As is typical during summer, scattered afternoon thunderstorms produced a few instances of damaging winds across northwest Florida. In addition, slow moving storms produced flash flooding across the Panama City and Apalachicola areas.
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 TAE wrote it up.
As is typical during summer, scattered afternoon thunderstorms produced a few instances of damaging winds across northwest Florida. In addition, slow moving storms produced flash flooding across the Panama City and Apalachicola areas.
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 23, 12:54 PM EST, 1 hour 16 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
154 PM EDT Sun Aug 23 2020
.AVIATION...
[Through 18Z Monday]
Rain and scattered thunderstorms will impact the terminals through
the afternoon into the early evening, especially KECP, KDHN, and
KTLH. Thereafter, less activity is expected overnight. However,
expect some MVFR cigs by morning. Scattered showers and
thunderstorms will be possible again on Monday, mainly impacting
the western terminals.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION [1039 AM EDT]...
.NEAR/SHORT TERM [Through Monday]...
Moist airmass is in place across the area this morning, with a
deep plume of tropical moisture extending northward from Tropical
Storm Marco. At the surface, weak high pressure centered along the
South Carolina coast is nosing down into the area, with light
northeasterly winds pushing towards the coast. This is helping to
enhance convergence near the coast and just offshore, with
thunderstorms expanding over the past hour or two. Expect this
trend to continue along the coast, with increasing coverage of
showers and thunderstorms. Farther inland, the rather extensive
mid/upper level cloud shield may limit convection a bit, or at
least delay inland penetration a little later in the afternoon.
Have adjusted PoP to account for this. Otherwise, the forecast is
generally on track this morning.
.THIS SECTION DISCUSSES TROPICAL STORM MARCO...
The main concerns during this time frame are the fringe effects
of Tropical Storm Marco, including heavy rainfall and isolated
severe weather. The latest forecast from NHC continues Marco on a
north-northwestward track across the central Gulf of Mexico,
approaching the northern gulf coast on Monday as a hurricane.
It's important not to focus on the storm center/forecast cone, as
impacts will extend well to the east, including heavy rainfall,
rip currents, and gusty winds over the coastal waters. There is
also the risk of isolated severe weather tonight and Monday.
Let's break it down:
.HEAVY RAINFALL THREAT...
An inverted trough develops northward of Marco today, while the
area lies within the right-rear quadrant of a 70+ knot upper jet.
Precipitable Water values increase to near 2.5 inches along the
coast! Expect rainfall to develop/propagate northwest with the
trough. The heaviest amounts should focus near and south of a line
from Wakulla to Inlet Beach, especially this morning into the
afternoon. Expect average rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches, but some
isolated amounts could be 3 to 5 inches. If amounts reach 2
inches over a 3 hour period, could see some nuisance urban/poor
drainage flooding. Amounts closer to 4 inches over several hours
may lead to isolated flash flooding, especially if they occur over
a more urban area. This will need to be monitored closely.
With Marco forecast to move more westward on Monday per NHC, this
area should experience a drying trend given some drier air/
subsidence around the periphery of the system, with the highest
PoPs up to 70 percent focusing from roughly Blakely-Tallahassee-
Perry and points northeast.
.SEVERE WEATHER POTENTIAL...
There are two windows for marginal-level severe weather tonight
and again Monday afternoon/evening. A surface trough will be
draped along the coast, which will maintain a low-level easterly
flow, which veers to southerly aloft. This supports clockwise
hodographs in the lower kilometer of the atmosphere, where shear
approaches 20 knots. There will be several hundred joules of CAPE
available near the coast, along with lower LCLs. There is model
disagreement on the extent of convection that develops overnight,
but given the environment, will have to monitor any cells south of
I-10 for a brier waterspout/tornado.
On Monday, drier low to mid-level air advects in within a deep
southeasterly flow. There will be greater instability compared to
the last several days with Mixed Layer CAPE up to 2k J/kg.
Meanwhile, Downdraft CAPE approaches 1k J/kg on model soundings,
with anomalously strong mid-level flow of 30 knots, which is
double the typical late August values. Thunderstorms would be
capable of isolated damaging wind gusts, mainly from the FL Big
Bend into adjacent southwest Georgia.
.RIP CURRENTS...
Long period swell from Tropical Storm Marco arrived yesterday at
the gulf beaches. This swell will continue to build surf heights,
ranging from 2 to 3 feet today, and 3 to 5 feet on Monday. While
the ocean may look inviting, especially during sunny periods, it
will be dangerous even for experienced swimmers. Heed the beach
warning flags and the advice from officials. In fact, the water
may be closed to swimming.
.LONG TERM [Monday Night Through Sunday]...
.THIS SECTION DISCUSSES TROPICAL STORM LAURA...
Marco is expected to be near or over the northern Gulf coast Mon
night. Ongoing peripheral impacts from the cyclone in the western
half of our CWA is possible as the system moves farther inland.
Therefore, highest rain chances are in those areas, with
climatological PoPs elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Laura is forecast to emerge into the
southeast Gulf late Mon/early Tues as it continues to be steered
by a strong, westward-building subtropical ridge. The downstream
environment appears conducive for strengthening, so NHC calls for
Laura to become a hurricane on Tues in the central Gulf as its
motion becomes more northwestward. However, Laura will likely be
far enough south to only bring peripheral impacts to our marine
and coastal areas in the form of dangerous marine/beach
conditions, and periods of heavy rainfall. Tropical storm
conditions are possible in our western offshore waters Tues
through Tues night. Please refer to the Marine section for more
details.
As of 2am EDT, there is high uncertainty in Laura's forecast
track for Wed, with the cone extending from the TX/LA border to
coastal AL. Direct impacts to our area are not expected at this
time, but dangerous beach/marine conditions will continue from
large swells generated by Laura. There is also a low probability
(about a 1 in 10 chance) of land points generally west of
Tallahassee experiencing tropical storm-force winds, with an
arrival time as early as Tues morning. These probabilities are
structure, track, and intensity dependent, so adjustments are
likely in forthcoming updates. Regardless, it is important to not
focus on the exact track, as impacts can occur outside the cone.
Assuming Laura remains a non (or minimal threat) to us, typical
diurnally driven convection for the summer should be the primary
weathermaker through the long-term period, as ridging dominates
the region. This upcoming weekend appears to the be wetter than
normal as ripples of upper-level energy traverse the area from the
west and provide additional dynamic support for scattered showers
and thunderstorms during peak heating hours. High temperatures
are forecast to be in the low 90s (except where rain persists),
with lows in the mid 70s.
.MARINE...
High impacts from Tropical Storm Marco and Laura will likely stay
out of area waters, but increasing easterly and southeasterly
flow from these systems, along with swells moving in from the
south, will push conditions into cautionary levels today with
advisory level conditions likely through much of the week.
Tropical storm conditions are possible in our offshore waters
south of Walton county for a time Tuesday into Wednesday. While
the worst boating conditions across our waters will be from Monday
though Wednesday winds and seas are expected to be at cautionary
levels or higher through the next 5 days.
.FIRE WEATHER...
Fire weather concerns will remain low the next few days with a
moist pattern in place on the periphery of Tropical Storm Marco
and Laura expected. Dispersions will be on the lower side along
with increased southeasterly flow, especially along the coasts.
Patchy fog is also possible the next few nights.
.HYDROLOGY...
As mentioned in the near/short-term section, nuisance and/or
isolated flash flooding may be a concern today from Marco fringe
effects - particularly along a line near and south from Wakulla to
Inlet Beach through the afternoon hours. Expected Sun amounts are
1-2 inches, with isolated areas possibly seeing 3-5 inches. This
is reflected in WPC's excessive rainfall outlook, which highlights
our FL coastline (west of Suwanee Valley) as a marginal risk Sun
into Mon. As the rainfall axis propagates northwest, the risk
shifts to the immediate western Panhandle coastline Mon into Tues.
The remainder of the period should see more typical August
precipitation, outside of the possibility of heavy rainfall from
Laura's outer circulation mid-week. The Day-3 QPF yields around 1
inch west of Apalachicola River, but locally higher amounts can
occur, especially from Laura's tropical moisture. Otherwise, an
inch or less of daily rainfall is expected.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always
encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they
occur (while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines) by
calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee 75 91 75 92 74 / 30 70 40 60 30
Panama City 77 88 77 90 78 / 60 60 60 70 40
Dothan 73 87 73 89 74 / 20 60 40 60 30
Albany 75 89 75 92 75 / 20 70 30 50 20
Valdosta 75 89 75 92 74 / 30 70 20 60 20
Cross City 75 91 75 94 74 / 60 50 30 60 30
Apalachicola 78 88 78 89 79 / 70 30 70 70 50
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through Wednesday evening for Coastal Bay-
Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.
High Surf Advisory from 11 PM EDT /10 PM CDT/ this evening to 8
PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ Monday for Coastal Bay-Coastal Franklin-
Coastal Gulf-South Walton.
GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory from 7 PM EDT /6 PM CDT/ this evening to 4
PM EDT /3 PM CDT/ Monday for Coastal Waters From
Ochlockonee River to Apalachicola Fl out to 20 Nm-Coastal
waters from Mexico Beach to Apalachicola FL out 20 NM-
Coastal waters from Mexico Beach to Okaloosa Walton County
Line FL out 20 NM-Waters from Suwannee River to
Apalachicola FL from 20 to 60 NM-Waters from Apalachicola
to Mexico Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM-Waters from Mexico
Beach to Okaloosa Walton County Line FL from 20 to 60 NM.
&&
NEAR TERM...Camp
SHORT TERM...LF
LONG TERM...IG3
AVIATION...Camp
MARINE...Dobbs
FIRE WEATHER...Dobbs
HYDROLOGY...LF/IG3The Tallahassee radar (KTLH), 100 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:10 UTC.
5 flash flood, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several roads were flooded in Apalachicola, including Highway 98 between 8th and 9th Street, 16th and 17th Street, in front of Ace Hardware, and along other side streets.
Water was reported over roads in several locations.
The media relayed a report of flooding on Alf Coleman Road between Back Beach and Middle Beach Roads.
Multiple vehicles were disabled due to flooding on Richard Jackson Blvd between Back Beach and Middle Beach Road.
Fallen trees and limbs resulted in power outages.
Fallen trees and limbs resulted in power outages.
Flooding of dirt roads was reported in Holmes county via the Holmes District School Board Facebook page.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, August 2020
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: 915682, 915687, 915689, 915692, 915669, 915670, 915694.