BAD MEMORIES...

As far as the weather is concerned, many of us have nice memories of November in southeastern NC. We remember those cool autumn days attending holiday parades or playing football at grandma's house. Skies are deep blue and the air seems so clean and crisp. But for some Carolina residents, November brings bad memories.

From a "common sense" perspective, we expect quiet weather after October. Hurricane season ends on November 30, so the tropics are usually quiet. Temperatures turn cooler, providing less fuel for afternoon thunderstorm development. But remember- the transition from summer to winter requires major shifts in cold and warm air masses. Atmospheric instability often hinges on the proximity of these air masses. That is one reason why November is sometimes an active month for tornadoes in the Carolinas.

 There have been at least 4 deadly tornado outbreaks in the past 20 years alone, the most recent occurring this year across Johnston and Wilson county. A series of tornadoes developed, including an EF3 storm (140 mph winds). At least 2 people were killed, with over 40 homes reporting damage. The event was not unlike the outbreak of November 1992, when 5 tornadoes developed along the I-85 corridor and traveled into northeastern NC. In 2006, severe weather hit close to home when a powerful F3 tornado (190 mph winds) hit Riegelwood in Columbus County. Eight people were killed, the highest local toll since the Great Carolina Tornado Outbreak of March 1984.

One of the strongest (and best known) November tornadoes was the Raleigh storm of 1988. Just a few days after Thanksgiving, an F4 tornado leveled $77 million in damage through a heavily populated area in the heart of the city. Winds approaching 230 miles per hour killed 4 residents. The storm hit late at night, catching sleeping North Carolinians off-guard.

As we always emphasize, severe weather knows no season. From January to December, we must always be on guard and prepared.