Funnel Cloud, Duval
- When
- September 16, 6:41 PM EST
- Where
- Duval County, 2.76 mi ESE of (Nzc)nas Cecil Fld
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 30.200, -81.840
A funnel cloud was observed north of Argyle Forest Blvd and Cecil Commerce Center Parkway.
Funnel Cloud in Florida, September 16, 2020
A quasi-stationary front extended from Hurricane Sally near the central Florida Gulf Coast to across NE FL and offshore of the local coast. This boundary combined with high tropical moisture and low level instability across the area combined produced a few strong storms in the afternoon, one with a brief tornado touchdown near Waycross.
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
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 1
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 JAX wrote it up.
A quasi-stationary front extended from Hurricane Sally near the central Florida Gulf Coast to across NE FL and offshore of the local coast. This boundary combined with high tropical moisture and low level instability across the area combined produced a few strong storms in the afternoon, one with a brief tornado touchdown near Waycross.
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 Jacksonville, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 16, 6:06 PM EST, 35 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 16, 6:06 PM EST, 35 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
706 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020
.AVIATION...[Through 00Z Friday]
TEMPO TS til 04z as storms approach the east coast this evening.
Convection should weaken by midnight with VCSH for the remainder
of the night. VFR conditions will prevail outside of showers with
brief IFR conditions occurring in heavy downpours. Scattered
showers with isolated thunderstorms expected again for Thursday.
Winds will be from the southeast through tonight and then
southwesterly on Thursday.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION [344 PM EDT]...
.Near Term.../Thursday night/...
Region will be between high pressure to the east northeast and
tropical storm Sally to the west northwest through Tonight. Bands
of showers and thunderstorms will move north across the area
through Tonight. Could see a few strong to severe storms this
afternoon and evening, with the diurnal heating helping to provide
additional instability. Potential will exist for a few strong
storms to linger into the overnight hours. In general, the
greatest chance for severe storms will be over inland counties.
Being on the east side of the tropical system, potential for
tornadoes will exist with this inland convective activity.
This low will track northeast across central GA, and into SC during
the day Thursday. The associated cold front will move into SE GA
Thursday afternoon. A few strong storms will be possible on
Thursday, especially in the afternoon.
As the low moves further to the northeast Thursday night the cold
front will move southeast into NE FL. A few lingering showers will
be possible Thursday night, otherwise a drying trend will be
anticipated.
Temperatures this period will trend above normal.
.Short Term.../Friday through Sunday/...
The cold front will slowly move southeast across NE FL and into
central FL Friday into Friday night, where it will stall, as high
pressure builds to the north northwest. High pressure
will remain to the north Saturday into Saturday night. A wave of low
pressure will lift northeast from the gulf late Saturday into
Saturday night with much of that energy remaining to the northwest,
as an inverted trough develops along the Atlantic coast. Chances for
showers and storms forecast for Saturday into Saturday night, with
best chance near the coast. Region will be between inverted trough
along the coast, and an elongated upper trough to the northwest
Sunday. A pinch in the pressure gradient caused by the inverted
trough, will lead to enhanced winds, especially across coastal SE
GA.
Temperatures will trend above normal Friday into Friday night, then
below over the weekend.
.Long Term.../Sunday night through Wednesday/...
Inverted coastal trough will develop into a low Sunday night into
Monday, and track toward the north northeast, as ridge noses into
area from the north northwest. Best chance for showers Sunday night
into Monday will be near the coast, with elevated coastal winds as
well. High pressure will build from the northwest Monday night
through Wednesday. While a few coastal showers will remain possible
Monday night into Tuesday, a noticeably less humid air mass will
bring mainly dry weather for Tuesday into Wednesday.
Temperatures will trend below normal this period, with readings
generally about 5 degrees below seasonal averages. Lows in the
middle to upper 50s will become common across inland SE GA Sunday
night through Tuesday night.
.Marine...
Tropical storm Sally will be west northwest of the region through
Tonight with high pressure to the northeast. The low will move
across central GA and into SC Thursday, with high pressure to the
east northeast. As the low tracks further to the northeast a cold
front will move into region Friday. This front will slowly move
southeast across area through Friday night, with high pressure
building to the north. An inverted trough of low pressure will
develop over the western Atlantic Sunday, and build through
Tuesday. This trough will result in elevated conditions.
Rip Currents: SE GA: High Risk continues through at least Thursday
NE FL: High Risk continues through at least Thursday
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AMG 72 86 72 83 67 / 70 80 40 40 10
SSI 77 88 76 87 72 / 30 90 50 50 30
JAX 75 90 75 90 72 / 50 90 30 60 20
SGJ 77 91 76 91 75 / 30 60 30 60 20
GNV 74 87 74 88 72 / 50 80 40 50 10
OCF 74 87 75 88 73 / 40 60 40 60 10
&&
.JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through late Thursday night for Coastal
Duval-Coastal Flagler-Coastal Nassau-Coastal St. Johns.
GA...High Rip Current Risk through late Thursday night for Coastal
Camden-Coastal Glynn.
AM...None.
&&In the hours before
Special weather statement, Sep 16, 5:47 PM EST, 54 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
647 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020
FLZ023-GAZ264-350-364-162330-
Baker FL-Northeastern Charlton GA-Western Charlton GA-
Southern Ware GA-
647 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN BAKER...SOUTHEASTERN
WARE AND CHARLTON COUNTIES UNTIL 730 PM EDT...
* At 647 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking a strong thunderstorm over Stephen Foster State Park,
moving northeast at 15 mph.
* Winds in excess of 45 mph and funnel clouds possible with this
storm.
* Locations impacted include...
Stephen Foster State Park, Taylor and Race Pond.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3058 8244 3058 8242 3061 8242 3062 8243
3100 8239 3101 8209 3069 8204 3067 8205
3056 8202 3028 8218 3055 8244
TIME...MOT...LOC 2247Z 227DEG 14KT 3085 8233
NELSONSpecial weather statement, Sep 16, 6:05 PM EST, 36 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
705 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020
FLZ025-032-162345-
Inland Duval FL-Clay FL-
705 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CLAY AND SOUTHWESTERN DUVAL
COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM EDT...
* At 705 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near
Maxville to near Middleburg to near Bardin. Movement was northeast
at 20 mph.
* Winds in excess of 45 mph and funnel clouds possible with these
storms.
* Locations impacted include...
Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Middleburg, Maxville, Fleming
Island, Oakleaf Plantation, Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace, Camp
Blanding, Cecil Field and Doctors Inlet.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 2984 8181 2982 8193 2994 8204 3027 8205
3033 8198 3018 8169 2984 8168
TIME...MOT...LOC 2305Z 219DEG 17KT 3014 8199 3000 8186 2975 8174
NELSONSpecial weather statement, Sep 16, 6:07 PM EST, 34 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
707 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020
GAZ250-162330-
Northern Ware GA-
707 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN WARE COUNTY UNTIL 730 PM
EDT...
* At 707 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking a strong thunderstorm near Boggy Bay, or near Waycross,
moving northeast at 15 mph.
* Winds in excess of 45 mph and funnel clouds possible with this
storm.
* Locations impacted include...
Waycross, Braganza, Boggy Bay, Pebble Hill, Dixie Union and
Needham.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3131 8239 3129 8239 3129 8237 3128 8237
3126 8235 3121 8228 3119 8229 3119 8226
3114 8221 3106 8246 3122 8258 3136 8244
TIME...MOT...LOC 2307Z 202DEG 15KT 3113 8242
NELSONSpecial weather statement, Sep 16, 6:29 PM EST, 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 729 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020 GAZ151-250-170015- Pierce GA-Northern Ware GA- 729 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN PIERCE AND NORTH CENTRAL WARE COUNTIES UNTIL 815 PM EDT... * At 729 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm over Waycross, moving north at 15 mph. * Winds in excess of 45 mph and funnel clouds possible with this storm. * Locations impacted include... Waycross, Jamestown, Pebble Hill, Boggy Bay and Needham. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. 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 3142 8220 3113 8238 3115 8246 3142 8246 TIME...MOT...LOC 2329Z 190DEG 13KT 3120 8239 NELSON
Special weather statement, Sep 16, 6:35 PM EST, 6 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
735 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020
GAZ151-152-250-264-364-170015-
Pierce GA-Northeastern Charlton GA-Western Charlton GA-Brantley GA-
Northern Ware GA-
735 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN PIERCE...BRANTLEY...
EAST CENTRAL WARE AND NORTHEASTERN CHARLTON COUNTIES UNTIL 815 PM
EDT...
* At 735 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles
south of Boggy Bay to near Race Pond to near Homeland. Movement was
northeast at 30 mph.
* Winds in excess of 45 mph and funnel clouds possible with these
storms.
* Locations impacted include...
Blackshear, Folkston, Nahunta, Homeland, Hickox, Braganza, Raybon,
Race Pond, Fort Mudge and Boggy Bay.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3122 8187 3110 8188 3109 8192 3106 8194
3105 8194 3104 8191 3103 8190 3098 8192
3096 8189 3092 8192 3090 8190 3086 8190
3077 8210 3096 8224 3108 8241 3137 8223
TIME...MOT...LOC 2335Z 230DEG 26KT 3109 8236 3103 8215 3085 8206
NELSONSpecial weather statement, Sep 16, 6:38 PM EST, 3 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
738 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020
FLZ025-125-170030-
Inland Duval FL-Coastal Duval FL-
738 PM EDT Wed Sep 16 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN DUVAL COUNTY UNTIL 830 PM
EDT...
* At 738 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking a strong thunderstorm over Cecil Field, or 10 miles west
of Orange Park, moving north at 15 mph.
* Winds in excess of 45 mph and funnel clouds possible with this
storm.
* Locations impacted include...
Jacksonville, Cecil Field, Cisco Gardens, Normandy, Baldwin,
Jacksonville Heights and Whitehouse Air Field.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3019 8182 3019 8194 3030 8202 3048 8181
3051 8179 3042 8161
TIME...MOT...LOC 2338Z 198DEG 14KT 3022 8186
NELSONThe radar
The Jacksonville radar (KJAX), 34 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:38 UTC.
Event by event
1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
What these are
- Funnel Cloud
- A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Flash Flooding and Strong Wind in Georgia, September 16 to 17, 2020
- Rip Current in Puerto Rico, September 16, 2020
- Tropical Storm and Flash Flooding in Alabama, September 16 to 17, 2020
- Flash Flooding and Damaging Wind in Alabama, September 16 to 17, 2020
- Tornado in Georgia, September 16, 2020
- Flash Flooding and Heavy Rain in Georgia, September 16 to 18, 2020
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in South Carolina, September 16 to 18, 2020
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Georgia, September 16 to 17, 2020
- Marine Tropical Storm in Gulf of Mexico, September 16, 2020
- Flood in Maine, September 16 to 19, 2020
More
Every storm in Florida in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, September 2020
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: 921578.