Warm and breezy SW flow ahead of an approaching cold front pumped moisture across the local area from the GOMEX. Aloft, a digging mid/upper level trough approached from the west, with increasing wind shear and cooling temperatures aloft, which favored severe storms with both wind and hail damage potential.
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 JAX wrote it up.
Warm and breezy SW flow ahead of an approaching cold front pumped moisture across the local area from the GOMEX. Aloft, a digging mid/upper level trough approached from the west, with increasing wind shear and cooling temperatures aloft, which favored severe storms with both wind and hail damage potential.
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 12, 10:17 AM EST, 3 hours 39 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 1117 AM EDT Sun May 12 2019 ...BREEZY WITH STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON... ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL EXPECTED MONDAY IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA... .Update... Late morning surface analysis depicts low pressure (1003 millibars) positioned over the southern Appalachians along a cold front that extends southwestward through the Tennessee Valley to coastal Louisiana. High pressure (1020 millibars) is centered to the north and northwest of this system and blankets the Great Lakes states and New England. Aloft...Atlantic ridging has retreated eastward as a potent shortwave trough entering Iowa is pivoting eastward, with it's axis digging into the Southern Plains states. To the southeast of this trough axis, a 110 knot jet streak at 250 millibars (35,000 feet) is entering Deep South Texas, and increasingly diffluent west-southwesterly flow aloft on the left front quadrant of this jet streak is fueling deep convection over the western Florida panhandle and the northern Gulf coast region. Mid-level southwesterly flow continues to deepen over our region, which is transporting a moist air mass into our region well ahead of the cold front, as dewpoint temperatures as of 15Z were uniformly in the lower 70s area-wide. Pockets of low stratus are in the process of lifting into a healthy cumulus field late this morning, and convergent low level flow over Apalachee Bay is developing scattered convection that is currently clipping western portions of the Suwannee Valley. Anvils from this convection were quickly advecting east-northeastward per latest visible satellite images, indicative of the strengthening speed shear moving into our region. Breaks in the cloud cover to the east of this convection are allowing temperatures to quickly climb into the low and mid 80s as of 15Z, except upper 70s near the Altamaha River. Our local pressure gradient continues to tighten, and breaks in the cloud cover over our region will allow for strengthening winds aloft to mix down to the surface this afternoon, resulting in breezy conditions area-wide. The breaks in cloud cover will persist through around mid-afternoon, and temperatures will soar into the lower 90s for most locations along and east of U.S. Highway 301 all the way to the beaches. Heat index values this afternoon will reach the mid 90s in these locations. Highs elsewhere will mostly climb into the upper 80s. Latest short-term, high resolution guidance indicates that strong to severe convection currently impacting the Florida panhandle will progress northeastward this afternoon, impacting inland portions of southeast Georgia during the mid to late afternoon hours. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted locations from Waycross northward within a slight risk for severe thunderstorm development, with damaging wind gusts of 50-70 mph and hail possible within any severe thunderstorms that develop. Steepening lapse rates compliments of the digging trough to the north of our region and west-southwesterly flow strengthening to 55-65 knots in the hail growth zone could result in several severe thunderstorms across inland southeast Georgia during the mid and late afternoon hours. A marginal risk for severe thunderstorm development extends southward to the Interstate 10 corridor, where isolated severe thunderstorms will be capable of producing downburst winds of 40-60 mph. Coverage over northeast and north central Florida will be isolated to widely scattered per latest high resolution guidance, mostly due to lack of forcing as the nose of the upstream jet streak and this system's cold front does not reach into these areas until later tonight. There will likely be a lull in convection during the mid to late evening hours, before convection increases over the northeast Gulf of Mexico after midnight. && .Aviation... MVFR ceilings are in the process of lifting over the Duval County terminals, and breezy south-southwesterly winds will soon overspread the regional terminals. Sustained surface winds will increase to near 15 knots this afternoon, with occasional gusts of 20-25 knots possible through 00Z. Showers and thunderstorms will begin to increase in coverage this afternoon, but timing and intensity currently remain in question, so we left VCTS in the 12Z TAF updates for each terminal, with most activity occuring after 18Z. We will likely add a TEMPO group to SSI, where gusty winds and heavy downpours will likely result in a brief period of IFR conditions late this afternoon. Another round of showers and thunderstorms is expected to impact SSI overnight, and we may add a PROB30 group for IFR conditions during the evening hour in the 18Z TAF update. PROB30 groups may also be added elsewhere as convection potentially increases towards 09Z, particularly at GNV. && .Marine... Low pressure over the southern Appalachians early this morning will move slowly northward through Monday, reaching the eastern Great Lakes region. A cold front extending southwestward from the low pressure center across the Tennessee and lower Mississippi Valleys will move across the southeastern states tonight, and our local pressure gradient will tighten this afternoon ahead of this approaching front. Sustained south-southwesterly winds will strengthen to 15-20 knots offshore, where Small Craft Should Exercise Caution. Seas offshore will build to 3-5 feet this afternoon and 4-6 feet tonight. Outside of thunderstorm activity, sustained winds will strengthen to near 15 knots over the near shore waters this afternoon, and a few strong thunderstorms may enter these waters from the west by late afternoon. The cold front will approach our waters from the west overnight, with numerous showers and strong thunderstorms expected to develop during the early morning hours on Monday. West-southwesterly winds will remain at Caution levels offshore and just below Caution levels near-shore. Showers and thunderstorms will then exit the northeast Florida waters on Monday night as the cold front pushes southward, and winds will shift to northwesterly at speeds just under Caution levels overnight. Weak high pressure will build southeastward into our region on Tuesday and Wednesday, allowing our local pressure gradient to loosen as northerly winds on Tuesday shift to northeasterly by Tuesday evening. Onshore winds will persist through Thursday, with speeds and seas remaining below Caution levels. High pressure will shift off the Carolina coast by Wednesday night and will begin to slowly strengthen late this week as it becomes centered near Bermuda. Rip Currents: Breezy offshore winds will keep a low risk in place at area beaches through at least Monday. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AMG 85 68 83 58 / 60 50 50 0 SSI 89 73 83 65 / 50 40 70 0 JAX 91 73 83 63 / 40 30 80 20 SGJ 91 74 85 67 / 30 30 70 30 GNV 89 72 84 64 / 40 30 70 20 OCF 88 72 84 66 / 20 40 60 30 && .JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AM...None. && Nelson/Peterson
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
135 PM EDT Sun May 12 2019
GAZ133-135-121815-
Appling GA-Jeff Davis GA-
135 PM EDT Sun May 12 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN APPLING AND EASTERN JEFF
DAVIS COUNTIES UNTIL 215 PM EDT...
* At 134 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking a strong thunderstorm 9 miles southwest of Graham, moving
northeast at 25 mph.
* Small hail and winds in excess of 45 mph possible with this storm.
* Locations impacted include...
Baxley, Graham, Plant Hatch and Pine Grove.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. You can also share your report with NWS Jacksonville on
Facebook and Twitter.
&&
LAT...LON 3197 8243 3195 8241 3196 8240 3195 8239
3196 8238 3194 8238 3193 8232 3194 8231
3195 8231 3193 8230 3194 8228 3192 8225
3189 8213 3169 8248 3171 8249 3171 8252
3167 8252 3167 8269 3197 8247
TIME...MOT...LOC 1734Z 228DEG 22KT 3171 8259
NELSONSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 209 PM EDT Sun May 12 2019 GAZ134>136-151-250-121845- Pierce GA-Bacon GA-Appling GA-Wayne GA-Northern Ware GA- 209 PM EDT Sun May 12 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN PIERCE...NORTH CENTRAL WARE...SOUTHEASTERN BACON...WEST CENTRAL WAYNE AND SOUTHEASTERN APPLING COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM EDT... * At 208 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm near Dixie Union, or 12 miles south of Alma, moving northeast at 30 mph. * Small hail possible with this storm. * Locations impacted include... Jamestown, Pebble Hill, Dixie Union, Bristol and New Lacy. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... These winds can down small tree limbs and branches, and blow around unsecured small objects. Seek shelter in a safe building until the storm passes. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. You can also share your report with NWS Jacksonville on Facebook and Twitter. && LAT...LON 3124 8253 3137 8262 3171 8227 3146 8205 TIME...MOT...LOC 1808Z 230DEG 26KT 3137 8253 SHASHY
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
230 PM EDT Sun May 12 2019
GAZ135-136-151-121915-
Pierce GA-Appling GA-Wayne GA-
230 PM EDT Sun May 12 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN PIERCE...CENTRAL
WAYNE AND SOUTHEASTERN APPLING COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM EDT...
* At 229 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking a couple of strong thunderstorms near Odum, or 8 miles
west of Jesup, moving east to northeast at 15 to 20 mph.
* Small hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph possible with this storm.
* Locations impacted include...
Jesup, Gardi, Screven, Odum and Doctortown.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. You can also share your report with NWS Jacksonville on
Facebook and Twitter.
&&
LAT...LON 3171 8188 3167 8185 3165 8181 3166 8181
3164 8179 3163 8179 3163 8177 3161 8177
3161 8175 3160 8175 3161 8174 3158 8170
3155 8169 3155 8167 3143 8210 3157 8223
3173 8191
TIME...MOT...LOC 1829Z 247DEG 15KT 3157 8202
SHASHYSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 235 PM EDT Sun May 12 2019 GAZ163-250-350-364-121915- Clinch GA-Western Charlton GA-Northern Ware GA-Southern Ware GA- 235 PM EDT Sun May 12 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN WARE...NORTHERN CLINCH AND NORTHWESTERN CHARLTON COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM EDT... * At 234 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorms near Homerville, moving northeast at 30 mph. * Wind gusts around 50 mph possible with this storm. * Locations impacted include... Homerville, Argyle, Du Pont and Manor. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. You can also share your report with NWS Jacksonville on Facebook and Twitter. && LAT...LON 3083 8278 3101 8290 3128 8254 3097 8232 TIME...MOT...LOC 1834Z 238DEG 25KT 3097 8273 SHASHY
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
244 PM EDT Sun May 12 2019
FLZ125-121915-
Coastal Duval FL-
244 PM EDT Sun May 12 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL DUVAL COUNTY UNTIL
315 PM EDT...
* At 244 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking a strong thunderstorm over Craig Field, or near Unf,
moving northeast at 25 mph.
* Small hail possible with this storm.
* Locations impacted include...
Neptune Beach, San Pablo and Craig Field.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. You can also share your report with NWS Jacksonville on
Facebook and Twitter.
&&
LAT...LON 3027 8148 3035 8154 3046 8138 3036 8136
3034 8136
TIME...MOT...LOC 1844Z 228DEG 23KT 3033 8148
ENYEDISpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
247 PM EDT Sun May 12 2019
FLZ020-121915-
Hamilton FL-
247 PM EDT Sun May 12 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN HAMILTON COUNTY
UNTIL 315 PM EDT...
* At 247 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking a strong thunderstorm over Crossroads, or near Jennings,
moving northeast at 30 mph.
* Small hail and winds in excess of 45 mph possible with this storm.
* Locations impacted include...
Jennings, Blue Springs and Crossroads.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. You can also share your report with NWS Jacksonville on
Facebook and Twitter.
&&
LAT...LON 3054 8325 3062 8314 3061 8283 3043 8321
3045 8322 3046 8322 3048 8324 3052 8324
TIME...MOT...LOC 1847Z 244DEG 24KT 3051 8316
ENYEDIThe Moody AFB radar (KVAX), 63 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:54 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was blown down at the intersection of Highway 158 and Hebron Church Road. The time of damage was based on radar.
A tree was blown down near the intersection of White Road and Woodpecker Trail. The time of damage was based on radar.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, May 2019
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: 819119, 819120.