A diffuse surface trough axis was north of the Altamaha River basin with very high dew pts in the low/mid 70s across the entire forecast area south of the boundary. 6 inches) and stronger SW steering flow across the entire area from 10-15 kts south of I-10 across NE FL to 20 kts across our SE GA zones.
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.
A diffuse surface trough axis was north of the Altamaha River basin with very high dew pts in the low/mid 70s across the entire forecast area south of the boundary. The 12z|JAX RAOB showed less deep layer moisture (PWAT 1.6 inches) and stronger SW steering flow across the entire area from 10-15 kts south of I-10 across NE FL to 20 kts across our SE GA zones. There was drier air in the low/mid levels where the steepest lapse rates were near 6.8 C/km between 790 mb and 617 mb roughly. SE GA 0-6 km bulk shear was 20-25 kts. Ingredients favored pulse strong to severe storms with gusty downburst winds the main hazard.
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 28, 12:28 PM EST, 4 hours 52 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 128 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020 ...LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL EXPECTED THROUGH SATURDAY WITH SLOW MOVING COLD FRONT... .NEAR TERM [Through Tonight]... Moist airmass in Southwest flow aloft and Precipitable Water Amounts of 2 inches or more will continue to aid in scattered convection across SE GA this afternoon and numerous to widespread convection across NE FL as Atlc Coast Sea breeze moves inland and interacts with ongoing across NE FL that will meet over the St Johns River Basin and intensify as it drifts E-NE towards the I-95 corridor and JAX/SGJ metro areas during the late afternoon/early evening hours and this is where the greatest threat of localized flooding will be, mainly in the urban areas that have received recent heavy rainfall and localized amounts of 1-3 inches are possible before sunset, with a decreasing trend in convection towards midnight. Trof axis across inland SE GA this afternoon also a possible focus for strong to isolated severe storms with damaging wind gusts of 50-60 mph in addition to locally heavy rainfall threat but Hi-Res convection models not as robust on this scenario yet, but better wind fields aloft over inland SE GA will support isolated severe storms tracking off towards the NE at faster speeds through the evening hours. Only isolated convection expected to linger during the overnight hours with muggy lows in the lower 70s inland and mid/upper 70s at the coast. Some patchy fog possible in areas that receive rainfall this afternoon and evening. .SHORT TERM [Friday Through Saturday]... Cold front will continue to slowly sag through the SE US and into the SE GA/NE FL region through this period and expect higher than normal rainfall chances with locally heavy rainfall the main threat each afternoon and evening as coverage increases to 60-90% over the region both days as local sea breezes push inland and interact with ongoing convection. This will allow for some strong storms with gusty winds to 40-50 mph at times, but widespread severe weather is not expected. Rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches are expected for most areas, with locally higher amounts of 2-4 inches possible along the I-95 and US 301 corridors and some local urbanized flooding issues can be expected in the JAX/SGJ metro areas due to recent heavy rainfall. Humid conditions will continue with Max Temps generally in the upper 80s/near 90 inland and mid 80s at the coast. .LONG TERM [Sunday Through Thursday]... Sunday...Slow moving front will slowly push SE of the region by Sunday Night and expect one more round of scattered showers and storms across NE FL during the afternoon hours followed by drier conds Sunday Night with clearing skies. Mon/Tue/Wed...Unseasonably dry airmass will filter into the region from the North as High Pressure Ridge builds over the area. Precipitable Water Amounts will fall below one inch through this time frame and basically shut down afternoon convection with rainfall chances around 10 percent or less. The breeze onshore/E-NE flow will hold temps below normal as well with Highs in the lower 80s along the coast and Mid/Upper 80s over inland areas. Low temps will fall into the lower 60s inland and mid/upper 60s along the coast and airmass will feel quite different than this weekend. While rain chances will be lower than normal the breezy/onshore flow may bring an isolated shower from time-to-time but thunderstorm activity is not expected. Thursday...High pressure ridge breaks down and while airmass remains drier than normal to keep rain chances less than 20 percent with a few isolated storms possible across NE FL. Temps will rebound back to above normal levels with highs into the lower 90s inland and mid/upper 80s at the coast. && .AVIATION... [Through 18Z Friday] Showers and thunderstorms will continue to expand in coverage and increase in intensity across NE FL through the remainder of the afternoon with TS near SSI during the later afternoon & early evening. Highest confidence of TS across NE FL terminals and include TEMPO groups through the late afternoon. Lower confidence of TS over SSI, continued with VCTS this afternoon and evening. Expect primarily MVFR restrictions with convection today, but lower restrictions certainly possible under heavier rain cells. Sea breeze and outflow mergers will focus strongest storms between Highway 301 and I-95 corridor, then showers and storms will track toward the Atlantic coast into the late afternoon and early evening while gradually weakening. Post east coast sea breeze SE winds at SSI and SGJ will continue into the early evening with inland winds at JAX, GNV, VQQ backing from SW to more S into the evening hours and becoming near calm overnight. Mostly dry conditions are expected tonight, however, with a moist airmass in place and weak upper level forcing, isolated showers will be possible after 06z...but confidence too low to include in TAFs at this time. Lingering clouds overnight will prevent significant fog formation. Light south winds expected with prevailing mid clouds over the local area early Friday morning with widespread shower and tstorm development once again with stronger cells approaching GNV by early afternoon from the SW. && .MARINE... Ahead of the approaching cold front expecting a continuation of South winds 10-15 knots and seas 2-5 ft through Friday, becoming Southwest on Saturday, then shifting winds on Sunday with the cold frontal passage. Northeast winds will develop Sunday Night and expect East to Northeast winds at 15-20 knots and seas building to 5-8 ft Monday through Tuesday with Small Craft Advisory headlines. Rip Currents: Low to Moderate Risk of Rips through the weekend with breakers 2-3 ft, then potential High Risk on Mon/Tue as surf/breakers build into the 3-5 ft range. && .FIRE WEATHER... High moisture levels and rainfall will keep Fire Weather threats to a minimum through the weekend. Drier airmass expected next week with afternoon humidities around 35 percent over inland areas will start to dry out fuels towards the mid-late week period. && .HYDROLOGY... While widespread 1-2 inch rainfall amounts are expected through Sunday along the I-95 and US 301 corridors with isolated 3-4 inch totals, mainly localized flooding threat will exist each afternoon and evening with main stem river basins remaining below flood stage. May need to keep an eye on urban flooding potential for the JAX/SGJ metro areas on Friday/Saturday along with possible higher risk smaller river basins such as Black Creek and the Upper Santa River Basin as localized flooding will be a greater threat due to recent heavier rainfall over the past week. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AMG 70 88 69 87 67 / 20 70 50 70 20 SSI 74 83 72 84 71 / 40 70 60 80 30 JAX 72 89 70 88 70 / 40 90 50 90 30 SGJ 72 86 71 87 71 / 30 70 50 70 40 GNV 70 89 69 89 69 / 30 90 40 80 10 OCF 70 89 69 89 69 / 30 90 40 70 10 && .JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AM...None. &&
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
449 PM EDT THU MAY 28 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0240 PM LIGHTNING 1 NNE MIDDLEBURG 30.06N 81.90W
05/28/2020 Clay FL 911 CALL CENTER
*** 3 INJ *** CLAY COUNTY 911/DISPATCH REPORTS THAT 3
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING ALONG IRIS STREET IN
MIDDLEBURG. VICTIMS HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED TO THE ORANGE
PARK MEDICAL CENTER PER LOCAL BROADCAST MEDIA.
&&
NELSONSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 458 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020 FLZ136-236-240-340-282145- Eastern Alachua FL-Western Alachua FL-Central Marion FL- Western Marion FL- 458 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL ALACHUA AND NORTHWESTERN MARION COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM EDT... * At 457 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm 10 miles east of Williston, moving northeast at 15 mph. * Small hail and winds in excess of 45 mph possible with this storm. * Locations impacted include... Citra, Sparr, Micanopy, Reddick, McIntosh, Flemington and Lowell. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... These winds can down small tree limbs and branches, and blow around unsecured small objects. Seek shelter in a safe building until the storm passes. 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 2939 8241 2957 8237 2937 8204 2922 8230 TIME...MOT...LOC 2057Z 242DEG 12KT 2935 8229 23
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
525 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020
GAZ132-134-149-151-163-250-282215-
Pierce GA-Bacon GA-Atkinson GA-Clinch GA-Coffee GA-Northern Ware GA-
525 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN COFFEE...WEST
CENTRAL PIERCE...EASTERN ATKINSON...NORTHWESTERN WARE...BACON AND
NORTHWESTERN CLINCH COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM EDT...
* At 524 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles
southwest of Nicholls to 6 miles north of Mayday. Movement was east
at 20 mph.
* Small hail, winds in excess of 45 mph, and minor flooding due to
heavy rainfall is possible with these storms.
* Locations impacted include...
Alma, Homerville, Pearson, Argyle, Nicholls, Du Pont, Manor,
Cogdell, Dixie Union and New Lacy.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These winds can down small tree limbs and branches, and blow around
unsecured small objects. Seek shelter in a safe building until the
storm passes.
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 3113 8297 3155 8276 3166 8243 3162 8235
3159 8230 3101 8255 3101 8257 3100 8256
3087 8261 3088 8297
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 262DEG 20KT 3143 8270 3092 8300
23PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
528 PM EDT THU MAY 28 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0520 PM HAIL 4 WNW NEWBERRY 29.66N 82.68W
05/28/2020 M0.25 INCH Gilchrist FL TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS PEA SIZED HAIL ALONG 78TH AVENUE
WEST OF NEWBERRY.
&&
NELSONSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
530 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020
FLZ021-030-035-037-136-222-236-240-340-282215-
Eastern Alachua FL-Southern Columbia FL-Western Alachua FL-
Central Marion FL-Putnam FL-Union FL-Western Marion FL-Suwannee FL-
Gilchrist FL-
530 PM EDT Thu May 28 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR GILCHRIST...ALACHUA...
NORTHWESTERN MARION...WEST CENTRAL PUTNAM...SOUTHWESTERN UNION...
SOUTHWESTERN COLUMBIA AND SUWANNEE COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM EDT...
* At 529 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near
Mcalpin to 6 miles southwest of Cross Creek. These storms were
nearly stationary.
* Small hail, winds in excess of 45 mph, and minor flooding due to
heavy rainfall is possible with these storms.
* Locations impacted include...
Gainesville, Live Oak, Trenton, Bell, Ichetucknee Spring, Citra,
Columbia, Alachua, High Springs and Archer.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These winds can down small tree limbs and branches, and blow around
unsecured small objects. Seek shelter in a safe building until the
storm passes.
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 3038 8299 2944 8194 2911 8229 2922 8240
2948 8241 2948 8255 2954 8256 2956 8275
2976 8295 2989 8288 2989 8292 2996 8293
3008 8307 3011 8316 3010 8318
TIME...MOT...LOC 2129Z 213DEG 2KT 3012 8301 2942 8224
23PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
553 PM EDT THU MAY 28 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0530 PM HEAVY RAIN 3 N FLEMINGTON 29.46N 82.30W
05/28/2020 M2.50 INCH Marion FL COCORAHS
COCORAHS RAIN GAUGE REPORT OF 2.5 INCHES OF RAIN DURING A
45 MINUTE TIME SPAN IN NORTHERN MARION COUNTY.
&&
NELSONThe Moody AFB radar (KVAX), 60 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:18 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was blown down along Vic Davis Road near U.S. Highway 82. The time of damage was based on radar.
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: 883904.