Strong wind shear and moderate instability developed over the region ahead of a cold front. Several severe storms affected the western Carolinas during the afternoon and evening hours. Large hail and straight line winds were the most commonly reported severe weather, though one supercell thunderstorm produced two tornadoes over the western piedmont of North Carolina.

Tornado in GASTON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-MAR-10 16:37:00 to 28-MAR-10 16:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: BELMONT SOUTH
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 1.10M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A very short tornado path was surveyed near Belmont. The tornado touched down in the Parkdale Dr/Landing Rd area, where a mill was damaged. Part of the metal sheet roofing was peeled back and thrown in multiple directions, allowing some interior walls to collapse. A tractor trailer was also overturned on the south side of the mill. Several homes were damaged at a mobile home park adjacent to the mill, where a number of trees were also blown down. The tornado traveled roughly 200 yards before lifting.

Thunderstorm Wind in MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-MAR-10 16:42:00 to 28-MAR-10 16:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: (CLT)CHARLOTTE/DOUGL
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Area of straight line wind damage was surveyed, which extended from Sam Wilson Rd north to Mount Holly Rd in western Mecklenburg County. Numerous trees were blown down, with one tree falling on and causing significant damage to a home.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLEVELAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-MAR-10 18:24:00 to 28-MAR-10 18:24:00 (EST-5)
Location: MOORESBORO
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: County Official

A large tree and several large limbs were blown down between Mooresboro and Boiling Springs.

Thunderstorm Wind in GASTON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-MAR-10 19:10:00 to 28-MAR-10 19:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: CROWDERS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two trees were snapped off by strong winds on Battleground Rd a little north of the South Carolina state line.

Hail in CABARRUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-MAR-10 20:10:00 to 28-MAR-10 20:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: JACKSON PARK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail, up to the size of quarters, was reported to be covering the ground.

Hail in GASTON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-MAR-10 19:15:00 to 28-MAR-10 19:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: GASTONIA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tornado in ROWAN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-MAR-10 17:46:00 to 28-MAR-10 17:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPENCER
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 500.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado touched down along highway 29 in Spencer, just east of the town center, where the facade and roof of a shopping center were damaged. The tornado traveled northeast along Salisbury Ave, causing mainly minor roof damage to numerous homes, and blowing the awning off a business. The brick chimney was blown off a home and two trees fell on another home in this area. The tornado continued northeast to the Yadkin Ave/Cain St area, where numerous trees were blown down, one on a home, another on an apartment building, and one on an automobile. Numerous homes received minor roof damage as the tornado continued northeast, eventually crossing N Salisbury Ave again. The most significant damage occurred in the Hackett St area, where a shed and boat awning were destroyed. A large tree also fell on a house in this area, causing significant damage. The tornado then caused minor damage at a factory before took on more of a east/northeast heading, roughly paralleling Hackett St, where additional tree damage occurred. The tornado continued east/northeast, crossing I-85 just north of Hackett St before crossing the Yadkin River into Davidson County.

Hail in CLEVELAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-MAR-10 19:35:00 to 28-MAR-10 19:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: WASHBURN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in CLEVELAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-MAR-10 20:00:00 to 28-MAR-10 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: KINGS MTN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in GASTON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-MAR-10 19:21:00 to 28-MAR-10 19:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: GASTONIA ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two large trees were blown down on Steeplechase Dr about 4 miles southeast of Gastonia.

Hail in IREDELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-MAR-10 15:25:00 to 28-MAR-10 15:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: MOORESVILLE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

Several reports of hail ranging in size from dimes to golf balls were received from the Mooresville area.

Hail in MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-MAR-10 20:50:00 to 28-MAR-10 20:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: PINEVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Quarter size hail was reported at the intersection of I-77 and I-485.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROWAN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 28-MAR-10 16:55:00 to 28-MAR-10 16:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: SALISBURY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Multiple large limbs were blown down across the city.