A moderately unstable airmass and strong afternoon heating resulted in scattered strong to severe thunderstorms across north and central Georgia during the afternoon and evening hours.
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 FFC wrote it up.
A moderately unstable airmass and strong afternoon heating resulted in scattered strong to severe thunderstorms across north and central Georgia during the afternoon and evening 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 Atlanta, GA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 24, 2:35 PM EST, 50 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 335 PM EDT Sun May 24 2020 .SHORT TERM /Tonight through Monday Night/... Surface ridging builds into the state from the northeast overnight and persists through the period. Region remains on the southwestern periphery of the upper ridge centered over the western Atlantic Ocean/mid-Atlantic coast region. Essentially this results in a continuation of the basic, diurnally favored, convection scheme we have been seeing over the past several days. Better chances across the north/northeast tonight and Monday in the vicinity of the weak wedge front and some orographic assistance, with the better chances shifting toward the southern edges of the forecast area overnight Monday night into early Tuesday as a weak wave edges northward out of Florida. Mid-level lapse rates and instability remain moderate at best, and although a few isolated strong to marginally severe thunderstorms are certainly possible, chances are limited. 20 .LONG TERM /Tuesday through Sunday/... Not much change for the long term. The overall pattern through most of the period persists with an upper cut off low over TX and ridging over the western Atlantic. The pattern shifts a bit by the end of the period with the Plains low opening up and the upper ridge suppressed some with a Great Lakes upper trough. However...this still results in showers and thunderstorms each day with a basically diurnal pattern. Easterly flow sets up through mid week with a Gulf wave moving into southern GA and the Carolinas...and enhancing the easterly winds. Look for somewhat cooler high temperatures mainly north for the middle of the week. 41 && .AVIATION... 18Z Update... VFR conditions are expected to predominate across most of the forecast area through this forecast period outside of scattered convection. Will likely see some MVFR or lower ceilings developing over upstate South Carolina by 02-06Z, expanding southwestward into eastern portions of the area by 06-09Z. Right now, I do not think we will see these ceilings pushing west into any TAF sites other than KAHN. Areas of MVFR or lower visibilities are likely as well, but I do not expect visibility to drop below VFR levels at any of the TAF sites. Winds will be east to southeast 6kt or less through 12Z, increasing to 6-10kt after. Isolated to scattered convection likely through the period, with best coverage 20Z-04Z. //ATL Confidence...18Z Update... Still low/medium confidence on potential for stratus after 08Z, medium/high confidence other elements. 20 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 68 82 67 75 / 30 50 50 50 Atlanta 69 83 68 75 / 30 40 40 50 Blairsville 61 78 62 71 / 40 60 50 50 Cartersville 67 84 66 76 / 30 40 30 50 Columbus 70 86 68 79 / 30 30 40 60 Gainesville 67 81 66 73 / 30 50 50 50 Macon 68 83 67 77 / 20 40 40 60 Rome 67 85 66 78 / 30 40 30 50 Peachtree City 66 84 66 76 / 30 30 40 50 Vidalia 70 84 69 79 / 20 50 50 60 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SHORT TERM...20 LONG TERM....41 AVIATION...20
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 1149 AM EDT Sun May 24 2020 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-251600- Baldwin-Banks-Barrow-Bartow-Bibb-Bleckley-Butts-Carroll-Catoosa- Chattahoochee-Chattooga-Cherokee-Clarke-Clayton-Cobb-Coweta- Crawford-Crisp-Dade-Dawson-DeKalb-Dodge-Dooly-Douglas-Emanuel- Fannin-Fayette-Floyd-Forsyth-Gilmer-Glascock-Gordon-Greene- Gwinnett-Hall-Hancock-Haralson-Harris-Heard-Henry-Houston-Jackson- Jasper-Jefferson-Johnson-Jones-Lamar-Laurens-Lumpkin-Macon- Madison-Marion-Meriwether-Monroe-Montgomery-Morgan-Murray- Muscogee-Newton-North Fulton-Oconee-Oglethorpe-Paulding-Peach- Pickens-Pike-Polk-Pulaski-Putnam-Rockdale-Schley-South Fulton- Spalding-Stewart-Sumter-Talbot-Taliaferro-Taylor-Telfair-Toombs- Towns-Treutlen-Troup-Twiggs-Union-Upson-Walker-Walton-Warren- Washington-Webster-Wheeler-White-Whitfield-Wilcox-Wilkes- Wilkinson- 1149 AM EDT Sun May 24 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight... Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening over north and central Georgia. Some of the storms could be strong with lightning, gusty winds and heavy rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday... Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are possible Monday through Saturday, mainly in the afternoons and evenings. Possible hazards with stronger thunderstorms may include frequent lightning, periods of heavy rain, strong wind gusts, and small hail. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not requested but spotters are encouraged to submit reports of severe weather through the web by going to weather.gov/atlanta. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. |
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
244 PM EDT Sun May 24 2020
GAZ008-009-241915-
Union GA-Towns GA-
244 PM EDT Sun May 24 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN UNION AND NORTHWESTERN
TOWNS COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM EDT...
At 244 PM EDT...a strong thunderstorm was over Hiawassee. This storm
was nearly stationary.
HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind...frequent cloud to ground lightning
and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Some locations in the path of this storm include
Hiawassee, Young Harris, Macedonia, Brasstown Bald and Alexanders
Mill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3496 8362 3485 8382 3497 8391 3499 8389
3499 8364
TIME...MOT...LOC 1844Z 240DEG 2KT 3493 8379
WIND...40MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
311 PM EDT Sun May 24 2020
GAZ078-079-241945-
Harris GA-Talbot GA-
311 PM EDT Sun May 24 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN HARRIS AND NORTHWESTERN
TALBOT COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM EDT...
At 311 PM EDT...a strong thunderstorm was over Baughville, or 8 miles
west of Talbotton...moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind...frequent cloud to ground lightning
and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Some locations in the path of this storm include
Talbotton, Manchester, Waverly Hall, Woodland, Baughville, Flint Hill
and Olive Branch.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3285 8463 3285 8462 3270 8447 3257 8466
3270 8481
TIME...MOT...LOC 1911Z 225DEG 12KT 3270 8468
WIND...40MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
315 PM EDT Sun May 24 2020
GAZ021-032-241945-
Cobb GA-Cherokee GA-
315 PM EDT Sun May 24 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN COBB AND SOUTHWESTERN
CHEROKEE COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM EDT...
At 315 PM EDT...a strong thunderstorm was over Sweat Mountain, or 10
miles north of Marietta...moving northeast at 5 mph.
HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind...frequent cloud to ground lightning
and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Some locations in the path of this storm include
Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs, Hickory Flat, Lebanon, Union Hill,
Sweat Mountain, Oak Grove, Hobgood Park, Bridgemill and Sandy Plains.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3428 8448 3418 8435 3416 8436 3413 8436
3412 8439 3411 8440 3411 8442 3405 8442
3404 8444 3402 8446 3401 8449 3409 8462
TIME...MOT...LOC 1915Z 223DEG 4KT 3409 8448
WIND...40MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
334 PM EDT Sun May 24 2020
GAZ078-089-242000-
Harris GA-Muscogee GA-
334 PM EDT Sun May 24 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN HARRIS AND NORTHWESTERN
MUSCOGEE COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM EDT...
At 334 PM EDT...a strong thunderstorm was over Goat Rock Lake, or
near Smiths...moving northwest at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind...pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
ground lightning.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects.
Some locations in the path of this storm include
Goat Rock Lake and Green Island Hills.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
LAT...LON 3264 8508 3263 8493 3252 8501 3253 8502
3255 8503 3256 8504 3258 8507 3262 8509
TIME...MOT...LOC 1934Z 118DEG 10KT 3260 8506
HAIL...0.25IN
WIND...40MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
401 PM EDT Sun May 24 2020
GAZ022-033-034-045-242030-
North Fulton GA-DeKalb GA-Forsyth GA-Gwinnett GA-
401 PM EDT Sun May 24 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH FULTON...NORTHWESTERN
DEKALB...SOUTHWESTERN FORSYTH AND NORTHWESTERN GWINNETT COUNTIES
UNTIL 430 PM EDT...
At 401 PM EDT...a strong thunderstorm was near Alpharetta, or 14
miles southwest of Cumming...moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind...pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
ground lightning.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects.
Some locations in the path of this storm include
Cumming, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Dunwoody,
Milton, Duluth, Sugar Hill, Norcross, Doraville, Berkeley Lake, Drew,
Buford Dam-Lake Lanier Parks, Brookwood, Birmingham, Mechanicsville
and Ducktown.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
LAT...LON 3419 8405 3417 8406 3416 8405 3389 8421
3394 8441 3398 8438 3399 8438 3401 8440
3412 8438 3413 8436 3416 8436 3418 8435
3419 8433 3419 8426 3425 8426
TIME...MOT...LOC 2001Z 197DEG 19KT 3403 8428
HAIL...0.25IN
WIND...50MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
422 PM EDT Sun May 24 2020
GAZ066-078-079-242045-
Harris GA-Troup GA-Talbot GA-
422 PM EDT Sun May 24 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HARRIS...SOUTHERN TROUP AND
SOUTHWESTERN TALBOT COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM EDT...
At 421 PM EDT...a line of strong thunderstorms extended from near
LaGrange to near Cataula and Geneva,moving northwest at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds up to 40 mph, pea sized hail, frequent lightning
and heavy rain.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Some locations in the path of these storms include
LaGrange, Hamilton, West Point, Pine Mountain, Waverly Hall, Junction
City, Geneva, Ellerslie, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Cannonville,
Cataula, Baughville, Olive Branch, Piedmont Heights, Mountain Hill,
Jones Crossroads, Baughs Crossroads, Mulberry Grove, Smiths Crossroad
and Whitesville-Pine Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3310 8508 3291 8486 3287 8486 3287 8480
3256 8442 3257 8469 3258 8470 3258 8481
3270 8512 3274 8511 3276 8514 3278 8512
3281 8517 3285 8515 3286 8519 3299 8521
TIME...MOT...LOC 2021Z 123DEG 12KT 3301 8499 3272 8515 3262 8487 3261
8458
HAIL...0.25IN
WIND...40MPHThe Atlanta radar (KFFC), 88 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:24 UTC.
4 hail, 3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The public reported hail the size of quarters near the intersection of Christopher Road and McGinnis Ferry Road.
The public reported hail the size of golf balls on Sandy Brook Circle.
The Coweta County 911 center reported trees and power lines blown down in the Grantville area from near the intersection of Broad Street and Church Street to Bo Bo Banks Road.
The Coweta County 911 center reported hail the size of quarters near the intersection of Woodrow Place and LaGrange Street.
The public reported hail the size of quarters near the intersection of Highway 23 and Wilson Woodard Road.
The Houston County Emergency Manager reported trees blown down around the intersection of Lake Joy Road and Feagin Mill Road.
The Taliaferro County Emergency Manager reported numerous trees blown down along I-20 near mile marker 150.
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, 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: 898813, 898819, 898824, 898821, 898822, 898826, 898830.