Thunderstorm Wind in Watauga County, North Carolina

Thunderstorm Wind May 21, 2026 · Watauga County, North Carolina

58 mph

Estimated gust (50 kt)

$2K

Damage as recorded

Where the report was made, with tornadoes recorded within 15 miles over the years.

What the National Weather Service wrote

One large tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds onto a powerline.

The wider storm

A cold front attendant to a southern Canada low pressure center moved slowly through northwest North Carolina, causing showers and storms to form. Bulk shear of around 30kts in the North Carolina High Country encouraged some isolated severe thunderstorms to form during the afternoon of May 21st.

Began near Sands (36.2476, -81.6618).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 1332008. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

Tornadoes near your address

See every tornado that passed near a place you know, measured to its path.