Damaging Winds in Florida, August 30 to 31, 2017

Name: Damaging Winds in Florida, August 30 to 31, 2017
Start: 2017-08-30T15:40
End: 2017-08-31T19:05
Location: Florida

August 30 to 31, 2017 · NWS TAE · 5 events in 5 counties and zones

Scattered afternoon thunderstorms developed in a typical summer environment with a few becoming marginally severe with impacts to trees and power lines.

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: $2,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 5

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 TAE wrote it up.

Scattered afternoon thunderstorms developed in a typical summer environment with a few becoming marginally severe with impacts to trees and power lines.

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 Tallahassee, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 30, 2:19 PM EST, 1 hour 21 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 30, 2:19 PM EST, 1 hour 21 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
319 PM EDT Wed Aug 30 2017

.NEAR TERM [Through Tonight]...

The 2 pm surface analysis showed a weakening warm front near the FL-
AL and FL-GA borders, with scattered thunderstorms developing across
our forecast area. A few of these storms have been strong to severe
(based on radar data). Most of the rain will diminish by this
evening, but there will be enough moisture, CAPE, and Q-G forcing to
support scattered showers and storms across the FL Panhandle and
southeast AL overnight. Low temperatures will be in the 70s.

.SHORT TERM [Thursday Through Friday Night]...

At 500 mb, our forecast area will be situated between a slowly
weakening, positive-tilt trough to our west and a strong high
pressure system over the western Atlantic. The mean 1000-700 wind
between these two features will be southwest at 10 to 15 knots,
which is typically associated with PoPs of 50% or greater across
much of our forecast area this time of year. This is close to what
the NWP guidance consensus is forecasting, except the consensus
shows most of the rain occurring west of Tallahassee and Valdosta on
Thursday. The numerical guidance had a similar forecast for today
and it has not verified well, so we are going a little higher than
the consensus PoP/QPF for Thursday over our eastern zones. Otherwise
we expect numerous thunderstorms across most of our region on
Friday. While the peak PoPs will be during the daytime (over
land), there will be enough conditional instability, deep-layer
moisture, and Q-G forcing to support at least some rain chances
overnight as well. Temperatures will be near average, with lows in
the 70s and highs in the mid 80s to around 90.

There is a low-end chance for damaging wind gusts or even a brief
tornado on Thursday, similar to what we've observed this afternoon.
This is based on forecast MLCAPE values of 1500 to 2000 J/kg, 0-6km
bulk shear values near 30 kt, and 0-1km bulk shear values around 15
kt.

.LONG TERM [Saturday Through Wednesday]...

A weak upper trough will move slowly eastward across our forecast
area this weekend, then our region will be under the northwest
periphery of the Bermuda ridge early next week. A deeper long
wave trough will begin to develop over the eastern CONUS by mid
week. The above-normal PoPs expected on Saturday will return to
near average by Sunday, and continue through Tuesday. Higher PoPs
are expected Wednesday as a trough approaches. Temperatures will
be near average.

&&

.AVIATION [Through 18Z Thursday]...

Scattered SHRA and TSRA continue across the FL panhandle, SE AL
and SW GA at this hour, affecting TLH, ECP and DHN. Expect
conditions to be reduced to MVFR/IFR underneath any storms,
including gusty and erratic winds with the strongest activity.
Otherwise, low end VFR conditions at all TAF sites, with CIGs
remaining marginal VFR/MVFR through the afternoon at most TAF
sites. SCT SHRA/TSRA will be possible tonight near ECP and DHN.

&&

.MARINE...

Relatively large swells generated by Tropical Storm Harvey in the
northwest Gulf of Mexico will be at advisory levels across the
western portions of our forecast area through Thursday morning. Seas
will begin to diminish Thursday afternoon. Moderate south winds,
highest west of Apalachicola, will diminish Thursday night, and
remain light through the weekend.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

No concerns.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...

The high (but not abnormally high) PWAT values and warm rain
processes will be conducive for high rain rates. However, there
doesn't appear to be a well-defined surface feature, at least on
the synoptic scale, to focus persistent heavy rain. A mesoscale
boundary could do this, but we have little skill in forecasting
such features. Thus we do not anticipate widespread flooding, but
a low threat of flooding will persist through this weekend. Due
to the localized nature of the heavy rain we don't expect
significant river flooding.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...

Tallahassee   75  90  75  88  73 /  20  40  30  60  40
Panama City   79  86  78  85  74 /  40  50  40  50  40
Dothan        74  87  74  87  69 /  50  70  40  50  30
Albany        73  90  74  88  71 /  30  60  30  60  30
Valdosta      72  91  73  88  72 /  20  40  20  60  40
Cross City    74  92  75  88  74 /  20  20  20  60  60
Apalachicola  79  88  78  87  75 /  20  40  30  60  60

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through late tonight for Coastal Bay-
     Coastal Gulf-South Walton.

GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 2 PM EDT Thursday for Coastal waters
     from Apalachicola to Destin FL out 20 NM-Waters from
     Apalachicola to Destin FL from 20 to 60 NM.

&&

NEAR TERM...Fournier
SHORT TERM...Fournier
LONG TERM...Fournier
AVIATION...Fournier
MARINE...Fournier
FIRE WEATHER...Barry
HYDROLOGY...Fournier

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 30, 11:52 AM EST, 3 hours 48 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1252 PM EDT WED AUG 30 2017

ALZ067>069-FLZ009-011-GAZ142-301730-
Henry AL-Houston AL-Geneva AL-Holmes FL-Jackson FL-Early GA-
1252 PM EDT WED AUG 30 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL HENRY...
SOUTHEASTERN GENEVA...HOUSTON...NORTHWESTERN JACKSON...NORTHEASTERN
HOLMES AND SOUTHWESTERN EARLY COUNTIES UNTIL 130 PM EDT/1230 PM
CDT/...

At 1252 PM EDT/1152 AM CDT/, National Weather Service doppler radar
indicated a strong thunderstorm near Graceville, moving northeast at
40 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Cottonwood, Graceville, Headland, Dothan, Taylor, Kinsey, Ashford,
Cowarts, Webb, Columbia, Rehobeth, Avon, Madrid, Gordon, Campbellton,
Memphis, Pansey, Grangeburg, Garretts Crossroads and Sigma.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3135 8509 3119 8497 3082 8542 3094 8559
      3137 8532
TIME...MOT...LOC 1652Z 216DEG 36KT 3095 8545

30-PULLIN

Special weather statement, Aug 30, 11:54 AM EST, 3 hours 46 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1254 PM EDT WED AUG 30 2017

FLZ011-GAZ142>144-155-156-301745-
Jackson FL-Miller GA-Decatur GA-Baker GA-Seminole GA-Early GA-
1254 PM EDT WED AUG 30 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN JACKSON...
NORTHWESTERN DECATUR...MILLER...SOUTHWESTERN BAKER...SOUTHEASTERN
EARLY AND SEMINOLE COUNTIES UNTIL 145 PM EDT/1245 PM CDT/...

At 1254 PM EDT/1154 AM CDT/, National Weather Service doppler radar
indicated a strong thunderstorm 9 miles south of Donalsonville,
moving northeast at 40 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Colquitt, Donalsonville, Centerville, Iron City, Damascus, Brinson,
Jakin, Babcock, Little Hope, Mayhaw, Boykin, Riverturn, Sharphagen,
Hornsville, Donaldsonville A/P, Hentown, Buena Vista, Bellview,
Seminole State Park and Steam Mill.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3128 8462 3113 8449 3077 8487 3091 8509
      3100 8504 3100 8500 3106 8502 3135 8487
TIME...MOT...LOC 1654Z 216DEG 36KT 3092 8493

30-PULLIN

Special weather statement, Aug 30, 12:44 PM EST, 2 hours 56 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
144 PM EDT WED AUG 30 2017

FLZ016-017-GAZ157-301830-
Gadsden FL-Leon FL-Grady GA-
144 PM EDT WED AUG 30 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN GADSDEN...LEON AND
SOUTHWESTERN GRADY COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM EDT...

At 144 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm near Midway, moving northeast at 40 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Midway, Tallahassee, Havana, Florida State University, Florida A And
M, Tallahassee Comm College, Doak Campbell Stadium, Lake Bradford,
Gaither Community Center, Tallahassee Memorial Hosp, Florence, Rocky
Hill, Iamonia, Calvary, Tallahassee Mall, Tallahassee Regional A/P,
Governors Square Mall, Belair, Lake Talquin and Levy Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3052 8404 3048 8404 3030 8448 3043 8463
      3069 8440 3069 8438 3071 8438 3080 8430
      3068 8410 3052 8400
TIME...MOT...LOC 1744Z 232DEG 33KT 3044 8447

30-PULLIN

Special weather statement, Aug 30, 2:06 PM EST, 1 hour 34 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
306 PM EDT WED AUG 30 2017

FLZ011-016-GAZ155-156-301945-
Gadsden FL-Jackson FL-Decatur GA-Seminole GA-
306 PM EDT WED AUG 30 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN JACKSON...NORTHWESTERN
GADSDEN...DECATUR AND SEMINOLE COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM EDT/245 PM
CDT/...

At 306 PM EDT/206 PM CDT/, National Weather Service doppler radar
indicated a strong thunderstorm near Chattahoochee, or 17 miles east
of Marianna, moving northeast at 30 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Bainbridge, Donalsonville, West Bainbridge, Chattahoochee, Sneads,
Grand Ridge, Attapulgus, Iron City, Climax, Brinson, Hanover, Ausmac,
Reynoldsville, Rosedale, Recovery, Decatur Co A/P, Lovedale, Jinks,
Dellwood and Sharphagen.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3108 8440 3107 8438 3077 8438 3059 8488
      3060 8489 3061 8501 3091 8511 3107 8472
      3107 8465 3108 8464
TIME...MOT...LOC 1906Z 241DEG 26KT 3073 8496

30-PULLIN

Special weather statement, Aug 30, 3:08 PM EST, 32 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
408 PM EDT WED AUG 30 2017

FLZ016-GAZ156-302045-
Gadsden FL-Decatur GA-
408 PM EDT WED AUG 30 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN GADSDEN AND
SOUTHWESTERN DECATUR COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM EDT...

At 408 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm near Greensboro, or 10 miles northwest of Quincy,
moving east at 10 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Quincy, Greensboro, Chattahoochee, Gretna, Douglas City, Mount
Pleasant, Hardin Heights, Rosedale, Faceville, Santa Clara, Hardaway,
Jinks, Sycamore, Quincy Airport and Sawdust.

LAT...LON 3056 8484 3072 8484 3077 8456 3052 8455
TIME...MOT...LOC 2008Z 264DEG 9KT 3065 8473

30-PULLIN

Special weather statement, Aug 30, 3:26 PM EST, 14 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
426 PM EDT WED AUG 30 2017

GAZ128>131-148-302115-
Berrien GA-Tift GA-Irwin GA-Turner GA-Ben Hill GA-
426 PM EDT WED AUG 30 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR IRWIN...NORTHERN BERRIEN...
EASTERN TURNER...TIFT AND BEN HILL COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM EDT...

At 426 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm near Tifton, moving east at 30 mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Fitzgerald, Tifton, Ocilla, Enigma, Omega, Alapaha, Mystic,
Unionville, Phillipsburg, Sycamore, Rebecca, Eldorado, Gladys, Amboy,
Osierfield, Glory, Harding, Waterloo, Pinetta and Inaha.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3166 8300 3166 8301 3164 8301 3161 8306
      3155 8306 3148 8311 3146 8315 3140 8314
      3133 8306 3130 8305 3132 8344 3135 8344
      3133 8346 3133 8365 3186 8361 3185 8318
      3181 8313 3182 8311 3178 8303 3178 8299
TIME...MOT...LOC 2026Z 263DEG 28KT 3150 8351

30-PULLIN

The radar

The Tallahassee radar (KTLH), 45 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:38 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gadsden

When: August 30, 3:40 PM EST
Where: Gadsden County, Mount Pleasant
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.650, -84.690

A tree was blown down near Mt Pleasant.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walton

When: August 31, 8:20 AM CST
Where: Walton County, 0.69 mi N of Argyle
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.720, -86.040

Trees and power lines were blown down on Highway 90E near Old Spanish Trail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: August 31, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, Alford
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.690, -85.390

A tree was blown down near Alford.

Thunderstorm Wind, Leon

When: August 31, 6:25 PM EST
Where: Leon County, 1.12 mi NNW of Fallschase
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 30.465, -84.206

A tree was blown down on North Barn Way.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: August 31, 7:05 PM EST
Where: Jefferson County, Monticello
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 30.540, -83.870

A tree was blown down onto Blake Drive in Monticello.

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Florida in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history Warnings in Florida, August 2017

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: 717494, 717496, 717497, 717498, 717499.