Sea breeze thunderstorms developed over a moist and unstable airmass. Cool mid level temperatures with 500 mb around -10 degC and modestly unstable lapse rates with dry air in the hail growth zone supported pulse severe storms.
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.
Sea breeze thunderstorms developed over a moist and unstable airmass. Cool mid level temperatures with 500 mb around -10 degC and modestly unstable lapse rates with dry air in the hail growth zone supported pulse severe storms.
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 23, 3:18 PM EST, 37 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 418 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 .NEAR TERM [Through Sunday]... Scattered sea breeze induced thunderstorms will continue into this evening. The east coast and Gulf coast boundaries will likely collide west of Highway 301 and along the I-75 corridor potentially yielding briefly severe storms capable of producing damaging winds and small hail. A mid-level ridge builds over the area overnight keeping the area relatively dry into tomorrow. Shortwave energy to the south begins to lift northward increasing cloud cover overnight and potentially bringing showers and storms to our southern zones. Another hot day in store for tomorrow with highs in the low 90s inland and mid 80s near the Atlantic coast. .SHORT TERM [Sunday Night Through Monday Night]... On Monday, the ridge over the Western Atlantic moves northward as an upper trough digs into Texas. Deep layer generally southerly flow will continue to lift shortwaves northward spreading showers and storms through the area. At the surface, breezy easterly flow develops on Monday. The increase in cloud cover and onshore flow will help moderate temperatures closer to normal. Lows will be in the upper 60s to low 70s and highs generally be in the mid 80s. .LONG TERM [Tuesday Through Friday]... An upper low remains over Texas through the week as a ridge lingers over the western Atlantic. Lingering shortwaves move through on Tuesday keeping showers and storms over the area. Daily showers and storms will build over the forecast area with diurnal heating and in conjunction with the afternoon sea breeze the rest of the week. After cooler temperatures Tuesday, more seasonable temperatures prevail through the week. Highs will generally be in the mid to upper 80s and lows in the upper 60s to low 70s. && .AVIATION... [Through 18Z Sunday] East coast sea breeze was moving inland early this afternoon. Scattered showers and storms are forecast to begin developing along the sea breeze over the next 1-2 hours near KJAX, and then move inland towards KVQQ. The Gulf coast sea breeze will also move slowly inland, with the sea breeze boundaries merging along I-75 in the late afternoon. Southeast winds around 10 knots will prevail this afternoon, with light winds overnight. An increase in high clouds is expected overnight, with southeast winds 5-10 knots prevailing on Sunday. && .MARINE... This weekend, mostly dry conditions with south-southeasterly flow prevail as the area remains on the western edge of a high pressure ridge. Next week, the ridge moves northward causing easterly onshore flow to dominate and a return of shower and thunderstorm chances. Rip currents: Moderate risk today and Sunday along SE GA and NE FL beaches. && .FIRE WEATHER... Hot temperatures with thunderstorms develop along the afternoon sea breeze today, initially closer to the coastline and then spreading inland as the sea breeze presses further inland. Best chance for showers and storms will be west of HWY 301 and along the I-75 corridor in the late afternoon to early evening as the east coast sea breeze merges with the Gulf coast sea breeze. Sea breeze onshore winds will extend inland towards the I-95 corridor with wind speeds of about 10-15 mph with gusts of about 20-25 mph. Tomorrow, hot and mostly dry conditions prevail with an isolated storm possible west of I-75. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AMG 68 92 69 85 68 / 20 20 20 40 30 SSI 72 84 72 81 72 / 0 10 30 40 40 JAX 71 90 71 85 71 / 0 10 20 40 40 SGJ 71 86 71 83 70 / 0 0 20 40 50 GNV 69 91 70 85 69 / 20 10 30 50 50 OCF 70 92 70 85 70 / 20 20 30 50 50 && .JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AM...None. &&
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
325 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020
GAZ154-165-166-232030-
Inland Camden GA-Coastal Glynn GA-Coastal Camden GA-
325 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN CAMDEN AND SOUTH
CENTRAL GLYNN COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM EDT...
* At 325 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking a strong thunderstorm 10 miles north of Kings Bay Base.
This storm was nearly stationary.
* Penny size hail, wind gusts up to 50 mph, and minor flooding due to
heavy rainfall is possible with this storm.
* Locations impacted include...
Jekyll Island, Dover Bluff and Harrietts Bluff.
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 3091 8140 3085 8158 3103 8168 3113 8139
3097 8139
TIME...MOT...LOC 1925Z 153DEG 4KT 3094 8153
KBSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 405 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 FLZ024-124-GAZ165-166-232100- Inland Nassau FL-Coastal Nassau FL-Inland Camden GA- Coastal Camden GA- 405 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN NASSAU AND SOUTH CENTRAL CAMDEN COUNTIES UNTIL 500 PM EDT... * At 405 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm over Kingsland, moving south at 5 mph. * Small hail, winds in excess of 45 mph, and minor flooding due to heavy rainfall is possible with this storm. * Locations impacted include... St. Marys, Kingsland, Kings Bay Base, Yulee and Colesburg. 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 3093 8172 3083 8153 3058 8156 3065 8187 TIME...MOT...LOC 2005Z 016DEG 6KT 3084 8165 KB
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 418 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 FLZ020-122-GAZ162-163-232115- Hamilton FL-Northern Columbia FL-Clinch GA-Echols GA- 418 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN COLUMBIA... NORTHEASTERN HAMILTON...SOUTHEASTERN ECHOLS AND SOUTHEASTERN CLINCH COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM EDT... * At 418 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm over Fargo, moving south at 5 mph. * Small hail, wind gusts up to 50 mph, and minor flooding due to heavy rainfall is possible with this storm. * Locations impacted include... Fargo and Needmore. 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 3082 8264 3079 8246 3046 8249 3052 8281 TIME...MOT...LOC 2018Z 002DEG 5KT 3070 8258 KB
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 425 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 FLZ024-025-124-125-232130- Inland Duval FL-Inland Nassau FL-Coastal Nassau FL-Coastal Duval FL- 425 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL NASSAU AND NORTH CENTRAL DUVAL COUNTIES UNTIL 530 PM EDT... * At 425 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm near Nassau Village-Ratliff, or near Callahan, moving south at 5 mph. * Penny size hail, wind gusts up to 50 mph, and minor flooding due to heavy rainfall is possible with this storm. * Locations impacted include... Callahan, Jacksonville International Arpt, Ratliff, Oceanway and Nassau Village-Ratliff. 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 3064 8181 3059 8159 3044 8162 3048 8190 TIME...MOT...LOC 2025Z 014DEG 5KT 3056 8174 KB
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
434 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020
GAZ162-163-232130-
Clinch GA-Echols GA-
434 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN ECHOLS AND
NORTHWESTERN CLINCH COUNTIES UNTIL 530 PM EDT...
* At 433 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking a strong thunderstorm over Mayday, or 7 miles north of
Statenville. This storm was nearly stationary.
* Penny size hail, wind gusts up to 50 mph, and minor flooding due to
heavy rainfall is possible with this storm.
* Locations impacted include...
Du Pont and Mayday.
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 3080 8313 3081 8310 3083 8310 3083 8309
3085 8309 3085 8301 3086 8301 3087 8297
3110 8297 3114 8295 3098 8274 3069 8299
3078 8314
TIME...MOT...LOC 2033Z 211DEG 4KT 3081 8303
KBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
455 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020
FLZ024-GAZ364-232200-
Inland Nassau FL-Western Charlton GA-
455 PM EDT Sat May 23 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN NASSAU AND SOUTH
CENTRAL CHARLTON COUNTIES UNTIL 600 PM EDT...
* At 454 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking a strong thunderstorm near Bryceville, or 12 miles
southwest of Callahan, moving southwest at 5 mph.
* Penny size hail, wind gusts up to 50 mph, and minor flooding due to
heavy rainfall is possible with this storm.
* Locations impacted include...
St. George and Bryceville.
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 3036 8195 3031 8202 3033 8205 3036 8205
3036 8209 3043 8220 3055 8199 3044 8186
TIME...MOT...LOC 2054Z 046DEG 5KT 3045 8199
KBThe Jacksonville radar (KJAX), 78 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:54 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The Keystone Heights AWOS stationed measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 63 mph.
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, May 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: 883902.