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Southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina have experienced a wide variety of weather phenomena. Major hurricanes, memorable snowstorms, extreme heat, bitter cold, severe storms and tornadoes, even flooding – we really have seen it all! We created this calendar to document these memorable events in our forecast area and educate people about the extreme weather that has occurred here over the past 100+ years. Wilmington, NC and Florence, SC have extensive climate records dating back to 1874 and 1948, respectively. We used data from many other sources as well including national storm databases, cooperative weather observers, CoCoRaHS rainfall totals, and local storm reports.
Click here to view daily temperature and precipitation records for our 4 official climate sites.
We hope you enjoy learning about our local weather history!
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Local Weather History Calendar
Click on a date to get started!
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- Wilmington, NC daily precipitation records began at the corner of Market and Water St. (same building as the present day Riverboat Landing restaurant).
- Wilmington, NC recorded a high temperature of 81°F, which is 25 degrees above normal for the beginning of January and a record for January 1st.
- This was the second day in a row that Wilmington, NC reached 80°F, more than 20 degrees above normal for early January.
- 2.57’’ of rainfall occurred in Wilmington, NC.
- A winter storm over the Carolinas produced 4.0’’ of snow in Florence, SC and near Red Springs, NC, as well as 2.2’’ of snow near Cades, SC. Wilmington, NC received 1.5’’ of snow. Click here to learn more!
- An ice and snow storm moved across most of the eastern Carolinas. Storm total snowfall of 8 inches was measured in Andrews, SC, while 4-6 inches was measured across Pender County, NC and most of northeast South Carolina. This storm came during a cold snap for the region, with average temperatures between 22 and 26 degrees for the week of January 1st to January 7th led to coldest start to the year on record for all four of our climate sites! Click here to learn more!
- A cold front raced across the eastern portions of the Carolinas early in the morning bringing a line of severe thunderstorms with wind gusts measured up to 60 mph. Reports of thunderstorm wind damage were received from multiple locations from the Pee Dee region to the coast. Click here to learn more!
- It was a very cold day as highs barely eclipsed freezing and lows dropped into the teens across our forecast area. Officially, Wilmington, NC dropped to a low of 11°F. Our records indicate temperatures may have dropped into the single digits over our inland areas. An observer in Darlington, SC reported a low of 9°F, while another observer in Lumberton, NC recorded a low of 5°F.
- 3.53’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC.
- 4.4" of snow fell in Wilmington, NC. 3.5" was observed in Lumberton and Whiteville, NC.
- A low temperature of 17°F in Florence, SC marked the third consecutive day that the temperature fell below 20°F, tied for the second longest streak on record.
- The high temperature in Wilmington, NC only reached 24°F, which is the lowest daily maximum temperature on record here in January.
- An F0 tornado touched down in Bladen County northeast of Elizabethtown, NC, resulting in 1 fatality and 3 injuries.
- North Myrtle Beach, SC recorded a high temperature of 89°F, which is over 30 degrees above normal for early January.
- 9.9" of snow fell in Florence, SC from a powerful winter storm that impacted western and central Carolinas before moving up to the northeast. This is the 3rd greatest snowfall on record for Florence.
- 2.55’’ of rainfall occurred in Wilmington, NC. An observer in Lake City, SC reported 2.94’’ of rain.
- Average temperatures between 22 and 26 degrees for the week of January 1st to January 7th 2018 led to coldest start to the year on record for all four of our climate sites! Click here to learn more!
- Two people were injured when an F2 tornado touched down in Florence County near Effingham, SC.
- 1.5’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC, and the high temperature only reached 33°F.
- An F1 tornado touched down in Wilmington, NC, injuring 3 people and causing $180,000 worth of damage. Damage done to a convenience store and manufacturing plant, as well as a station wagon tossed 100 feet into the air.
- Florence, SC had a minimum temperature of 17°F. This marked the 7th day in a row Florence record a low below 20°F, the longest streak on record. Lumberton, NC measured a low of 15°F, the 8th day in a row with lows below 20°F and tied 2nd longest streak on record. Click here to learn more!
- It was a cold day across the eastern Carolinas as the high temperature only reached 27°F in Florence, SC and 29°F in Wilmington, NC.
- A QLCS, scattered severe storms ahead of the line, as well as strong gradient winds earlier in the day led to widespread wind damage across southeast NC and northeast SC with wind gusts up to 60-75 mph measured along the coast. Multiple trees and power lines down across the area. Significant roof damage occurred to a mobile home in Georgetown. Quarter sized hail was reported in Carolina Beach. Click here to learn more about the event!
- This day marked the end of the biggest ice storm on record for Wilmington, NC. Between Jan 7 and Jan 10, ice accumulation total was estimated at 0.75", with 1.9" of snow and sleet mixed in over the four days. The ice storm had major impacts on travel and power lines, and one person was killed when a building collapsed due to weight of ice and snow. Click here to learn more.
- 3.8’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC, and the high temperature only reached 32°F. 3.0" fell in Florence, SC. Click here to view map of NC snow accumulations!
- 3.16’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC.
- The high temperature in Wilmington, NC only reached 25°F, which is the second lowest daily maximum temperature on record here in January.
- 2.67" of rain fell fell in the Myrtle Beach area, its highest single day rainfall on record for January.
- A low temperature of 14°F in Wilmington, NC marked the third consecutive day that the low temperature fell below 15°F.
- 8.4’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC, which is the highest daily snowfall on record here during the month of January, and 5th highest single day snow total. This was the first of two major snowstorms that contributed to the snowiest winter on record at both Wilmington and Lumberton, NC. Click here to learn more!
- Wilmington, NC dropped to a low of 7°F, which is the third coldest temperature on record here.
- An EF1 tornado developed near Loris High School in SC, where it did damage to cars in the parking lot as well as nearby barn and trailer. Tornado was captured on video by the school's security system. Click here to read the storm survey statement.
- The high in Lumberton, NC only reached 16°F, which is the lowest ALL-TIME daily maximum temperature on record here. Low temps in Lumberton reached 10°F. In addition, 10" of snow fell in Lumberton, NC, bringing its two day snowfall total to 13".
- Lumberton, NC recorded a low of 8°F. This was the 10th day in a row low temperatures dropped below 20°F, the longest streak on record for the site.
- The Little Pee Dee River near Galivants Ferry, SC crested at 12.47 ft., which exceeded major flood stage of 12 ft.
- A winter storm dropped 5’’ of snow in Wilmington, NC. Myrtle Beach, SC received an estimated 5" of snow, and an observer in Georgetown, SC measured 4’’ of snow.
- 2.06’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC. An observer in Conway, SC measured 3.45’’ of rainfall.
- It was a very warm day across the area, with high temperatures over 20 degrees above normal! Florence SC, Myrtle Beach SC, and Wilmington NC all reached a high of 81°F. This is tied for warmest January temperature on record for the Myrtle Beach area.
- Lumberton, NC, Florence, SC, and Wilmington, NC all dropped below freezing for the 15th consecutive day.
- Wilmington, NC experienced a high of 26°F and a low of 11°F, resulting in the second lowest daily average temperature (18.5°F) on record in January.
- A low temperature of 30°F in Lumberton, NC marked the 15th consecutive day that the temperature fell below freezing.
- A microburst near Chadbourn, NC produced damaging winds of 70-75 mph. Around 10 homes were damaged, trees were snapped, and large limbs were downed in the area. Click here to read the WECT article for the event.
- 3.84’’ of rainfall was reported in Wilmington, NC, a record amount for the month of January.
- The Waccamaw River near Conway, SC reached its low water record of 3.71 ft (tied with 1/21/1928 and 1/29/1934).
- 2.85’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC.
- North Myrtle Beach, SC dropped to a low temperature of 14°F.
- A significant snowfall occurred in our forecast area with up to 4’’ of snow in Tar Heel, NC, White Lake, NC, and Maxton, NC. 3’’ of snow fell in Tabor City, NC, Whiteville, NC, and Dillon, SC. Elsewhere, 1-2’’ of snow was reported across much of the area, with 1’’ or less along the coast. Click here to learn more!
- Florence, SC recorded its all-time coldest temperature of 0°F. The low temperature in Wilmington, NC dropped to 5°F, which is the second coldest temperature on record here. The low temperature at Lumberton, NC dropped to -1°F, tied for second coldest temperature on record and its coldest January temperature. Click here to learn more!
- Low pressure off the coast led to wintry precipitation across the area, beginning January 21 and ending January 22. Began as freezing rain before switching to snow inland where several inches of snow fell. Freezing rain lingered near the coast leading to accumulating ice around 0.25" before changing to sleet overnight and ending as brief snow by early morning. Multiple bridges and roads closed due to icy conditions. Click here to view accumulation maps...
- A low temperature of 25°F in Wilmington, NC marked the 19th consecutive day that the temperature fell below freezing. This is tied for the longest streak of below freezing days in Wilmington’s history.
- Low pressure off the coast led to wintry precipitation across the area, beginning January 21 and ending January 22. Began as freezing rain before switching to snow inland where several inches of snow fell. Freezing rain lingered near the coast leading to accumulating ice around 0.25" before changing to sleet overnight and ending as brief snow by early morning. Multiple bridges and roads closed due to icy conditions. Florence, SC saw its most snowfall (3.5") since 2002. Click here to view accumulation maps...
- 3.03’’ of rainfall occurred in Wilmington, NC.
- 2.10’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC, a record amount for the month of January.
- A winter storm dropped temperatures into the low 20s and produced 3’’ of snow in Wrightsville Beach, NC. Click here to learn more!
- Lumberton, NC dropped to a low temperature of 12°F.
- A coastal storm produced gusts as high as 49 mph at Wrightsville Beach, Southport, and Johnnie Mercer Pier. Rainfall totals over 3 inches were reported along the coast, with 3.40" in Winnabow, NC the highest. Click here for more storm totals!
- A powerful winter storm dropped 4-7’’ of snow across southeast North Carolina and 1-2 feet of snow across central North Carolina. Florence, SC received an estimated 7" of snow and an observer measured 6.0" in Conway, SC. Wilmington, NC received 5’’ of snow from this storm. Click here to learn more!
- An ice storm resulted in ice accumulations exceeding 1 inch in parts of Columbus County, NC. Thousands of people lost power, trees were knocked down, and bridges iced over across coastal NC and SC. Click here to learn more!
- Well above normal temperatures were reported across the eastern Carolinas with records set. Florence, SC climbed to 81°F, North Myrtle Beach, SC reached 75°F and Wilmington, NC reached 83°F. Wilmington broke the all time record high for the month of January which was 82°F set back on January 31, 1975
- Florence, SC experienced a high of 81°F and a low of 66°F, resulting in the warmest daily average temperature on record (73.5°F) for January which was tied on January 26th, 2024 when the high was 81°F and the low was 66°F.
- Temperature at Lumberton, NC dropped to 25°F. This was the 27th day in a row with below freezing temperatures, and the longest streak on record at the station.
- 1.9’’ of snow fell in Florence, SC, giving them a 2-day snowfall of 3.9’’.
- It was a very cold day across the area. Myrtle Beach, SC reached a low of 10°, the area's coldest January temperature on record and tied for second lowest all-time temperature. A cold 6°F low was observed south of Society Hill, SC, and 8°F low was recorded in Darlington, SC.
- Florence, SC experienced a high of 82°F and a low of 63°F, resulting in the second warmest daily average temperature on record (72.5°F) for January.
- Significant winter storm impacted southeast NC and northeast SC January 28-29. Snow and sleet accumulations of 2 to 4 inches were reported inland, while less than 2 inches fell closer to the coast. Cold and cloudy conditions the following days made icy roads the biggest impact from the event. Click here to read more!
- Well above normal temperatures were reported across the eastern Carolinas. Florence, SC climbed to 80°F, Wilmington, NC reached 78°F, and Lumberton, NC reached 77°F.
- 6.5’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC. 8.5" of snow was measured by COOP observer in Lumberton, NC and 8.0" in Willard, NC and Society Hill, SC.
- The high temperature in Florence, SC only reached 22°F, which is the lowest daily maximum temperature on record here in January.
- Gradient winds associated with a frontal passage downed trees and power lines in several of our inland counties, including but not limited to Robeson, Bladen, and Darlington County. These winds were not associated with any thunderstorm activity. Click here to read more!
- 2.5’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC, and the high temperature only reached 32°F.
- Florence, SC recorded its warmest January temperature on record with a high of 85°F.
- Gusty winds of 40-50 mph continued across our area in the early morning hours as a cold front swept through the Carolinas. The highest wind gust (59 mph) was reported from the Cape Fear Pilots Station in Southport, NC. Click here to view the LSR.
- A cold air mass was in place across the region, and high temperatures only reached the mid 30s. Portions of the forecast area received light snow – 2.0’’ in Hartsville, SC, 1.5’’ in Elizabethtown, NC, and 1.0’’ in Dillon, SC. Wilmington, NC and Florence, SC both reported traces of snowfall.
- The barometric pressure in Wilmington, NC dropped to 983.4 millibars as low pressure systems combined and deepened along the Mid-Atlantic coast. The winds in Wilmington gusted to 48 mph as the storm system strengthened. A 38 ft. boat was blown ashore at Wrightsville Beach, and one person drowned in Lake Waccamaw. Click here to learn more!
- Florence, SC received its second highest daily rainfall total (2.78’’) on record during the month of February.
- An F1 tornado touched down in Dillon County near the Fork community. Several barns and two mobile homes were destroyed. No injuries or fatalities.
- 3.37’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC, its highest daily precipitation total on record for the month of February.
- This was the second day of a heavy rain event that resulted in 2-4 inches of precipitation across much of the forecast area. An observer in Willard, NC reported 4.00’’ of rainfall. Wilmington, NC received 3.76’’ of rain along with wind gusts up to 38 mph. The barometric pressure in Wilmington fell to 983.4 millibars. Another observer in Myrtle Beach, SC measured 3.50’’ of rain. In the coming days, several local rivers exceeded major flood stage in response to the heavy rain. Click here to learn more!
- A stalled frontal boundary over the southeast U.S. resulted in widespread, cold rain across the eastern Carolinas. A CoCoRaHS observer near Myrtle Beach, SC measured 3.03’’ of rainfall. Other rainfall totals include: 2.12’’ in Wilmington, NC, 2.04’’ in North Myrtle Beach, SC, and 1.57’’ in Lumberton, NC.
- *TODAY IS NATIONAL WEATHERPERSON’S DAY*
- The low temperature in Florence, SC dropped to 11°F, its lowest temperature on record during the month of February.
- The Lumber River at Lumberton, NC crested at 19.47 ft., which exceeded major flood stage of 19 ft. This is the 5th highest river crest level on record for this point.
- In addition, 4.50" fell in North Myrtle Beach. SC, the highest one-day rainfall in the month of February for the area.
- A Nor’Easter moved up the Atlantic coast, producing 1.42’’ of rain in Wilmington, NC. The barometric pressure in Wilmington dropped to 984.4 millibars, which is one of the twenty lowest pressure readings on record at this site. Click here to learn more!
- Florence, SC received its fifth highest daily snowfall on record with 4.8’’ of snow.
- Heavy rainfall occurred along the northeast coast of South Carolina. Brookgreen Gardens (near Murrells Inlet, SC) reported the highest rainfall total of 3.74’’. Andrews, SC received 2.22’’ of rain, and Georgetown, SC reported 1.74’’ of rain. The Myrtle Beach AFB measured 1.73’’ of rainfall.
- The Little Pee Dee River near Galivants Ferry, SC crested at 12.33 ft., which exceeded major flood stage of 12 ft.
- The beginning of the National Weather Service we know today occurred on this date when President Ulysses S. Grant signed a joint resolution of Congress authorizing the Secretary of War to establish a national weather service. Click for more Details.
- This was the beginning of a record two day snowstorm over the eastern Carolinas. 6.8’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC, and 4.0’’ of snow was reported in Florence, SC. Click here to learn more!
- A powerful winter storm continued across the eastern Carolinas. 13.0’’ of snow fell in Florence, SC, which is an all-time daily snowfall record for this site. Two-day snowfall in Florence, SC totaled 17.0’’, also an all-time record. A weather observer in Darlington, SC reported 18.0’’ of snow. Wilmington, NC received an additional 5.7’’ of snow to bring the two-day total to 12.5’’, which is the second largest snowstorm on record here. Click here to learn more!
- Wilmington, NC received its third highest daily snowfall on record with 9.4’’ of snow. Combined with January 13th snowstorm, this brought the 1911-1912 winter season snow total up to 18.4" at Wilmington, the snowiest winter on record. Lumberton, NC received 12.0" of snow, it's highest single day snowfall on record. This brought Lumberton's season total up to 25.3", making it the snowiest winter on record. Click here to learn more!
- Lumberton, NC reached a cold 3°F low temperature, its coldest February temperature on record. An observer in Kingstree, SC recorded a low 0°F, and 2°F was observed in Loris, SC.
- Florence, SC dropped below freezing for the 18th consecutive day, matching the most consecutive days of below freezing temperatures on record at this site.
- The eastern Carolinas received several inches of snow from a winter storm that began today and continued into the early morning hours of Feb. 13. Outland, SC received 7.0’’ of snow, Hemingway, SC reported 6.8’’ of snow, and Burgaw, NC received 6.0’’ of snow. Even coastal towns like Southport, NC and Surf City, NC measured 5.0’’ of snow. Elsewhere, snowfall totals were generally in the 2-5’’ range. Click here to view snow totals from this event!
- A very damaging ice storm affected eastern North and South Carolina, producing devastating freezing rain along and east of I-95 all the way down to the coast. Ice accumulations measured as high as 1.5 inches in Kingstree, SC. In Wilmington, this was the second largest ice storm on record since 1947 with over half an inch of ice measured at the Wilmington International Airport. Click here to learn more!
- The high in Wilmington only reached 16°F, which is tied for the lowest ALL-TIME daily maximum temperature on record here. Low temps in Wilmington reached 10°F. 4" of snow fell in Wilmington, NC, bringing its three day snowfall total to 5". Other three day snowfall totals across the area: 10" in Society Hill and Effingham, SC; 8" in Darlington, Florence, and Conway, SC.
- Wilmington, NC dropped below freezing for the 19th consecutive day, the longest streak of below freezing days on record at this site.
- The low temperature in Wilmington, NC dropped to 5°F, its lowest temperature on record during the month of February, and tied for 2nd lowest all-time temperature recorded at the station.
- A line of strong storms moved across the forecast area in the early morning hours, producing severe wind gusts along the coast. A Skywarn observer in Pender County, NC measured a 68 mph wind gust. In Wilmington, NC, the winds gusted to 62 mph at the airport. Click here to learn more!
- Wilmington, NC fell below freezing for the 17th consecutive day, the second longest streak of below freezing days on record at this site.
- A powerful F3 tornado touched down in southwestern Brunswick County, NC late in the evening. The tornado caused severe damage to homes in the Ocean Ridge Plantation neighborhood, leading to three fatalities and multiple injuries. Click here to learn more...
- An F1 tornado touched down in Robeson County near Parkton, NC, injuring 1 person.
- Unusually cold temperatures were documented across the forecast area as the highs only reached 28°F in Florence, SC and 25°F in Wilmington, NC. Low temperatures across the region dropped into the low to mid teens.
- Ice storm developed in northern and western parts of the area. Most substantial accretion of freezing rain occurred from Darlington and Hartsville through Bennettsville, Lumberton, eastward into northern Pender County north of Burgaw. Two locations in Robeson County reported four-tenths of an inch or greater ice accretion. Click here to learn more!
- Wilmington, NC received its highest all-time daily snowfall with 11.1’’ of snow. February 17-18 two day snowfall total of 12.1" ranks as 3rd largest snowstorm in Wilmington's history. Click here to learn more!
- Myrtle Beach, SC reached a low of 9°F, the area's ALL-TIME low temperature on record. Low temperatures across the area ranged from 7°F to 14°F.
- 11.0’’ of snow fell in Florence, SC, its second highest daily snowfall on record. A weather observer in Marion, SC reported 8.0’’ of snow. Snowfall totals near the coast were modest, with 1.5’’ in Conway, SC and less than 0.5’’ in Wilmington, NC.
- An F1 tornado touched down in Robeson County near Maxton, NC. A small home was lifted from its foundation and dropped into roadway.
- The Waccamaw River near Conway, SC crested at 14.63 ft., which exceeded major flood stage of 14 ft.
- Florence, SC dropped below freezing for the 18th consecutive day, matching the most consecutive days of below freezing temperatures on record at this site.
- Wilmington, NC received its second highest daily rainfall total (3.23’’) on record during the month of February.
- An F0 tornado touched down in Dillon County northeast of Little Rock, SC, injuring one person and damaging several mobile homes, businesses, and homes. Widespread wind damage occurred across most of the area. Click here to view more info and storm reports from NOAA's Storm Data report!
- An F2 tornado touched down in Marion, SC and tracked eastward to Mullins, SC, injuring 1 person. Another F1 tornado was confirmed in Williamsburg County east of Kingstree, SC. Additionally, 2.86’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC, its highest daily precipitation total on record for the month of February.
- A squall line moved across the Carolinas, leading to numerous wind damage reports and strong observed wind gusts. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- Wilmington, NC received its fourth highest daily snowfall on record with 9.0’’ of snow. 7.4" of snow fell in Southport, NC.
- Wilmington, NC reached a high temperature of 86°F, its warmest temperature on record during the month of February and the entire winter season of Dec through Feb.
- Impressive two-day snowfall totals were observed across the area from Feb 23 to Feb 24: 10" measured in Effingham, SC, 9.6" in Smiths Mill, SC, and 9.0" in Conway, SC.
- Severe thunderstorms associated with a cold front produced damaging winds near Timmonsville, SC, where several trees were blown down across roadways. A tree was also blown over onto a car near Andrews, SC. Another storm produced nickel to quarter size hail near Bladenboro, NC.
- Winter precipitation fell across the area, starting as snow before sunrise before transitioning to sleet and freezing rain. 1" - 1.5" of snow fell in northern areas, while 0.25" - 0.5" of ice fell across New Hanover and Pender counties. A rare Ice Storm Warning was issued for the Wilmington metro area. Click here to learn more!
- 7" of snow was recorded in Society Hill, SC and 5.5" was measured in Effingham, SC. 3" of snow fell in Wilmington, NC, bringing two day snowfall total to 3.2".
- Several inches of snow fell across the area as a low pressure system moved across the Southeast. 8.0" of snow observed in Elizabethtown, NC and 7.2" of snow was recorded in Wilmington, NC. Even Myrtle Beach received around 3.9" of snow.
- An F1 tornado touched down in Pender County west of Burgaw, NC.
- Low pressure moving up the coast led to over a foot of snow recorded at multiple stations across central and northeastern South Carolina between February 25th and 26th. Locally, 18" of snow was recorded by a COOP observer six miles south of Society Hill, SC. 13" measured in Darlington, 12.7" in Effingham, and 10" in both Dillon and Florence. Check out the following images for more: Snowfall totals SC 2/25-26/1914, Society Hill COOP form Feb 1914, Darlington COOP form Feb 1914.
- A cold front brought a line of strong to severe thunderstorms across the forecast area. Damaging winds snapped trees and blew a trailer off its foundation in NW Georgetown County near Outland and Carvers Bay, SC. Click here to learn more!
- An F0 tornado touched down in Robeson County near Lumberton, NC.
- Florence, SC reached a high temperature of 85°F, its warmest temperature on record during the month of February.
- Lumberton, NC reached a high temperature of 84°F, its warmest temperature on record during the month of February. COOP observer in Whiteville, NC recorded a high of 86°F, with 85°F observed in Kingstree and Cades SC.
- Wilmington, NC reached a record high temperature of 85°F, part of a stretch of 4 record high temperatures from Feb 22-28th.
- A trace of snowfall was reported near Southport, NC and in Wilmington, NC.
- Myrtle Beach area recorded a high temperature of 86 degrees, which is the highest February temperature on record for the climate site.
- A cold air outbreak dropped low temperatures into the upper teens/lower twenties across the area. Lumberton, NC fell to a low of 20°F, and even N. Myrtle Beach, SC dropped to 22°F. An observer near Cades, SC reported the coldest temperature of the day (17°F).
- Wilmington, NC received 4.5’’ of snowfall, its second highest daily total for the month of March. 10.9" of snow was observed in Elizabethtown, NC and 7.0" in Lumberton, NC. Over 2 feet of snow fell across parts of central NC.Click here to view accumulation map for NC.
- Florence, SC received 6.7’’ of snowfall, its highest daily snowfall total on record during the month of March. Wilmington, NC received 5.2’’ of snow, its highest daily snowfall on record in March as well, and Myrtle Beach, SC received 5" of snow. Wilmington and Florence also set lowest daily high temperature records for the month of March (26°F and 25°F, respectively). Click here to view accumulation map for NC!
- Florence, SC received 4.20’’ of rain, its highest daily rainfall total on record during the month of March.
- Florence, SC recorded a high temperature of 91°F, the earliest date Florence has reached 90+ degrees.
- Florence, SC dropped to 11°F and Lumberton, NC dropped to 9°F, both the coldest temperature ever during the month of March at the respective sites.
- Two tornadoes touched down in Columbus County, NC. First was an F0 near Sidney, NC that broke off numerous trees and destroyed a barn. The second was an F1 tornado that touched down in near Cerro Gordo, NC 23 minutes later, injuring 3 people. This tornado damaged West Brunswick High School, three houses, and four mobile homes, three of which were destroyed leading to the injuries. Two other injuries occurred in Bladen County, NC this day from thunderstorm wind damage.
- Myrtle Beach, SC dropped to 18°F, the area's coldest temperature ever during the month of March.
- Two tornadoes were confirmed in Robeson County. An F1 injured 4 people when it touched down near Fairmont, NC, damaging mobile homes, farm buildings, and trees. Second was an F0 half hour earlier that touched down in Pembroke, NC damaging several mobile homes and some farm buildings.
- Wilmington, NC dropped to 9°F, its coldest temperature ever during the month of March.
- Severe thunderstorms associated with a cold front produced damaging winds across our inland counties. Downed trees were reported in Florence, SC, Darlington, SC, and near Lumberton, NC. Numerous trees were downed in several locations across Bladen County, NC as well. A 50 mph wind gust was measured in Maxton, NC. Click here to learn more!
- Wilmington, NC reported a high of 35°F and a low of 22°F, resulting in the third lowest daily average temperature (28.5°F) on record for this site in March.
- Strong wind gusts were reported across our forecast area as a cold front crossed the Carolinas. A 54 mph gust was recorded at Johnnie Mercer Pier, while a 52 mph gust was measured in Southport. Ocean Crest Pier had a peak wind gust of 51 mph. Click here to learn more!
- A Nor'easter resulted in Wilmington's lowest barometric pressure on record not associated with a hurricane (970.2 millibars). The storm brought 2.00'' of rain to Wilmington. Click here to learn more!
- Elizabethtown, NC reported 2.61’’ of rain and Lumberton, NC received 2.44’’ of rain as localized heavy rainfall occurred over our inland counties.
- A strong coastal storm moved across the area late March 6th into early March 7th. 1.5" - 2.5" of rain fell with wind gusts of 35 - 50mph. Gusts of 60+ mph were measured along Southeast NC coast. Click here to learn more!
- 4.50" of rain fell in Lumberton, NC, its highest single day March rainfall. Elsewhere, 3.26" was measured in Lake City, SC and 2.92" in Dillon, SC.
- The Pee Dee River at Pee Dee, SC crested at 29.06 ft., exceeding major flood stage of 28 ft. This is the sixth highest crest on record at this location.
- A strong coastal storm moved across the area late March 6th into early March 7th. 1.5" - 2.5" of rain fell with wind gusts of 35 - 50mph. Gusts of 60+ mph were measured along Southeast NC coast. Click here to learn more!
- A strong squall line produced widespread damaging winds as it raced across the forecast area during the morning hours. Our office issued 21 severe thunderstorm warnings, 17 of which were verified by damaged reports. 60-70 mph winds across the Pee Dee and Lumberton areas increased as the storms strengthened near the Cape Fear region. An 89 mph peak wind gust was measured at the Wilmington Intl. Airport, and Wrightsville Beach, NC reported a peak wind of 76 mph. Trees and power lines were blown down across the area, and several structures were damaged as well. One injury was reported by the Wilmington News. Click here to learn more!
- Wilmington, NC reached a high temperature of 89°F for the second day in a row. This is 25 degrees above normal for early March, and it’s the fourth warmest temperature on record here in March. Florence, SC reached a high of 92°F, tied for its warmest March temperature on record.
- Wilmington, NC received 5.12’’ of rainfall, its highest daily rainfall total on record during the month of March. Elsewhere, an observer near Southport, NC received 4.00’’ of rain.
- Wilmington, NC received 4.4’’ of snowfall, its third highest daily total for the month of March. Florence, SC received 4.3’’ of snowfall, its second highest daily total in March.
- Two F2 tornadoes touched down in Florence County, SC. First tornado late morning destroyed at least 35 buildings, mostly tobacco barns and a house trailer, with hail up to one inch in diameter damaging roofs and windows. Second tornado occured 4 hours later in the afternoon, destroying several farm buildings. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported with either tornado.
- A cold front moved across the eastern Carolinas on March 11, 2017, replacing several days of 70 degrees temps with cold Canadian air. On March 12th, snow fell in northern part of ILM forecast area where it was cold enough for the snow not to melt to rain. Around 1-2 inches of snow fell across parts of the eastern Carolinas. Click here to learn more!
- Damaging wind gusts occurred across parts of the area during the morning hours, along and ahead of a strong cold front. The highest winds occurred along the coast and offshore where an anemometer atop Frying Pan Tower recorded a gust to 97 mph. Wrightsville Beach NOS station measured a gust of 73 mph and the Wilmington NC ASOS measured 68 mph. Click here to learn more!
- The "Storm of the Century," one of the most intense mid-latitude cyclones ever observed over the Eastern United States, significantly impacted southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina. The strong pressure gradient associated with this deep cyclone produced very gusty winds across our area: 71 mph in Holden Beach, NC, 70 mph in Wilmington, NC, 58 mph in Florence, SC, and 54 mph in Myrtle Beach, SC. Widespread wind damage to homes, trees, and power lines was reported across the Cape Fear area. The strong winds resulted in damaging waves that caused significant beach erosion and destroyed at least 18 homes on Oak Island, NC. Tidal flooding occurred along the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington. Later in the day, very cold air wrapped around the cyclone, and traces of snow were reported in Wilmington, NC and Florence, SC. Click here to learn more!
- 1.5’’ of snow fell in Darlington, SC and 2" of snow fell 6 miles south of Society Hill, SC.
- A severe weather outbreak across the Carolinas resulted in seven confirmed tornadoes within our forecast area. Three people were injured in an EF1 tornado near Timmonsville, SC. EF1 tornadoes near Greeleyville, SC and Trio, SC destroyed five homes and damaged over 40 more homes. Another EF1 tornado damaged numerous homes and businesses in Hampstead, NC. EF0 tornadoes were confirmed near Latta, SC, Aynor, SC, and Fair Bluff, NC. Click here to learn more!
- An F1 tornado injured 3 people when it touched down west of Conway, SC, damaging several businesses over a 3 mile path.
- An F0 tornado touched down in Pender County north of Rocky Point, NC. Initial damage done to a car and fence before tornado travelled to Kellyville Rd and moderately damaged the roof and carport of a house. Part of the house was also lifted off its foundation.
- Heavy rain across northeast South Carolina resulted in some extreme daily rainfall totals. An observer in Marion, SC reported 5.50’’ of rain, while Brookgreen Gardens (near Murrells Inlet, SC) received 4.66’’ of rain. 3.81’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC.
- More heavy rain fell over the eastern Carolinas. Some of the highest two-day rainfall totals (March 17-18, 1983) included: Lake City, SC (6.83’’), Brookgreen Gardens (5.21’’), Conway, SC (5.09’’), and Dillon, SC (4.88’’).
- Severe thunderstorms produced quarter to half dollar size (1.0’’-1.25’’) hail in Horry County, southwest of Conway, SC. 1.0’’ hail was also reported near Oak Island, NC. Lightning struck a house and a tree in Southport, NC, and the tree actually caught fire.
- Severe thunderstorms produced large hail, damaging winds, and a tornado across parts of northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina. Golf ball size hail was reported in Society Hill, SC, and hail covered the ground in Florence, SC. Damaging winds occurred across Robeson and western Bladen County, NC. An F1 tornado near Proctorville, NC injured one person, threw a trailer off its foundation, and knocked a tree down onto a house. Click here to learn more!
- Heavy rain along the Carolina coast led to flash flooding within our forecast area. Wilmington, NC received 3.99’’ of rain, Georgetown, SC reported 2.60’’, and North Myrtle Beach, SC received 2.07’’ of rain. In Horry County, there was major roadway flooding in Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach, SC. Flash flooding occurred in Wilmington, NC along Market Street and numerous other roadways. Highway 53 in Pender County was under water as well.
- Wilmington, NC only reached a high temperature of 34°F, its third lowest high temperature ever recorded during the month of March.
- Lumberton, NC recorded a high temperature of 90°F, the earliest date Lumberton has reached 90+ degrees.
- 3.41" of rain fell fell in the Myrtle Beach area, its highest single day rainfall on record for March. 3.28" fell in Brookgreen Gardens, SC.
- The Little Pee Dee River near Galivants Ferry, SC crested at 12.71 ft., exceeding major flood stage of 12 ft. This is the sixth highest river crest on record at this location.
- Temperature in Wilmington, NC reached 94°F, the highest all-time temperature recorded in March for the station, and the earliest date Wilmington has reached 90+ degrees. A COOP observer in Darlington, SC recorded a high of 99°F, with 97°F observed in Dillon, Bennettsville, and Georgetown SC.
- An F2 tornado touched down in Robeson County south of Lumberton, NC, injuring 9 people. Several mobile homes and other out buildings were demolished. Several houses were partially damaged, and about 15 acres of mature pine were ripped up by the roots or snapped off.
- It was another warm day for the area. Lumberton, NC reached a high of 96°F, its highest all-time temperature on record for the month of March. Elsewhere, a COOP observer in Florence, SC recorded a high of 98°F.
- An early spring snowstorm dropped 2.9’’ of snow in Wilmington, NC and 2.0’’ in Florence, SC. An estimated 7.0" fell in Myrtle Beach, SC. Click here to view the NC snow accumulation map.
- Florence, SC received 2.0’’ of snow, making March 25 the latest date of measurable snowfall on record for this location.
- The Lumber River at Lumberton, NC crested at 18.23 ft., above moderate flood stage and its ninth highest crest on record.
- Severe thunderstorms produced up to golf ball size hail in southeast North Carolina. 1.75’’ hail was reported in Supply, NC, and 1.50’’ hail fell in Holden Beach, NC. 1.0’’ hail reports were relayed from Burgaw, NC, Kelly, NC, and near Lumberton, NC.Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- Wilmington, NC received 3.47’’ of rainfall, its fifth highest total ever during the month of March.
- Two confirmed tornadoes touched down in Robeson County. An EF2 east of Parkton, NC injured 1 person, and an EF0 was confirmed well south of Lumberton, NC. Click here to learn more!
- Several devastating tornadoes touched down within our forecast area during one of the most destructive tornado outbreaks on record in the Carolinas. An F4 tornado tracked from the north end of Bennettsville, SC through McColl, SC, killing 7 people and injuring 100. Another F4 tornado tracked from the east side of Bennettsville, SC through Maxton and Red Springs, NC. This tornado, which was over 1 mile wide, killed 4 people and injured 395 more as it devastated towns including Red Springs. An F3 tornado touched down east of St. Pauls, NC before moving across Cumberland and Sampson counties, killing 12 and injuring 101 people. An F2 tornado injured 8 people as it tracked from around Loris, SC through Tabor City, NC. Click here to learn more!
- Wilmington, NC reached a high temperature of 92°F – the second day in a row the high climbed to at least 90°F. This is around 20 degrees above normal, and the second highest temperature on record during March in Wilmington.
- The Waccamaw River near Conway, SC crested at 14.51 ft., exceeding major flood stage of 14 ft.
- Wilmington, NC received 1’’ of snow, making March 31 the latest date of measurable snowfall on record for this location.
- The first complete and continuous set of weather observations in Wilmington, NC began at the Bank of New Hanover building on the corner of Front and Princess St. Wilmington is the longest continuous set of observations in North Carolina. Click here to view the history of NWS in Wilmington NC!
- Wilmington, NC dropped to a low temperature of 29°F, one of the lowest temperatures on record here for the month of April.
- Wilmington, NC experienced another unseasonably cold night with a low of 32°F. This was the second night in a row that the temperature dropped to at least freezing.
- Wilmington, NC only reached a high of 39°F, the lowest daily maximum on record here during the month of April.
- Myrtle Beach, SC recorded a high temperature of 91°F, the earliest date the Myrtle Beach area has reached 90+ degrees.
- A northwest flow event brought severe weather to Southeastern North Carolina with numerous high wind and hail reports. Golf ball size hail was reported in Kingstree, SC and in Pender County near Atkinson, NC. There were also downed trees in Dillon, SC, Marion, SC, and Wilmington, NC. Click here to learn more!
- It was an unseasonably warm day across the forecast area as highs climbed into the mid/upper 80s. Florence, SC reached a high of 89°F and also received nearly an inch (0.96’’) of rainfall.
- Horry County, SC became the first TsunamiReady community in our county warning area. Learn more about the TsunamiReady program here!
- Heavy rain fell over the inland counties of our forecast area. Lumberton, NC received 3.73’’ of rainfall, and Florence, SC recorded 2.62’’. Minor flooding was reported in Bladenboro, NC.
- A line of severe thunderstorms ahead of a cold front produced widespread damaging winds across our forecast area. Trees were downed across highways and on top of homes and cars. One person was injured near Yauhannah, SC when a tree limb fell on a car. The worst damage was in Florence County; numerous wind damage reports were relayed from Scranton, SC and Quinby, SC. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- An EF-2 tornado (estimated winds: 115 mph) touched down near Clarkton, NC, shifting one house from its foundation! Also, an EF-1 tornado touched down near Longwood, NC. Click here to learn more!
- Wilmington, NC reached a high temperature of 95°F, its warmest temperature on record for the month of April.
- An F1 tornado touched down WNW of Loris, SC.
- An F1 tornado touched down along the coast near Garden City, SC. Tornado damaged two residences and caused damage to trees and utilities.
- A historic cold air outbreak took place across the Southeast, and low temperatures across our area dropped into the 20s. An observer near Garland, NC reported a low of 20°F, and the temperature fell to 21°F in Loris, SC. Lumberton, NC dropped to 22°F, and even Wilmington, NC reached a low of 29°F. High and low temperatures across the area were 15-20 degrees below normal. Click here to learn more!
- 3.50’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC, which is the second highest daily rainfall on record for this site during the month of April.
- North Myrtle Beach, SC received 2.04’’ of rainfall.
- Severe thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging winds across northeast South Carolina. The media relayed a public report of baseball size hail on Lake Robinson. Numerous other reports of quarter to golf ball size hail were received, primarily from Darlington and Florence counties. Two people were injured near Lake Robinson when a tree was downed on their car. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- The cold air outbreak continued across the Carolinas. Lumberton, NC fell to 28°F, Wilmington, NC dropped to 31°F, and Florence, SC reached a low of 32°F. An observer near Garland, NC reported a low of 26°F.
- A trace of snowfall was recorded in Wilmington, NC and near Whiteville, NC. This makes April 11th the latest date trace snow was recorded in Wilmington.
- An F1 tornado killed 1 person when it touched down in Hartsville, SC.
- Wilmington, NC received 2.64’’ of rainfall.
- Florence, SC only reached a high of 46°F, the lowest daily maximum on record for this site during the month of April.
- An F2 tornado touched down in Lake City, SC, destroying one hangar and damaging a plane. Also, hail up to one inch in diameter was reported in Columbus County, NC.
- A major severe weather outbreak occurred across the southeastern US on April 12-13, 2020. On the morning of the 13th, storms moved through NE SC and SE NC. 10 tornadoes were surveyed - 1 EF2 (Georgetown), 6 EF1 (Columbus, Pender and Georgetown), and 3 EF0 (Pender & Brunswick). Major damage also occurred in Wallace, SC from straight line winds estimated at over 100mph. Click here to learn more.
- A severe thunderstorm produced golf ball size hail in Columbus County near Whiteville, NC. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- A wildfire began during the afternoon hours near Hoover Road in Hampstead, NC. Fire crews estimated 450-500 acres burned before the fire was brought under control. Luckily, there were no injuries or deaths. The only structure damaged was a bridge on a logging road.
- Wilmington, NC received 2.94’’ of rainfall.
- An F2 tornado killed one person and injured four when it touched down in Robeson County between Pembroke and Lumberton, NC. Another F2 tornado injured five people near Tar Heel, NC. Click here to learn more!
- The Pee Dee River at Pee Dee crested at 29.48 ft., which is well above major flood stage of 28 ft. This is the fourth highest crest on record at this river gauge site.
- 11 confirmed tornadoes touched down in our forecast area during a deadly severe weather outbreak across the eastern Carolinas. An EF-2 tornado (estimated winds: 130 mph) near Ammon, NC resulted in 3 fatalities. Another EF-2 tornado (estimated winds: 120 mph) touched down in downtown Bladenboro, NC and stayed on the ground for 14 miles, resulting in 1 fatality. EF-1 tornadoes were confirmed near the following locations: Little Rock, SC, Rowland, NC, Barker Ten Mile, NC, east of Andrews, SC, and south of Whiteville, NC. Click here to read the complete findings of the NWS storm survey team
- Widespread severe thunderstorms produced hail to 1.5 inches in diameter and wind damage across much of southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina. 27 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and 3 Special Marine Warnings were issued between April 17th evening and 2am the next morning. Click here to learn more!
- A line of severe thunderstorms produced damaging winds across the forecast area. A mesonet site near Castle Hayne, NC measured a 73 mph wind gust. Damaging straight line winds downed trees and damaged structures across Columbus County, and a storm survey team found evidence of tornado damage near Whiteville, NC. There were also several reports of wind damage and trees downed in Bladen County. These severe winds made it all the way to the coast, where trees and power lines were downed in Myrtle Beach, SC and other parts of Horry County. Click here to learn more!
- A long track F3 tornado touched down in Darlington County, SC (near Lake Robinson) and moved northeast into SE North Carolina before finally ending near Fayetteville, NC. This tornado tracked near numerous towns within our forecast area, including Bennettsville, SC, Maxton, NC, and Red Springs, NC. Three injuries were reported from this tornado. According to data from the Storm Prediction Center, this tornado had a path length of over 75 miles!
- Wilmington, NC recorded a low temperature of 28°F, the lowest temperature on record for the month of April.
- Wilmington, NC received 3.32’’ of rainfall.
- An F1 tornado tracked from near Red Springs, NC to St. Pauls, NC, causing minor damage to woods and tobacco crop.
- Severe thunderstorms racing ahead of a cold front produced damaging winds over our western counties. The worst damage was in Darlington County, where numerous trees were downed and a building was severely damaged in Lamar, SC. More downed trees blocked roadways in Marlboro, Florence, Williamsburg, and Robeson counties. Trees fell across power lines in Marion County. Click here to learn more!
- A weak EF0 tornado touched down in southwestern Florence County, SC near the town of Olanta. Damage occurred to two structures and to a number of trees along Woods Bay Rd before the tornado lifted in Douglas Swamp. Click here to learn more.
- Precipitation totals indicate heavy rain fell over much of the forecast area. An observer in Lumberton, NC reported 5.65’’ of rainfall, while another observer in Centenary, SC measured 5.28’’ of rain. This is the wettest April day on record for Lumberton, and contributed to the wettest April on record with 13.74" of rainfall in April 1918. Elsewhere on this day, our climate database indicates 1-3’’ fell at most other reporting sites. Wilmington, NC received 1.30’’ of rain.
- Thunderstorms produced penny to nickel size hail across portions of Bladen County, including Clarkton, NC. Marion and Williamsburg counties also reported nickel size hail. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- Severe thunderstorms developed across North and South Carolina during the afternoon and evening of April 20, 2024. Large hail and damaging winds occurred in multiple swaths from Maxton and Pembroke into the city of Lumberton, and from Hartsville and Society Hill to Nichols and Loris. This was the most significant outbreak of large hail across this portion of the Carolinas since May 7, 2021. Click here to learn more.
- Myrtle Beach, SC reached a warm 92°F high temperature, around 20° above normal and tied for warmest April temperature on record for the area (site again reached 92°F the following day). Elsewhere, The Nature Conservancy RAWS site in Brunswick County, NC observed a high of 97°F, and 95°F was recorded in Whiteville, NC and Conway, SC.
- A severe thunderstorm near Marion, SC downed trees and produced half dollar size hail. Quarter size hail was reported in Georgetown County near Pawleys Island, SC.
- Myrtle Beach, SC dropped to 25°F, the area's coldest temperature ever during the month of April. This is also the latest date on record the area experienced a spring freeze.
- Florence, SC received 3.84’’ of rain, which is the highest daily rainfall total on record for Florence during the month of April. An observer in Marion, SC reported 2.78’’ of rain.
- An F1 tornado injured two people west of Lake City, SC. Another F1 tornado injured one person when it touched down in Conway, SC. Click here to learn more!
- A small debris burn on private land east of Conway, SC on this day grew into a massive wildfire, known as the Highway 31 Fire, that eventually destroyed 76 homes across eastern Horry County. The fire was eventually contained on April 28, and declared controlled on May 20 after burning for almost a month. Click here to learn more.
- Wilmington, NC received 3.24’’ of rainfall.
- A compact area of low pressure moved across the area leading to several hours of strong winds and ~7000 customers without power in the Wilmington metro area. Johnnie Mercer Pier gusted to 61 mph, while the Wilmington Airport gusted to 53 mph. Click here to learn more.
- An observer in Lake City, SC received 2.65’’ of rainfall, while another observer in Marion, SC measured 1.96’’ of rain.
- 3.67" of rain fell in Wilmington, NC, making it the wettest April day on record for the station.
- Florence, SC only dropped to a low of 73°F, which is the warmest daily low temperature on record for this site in April.
- An F0 tornado touched down near Moores Creek National Battlefield in Currie, NC. Damage done to a hangar at a small airstrip, with minor damage reported to an airplane inside the hangar.
- An F2 tornado injured three people west of Darlington, SC. Also, an F1 tornado touched down north of Florence, SC. Click here to learn more.
- Severe thunderstorms produced quarter size hail in Bennettsville, SC, Tatum, SC, Nichols, SC, and Chadbourn, NC. Nickel size hail was reported in Bolivia, NC.
- An F1 tornado touched down near Hampstead, NC around 1am. Tornado caused near $10,000 damage to power lines and timber.
- Wilmington, NC reached a high temperature of 94°F, its second warmest temperature on record during the month of April.
- Another round of severe thunderstorms produced quarter size hail in Florence and Columbus counties. Several wind damage reports were relayed from Oats, SC, where trees were snapped and a mobile home was damaged.
- Florence, SC reached a high temperature of 97°F, its warmest temperature on record during the month of April.
- Severe thunderstorms developed across southeast North Carolina, producing hail up to 1.75 inches in diameter from Interstate 95 east to the coast during the mid and late afternoon hours. Click here to learn more!
- Five tornadoes touched down within our forecast area. The strongest EF-1 tornado (estimated winds: 110 mph) damaged grain silos and snapped dozens of trees when it touched down near Atkinson, NC. Another EF-1 tornado (estimated winds: 90 mph) WSW of Watha, NC damaged homes by blowing trees down on top of roofs. EF-0 tornadoes were confirmed at: Old Lake Road (northern Columbus County, NC), Atkinson, NC, and Willard, NC. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- Wilmington, NC only dropped to a low of 74°F, which is the warmest daily low temperature on record for this site in April.
- Florence, SC received 2.57’’ of rainfall.
- Heavy rain fell across the forecast area as many locations received 1-2 inches of rainfall. A CoCoRaHS observer near Whiteville, NC measured 2.46’’ of rain, and North Myrtle Beach, SC received 2.45’’ of rain. Flooding was reported in Darlington County near Quinby, SC.
- Temperature in Wilmington, NC reached 84°F, around 7° above normal, and a very warm low temperature of 71°F. This helped April 2017 become the warmed April on record at Wilmington, with an average temperature of 68.0°F.
- Wilmington, NC received 5.02’’ of rain, its second highest daily rainfall on record during the month of May. An observer north of Wilmington reported 4.25’’ of rain, while another observer near Whiteville, NC measured 3.15’’ of rain.
- Wilmington, NC dropped to a low of 35°F and Myrtle Beach, SC reached a low of 36°F, both the coldest temperature on record during the month of May for the locations.
- Lumberton, NC received 2.40’’ of rainfall.
- Florence, SC only reached a high of 55°F, its lowest daily maximum temperature on record during the month of May.
- Severe thunderstorms produced a 69 mph wind gust at the Marion County Airport in Marion, SC. Trees were downed in several counties within our forecast area. Additionally, quarter size hail was reported in Evergreen, SC. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- A pair of tornadoes touched down in Darlington County, SC. First tornado was an EF1 tornado in the Oates community, with winds speeds estimated around 95 mph, that destroyed a mobile home and heavily damaged other structures. Second tornado touched down half hour later in Hartsville, SC as a EF1 tornado, wind winds estimated at 100 mph. Second tornado destroyed a mobile home and utility trailer and injured one person. Click here for more details.
- An F1 tornado touched down near Shallotte, NC. The tornado blew down trees and power lines along an intermittent one mile long path.
- 2.25’’ of rainfall fell in Florence, SC.
- Strong to severe thunderstorms produced penny to quarter size hail across our forecast area. The largest hail (quarter size) fell in Bolton, NC.
- Well above normal temperatures were observed across the area. Florence reached a daily record of 97°F, while Whiteville, NC observed a high of 99°F and Marion, SC reached 96°F.
- An F1 tornado touched down south of Effingham, SC. Another F1 tornado was confirmed near Aynor, SC. Click here to learn more!
- A supercell in Williamsburg County produced an F1 tornado near Hemingway, SC. The tornado damaged mobile homes and vehicles and sent three people to the hospital. It also destroyed a tobacco warehouse south of Hemingway. Storms in Georgetown County produced straight-line winds that downed a tree on top of a house. Click here to learn more!
- Temperatures soared across our forecast area, and Florence, SC set a daily record high of 97°F. An observer in Darlington, SC reported a high of 96°F, and Brookgreen Gardens, SC reached 95°F.
- A severe thunderstorm in New Hanover County produced a tornado that first touched north of Wrightsboro community, with a second touchdown near the Gordon Woods subdivision. Two inch hail fell near Murraysville. Most of the damage was limited to downed trees but some minor structural damage did occur. Click here to learn more!
- Widespread hail fell across the area during the morning hours. Hailstones of 1 to 2 inches in diameter fell across southeastern NC, with the 2" hail reported in Elizabethtown, NC. Click here to view the SPC Storm Report archive, and here to view hail photos from the event (scroll down to May).
- Wilmington, NC only reached a high of 53°F, its lowest daily maximum temperature ever during the month of May. This is over 25 degrees below normal for early May.
- Florence, SC dropped to a low of 36°F and Lumberton, NC dropped to a low of 29°F. Both are the lowest temperatures on record during the month of May for each station.
- It was another anomalously cool day in Wilmington, NC as the high temperature only reached 55°F. This is over 20 degrees below normal for early May.
- It was an unseasonably warm day as an observer in Whiteville, NC reported a high of 96°F and Lumberton, NC climbed to 93°F.
- Severe thunderstorms downed trees across roadways in Bladen and Columbus County, NC.
- A warm front moving northward across the Carolinas combined with upper level support resulted in severe thunderstorms that produced damaging hail across our forecast area. Softball size hail (4.5 inches in diameter) in Conway, SC damaged vehicles and homes near Highway 501. Softball size hail also broke a car window in Florence County near Hannah, SC. Dozens of cars were damaged by baseball size hail in the Woodcreek community near Conway, SC. Baseball size hail covered the ground near Evergreen, SC. In Columbus County, golf ball size hail covered the ground near Clarkton, NC. Golf ball size hail even made it to Carolina and Kure Beach in New Hanover County. In total, our office received over 40 reports of at least quarter size hail during this severe event! Click here to view the storm reports!
- And, click here to read a paper about the storm written by an ILM NWS forecaster!
- Tropical Storm Ana made landfall near Myrtle Beach, SC around 6am on May 10, 2015. Ana was the second earliest landfalling tropical cyclone on record for the United States. Highest wind gusts on land reached 50 to 60 mph from Little River and Cherry Grove Beach eastward across the state line to Sunset Beach, Calabash, Ocean Isle Beach, to Oak Island. The highest rainfall total from Ana was 6.60 inches in Oak Island, NC, with North Myrtle Beach, SC measuring 6.16 inches. 5.14" of rain fell in North Myrtle Beach on May 10, the highest single day rainfall on record for month of May. Click here to learn more!
- A severe thunderstorm produced large hail as it moved across southeast North Carolina. Quarter size hail was reported at two locations in Columbus County, while golf ball size hail fell in Rocky Point, NC. An NWS meteorologist in Hampstead, NC witnessed quarter size hail as well. Heavy rain also accompanied this storm. A CoCoRaHS observer near Holden Beach, NC received 3.81’’ of rain, and an NWS meteorologist in Wilmington, NC measured 2.92’’ of rain. Click here to learn more!
- A mesoscale convective system diving down from the northwest produced more severe weather in our area during the early morning hours. Wind gusts blew down a power pole in Lamar, SC and downed trees in Florence County. Golf ball size hail was reported in Loris, SC and near Plantersville, SC. Lightning was responsible for a fire that destroyed a storage building near Timmonsville, SC. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- Wilmington, NC received 2.80’’ of rainfall.
- An F2 tornado touched down in Conway, SC and tracked northeastward for 15 miles across Horry County. The tornado destroyed a fertilizer warehouse, two tobacco barns, and a packing house.
- It was another wet day as 2.85’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC. This brought the 2-day rainfall total (May 12-13) to 5.65’’ of rain.
- This Mother’s Day severe weather event brought tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds to the Carolinas. Our office confirmed three tornadoes touched down in the Pee Dee region. An F2 tornado in the Glendale community near Florence, SC damaged about 60 homes and uprooted/snapped many trees. An F1 tornado in Florence, SC downed trees and damaged an industrial area, while another F1 tornado southwest of Darlington, SC injured one person. Elsewhere, baseball size hail was reported near Mullins, SC, and golf ball size hail fell in Quinby, SC. Even downtown Myrtle Beach, SC experienced golf ball size hail with these storms. Click here to learn more!
- Severe thunderstorms produced hail and damaging winds in our forecast area. Half dollar to golf ball size hail fell in Socastee, SC, and quarter size hail was reported in Forestbrook, SC. There was also siding and roof damage to a home in Myrtle Beach, SC. Severe wind gusts downed trees in Robeson and Bladen County as well.
- Several low-topped supercells, associated with a mesoscale convective vortex, produced seven tornadoes during the afternoon and evening hours of May 14, 2024. Strongest tornado was an EF-1 in Marion, SC, which caused significant damage along Main Street in downtown Marion. Click here to learn more!
- Two F1 tornadoes touched down in Robeson County. The first touched down northwest of Lumberton damaging farm buildings and trees. The second was sighted in Red Springs half hour later and damaged buildings, trees, and two vehicles.
- Three people were killed and four others injured when an F2 tornado tracked near Pembroke, NC and hit several mobile homes.
- Hailstones up to golf ball size were reported from a severe thunderstorm in Lane, SC.
- A severe thunderstorm in Evergreen, SC produced golf ball size hail, while quarter size hail covered the ground in Coward, SC.
- An 85 mph downburst near Lamar, SC severely damaged a two car garage, and some debris pierced the outer wall of a mobile home. Near Litchfield Beach, SC, one man was injured when he was struck by lightning. Quarter size hail fell near Conway, SC.
- Heavy rainfall in Robeson County resulted in extensive flooding of the major streets in St. Pauls, NC, according to local law enforcement. A CoCoRaHS observer near St. Pauls received 3.80’’ of rain.
- Strong to severe thunderstorms developed along a remnant frontal boundary near the Carolina coast. These storms sat over coastal Horry and Georgetown counties - producing torrential rainfall, hail, and damaging winds. There were several CoCoRaHS reports of 6+ inches of rain near Murrells Inlet, SC; the highest rainfall total was a staggering 7.58’’! Pawleys Island and Garden City, SC received 4-6 inches of rain. Extensive flooding occurred in this area; reports indicate water was waist deep in some neighborhoods near Longs, SC. There was one foot of water on U.S. Hwy 17 in front of Waccamaw Hospital near Murrells Inlet. Additionally, penny to quarter size hail and downed tree limbs were reported in Murrells Inlet.
- For the second straight day, thunderstorms produced torrential rainfall within our forecast area, but this time the heaviest precipitation was focused inland. An observer in Dillon, SC reported 4.85’’ of rain, while Florence, SC received 2.90’’ of rain. Our office received several reports of flooding around the city of Florence. In some places, 2-3 feet of water covered the roadway, and there were vehicles that stalled in the flood waters.
- Wilmington, NC reached a low of 43°F, which is almost 20 degrees below normal for mid-May, and still remains the record low for the day.
- An F1 tornado touched down on Oak Island, NC with minor damage done to houses.
- Wilmington, NC received 3.51’’ of rainfall, while 1.99’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC. An observer near Willard, NC reported 6.19’’ of rain, which was the highest rainfall total of the day in our database.
- Wilmington, NC received 5.52’’ of rainfall, the largest daily rainfall received in Wilmington for the month of May on record. A total of 14.36 inches fell in Wilmington during May 2018, making it the wettest May on record for the city.
- Significant flash flooding occurred in Leland, NC when a low pressure system dropped 6-9 inches of rain with localized amounts of 10-13 inches in eastern Brunswick County. Across Leland, over 20 roads were closed, 4 homes and 3 businesses recorded water intrusion (including a bank), and North Brunswick High School had three inches of water in their cafeteria. Click here to view more info about the event.
- An F3 tornado in Dillon County, SC injured 26 people as it tracked across the central part of the county. This tornado had a path length of 10 miles. An F2 tornado injured 6 people in Darlington County, SC. Also, an F1 tornado touched down east of Fairmont, NC. Click here to view more info from NOAA's Storm Data record.
- Wilmington, NC received 3.74’’ of rainfall. Elsewhere, an observer near Elizabethtown, NC reported 2.75’’ of rain.
- Severe thunderstorms produced damaging winds and a tornado within our forecast area. A downburst in Loris, SC (estimated max winds: 90 mph) caused nearly $1 million in damages to the Loris Community Hospital. As the storms moved into North Carolina, an F1 tornado touched down in Mollie, NC (east of Tabor City). The tornado damaged several homes, vehicles, and buildings along its path, which was over 2.5 miles in length. Click here to learn more!
- Wilmington, NC received 4.34’’ of rainfall. Elsewhere, an observer in Conway, SC measured 2.43’’ of rain.
- An EF1 tornado touched down east of Bolton, NC in Columbus County. No fatalities or serious injuries occurred, however one mobile home was heavily damaged. Path length was determined to be 5 miles. More details can be found here.
- Darlington, SC received 2.60’’ of rainfall. 2.27’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC.
- Severe thunderstorms produced golf ball size hail northwest of Hampstead, NC. Quarter size hail fell near Tabor City, NC, St. Pauls, NC, and in Bladenboro, NC. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- Florence, SC climbed to 100°F. Elsewhere, mid to upper 90s were reported across our forecast area. These temperatures were around 15 degrees above normal for late May. This is the earliest date Florence, SC has reached triple digit temperature on record.
- An F1 tornado touched down in Wilmington, NC, injuring 1 person. A 30-foot camper trailer was tossed 150 feet into a vacant mobile home, destroying both. Click here to view the Star News article for the event.
- 2.84" of rain fell in Wilmington, NC. An observer near Willard, NC received 2.60’’ of rain, and another observer near Southport, NC received 2.50’’ of rain.
- For the second day in a row, severe thunderstorms produced large hail in the eastern Carolinas. Golf ball size hail was reported near Cerro Gordo, NC and Fair Bluff, NC. Quarter size hail fell in Darlington, Marlboro, and Horry County, SC.
- An EF0 tornado touched down near the community of Parkton in northern Robeson County, causing damage to a mobile home and a storage building. Click here to learn more!
- An F1 tornado touched down east of Delco in Columbus County, NC, causing minor damage to trees and one house.
- Severe thunderstorms along the coast produced quarter to golf ball size hail at Surfside Beach, SC. Quarter size hail was reported at Pawleys Island, SC.
- Lumberton, NC reached a high of 100°F. This is the earliest date Lumberton has reached triple digit temperature.
- 5.40" of rain fell in Lumberton, NC, its highest single day rainfall for the month of May. Red Springs, NC observed 4.78" and Elizabethtown, NC received 3.32".
- Severe thunderstorms producing large hail and damaging winds across the eastern Carolinas led our office to issue over 20 severe thunderstorm warnings and 3 tornado warnings. The strongest storm impacted Florence, SC, where there were several reports of golf ball to softball size hail! In addition, trees were downed, homes were damaged, and a roof was blown off a building. Click here to learn more!
- Florence, SC reached a high of 102°F, tied for its highest temperature on record during the month of May. Lumberton, NC climbed to a high of 101°F. Wilmington, NC reached a high temperature of 98°F.
- Florence, SC received 3.59’’ of rain, its highest daily rainfall on record during the month of May. An observer in Darlington, SC received 2.25’’ of rain.
- An F1 tornado killed 6 people and injured one person when it struck a boat on the Waccamaw river near Murrells Inlet, SC. It also damaged trees over a 3 mile path, as well as a cabin and mobile home.
- Wilmington, NC reached a high of 100°F, the earliest date Wilmington has reached triple-digit temperatures.
- Six people were injured when an F2 tornado touched down northwest of Pamplico, SC. The tornado destroyed several tobacco barns, a chicken farm, four mobile homes, and a large frame house.
- A severe thunderstorm moving across Pender County produced an F0 tornado near Watha, NC. The tornado snapped pine trees, blew a roof off a barn, and toppled a brick chimney.Click here to learn more!
- It was a very warm day across our area as Florence, SC climbed to a high of 100°F, tied for its third highest temperature ever during the month of May. Elsewhere, highs were in the mid to upper 90s.
- Very warm temperatures continued across the area. Florence, SC reached a high of 102°F and Lumberton, NC reached 101°F, both tied for warmest May temperature on record for each site. 100°F was also observed in Georgetown, SC and Whiteville, NC.
- Locally heavy rainfall resulted in roadway flooding in southern Brunswick County. A couple flood reports came from Ocean Isle Beach, where rushing water over U.S. Hwy 17 made the road impassable. 8-10 inches of standing water was reported on several other roads as well. An observer in Longwood, NC received 3.56’’ of rain, while a CoCoRaHS observer near Sunset Beach, NC measured 3.26’’ of rain.
- Wilmington, NC reached a high of 101°F, it's all-time record high for the month of May. North Myrtle Beach reached a high of 99°F, the warmest May temperature on record for the Myrtle Beach area.
- A solar eclipse was viewable across most of the southeastern US, with the moon's blockage of the sun reaching 99.8% totality at its maximum extent. Unfortunately, the eastern Carolinas were covered beneath thick clouds and rain and therefore missed seeing this eclipse. Click here to learn more!
- Tropical Storm Beryl dumped 2-4 inches of rain across much of the eastern Carolinas. The highest rainfall total in our area (4.23’’) came from a CoCoRaHS observer near Whiteville, NC. Wilmington, NC received 3.69’’ of rain, and another CoCoRaHS observer near Burgaw, NC measured 3.57’’ of rain. A mesonet station on Bald Head Island measured a 47 mph wind gust, while Johnny Mercer Pier recorded a 40 mph gust. Our office received reports of flooding and downed trees from the storm as well.
- Florence, SC reached a high of 102°F, tied for its highest temperature on record during the month of May. Elsewhere, Lake City and Marion, SC reached 101°F while Wilmington, NC reached a high of 98°F.
- A severe thunderstorm produced straight line wind damage near Murrayville, NC. Estimated winds of 80-100 mph damaged several dozen homes, some of which had windows blown out and portions of walls or roofs blown away. A large travel trailer and an RV motor home were flipped over by the winds as well. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Click here to learn more!
- Wilmington, NC reached a high of 100°F. This is the 2nd earliest day of the year that the temperature in Wilmington has reached triple digits.
- Severe thunderstorms produced large hail across portions of our forecast area. Golf ball size hail was reported east of Tabor City, NC, and near Olanta, SC, Oatland, SC, and Allsbrook, SC. Numerous reports of quarter to half dollar size hail came from Horry County. Penny size hail blanketed the ground in Murrells Inlet, SC, according to storm reports.
- 5.22’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC.
- Florence, SC dropped to a low of 47°F, its lowest temperature on record during the month of June. It was the second day in a row the low dropped below 50°F.
- Wilmington, NC dropped to a low of 48°F, its lowest temperature on record during the month of June.
- An F2 tornado touched down in Horry County north of Conway, SC. Tornado moved just west of Hickory Grove, destroying one mobile home and damaging twelve others along its 5 mile path. A church was also hit by the tornado, and hail up to one inch diameter was reported along and near the tornado path.
- An F1 tornado touched down in Robeson County well south of Maxton, NC in the Midway community. The tornado was on the ground briefly, causing some damage to a farm building, utility lines, and crops.
- Wilmington, NC dropped to a low of 49°F, making it the second day in a row that the low temperature dropped below 50°F.
- Myrtle Beach, SC reached 101°F, the earliest date the area has reached triple digit temperatures on record.
- Severe thunderstorms produced damaging straight line winds in Bladen County near Tar Heel, NC. Many trees and power lines were downed, and three homes had windows blown out by the high winds.
- Robeson County, NC became the first StormReady community in our county warning area. Learn more about the StormReady program here!
- Severe thunderstorms produced quarter to golf ball size hail in Chadbourn, NC. Damaging winds were reported in Lake City, SC – a roof was torn off a store, trees were downed, a billboard was torn up, and fast food signs were blown apart. Golf ball size hail fell near Sellers, SC, and quarter size hail fell near Supply, NC. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- Heavy rain fell across the eastern Carolinas with rainfall totals of 1-3 inches across our forecast area. An observer in Kingstree, SC reported 4.30’’ of rain, while another observer near Cades, SC measured 3.88’’ of rain. Florence, SC received 2.54’’ of rain.
- Florence, SC only reached a high of 61°F, its lowest daily high temperature on record during the month of June.
- An F2 tornado touched down in Columbus County north of Chadbourn, NC. The tornado had a path length of 6 miles, but luckily no fatalities or injuries were reported. The tornado destroyed three mobile homes and damaged six others. One of the destroyed homes was lifted completely into the air and dumped onto two automobiles destroying those as well. Several barns were destroyed as well, along with damage done to numerous houses and considerable tree damage along the long path.
- Tropical Storm Andrea underwent extratropical transition as it tracked across the eastern Carolinas, bringing gusty winds and lots of rainfall. Ocean Crest Pier reported a maximum gust of 53 mph, while a mesonet site near Wilmington, NC measured a 50 mph gust. A large tree fell on a mobile home in Atlantic Beach, SC. Storm total precipitation was generally 2-4 inches across our area. A CoCoRaHS observer near Winnabow, NC received 5.47’’ of rain, and another CoCoRaHS observer near Leland, NC reported 4.64’’ of rain. Also, an EF-0 tornado briefly touched down in Varnamtown, NC and damaged a large storage building. Click here to read the storm survey report for the tornado.
- An F1 tornado touched down four miles easy of Lake City, SC. A tobacco curing shed was destroyed, one side of an office building was torn off, and considerable roof damage was done to a large warehouse. Some trees were uprooted and a few twisted off. An automobile was picked up and thrown into the ditch on the other side of the road, slightly injuring the two occupants.
- Golf ball size hail was reported by a National Weather Service employee in Wilmington, NC. Penny to quarter size hail was reported across the area, along with minor wind damage in Robeson and Florence counties. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- Wilmington, NC received 4.74’’ of rainfall. Elsewhere, 1.75’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC.
- 2.68’’ of rain fell in Lumberton, NC.
- 16 people were injured by an F2 tornado that touched down near Mullins, SC and tracked eastward into Horry County. The tornado struck a mobile home park three miles ESE of Mullins destroying six mobile homes. Extensive damage done to trees and homes as the tornado tracked eastward.
- An F1 tornado touched down near Lake City, SC, doing spotty damage to trees and power lines. The tornado intensified as it moved southeast into Williamsburg County. Power lines were downed and spotty tree damage occurred northeast of Cades, SC, before tornado did additional damage to homes, farm equipment, and crops east of Kingstree. Almost $200K of damage was estimated. This tornado had a path length of 22 miles; luckily, no injuries were reported.
- Lumberton, NC received 2.56’’ of rain. However, the highest rainfall total came from a CoCoRaHS observer near Lake Waccamaw – 5.31’’ of rain!
- 4.51’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC. An observer north of Wilmington measured 6.51’’ of rain, while another observer near Southport, NC received 3.50’’ of rain. This was as a result of Tropical Storm Alma passing by offshore. Alma made landfall in the Florida Panhandle as a hurricane on June 9th before cutting across Georgia and moving into the western Atlantic off the SC coast on the 10th.
- Wilmington, NC only reached a high of 58°F, its lowest daily high temperature on record during the month of June. This closed out a cold four-day stretch where temps were between 63°F and 50°F, with the average temperature almost 20°F below normal.
- A low of 40°F was observed at Lumberton, NC, its coldest June temperature on record.
- 4.28’’ of rain fell in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Florence, SC reported 2.58’’ of rain. In addition, penny to golf ball size hail fell across inland counties in the afternoon from scattered storms.
- The Dual Polarization upgrade to our WSR-88D radar was completed on this day. Click here to learn more about dual polarization!
- An F2 tornado touched down at Navassa in Brunswick County, NC. Two 15-inch electric poles were broken and a small building was moved 50 feet and turned upside down. About 150 feet of a loading trestle, made of heavy timbers, were demolished.
- A severe thunderstorm in Andrews, SC downed large trees and power lines across roadways, trapping one person in a vehicle. A couple buildings sustained some roof damage, and the town of Andrews lost power.
- Damaging winds destroyed a few mobile homes in Robeson County near Fairmont, NC. There were several wind damage reports from New Hanover County as well. Our office received a report of a partial building collapse in downtown Wilmington. 17 homes sustained minor roof damage and four vehicles were damaged by falling trees near Wrightsboro, NC from a microburst wind winds estimated around 80-90 mph. Wrightsboro Elementary School also sustained broken windows and minor roof damage.
- Severe thunderstorms produced damaging winds across Marlboro and Dillon counties. There were several reports of large trees downed near Bennettsville, SC. Another large tree took down power lines and blocked a roadway near Little Rock, SC.
- The Lumber River at Lumberton crested at 16.44 ft., which is above moderate flood stage of 16 ft.
- On June 14, 2023, a controlled burn escaped containment into the Green Swamp Preserve. The fire was named the Pulp Road Wildfire. While the wildfire led to several days of intense smoke in surrounding areas, the fire was actually a good thing for the local ecosystem. Click here to view the Story Map from The Nature Conservancy for the event.
- Florence, SC received 3.90’’ of rainfall.
- A 90 mph microburst resulted in wind damage east of Bladenboro, NC. One person was injured when a tree fell on a mobile home. A poorly built mobile home in the area was destroyed, and over 40 trees were uprooted or snapped by the strong winds. Additionally, roadway flooding was reported in Florence, SC.
- 3.67’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC.
- The Coast Guard reported several waterspouts offshore near Caswell Beach, NC. A bit later in the morning, another waterspout was reported near Bald Head Island, NC.
- Myrtle Beach, SC recorded a high temperature of 100°F, the earliest date the Myrtle Beach area has reached triple digit temperatures.
- 7.61" of rain fell in Myrtle Beach, SC, the highest single day rainfall on record for the area for the month of June.
- Florence, SC reached a high of 105°F - the fourth consecutive day that the high exceeded 100°F at this site. This helped make June 1981 the hottest June on record at Florence, with an average temp of 82.9°F.
- There were a couple reports of quarter size hail in Darlington, SC, and damaging winds blew down a couple of trees at the Darlington Country Club.
- 2.53’’ of rain fell in Lumberton, NC.
- Severe thunderstorms produced damaging winds that downed trees across northeastern South Carolina. Numerous reports of fallen trees came from Darlington County near North Hartsville, SC. A 58 mph wind gust was recorded at the Marlboro County Jetport in Bennettsville, SC. In Robeson County, trees and power lines were downed and a mobile home had its roof blown off. Hundreds of severe wind reports were reported across the Carolinas. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- A subtropical storm passed just off the Cape Fear coastline, producing several inches of rain and gusty winds. National Hurricane Center records indicate a 68 ft. fishing boat sunk in the high seas about 65 miles southeast of Cape Fear. Winds gusted to 58 knots at the Oak Island Coast Guard station and 67 knots at the Frying Pan Shoals offshore tower. Click here to read NHC's Preliminary report on Subtropical Storm Number One!
- Tropical Storm Arthur passed offshore of the Carolinas as it paralleled the Mid-Atlantic coastline. Brookgreen Gardens, SC received 4.56’’ of rain from the storm. Frying Pan Shoals tower reported sustained winds of 34 knots and gusts up to 40 knots.
- An F1 tornado touched down in Wilmington near the Railroad Museum and tracked a spotty path to 23rd St. Property damage estimated around $150,000 to trees, homes, and businesses.
- A severe thunderstorm produced golf ball size hail that coated the ground and damaged several tobacco fields near Kingstree, SC.
- Golf ball size hail was reported near Society Hill, SC.
- Severe thunderstorms produced quarter size hail near Pamplico, SC and Raynham, NC. A large tree was downed at an intersection in Longwood, NC.
- One person was injured when an F2 tornado touched down in Marion, SC. Fifty homes were damaged, with one dwelling and four business buildings destroyed. Power poles and lines were also blown down.
- Severe thunderstorms downed power lines and trees in Marlboro and Darlington counties. A 58 mph wind gust was recorded at the Darlington County Jetport. Quarter size hail fell in Timmonsville, SC.
- 4.92’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC, its highest daily precipitation total on record during the month of June. Elsewhere, an observer in Marion, SC reported 5.35’’ of rain.
- Severe thunderstorms in Bladen County produced quarter to golf ball size hail around White Lake, NC. A tree was downed on a house near Elizabethtown, NC, and the skirting was ripped off of a mobile home.
- Severe storms produced damaging winds and large hail across our forecast area. A 75 mph wind gust was recorded at the Wilmington International Airport, and quarter size hail was reported in Murrayville, NC. In Pembroke, NC, thunderstorm gusts damaged an apartment building near the UNC Pembroke campus. A roof blew off a building, and trees and power lines were downed across Maxton, NC. Half dollar size hail fell in Socastee, SC. At the Conway-Horry County Airport, two single engine airplanes were flipped over by strong wind gusts. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- Severe thunderstorms produced damaging winds across Darlington and Robeson counties. A 62 mph gust was recorded at the Darlington County Jetport. Power lines were downed on Main St. in Darlington, SC, and a tree fell onto a car near North Hartsville, SC. More power lines were downed on a home south of Lumberton, NC.
- A Category 1 hurricane weakened slightly to a tropical storm as it moved up the Atlantic coast offshore of the Carolinas. Wilmington, NC received an astounding 7.69’’ of rain, its highest daily precipitation total on record during the month of June. An observer near Georgetown, SC reported 10.56’’ of rain!
- 4.65" of rain fell in Lumberton, NC , its highest single-day June rainfall on record. Nearby Elizabethtown, NC recorded 4.60".
- A heat wave pushed temperatures into the triple digits across our forecast area. Lumberton, NC reached a high of 105°F, while Myrtle Beach, SC climbed to 104°F, which is tied ALL-TIME high record for Myrtle Beach area (tied - Aug 5 1954). Florence, SC reported a high of 103°F, and Wilmington, NC peaked at 102°F. Click here to learn more about the 1952 heat wave!
- Wilmington, NC reached its ALL-TIME record high temperature of 104°F! This was the third consecutive day that the high in Wilmington exceeded 100°F, also an ALL-TIME record. Elsewhere, an observer near Loris, SC reported a high of 107°F. Lumberton, NC reached a high of 104°F, and Florence, SC topped out at 103°F. Click here to learn more about the 1952 heat wave!
- Florence, SC reached its ALL-TIME record high temperature of 108°F! Lumberton, NC topped out at 104°F (tied for its warmest June temperature on record), Myrtle Beach, SC reported 103°F, and Wilmington, NC reached 102°F. Click here to learn more about the 1954 heat wave!
- 3.22’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC.
- Trees and power lines were downed by severe thunderstorm wind gusts in Red Springs, NC. One tree reportedly fell onto a car in Red Springs. There were also several reports of trees down in Florence County.
- An unnamed tropical storm made landfall in Brunswick County with 50 knot winds. Heavy rain in Wilmington caused flooding on the streets and railroad tracks. The storm also knocked down a telephone cable, cutting off the beach from communications with the city. Click here to view Wilmington Morning News article for the storm!
- A heat wave caused high temperatures to skyrocket into the triple digits. Florence, SC reached a high of 105°F, Lumberton, NC climbed to 103°F, and Wilmington, NC peaked at 100°F. Click here to learn more about the 2012 summer heat wave!
- Two EF-0 tornadoes touched down in Socastee, SC. Approximately 10 homes experienced minor shingle and vinyl siding damage, but luckily no injuries were reported. North Myrtle Beach, SC received 3.25’’ of rain. Click here to view the storm surveys.
- Wilmington, NC received 7.03’’ of rainfall, the second highest single-day June rainfall on record for the site. Click here to view Wilmington Morning News article for the storm!
- It was another day of triple digit heat across the eastern Carolinas. Florence, SC hit 105°F, while Lumberton, NC and Wilmington, NC climbed to 103°F.
- Johnny Mercer Pier recorded a 61 mph wind gust from an early morning severe thunderstorm. Later in the day, heavy rain produced flooding in Columbus and Bladen counties. Standing water was reported on US Hwy 701 in Whiteville, NC.
- Wilmington, NC dipped down to a low of 54°F, its coolest temperature on record during the month of July.
- Florence, SC received 4.65’’ of rain, its highest daily rainfall total on record during the month of July.
- An F2 tornado touched down near Singletary Lake State Park, southeast of Elizabethtown, NC. The tornado was on the ground for a half-mile. The roof was blown off a house, and a mobile home was damaged when bricks from the house were carried about a quarter mile and smashed through the mobile home.
- An F0 tornado was confirmed in Southport, NC when a waterspout moved onshore and dissipated quickly.
- Temperatures climbed into the triple digits as the Carolinas were in the grip of a significant heat wave. Florence, SC reached 103°F, Lumberton peaked at 101°F, and Wilmington climbed to 100°F. The hot, unstable air mass sparked a severe weather outbreak across our forecast area in the evening. We received over 60 severe weather reports of damaging winds and quarter to golf ball size hail. Many trees and power lines were downed, and some buildings sustained roof damage. Thunderstorm winds also capsized a sailboat near Figure Eight Island, requiring the Coast Guard to rescue the two men aboard. Click here to read more about the 2012 heat wave. And click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
That night, a rare phenomenon known as a ’’heat burst’’ was documented in Georgetown, SC. Between 8-11pm, the temperature in Georgetown rose from 79°F to 90°F! Click here to learn more!
- Florence, SC dropped to a low of 57°F, its coolest temperature on record during the month of July.
- Three tornadoes were confirmed in our area. First was an F1 tornado around 3am in Williamsburg County near Salters, SC, snapping trees and destroying a manufactured home. Second F0 tornado touched down near Lake Waccamaw in Columbus County, NC, where two houses sustained minor damage before tornado dissipated as it moved across the lake. In the afternoon, an F1 tornado touched down in Bladen County between Bladenboro and Clarkton, NC, snapping trees, damaging crops, and blowing the roof off of a turkey ranch barn.
- An EF-1 tornado (estimated maximum winds: 105 mph) touched down near Quinby, SC, injuring 8 people. The tornado snapped trees and destroyed 10 mobile homes while damaging 8 others. Click here to read the storm survey.
- Strong, persistent onshore flow produced high energy wind waves and deadly rip currents along the Brunswick and northern Horry County beaches. North Myrtle Beach, SC ocean rescue performed 45-50 rip current rescues. Sadly, three people drowned after being pulled out to sea by strong rip currents: two at Sunset Beach and one at Ocean Isle Beach. Click here to learn more!
- Hurricane Arthur passed by the Cape Fear coast before making landfall west of Cape Lookout as a category 2 hurricane. Max wind gust of 59 mph was measured at Wilmington International Airport. Highest rainfall total from our area was 4.53 inches measured in St. James in Brunswick County. Click here to view Post Tropical Storm Report for Arthur.
- Strong rip currents persisted at the Brunswick and Horry County beaches. North Myrtle Beach, SC ocean rescue performed 98 rip current rescues, one of the highest daily totals they have ever recorded. Tragically, three more people drowned due to the strong rip current activity: one at Holden Beach, one at Myrtle Beach, and one at North Myrtle Beach. Click here to learn more!
- 4.60’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC as a tropical storm off the South Carolina coastline approached the Cape Fear region.
- An F0 tornado touched down near Hartsville, SC, damaging several homes and a flea market.
- An F1 tornado touched down in Robeson County near St. Pauls, NC, where numerous trees and power lines were blown down and one mobile home was overturned. In addition, multiple wind and 0.5"-1" hail reports were received across SE NC and coastal NE SC. Worst damage occurred near Red Springs, NC where several roofs were damaged by fallen trees and numerous power lines were downed. A house fire between Pembroke and Red Springs, which claimed the lives of three people, was believed to be caused by lightning.
- A 40 knot tropical storm made landfall in the early morning hours near the North Carolina/South Carolina border. Winds reportedly reached around 45 mph at Carolina and Wrightsville Beach before the center passed through the area. The pressure in Wilmington only dropped to 1006.1 millibars with 30 mph winds (estimated gusts around 45 mph). Wind damage was limited to a few broken windows. Click here to learn more!
- An F1 tornado touched down near Oak Island, NC.
- 39 people were injured when an F2 tornado touched down in Myrtle Beach, SC. Power lines were downed, some vehicles were flipped over, and many multi-story hotels had windows blown out. Most of the damage occurred near the Myrtle Beach pavilion. Fortunately, there were no fatalities with this tornado. An F1 tornado was also confirmed a bit further north in Myrtle Beach. Click here for more info!
- A slow moving cold front brought torrential rainfall to the Wilmington area. 6.51’’ of rain fell at the Wilmington International Airport. Flooded roadways forced road closures across the city of Wilmington. Some cars stalled out in the flood waters on New Centre Drive, and some first story apartments on Racine Drive flooded. At least two vehicles were swept into retention ponds by the flood waters. Click here to learn more!
- The Lumber River at Lumberton, NC crested at 16.98 ft., which exceeded moderate flood stage of 16 ft. The NE Cape Fear River near Burgaw, NC also exceeded moderate flood stage (12 ft.) when it crested at 13.41 ft.
- Wilmington, NC received 6.78’’ of rainfall. Elsewhere, Myrtle Beach, SC reported 3.22’’ of rain.
- 6.30" of rain fell in Myrtle Beach, SC, the highest single day rainfall on record for the area for the month of July. 4.76" fell in Wilmington, NC and 4.20" in Whiteville, NC.
- Florence, SC reached a high of 105°F, its hottest temperature on record during the month of July. Elsewhere, an observer near McColl, SC reported a high of 106°F, and another observer in Marion, SC reached 105°F as well. This was towards the start of a heat wave that gripped the area from July 5th through July 21st in 1977, the first significant heat wave in over 20 years. Click here to learn more!
- Tropical Storm Elsa brought gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall to the area. Wind gusts over 50 mph occurred on the beaches, with over four inches of rain reported from a few locations in coastal South Carolina. Click here to learn more!
- Wilmington, NC reached a high of 102°F. This was the third consecutive day that the high reached triple digits, which is tied for the longest streak in Wilmington’s history. Click here to learn more!
- An F0 tornado was recorded near North Myrtle Beach, SC as a waterspout sighted off Cherry Grove Beach moved ashore and dissipated. No damage occurred.
- 2.27’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC. Flooding was reported in southeast Florence, with 2-3 feet of water on a couple of roads and around 12 vehicles stalled in the flood waters.
- An F1 tornado touched down in Pender County southeast of the Holly Shelter Game Land, damaging a house trailer and one other building.
- Scattered convection in the evening led to multiple wind damage reports across the area. 67 mph wind gusts was measured by the Florence, SC ASOS. 3 people were injured in Elizabethtown when a tent blew over and damaged a vehicle. An 80 ft pine tree fell through a mobile home in Aynor, SC. Multiple trees down across Dillon County, SC. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- An F1 tornado (estimated winds: 100 mph) touched down west of Coward, SC. Another F1 tornado touched down near Conway, SC. Elsewhere, straight line winds damaged storage buildings at the Williamsburg County Airport. Additional straight line wind damage was reported in Andrews, SC, with numerous trees down and a light pole blown on top of a car. Click here to learn more!
- Wilmington, NC reached a high of 103°F, its hottest temperature on record during the month of July.
- A 35 knot tropical storm made landfall at Kure Beach, NC. This storm had previously made landfall near Nags Head, NC on July 11 as a category 1 hurricane. The storm is also known as Hurricane San Cirilo in Puerto Rico, where the storm led to heavy rainfall and flooding in Puerto Rico.
- Category 2 Hurricane Bertha (maximum sustained winds: 90 knots) made landfall on Bald Head Island, NC. 95 mph wind gusts were measured on Figure Eight Island, and 92 mph gusts were reported at Wrightsville Beach. The winds gusted to 70 mph and the barometric pressure dropped to 978.7 millibars in Wilmington as the eye of Bertha moved across eastern New Hanover and Pender counties. Wilmington received 5.56’’ of storm total precipitation. Bertha destroyed the Kure Beach Pier and damaged the Johnnie Mercer Pier. Click here to learn more!
- 3.77’’ of rain fell in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
- A slow moving front brought heavy rain and flooding to parts of New Hanover County. A spotter in the Seagate community measured 6.30’’ of rain, and another spotter near Masonboro reported 6.20’’ of rain. An observer near Myrtle Grove received 6.16’’ of rain. 5.70’’ of rain fell in Monkey Junction. There were numerous reports of roads and intersections closed due to flooding. Waist deep standing water was reported near Myrtle Grove.
- Strong slow moving thunderstorms inundated Horry county with rain. The flooding was first reported in Socastee, but quickly spread to Forestbrook and Garden City Beach. The heaviest activity occurred in Myrtle Beach, where 11.4 inches of rainfall was recorded from 5 am to 5 pm. Police reported several weather related accidents, with no injuries noted. Many yards were flooded. Many city streets and rural roads were closed due to standing water up to 2 feet deep, with reports of stalled and abandoned automobiles. Several businesses also closed shop due to water in their buildings. The pollution-laden storm water also caused state environment officials to issue a swim warning for the Horry county coast.
- A lifeguard at Wrightsville Beach, NC was hospitalized after she received an indirect lightning strike.
- We received numerous reports of downed trees from thunderstorm wind gusts in Hartsville, SC. A downed tree fell on a car in Bayboro, SC. A storm chaser in Florence County measured a 59 mph wind gust along with nickel size hail. In Elizabethtown, NC, a lightning strike caused a large barn to catch on fire.
- An observer in Williamsburg County near Hebron, SC reported that 1.51’’ of rain fell in just 15 minutes! This heavy rain produced minor yard and roadway flooding.
- Florence, SC reached a high of 102°F. This was the seventh consecutive day that the high reached triple digits, which is the second longest streak on record for Florence. Click here to learn more about the 1986 heat wave!
- The Waccamaw River near Conway, SC crested at 13.10 ft., which is well above moderate flood stage of 12 ft.
- 7.33’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC, which is the highest daily rainfall total on record here during the month of July. The heavy rains washed out several roads across the city and damaged property. Click here to view Wilmington Morning News article for the storm!
- A hurricane made landfall north of Charleston, SC on July 14th. This led to heavy rain across our southern and inland areas for two days. On this day across SC, 13.25" was observed in Effingham, 12.60" in Kingstree, 11.05" in Florence, and 10.10" in Darlington. Lumberton, NC measured 5.00" of rain, its highest single day July rainfall on record.
- A small tornado was seen in Wilmington, NC.
- Severe thunderstorms produced damaging hail across southeast North Carolina. Baseball size hail was reported in Penderlea, NC along with estimated wind gusts of 60 mph. Golf ball size hail fell in several locations across Columbus County. Additional reports of penny to golf ball size hail were received from Robeson and Bladen counties. Click here to learn more!
- The Black River at Kingstree, SC crested at 15.50 ft., well above moderate flood stage of 14 ft. This is the seventh highest crest on record for this site.
- A storm survey team estimated that 60 mph thunderstorm winds downed trees and caused minor roof damage near Yauhannah, SC.
- It was a very warm day across the eastern Carolinas as highs soared into the triple digits. An observer at Brookgreen Gardens, SC reported a high of 103°F, while another observer in Kingstree, SC reported a high of 102°F. Florence, SC reached 101°F, and Wilmington, NC peaked at 100°F. Click here to learn more about the 1986 heat wave!
- A severe thunderstorm downed trees in Wallace, SC. Also, penny size hail was reported in Bingham, SC and near Council, NC.
- An F2 tornado touched down just south of Lumberton, NC. Steel posts were twisted, trees broken off, and small buildings were unroofed.
- An F0 tornado touched down in Winnabow, NC. Another F0 tornado was confirmed near Leland, NC.
- A 58 mph thunderstorm wind gust was measured at the Darlington County Jetport.
- A waterspout developed off the coast of Pender County, NC and subsequently moved onshore as a tornado with wind speeds estimated around 70 mph. Damage occurred to a wooden fence and to roofs on three houses. Click here for a video and more information!
- The Lynches River at Effingham, SC crested above major flood stage at 18.70 ft.
- Tropical Depression Two made landfall near Georgetown, SC. An observer in Conway, SC received 2.10’’ of rain, while another observer in Myrtle Beach, SC measured 2.00’’ of rain. According to the National Hurricane Center, Myrtle Beach also recorded wind gusts of 36 knots after the depression made landfall.
- Lumberton,NC reached its ALL-TIME high temperature record of 108°F. Elsewhere, 106°F was measured in Darlington, SC and 105°F was recorded in Florence and Society Hill, SC by COOP observers.
- Several large trees were downed by severe thunderstorms in Williamsburg County, SC. Two people were hospitalized after being struck by lightning in Myrtle Beach, SC. The Surfside Beach Fire Department also sustained significant damage from a lightning strike.
- Severe thunderstorms produced quarter size hail near Pembroke, NC. Nickel size hail fell near Bennettsville, SC. Additionally, trees were downed in several locations across Robeson County, NC and Marlboro County, SC.
- An F1 tornado touched down in Florence, SC.
- 3.38’’ of rain fell in North Myrtle Beach, SC. An F0 tornado was recorded two miles southwest of Litchfield Beach as a waterspout came onshore. It struck the Litchfield Inn, though no damage was reported, and shattered the windows or several autmobiles.
- A lightning strike started a fire in Ogden Park (Wilmington) that forced the evacuation of the park.
- It was a very hot day across the eastern Carolinas as Lumberton, NC reached a high of 107°F and Florence, SC peaked at 104°F. This marked the fourth consecutive day that the temperature in Lumberton reached at least 105°F! Click here to learn more about the 1952 heat wave!
- Lumberton, NC received 3.49’’ of rainfall.
- Hurricane Bob made landfall near Beaufort, SC the night of July 24th. This led to heavy rains across our area on the 25th. An observer in Conway, SC reported 6.55’’ of rain. Another observer in Kingstree, SC measured 4.10’’ of rain. Florence, SC received 3.08’’ of rain. Elsewhere, 1-3 inches of rain fell across the eastern Carolinas. Click here to view rain map for Bob from WPC!
- The Coast Guard reported a waterspout over the Atlantic Ocean east of Winyah Bay.
- A severe thunderstorm downed a tree in Robeson County near Red Springs, NC.
- Lumberton, NC reached a high temperature of 106°F. This was in the middle of a record streak for Lumberton, with 7 days straight of triple-digit temperatures from July 23 to July 29.
- Severe thunderstorms downed a couple of large trees in Williamsburg County and one in Darlington County. A couple of trees were blown over in Horry County, and power lines were downed near Myrtle Beach, SC. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- Lumberton, NC reached a high temperature of 106°F for second day in a row. This was in the middle of a record streak for Lumberton, with 7 days straight of triple-digit temperatures from July 23 to July 29.
- Hot temperatures and high humidity combined to produce extreme heat across the eastern Carolinas. Heat indices reached 105-115°F across much of our area. Darlington, SC reported a temperature of 100°F and a dewpoint of 79°F; this created a heat index of 121°F! Wilmington, NC reached a heat index of 119°F (temperature: 97°F, dewpoint 81°F). Click here to see more!
- A 61 mph wind gust was measured near Lamar, SC, and a billboard was blown down in this area. Also, quarter to half dollar size hail fell in Darlington County near Oats, SC.
- A severe thunderstorm produced a 62 mph wind gust at the Darlington County Jetport.
- Several inches of rain fell over northeast South Carolina in a short period of time, resulting in a serious flood event in Florence County. The Florence Regional Airport received 2.00’’ of rain in just one hour en route to a daily rainfall record of 4.10’’. A spotter in Effingham, SC measured 3.96’’ of rain in a span of just two hours. This heavy rain caused significant flooding in and around the city of Florence. Numerous roads and intersections were closed, and there were several reports of disabled vehicles with water around one foot deep on some roads in the city. Click here to see more!
- The Cape Fear River at W.O. Huske Lock and Dam crested at 56.06 ft., far exceeding moderate flood stage of 50 ft.
- An F0 tornado touched down in Florence, SC.
- Extreme heat indices persisted across the eastern Carolinas with an oppressive heat/humidity combination. The heat index in Myrtle Beach, SC peaked at 123°F (temperature: 97°F, dewpoint: 82°F). In Elizabethtown, NC, the heat index peaked at 118°F (temperature: 99°F, dewpoint: 79°F). Click here to see more!
- One person drowned due to strong rip currents in Myrtle Beach, SC.
- The Waccamaw River near Conway, SC crested at 13.61 ft., which is well above moderate flood stage of 12 ft.
- Tropical Storm Brenda dumped abundant rainfall over the eastern Carolinas as it moved up the Mid-Atlantic coast. Some of the highest two-day rainfall totals (July 28-29) include: 7.72’’ in Myrtle Beach, SC, 6.89’’ in Whiteville, NC, and 5.16’’ at Brookgreen Gardens, SC. Winds gusted to 48 mph in Wilmington, NC. Some beach homes sustained minor roof and window damage, and some boats were swamped. Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were reported. Click here to learn more!
- A 63 mph thunderstorm wind gust was measured at the Lumberton Municipal Airport. Strong winds downed large tree branches east of Lumberton. Additionally, several trees were downed northwest of Conway, SC. Springmaid Pier in Myrtle Beach reported a 43 mph wind gust from the storms.
- Half dollar size hail was reported in Red Springs, NC.
- Severe thunderstorms downed trees and power lines across Dillon, SC. 17 trees were downed in Marion County from Mullins to Nichols, SC. Several trees were uprooted and nickel size hail fell near Tabor City, NC. More trees and power lines were downed along with penny size hail in Lumberton, NC.
- A waterspout was spotted just east of Bald Head Island, NC.
- An F0 tornado touched down in Wilmington, NC, causing negligible damage as it uprooted a tree and tossed yard furniture.
- Florence, SC recorded a high of 106°F, which is tied for its highest temperature in August and second highest all-time temperature. An observer near McColl, SC reported a high of 107°F, while Wilmington, NC peaked at 101°F. Click here to learn more about the 1980 heat wave!
- Wilmington, NC reached a high of 103°F, its hottest temperature on record during the month of August. Florence, SC climbed to 104°F, and an observer in Kingstree, SC reported a high of 106°F. Click here to learn more about the 1999 heat wave!
- Heavy rain fell across portions of southeastern North Carolina. In Brunswick County, 4.23’’ of rain fell at Sunny Point Military Terminal. 3.55’’ of rain fell in Southport, NC, and 3.40’’ was reported in Surf City, NC. Click here to view more rain totals!
- Damaging winds from severe thunderstorms were reported across our inland counties. A 72 mph wind gust was measured by a spotter in Darlington, SC. A microburst downed many trees and ripped the roof off a warehouse in Darlington County. A storage building was destroyed in Chavistown, SC, and some cars sustained hail damage. Many trees were downed in Dillon and Marlboro County, SC. A tree fell on a house in Bladenboro, NC. Click here to view the storm reports for the day.
- Severe thunderstorms produced golf ball size hail near Effingham, SC and in Kelly, NC. Quarter size hail was reported near Elizabethtown, NC and in Atkinson, NC. Three buildings sustained roof damage and trees were downed in Chadbourn, NC. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- Florence, SC received 5.54’’ of rain, its highest daily rainfall total on record during the month of August, causing flash flooding and minor damage. Also, an F1 tornado touched down in east Florence damaging four homes and lightning heavily damaged a restaurant in Florence. Elsewhere, an observer near Georgetown, SC measured 4.17’’ of rain.
- After Tropical Storm Alex meandered off the South Carolina coast for a couple days, Alex strengthened into a hurricane about 75 miles S-SE of Wilmington, NC. Hurricane Alex paralleled the North Carolina coastline and brushed the Outer Banks before turning back to the Atlantic. A 52 mph wind gust was measured at Frying Pan Shoals buoy 41013, a 42 mph gust was reported at Bald Head Island, and a 30 mph gust was recorded at Wilmington International Airport. The local impacts were limited to some minor beach erosion. Click here to learn more!
- Hurricane Isaias made landfall the evening of August 3rd as a category one hurricane at Ocean Isle Beach, NC, with maximum sustained winds near 85 mph. The storm's rapid movement limited rainfall amounts, however significant storm surge flooding and multiple tornado touchdowns occurred across portions of coastal South and North Carolina. Click here to learn more!
- 4.83’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC. Elsewhere, 1.90’’ of rain fell in Cheraw, SC.
- An F0 tornado was recorded in Southport, NC as a waterspout came ashore before dissipating.
- Due to storm surge from Hurricane Isaias, track of the storm from the south, and the storm making landfall around high tide, water levels for the Lower Cape Fear River at Downtown Wilmington reached a record height of 9.03 ft. This well surpassed the previous record of 8.28 ft set a year prior during Hurricane Florence. Click here to learn more!
- In the midst of an intense summer, Myrtle Beach, SC reached 104°F, tied ALL-TIME high temperature record for the area (tied - June 26, 1952). Florence, SC reached a sweltering 106°F, while Wilmington and Lumberton, NC both reached 102°F. Click here to learn more about the 1954 heat wave!
- An F2 tornado touched down north of Burgaw, NC. Two homes and several outbuildings were severely damaged, with three large trees uprooted and a fourth stripped of limbs. A tree fell on a car and furniture was carried a quarter mile.
- 3.91’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC.
- A left-moving supercell did significant damage in Pender County. A damage track 5 miles wide and 20 miles long occurred through the town of Watha northeast toward the Holly Shelter wildlife refuge, including winds over 60 mph and hail the size of tennis balls. Total damage estimated at around $3.5 million. Click here to learn more.
- Temperatures climbed to triple digits across our inland counties as a record heat wave began impacting the Carolinas. Lumberton, NC recorded a high of 101°F, and Florence, SC peaked at 100°F. Click here to learn more about the summer of 2007 heat wave!
- After making landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida as a Category 1 hurricane on August 5, Debby weakened to a tropical storm as it slowly moved across southeastern Georgia and offshore before making another landfall along the central SC coast between Charleston and Georgetown. The storm then moved northwest to near the SC/NC border and weakened to a tropical depression on August 8 before quickly becoming a non-tropical low pressure system. The storm's main impact across southeastern NC and northeastern SC was flash/river flooding from heavy rainfall but tropical storm force wind gusts, minor coastal flooding and 3 weak tornadoes also occurred. Click here to learn more.
- Wilmington, NC received 5.39’’ of rainfall.
- A late summer cold front moved across the eastern Carolinas, dropping lows into the upper 50s/low 60s. Lumberton, NC dipped all the way down to 57°F.
- A heat wave continued across the Carolinas as Florence, SC reached a high of 102°F and Lumberton, NC peaked at 101°F. Triple digit temperatures at our inland locations continued for the next several days. Click here to learn more about the 2007 heat wave!
- Heavy rain continued as Tropical Storm Debby impacted the area. North Myrtle Beach, SC recorded 3.99" of rain, a record for August 6th.
- An F1 tornado tracked through Georgetown, SC; fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were reported.
- Florence, SC reached a high of 102°F, a record eighth consecutive day that the temperature hit triple digits there. Click here to learn more about the 1980 heat wave!
- Wilmington, NC dropped to a low of 55°F, its coolest temperature on record during the month of August. Lumberton, NC dipped down to 53°F, North Myrtle Beach, SC dropped to 56°F, and Florence, SC recorded a low of 57°F during this late summer cool spell.
- Significant rain from Tropical Storm Debby continued to impact the area, leading to multiple instances of flash flooding and riverine flooding. Wilmington, NC recorded 5.66" of rain on August 7th alone while North Myrtle Beach, SC measured 2.98", both records for August 7th. Click here to learn more.
- An F1 tornado touched down near North Myrtle Beach, SC in a wooded area, twisting off some tree tops. Also, a large cluster of thunderstorms caused winds of about 80mph at the Myrtle Beach airport.
- A record heat wave continued across the Carolinas. Florence, SC recorded a high of 106°F, which is tied for its highest temperature in August and second highest all-time temperature. Lumberton, NC also climbed to 106°F, tied for its highest temperature in August. Click here to learn more!
- An F1 tornado touched down in Florence County near Lynches River County Park causing slight damage to trees.
- 3.79’’ of rain fell in Lumberton, NC.
- Staggering heat persisted at our inland locations as Florence, SC and Lumberton, NC both reached 106°F for the second day in a row. An observer near McColl, SC reported a high of 108°F. Click here to learn more!
- The Waccamaw River near Conway, SC crested at 14.11 ft., which is above major flood stage of 14 ft.
- An F2 tornado tracked across Dillon County between Dillon and Latta, SC. Five people were injured by an F1 tornado near Bucksville, SC. One person was injured when an F1 tornado touched down west of Willard, NC. These tornadoes were spawned by Hurricane Connie, which was due east of Georgia on this day before it made a right hand turn the night of the 10th towards NC. Click here to learn more!
- This was the sixth consecutive day that the temperature in Florence, SC and Lumberton, NC reached triple digits! Florence and Lumberton reached a high of 106°F for the third consecutive day. Elsewhere, an observer near McColl, SC again reported a high of 108°F. Click here to learn more about the 2007 heat wave!
The extreme heat produced a very unstable air mass, and later that evening severe thunderstorms developed in Horry County. Straight line wind damage (estimated winds: 60-90 mph) snapped large trees and peeled off aluminum roofing near Duford, SC. Additional straight line winds estimated at 100 mph destroyed a mobile home and snapped very large trees along Hwy. 9 near Duford. Click here to learn more!
- A microburst impacted neighborhoods west of Hampstead, NC, with an estimated peak wind speed of 110 mph. Multiple trees snapped and uprooted, and a new power pole was snapped in half on Hwy 210.
- A weak cold front finally brought some relief to the Carolinas from the record heat wave. North Myrtle Beach, SC received 2.70’’ of rain, and 2.23’’ of rain fell at Moores Creek National Battlefield as temperatures at our official climate sites failed to reach triple digits.
- Category 2 Hurricane Connie passed offshore to the east of the Cape Fear region. Still, Wilmington, NC received 4.77’’ of rain from the storm and recorded a wind gust of 83 mph. The barometric pressure dropped to 985.4 millibars in Wilmington. Connie made landfall later in the day as a category 1 hurricane on Portsmouth Island, NC (near Ocracoke Island). There was considerable wind and storm surge damage from Myrtle Beach northward across coastal North Carolina. Click here to learn more!
- Two F0 tornadoes and multiple wind damage reports occurred across NE SC as the remnants of Tropical Storm Bonnie moved across the area. An F0 tornado touched down in Marlboro County, SC north of Bennettsville, with damage limited to trees. A second F0 tornado touched down in Conway, SC near Lake Busbee. Also in Marlboro County, a tree was blown down on a firehouse, a mobile home was blown over, and winds blew the top off a trailer and wrapped the trailer around a tree. Click here to view the SPC Event Archive for the day.
- An EF0 tornado (estimated winds: 80 mph) was confirmed west of Conway, SC. The tornado knocked a tree onto a mobile home and ripped part of the roof off another home.
- The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Bonnie tracked along a stalled frontal boundary over the eastern Carolinas, promoting thunderstorm development in our area. One of these storms produced an F2 tornado (estimated winds: 130 mph) in Pender County that killed three people and injured 29 near Rocky Point, NC. The tornado devastated this area, destroying 5 homes and damaging 25 others. In total, the tornado tracked 5 miles on the ground for about 35 minutes. Click here to learn more.
- 2.83’’ of rain fell in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Brookgreen Gardens, SC reported 2.90’’ of rain.
- After striking Punta Gorda, FL as a category 4 hurricane on August 13, Hurricane Charley made second landfall near Georgetown, SC as a weak category 1 storm. An 85 mph wind gust was measured at Wrightsville Beach, 74 mph at Wilmington International Airport, and 61 mph in Myrtle Beach, SC. Brookgreen Gardens, SC reported 4.11’’ of rain, Wilmington received 2.02’’ of rain, and North Myrtle Beach, SC recorded 1.52’’ of rain. Minor beach erosion and wind damage occurred, and there was heavy crop damage in Brunswick County. Click here to learn more!
- Nine people were struck by lightning on the south beach of Bald Head Island. Two boys were hospitalized, but fortunately everyone survived the incident.
- The Myrtle Beach International Airport tower reported a waterspout off Myrtle Beach, SC.
- An F1 tornado touched down briefly in Calabash, NC, damaging some trees, roofs and signs.
- Myrtle Beach, SC recorded a high temperature of 103°F, the latest date the Myrtle Beach area has reached triple digit temperatures.
- Hurricane Diane made landfall near Carolina Beach, NC as a category 1 storm. The winds gusted to 74 mph at Wilmington Airport. An observer near Southport, NC reported 3.41’’, and another observer near Willard, NC measured 2.94’’. Wilmington received 2.19’’ of rain. According to a newspaper report, the incoming tide at Kure Beach piled up sand, creating new sand dunes as the waters receded. 12 ft. waves reportedly crashed ashore at Carolina Beach. Click here to view page for Hurricane Diane from NWS MHX!
- An F1 tornado touched down in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
- 46 people were injured when an F3 tornado touched down in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
- Florence, SC reached a low of 54°F, its lowest August temperature on record. A cool 46°F was observed in Longwood, NC, and 49°F was recorded in Lumberton, NC.
- A waterspout was spotted off of Carolina Beach, NC. Click here to see more!
- Tropical Storm Dennis brushed the Carolina coastline before re-curving into the Atlantic. The winds gusted to 59 mph at Frying Pan Tower and 37 mph in Wilmington. An observer in Georgetown, SC reported 6.26’’ of rain. 4.81’’ of rain fell in Wilmington. Brookgreen Gardens, SC reported 3.90’’ of rain. Some storm total precipitation amounts include: 4E Georgetown - 9.75’’, Conway, SC - 8.75’’, and Myrtle Beach, SC - 6.05’’. View selected meteorological stats from NHC: Page 1 Page 2
- Thunderstorms producing excessive cloud-to-ground lightning were responsible for a storage building catching fire in Belville, NC. A home was struck in Belville as well, injuring one person.
- Two F0 tornadoes touched down in our forecast area &ndash: one in Bladen County near Elizabethtown, NC, damaging trees and accompanied by golf ball sized hail, and the other in Robeson County south of Lumberton, NC, where a state trooper observed the tornado skipping over I-95.
- A broadcast media partner spotted a waterspout over Winyah Bay near Georgetown, SC.
- Severe thunderstorms downed trees and power lines near Barker Ten Mile, NC. Some downed power lines actually blocked portions of Interstate 95. Trees were also downed in Marlboro County, SC.
- A total solar eclipse occurred on this date, completely blotting out the sun in a stripe across the Carolinas. This was a 99% eclipse in Florence and Myrtle Beach, SC; and 96-97% in Wilmington and Lumberton, NC. Air temperatures fell during the eclipse as the sun's light and heat were blocked by the moon - temperatures drops averaged 4 to 7 degrees, but in some spots were as large as 11 degrees. Click here to view satellite animation of the eclipse! And click here to view graph of temps at Lumberton that day!
- North Myrtle Beach, SC received 3.26’’ of rain, and Wilmington, NC recorded 2.87’’ of rain. Roadway flooding forced road closures in Wilmington, and flooding was also reported in Leland, NC.
- 4.19" of rain fell in Lumberton, NC, its highest single-day rainfall in the month of August. Red Springs, NC observed 3.95".
- The Little Pee Dee River near Galivants Ferry, SC crested at 11.52 ft., which exceeded moderate flood stage of 11 ft.
- 3.04’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC, and 2.35’’ of rain fell in North Myrtle Beach, SC. There were numerous reports of roadway closures due to flooding in Wilmington. In Chadbourn, NC, 12-15 homes and businesses suffered flood damage from 1 ft. or more of standing water.
- 2.40’’ of rain fell in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
- 4.97’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC and 3.44" fell in Southport, NC as a tropical storm/minimal hurricane moved east of Cape Fear up the North Carolina coastline.
- A severe thunderstorm downed a tree on a house in Georgetown, SC. Numerous trees were downed in Galivants Ferry, SC and Marion, SC as well.
- The remnants of Tropical Storm Jerry produced heavy rainfall in the Carolinas. 4.18’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC, and an observer in Red Springs, NC reported 2.90’’ of rain.
- The eye of category 2 Hurricane Bonnie (maximum sustained winds: 110 mph) came within 10 miles of the Cape Fear coast before making landfall around midnight near Surf City, NC. The minimum pressure in Wilmington, NC was 969.9 millibars, the fourth lowest pressure ever recorded here. 9.04’’ of rain fell in Wilmington during Bonnie (6.77’’ of rain on August 26), and the maximum recorded wind gust was 74 mph. An 89 mph wind gust was measured in Kure Beach. 800,000 people lost power across coastal North Carolina. Click here to learn more!
- 3.59’’ of rain fell in Lumberton, NC.
- Golf ball size hail was reported near Hemingway, SC.
- Category 1 Hurricane Irene began impacting coastal Carolina as it moved northward toward the Outer Banks. The winds gusted to 62 mph at Springmaid Pier in Myrtle Beach and 49 mph at North Myrtle Beach, SC. Wilmington, NC received 4.09’’ of rain, and North Myrtle Beach, SC reported 1.71’’ of rain. Flooding forced several road closures in Georgetown, SC, and trees were downed in Florence County, SC. Irene continued impacting our forecast area on August 27 as well. Click here to learn more!
- The Waccamaw River near Conway, SC crested at 13.81 ft. in response to rainfall from Tropical Storm Dennis. This put the river into moderate flood and near major flood stage of 14 ft.
- Florence, SC received 3.89’’ of rainfall. An observer in Galivants Ferry, SC reported 2.86’’ of rain.
- Category 1 Hurricane Irene brushed the Cape Fear region before making landfall at Cape Lookout, NC. The winds gusted to 70 mph at Johnny Mercer Pier, 67 mph at Frying Pan Shoals buoy 41013, and 66 mph at Wilmington International Airport. The barometric pressure in Wilmington dropped to 979.3 millibars, the 11th lowest pressure ever recorded here. Here are some storm total rainfall numbers: Back Island – 8.26’’, Southport, NC – 8.01’’, Hampstead, NC – 7.67’’, and Wilmington (NWS Office) – 7.58’’. Widespread rainfall totals of 4-8 inches were reported across our area as the outer bands of Irene impacted southeast North Carolina. Click here to learn more!
- Florence, SC received 3.45’’ of rain, and Lumberton, NC recorded 3.31’’ of rain. An observer in Hartsville, SC reported 3.95’’ of rain.
- One person was injured when an F2 tornado touched down in Darlington, SC. Also, an F1 tornado touched down near Timmonsville, SC. Both tornadoes were associated with Tropical Storm Cleo.
- After category 1 Hurricane Gaston made landfall in Awendaw, SC, it rapidly weakened to a tropical depression as it tracked east of Florence, SC and then just west of Lumberton, NC. An observer in Red Springs, NC measured 6.10’’ of rainfall. Florence, SC received 4.22’’ of rain, and Lumberton, NC recorded 3.17’’ of rain. A 45 mph wind gust was measured at the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport, but most wind gusts across our area were in the 30-35 mph range. Click here to learn more!
- The Lynches River at Effingham, SC exceeded major flood stage and crested at 20.00 ft. This is the second highest crest ever recorded at this gauge site.
- Tropical Storm Idalia moved across the area from the southwest late August 30th, bringing flooding from heavy rain and storm surge, tropical storm force wind gusts, and five tornadoes.
- Hurricane Able made landfall near Beaufort, SC with winds up to 90 mph. Widespread rainfall totals between 3 to 5 inches fell across much of the Pee Dee region, with the highest total recorded in Conway, SC at 6.53".
- Category 3 Hurricane Edouard passed about 370 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras. Minor beach erosion occurred along the NC and SC coastlines due to large swells from the storm. Click here for more info and to view satellite images of Edouard!
- Tropical Storm Ernesto brought torrential rainfall and gusty winds to our forecast area as the storm approached southeast North Carolina. Ernesto made landfall near Oak Island, NC just before midnight on August 31. Wilmington, NC received an incredible 9.56’’ of rain, its highest daily rainfall total in August and fourth highest ALL-TIME daily rainfall. 7.19’’ of rain fell in North Myrtle Beach, SC, the area's highest single day rainfall in August. The heavy rain resulted in flooding and road closures in Wilmington and Surf City. A 74 mph wind gust was measured at Wrightsville Beach, 62 mph at Wilmington International Airport, and 49 mph in Southport. The barometric pressure in Wilmington dropped to 985.4 millibars, and a storm surge of nearly 3 ft. was measured at Wrightsville Beach. Click here to learn more!
- Florence, SC reached a high of 100°F, tied for its second highest temperature on record during the month of September. Elsewhere, Kingstree, SC climbed to a high of 98°F.
- The barometric pressure in Wilmington, NC dropped to 985.4 millibars just after midnight as Tropical Storm Ernesto moved ashore over the Cape Fear region. The highest storm total (Aug. 31 – Sept. 1) precipitation amounts from Ernesto include: 14.61’’ at Wrightsville Beach, 11.92’’ in Surf City, and 11.13’’ in Hampstead. Click here to learn more!
- Lumberton, NC received 2.76’’ of rainfall. Dillon, SC reported 3.10’’ of rain, and Florence, SC reported 2.11’’ of rain.
- It was a second straight day of unseasonably warm weather across the Pee Dee region. Florence, SC soared to 99°F, and observers in Dillon and Cheraw, SC reported 98°F.
- It was a second straight day of heavy rain as Lumberton, NC received 2.86’’ of rain. Elsewhere, an observer near McColl, SC reported 4.45’’ of rain, and another observer in Whiteville, NC received 2.62’’ of rain.
- Hurricane Earl came ashore on the Florida Coasts early on this date, before weakening and passing across the Carolinas during the day and evening. Wind gust reports ranged as high as 70 mph in Brunswick County, NC and Horry County, SC, where sustained winds reached 50 mph for 5 minutes. Onshore winds along the Brunswick County coast drove seas up the beaches, causing minor erosion, while embedded thunderstorms downed trees in Columbus County, NC. An F0 tornado touched down briefly in Georgetown County near Browns Ferry Park. Rainfall reports ranger from 2 to 4 inches onto ground soaked by Hurricane Bonnie a week prior, resulting in flooding of some roads, especially along the coast. Click here to read the NHC report for Hurricane Earl!
- Damaging winds from severe thunderstorms downed trees and power lines in numerous parts of Florence County, SC and Bladen County, NC. A tree was downed on a home in Bladen County and a car in Columbus County, NC. Click here to learn more!
- Wilmington, NC climbed to a high of 100°F - the only time Wilmington has reached triple digit heat during the month of September. Lumberton, NC reached a high of 104°F, its highest all-time temperature for the month of September. 109°F was recorded in Darlington, NC by a COOP observer.
- This was the third day of very warm temperatures across our area. Myrtle Beach, SC reached a high of 99°F, the highest September temperature on record for the area. Lake City, SC reached 103°F and 102°F was observed in Conway and Kingstree SC.
- This was the first day of a late summer heat wave across our inland counties. An observer near Society Hill, SC peaked at 100°F. Lumberton, NC and Florence, SC both reached a high of 99°F. Click here to learn more!
- 4.68’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC.
- Hurricane David made landfall near Savannah, GA in the afternoon. Four tornadoes were spawned from the storm in our area: three in North Myrtle Beach, SC and one at North Litchfield Beach in Georgetown, SC. The tornadoes did widespread damage to fishing piers, buildings, and utilities. Hurricane David also led to heavy rain across the area: 4.40" at Andrews, SC; 4.20" at Florence, SC; 3.62 at Brookgreen Gardens, SC; and 3.44" at Wilmington, NC.
- It was another unseasonably warm day within our forecast area. An observer in Cheraw, SC reported a high of 101°F. Florence, SC and Lumberton, NC both reached 100°F. Click here to learn more!
- Category 3 Hurricane Fran made landfall near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line with very strong winds and heavy rain. The barometric pressure in Wilmington, NC dropped to 961.4 millibars, which is the second all-time lowest pressure officially recorded in Wilmington. The winds gusted to 86 mph at Wilmington International Airport and 105 mph at the State Port along the Cape Fear River. A 75 mph gust was recorded at Springmaid Pier in Myrtle Beach. An observer in Southport, NC reported over 13’’ of storm total precipitation. 5.23’’ of rain fell in Wilmington. Fran destroyed Johnnie Mercer’s Pier in Wrightsville Beach and produced over $1.6 billion in property damage, mostly in North Carolina. Click here to learn more!
- The Northeast Cape Fear River near Burgaw, NC reached its fourth highest crest ever at 16.64 feet. This exceeded major flood stage of 16 ft.
- Hurricane Dorian passed offshore, missing Cape Fear by 30 miles. At least 15 tornadoes were spawned by Dorian that morning, strongest one an EF2 that hit Calabash in Brunswick County damaging a dozen homes. Storm surge affected Georgetown and Horry Counties, while heavy rain led to isolated areas of flash flooding within coastal counties. An incredible 13.38" was recorded in Georgetown, SC. 10.39" of rain fell in North Myrtle Beach, SC, the area's second highest ALL-TIME single day rainfall on record. Click here for more information on Hurricane Dorian.
- A tropical storm made landfall near Holden Beach, NC.
- Lumberton, NC soared to a high of 103°F, its warmest temperature on record during the month of September. Florence, SC also set a monthly temperature record with a high of 101°F. It was the second straight day of triple digit heat at these sites.
- An F1 tornado touched down between Chadbourn and Whiteville, NC, damaging several buildings and injuring two people.
- Tropical Storm Hanna made landfall near Myrtle Beach, SC, bringing gusty winds and prolific rains to our forecast area. Johnny Mercer Pier recorded a 72 mph wind gust. The winds gusted to 50 mph at Frying Pan Shoals buoy 41013, 54 mph at the Wilmington International Airport, and 53 mph in North Myrtle Beach, SC. The heaviest rain fell over the Pee Dee region. Marion, SC received 8.73’’ of storm total precipitation. Galivants Ferry, SC reported 6.77’’ of rain, and Mullins, SC measured 6.19’’ of rain. Click here to learn more!
- An EF0 tornado touched down in Rennert, NC (northern Robeson County), damaging three mobile homes and destroying a barn. Click here to learn more!
- 4.96’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC.
- The remnants of Hurricane Frances resulted in a tornado outbreak across the Carolinas. 6 F1 tornadoes and 6 F0 tornadoes were confirmed within our forecast area. You can learn more about each tornado here.
- Localized heavy rainfall in Pender County resulted in road closures and flooding in Hampstead and Surf City, NC. An observer in Surf City measured 9.05’’ of rain, and 8.39’’ of rain fell in Hampstead.
- Severe thunderstorms in Clarkton, NC produced quarter size hail. The Bladen County 911 call center also reported that several roads in Clarkton were flooded and a home evacuation was performed.
- A hurricane with winds around 90 knots made landfall at Oak Island, NC. The anemometer in Wilmington, NC recorded 90 mph before the instrument failed. Reports from present-day Southport, NC indicated that the town was covered with downed trees and debris from demolished buildings. Many boats were sunk or washed ashore. The Wilmington Morning Star described an immense amount of damage was done to the city and surrounding areas, with houses and roofs destroyed and wires blown down cutting off communication with outside world. Read full article from the Wilmington Morning Star here!
- The Little Pee Dee River near Galivants Ferry, SC crested at 12.30 ft., which put the river above major flood stage.
- A late summer heat wave sent temperatures into the upper 90s/lower 100s across our area. An observer in Kingstree, SC reported a high of 104°F. Conway, SC climbed to 102°F, Marion, SC reached 100°F, and Wilmington, NC rose to 96°F.
- The Black Creek near Quinby, SC reached its third highest all-time crest of 16.80 ft., which put the river above moderate flood stage.
- A hurricane with winds around 90 knots made landfall near Sunset Beach, NC. 93 mph winds were measured in present-day Southport, NC. Buildings and fences were destroyed, and many trees were uprooted. Heavy rain in Wilmington flooded many houses and created wash outs, and water pushed up the Cape Fear river flooded the west banks. A lot of boat wreckage drifted onshore near Wilmington. 53 people in North Carolina died from this storm.
- Hurricane Donna impacted the Cape Fear Region before making landfall early the next morning as a category 2 storm near the Outer Banks. The barometric pressure in Wilmington, NC dropped to 962.1 millibars, which is the third lowest pressure ever officially recorded in Wilmington. The winds gusted to 97 mph in Wilmington, and 6.08’’ of daily rainfall was recorded. 4.86’’ of rain fell in Myrtle Beach, SC, and there were reports of wind gusts around 100 mph near North Myrtle Beach. Florence, SC received 3.62’’ of rain. People at Topsail Beach observed 16 ft. waves. An F1 tornado touched down in Garden City, SC, and another F1 tornado tracked across Bladen County near Elizabethtown and White Lake, NC. Click here to learn more!
- Hurricane Diana peaked as a category 4 storm (maximum winds: 130 mph) as it remained just off the Cape Fear coast. Although the storm did not make landfall until a couple days later, southeast North Carolina began feeling the impacts of this major hurricane. Wilmington, NC received an impressive 6.92’’ of rain. 115 mph winds were measured at the Coast Guard station on Oak Island. Holden Beach, NC recorded sustained winds of 70 mph, while 50-60 mph winds were reported in Supply, NC. Click here to learn more!
- Tropical Storm Irma was making its way northwest across northern Florida and Georgia. Around 2-5 inches of rain fell across our area with average winds around 30-40 mph. Georgetown County had wind gusts up to 61mph! Click here to view full rain and wind reports!
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- A hurricane with winds around 90 knots made landfall near Southport, NC and moved up the Cape Fear coast. Damage was mostly downed trees and fences, with a few bridges damaged as well. Large amounts of sand was blown across railroad tracks by the storm, blocking trains from moving. In addition, several marine vessels were brought ashore.
- Wilmington, NC received 6.64’’ of rainfall.
- Category 2 Hurricane Diana completed a slow clockwise loop off the Cape Fear coast as the storm continued to impact southeast North Carolina. Very strong winds were reported in the early morning hours before Diana looped away from the coast. Fort Fisher Air Force Station recorded sustained winds of 70-90 mph with gusts of 115+ mph! The Wilmington Coast Guard Loran Station measured sustained winds of 90+ mph, and Kure Beach experienced 70-80 mph winds. These were the highest winds measured during Diana, as the storm weakened prior to landfall the following day. Click here to learn more!
- Severe thunderstorms produced quarter size hail and downed large trees in Horry County near Red Hill, SC.
- After becoming the first hurricane on record to impact Jacksonville, FL a few days earlier, downgraded Tropical Storm Dora dumped heavy rain across the Carolinas. An observer in Conway, SC reported 8.25’’ of rain, and Myrtle Beach Air Force Base received 5.22’’ of rain. 5.20’’ of rain fell near Loris, SC, and Whiteville, NC measured 4.72’’ of daily rainfall.
- Hurricane Diana made landfall near Cape Fear as a borderline category 1/2 storm. The winds gusted to 74 mph at the Wilmington airport and 70 mph in Shallotte, NC. Diana struck the nuclear power plant in Brunswick County, making it the first nuclear plant to take a direct hit from a hurricane. The winds gusted up to 95 mph at the plant, but no significant damage was reported. An observer in Southport, NC received 8.75’’ of rain, bringing the 3-day rainfall total to 15.70’’. Wilmington, NC received an additional 4.63’’ of rain. Widespread flooding occurred across southeast North Carolina. Pender and New Hanover County beaches experienced severe beach erosion. Most of the storm damage was attributed to falling trees. Page 1 Page 2
- A hurricane with winds around 70 knots made landfall near Winyah Bay in Georgetown County, SC. The storm did about $10,000 of damage to the city of Georgetown (almost $300,000 in 2020 dollars). Many houses and trees were damaged, and rice crops in the area were greatly damaged. Marion and Florence, SC also received damage from the storm, with houses blown down in Marion, and trees, fences, and telephone poles down in both cities. Click here to read an article from the Lancaster Ledger about the storm impacts in Georgetown, Marion, and Florence!
- The low temperature in Wilmington, NC only dropped to 80°F, which is the warmest minimum temperature on record here during the month of September.
- Category 1 Hurricane Ophelia brushed the Cape Fear coast as it slowly moved northeastward, paralleling the North Carolina coastline. An 84 mph wind gust was measured at Bald Head Island Marina. The winds gusted to 79 mph at Johnny Mercer Pier, 68 mph at Wilmington International Airport, and 64 mph at Cape Fear Regional Jetport in Southport, NC. Wilmington received 5.87’’ of daily rainfall, while North Myrtle Beach, SC recorded 4.22’’ of rain. Some storm total rainfall amounts (Sept. 12-15) include: 17.5’’ at Oak Island, 10.74’’ at Sunny Point, and 10.36’’ in Supply, NC. Much of this rainfall occurred on the 14th. Roadway flooding forced road closures across Brunswick County. There was also significant beach erosion at the New Hanover and Pender County beaches and minor erosion at the Horry and Georgetown County beaches. Click here to learn more!
- Hurricane Florence made landfall at Wrightsville Beach at 7:15am as a category 1 hurricane. Hurricane Florence was a large and slow moving hurricane that produced record breaking rainfall across eastern North Carolina and a portion of northeastern South Carolina. New state tropical rainfall records were set in North Carolina, with over 30 inches of rain in a few locations, and South Carolina, where 23.63 inches was measured in Loris. Record river flooding developed across the region over the next several days, destroying roads and damaging thousands of homes and businesses. Wilmington Int'l Airport measured a max wind gust of 105 mph, highest wind gust measured at ILM since Hurricane Helene in 1958. 23.02 inches of rain was measured at Wilmington Airport, breaking the record for the wettest single weather event in the city's history. Click here for more information on Hurricane Florence.
- A tropical storm moved northeast over the coastal Carolinas late Sept 15th into Sept 16th producing several inches of rainfall. On this day, a COOP observer in Florence, SC measured 4.52", another COOP observer east of Darlington measured 4.00", and Elizabethtown, NC recorded 3.48" of rain.
- Torrential rain fell over the coastal Carolinas as Hurricane Floyd approached the Cape Fear coastline. Wilmington, NC recorded its ALL-TIME highest daily rainfall total as an incredible 13.38’’ of rain fell at the airport. North Myrtle Beach, SC also recorded the area's ALL-TIME highest daily rainfall total with 12.04’’ of rain. 7.62’’ of rain fell in Lumberton, NC, and 3.72’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC. An observer in Andrews, SC reported 6.20’’ of rain. Late on the 15th, the winds gusted to 67 mph in Charleston, SC and 62 mph in Florence, SC. Hurricane Floyd made landfall early the next day. Click here to learn more!
- As heavy rains continued from the slow-moving Hurricane Florence, 19.03" was recorded at Elizabethtown, NC, contributing to a storm total of 35.93", becoming the new NC state tropical rainfall record. 10.95" of rain was measured in Lumberton, NC, its highest single-day rainfall for September, and second highest in history. 14.03" of rain was measured at Oak Island, NC. Click here for more information on Hurricane Florence.
- A tropical storm continued to move northeast over the coastal Carolinas producing several inches of rainfall. An observer near Willard, NC reported 4.71’’ of rain, and 4.42’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC. Another observer near Southport, NC received 4.19’’ of rain, and Georgetown, SC reported 3.25’’ of rain. Two-day rainfall totals included 6.53" in Southport, NC and 5.51" from a COOP observer in Florence.
- Hurricane Floyd made landfall as a category 2 storm near Bald Head Island, NC. The barometric pressure in Wilmington, NC dropped to 959.7 millibars, which is the lowest official pressure EVER recorded in Wilmington. The winds gusted to 86 mph at Wilmington International Airport, 78 mph at Springmaid Pier, 71 mph at Myrtle Beach International Airport, and 66 mph at Grand Strand Airport in North Myrtle Beach. There were several unofficial measurements of wind gusts exceeding 100 mph. An additional 4.33’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, bringing the 2-day total (Sept. 15-16) to 17.71’’. The highest 2-day rainfall total in our database was 24.06’’ from an observer in Southport, NC! Floyd’s heavy rainfall, combined with the preceding rainfall from Hurricane Dennis earlier in the month, produced historic flooding across eastern North Carolina. Several days later, the Northeast Cape Fear River would experience all-time record flooding. 35 people died in North Carolina, and tens of thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed. Click here to learn more!
- Through September 16th, the 2018 annual rainfall total in Wilmington, NC reached 86.22 inches, after Hurricane Florence dropped 23.02 inches at ILM. This rainfall total broke the previous annual rainfall record of 83.65 inches set during 1877. The final 2018 rainfall total at Wilmington, NC would end up being a staggering 102.40 inches!
- Historic rainfall occurred across the Cape Fear Region of southeastern North Carolina as a result of Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight. Gauges and automated radar estimates showed that 12 to 20 inches of rain fell, creating severe flash flooding affecting Carolina Beach, Southport, Bolivia, and Boiling Spring Lakes. Click here to learn more.
- A hurricane with winds around 80 knots made landfall near Georgetown, SC. There was damage reported as far north as Wrightsville and Carolina Beach. The winds reached speeds of 50 mph in Wilmington, NC.
- After making landfall as a major hurricane near Homestead, FL, the remnants of the “Homestead Hurricane” produced very heavy rainfall across northeast South Carolina and central North Carolina. Major flooding occurred across the Eatern Carolinas, causing damage to property, crops, and livestock. River flooding reached record levels, and several record crests still remain. Click here to learn more!
- The Lumber River at Lumberton crested at an estimated 29 feet, its highest ALL-TIME crest and 10 feet above major flood stage. This historic flood was a result of the torrential rainfall produced by Hurricane Florence.
- Remnants of Hurricane Sally moved across the Carolinas, bringing heavy rain and severe weather to the area. Four EF0 tornadoes were confirmed: two in Florence County, SC (including a 5-mile long track south of Timmonsville), one in Hampstead, NC and one in Wilmington, NC. 3-8" of rain fell across most of the area, leading to flash flooding in several parts of NE SC, including Dowtown Darlington, Timmonsville, and Hartsville.
- Lumberton, NC recorded a high temperature of 103°F, the latest date Lumberton has reached triple digit temperatures.
- An F1 tornado touched down near Longwood, NC. Tornado took roof off mobile home and damaged some playground equipment by a school, before shifting a mobile home off its footings and destrying a third mobile home.
- Hurricane Isabel made landfall as a category 2 storm on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. However, the effects of Isabel were felt locally across the Cape Fear region. The winds gusted to 59 mph in Wilmington, 52 mph in Lumberton, NC, and 50 mph in Elizabethtown, NC. A 60 mph gust was measured at the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department. Storm tides ran about one foot above normal, and moderate beach erosion occurred near Bald Head Island. 3.39’’ of rain fell in Lumberton, and an observer near Red Springs, NC reported 3.20’’ of rain. Click here to learn more!
- The Black Creek near Quinby crested at 17.36 ft, its highest ALL-TIME crest. This historic flood was a result of the torrential rainfall produced by Hurricane Florence.
- The Great Okeechobee Hurricane moved across our area Sept 18-19, after making landfall at Palm Beach, FL on Sept 16 as a Cat 4. Two day rainfall totals across northeastern SC was impressive: 12.50" in Darlington, 12.17" in Florence, 11.30 in Effingham, and 11.10" in Kingstree. Click here to learn more!
- Hurricane Ione made landfall as a category 1 storm near Morehead City, NC. An observer near Southport, NC received 6.81’’ of rainfall, and 6.57’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC.
- The Northeast Cape Fear River near Burgaw, NC crested at 25.57 ft, its highest ALL-TIME crest, 3 ft higher than during Hurricane Floyd! This historic flood was a result of the torrential rainfall produced by Hurricane Florence.
- Several inches of rain fell over northeastern South Carolina. An observer in Pee Dee, SC reported 4.64’’ of rain, while Lake City, SC measured 4.25’’ of rain. 3.68’’ of rain fell in Darlington, SC.
- The Black River at Kingstree, SC crested at 16.07 ft. (its fifth highest crest on record), which put the river just above major flood stage.
- The Black River at Kingstree, SC crested at 18.00 ft. (its third highest crest on record), which put the river well above major flood stage.
- Category 4 Hurricane Hugo made landfall near Charleston Harbor, SC just before midnight with estimated winds of 135-140 mph. This storm devastated Charleston, but it also had some significant impacts in northeast South Carolina. Most of the strongest winds and lowest pressures were measured after midnight in the early morning hours of September 22. Florence, SC did receive 2.03’’ of rain, which is a daily rainfall record. Click here to learn more!
- The Cape Fear River at Lock & Dam 1 crested at 30.68 ft, its highest ALL-TIME crest, over 3 ft above major flood stage. Little Pee Dee River at Galivants Ferry crested at 17.21 ft, its highest ALL-TIME crest, over 5 ft above major flood stage. This historic flood was a result of the torrential rainfall produced by Hurricane Florence.
- The Pee Dee River at Pee Dee, SC reached its ALL-TIME highest crest of 33.30 ft. This far surpassed its major flood stage of 28 ft. The Lynches River at Effingham, SC also reached its ALL-TIME highest crest of 21.21 ft. The Cape River River at W. O. Huske Lock & Dam crested at 75.50 ft., which is its ALL-TIME highest crest by almost 15 ft. These record river stages were mostly a result of the heavy rains from the Homestead Hurricane that moved across central Carolinas Sept 17-18.
- Category 4 Hurricane Hugo continued battering South Carolina after making landfall late on September 21. Though the worst devastation occurred in the Charleston, SC area, we still felt some impacts from this historic storm. A ship anchored on the Sampit River near Georgetown, SC measured winds of 120 mph on the ship’s mast 61 feet high. In the early morning hours, the winds gusted to 76 mph at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and 62 mph in Florence, SC. At Holden Beach, NC, a 59 mph wind gust was reported. Hugo also produced the highest stage ever recorded at Springmaid Pier in Myrtle Beach, SC. 3.85’’ of rain fell in Andrews, SC, and 3.70’’ fell in Pee Dee, SC. An observer in Lake City, SC reported 3.10’’ of rain. Click here to learn more!
- An EF-0 tornado touched down in Brunswick County near Holden Beach, NC. Click here to learn more!
- Tropical Storm Ophelia moved across the local coastal waters on September 22, before making landfall at Emerald Isle, NC during the early morning of September 23rd. Ophelia brought 3-4 inches of rain and caused minor impacts across southeast NC. Click here to learn more!
- A tropical storm made landfall near Ocean Isle Beach, NC. It was reported that a house was blown off its foundation and destroyed in Wilmington, possibly by a tornado spawned by the storm. Click here to learn more!
- The Pee Dee River at Pee Dee, SC crested at 31.60 ft., which put the river above major flood stage. This was aided by the heavy rains from the Okeechobee Hurricane that moved across the Carolinas Sept 18-19.
- The Little Pee Dee River near Galivants Ferry, SC rose to a crest of 13.23 ft, which was the all-time highest crest until Hurricane Matthew (17.10 ft) in 2016 and then Hurricane Florence (17.21 ft) in 2018. This easily exceeded major flood stage of 12 ft. The Cape Fear River at Elizabethtown, NC also reached its ALL-TIME highest crest of 43.20 ft., putting the river above moderate flood stage. This was part of a record flooding event from the heavy rains of the Homestead Hurricane.
- Lumberton, NC reached a chilling low temperature of 35°F, it's lowest temperature on record for the month of September. This was the start of a cold stretch, where the low temperature at Lumberton was below 45°F for five days, 20°+ below normal.
- The Little Pee Dee River near Galivants Ferry, SC crested at 12.11 ft., which put the river above major flood stage, aided by the heavy rains of Hurricane Floyd.
- The Lynches River at Effingham, SC crested at 19.40 ft. (its fourth highest crest on record), which put the river above major flood stage.
- 11 people were injured when an F1 tornado touched down near Lake City, SC. The tornado picked up two mobile homes and twisted them in air, before damaging six other mobile homes. Three homes, six cars, and two businesses was damaged, also power lines and trees were downed. The roof was blown off a lumber company's showroom.
- Wilmington, NC dropped to a low of 42°F, its coldest temperature on record during the month of September.
- Florence, SC dropped to a low of 41°F, tied for its coldest temperature on record during the month of September. Lumberton, NC also reached its coldest September temperature (40°F) on this day.
- After Hurricane Flossy struck the central Gulf Coast a couple days earlier, the remnants of Flossy dumped a few inches of rain over the eastern Carolinas. An observer near Georgetown, SC received 3.90’’ of rain, and Pee Dee, SC reported 3.23’’ of rain. 2.26’’ of rain fell in Lumberton, NC.
- The Waccamaw River at Conway crested at 21.16 ft, well above major flood stage (14') and its ALL-TIME highest crest on record. This part of a record river flooding event from Hurricane Florence.
- Category 4 Hurricane Helene skirted the Cape Fear coast as the eye remained about 20 miles offshore. Although Helene never made landfall, the storm brought record winds and heavy rain to the coastal Carolinas. Wilmington’s ALL-TIME record wind gust was measured at the airport during Helene – 135 mph! Sustained winds at the Frying Pan Shoals buoy was recorded at record 90 mph! The barometric pressure in Wilmington dropped to 975.3 millibars, which is the ninth lowest pressure ever recorded here. 7.49’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC on this day, and 6.09’’ of rain fell near Southport, NC. Click here to learn more!
- The Waccamaw River near Conway, SC crested at 17.61 ft. (its fourth highest crest on record), putting the river well above major flood stage.
- Favorable conditions across NE SC, aided by the remnants of Hurricane Jeanne, spawned five tornadoes, 3 F1 and 2 F0. First F1 touched down east of Lake City, SC, destroying a barn and causing minor damage to a house. Second F1 occurred northwest of Carvers Bay, SC in Georgetown County, snapping telephone poles and moving a mobile home off its foundation. Third F1 damaged two homes and downed power lines in Marion County. The two F0 tornadoes, in Oak Grove, SC and Blenheim, SC did minimal damage to trees. Widespread flooding of roadways also occurred across Florence County due to heavy rains.
- A historic rainfall event began over the Cape Fear region as low pressure moved along a stationary frontal boundary draped across the Carolinas. Wilmington, NC received an incredible 10.33’’ of rain, which is the second highest daily rainfall EVER recorded here (dating back to 1871)! An observer near Leland, NC reported 10.64’’ of rain. Our office received over 20 reports of flooding in New Hanover and Brunswick counties. In Castle Hayne, NC, flash flooding disabled a UPS truck that reportedly was floating in the road. Click here to learn more!
- Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend area of the Florida Gulf Coast as a Category 4 storm late in the evening of September 26, 2024. Helene's largest impacts were across the southern Appalachians where widespread severe and unprecedented flooding occurred with hundreds of fatalities and billions in property damage. Locally across southeast NC and northeast SC, Helene produced wind gusts of 45-60 mph, 1-4 inches of rain, and six tornadoes. Click here to learn more.
- Unseasonably warm temperatures prevailed across much of our forecast area as highs climbed into the low to mid 90s. Florence, SC peaked at 96°F, which is 15 degrees above normal for late September. Observers in Lake City, SC and Marion, SC also reported 96°F. Observers in Lumberton, NC and Longwood, NC recorded highs of 95°F.
- Quarter size hail fell near Burgaw, NC. Also, damaging thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines in Columbus County near Lake Waccamaw.
- Wilmington, NC received 9.52’’ of rainfall.
- The Waccamaw River near Conway, SC crested at 15.61 ft., which put the river above major flood stage of 14 ft, aided by heavy rains from the Homestead Hurricane.
- 4.29’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC.
- A long track F2 tornado killed 3 people and injured 12 when it touched down in Dillon, SC and moved northeast into Robeson County near Lumberton, NC. The tornado continued across Robeson County and moved into Cumberland and Sampson counties before finally lifting. Storm records indicate the tornado’s path length was 85 miles! Additionally, an F1 tornado touched down in Effingham, SC.
- A severe thunderstorm ahead of a cold front produced an F1 tornado that injured 6 people as it moved across Darlington County. The tornado touched down in Clyde, SC and moved northeast near North Hartsville and the Darlington County Airport. 46 structures in total were damaged, 17 of which were destroyed. Click here to learn more.
- An anomalously deep upper trough combined with a stationary frontal boundary produced more heavy rain over the Cape Fear region. Wilmington, NC received another 7.37’’ of rain, Florence, SC recorded another 3.07’’, Lumberton, NC received 2.24’’, and North Myrtle Beach, SC reported 2.04’’ of rain. Wilmington set its second highest 3-day rainfall record as 19.66’’ of rain fell from Sept. 27-29 (surpassed by 21.52" from Hurricane Florence Sept 14-16, 2018). Our office received another 30+ reports of flash flooding across New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties. Creeks overflowed, roads were impassable, and there were a few reports of roads washed out by floodwaters. Click here to read more.
- The Waccamaw River near Conway, SC reached a crest of 17.81 ft., easily exceeding major flood stage of 14 ft, aided by heavy rains from the Okeechobee Hurricane. This is the 3rd highest crest of all-time (Hurricane Florence #1 and Hurricane Matthew #2).
- Florence, SC received 4.95’’ of rain, its highest daily rainfall total on record during the month of September. An observer in Marion, SC reported 4.50’’ of rain.
- Florence, SC dropped to a low of 41°F, tied for its coldest temperature on record during the month of September. 37°F was observed in Dillon and Kingstree, SC.
- The historic rainfall event finally came to an end, but not before a final wave of low pressure produced more heavy rain over our forecast area. Wilmington, NC received another 2.29’’ of rain. 2.05’’ fell in North Myrtle Beach, SC, and 1.83’’ fell in Florence, SC. This excessive rain triggered more flash flooding in New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick counties. This extraordinary rainfall event broke numerous records established by Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Click here to learn more!
- Category 1 Hurricane Ian made a third landfall in Georgetown County, SC, after devastating Florida two days earlier. Maximum sustained winds as high as 85 mph pushed a 3 to 6 foot storm surge onshore, damaging homes and businesses along our coastline. Wind gusts over hurricane force were measured at a few coastal sites, but the storm's steady movement across the area limited rainfall amounts to less than six inches. Click here to learn more!
- After making landfall the day before as a minimal hurricane near Emerald Isle, NC, Tropical Storm Ginger brought some rain to our forecast area. Florence, SC received 2.68’’ of rain, while an observer in Darlington, SC reported 2.30’’ of rain.
- Mini supercells produced multiple EF0 tornadoes across southeastern North Carolina. EF0 tornadoes were confirmed in the following locations: Hallsboro, NC (Columbus County), Council, NC (Bladen County), Boardman, NC (Columbus County), and Carvers, NC (Bladen County). Fortunately, there was only minor damage and no injuries associated with any of the tornadoes. Click here to learn more.
- Wilmington, NC only dropped to a low of 76°F, which is tied for its second warmest daily low temperature on record during the month of October.
- The Waccamaw River near Conway, SC crested at 15.41 ft., putting the river well above major flood stage of 14 ft.
- An F0 tornado touched down in Darlington County near Society Hill, SC, striking a farmhouse and outbuildings.
- Long period swells from distant Hurricane Lorenzo (1700 nautical miles away) created hazardous beach conditions across the east coast. There were 2 surf fatalities on this day at Kure Beach, NC due to swells from Lorenzo, one of which was due to a rip current. In total, 8 surf fatalities on the east coast were attributed to Hurricane Lorenzo swells. Click here to learn more.
- For the second day in a row, the low temperature in Wilmington, NC only dropped to 76°F. This is tied for its second warmest daily low on record in October.
- Wilmington, NC reached a high of 95°F, its third warmest temperature on record here during the month of October.
- Wilmington, NC reached a high of 98°F, warmest temperature on record here during the month of October.
- This was the first day of a notable heat wave across the Carolinas as temperatures climbed into the mid to upper 90s. Florence, SC reached a high of 98°F, while Lumberton, NC peaked at 96°F.
- An F2 tornado touched down near Chadbourn, NC and tracked northeast for over 50 miles across Columbus, Bladen, and Pender counties. Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were reported. Tornado destroyed or damaged five homes, two warehouses, several tobacco barns, and other outbuildings.
- The Northeast Cape Fear River near Burgaw, NC crested at 15.31 ft., which is well above moderate flood stage of 12 ft.
- Myrtle Beach, SC reached a high of 93°F, the highest October temperature on record for the area. 96°F was observed in Florence and Darlington, SC.
- Abnormally warm weather persisted across the Carolinas as Florence, SC climbed to 100°F. This was one of only two times that Florence ever reached triple digits in October. An observer in Lake City, SC reported 101°F, and Lumberton, NC reached 99°F, its all-time high temperature for October. Wilmington, NC reached a high of 95°F.
- An observer in Marion, SC received 5.45’’ of rain. Myrtle Beach, SC reported 3.95’’ of rain, and 3.05’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC.
- This was the beginning of a multi-day rainfall event that resulted in significant flooding across our forecast area, especially along the coast. Although there were no flood reports on this day, the rainfall primed our forecast area for flooding later in the week. Pawley’s Island, SC received 2.69’’ of rain, and Georgetown, SC reported 1.34’’ of rain. Click here to learn more!
- This was the final day of a historic flood event across South Carolina. Five day rainfall totals, beginning Oct 1, approached a staggering 2 FEET of rain. 23.5" was measured in Georgetown, SC over the 5 days, with 23.46" recorded in Kingstree, SC and 21.63" in Calabash, NC. Widespread flooding occurred across SC, including multiple dam failures, road washouts, and water rescues. The towns of Georgetown and Kingstree sustained major flood damage. Georgetown suffered an estimated $44.8 million in losses with 670 homes damaged. Click here to view story map for the event by NWS Columbia!
- This was the last day of record-setting heat in our forecast area. Florence, SC peaked at 102°F, the warmest temperature on record here during the month of October. Lumberton, NC also reached a record high of 98°F.
- Heavy rain fell over northeast South Carolina. A mesonet site in Georgetown, SC received 7.77’’ of rain, Pawley’s Island, SC received 5.23’’ of rain, and 4.90’’ of rain fell in Andrews, SC. 3.39’’ of rain fell in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Some roads in Georgetown and Pawley’s Island were covered by up to 2 feet of water. Also, a 40 mph wind gust was measured at Springmaid Pier in Myrtle Beach. Click here to learn more!
- The Lynches River at Effingham, SC crested at 19.25 ft., well above major flood stage of 18 ft. This is the fifth highest crest on record at this gauge site. Also, the Pee Dee River at Pee Dee, SC crested at 29.20 ft., which put this river into major flood as well. This was also the fifth highest crest on record at this location.
- The Black River at Kingstree, SC crested at 14.73 ft., which is above moderate flood stage of 14 ft.
- An F2 tornado went through Aynor, SC. Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries were reported. The tornado did extensive damage to homes and business buildings in near and within downtown Aynor. Destruction of buildings confined to the second flood portion, and therefore funnel may not have come down to the ground.
- Heavy rainfall continued across the coastal Carolinas. 6.34’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC, which is the highest daily total on record here during the month of October. North Myrtle Beach, SC received an additional 2.69’’ of rain. Many roads were flooded across the city of Wilmington and New Hanover County. In Southport, NC, heavy rainfall filled and submerged a boat in the marina. A county official reported that 25 roads across Brunswick County were underwater, and there were several reports of roadway flooding in Pender County as well. In Socastee, SC, flood waters surrounded 10-12 occupied homes. A 48 mph wind gust was measured on Bald Head Island. Click here to learn more!
- The Black River at Kingstree reached 22.65 ft, its ALL-TIME highest crest on record and over 6 feet above major flood stage. This was a result of the historic SC floods of October 1-5, 2015.
- A hurricane with estimated winds of 65 knots made landfall just south of Santee Bay near Cape Romain Harbor, SC. 4.40’’ of rain fell near Southport, NC, and Wilmington, NC received 2.47’’ of rain.
- The remnants of Tropical Storm Josephine produced several inches of rain over the eastern Carolinas. Some notable 2-day rainfall totals (Oct. 7-8) include: Willard, NC: 7.75’’, Brookgreen Gardens, SC: 4.99’’, and Wilmington, NC: 4.53’’. Also, F0 tornadoes touched down in Wilmington, near Supply, NC, and in Socastee, SC.
- It was the final day of torrential rainfall along the Carolina coast. Wilmington, NC received an additional 5.53’’ of rain. Numerous additional flood reports came in from across the Cape Fear area. U.S. Hwy 17 near Winnabow, NC was closed due to roadway flooding. In Wilmington, 15 apartments were flooded. Water was even ponding off Interstate 40 in Pender County. Some three-day rainfall totals from this event include: Wilmington (NWS): 14.87’’, Georgetown, SC: 12.71’’, Ogden, NC: 11.25’’, Sunny Point, NC: 9.62’’, and Andrews, SC: 9.53’’. Click here to learn more!
- Hurricane Matthew impacted the Carolinas with excessive rainfall and record river flooding, along with strong wind gusts and storm surge. Matthew was the most powerful storm of the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season, and made its fourth and final landfall near McClellanville, SC as a category 1 hurricane late in the morning of October 8th. In Myrtle Beach, storm surge and large waves destroyed most of Springmaid Pier, including the NOAA weather station that was attached to the end of the pier. Wind gusts of 74 mph were measured at Myrtle Beach Airport and 70 mph at Wilmington Airport. Twelve to eighteen inches of rain fell over large portions of interior South and North Carolina. 12.53" of rain was measured at Lumberton, NC and 11.74" at Florence, SC, both the highest single day rainfall on record at the sites. Rivers rose to all-time record levels in many locations with severe and life-threatening impacts occurring (these river records would later be surpassed in September 2018 due to Hurricane Florence). Click here to learn more!
- The Waccamaw River near Conway, SC crested at 15.50 ft. This put the river above major flood stage.
- An F3 tornado injured 3 people when it touched down in Columbus County, NC southwest of Lake Waccamaw.
- The Little Pee Dee River near Galivants Ferry, SC crested at 13.01 ft., above major flood stage of 12 ft. This is the fifth highest crest on record for this gauge site. Also, the Cape Fear River at Lock #1 peaked at moderate flood stage of 26 ft.
- 4.35’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC. An observer near Red Springs, NC reported 3.80’’ of rain.
- North Myrtle Beach, SC recorded a high temperature of 91°F, the latest date the Myrtle Beach area has reached 90+ degrees.
- Wilmington, NC only dropped to a low of 77°F, which is tied for its warmest daily low temperature on record during the month of October. North Myrtle Beach, SC only reached a low of 78°F, which is the warmest daily low temperature for the Myrtle Beach area in the month of October.
- Wilmington, NC received 4.20’’ of rain ahead of a borderline tropical storm/hurricane that moved parallel to the Carolina coastline.
- A tropical storm with winds around 60 knots made landfall in Brunswick County near Oak Island, NC. Wilmington, NC reported 60 mph winds and 2.82’’ of rain.
- It was a second straight day of heavy rain across the eastern Carolinas. An additional 3.47’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC. However, the highest daily total came from Georgetown, SC where 8.66’’ of rain was reported! An observer in Kingstree, SC reported 8.00’’ of rain.
- Tropical Storm Kyle, one of the longest-lived Atlantic tropical cyclones on record, made landfall along the South and North Carolina coastline as it tracked northeastward along the Carolina coast. Peak wind gusts of 50 mph occurred in Georgetown, SC and 49 mph at Bald Head Island, NC. Kyle also produced an F2 tornado in Georgetown that injured 8 people. The tornado was on the ground for over one mile as it severely damaged mobile homes, uprooted trees, and even flipped over a car. Click here to learn more!
- The remnant low from Hurricane Delta and a front stalled near the North Carolina/South Carolina border set the stage for a tornado outbreak across eastern South and North Carolina during the afternoon of October 11th. NWS storm surveys confirmed four tornadoes touched down in all for NE SC and SE NC. Fortunately there were no fatalities, although one injury occurred north of Conway, SC. Click here to learn more!
- Several climate sites set daily records with unseasonably warm temperatures across our forecast area. Lumberton, NC climbed to a high of 88°F, Wilmington, NC peaked at 87°F, and North Myrtle Beach, SC reached 86°F (all daily records). An observer in Andrews, SC reported 89°F, and Florence, SC rose to 87°F.
- A hurricane with estimated winds of 105 knots made landfall just north of Charleston, SC before moving northward across Georgetown and Horry counties and then into North Carolina. A wind gust of 94 mph was reported in Southport, NC. The Wilmington waterfront suffered serious damage. 3.37’’ of rain fell near Georgetown, SC, and 2.00’’ of rain was reported in Effingham, SC. Click here to learn more.
- 5.50’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC. An observer in Myrtle Beach, SC reported 4.00’’ of rain.
- Florence, SC recorded its earliest autumn freeze on record with a low of 32°F.
- Severe thunderstorms produced ping pong ball to golf ball size hail in Conway, SC. Quarter size hail fell in Andrews, SC and near Trio, SC. Another thunderstorm produced a 39 mph wind gust at Oak Island, NC.
- Category 4 Hurricane Hazel made landfall near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line with devastating impacts to the local area. Storm surge up to 18 feet wiped out beach communities like Calabash, Holden Beach, and Long Beach, NC. Nearly every structure in these beach towns was damaged or destroyed. Wind gusts of 102 mph were measured in Myrtle Beach, SC and 98 mph in Wilmington, NC. The barometric pressure in Wilmington dropped to 971.2 millibars, which is the sixth lowest pressure on record here. Hazel also produced the highest stage ever recorded, at the time, along the Cape Fear River at downtown Wilmington, which is a testament to the powerful surge of this storm. This record would eventually be broken over 60 years later by Hurricanes Matthew, Florence, and Isaias. 8.80’’ of rain fell near Georgetown, SC, and 8.22’’ was measured in Myrtle Beach (the area's highest single day rainfall on record for October). Florence, SC received 6.08’’ of rain, and Lumberton, NC reported 5.88’’ of rain (highest daily October precipitation on record). Click here to learn more.
- One person was injured by an F1 tornado near Kure Beach, NC. Tornado moved from the southwest through Kure Beach around 2am in the morning, destroying several buildings.
- Wilmington, NC recorded its earliest freeze on record with a low of 32°F.
- An observer near Georgetown, SC reported 5.38’’ of rain, and another observer near Southport, NC received 3.24’’ of rain. 2.73’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC.
- Florence, SC recorded a high temperature of 91°F, the latest date Florence has reached 90+ degrees.
- Wilmington, NC reached a high of 90°F, the latest date Wilmington has reached 90+ degrees.
- An F1 tornado touched down on Bald Head Island, NC, damaging several houses and some trees.
- Heavy rain fell over our forecast area as many locations reported several inches of rainfall. An observer near Georgetown, SC received 6.94’’ of rain, while another observer near Elizabethtown, NC reported 6.65’’ of rain. 4.63’’ of rain fell in Lumberton, NC, and 4.00’’ of rain fell in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Wilmington, NC and Florence, SC had 2.80’’ and 2.64’’ of rain, respectively.
- While Cat. 1 Hurricane Gladys made landfall along the west coast of Florida, the eastern Carolinas received plenty of rainfall ahead of the storm. An observer in Marion, SC reported 7.50’’ of rain, while Brookgreen Gardens, SC received 6.62’’ of rain. Dillon, SC received 4.48’’ of rain, and 3.49’’ of rain fell in Myrtle Beach, SC.
- The Lynches River at Effingham, SC crested at 18.85 ft., which exceeded major flood stage of 18 ft.
- More heavy rain fell in our forecast area as Hurricane Gladys brushed the Atlantic coast. Marion, SC received an additional 5.50’’ of rain, and an observer near Shallotte, NC received 3.40’’ of rain. 2.97’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC. The storm did not make landfall in the Carolinas, though it did parallel the coastline before moving back out into the Atlantic.
- The Lumber River at Lumberton, NC crested at 20.04 ft., the fourth highest crest ever recorded at this gauge site. This easily put the river above major flood stage of 19 ft.
- Lumberton, NC recorded a high temperature of 90°F, the latest date Lumberton has reached 90+ degrees.
- Unseasonably warm temperatures led to daily record highs at a couple of climate sites. Florence reached a high of 88°F, and Wilmington, NC climbed to 87°F. COOP observer in Elizabethtown, NC recorded a high of 89°F.
- Wilmington, NC only reached a high of 50°F, which is tied for its lowest daily high temperature on record during the month of October. Lumberton, NC and Florence, SC only reached highs of 48°F.
- The ’’Gale of 1878’’ moved northward off the Cape Fear coast before making landfall the following day near Swansboro, NC. Wilmington, NC received 3.18’’ of rain from this storm, and the barometric pressure dropped to 985.1 millibars. The storm caused the ’’City of Houston’’ steamship to sink on Frying Pan Shoals. Click here to learn more!
- 4.23’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC. An observer in Effingham, SC reported 3.02’’ of rain.
- The NWS Wilmington, NC moved into its present day location on Gardner Drive at the Wilmington International Airport.
- The Little Pee Dee River near Galivants Ferry, SC crested above major flood stage at 12.46 ft.
- A tropical storm made landfall in Pender County near Hampstead, NC. Wilmington, NC only received 1.35’’ of rain from this storm.
- Florence, SC only reached a high of 46°F, which is its lowest daily high temperature on record during the month of October.
- A gravity wave event in the early morning hours produced wind gusts of 62 mph at Wrightsville Beach and 54 mph at Wilmington International Airport. In Whiteville, NC, the winds gusted to 47 mph at midnight. The gravity wave was accompanied by pressure drops of 6 to 8 millibars in New Hanover County over the span of about one hour. Click here to learn more about gravity waves and this unique event.
- One person was injured by an F1 tornado that touched down near Kelly, NC in Bladen County, and tracked northeast into Pender County.
- Wilmington, NC and Florence, SC both dropped to 27°F, the coldest temperature on record at these sites during the month of October. Lumberton, NC dropped to a crisp 20°F, the lowest temperature on record for the month of October at the site. Temperatures across our forecast area dropped into the 20s, with even some low 20s reported around Lumberton and Elizabethtown, NC.
- An F1 tornado touched down near Marion, SC. Tornado was on the ground for three miles, downing trees that caused additional property damage, and downing power lines.
- Low temperatures again dropped into the 20s as unseasonably cold air lingered over the Carolinas. Wilmington, NC dropped to 29°F, while Florence, SC reported a low of 30°F. Some of our inland locations dropped into the mid 20s.
- An early blast of cold air dropped temperatures into the 20s across much of our forecast area. Florence, SC officially recorded a low of 29°F, but observers across our inland counties reported lows in the mid 20s.
- This is the average date of the first autumn freeze in Marion, SC. Click here to learn more!
- Lumberton, NC plummeted to a low of 23°F, the second coldest temperature on record here during the month of October. An observer in Dillon, SC reported a low of 21°F, and Myrtle Beach, SC dropped to 25°F, the area's coldest October temperature on record. Florence observed a low of 28°F, tied second coldest temperature on record for the month of October for the site.
- Florence, SC dropped to a low of 28°F, tied second coldest temperature on record here during the month of October.
- This is the average date of the first autumn freeze in Longwood, NC and Lumberton, NC. Click here to learn more!
- Hurricane ’’Nine’’ made landfall over the Cape Fear region with estimated maximum sustained winds near 110 mph. 1.45’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC, and the barometric pressure dropped to 986.5 millibars. Although the exact location of landfall is unknown, the worst documented damage and highest storm surge occurred at Wrightsville Beach, NC. Reports indicate that the water at Wrightsville Beach was 8 feet above normal. Significant damage also done at Carolina Beach and Southport. The Cape Fear River rose to levels that flooded parts of Downtown Wilmington. Click here to read article about the storm from Wilmington's Morning Star!
- This is the average date of the first autumn freeze in Dillon, SC and Whiteville, NC. Click here to learn more!
- A coastal low moved up the Southeast coast. Myrtle Beach, SC received an incredible 9.40’’ of daily rainfall, the area's highest single day rainfall on record for November, and third highest ALL-TIME single day total. Wilmington, NC reported 3.17’’ of rain.
- This is the average date of the first autumn freeze in Kingstree, SC, McColl, SC, and Elizabethtown, NC. Click here to learn more!
- Historical records indicate a hurricane with estimated winds around 70 knots made landfall in Pender County. The strong winds and high seas associated with this storm sank at least 2 U.S. ships off Cape Hatteras, one of which was salvaged by the Confederates.
- An F2 tornado touched down in Hampstead, NC.
- Florence, SC climbed to a high of 89°F, tied for its warmest temperature on record during the month of November. Wilmington, NC reached a high of 87°F, which is also a monthly high temperature record.
- It was another day of unseasonably warm temperatures as Florence, SC reached 89°F for the second day in a row. This is tied for its warmest November temperature on record. Lumberton, NC reached a high of 87°F, its highest November temperature on record. Wilmington, NC peaked at 86°F.
- An F1 tornado touched down northwest of Hartsville, SC near Lake Robinson.
- This is the average date of the first autumn freeze in Darlington, SC, Castle Hayne, NC, and Willard, NC. Click here to learn more!
- An F1 tornado touched down in Florence, SC.
- Severe thunderstorms produced large hail over northeastern South Carolina. The most reports came from Murrells Inlet, SC, where quarter to golf ball size hail covered the ground and took down some tree limbs. Quarter size hail was reported in Garden City, SC and several other locations in Horry County.
- Wilmington, NC reached a high of 84°F, and the low only dropped to 70°F. This resulted in the highest average daily temperature (77°F) on record here during the month of November.
- For the second day in a row, Lumberton, NC dropped to a low of 26°F as a cold air mass settled in over the Carolinas. Observers in Darlington, SC and Hartsville, SC reported lows of 27°F.
- Myrtle Beach, SC reached a high of 86°F, the warmest November temperature on record for the area. Hartsville, SC also observed a high of 86°F.
- 4.06’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC, the highest daily rainfall total on record here during the month of November.
- An observer near Willard, NC reported 6.34’’ of rainfall! Wilmington, NC received 3.00’’ of rain.
- A severe weather outbreak across the Southeast produced numerous tornadoes in the eastern Carolinas. The strongest tornado of the day was an F4 that injured 1 person in Marion County northwest of Galivants Ferry, SC. An F2 tornado injured 12 people in Columbus County near Brunswick, NC. F2 tornadoes also touched down in Conway, SC and Florence, SC (4 injuries). An F1 tornado injured 11 people in Kingstree, SC. Another F1 tornado injured 1 person in Georgetown County between Andrews and Georgetown, SC. Still another F1 tornado was confirmed in rural Darlington County. F0 tornadoes touched down near Dillon, SC and near Lumberton, NC. Click here to view more info about the event and damage pictures from the Marion tornado.
- This is the average date of the first autumn freeze in Lake City, SC. Click here to learn more!
- An F0 tornado touched down in Bladen County near White Lake, NC, breaking tree tops along US 701.
- Several days of significant coastal flooding occurred November 6-8, 2021. Combination of meteorological and astronomical factors created the fourth highest tide on record at Wrightsville Beach, NC and the seventh highest at Myrtle Beach, SC. This became one of the most significant non-hurricane coastal floods in our local historical record. Click here to read more about this event!
- An observer in Marion, SC reported 3.80’’ of rain, and Brookgreen Gardens, SC received 3.66’’ of rain. Myrtle Beach, SC and Wilmington, NC both recorded 2.84’’ of daily rainfall.
- This is the average date of the first autumn freeze in Florence, SC. Click here to learn more!
- Florence, SC recorded a high of 87°F, which is over 15 degrees above normal for mid-November.
- Wilmington, NC climbed to a high of 84°F and Florence, SC reached a high of 81°F, both well above normal highs for mid November.
- An observer near McColl, SC reported 3.25’’ of daily rainfall. 2.83’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC.
- A Nor’easter moving up the Atlantic coast produced several inches of rain over the coastal Carolinas. An observer near Whiteville, NC reported 5.11’’ of rain, and a CoCoRaHS observer near Elizabethtown, NC measured 4.33’’ of rain. Wilmington, NC received 3.83’’ of rain, and North Myrtle Beach, SC reported 3.63’’ of rain. The rainfall produced flooding that resulted in roadway closures in Georgetown, SC and Hampstead, NC. A 48 mph wind gust was recorded at Springmaid Pier in Myrtle Beach, SC. Numerous trees were downed across roadways in Robeson County near Lumberton, NC. Click here to view NWS Morehead City's page for the storm!
- This is the average date of the first autumn freeze in Southport, NC. Click here to learn more!
- 3.36’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC. An observer near Willard, NC reported 3.95’’ of rainfall, and another observer near Southport, NC received 3.15’’ of rain.
- A trace of snow was reported in Florence, SC.
- A strong Arctic cold front pushed through the Carolinas, and a band of wintry precipitation behind the front brought some snow to the eastern Carolinas. The automated weather stations in Florence, SC and Lumberton, NC both reported light snow. In Florence, this was tied for the earliest snowfall ever recorded at this location. Trace of snow was also observed in Wilmington, the earliest data trace of snow has been recorded at ILM.
- This is the average date of the first autumn freeze in Andrews, SC. Click here to learn more!
- Following the passage of an Arctic cold front, light snow continued across our coastal counties during the early morning hours. The automated weather stations in North Myrtle Beach, SC and Wilmington, NC both reported light snow. Many sites received at least a trace of snow, and some parts of Pender County received measurable snowfall. 0.4’’ of snow was reported from Watha, NC. Click here to view the Public Information Statement for the day.
- This is the average date of the first autumn freeze in Brookgreen Gardens, SC. Click here to learn more!
- A trace of snow was reported in Wilmington, NC.
- A trace of snow fell in Florence, SC and Wilmington, NC.
- Low temperatures dropped into the 20s across the forecast area as Arctic high pressure settled in over the Carolinas. Here are some notable morning lows: Lumberton, NC 21°F, Florence, SC 22°F, North Myrtle Beach, SC 23°F, and Wilmington, NC 26°F. Florence, North Myrtle Beach, and Wilmington all shattered daily low temperature records.
- This is the average date of the first autumn freeze in Conway, SC. Click here to learn more!
- Two confirmed tornadoes touched down in our forecast area during the early morning hours. An EF-2 tornado (estimated maximum winds: 135 mph) was confirmed near Dillon, SC. This tornado was on the ground for about 5 minutes with a path length of 1.5 miles. A couple brick homes were severely damaged, but fortunately there were no injuries or fatalities. Also, an EF-0 tornado (estimated maximum winds: 80 mph) near St. Pauls, NC damaged several mobile homes and storage buildings. Click here to learn more.
- Florence, SC reached a high of 89°F, which is tied for its warmest temperature on record during the month of November.
- A devastating F3 tornado in Riegelwood, NC (Columbus County) resulted in 8 fatalities and 20 injuries. A storm survey team found evidence of F3 damage for a 1 mile stretch in Riegelwood where 30 homes were destroyed. The tornado then produced F1 damage for another 6 miles across Columbus and western Pender County, where another 3 structures were damaged. Learn more about this devastating tornado here.
- This is the average date of the first autumn freeze in Wilmington, NC. Click here to learn more!
- A Nor’easter dropped the barometric pressure in Wilmington, NC to 978.0 millibars, the ninth lowest pressure ever recorded here. This was the third strongest non-tropical storm to affect the Wilmington area. However, only 0.15’’ of rain fell in Wilmington. Click here to learn more!
- A major coastal storm moved up the coast between November 16th and 17th in 2019. Strong winds and coastal erosion affected our coastal areas, while 2-4 inches of rain fell across NE SC and SE NC. Click here to learn more!
- 2.06’’ of rain fell in Lumberton, NC.
- Snow flurries fell over parts of our forecast area. Light flurries were reported in Wilmington, NC, Leland, NC, near Tar Heel, NC, North Myrtle Beach, SC, and Mullins, SC.
- 2.11’’ of rain fell in Lumberton, NC.
- Damaging thunderstorm winds downed trees in Aynor, SC. Also, a waterspout was sighted just offshore at Wrightsville Beach.
- This was the earliest measurable snowfall on record in Wilmington, NC as 1.5 inches of snow fell here. This was also the most daily snowfall Wilmington has ever received during the month of November.
- A trace of snow fell in Wilmington, NC.
- North Myrtle Beach, SC received 3.33’’ of rain, and Wilmington, NC recorded 3.01’’ of rain. The highest daily rainfall came from an observer near Georgetown, SC who reported 4.24’’ of rain. A strong thunderstorm near Myrtle Beach, SC produced 46 mph wind gusts at Springmaid Pier.
- This is the average date of the first autumn freeze in Georgetown, SC. Click here to learn more!
- The remnants of Hurricane Kate tracked over the Carolinas, bringing some gusty winds and plenty of rain. An observer near Georgetown, SC reported 4.90’’ of rain, and Andrews, SC received 3.20’’ of rain. Only 1.83’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC, but the winds did gust up to 40 mph. Click here to learn more!
- Cold high pressure building into the Carolinas allowed temperatures to plummet into the upper teens/lower 20s. Lumberton, NC recorded a low of 19°F, and Florence, SC reported a low of 20°F. Even North Myrtle Beach, SC dropped to 22°F.
- A Nor’easter produced several inches of rain over southeastern North Carolina. The highest 2-day (Nov. 21-22) rainfall totals were Surf City, NC (6.11’’) and Willard, NC (5.72’’). Over the 2-day event, Wilmington, NC received 2.94’’ of rain. Click here to view the NC precipitation map for the event and click here to view the NC max wind gusts for the event
- A trace of snow was reported in Wilmington, NC.
- A trace of snow fell in Wilmington, NC.
- An F3 tornado southeast of Aynor, SC injured 1 person as it tracked northeast across Horry County. The tornado destroyed 33 rural buildings, mostly packhouses and tobacco barns. One home was destroyed.
- The Lumber River at Lumberton, NC crested at 16.94 ft. to put the river above moderate flood stage of 16 ft. Also, the Cape Fear River at W.O. Huske Lock & Dam crested above moderate flood stage at 53.13 ft.
- 1.0’’ of snow fell in Lumberton, NC, and a trace of snow was reported in Florence, SC and Wilmington, NC. Lows dropped into the teens across northeastern South Carolina with a frigid air mass in place. Florence, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC both recorded lows of 17°F, while Wilmington, NC reached a low of 20°F.
- It was frigid across our forecast area as lows dropped into the teens across most of the area. Florence, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC both dropped to 18°F, and Wilmington, NC bottomed out at 20°F. The coldest report came from Dillon, SC, where an observer recorded a low of 12°F.
- Lumberton, NC plummeted to a low of 12°F. Florence, SC, Wilmington, NC, and Myrtle Beach, SC all dropped to 16°F, the coldest temperatures on record at these sites during November.
- A trace of snow fell in Wilmington, NC.
- The N.E. Cape Fear River near Burgaw, NC crested at 15.37 ft., its fifth highest crest on record. Also, the Pee Dee River at Pee Dee, SC crested at 24.72 ft., which is well above moderate flood stage of 23 ft.
- Wilmington, NC only reached a high of 34°F, and the low dropped to 23°F. This resulted in the lowest average daily temperature (28.5°F) ever recorded here during the month of November.
- 0.2’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC.
- Wilmington, NC plummeted to a low of 21°F. Our database indicates that lows across our inland counties dropped into the teens. An observer in Cheraw, SC reported a low of 14°F, while another observer in Lumberton, NC recorded 15°F.
- 1.0’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC.
- A trace of snow fell in Wilmington, NC.
- A trace of snow fell in Wilmington, NC.
- 5.15’’ of rain fell near Southport, NC. Wilmington, NC received 3.84’’ of rain, and Cheraw, SC reported 3.80’’ of rain.
- Florence, SC received 2.63’’ of rain, its highest daily rainfall on record during the month of November.
- An F0 tornado touched down in Horry County north of Conway, SC. The tornado blew the roof off of the Intercoastal Barn and the roof and walls of the Intercoastal Recycling Building.
- A trace of snow fell in Florence, SC and Wilmington, NC.
- 2.14’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC. An observer in Dillon, SC received 1.96’’ of rain.
- The U.S. Army Signal Corps began sporadic snowfall observations in Wilmington, NC.
- An F1 tornado injured one person when it touched down in northern Horry County and tracked into Columbus County near Tabor City, NC. Tornado damaged farm buildings, houses, and several trailer homes. Many trees were snapped off along the storm path.
- Wilmington, NC hit a daily record high of 81°F, which is only one degree below its warmest December temperature on record.
- The low temperature in Florence, SC only dropped to 70°F, which is the warmest low temperature on record here during the month of December. Wilmington, NC set the same monthly record with a low of 69°F.
- North Myrtle Beach, SC received 3.07’’ of rain, its highest daily rainfall on record during the month of December. Wilmington, NC set a daily rainfall record with 2.70’’ of rain. Minor flooding was reported in Wilmington, Holden Beach, NC, and Myrtle Beach, SC. Additionally, thunderstorm wind damage downed trees and power lines in several locations. A spotter in Pender County reported 60-70 mph wind gusts, and a 53 mph wind gust was measured at Springmaid Pier in Myrtle Beach.
- Florence, SC climbed to a high of 86°F, its warmest temperature on record during the month of December.
- 2.20’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC.
- An F2 tornado touched down in southern Marlboro County, SC.
- An F1 tornado touched down in Florence County near Effingham, SC.
- An observer near Georgetown, SC received 2.85’’ of rain. 2.55’’ of rain fell in Conway, SC, and 2.36’’ of rain was reported at Brookgreen Gardens, SC.
- 0.3’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC.
- Unseasonably warm temperatures prevailed across the eastern Carolinas as Florence, SC and Wilmington, NC both climbed to 81°F, which is almost 20 degrees above normal.
- An F2 tornado touched down near Loris, SC. A house trailer was demolished, one house deroofed, and minor damage such as broken windows and many tree lines. Some rain, sleet and snow flurries accompanied the storm, along with a loud roaring noise.
- An F0 tornado touched down in Bladen County west of Elizabethtown, NC. The tornado did damage to trees, a power lines, and minor damage to two mobile homes.
- Wilmington, NC recorded a high of 82°F, tied for its warmest temperature on record during the month of December. Florence, SC set a daily record with a high of 83°F.
- Strong gradient winds resulted in some damage reports within our forecast area. A 55 mph gust was measured at Ocean Crest Pier on Oak Island, NC, and a 52 mph gust was recorded on Bald Head Island. There were numerous reports of downed trees across Robeson and Bladen counties, and a roof was even blown off a trailer near Maxton, NC.
- For the second day in a row, Wilmington, NC reached a high of 82°F – its warmest temperature on record in December.
- Florence, SC dropped to a low of 13°F, and Lumberton, NC bottomed out at 16°F. North Myrtle Beach, SC fell to 20°F.
- 2.47’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC.
- Daily record temperatures were set across the area as highs climbed to 80°F in Florence, SC and Lumberton, NC and 78°F in Wilmington, NC.
- Florence, SC received 4.8’’ of snowfall, and Wilmington, NC reported 2.0’’ of snow. Twelve to nineteen inches of snow was recorded across east-central NC between Dec 11th and 12th.
- More daily record highs were set across the area as Florence, SC climbed to 80°F and Wilmington, NC peaked at 79°F.
- An observer in Cheraw, SC received 6.5’’ of snow, while another observer in Dillon, SC reported 5.5’’ of snow. 1.1’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC.
- It was another day of daily record highs as Florence, SC reached 80°F and Wilmington, NC climbed to 79°F.
- Florence, SC tied its coldest December temperature on record with a low of 8°F. Wilmington, NC plummeted to a low of 10°F.
- 2.25’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC.
- Wilmington, NC received 2.25’’ of rainfall.
- 6.0’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC. Observers in Florence, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC also reported 6.0’’ of snow.
- Florence, SC and Lumberton, NC both recorded lows of 13°F. Temperatures across the area dropped into the teens. Click here to view low temp reports for the day!
- Temperatures across our inland areas plummeted into the single digits, as lows in Darlington, Marion, and Dillon, SC all fell to 8°F. Wilmington, NC dropped to a low of 12°F.
- Darlington, SC reported 2.70’’ of rainfall. Myrtle Beach, SC recorded 2.31’’ of rain, and Florence, SC received 2.22’’ of rain.
- Wilmington, NC received 1.6’’ of snowfall.
- The low in Florence, SC plummeted to 11°F, while Lumberton, NC dropped to a low of 15°F.
- An observer near Red Springs, NC reported 3.0’’ of snow, and another observer near McColl, SC measured 2.5’’ of snow. 1.3’’ of snow fell in Florence, SC.
- A coastal storm impacted the area from December 17th into December 18th. Near hurricane-force wind gusts, significant rainfall and tidal flooding, and an EF-1 tornado (Horry County) occurred across portions of southeast NC, northeast SC and the adjacent Atlantic Ocean. This storm also set all-time record low sea level pressures for several local sites for the month of December. Click here to learn more!
- 2.35’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC.
- North Myrtle Beach, SC received 2.96’’ of rainfall. An observer in Myrtle Beach, SC reported 2.01’’ of rain.
- Low temperatures fell into the teens across our forecast area. Lumberton, NC reached a low of 14°F, Myrtle Beach, SC dropped to 17°F, and Wilmington, NC recorded a low of 19°F.
- Lumberton, NC dropped to a low of 14°F, and Myrtle Beach, SC reported a low of 16°F.
- This was the beginning of a two-day snow event as 1.0’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC.
- Myrtle Beach, SC reached a very warm high temperature of 84°F, the warmest December on temperature on record for the area. 85°F was observed in Kingstree, SC.
- A cold air outbreak dropped lows into the teens across our forecast area. Lumberton, NC plummeted to 15°F, and Wilmington, NC fell to 17°F. Even North Myrtle Beach, SC dropped to 19°F.
- Wilmington, NC received an additional 6.5’’ of snow, bringing the two-day snowfall total to 7.5’’. An observer near Willard, NC reported 10.0’’ of snow, and another observer in Georgetown, SC measured 9.0’’ of snow.
- Wilmington, NC recorded a low of 13°F, and Florence, SC dropped to 16°F. An observer in Lumberton, NC reported a low of 10°F.
- An EF0 tornado touched down in Oxford Place neighborhood in Wilmington, NC. Primarily caused damage to numerous trees and knocked down several fences. The tornado uprooted trees onto at least three homes and flipped over a large wooden shed and a small boat.
- Wilmington, NC received 1.0’’ of snow. This was the beginning of a record three-day snowstorm over the eastern Carolinas.
- Florence, SC received 4.09’’ of rain, its highest daily rainfall total on record during the month of December. Elsewhere, an observer in Myrtle Beach, SC reported 3.00’’ of rain.
- An observer in Myrtle Beach, SC reported 3.30’’ of rain. North Myrtle Beach, SC received 2.77’’ of rain.
- 2.4’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC.
- Wilmington, NC received 3.99’’ of rain, its highest daily rainfall total on record during the month of December. An observer near Myrtle Beach, SC reported 4.10’’ of rain, the area's highest single day rainfall on record for December. Another observer near Georgetown, SC measured 4.03’’ of rain.
- 9.6’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC, which is the highest single day snowfall on record here during the month of December. The high temperature in Wilmington, NC and Florence, SC only reached 20°F, which is the ALL-TIME lowest max temp on record for Florence. Florence received 3.0’’ of snowfall. Click here to learn more!
- An additional 3.38’’ of rain fell in Florence, SC, bringing the 2 day total (Dec. 22-23) to 7.47’’ of rain. Wilmington, NC received 2.85’’ of rainfall.
- Wilmington, NC received 3.85’’ of rainfall. Elsewhere, an observer near Georgetown, SC reported 2.82’’ of rain.
- A cold air outbreak across the Carolinas dropped lows to 11°F in Wilmington, NC and 12°F in Florence, SC.
- Another 4.7’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC, bringing the 3 day (Dec. 22-24) total to a whopping 15.3’’ of snow. Florence, SC received another 1.3’’ of snow. Myrtle Beach, SC dropped to a low of 10°F, the area's coldest December temperature on record, and tied for second coldest all-time temperature. Click here to learn more!
- It was another night of bitter cold temperatures as Florence, SC and Wilmington, NC both dropped to a low of 9°F.
- Following a record setting snowfall, Wilmington, NC recorded its ALL-TIME coldest temperature on record with a low of 0°F. Florence, SC plummeted to a low of 9°F. Click here to learn more!
- The Lynches River at Effingham, SC crested above major flood stage as it reached 18.28 ft. The Waccamaw River near Conway, SC crested above moderate flood stage at 13.01 ft.
- 1.5’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC.
- Florence, SC tied its coldest December temperature on record with a low of 8°F. This was the second straight night of single digit temperatures in Florence. Wilmington, NC dropped to a low of 10°F.
- A winter storm resulted in several inches of snow across our inland counties. Lumberton, NC reported 6.8’’ of snow, and a spotter near Elizabethtown, NC measured 6.0’’ of snow. 5.0’’ of snow fell in St. Pauls, NC. Hartsville, SC and Florence, SC both received 3.0’’ of snow. Along the coast, only trace amounts of snow were reported. Click here to learn more!
- Thunderstorms produced heavy rain and damaging winds across our forecast area. Wilmington, NC received 1.83’’ of rain, and Lumberton, NC recorded 1.55’’ of rain. A 62 mph wind gust was measured by Cape Fear Pilots Association in Southport, NC, and a 59 mph gust was recorded at Topsail Beach. A home in the Bayshore, NC community was struck by lightning and suffered extensive fire damage. Straight line winds estimated at 70 mph caused minor damage near Kure Beach, NC. Click here to read more about the Kure Beach microburst.
- 1.0’’ of snow fell in Florence, SC.
- A thunderstorm produced a 68 mph wind gust near Southport, NC. 52 mph winds were measured at Johnny Mercer Pier on Wrightsville Beach.
- 3.22’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC.
- Wilmington, NC received 3.49’’ of rainfall. An observer near Southport, NC reported 2.40’’ of rain.
- Wilmington, NC received 2.98’’ of rainfall.
- Wilmington, NC recorded a low of 12°F.
- 4.0’’ of snow fell in Wilmington, NC.
- Wilmington, NC dropped to a low of 10°F.
- Wilmington, NC received 3.6’’ of snow. The high in Wilmington only reached 16°F, which is tied for the lowest ALL-TIME daily maximum temperature on record here. Lows plummeted into the single digits as Wilmington dropped to 6°F, and an observer in Lumberton, NC reported 4°F.
- The high in Wilmington only reached 18°F. This was the second straight day of single digit low temperatures across our forecast area. Wilmington, NC again dropped to 6°F, and an observer in Lumberton, NC recorded a low of 5°F.
- 2.14’’ of rain fell in Wilmington, NC.
Last Updated: October 22, 2024
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