May 9, 2023 Large Hail and Damaging Wind Event

Hail damage to a home in Craven County. Image courtesy WITN.

Overview

A wavy frontal boundary sagged slowly south through Eastern North Carolina on the afternoon of May 9th. Scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms developed along and ahead of the front, and moved southeast across much of Eastern North Carolina, eventually making it all the way to the coast. The magnitude of severe weather with this event made it particularly unique, producing rare hail up to 2" in diameter and wind gusts in excess of 70 mph. Additionally, large hail was observed all the way to the coast.

Scroll through the event using these tabs to learn more.

Reports
Videos
Pictures
Environment

Reports

May 9th Severe Weather Reports


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

0400 PM     TSTM WND DMG     FARMVILLE               35.60N 77.59W
05/09/2023                   PITT               NC   PUBLIC           

            PUBLIC REPORT OF MULTIPLE TREE LIMBS DOWN. 
            TREE LIMBS HAD A A DIAMETER OF 3 1/2 INCHES. 
            ALSO REPORTS OF DAMAGE TO OUTDOOR STRUCTURES 
            FROM TSTM WIND GUSTS. 

0410 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 S BELL ARTHUR         35.56N 77.51W
05/09/2023                   PITT               NC   NEWSPAPER        

            DELAYED REPORT. POWER LINES BLOWN DOWN IN 
            THE BELL ARTHUR AREA. REPORTED VIA THE 
            REFLECTOR. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR. 

0412 PM     HAIL             2 W BELL ARTHUR         35.59N 77.54W
05/09/2023  M1.00 INCH       PITT               NC   TRAINED SPOTTER  

            PICTURE SUBMITTED OF QUARTER SIZE HAIL OFF 
            CHINQUAPIN RD EAST OF FARMVILLE. TIME 
            ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 

0418 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 N ROUNDTREE           35.53N 77.48W
05/09/2023                   PITT               NC   PUBLIC           

            DELAYED REPORT. NUMEROUS TREES UPROOTED. 
            TRAILERS REPORTED FLIPPED ON SPEIGHT SEED 
            FARM ROAD IN THE BALLARDS CROSS ROADS AREA. 
            QUARTER SIZE HAIL REPORTED FOR 10 MINUTES AT 
            THIS LOCATION AS WELL. REPORT AND PICTURE 
            VIA FACEBOOK. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR. 

0421 PM     HAIL             AYDEN                   35.47N 77.42W
05/09/2023  E1.00 INCH       PITT               NC   PUBLIC           

            DELAYED REPORT. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF 
            ACCUMULATED HAIL FELL. THE HAIL DAMAGED 
            SIDING AND VEHICLES. REPORT VIA TWITTER. 
            TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR. 

0425 PM     HAIL             AYDEN                   35.48N 77.42W
05/09/2023  E1.00 INCH       PITT               NC   PUBLIC           

            PUBLIC REPORT OF QUARTER SIZE HAIL IN AYDEN. 

0704 PM     HAIL             1 NW FARMVILLE          35.61N 77.61W
05/09/2023  E0.88 INCH       PITT               NC   TRAINED SPOTTER  

            REPORT OF NICKEL SIZE HAIL OCCURRING WEST OF 
            FARMVILLE. 

0707 PM     HAIL             FARMVILLE               35.59N 77.59W
05/09/2023  M1.00 INCH       PITT               NC   TRAINED SPOTTER  

            SPOTTER REPORTED QUARTER SIZED HAIL IN 
            FARMVILLE, NC. 

0735 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 N FALKLAND            35.74N 77.51W
05/09/2023                   PITT               NC   NWS EMPLOYEE     

            NWS EMPLOYEE REPORTED TREES UPROOTED AND 
            SNAPPED ON HWY 33 W NORTH OF FALKLAND. 

0802 PM     HAIL             SIMPSON                 35.58N 77.28W
05/09/2023  E1.50 INCH       PITT               NC   PUBLIC           

            PUBLIC REPORT OF PING PONG SIZED HAIL IN 
            SIMPSON, NC. 

0710 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 SSE WILLIAMSTON       35.83N 77.05W
05/09/2023                   MARTIN             NC   911 CALL CENTER  

            REPORT OF TREE DOWN SHORTLY AFTER 7PM. 

0724 PM     HAIL             WILLIAMSTON             35.85N 77.06W
05/09/2023  E1.00 INCH       MARTIN             NC   PUBLIC           

            PUBLIC REPORT OF QUARTER SIZED HAIL IN 
            WILLIAMSTON, RELAYED THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA. 

0510 PM     HAIL             1 N DEEP RUN            35.14N 77.70W
05/09/2023  E1.00 INCH       LENOIR             NC   PUBLIC           

            PUBLIC REPORT OF 1 INCH HAIL. TIME ESTIMATED 
            FROM RADAR. 

0352 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NE WALSTONBURG        35.61N 77.69W
05/09/2023                   GREENE             NC   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS 

            DELAYED REPORT. NC DOT REPORTED A COUPLE OF 
            TREES BLOWN DOWN IN THE NORTHERN PART OF 
            GREENE COUNTY. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR 
            AND NEARBY REPORTS. 

0720 PM     HAIL             1 WNW ORMONDSVILLE      35.48N 77.56W
05/09/2023  E2.00 INCH       GREENE             NC   PUBLIC           

            2 INCH HAIL OBSERVED NEAR ORMONDSVILLE, NC. 
            PICTURE WITH RULER SENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. 

0445 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 W VANCEBORO           35.31N 77.21W
05/09/2023                   CRAVEN             NC   BROADCAST MEDIA  

            WIND DRIVEN HAIL DAMAGE TO SEVERAL MOBILE 
            HOMES ALONG BEAR HOLE ROAD IN VANCEBORO. 
            ADDITIONALLY, A NEARBY BARN WAS BLOWN APART, 
            AND SEVERAL LARGE TREES WERE UPROOTED AND 
            STRETCHED ACROSS ROADWAYS. 

0448 PM     HAIL             VANCEBORO               35.30N 77.16W
05/09/2023  E1.00 INCH       CRAVEN             NC   PUBLIC           

            SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WIND BLOWN HAIL FELL, 
            CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO SIDING. 
            PICTURES SUBMITTED VIA FACEBOOK. 

0451 PM     HAIL             VANCEBORO               35.30N 77.15W
05/09/2023  E1.00 INCH       CRAVEN             NC   PUBLIC           

            PUBLIC SENT PICTURE OF QUARTER SIZED HAIL. 
            TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 

0452 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NNE JASPER            35.25N 77.18W
05/09/2023                   CRAVEN             NC   PUBLIC           

            LARGE TREES DOWN, AND TOPS TAKEN OUT OF 
            TREES. PORCH ROOF GOT RIPPED OFF. TIME 
            ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 

0452 PM     HAIL             3 NNE JASPER            35.25N 77.18W
05/09/2023  E1.75 INCH       CRAVEN             NC   PUBLIC           

            HAIL DAMAGE RIVER RD BETWEEN STATE CAMP AND 
            COW PEN LANDING. HAIL WAS GOLF BALL SIZE AND 
            LASTED ABOUT 8 MINUTES. TIME ESTIMATED FROM 
            RADAR. 

0501 PM     TSTM WND GST     1 SW ERNUL              35.24N 77.08W
05/09/2023  E65 MPH          CRAVEN             NC   TRAINED SPOTTER  

            TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS WIND GUSTS AROUND 
            60-65 MPH AND PENNY SIZE HAIL NEAR THE 
            INTERSECTION OF HWY 17 AND STATE RD 43. 
            EXTENSIVE TREE DEBRIS IN THE AREA. 

0507 PM     HAIL             HAVELOCK                34.86N 76.89W
05/09/2023  E1.00 INCH       CRAVEN             NC   PUBLIC           

            PUBLIC REPORTED QUARTER SIZED HAIL IN 
            HAVELOCK, RELAYED THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA. TIME 
            BASED ON RADAR. 

0512 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 ENE JAMES CITY        35.08N 76.97W
05/09/2023                   CRAVEN             NC   PUBLIC           

            TREES DOWN ON POWER LINES. 

0514 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 E JAMES CITY          35.07N 76.95W
05/09/2023                   CRAVEN             NC   PUBLIC           

            ~160 TREES DOWN AT HARBOUR POINTE GOLF CLUB. 
            TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 

0521 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 E JAMES CITY          35.07N 76.96W
05/09/2023                   CRAVEN             NC   PUBLIC           

            LARGE PINE TREE SNAPPED IN FAIRFIELD HARBOR. 
            TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 

0522 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 SSE OLYMPIA           35.11N 76.96W
05/09/2023                   CRAVEN             NC   PUBLIC           

            CORRECTS LOCATION AND TIME OF PREVIOUS TSTM 
            WND DMG REPORT FROM 1 E RIVER ROAD. MULTIPLE 
            TREES DOWN ON BROAD CREEK ROAD. 

0535 PM     MARINE TSTM WIND 2 ENE NEW BERN          35.13N 77.05W
05/09/2023  M52 MPH          CRAVEN             NC   MESONET          

            HARBOR DR WEATHERSTATION REPORT 45KT WIND 
            GUSTS. 

0827 PM     HAIL             1 ESE NEW BERN          35.11N 77.06W
05/09/2023  E0.75 INCH       CRAVEN             NC   TRAINED SPOTTER  

            PENNY SIZE HAIL REPORTED WEST OF NEW BERN. 

0829 PM     HAIL             1 S NEW BERN            35.10N 77.08W
05/09/2023  E0.25 INCH       CRAVEN             NC   PUBLIC           

            PENNY SIZED HAIL OVER CIRCLE K ON MLK BLVD 
            AND 70. 

0836 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 WNW VANCEBORO         35.33N 77.21W
05/09/2023                   CRAVEN             NC   911 CALL CENTER  

            REPORT OF TREE DOWN ACROSS NC 118 NEAR 
            BUTLER FORD RD. 

0905 PM     MARINE TSTM WIND 2 W GREAT NECK          34.94N 76.72W
05/09/2023  M44 MPH          CRAVEN             NC   MESONET          

            BECTON RD WEATHERSTATION REPORTS 38KT WIND 
            GUST. 

0905 PM     TSTM WND DMG     TRENT WOODS             35.09N 77.09W
05/09/2023                   CRAVEN             NC   PUBLIC           

            PUBLIC REPORTED LARGE LIMBS DOWN IN THE 
            TRENT WOODS AREA. 

0524 PM     HAIL             CRAB POINT VILLAGE      34.76N 76.73W
05/09/2023  E0.75 INCH       CARTERET           NC   PUBLIC           

            PUBLIC REPORTED PENNY SIZE HAIL IN CRAB 
            POINT VILLAGE. 

0530 PM     HAIL             1 SSE CRAB POINT VILLAG 34.74N 76.72W
05/09/2023  E1.00 INCH       CARTERET           NC   PUBLIC           

            PHOTO ON SOCIAL MEDIA OF QUARTER SIZED HAIL. 
            TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 

0535 PM     HAIL             3 NW CRAB POINT VILLAGE 34.78N 76.77W
05/09/2023  E1.00 INCH       CARTERET           NC   PUBLIC           

             

0541 PM     HAIL             MICHAEL J SMITH AIRPORT 34.73N 76.65W
05/09/2023  E1.00 INCH       CARTERET           NC   PUBLIC           

            MPING REPORT OF QUARTER SIZED HAIL. 

0542 PM     MARINE TSTM WIND 1 WSW BEAUFORT          34.72N 76.67W
05/09/2023  M45 MPH          CARTERET           NC   OTHER FEDERAL    

            NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE TIDE GAUGE OBSERVED A 
            39 KNOT MARINE THUNDERSTORM WIND GUST. 

0545 PM     HAIL             1 E MICHAEL J SMITH AIR 34.74N 76.64W
05/09/2023  E0.75 INCH       CARTERET           NC   PUBLIC           

            WX SPOTTER REPORTED PENNY SIZE HAIL IN 
            BEAUFORT FOOD LION PARKING LOT. 

0546 PM     HAIL             1 NE BEAUFORT           34.73N 76.64W
05/09/2023  E1.00 INCH       CARTERET           NC   PUBLIC           

            PUBLIC REPORTED QUARTER SIZED HAIL IN 
            BEAUFORT. 

0605 PM     MARINE TSTM WIND CAPE LOOKOUT            34.62N 76.53W
05/09/2023  E44 MPH          CARTERET           NC   C-MAN STATION    

            CAPE LOOKOUT C-MAN STATION (CLKN7) OBSERVED 
            A 38 KNOT MARINE THUNDERSTORM WIND GUST. 

0615 PM     TSTM WND DMG     EMERALD ISLE            34.67N 77.04W
05/09/2023                   CARTERET           NC   UTILITY COMPANY  

            CARTERET-CRAVEN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE 
            REPORTED LIMBS ON POWERLINES AT THE 
            INTERSECTION OF BARNES DR. AND SOUND DR. IN 
            EMERALD ISLE. 

0530 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 ENE JAMES CITY        35.07N 76.97W
05/09/2023  M73 MPH          AMZ137             NC   PUBLIC           

            PUBLIC MEASURED 73 MPH GUST. 

0840 PM     MARINE TSTM WIND 1 SSW BATH              35.46N 76.82W
05/09/2023  E39 MPH          AMZ136             NC   MESONET          

            BLACKBEARDS VIEW WEATHERSTATION REPORTS 34KT 
            GUST. 

0520 PM     MARINE TSTM WIND 1 ENE COASTAL CAROLINA  35.08N 77.02W
05/09/2023  M52 MPH          AMZ137             NC   MESONET          

            SOUTHSHORE NEUSE RIVER WEATHERSTATION 
            REPORTS 45KT GUST. 

0530 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 ENE JAMES CITY        35.07N 76.97W
05/09/2023  M73 MPH          AMZ137             NC   PUBLIC           

            PUBLIC MEASURED 73 MPH GUST.

Videos

You can't see much, but you can definitely hear a lot. Pea-sized hail in the #severe thunderstorm for Pitt County about 4:15 pm. This was 1.5 miles SE of downtown Winterville, NC.#ENCWx #NCWx #severeweather @NWSMoreheadCity pic.twitter.com/POHG1zhf61 — Chuck Copeland â›ˆï¸ðŸðŸ¾ (@NCHurricane_com) May 9, 2023	Hail in Ayden. @NWSMoreheadCity pic.twitter.com/sL8Y0sqKSu — Paul Russell (@piratefan2) May 9, 2023
Hail in Ayden @NWSMoreheadCity pic.twitter.com/0mwFDOqQpB — Not Max (@Kevin62946092) May 9, 2023	Went Storm chasing with Lana and we got into some big hail! #ncwx @NWSMoreheadCity #ayden #NorthCarolina pic.twitter.com/ga7WIyTnnS — Shawn Hendrix (@TheShawnHendrix) May 9, 2023
More large hail video from Teryn Farmer between Simpson and Grimesland this evening. Looks like half dollar to ping pong ball sized. #ncwx @NWSMoreheadCity pic.twitter.com/eaR7nXyk8Z — Zach Holder (@ZachHolderWx) May 10, 2023

Pictures

Hail in Farmville from Tammy Smith. @NWSMoreheadCity #ncwx pic.twitter.com/bng4seJAHZ — Zach Holder (@ZachHolderWx) May 9, 2023	From Ocracoke now https://t.co/uJrqj8gKzQ pic.twitter.com/fiVPqGIllr — Paul Amburn (@PaulAmburn) May 9, 2023
Windblown hail damage in Craven County, Vanceboro area. Getting a lot of wind damage reports too from earlier storms in Vanceboro. #ncwx @NWSMoreheadCity pic.twitter.com/uJSXLIDjs2 — Zach Holder (@ZachHolderWx) May 9, 2023	Hail near Simpson from the current storm. #ncwx @NWSMoreheadCity pic.twitter.com/6dkPNF92xN — Zach Holder (@ZachHolderWx) May 10, 2023
This was my backyard here in ayden. Whole back side of my house is wrecked and vehicles have hail damage pic.twitter.com/jEWpAPCv1h — Joan Avilez (@JoanAvilez) May 10, 2023	I can also confirm being on that storm at that point in time the rotation was elevated (here's a pic I had gotten between Vanceboro and Ernul during that timeframe) and there was definitely winds within that region when it came over me. Wish I had a anemometer to measure the wind pic.twitter.com/2zQTanS76j — David Lilley (ENCWX) (@mesovorthunter) May 10, 2023

Environment

20z/4pm Surface Map showing the cold front sagging south into ENC


18z/2pm MHX Special Sounding	18z/2pm MHX Special Sounding (annotated)

20z/4pm Surface Map showing the cold front sagging south into ENC	20z/4pm Instability

20z/4pm Effective Shear	20z/4pm Supercell Composite Parameter

19z/3pm Downdraft CAPE