ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A strong thunderstorm was moving toward Asheville and parts of Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania and Haywood counties Friday afternoon, bringing the potential for 40 mph wind gusts and half-inch hail.
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg issued a special weather statement at 2:25 p.m. Friday for northeastern Transylvania, northwestern Henderson, east-central Haywood and southwestern Buncombe counties. The statement is in effect through 3:15 p.m.
At 2:25 p.m., Doppler radar showed the storm about 13 miles southwest of downtown Asheville, near the Blue Ridge Parkway between Mount Pisgah and the N.C. Arboretum. It was moving east at 15 mph.
The storm could produce wind gusts up to 40 mph and half-inch hail, according to the weather service.
The storm is expected to impact:
- Downtown Asheville
- Hendersonville
- East Asheville
- Arden
- West Asheville
- Mills River
- Fletcher
- Mountain Home
- Laurel Park
- Biltmore Forest
Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is possible.
The weather service said the storm could intensify and urged residents to monitor weather updates for additional warnings.
The latest storm comes after a severe thunderstorm warning earlier Friday for southeastern Henderson County, southwestern Polk County and northeastern Greenville County in South Carolina. That warning, which included the potential for 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail, expired at 2:15 p.m.
Strong thunderstorms also were reported earlier in parts of McDowell, Rutherford and Burke counties, with wind gusts up to 50 mph and hail possible.
Residents should continue monitoring weather conditions as additional storms develop across Western North Carolina.
