A short wave upper level trough was over the region with a cold front across north Florida. Afternoon heating in the low level combined with cooling aloft elevated instability indexes and prompted scattered storms to develop across north Florida in the afternoon and evening.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS JAX wrote it up.
A short wave upper level trough was over the region with a cold front across north Florida. Afternoon heating in the low level combined with cooling aloft elevated instability indexes and prompted scattered storms to develop across north Florida in the afternoon and evening.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Jacksonville, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 17, 1:45 PM EST, 3 hours 15 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL 245 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 ...WET NE FLOW PATTERN NEXT FEW DAYS... .SHORT TERM...SHARP UPPER TROUGH OVER W GA/FL PANHANDLE PUSHING EAST PROVIDING LIFT OVER THE AREA WITH SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS OVER NE FL AND LIGHT RAIN OVER SE GA. STRONG DRYING NOTED ON WATER VAPOR BEHIND TROUGH OVER AL/WESTERN FL PANHANDLE. AT THE SURFACE COLD FRONT HAS SLOWED DOWN OVER NE FL WITH THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING ALONG AND SOUTH OF BOUNDARY. GOOD INSTABILITY AND UPPER JET AROUND 50 KNOTS MOVING OVER THE AREA WILL PRODUCE STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE STORMS THIS AFTERNOON/EVENING OVER OUR SE ZONES...MAINLY SOUTH OF A JAX-GNV LINE. A NORTHEAST LOW LEVEL FLOW WILL INCREASE LATE THURSDAY AS STRONG HIGH PRESSURE NOW OVER CENTRAL CANADA BUILDS OVER NEW ENGLAND INCREASING THE PRESSURE GRADIENT DOWN THE EAST COAST. HIGHEST POPS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ALONG EAST COAST THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AS CONVERGENT NE FLOW PRODUCES AREAS OF LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL. DAYTIME TEMPERATURES WILL BE AT OR BELOW SEASONAL LEVELS THE NEXT FEW DAYS DUE TO NE FLOW AND CLOUDS/SHOWERS. .LONG TERM...SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...WET PATTERN SHOULD CONTINUE INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK AS YET ANOTHER SURFACE HIGH BUILDS FROM CANADA INTO NEW ENGLAND MONDAY AND TUESDAY. GFS AND DGEX MODELS DEVELOP A SURFACE LOW OF CAROLINA COAST WHICH WOULD ENHANCE THE NE FLOW. A NORTHEAST LOW LEVEL FLOW AND A SOUTHWEST FLOW ALOFT WITH EMBEDDED IMPULSES WILL KEEP POPS AOA CLIMO. MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN A0B CLIMO LEVELS. && .AVIATION...VFR CONDITIONS ARE PRESENTLY OCCURRING AT TAF SITES WITH JUST VCTS FOR NOW. BEST TSRA CHANCES GENERALLY FOR GNV WHERE HIGHEST INSTABILITY EXISTS. ANTICIPATE MOST OF THE SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY TO END BY MIDNIGHT BUT CANT RULE OUT A FEW SHOWERS THROUGH EARLY MORNING SO INCLUDED VCSH OVERNIGHT. ANTICIPATE LOW END MVFR CIGS AND POSSIBLY MVFR VIS BY THU MORNING AS PLENTY OF MOISTURE AND WEAK UPGLIDE OCCUR N OF THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY. ANOTHER ROUND OF SCT CONVECTION (BUT LESS INTENSE THAN TODAY) IS EXPECTED FOR THURSDAY. && .MARINE...AT THIS TIME IT APPEARS THAT NO HEADLINES ARE REQUIRED. BUT ANTICIPATE SCEC WILL BE NEEDED ON THU ESPECIALLY FOR THE NRN 2/3RDS OF THE CWF AREA. AS HIGH PRESSURE WEDGES DOWN INTO THE CAROLINAS ON FRI WINDS/SEAS INCREASE TO MINIMAL SCA LEVELS FOR THE NRN WATERS SO SCA WOULD BE REQUIRED THEN. A SLOW DECREASING TREND IN WINDS IS ANTICIPATED FOR SUNDAY AND MONDAY AS THE RIDGE RETREATS NWD BUT THE LONG FETCH OF NELY WINDS WILL KEEP SEAS ELEVATED AROUND 3 TO 6 FT. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AMG 65 84 64 85 / 20 30 20 10 SSI 70 82 70 81 / 40 40 30 30 JAX 70 83 67 84 / 40 50 20 40 SGJ 74 83 72 82 / 40 50 30 50 GNV 69 85 67 85 / 40 40 20 40 OCF 70 86 67 85 / 40 40 20 40 && .JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...NONE. GA...NONE. AM...NONE. && ZIBURA/SHASHY/KERNS
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL 1110 AM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 FLZ020>025-030>033-035>038-040-GAZ132>136-149>154-162>166-181000- HAMILTON-SUWANNEE-COLUMBIA-BAKER-NASSAU-DUVAL-UNION-BRADFORD-CLAY- ST JOHNS-GILCHRIST-ALACHUA-PUTNAM-FLAGLER-MARION-COFFEE- JEFF DAVIS-BACON-APPLING-WAYNE-ATKINSON-WARE-PIERCE-BRANTLEY- INLAND GLYNN-COASTAL GLYNN-ECHOLS-CLINCH-CHARLTON-INLAND CAMDEN- COASTAL CAMDEN- 1110 AM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 THIS OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING... SCATTERED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING AS AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE MOVES ALONG A STATIONARY FRONTAL ZONE ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA. GUSTY WINDS UP TO 50 MPH...HAIL...LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL AND FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING WILL BE POSSIBLE...MAINLY ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE FLORIDA/GEORGIA BORDER. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY... THIS STATIONARY FRONT WILL LINGER OVER THE REGION INTO THE WEEKEND AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS WELL NORTH OF THE AREA. THE MOIST ONSHORE FLOW BEHIND THE FRONT WILL BRING A CONTINUED CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE WEEKEND AS WELL AS AN INCREASE IN SURF AND AN ELEVATED RISK OF RIP CURRENTS TO THE AREA BEACHES. LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH ANY SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY THAT TRAINS OVER COASTAL AREAS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS SHOULD ACTIVATE IF WARNINGS ARE ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA THIS AFTERNOON OR EVENING. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...VISIT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSONVILLE WEBSITE ON THE INTERNET AT WEATHER.GOV/JAX. MZ
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL 457 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 FLZ023-025-172145- BAKER-DUVAL- 457 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 ...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR EASTERN BAKER AND WESTERN DUVAL COUNTIES FOR STRONG WINDS...SMALL HAIL AND EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING VALID UNTIL 545 PM EDT... AT 457 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CENTERED 3 MILES EAST OF BALDWIN...OR 15 MILES NORTHWEST OF LAKESIDE...MOVING SOUTH AT 5 MPH. THIS STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS AROUND BALDWIN AND MAXVILLE THROUGH 545 PM EDT. HAIL UP TO ONE HALF INCH IN DIAMETER...EXCESSIVE CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING AND GUSTY WINDS UP TO 45 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED ALONG WITH POSSIBLE MINOR DAMAGE. HEAVY RAINFALL WILL PRODUCE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS AND MINOR FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS. REPORT DAMAGE TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. ZIBURA
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL 515 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 FLZ024-172200- NASSAU- 515 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 ...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR NORTHWESTERN NASSAU COUNTY FOR STRONG WINDS...SMALL HAIL AND EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING VALID UNTIL 600 PM EDT... AT 515 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CENTERED 2 MILES SOUTH OF HILLIARD...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 5 MPH. THIS STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS AROUND HILLIARD THROUGH 600 PM EDT. HAIL UP TO ONE HALF INCH IN DIAMETER...EXCESSIVE CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING AND GUSTY WINDS UP TO 45 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED ALONG WITH POSSIBLE MINOR DAMAGE. REPORT DAMAGE TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. ZIBURA
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL 526 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 FLZ023-GAZ164-172215- BAKER-CHARLTON- 526 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 ...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR EASTERN BAKER AND SOUTHERN CHARLTON COUNTIES FOR STRONG WINDS...SMALL HAIL AND EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING VALID UNTIL 615 PM EDT... AT 526 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CENTERED 9 MILES NORTH OF MACCLENNY...OR 21 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CALLAHAN...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 3 MPH. THIS STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS AROUND MACCLENNY AND GLEN SAINT MARY THROUGH 615 PM EDT. HAIL UP TO ONE HALF INCH IN DIAMETER... EXCESSIVE CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING AND GUSTY WINDS OF 45 TO 55 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED ALONG WITH POSSIBLE MINOR DAMAGE. REPORT DAMAGE TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. DEESE
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL 527 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 FLZ036-172215- ALACHUA- 527 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 ...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR CENTRAL ALACHUA COUNTY FOR STRONG WINDS...SMALL HAIL AND EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING VALID UNTIL 615 PM EDT... AT 527 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CENTERED 4 MILES SOUTHWEST OF ALACHUA...OR 13 MILES NORTHWEST OF GAINESVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 10 MPH. THIS STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS AROUND NEWBERRY...HIGH SPRINGS AND ALACHUA THROUGH 615 PM EDT. HAIL UP TO ONE HALF INCH IN DIAMETER...EXCESSIVE CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING AND GUSTY WINDS UP TO 45 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED ALONG WITH POSSIBLE MINOR DAMAGE. HEAVY RAINFALL WILL PRODUCE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS AND MINOR FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS. REPORT DAMAGE TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. ZIBURA
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL 547 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 GAZ165-172230- INLAND CAMDEN- 547 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 ...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR WESTERN CAMDEN COUNTY FOR STRONG WINDS...SMALL HAIL AND EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING VALID UNTIL 630 PM EDT... AT 547 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CENTERED 3 MILES NORTHWEST OF KINGS FERRY...OR 8 MILES EAST OF FOLKSTON...MOVING EAST AT 9 MPH. THIS STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS AROUND KINGS FERRY THROUGH 630 PM EDT. HAIL UP TO ONE HALF INCH IN DIAMETER...EXCESSIVE CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING AND GUSTY WINDS OF 45 TO 55 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED ALONG WITH POSSIBLE MINOR DAMAGE. REPORT DAMAGE TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. DEESE
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL 551 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 FLZ024-172230- NASSAU- 551 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2008 ...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR WESTERN NASSAU COUNTY FOR STRONG WINDS...SMALL HAIL AND EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING VALID UNTIL 630 PM EDT... AT 551 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CENTERED 3 MILES WEST OF CALLAHAN...MOVING SOUTH AT 6 MPH. THIS STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT AREAS AROUND HILLIARD...CALLAHAN...RATLIFF AND BRYCEVILLE THROUGH 630 PM EDT. HAIL UP TO ONE HALF INCH IN DIAMETER...EXCESSIVE CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING AND GUSTY WINDS UP TO 45 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED ALONG WITH POSSIBLE MINOR DAMAGE. HEAVY RAINFALL WILL PRODUCE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS AND MINOR FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS. REPORT DAMAGE TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. ZIBURA
The Jacksonville radar (KJAX), 119 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:59 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
State Warning Point relayed a report of trees and power lines blown down.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, September 2008
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 133188.