS UP TO 115 MPH ABOUT 5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CLARKTON NC. THE TORNADO INITIALLY TOUCHED DOWN ON FARMERS UNION ROAD ABOUT 0.3 MILE SOUTH OF PORTERVILLE SCHOOL ROAD. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OCCURRED TO FOUR HOMES IN THIS AREA... INCLUDING ONE WHICH WAS PUSHED APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET OFF ITS FOUNDATION. A STORAGE TRAILER WEIGHING MORE THAN 8500 LBS WAS BLOWN APPROXIMATELY 40 FT...FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN AND ROTATED 180 DEGREES. A FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK WAS BLOWN 15 FT ACROSS A YARD... AND A 12 X 12 FT STRUCTURE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. DAMAGE IN THIS AREA WAS RATED AS EF2 AS A RESULT OF WINDSPEEDS REACHING 115 MPH. THE WIDTH OF THE DAMAGE PATH IN THIS AREA WAS APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS.

THE TORNADO BRIEFLY WEAKENED AS IT TRACKED TO THE NORTHEAST. NUMEROUS 12-18 INCH DIAMETER TREETOPS WERE SNAPPED... AND A FEW TREES UP TO 18 INCHES IN DIAMETER WERE UPROOTED AS THE TORNADO APPROACHED CHANCEY RD. TWO HOMES ON CHANCEY ROAD SUFFERED EF0 DAMAGE PRIMARILY TO ROOFS AND WINDOWS. THE TORNADO CONTINUED TO THE NORTHEAST ACROSS MAINLY WOODS AND FARMLAND WHERE SPOTTY EF0 DAMAGE WAS CONFINED TO TREES.

IT STRENGTHENED ONCE AGAIN AS IT CROSSED BAER MILL DRIVE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO TWO HOMES. THE FRONT PORCH OF ONE HOME WAS DESTROYED AND ALL THE ROOF COVERING MATERIAL ON THE WINDWARD SIDE OF THE STRUCTURE WAS STRIPPED. THE WIND PENETRATED THE SECOND STORY OF THE HOME AND BLEW OUT TWO UPSTAIRS WINDOWS. NUMEROUS LARGE TREES UP TO 2 FT IN DIAMETER WERE SNAPPED OFF OR UPROOTED. ONE WOODEN STORAGE SHED WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. DAMAGE IN THIS AREA WAS RATED AS EF2 WITH WIND SPEED ESTIMATED TO BE 115 MPH. THE WIDTH OF THE DAMAGE PATH WAS APPROXIMATELY 60 YARDS AT THIS LOCATION.

THE TORNADO WEAKENED AS IT MOVED NORTHEAST FROM BAER MILL DRIVE. SPOTTY MINOR TREE DAMAGE WAS OBSERVED BETWEEN BAER MILL DRIVE AND SUSIE BALDWIN ROAD.

Here's a look at other storm damage reports in the News 14 Carolina viewing area from National Weather Service Offices around the state --

• 9:42am -- Lightning damage reported 5 miles west-northwest of Fayetteville. Emergency management report lightning split a tree and the tree struck a home and camper.
• 10:15am-- Law enforcement reported penny size hail near Princeton in Johnston County.
• 10:31am -- A trained weather spotter reported pea size hail near Pikeville in Wayne County.
• 10:37am -- Penny size hail was reported near Fremont in Wayne County.
• 10:54am -- Half inch size hail was reported near Farmville in Pitt County.