A weak front was located across north Georgia. A weak trough was moving from the Ohio Valley into the mid-Atlantic and southeast United States.
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 FFC wrote it up.
A weak front was located across north Georgia. A weak trough was moving from the Ohio Valley into the mid-Atlantic and southeast United States. A strong Bermuda high was present off the southeast United States coast. This was keeping a warm, moist, and unstable air mass over the region. Scattered thunderstorms developed across mainly central Georgia where moisture content was higher and the air mass was more unstable. A few of these became severe, with hail being the primary element.
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 Atlanta, GA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 28, 2:23 PM EST, 1 hour 42 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 323 PM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 .SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... UPPER LEVEL PATTERN SHIFT IS IN FULL SWING THROUGH THE SHORT TERM FORECAST PERIOD. UPPER RIDGE OVER THE WESTERN U.S. FLATTENS AND SHIFTS EAST TUESDAY. THIS BRINGS THE RIDGE OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S. BUT IT DOES NOT LOOK DOMINANT ENOUGH TO PUT A LID ON OUR DIURNAL CONVECTION. THE UPPER PATTERN BEGINS RE AMPLIFYING WEDNESDAY AS THE WESTERN RIDGE BUILDS WITH A CORRESPONDING TROUGH DIGGING BACK INTO THE EASTERN U.S. THIS SHOULD HELP TO ENHANCE OUR RAIN CHANCES SOME WEDNESDAY...BUT BETTER CHANCES ARE EXPECTED AS WE MOVE INTO THE EXTENDED FORECAST PERIOD. TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN AT OR A LITTLE ABOVE SEASONAL NORMALS. HEAT INDICES ARE EXPECTED TO FLIRT WITH THE 105 DEGREE LEVEL IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN GEORGIA THIS AFTERNOON AND AGAIN TUESDAY AFTERNOON...BUT SCATTERED AFTERNOON AND EVENING CONVECTION AND LOW TEMPERATURES AT OR A COUPLE OF DEGREES BELOW 75 MOST PLACES EACH NIGHT SHOULD KEEP US BELOW HEAT ADVISORY LEVELS. .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... THE EXTENDED FORECAST BEGINS WITH OUR BEST CHANCES FOR WIDESPREAD BENEFICIAL RAINFALL IN QUITE SOME TIME. A HIGH AMPLITUDE UPPER LEVEL PATTERN IS FORECAST WITH A DEEP UPPER TROUGH AXIS JUST WEST OF THE STATE THURSDAY. THE UPPER TROUGH AXIS MOVES ACROSS THE REGION INTO EARLY FRIDAY WITH AN ASSOCIATED SURFACE TROUGH PUSHING THROUGH THE FORECAST AREA AS WELL. THE UPPER LEVEL FLOW REMAINS SOMEWHAT PROGRESSIVE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR WITH THE WESTERN U.S. UPPER RIDGE FORECAST TO SHIFT EAST THROUGH THE WEEKEND...REACHING THE EAST COAST BY EARLY NEXT WEEK. IF THIS PANS OUT OUR RAIN CHANCES WILL TREND BACK TOWARD ISOLATED DIURNAL CONVECTION AT BEST FOR THE LATTER HALF OF THE EXTENDED FORECAST PERIOD. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... ATHENS 72 94 72 91 72 / 20 20 20 30 30 ATLANTA 74 93 74 91 73 / 20 20 20 30 30 BLAIRSVILLE 67 87 66 86 68 / 30 20 20 40 40 CARTERSVILLE 71 92 70 90 70 / 20 20 20 40 40 COLUMBUS 75 94 75 93 75 / 30 30 20 30 30 GAINESVILLE 73 92 72 90 72 / 20 20 20 30 40 MACON 74 94 74 93 74 / 30 30 20 30 30 ROME 71 92 71 91 71 / 30 20 20 40 40 PEACHTREE CITY 71 92 71 91 72 / 20 20 20 30 30 VIDALIA 76 94 74 94 75 / 40 40 20 30 30 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && 20
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 603 AM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-291015- BALDWIN-BANKS-BARROW-BARTOW-BIBB-BLECKLEY-BUTTS-CARROLL-CATOOSA- CHATTAHOOCHEE-CHATTOOGA-CHEROKEE-CLARKE-CLAYTON-COBB-COWETA- CRAWFORD-CRISP-DADE-DAWSON-DEKALB-DODGE-DOOLY-DOUGLAS-EMANUEL- FANNIN-FAYETTE-FLOYD-FORSYTH-GILMER-GLASCOCK-GORDON-GREENE- GWINNETT-HALL-HANCOCK-HARALSON-HARRIS-HEARD-HENRY-HOUSTON-JACKSON- JASPER-JEFFERSON-JOHNSON-JONES-LAMAR-LAURENS-LUMPKIN-MACON- MADISON-MARION-MERIWETHER-MONROE-MONTGOMERY-MORGAN-MURRAY- MUSCOGEE-NEWTON-NORTH FULTON-OCONEE-OGLETHORPE-PAULDING-PEACH- PICKENS-PIKE-POLK-PULASKI-PUTNAM-ROCKDALE-SCHLEY-SOUTH FULTON- SPALDING-STEWART-SUMTER-TALBOT-TALIAFERRO-TAYLOR-TELFAIR-TOOMBS- TOWNS-TREUTLEN-TROUP-TWIGGS-UNION-UPSON-WALKER-WALTON-WARREN- WASHINGTON-WEBSTER-WHEELER-WHITE-WHITFIELD-WILCOX-WILKES- WILKINSON- 603 AM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. .SYNOPSIS... A WEAK SURFACE TROUGH WILL REMAIN STATIONARY ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA...GEORGIA...AND THE CAROLINAS THROUGH TONIGHT. HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE CENTRAL APPALACHIANS WILL PUSH SLIGHTLY DRIER AIR INTO NORTH GEORGIA. .PRIMARY HAZARDS... LIGHTNING IS EXPECTED TO BE THE PRIMARY HAZARD FROM THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS...BETWEEN 3 PM AND 9 PM TODAY. .DISCUSSION... INSTABILITY THIS AFTERNOON WILL NOT BE PARTICULARLY HIGH FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR WITH CAPE BETWEEN 1000 AND 1500. THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR THUNDERSTORMS WILL EXIST OVER THE MOUNTAINS AND MORE PROBABLY OVER PORTIONS OF CENTRAL GEORGIA IN CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE SURFACE TROUGH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY THERE IS A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS EACH DAY AND WILL BE MOST LIKELY ON THURSDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED THROUGH TONIGHT.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 315 PM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 GAZ097-281945- 315 PM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR FREQUENT LIGHTNING IN LAURENS COUNTY UNTIL 345 PM EDT... AT 314 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER LOWERY THE THUNDERSTORM WAS NEARLY STATIONARY. THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE PEA SIZED HAIL...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH AS IT MOVES ACROSS LAURENS COUNTY THROUGH 345 PM EDT. SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE LOWERY...MINTER AND ROCKLEDGE. BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 326 PM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 GAZ093-104-105-282000- 326 PM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING IN SUMTER... MACON AND DOOLY COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM EDT... AT 324 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER METHVINS THE THUNDERSTORM WAS NEARLY STATIONARY. THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE PEA SIZED HAIL...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH AS IT MOVES ACROSS SUMTER...MACON AND DOOLY COUNTIES THROUGH 400 PM EDT. SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE METHVINS...DRAYTON...LILLY... DOOLING AND BYROMVILLE. BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS. LIGHTNING DETECTION SYSTEMS INDICATE NUMEROUS CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES ACROSS SUMTER...MACON AND DOOLY COUNTIES... INCLUDING AREAS AROUND METHVINS...DRAYTON...LILLY...DOOLING AND BYROMVILLE. RESIDENTS IN THIS AREA SHOULD STAY INDOORS. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND TELEPHONES SHOULD NOT BE USED UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 337 PM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 GAZ097-098-111-112-282000- 337 PM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING IN WHEELER... MONTGOMERY...TREUTLEN AND LAURENS COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM EDT... AT 330 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LOTHAIR...MOVING NORTHWEST AT 3 MPH. LIGHTNING DETECTION SYSTEMS INDICATE NUMEROUS CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES ACROSS WHEELER...MONTGOMERY...TREUTLEN AND LAURENS COUNTIES...INCLUDING AREAS AROUND GLENWOOD...ROCKLEDGE...MINTER... LOWERY AND LOTHAIR. RESIDENTS IN THIS AREA SHOULD STAY INDOORS. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND TELEPHONES SHOULD NOT BE USED UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 353 PM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 GAZ092-093-282030- 353 PM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING IN SCHLEY AND MACON COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT... AT 350 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER ELLAVILLE...MOVING NORTHWEST AT 3 MPH. LIGHTNING DETECTION SYSTEMS INDICATE NUMEROUS CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES ACROSS SCHLEY AND MACON COUNTIES...INCLUDING AREAS AROUND LA CROSSE...FOUNTAINVILEE AND ELLAVILLE. RESIDENTS IN THIS AREA SHOULD STAY INDOORS. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND TELEPHONES SHOULD NOT BE USED UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 359 PM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 GAZ085-086-097-098-111>113-282030- 359 PM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING IN WHEELER... TOOMBS...MONTGOMERY...TREUTLEN...LAURENS...JOHNSON AND EMANUEL COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT... AT 355 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER COVENA THE THUNDERSTORM WAS NEARLY STATIONARY. LIGHTNING DETECTION SYSTEMS INDICATE NUMEROUS CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES ACROSS WHEELER...TOOMBS...MONTGOMERY...TREUTLEN... LAURENS...JOHNSON AND EMANUEL COUNTIES...INCLUDING AREAS AROUND ZAIDEE...NORMANTOWN...MEEKS...KIBBEE...COVENA...TARRYTOWN... SOPERTON...OAK PARK...ADRIAN...NORRISTWON...MODOC...LEXSY... SWAINSBORO...STILLMORE AND NUNEZ. RESIDENTS IN THIS AREA SHOULD STAY INDOORS. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND TELEPHONES SHOULD NOT BE USED UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 444 PM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 GAZ076-282100- 444 PM EDT MON JUL 28 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR FREQUENT LIGHTNING IN JEFFERSON COUNTY UNTIL 500 PM EDT... AT 439 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM JUST NORTH OF MATTHEWS...MOVING SOUTH AT 4 MPH. THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE PEA SIZED HAIL...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND WIND GUSTS TO 35 MPH AS IT MOVES ACROSS PORTIONS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY THROUGH 500 PM EDT. SOME LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED INCLUDE STELLAVILLE...MATTHEWS AND WRENS. HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS. LIGHTNING DETECTION SYSTEMS INDICATE NUMEROUS CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES. RESIDENTS IN THIS AREA SHOULD STAY INDOORS. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND TELEPHONES SHOULD NOT BE USED UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY.
The Robins AFB radar (KJGX), 108 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:04 UTC.
2 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
The public observed golf ball-sized hail in Wrens. Radar supports that large hail of similar size likely fell across a good portion of northeast Jefferson county.
Several reports of large hail were received from the public across northern Houston county. Quarter to golf ball-sized hail fell near and just northeast through east of Centerville and penny to quarter-sized hail fell in the Warner Robins area.
A retired meteorologist measured wind gusts of 55 to 60 mph just southwest of Warner Robins. The Sun News of Warner Robins reported that the facade of the Town and County Motorsports was blown off by strong downburst winds and parts of the concrete wall of the Audio Shop were torn down. Both of these businesses are along Carl Vinson Parkway in Warner Robins.
The Sun News of Warner Robins reported that lightning struck next to a Warner Robins police officer's patrol car while parked at the McConnell-Talbert Stadium parking lot during a severe thunderstorm. The lightning left a hole in the asphalt parking lot next to the policeman's patrol car. While no personal injury was suffered while the police officer was in the vehicle, the vehicle suffered damage to electronic circuitry.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, July 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: 128653, 128654, 128655, 128656.