A mid-level ridge remained in place over the Southern Plains, with weak northwest flow continuing across the Southeast. Left over outflow boundaries from convection on the 25th helped to focus development on the 26th.
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 mid-level ridge remained in place over the Southern Plains, with weak northwest flow continuing across the Southeast. Left over outflow boundaries from convection on the 25th helped to focus development on the 26th. Numerous thunderstorms developed, and several became severe with wind damage reported. Damage was reported from lightning strikes as well.
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 26, 2:50 PM EST, 2 hours 46 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 350 PM EDT THU JUL 26 2012 .SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... FORECAST CONCERNS CONTINUE TO BE THE HEAT AND CONVECTIVE POTENTIAL TODAY AND TOMORROW. TEMPS TODAY APPEAR TO BE ON TRACK AGAIN FOR REACHING HEAT ADVISORY CRITERIA. WHILE PROGGED 850 MB TEMPS ARE A BIT LOWER FRIDAY AFTERNOON... THE FORECAST TEMP AND DEWPOINT COMBINATION USING A BLEND OF MAV AND MET GUIDANCE STILL SUPPORTS NEAR HEAT ADVISORY THRESHOLD ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST PORTION BUT WILL HOLD OFF ON ANY NEW ISSUANCE ATTM TO PREVENT CONFUSION AND ISSUE LATER ON IF SEEN FIT. THE PRESENCE OF THE PERSISTENT WEAK LEE SFC TROUGH AND ADVECTION OF SOME TROPICAL MOISTURE OFF THE NE GULF COAST WILL ALLOW FOR THE BEST CHANCES OF CONVECTION ACROSS THE SOUTHWESTERN PORTION OF THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON INTO EARLY EVENING. MOST GUIDANCE AGREES... HOWEVER SOME HI-RES SOLUTIONS SUGGEST MORE SCATTERED DEVELOPMENT PROPAGATING INTO PORTIONS OF NORTH GA DUE TO EITHER SUBTLE FEATURES OR OUTFLOW FROM MORE ORGANIZED SIMULATED DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTH. WILL NOT BANK MUCH ON THIS UNLESS UPDATES ARE NEEDED AND WILL ONLY MAINTAIN SLIGHT POPS IN PARTS OF THE NORTH THIS AFTERNOON INTO EVENING AND HAVE CHANCE POPS IN THE SOUTH. WITH MLCAPE VALUES UP TO 3000 J/KG...WEAK VERTICAL SHEAR...AND PW VALUES OF 1.8-2.0 INCHES ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA...ANY STORM DEVELOPMENT WILL HAVE THE MAIN THREATS FOR STRONG WINDS...HEAVY RAINFALL...FREQUENT LIGHTNING...AND SMALL HAIL. ISOLATED SEVERE STORMS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. AS A RELATIVELY LOW AMPLITUDE UPPER LEVEL TROUGH SWINGS EASTWARD ACROSS THE MIDWEST INTO THE NE CONUS TODAY THRU FRIDAY...AN ASSOCIATED SFC FRONT WILL BEGIN TO INFLUENCE THE FORECAST AREA FROM THE NORTH ON FRIDAY. MODEL GUIDANCE IS IN GENERAL CONSENSUS WITH RELATIVELY LOW MOISTURE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT AND THE SOLUTIONS SEEM TO BE SLIGHTLY LESS PROGRESSIVE THAN BEFORE WITH THE SYSTEM. THERE ARE SOME DISCREPANCIES AMONG THE MODELS WITH THE LOCATION OF THE SFC FRONT...HOWEVER MOST AGREE WITH IT LINGERING NEAR THE TN VALLEY INTO THE WEEKEND. PROGGED MID LEVEL RH INDICATED BETTER MOISTURE ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE AREA FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTO NIGHT. ALL CONSIDERED...DECIDED TO HAVE CHANCE POPS IN THE AFTERNOON WITH THE BEST PROBS IN THE NORTH AND SOUTHWEST...BECOMING SLIGHT CHANCE OVERNIGHT AREA-WIDE. 03 .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... FRONTAL BOUNDARY SLIDES INTO NORTH GA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD. SOME QUESTION AS TO HOW MUCH MOISTURE WILL ACCOMPANY THE FRONT SO HAVE TWEAKED POPS A BIT NORTHWARD SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT. OTHERWISE NO CHANGES TO THE FORECAST. DRIER INTO MONDAY BUT MOISTURE RETURNING BY TUESDAY. WITH UPPER TROUGH FORMING OVER THE SOUTHEAST...HIGHS RANGING INTO THE 80S AND LOW 90S BY THE END OF THE PERIOD. 41 .PREVIOUS DISCUSSION/419 AM EDT THU JUL 26 2012/... HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE STAYS OVER THE GULF AS FRONTAL BOUNDARY PUSHES SOUTH THROUGH THE STATE SAT. A DEEP CLOSED LOW CENTER TRACKS EAST ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES STATES TODAY AND INTO THE NEW ENGLAND STATES FRI. ITS ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT MOVES SOUTH OUT OF THE MS RIVER VALLEY AND INTO NW GA BY 00Z SAT. THIS FRONT CONTINUES MOVING SOUTHWARD INTO NORTH FL BY 12Z- 18Z SUN. THIS FRONT BRINGS IN A MUCH DRIER AIRMASS AND COOLER TEMPS FOR THE STATE SUN AND MON. CONTINUING WITH JUST ISOLATED POPS SUN AND MON WITH THE BEST AREA BEING CENTRAL GEORGIA. MOISTURE DOES INCREASE AGAIN TUE/WED SO WILL KEEP ISO/SCT SHRA/TSRA BACK IN THE FORECAST DAY 6-7. 01 && AVIATION... 18Z UPDATE... MOSTLY VFR CONDITIONS EXPECTED THROUGH FORECAST PERIOD. BEST CHANCE FOR TSRA SHOULD REMAIN NEAR THE SOUTHERN SITES OF KMCN AND KCSG FOR THIS AFTERNOON... THEREFORE HAVE INCLUDED A TEMPO GROUP AFTER 20Z. THERE IS STILL A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR ISOLATED DEVELOPMENT AT THE OTHER SITES BUT TOO LOW TO MENTION. MOSTLY WNW TO W WINDS AT 10 KTS OR LESS BECOMING W TO SW OVERNIGHT INTO FRIDAY. CIGS LOOK TO BE SCT050 TO BKN040 THIS AFTERNOON WITH ENHANCED CU FIELD OR STORM DEVELOPMENT AND BY NEAR 13Z FRIDAY COULD SEE SOME SCT025 WITH SCT100. //ATL CONFIDENCE...18Z UPDATE... MEDIUM CONFIDENCE ON CONVECTION TIMING AND CIGS FRIDAY MORNING. HIGH CONFIDENCE ALL ELSE. 03 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... ATHENS 74 96 73 97 / 10 30 20 20 ATLANTA 75 93 74 93 / 20 30 20 20 BLAIRSVILLE 68 88 67 89 / 10 40 30 10 CARTERSVILLE 74 93 72 95 / 10 30 20 10 COLUMBUS 76 95 75 95 / 20 30 20 30 GAINESVILLE 74 91 73 94 / 10 30 20 20 MACON 74 96 74 96 / 20 30 20 30 ROME 73 94 71 94 / 10 40 30 10 PEACHTREE CITY 73 93 71 93 / 20 30 20 20 VIDALIA 77 98 77 95 / 20 30 20 30 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES: BALDWIN...BIBB...BLECKLEY...CHATTAHOOCHEE...CLARKE... CRAWFORD...CRISP...DODGE...DOOLY...EMANUEL...GLASCOCK...GREENE... HANCOCK...HOUSTON...JASPER...JEFFERSON...JOHNSON...JONES... LAURENS...MACON...MADISON...MARION...MONROE...MONTGOMERY... MORGAN...MUSCOGEE...OCONEE...OGLETHORPE...PEACH...PULASKI... PUTNAM...SCHLEY...STEWART...SUMTER...TALBOT...TALIAFERRO... TAYLOR...TELFAIR...TOOMBS...TREUTLEN...TWIGGS...UPSON...WARREN... WASHINGTON...WEBSTER...WHEELER...WILCOX...WILKES...WILKINSON. && SHORT TERM...BAKER LONG TERM....41 AVIATION...BAKER
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 1052 AM EDT THU JUL 26 2012 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-271500- 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- 1052 AM EDT THU JUL 26 2012 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE OVER MUCH OF NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAY BE SEVERE ACROSS CENTRAL GEORGIA. .SYNOPSIS... A BROAD UPPER LEVEL HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE OVER THE SOUTHERN STATES WILL CONTINUE TO WEAKEN THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK. A SURFACE TROUGH WILL BECOME ENHANCED OVER CENTRAL GEORGIA TODAY. .PRIMARY HAZARDS... THE PRIMARY HAZARDS FROM ANY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND HEAVY RAIN. THE MOST LIKELY TIME FOR THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT WILL BE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...WITH ISOLATED SEVERE POSSIBLE MAINLY CENTRAL GEORGIA. .DISCUSSION... CAPES WILL INCREASE 2000 TO 3000 THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE UPPER LEVEL HIGH CENTERED OVER ALABAMA AND GEORGIA. PLENTY OF MOISTURE IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ISOLATED SEVERE STORMS TO BE POSSIBLE WITH THE HEATING OF THE DAY. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY... ISOLATED TO SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED EACH DAY...MAINLY DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS ACTIVATION IS NOT REQUESTED BUT SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT REPORTS OF SEVERE WEATHER THROUGH THE WEB BY GOING TO WEATHER.GOV/ATLANTA.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
455 PM EDT THU JUL 26 2012
GAZ103-262130-
455 PM EDT THU JUL 26 2012
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR 40 MPH WINDS IN WEBSTER COUNTY
UNTIL 530 PM EDT...
AT 449 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER LEVERETTS...MOVING NORTH AT 10 MPH.
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
WEBSTER COUNTY THROUGH 530 PM EDT. SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THIS
STORM INCLUDE LEVERETTS...WESTON...KIMBROUGH...CENTERPOINT AND DUMAS.
HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.
&&
LAT...LON 3192 8465 3203 8466 3204 8465 3206 8444
3197 8445 3196 8444 3193 8444 3191 8446
3191 8458
TIME...MOT...LOC 2054Z 198DEG 8KT 3195 8460SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
520 PM EDT THU JUL 26 2012
GAZ069-081-262145-
520 PM EDT THU JUL 26 2012
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR 45 MPH WINDS IN UPSON AND
CRAWFORD COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM EDT...
AT 517 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER SALEM...MOVING NORTH AT 10 MPH.
THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE DIME SIZED HAIL...FREQUENT
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH AS IT MOVES ACROSS
UPSON AND CRAWFORD COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM EDT. SOME LOCATIONS IN THE
PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE MUSELLA...KNOXVILLE...ROBERTA...SALEM AND
LOGTOWN. HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.
&&
LAT...LON 3271 8421 3286 8424 3285 8412 3285 8402
3269 8399
TIME...MOT...LOC 2120Z 178DEG 8KT 3279 8414SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
601 PM EDT THU JUL 26 2012
GAZ090-262230-
601 PM EDT THU JUL 26 2012
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR 45 MPH WINDS IN CHATTAHOOCHEE
COUNTY UNTIL 630 PM EDT...
AT 600 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER EELBECK/WEST FORT BENNING THE THUNDERSTORM
WAS NEARLY STATIONARY.
THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE DIME SIZED HAIL...FREQUENT
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH AS IT MOVES ACROSS
CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY THROUGH 630 PM EDT. SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH
OF THIS STORM INCLUDE EELBECK/WEST FORT BENNING. HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL
CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.
&&
LAT...LON 3244 8476 3245 8476 3249 8474 3252 8471
3253 8464 3250 8464 3249 8466 3244 8466
TIME...MOT...LOC 2201Z 171DEG 2KT 3248 8468SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 602 PM EDT THU JUL 26 2012 GAZ079-080-262230- 602 PM EDT THU JUL 26 2012 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR 45 MPH WINDS IN TALBOT AND TAYLOR COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM EDT... AT 600 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER JUNCTION CITY THE THUNDERSTORM WAS NEARLY STATIONARY. THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE DIME SIZED HAIL...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH AS IT MOVES ACROSS TALBOT AND TAYLOR COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM EDT. SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE HOWARD...JUNCTION CITY...BALDWINVILLE AND TALBOTTON. HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS. && LAT...LON 3269 8456 3268 8434 3257 8437 3257 8452 TIME...MOT...LOC 2203Z 170DEG 2KT 3260 8443
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
627 PM EDT THU JUL 26 2012
GAZ067-262300-
627 PM EDT THU JUL 26 2012
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR 45 MPH WINDS IN MERIWETHER COUNTY
UNTIL 700 PM EDT...
AT 623 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER ODESSADALE...MOVING NORTH AT 5 MPH.
THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE PENNY SIZED HAIL...FREQUENT
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH AS IT MOVES ACROSS
MERIWETHER COUNTY THROUGH 700 PM EDT. SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF
THIS STORM INCLUDE HARRIS CITY...STOVALL...DURAND...ODESSADALE AND
GREENVILLE. HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.
&&
LAT...LON 3317 8472 3297 8459 3288 8484 3293 8487
3293 8486 3297 8487 3308 8487
TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 187DEG 3KT 3300 8479SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
630 PM EDT THU JUL 26 2012
GAZ089-090-262300-
630 PM EDT THU JUL 26 2012
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR PEA SIZED HAIL AND 45 MPH WINDS
IN MUSCOGEE AND CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTIES UNTIL 700 PM EDT...
AT 630 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
FEW STRONG THUNDERSTORMS OVER FORT BENNING AND LAWSON ARMY AIR
FIELD...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 5 MPH.
THESE STORMS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE PEA SIZED HAIL...FREQUENT
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH AS THEY MOVE
ACROSS MUSCOGEE AND CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM EDT. SOME
LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS INCLUDE EELBECK/WEST FORT
BENNING...FORT BENNING AND LAWSON ARMY AIR FIELD...VISTA
TERRACE...SAINT MARYS HILLS...BENNING PARK...BENNING HILLS...CARTER
ACRES...BATTLE PARK...CUSTER ROAD TERRACE...SAND HILL...NORTH FORT
BENNING...CHRISTOPHER...CUSSETA...MANTA AND JAMESTOWN/SOUTH FORT
BENNING. HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.
&&
LAT...LON 3223 8492 3227 8491 3232 8501 3244 8497
3259 8476 3258 8469 3257 8469 3256 8467
3252 8469 3253 8464 3250 8464 3249 8466
3224 8466 3223 8480 3222 8481
TIME...MOT...LOC 2229Z 230DEG 4KT 3231 8493
16The Robins AFB radar (KJGX), 31 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:36 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind, 3 lightning, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Broadcast Media relayed a report of a gas station awning downed by strong winds. The awning only had two columns and was blown over, with most damage occurring because of the canopy hitting the ground.
The Middle Flint Regional 911 Call Center reported that lightning started a wildfire along South Fox Run Road west of Butler.
The Upson County Emergency Manager reported several trees down in the western part of the county.
Broadcast Media reported several trees down in Warner Robins.
The Upson County Emergency Manager reported that a building and underground gas line were struck by lightning on Jeff Davis Road. Electrical outlets were blown in the building. The fire that was started where the gas line was struck was quickly put out by firefighters.
The public reported quarter sized hail in Byron.
The Taylor County Emergency Manager reported that a few trees and a few power lines were blown down on several roads near Butler, including Ed Davis Road, Americus Road, Crossroad School Road, and North Davis Road.
Broadcast Media reported seven trees down southwest of Gray.
The Bibb County 911 Center and the public reported at least a dozen trees down across the city of Macon.
A historic church, built in 1904, was completely destroyed by a lightning strike and resulting fire at 71 West Candler Street. The church was the oldest in Winder and had recently undergone over $700,000 worth of restoration and renovation, with only $10,000 left of repairs to go before it was fully restored. As it was, the historic church was worth millions. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the church alone, although other homes along the block were evacuated as a precaution.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2012Every state in 2012This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, July 2012
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: 398414, 398423, 398415, 398416, 398420, 398408, 398419, 398417, 398418, 398412.