Heavy Snow — Northern Oconee, South Carolina

2001-03-20 · Northern Oconee, South Carolina

Wider weather episode

Low pressure developed off the South Carolina coast and steadily strengthened as it moved northward across the coastal waters of North Carolina, the Virginia tidewater and eventually out to sea. Rapid strengthening occurred as a strong upper level disturbance rotated around an upper low that was crossing the southeast states. As the cyclone strengthened, abundant moisture was wrapped around the storm and thrown back against the higher terrain of the Carolinas, resulting in high winds and snow, which was heavy in a few locations.The highest snowfall report from western South Carolina occurred in the watershed area of northern Greenville County, near Table Rock, where 8 to 12 inches of snow fell. Caesars Head reported 6 inches of snow, and the Cliffs of Glassy Mountain checked in with 5 inches, Most of the other significant accumulations in western South Carolina were confined to the mountainous regions bordered by Highway 11, with 4 to 6 inch accumulations reported from northern Pickens and northern Oconee counties. The town of Salem checked in with 5 inches. Outside of the mountains, Landrum, in northwest Spartanburg County, led all reporting stations with 5 inches...with isolated 4 inch amounts from southern Greenville County.Winds were estimated at between 40 and 50 mph at most upstate locations during the height of the storm, although gusts higher than that occurred in the higher terrain. Many thousands of trees were downed in the mountains, while the number of downed trees in the foothills and piedmont was more scattered in nature. The character of the wind in the mountains was a steady 35 to 45 mph wind of long duration, with gusts to near 60. However, damage was most significant in the foothills and piedmont, despite slightly lower speeds estimated there. An outbuilding in northern Abbeville County was destroyed, along with most of the contents. The porch and roof of the house on the property were also damaged. A dock was torn from a pier at Hartwell Lake, setting boats adrift. 100 trees were downed in Easley. In Spartanburg county, a roof was blown off a mobile home, and a county sheriff car was blown off the road at Pauline. An awning was torn of a storefront in Anderson County. Some trees fell on structures and vehicles throughout the upstate region.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5237939. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.