Isolated thunderstorms developed in the mid afternoon hours along the sea breeze and produced strong, damaging wind gusts.
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 CHS wrote it up.
Isolated thunderstorms developed in the mid afternoon hours along the sea breeze and produced strong, damaging wind gusts.
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 Charleston, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 7, 12:00 PM EST, 2 hours 23 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC 100 PM EDT TUE JUL 7 2015 .SYNOPSIS... ATLANTIC HIGH PRESSURE AND AN INLAND TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE WILL PREVAIL INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... FORECAST FOR THIS AFTERNOON REMAINS ON TRACK. THE HRRR SOLUTION HAS VERIFIED THE BEST THUS FAR...SO EXPECT THAT TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. THIS MEANS THAT SCATTERED DOWNPOURS WITH ISOLATED THUNDER WILL REMAIN AHEAD OF THE SEABREEZE INTO EARLY AFTERNOON...BEFORE CONVECTION BECOMES MORE FOCUSED ALONG THE SEA BREEZE INLAND AND POTENTIALLY ADVECTS BACK OVER COASTAL AREAS LATE AFTERNOON. TRIMMED HIGH TEMPS SLIGHTLY ALONG I 95 CORRIDOR WHERE SHOWERS AND SKY COVER HAVE HAD GREATEST COVERAGE THROUGH MIDDAY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 90S STILL ANTICIPATED MOST EVERYWHERE EXCEPT NEAR THE COAST. DUE TO WEAK SHEAR AND MODERATE INSTABILITY THE CONVECTION SHOULD BE PULSE-LIKE IN NATURE. THUS...EXPECT A LOW SEVERE RISK...MAINLY A RESULT OF MESOSCALE BOUNDARY COLLISIONS...WITH DAMAGING WINDS THE BIGGEST HAZARD. TONIGHT...LINGERING CONVECTION INLAND EARLY WILL WEAKEN/DISSIPATE AND EVENTUALLY SHIFT OVER THE ATLANTIC WHERE THE BEST CONVERGENCE AND INSTABILITY WILL BE. LOW TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE LOWER TO MID 70S...WITH MID TO UPPER 70S ALONG THE COAST. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... UPPER LEVEL RIDGING WILL EXPAND WESTWARD OVER THE REGION ON WEDNESDAY...BUILD OVERHEAD ON THURSDAY...THEN BECOME CENTERED JUST WEST OF THE REGION ON FRIDAY. MEANWHILE AT THE SURFACE...HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE ATLANTIC WILL SLOWLY RETROGRADE TOWARD THE COAST WITH ITS AXIS EVENTUALLY EXTENDING SOUTH OF THE AREA TOWARD THE END OF THE WEEK AS A PIEDMONT TROUGH NEARS FROM THE NORTHWEST. STRENGTHENING SUBSIDENCE/MID-LEVEL CAPPING WILL GENERALLY ACT TO SUPPRESS CONVECTION...BUT CONSIDERABLE SURFACE-BASED INSTABILITY AND ENOUGH MOISTURE ADVECTION WILL ALLOW FOR ISOLATED TO MAYBE SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS...MAINLY EACH AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING...ALONG AND AHEAD OF THE SEA BREEZE. HOWEVER...IT IS VERY POSSIBLE FOR NO CONVECTION AT ALL BY FRIDAY. AS HEIGHTS ALOFT RISE...SO WILL TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE AREA. HIGHS WILL GENERALLY BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 90S EACH AFTERNOON INLAND FROM THE IMMEDIATE COAST...WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES RISING UPWARDS OF 105-107 IN SOME SPOTS. LOWS IN THE LOWER TO MID 70S APPEAR REASONABLE. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... MEDIUM RANGE GUIDANCE IS GENERALLY IN GOOD AGREEMENT THROUGH THE LONG TERM PERIOD. STRONG UPPER LEVEL RIDGING WILL REMAIN CENTERED JUST WEST OF THE REGION ON SATURDAY. THE RIDGE WILL THEN SHIFT WESTWARD ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PLAINS THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK AND ALLOW A LONG WAVE TROUGH TO EVENTUALLY BECOME ESTABLISHED OVER THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. AT THE SURFACE...A WEST-EAST ORIENTATED RIDGE AXIS WILL REMAIN SOUTH OF THE AREA INTO THE WEEKEND...BEFORE ATLANTIC HIGH PRESSURE CENTERED WELL OFFSHORE BECOMES REESTABLISHED EARLY NEXT WEEK. MEANWHILE...A TROUGH AXIS WILL LINGER NEAR OR EVEN OVER THE AREA LATE IN THE WEEKEND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. AS FOR EXPECTED CONDITIONS...IT IS VERY POSSIBLE FOR RAIN-FREE CONDITIONS TO BE IN PLACE OVER THE WEEKEND...ALTHOUGH THE FORECAST DOES INDICATE ISOLATED SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS IN SOME AREAS AS IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE THIS TIME WITH THE SEA BREEZE. ISOLATED TO MAYBE EVEN SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS COULD BE MORE OF A FACTOR EARLY NEXT WEEK AS THE UPPER TROUGH DEEPENS OVER THE REGION. EXPECT CONTINUED WARMING INTO SATURDAY...WHICH COULD BE ONE OF THE HOTTEST DAYS OF THE PERIOD...BEFORE SLIGHTLY DECREASING TEMPERATURES INTO NEXT WEEK AS HEIGHTS LOWER ALOFT. OVERALL...TEMPERATURES WILL CERTAINLY REMAIN ABOVE NORMAL AND THE HEAT INDEX COULD BE PROBLEMATIC WITH INDICES JUST OVER 105 POSSIBLE INTO THE WEEKEND. && .AVIATION /18Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... VFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO PREVAIL AT KCHS AND KSAV THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON...MAINLY FOCUSED NEAR THE SEABREEZE. ALTHOUGH THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY IN EXACT TIMING/COVERAGE...VICINITY THUNDERSTORMS HAVE BEEN ADDED AT BOTH TERMINALS FROM 17-21Z. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...BRIEF FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS ARE POSSIBLE IN MAINLY ISOLATED AFTERNOON/EARLY EVENING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. && .MARINE... TODAY AND TONIGHT...ATLANTIC HIGH PRESSURE TO PREVAIL WITH MAINLY SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS 10-15 KT AND SEAS 2-3 FT. WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL PREVAIL THROUGH THE PERIOD AS THE REGION REMAINS ALONG THE WESTERN PERIPHERY OF ATLANTIC HIGH PRESSURE. WINDS WILL GENERALLY AVERAGE 10-15 KT...POSSIBLY A BIT HIGHER AT NIGHT WITH WEAK NOCTURNAL SURGING AND ALONG THE LAND/SEA INTERFACE WITH THE AFTERNOON SEA BREEZE. SEAS WILL AVERAGE 2-4 FT. BOTH WINDS AND SEAS LOOK TO REMAIN BELOW SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THRESHOLDS. && .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...NONE. SC...NONE. MARINE...NONE. && SYNOPSIS... NEAR TERM...CEB/RJB SHORT TERM...JAQ LONG TERM...JAQ AVIATION...JAQ MARINE...JAQ/RJB
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC 411 AM EDT TUE JUL 7 2015 AMZ330-350-352-354-374-GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040- 042>045-047>052-080815- CHARLESTON HARBOR- WATERS FROM SOUTH SANTEE RIVER TO EDISTO BEACH SC OUT 20 NM- WATERS FROM EDISTO BEACH SC TO SAVANNAH GA OUT 20 NM- WATERS FROM SAVANNAH GA TO ALTAMAHA SOUND GA OUT 20 NM...INCLUDING GRAYS REEF NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY- WATERS FROM SAVANNAH GA TO ALTAMAHA SOUND GA EXTENDING FROM 20 TO 60 NM-JENKINS-SCREVEN-CANDLER-BULLOCH-EFFINGHAM-TATTNALL-EVANS- INLAND BRYAN-COASTAL BRYAN-INLAND CHATHAM-COASTAL CHATHAM-LONG- INLAND LIBERTY-COASTAL LIBERTY-INLAND MCINTOSH-COASTAL MCINTOSH- ALLENDALE-HAMPTON-INLAND COLLETON-DORCHESTER-INLAND BERKELEY- INLAND JASPER-BEAUFORT-COASTAL COLLETON-CHARLESTON-COASTAL JASPER- TIDAL BERKELEY- 411 AM EDT TUE JUL 7 2015 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS...SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ASSISTANCE IS NOT ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
1203 PM EDT TUE JUL 07 2015
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0910 AM WATER SPOUT 8 SE CAPERS INLET 32.76N 79.61W
07/07/2015 AMZ350 SC LIFEGUARD
LIFEGUARD REPORTED WATERSPOUT A FEW MILES OFF THE COAST
OF THE ISLE OF PALMS COUNTY PARK
&&
EVENT NUMBER CHS1500649
TIMTESPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
316 PM EDT TUE JUL 7 2015
GAZ118-119-SCZ047-051-071945-
COASTAL CHATHAM GA-COASTAL CHATHAM GA-INLAND CHATHAM GA-
INLAND CHATHAM GA-INLAND JASPER SC-COASTAL JASPER SC-
316 PM EDT TUE JUL 7 2015
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF CHATHAM AND JASPER
COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM EDT...
AT 315 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
HUTCHINSON ISLAND...OR NEAR SAVANNAH...MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 5 MPH.
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH AND FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING
WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
SAVANNAH...BELLINGER HILL AREA...GARDEN CITY...THUNDERBOLT...
HUTCHINSON ISLAND...SAVANNAH HISTORIC DISTRICT...WHITEMARSH ISLAND
AND ISLE OF HOPE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 15 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
REPORT DAMAGE DIRECTLY TO THE CHARLESTON NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AT
1-888-383-2024 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.
&&
LAT...LON 3199 8104 3209 8120 3221 8109 3214 8096
3213 8096 3213 8095 3212 8093
TIME...MOT...LOC 1915Z 029DEG 6KT 3211 8105
JRLThe Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 69 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:24 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Chatham County Emergency Management reported trees and power lines down at the intersection of East Park Avenue and Paulsen Street in Savannah. Also, a tree fell onto a car and was blocking the road at the intersection of Sumter and Mitchell Streets.
The broadcast media reported that lightning struck a residence on Whitaker Street in Savannah. A fire started in the attic but damage was contained. Seven individuals were relocated due to the fire.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2015Every state in 2015This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, July 2015
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: 593596, 593595.