Hail and Damaging Wind in Florida, May 17, 2009

Name: Hail and Damaging Wind in Florida, May 17, 2009
Start: 2009-05-17T12:45
End: 2009-05-17T18:20
Location: Florida

May 17, 2009 · NWS JAX · 3 events in 3 counties and zones

A mean layer ridge stretched across central Florida. A cold front extended across the southeast region from the Carolinas to the eastern Gulf coast states.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 3

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS JAX wrote it up.

A mean layer ridge stretched across central Florida. A cold front extended across the southeast region from the Carolinas to the eastern Gulf coast states. Storms developed across the area in the afternoon as the front approached from the north in an unstable and moist airmass.

What forecasters said that day

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 May 17, 8:54 AM EST, 3 hours 51 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 17, 8:54 AM EST, 3 hours 51 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
954 AM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

.UPDATE...SHORTWAVE TROUGH IS PUSHING OFFSHORE AND EARLIER
ISOLATED SHOWERS OVER SE GA HAVE EXITED THE SCENE. MEAN LAYER
(1000-500 MB) RIDGE STRETCHES ACRS CNTRL FL. COLD FRONT EXTENDS
THRU UPSTATE SC...NORTH GA TO NEAR MS/LA GULF COAST. ISOLD STORMS
AHEAD OF THE FRONT ARE TRAVELING OVER THE MEAN RIDGE AND ARE JUST
OUTSIDE THE CWA ATTM. AS THE FRONT SINKS SWD SHOWERS AND STORMS
WILL BECOME WIDESPREAD OVER NRN TIER. WILL KEEP CURRENT POP
DISTRIBUTION OF 80% NORTH TO 30% EXTREME SOUTH. AS FOR THE 12Z
SOUNDING...ITS MOIST (PW IS 1.73 INCHES) AND UNSTABLE. SFC BASED
CAPE IS OVER 3000 J/KG WITH NO CAP. SLOW MOVING SHRA/TS (10 MPH)
WILL PRODUCE LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN. MOTION WILL BE AROUND THE RIDGE
OR TOWARD THE NORTH ACRS SRN TIER AND TOWARD THE NE ACRS NRN TIER.

&&

.AVIATION...COMBINATION OF APPROACHING FRONT AND DAYTIME HEATING
WILL GIVE WAY TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THIS
AFTERNOON WITH BEST CHANCE OVER SE GA. THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
SHOULD BEGIN 16-18Z ACROSS THE AREA. TEMPO GROUPS ARE IN ALL TAFS
FOR AFTN CONVECTION.

&&

.MARINE...STILL RATHER QUIET THIS MORNING WITH BUOYS REPORTING
GENERALLY SOUTH WINDS 10-15 KT. SEAS ARE RUNNING 3-4 FT. CONDS
WILL DETERIORATE EARLY MONDAY WHEN FRONT PUSHES THRU AND STRONG NE
FLOW SETS UP. CURRENT GALE WATCH LOOKS GOOD FOR NRN WATERS AND SCA
FOR SRN TWO LEGS.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AMG  83  55  68  50 /  80  60  60  40
SSI  81  60  67  59 /  60  70  70  60
JAX  84  63  69  58 /  50  50  70  60
SGJ  83  67  71  64 /  40  50  70  60
GNV  87  64  75  58 /  50  50  60  50
OCF  87  66  77  60 /  40  50  60  50

&&

.JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...NONE.
GA...NONE.
AM...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FROM 2 PM MONDAY TO 4 AM EDT WEDNESDAY FOR
     ST AUGUSTINE TO FLAGLER BEACH FL 20 NM TO 60 NM OFFSHORE-ST
     AUGUSTINE TO FLAGLER BEACH FL OUT 20 NM.

     GALE WATCH FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING FOR
     FERNANDINA BEACH TO ST AUGUSTINE FL 20 NM TO 60 NM OFFSHORE-
     FERNANDINA BEACH TO ST AUGUSTINE FL OUT 20 NM.

     GALE WATCH FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE TUESDAY NIGHT FOR
     ALTAMAHA SOUND GA TO FERNANDINA BEACH FL 20 NM TO 60 NM
     OFFSHORE.

     GALE WATCH FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING FOR
     ALTAMAHA SOUND GA TO FERNANDINA BEACH FL OUT 20 NM.

&&

MKT/RK

Hazardous weather outlook, May 17, 4:04 AM EST, 8 hours 41 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
504 AM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

FLZ020>025-030>033-035>038-040-GAZ132>136-149>154-162>166-180915-
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-
504 AM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

THIS OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT...

...ISOLATED SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON...
...MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS FOR FLORIDA WATERS...

A COLD FRONT IS EXPECTED TO APPROACH THE AREA LATE TODAY WITH
INCREASING THUNDERSTORM CHANCES...ESPECIALLY FOR THE GEORGIA
PORTION. WITH THE ATMOSPHERE REMAINING MOIST AND UNSTABLE...ANY
STORMS THAT DEVELOP WILL BE CAPABLE OF BECOMING STRONG TO POSSIBLY
SEVERE WITH HAIL AND STRONG WINDS THE MAIN CONCERNS. ACTIVITY WILL
BE MORE SCATTERED IN NATURE OVER THE FLORIDA PORTION THIS
AFTERNOON BUT ISOLATED SEVERE STORMS WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE AS
THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOP INLAND AND THEN WORK THEIR WAY BACK TOWARD
THE COAST IN THE EVENING HOURS.

THERE WILL BE A MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS FOR THE FLORIDA
WATERS. PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST SURF ZONE FORECAST FOR FURTHER
DETAILS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...

...GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY FOR THE COASTAL
WATERS...

AS THE COLD FRONT SLIDES SOUTH OF THE AREA...HIGH PRESSURE WILL
BUILD TO THE NORTH AND PROVIDE FOR A STRENGTHENING NORTHEAST FLOW
REGIME. MOST OF THE ASSOCIATED HAZARDS WILL BE IN THE MARINE
ENVIRONMENT...BUT SHOWERS WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE OVER THE
MAINLAND...ESPECIALLY OVER THE FLORIDA COASTAL SECTIONS WHERE
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE AS WELL.

LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPING SOUTH OF THE REGION IS EXPECTED TO TRACK
WESTWARD AND INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO. DEPENDING UPON WHETHER IT
TRACKS INTO THE CENTRAL OR EASTERN GULF IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE
AT THIS POINT BUT WILL HAVE RAMIFICATIONS ON OUR SENSIBLE WEATHER.
SHOULD IT TRACK INTO THE EASTERN GULF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WILL CONTINUE TO BE PREVALENT THROUGH WEEKS END WITH A MORE
WESTWARD TRACK LEADING TO DRIER CONDITIONS. THESE DETAILS WILL BE
REFINED WITH SUBSEQUENT FORECASTS AS THE EVENT DRAWS CLOSER.

AN ELEVATED RISK OF RIP CURRENTS WILL EXIST THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT REQUESTED AT THIS TIME.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...VISIT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
IN JACKSONVILLE WEBSITE ON THE INTERNET AT WEATHER.GOV/JAX.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 17, 11:43 AM EST, 1 hour 2 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
1243 PM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

GAZ136-151-171715-
PIERCE-WAYNE-
1243 PM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR EASTERN PIERCE AND
SOUTHWESTERN WAYNE COUNTIES FOR STRONG WINDS...SMALL HAIL AND
EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING VALID UNTIL 115 PM EDT...

AT 1244 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CENTERED 4 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PATTERSON...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 5 MPH. THESE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS
AROUND SCREVEN...PATTERSON AND BROADHURST THROUGH 115 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. 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.

LAT...LON 3149 8182 3128 8216 3132 8227 3148 8215
      3148 8213 3151 8213 3156 8209
TIME...MOT...LOC 1644Z 229DEG 6KT 3135 8219

SHULER

Special weather statement, May 17, 11:51 AM EST, 54 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
1251 PM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

FLZ021-171730-
SUWANNEE-
1251 PM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SOUTHERN SUWANNEE
COUNTY FOR STRONG WINDS...SMALL HAIL AND EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING VALID
UNTIL 130 PM EDT...

AT 1251 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CENTERED 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF LURAVILLE...OR 5
MILES EAST OF MAYO...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH. THESE STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS AROUND NEWBURN...LURAVILLE...
DOWLING PARK...BRANFORD...OBRIEN AND MCALPIN THROUGH 130 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. 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.

LAT...LON 3031 8312 3019 8281 2994 8292 2996 8295
      3000 8297 3000 8299 3006 8304 3010 8312
      3011 8316 3010 8319 3011 8323 3020 8325
      3025 8325
TIME...MOT...LOC 1651Z 255DEG 11KT 3007 8308

SHULER

Special weather statement, May 17, 11:58 AM EST, 47 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
1258 PM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

GAZ150-151-171745-
PIERCE-WARE-
1258 PM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR NORTHERN WARE AND
WESTERN PIERCE COUNTIES FOR STRONG WINDS...SMALL HAIL AND EXCESSIVE
LIGHTNING VALID UNTIL 145 PM EDT...

AT 1259 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CENTERED 2 MILES NORTH OF WARESBORO...OR 9 MILES
NORTHWEST OF WAYCROSS...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH. THESE STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS AROUND WARESBORO AND DIXIE UNION
THROUGH 145 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. 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.

LAT...LON 3142 8219 3127 8231 3119 8252 3127 8259
      3140 8248 3142 8243 3142 8241 3144 8240
      3144 8234 3145 8232
TIME...MOT...LOC 1659Z 235DEG 16KT 3129 8247

SHULER

Special weather statement, May 17, 12:21 PM EST, 24 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
121 PM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

FLZ021-022-035-171800-
COLUMBIA-GILCHRIST-SUWANNEE-
121 PM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SOUTHEASTERN
SUWANNEE...SOUTHERN COLUMBIA AND NORTHERN GILCHRIST COUNTIES FOR
STRONG WINDS AND SMALL HAIL VALID UNTIL 200 PM EDT...

AT 121 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS CENTERED 2 MILES WEST OF HILDRETH...OR 4 MILES WEST OF
ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGS STATE PARK...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH. THESE
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS AROUND HILDRETH...
ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGS STATE PARK...FORT WHITE...COLUMBIA...LULU AND
LAKE CITY THROUGH 200 PM EDT. HAIL UP TO ONE HALF INCH IN DIAMETER
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.

LAT...LON 3029 8274 3010 8247 3008 8251 3005 8253
      2980 8284 2985 8288 2988 8289 2990 8292
      2994 8293
TIME...MOT...LOC 1721Z 227DEG 17KT 2996 8284

TRABERT

Special weather statement, May 17, 12:27 PM EST, 18 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
127 PM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

GAZ133-171815-
JEFF DAVIS-
127 PM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR NORTHERN JEFF
DAVIS COUNTY FOR STRONG WINDS AND SMALL HAIL VALID UNTIL 215 PM
EDT...

AT 127 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM CENTERED 15 MILES WEST OF HAZLEHURST...OR 15
MILES NORTH OF BROXTON...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH. THIS STRONG
THUNDERSTORM WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS AROUND HAZLEHURST THROUGH 215 PM
EDT. HAIL UP TO ONE HALF INCH IN DIAMETER 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.

LAT...LON 3184 8245 3184 8251 3180 8252 3175 8284
      3181 8283 3188 8274 3188 8272 3192 8268
      3192 8264 3196 8256 3196 8253 3195 8250
      3197 8249
TIME...MOT...LOC 1727Z 254DEG 16KT 3184 8285

TRABERT

Special weather statement, May 17, 12:34 PM EST, 11 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
134 PM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

GAZ136-151-171830-
PIERCE-WAYNE-
134 PM EDT SUN MAY 17 2009

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR PIERCE AND
SOUTHWESTERN WAYNE COUNTIES FOR STRONG WINDS AND SMALL HAIL VALID
UNTIL 230 PM EDT...

AT 134 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS CENTERED 3 MILES NORTHWEST OF BLACKSHEAR...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH. THESE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO AFFECT
AREAS AROUND BLACKSHEAR...BRISTOL...PATTERSON...SCREVEN AND
BROADHURST THROUGH 230 PM EDT. HAIL UP TO ONE HALF INCH IN DIAMETER
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.

LAT...LON 3139 8175 3135 8188 3137 8203 3130 8198
      3127 8204 3128 8210 3126 8214 3123 8214
      3121 8220 3123 8231 3137 8240 3153 8223
      3148 8216 3148 8213 3162 8213 3168 8207
TIME...MOT...LOC 1734Z 245DEG 17KT 3133 8226

TRABERT

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Suwannee

When: May 17, 12:45 PM EST
Where: Suwannee County, 8.63 mi ENE of Obrien
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 30.060, -82.790

Trees were blown down along State Road 247.

Hail, Nassau

When: May 17, 3:50 PM EST
Where: Nassau County, 2.16 mi NNE of Gross Welcome Stn
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 30.730, -81.660

A spotter reported penny size hail at the Florida Georgia visitor's center.

Hail, Clay

When: May 17, 6:20 PM EST
Where: Clay County, 1.92 mi WNW of Bellair West
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 30.180, -81.760

Penny to nickel size hail was reported.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Florida in 2009 Every state in 2009 This day in weather history Warnings in Florida, May 2009

Sources

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: 170540, 170538, 170539.