With ample deep moisture persisting across the region, strong afternoon heating aided by a weak upper-level trough resulted in numerous strong thunderstorms across north Georgia with isolated reports of severe thunderstorms producing damaging wind gusts. Heavy rainfall amounts occurred in portions of north and central Georgia, generally in the northeast Georgia mountains, and in the greater…
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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.
With ample deep moisture persisting across the region, strong afternoon heating aided by a weak upper-level trough resulted in numerous strong thunderstorms across north Georgia with isolated reports of severe thunderstorms producing damaging wind gusts. Heavy rainfall amounts occurred in portions of north and central Georgia, generally in the northeast Georgia mountains, and in the greater Columbus area. In these locations, rainfall amounts of 3 to 4 inches were common, with isolated higher amounts to 5 inches in the mountains, which produced isolated flash flooding and exacerbated flooding from the previous 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 Atlanta, GA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 31, 1:58 PM EST, 32 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 258 PM EDT Thu May 31 2018 .SHORT TERM /Tonight through Friday Night/... Diurnal convection continues this afternoon, and already seeing high rainfall amounts associated with cells that remain/back-build over the same area. More organized convection developing north of the GA/TN border is expected to drop into the northern zones over the next hour or so. These storms are producing significant lightning, small hail and heavy rainfall. Hi-Res short term models suggest that this complex of storms will drop into the northern metro Atlanta area, but may begin weakening/dissipating as daytime heating shuts off. Have kept likely pops over the northern portions of the state through early evening to capture best chances. Friday looks to be a near-repeat of today as outflow boundary from TN triggers organized convection over the northern portions of the state. Unfortunately this could once again drench areas that are already saturated. Timing still continues to be a concern, with the models solutions vastly different in timing into the state (on the order of hours). Model instability is higher than today, and at this time SPC has a Marginal Risk of severe storms over all of north Georgia - north of a line from Carrollton to Washington. Have generally used a guidance blend for temperatures and dewpoints, which has been a good overall performer the last several days. Expect a gradual warming trend to continue as cloud scattering late in the morning/early afternoon will allow for better insolation. Although widespread flash flooding is not anticipating, and there is no Flash Flood Watch in effect, isolated areas where training/redevelopment occurs could result in pockets of extremely heavy rainfall. 31 .LONG TERM /Saturday through Thursday/... Not much change to the long term portion which looks to be in good standing. Modified pops slightly on Sat afternoon to account for altered timing on strong shortwave. Otherwise, just loaded in new guidance for temps without any additional changes to the extended pops. Deese /Issued 416 AM EDT Thu May 31 2018/ A fairly typical summertime airmass will be in place to start the long term with plenty of moisture and instability to allow for showers and thunderstorms across the area. A short wave will be moving across the area Friday night and Saturday in the NNW flow aloft to help aid the potential for convective activity. This will favor N and W GA with the highest pops Friday night, most so in the evening, and favor central and portions of N GA on Saturday. Another short wave is expected later Saturday night and Sunday along with a weak cold front and a flare up of scattered to numerous showers and storms is expected on Sunday. The good news is the front moves through the area bringing enough dry air with it to end precip chances for Monday and Tuesday. There could be enough moisture return to central GA on Wednesday for a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Area rainfall potential Friday night through Sunday will be considerably lower than the past several days as the convection will be more hit and miss than widespread. For the most part, temperatures will run above normal until the front passes late Sunday and Sunday night, thee around normal Monday through Wednesday. BDL && .AVIATION... 18Z Update... MVFR to VFR conditions are prevailing across the area this afternoon, and convection is isolated to scattered in nature over portions of the state. Expect precip coverage to diminish quickly after sunset. Confidence for morning ceilings is medium, but most models are indicating SCT-BKN IFR close to sunrise, then improve conditions quickly by 15z. Winds will be west at 7-10kt through 00z, then 5-7kt for the remainder of the period. Have included a PROB30 for -TSRA for 22-00z Friday afternoon. //ATL Confidence...18Z Update... Medium confidence in convective timing and morning ceilings. High confidence in all other elements. 31 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 71 89 70 89 / 30 40 40 30 Atlanta 72 87 72 88 / 30 40 40 30 Blairsville 66 83 63 84 / 30 60 50 30 Cartersville 70 87 69 88 / 30 60 50 30 Columbus 73 90 74 90 / 50 30 40 30 Gainesville 70 86 70 87 / 50 50 40 30 Macon 72 91 73 90 / 50 30 40 30 Rome 70 87 69 89 / 20 60 50 30 Peachtree City 71 88 71 89 / 30 40 40 30 Vidalia 73 91 74 90 / 40 30 30 50 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SHORT TERM...31 LONG TERM....Deese AVIATION...31
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 445 AM EDT Thu May 31 2018 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-011000- Dade-Walker-Catoosa-Whitfield-Murray-Fannin-Gilmer-Union-Towns- Chattooga-Gordon-Pickens-Dawson-Lumpkin-White-Floyd-Bartow- Cherokee-Forsyth-Hall-Banks-Jackson-Madison-Polk-Paulding-Cobb- North Fulton-Gwinnett-Barrow-Clarke-Oconee-Oglethorpe-Wilkes- Haralson-Carroll-Douglas-South Fulton-DeKalb-Rockdale-Walton- Newton-Morgan-Greene-Taliaferro-Heard-Coweta-Fayette-Clayton- Spalding-Henry-Butts-Jasper-Putnam-Hancock-Warren-Troup- Meriwether-Pike-Upson-Lamar-Monroe-Jones-Baldwin-Washington- Glascock-Jefferson-Harris-Talbot-Taylor-Crawford-Bibb-Twiggs- Wilkinson-Johnson-Emanuel-Muscogee-Chattahoochee-Marion-Schley- Macon-Peach-Houston-Bleckley-Laurens-Treutlen-Stewart-Webster- Sumter-Dooly-Crisp-Pulaski-Wilcox-Dodge-Telfair-Wheeler- Montgomery-Toombs- 445 AM EDT Thu May 31 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight... Scattered to numerous thunderstorms can be expected across the area today and tonight, most so in the afternoon and evening. A few storms could be strong to severe with the main hazards being strong gusty winds, frequent lightning and locally heavy rainfall. The most likely location for any severe storms will be north of Atlanta and Athens. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday... Scattered to numerous thunderstorms can be expected Friday through Sunday, most so in the afternoon and evening. A few of these storms could be strong with gusty winds, frequent lightning and locally heavy rainfall. No hazardous weather is expected Monday and Tuesday. There will be a slight chance of thunderstorms over portions of central Georgia on Wednesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight, but spotters are encouraged to submit reports of any severe weather and flooding through the web by going to weather.gov/atlanta
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
158 PM EDT THU MAY 31 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0200 PM FLASH FLOOD 5 NE GARLAND 34.57N 83.85W
05/30/2018 WHITE GA EMERGENCY MNGR
SANDY FLATS ROAD WAS CLOSED DUE TO HIGH WATER.
&&
CORRECTED EVENT DATE...EVENT TIME...FATALITIES...INJURIES
EVENT NUMBER FFC1800155
LREAVESPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
201 PM EDT THU MAY 31 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0200 PM FLASH FLOOD 4 SSE SAUTEE 34.63N 83.67W
05/30/2018 WHITE GA EMERGENCY MNGR
ROY POWERS ROAD WAS CLOSED DUE TO HIGH WATER.
&&
EVENT NUMBER FFC1800156
LREAVESSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
217 PM EDT THU MAY 31 2018
GAZ042-052-311845-
Carroll GA-Heard GA-
217 PM EDT THU MAY 31 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN CARROLL AND
NORTHWESTERN HEARD COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM EDT...
At 217 PM EDT...a strong thunderstorm was over Blackjack Mountain, or
13 miles southwest of Carrollton...moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Winds up to 40 mph...pea sized hail...frequent lightning
and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas. Trees
can down more easily with wet soils.
Some locations in the path of this storm include
Bowdon, Ephesus, Roopville, Tyus, Blackjack Mountain and
Roosterville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3358 8531 3355 8509 3341 8505 3337 8520
3338 8529 3354 8532 3356 8532
TIME...MOT...LOC 1817Z 277DEG 9KT 3348 8527
HAIL...0.25IN
WIND...40MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
243 PM EDT THU MAY 31 2018
GAZ016-311915-
White GA-
243 PM EDT THU MAY 31 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN WHITE COUNTY UNTIL
315 PM EDT...
At 242 PM EDT...a strong thunderstorm was over Leaf, or near
Cleveland. This storm was nearly stationary.
HAZARD...Winds up to 40 mph...pea sized hail...frequent lightning
and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas. Trees
can down more easily with wet soils.
Some locations in the path of this storm include
Cleveland and Leaf.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3460 8364 3456 8363 3455 8362 3454 8362
3453 8364 3453 8363 3452 8365 3460 8377
3464 8374
TIME...MOT...LOC 1842Z 311DEG 3KT 3459 8368
HAIL...0.25IN
WIND...40MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
307 PM EDT THU MAY 31 2018
GAZ003>005-311945-
Whitfield GA-Catoosa GA-Murray GA-
307 PM EDT THU MAY 31 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN WHITFIELD...
NORTHEASTERN CATOOSA AND NORTHEASTERN MURRAY COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM
EDT...
At 306 PM EDT...a strong thunderstorm was near Red Clay, or 13 miles
east of Ringgold...moving southeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind...frequent cloud to ground lightning
and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Some locations in the path of this storm include
Dalton, Varnell, Cohutta, Crandall, Tennga, Beaverdale, Dawnville,
Sumac, Cisco, Gregory, Red Clay S.p. and Apison.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3499 8465 3498 8464 3488 8462 3476 8501
3499 8502
TIME...MOT...LOC 1906Z 331DEG 13KT 3498 8489
WIND...40MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
312 PM EDT THU MAY 31 2018
GAZ006-008-009-311945-
Union GA-Towns GA-Fannin GA-
312 PM EDT THU MAY 31 2018
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR UNION...TOWNS AND FANNIN COUNTIES
UNTIL 345 PM EDT...
At 311 PM EDT...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Ivy Log to near Mineral Bluff...and moving east
at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind...frequent cloud to ground lightning
and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Some locations in the path of these storms include
Blue Ridge, Hiawassee, Blairsville, Young Harris, Morganton, Suches,
Blue Mountain Shelter, Gumlog, Higdon, Loving, Jones Creek, Woods
Hole Shelter, Epworth, Mineral Bluff, Vogel State Park, Stover Creek
Shelter, Gaddistown, Hemp, Margret and Brasstown Bald.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3490 8363 3488 8366 3484 8366 3478 8382
3473 8390 3474 8395 3472 8398 3469 8399
3465 8407 3466 8413 3460 8419 3464 8420
3467 8425 3472 8425 3480 8431 3484 8437
3486 8443 3497 8449 3499 8424 3499 8389
TIME...MOT...LOC 1911Z 287DEG 14KT 3496 8401 3490 8431
WIND...40MPHThe Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 102 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:30 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind, 4 flash flood, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
The Whitfield County Emergency Manager reported numerous trees blown down across the norther part of the county, around the Cohutta area.
The Emergency Manager reported Kinsey Town Road was closed due to water over the roadway. Radar estimates indicate 3 to 5 inches of rainfall occurred in the area.
The Whitfield County 911 center reported quarter size hail on Mount Vernon Road near Tunnel Hill.
The White County Emergency Manager reported multiple trees blown down across the Smithgall Woods State Park.
Multiple reports of flooding in Helen were relayed by the Emergency Manager, including along Main Street and near Helen Tubing and Waterpark.
Emergency Management reported that the road through Smithgall Woods State Park was damaged by flash flooding due to heavy rain. Additionally, multiple mudslides were reported in the park. The nearby Carolina Springs Road was also reported to be underwater.
The Dawson County Emergency Manager reported a tree blown down southwest of Dawsonville.
The Banks County Emergency Manager reported a tree blown down northeast of Commerce.
The Forsyth County Emergency Manager reported a tree blown down east of Cumming. The falling tree damaged a house, no injuries were reported.
Emergency Manager reported that five roads were washed out in the Greshamville area, northward toward Farmington.
The Catoosa County Emergency Manager reported trees blown down from around Boynton Drive at Baggett Road to around Highway 151 and Mt Pisgah Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, May 2018
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: 750471, 762157, 750468, 750473, 762158, 762159, 750474, 750475, 750476, 762161, 750487.