A sea breeze circulation developing within a moderately unstable environment led to a severe thunderstorm across Southeast Georgia during afternoon hours.
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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 CHS wrote it up.
A sea breeze circulation developing within a moderately unstable environment led to a severe thunderstorm across Southeast Georgia during afternoon hours.
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 Charleston, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 9, 12:31 PM EST, 2 hours 12 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 131 PM EDT Sun Aug 9 2020 .SYNOPSIS... The region will remain positioned between Atlantic high pressure centered offshore, and an inland area of broad low pressure. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... The newest CAMs seem to paint a similar picture of afternoon convection, initiating along the sea breeze and then moving inland. Temperatures topping out in the 90s will help MLCAPEs rise to ~2,500 J/kg resulting in scattered convection. Storm motion will be dominated by outflow and local enhanced convergence so training of storms or nearly stationary storms could result in locally heavy rainfall, especially with PWATs ~2". With DCAPEs exceeding 800 J/kg, a few marginally severe pulse storms with damaging winds remain a concern into the evening. The convection should dissipate by late evening, but then the convective focus shifts over the coastal waters. A few showers could brush the coast late tonight. Lows tonight will range from the lower 70s well inland to the upper 70 near the coast. && .SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... The large scale pattern will continue to be nearly locked in place through the period with a broad, deep layer trough of low pressure well west of the region, and an Atlantic ridge of high pressure well to the southeast. Models show a hint of a weak upper level short wave to drift over the region Monday, but other than that, no real discernible large scale features to help focus and force convection. Therefore, the sea breeze will be the primary initial trigger for convection, followed by convective outflow boundaries during the afternoon and evening. Lingering outflow boundaries may spawn isolated showers or thunderstorms through the night each night. Winds will be light southerly less than 10 mph, becoming onshore near the coast each afternoon in the form of a weak seabreeze. With abundant moisture and light, unidirectional deep layer flow, locally heavy rainfall will again be possible. High temperatures close to normal, reaching 90 to the lower 90s. Lows will continue warm, in the lower to mid 70s most areas, around 80 close to the coast. Afternoon heat indices expected to reach 100 to 105 each day as surface dewpoint temperatures stay in the lower to mid 70s. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... Very little change in the large scale pattern is shown by global models through the period as a broad trough persists inland and higher pressure well offshore over the Atlantic. This will continue light southerly winds with afternoon sea breezes each day. Although deep layer moisture will be sufficient with PWs 1.5 to 2 inches, lack of any significant large scale forcing will mean that the sea breeze will continue to be the primary way convection will initiate. Model blended PoPs continue to be in the likely range each afternoon, which is about 20 percent above climo. Continue to feel a little uncomfortable with PoPs in that range so far out. However, the higher blended PoPs collaborate well with surrounding offices. Did adjust PoPs downward by 5-10 percent, especially toward the end of the period. High temperatures will continue near normal, while low temperatures likely to continue a few degrees above normal. Given light steering flow, locally heavy rainfall cannot be ruled out each afternoon. && .AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... 18Z TAFs: Sea breeze thunderstorms could bring brief flight restrictions to either TAF site into this evening. Since the time window for this is several hours, we opted to maintain the VCTS. If radar trends indicate a direct impact, then an amendment will be made to add a TEMPO group. Otherwise, the thunderstorms are forecasted to dissipate this evening, followed by a dry night. Though, it's possible some ground fog could occur in areas where there is heavy rainfall. The probabilities of this happening at either TAF site is currently too low to mention. Another round of convection is possible Monday afternoon. Expect showers and thunderstorms to develop this afternoon and continue into the evening. Due to uncertainty regarding timing, location, and duration of activity and any impacts to the terminals, opted to include VCTS at both KCHS and KSAV starting at the sea breeze passage, 19Z @ KCHS and 20Z @ KSAV and continue it into the evening. It is quite possible that TRW will need to be included in at least one of the terminals in later forecasts/updates and it is possible that could occur prior to the current inclusion of VCTS, but most likely during the forecast VCTS time frame. Outside of showers and thunderstorms at the terminals, expect VFR conditions to prevail. There is a low chance for some light fog or patchy ground fog late tonight, but this seems more likely to occur if significant rain falls at the site later this afternoon or this evening. Should that occur or become likely to occur, later forecast may need to include it. Extended Aviation Outlook: Scattered to numerous mainly afternoon and early evening showers and thunderstorms could result in brief flight restrictions at both sites each day. && .MARINE... Today and tonight: Extremely tranquil period outside of any convection with winds greatest near the coast in association with afternoon/evening sea breeze, but even there winds will only be around 10 knots. Seas will be from 1 to 2 feet. Monday through Thursday: No highlights are expected through the period. The waters will remain between Atlantic high pressure to the east and a broad area of lower pressure well inland. This pattern will continue generally south-southwest winds of 15 knots or less and seas of 1 to 3 feet. Winds are expected to veer to south-southeast each afternoon near the coast due to the sea breeze circulation. && .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None. && NEAR TERM... SHORT TERM...RFM LONG TERM...RFM AVIATION... MARINE...
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston SC 324 AM EDT Sun Aug 9 2020 AMZ330-350-352-354-374-GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040- 042>045-047>052-100730- Charleston Harbor- Waters from South Santee River to Edisto Beach SC out 20 NM- Waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM- Waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA out 20 NM, including Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary- Waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA from 20 to 60 NM- Jenkins-Screven-Candler-Bulloch-Effingham-Tattnall-Evans- Inland Bryan-Coastal Bryan-Inland Chatham-Coastal Chatham-Long- Inland Liberty-Coastal Liberty-Inland McIntosh-Coastal McIntosh- Allendale-Hampton-Inland Colleton-Dorchester-Inland Berkeley- Inland Jasper-Beaufort-Coastal Colleton-Charleston-Coastal Jasper- Tidal Berkeley- 324 AM EDT Sun Aug 9 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters, southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
247 PM EDT Sun Aug 9 2020
GAZ101-116-118-091915-
Effingham-Inland Chatham-Inland Bryan-
247 PM EDT Sun Aug 9 2020
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF BRYAN...EFFINGHAM AND
CHATHAM COUNTIES...
At 246 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Meldrim, or 7 miles west of Pooler, moving
northeast at 5 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph and up to penny sized hail.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to plants,
trees and crops is possible. Damage to windshields is
unlikely.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
Pooler, Godley Station, Savannah International Airport, Port
Wentworth, Bloomingdale, Blitchton, Meinhard and Eden.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas. Do not drive your
vehicle through flooded roadways.
Report damage directly to the Charleston National Weather Service at
1-888-383-2024 when it is safe to do so. You can also email your
report to nws.charlestonsc@noaa.gov.
&&
LAT...LON 3203 8133 3215 8154 3227 8135 3217 8118
TIME...MOT...LOC 1846Z 227DEG 6KT 3212 8138
NEDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
251 PM EDT Sun Aug 9 2020
GAZ101-118-SCZ047-051-091915-
Effingham-Inland Chatham-Inland Jasper-Coastal Jasper-
251 PM EDT Sun Aug 9 2020
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF EFFINGHAM...CHATHAM
AND JASPER COUNTIES...
At 251 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Rincon, or near Springfield. This storm was
nearly stationary.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph and up to penny sized hail.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to plants,
trees and crops is possible. Damage to windshields is
unlikely.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
Springfield, Rincon, Port Wentworth, Hardeeville, Purysburgh,
Ebenezer, Monteith and Stillwell.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas. Do not drive your
vehicle through flooded roadways.
Report damage directly to the Charleston National Weather Service at
1-888-383-2024 when it is safe to do so. You can also email your
report to nws.charlestonsc@noaa.gov.
&&
LAT...LON 3242 8124 3226 8100 3224 8102 3224 8101
3222 8101 3220 8100 3219 8100 3219 8098
3211 8108 3228 8137
TIME...MOT...LOC 1851Z 211DEG 3KT 3230 8127Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
315 PM EDT Sun Aug 9 2020
GAZ101-118-119-SCZ047-048-051-091945-
Effingham-Coastal Chatham-Inland Chatham-Inland Jasper-Coastal
Jasper-Beaufort-
315 PM EDT Sun Aug 9 2020
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF EFFINGHAM...
CHATHAM...BEAUFORT AND JASPER COUNTIES...
At 314 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Bloomingdale, or over Pooler, moving
northeast at 5 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph, up to penny sized hail and
excessive cloud to ground lightning.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to plants,
trees and crops is possible. Damage to windshields is
unlikely. All outdoor activities should cease. Move
indoors immediately.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
Pooler, Bluffton, Springfield, Bellinger Hill Area, Downtown
Savannah, Savannah International Airport, Windsor Forest and
I-16/I-95 Interchange.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas. Do not drive your
vehicle through flooded roadways.
Report damage directly to the Charleston National Weather Service at
1-888-383-2024 when it is safe to do so. You can also email your
report to nws.charlestonsc@noaa.gov.
&&
LAT...LON 3196 8129 3198 8129 3198 8131 3200 8130
3205 8137 3211 8139 3211 8140 3221 8141
3225 8143 3233 8138 3242 8124 3219 8083
3204 8101 3192 8125
TIME...MOT...LOC 1914Z 244DEG 7KT 3211 8130The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 64 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:43 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A Chatham County emergency manager reported a tree and power line down on East President Street near General McIntosh Boulevard.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, 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: 916161.