A ridge was anchored to the east in the western Atlantic while a ridge aloft was building northward up the Florida peninsula. A weak surface circulation developed to the|northwest overnight and shifted NNEward through western Alabama as a trough axis (pseudo cold front) appended to this low shifted eastward into southeast GA and the Suwannee Valley during the late morning and afternoon 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 JAX wrote it up.
A ridge was anchored to the east in the western Atlantic while a ridge aloft was building northward up the Florida peninsula. A weak surface circulation developed to the|northwest overnight and shifted NNEward through western Alabama as a trough axis (pseudo cold front) appended to this low shifted eastward into southeast GA and the Suwannee Valley during the late morning and afternoon hours. This trough axis over a moist and diurnally unstable airmass fueled a few strong to severe storms. Strong diurnal instability and a pocket of dry air in the low levels enhanced downburst potential. PWATs were around the 75th percentile bringing a threat of locally heavy rain and potential for localized flooding.
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, 3:53 PM EST, 7 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 453 PM EDT Mon May 23 2022 ...STRONG TO ISOLATED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE THROUGH THIS EVENING AND AGAIN ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON ACROSS INLAND SOUTHEAST GA AND THE NORTHERN SUWANNEE VALLEY... .CURRENTLY... Afternoon surface analysis depicts gradually weakening Atlantic high pressure (1023 millibars) centered just east of the Gulf Stream waters off the southeastern seaboard. Meanwhile, weak low pressure (1014 millibars) that moved onshore along the northern Gulf coast overnight was progressing across the Deep South and was approaching a nearly stationary frontal boundary that extends from the southern Appalachians and across the Carolinas. Otherwise, high pressure (1031 millibars) was centered over the Great Lakes region in the wake of this now stalling frontal boundary. Aloft...deep-layered ridging was centered over the FL peninsula and the western Bahamas, with shallow troughing in place to the west of this feature from the Mid-Atlantic states through the Ohio, Tennessee and lower Mississippi Valleys. Deeper troughing was gradually evolving upstream over the Rockies and the northern Plains states. A feed of tropical moisture, featuring PWAT values of 1.6 - 1.9 inches per latest LAPs/RAP analyses, continues to produce scattered to numerous showers and embedded strong to isolated severe thunderstorms late this afternoon from northern portions of the Suwannee Valley and across much of inland southeast GA. Otherwise, a slightly drier and more subsident air mass associated with the nearby deep-layered ridge is suppressing updraft development along cumulus cloud lines and inland moving sea breeze, with breezy onshore winds prevailing at coastal locations. Temperatures outside of convection were in the upper 80s to around 90 at 21Z, except at coastal locations, where mid 80s prevail. Dewpoints generally range from the mid and upper 60s inland to the low and mid 70s at coastal locations. .NEAR TERM (through Tuesday)... Deep-layered ridging will migrate very slowly eastward tonight and Tuesday, maintaining a prevailing southerly wind regime over our area, with low level flow remaining south-southeasterly, while mid and upper level flow remains south-southwesterly. Surface low pressure moving across the southern Appalachians this evening will leave a weak surface trough draped from the FL panhandle across south central GA, with shortwave energy embedded within the deep southerly flow continuing to feed northward from the eastern Gulf of Mexico into inland southeast GA. Bulk south-southwesterly shear values around 30 knots will combine with surface based CAPE values of 3,000 - 3,500 j/kg to create a threat for strong to isolated severe thunderstorms through around midnight within a corridor from the western Suwannee Valley northeastward across inland southeast GA. The primary threats with this activity will be downburst winds of 40-60 mph, small hail, frequent lightning strikes and heavy downpours. Otherwise, nearby ridging aloft and associated subsidence will limit convective development for the rest of northeast and north central FL through the evening hours, with breezy southeasterly winds persisting past sunset along the immediate coast before shifting to southerly and gradually weakening towards midnight. Stronger storms will potentially linger along the U.S. Highway 301 corridor through around midnight before shortwave energy pulls northward. Patchy fog will be possible during the predawn and early morning hours on Tuesday at locations where heavy downpours occur this afternoon and evening. Otherwise, warm and humid conditions will persist area-wide, as lows only fall to around 70 across inland southeast GA, ranging to the mid 70s at coastal locations. The overall weather pattern will not change appreciably locally on Tuesday, as additional shortwave energy streams north- northeastward from the northern Gulf coast/FL panhandle across central GA. The stalling frontal boundary over the southeastern states this evening will begin to slowly lift northward as a warm front as deeper troughing over the Rockies begins to dig southeastward into the southern Plains states, resulting in cyclogenesis over western Texas. South-southwesterly bulk shear values will decrease slightly on Tuesday across the Suwannee Valley and inland southeast GA, but steep lapse rates in the low and mid levels and surface based CAPE values in the vicinity of 3,000 j/kg should keep at least an isolated severe thunderstorm risk in place during the afternoon and early evening hours. Downburst winds of 40-60 mph, small hail, and frequent lightning strikes will be the primary hazards within stronger activity. Deep-layered ridging and associated subsidence will keep activity widely scattered in nature elsewhere for inland locations in northeast and north central FL, with dry conditions likely prevailing at coastal locations. Highs on Tuesday will generally climb to the lower 90s inland and the mid to upper 80s at coastal locations, where breezy southeasterly winds are expected during the afternoon hours. .SHORT TERM [Tuesday Night through Wednesday Night]... Convection may again linger late into the evening hours across inland portions of southeast GA on Tuesday night, with dry conditions continuing elsewhere. Lows will only fall to the upper 60s to near 70 at inland locations, ranging to the low and mid 70s at coastal locations, where an onshore breeze will become more persistent overnight. Deep troughing will be slow to pivot across the southern Plains and the Ozarks, leaving a weakening deep-layered ridge in place off the southeastern seaboard. Subsidence aloft associated with this persistent ridge will keep most convection to the west of our region, with isolated mainly late afternoon and evening activity developing along convective outflows and the Gulf coast sea breeze for inland locations west of a line from Baxley to Waycross to Lake City. Inland highs should again climb to the lower 90s, while onshore winds keep coastal highs generally in the mid 80s. Any convection that manages to develop on Wednesday afternoon will quickly shift north and west of the Suwannee/Alapaha/Ocmulgee and upper Altamaha Rivers early on Wednesday evening, with dry conditions likely prevailing area-wide overnight. Lows will again only fall to the upper 60s to around 70 inland and the low to mid 70s at coastal locations as an onshore breeze persists overnight. .LONG TERM [Thursday Through Monday]... With above average PWATs on Thursday and Friday, showers and strong to severe thunderstorm potential increases in the afternoon and evening hours. On Friday, PWAT will reach 2 inches with southerly winds ahead of a cool front bringing drier air for the weekend. This front will approach from the NE and reach GA on Friday, slowly moving into NE FL on Saturday, weakening and stalling. Confidence on rain potential on Saturday is not high, best chance for precipitation is in NE FL along the front. Sunday, PWAT values fall below 1 inch. High temperatures will struggle to reach 90 starting Friday due to increased moisture, temperatures should be near normal in the upper 80s inland with slightly cooler temps in the mid 80s on the coast. Lows will be in the mid 60s inland and upper 60s/low 70s on the coast. && .MARINE... Atlantic high pressure will continue to slowly weaken as it extends its axis across our local waters, resulting in a prevailing south-southeasterly wind flow through Wednesday night. Winds may briefly reach Caution levels this evening before speeds subside overnight. Seas of 2-4 feet will prevail both near shore and offshore through Wednesday night. Meanwhile, a stalled frontal boundary positioned across the southeastern states will lift northward as a warm front on Tuesday as low pressure develops over the Plains states and moves north- northeastward towards the Great Lakes region by late Thursday. This developing storm system will push a cold front into the southeastern states by late Thursday, resulting in strengthening southerly winds throughout our local waters. Speeds should reach Caution levels of 15-20 knots both near shore and offshore by early Thursday afternoon, and seas offshore will build to 4-5 feet. 3-5 foot seas are forecast near shore through early Friday. This frontal boundary will then slow its forward progress as it approaches our local waters on Friday, bringing increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms. This front is still expected to stall across our coastal waters during the Memorial Day weekend, resulting in continued chances for showers and thunderstorms as a weak pressure pattern prevails locally. Seas will subside back to the 2-4 foot range both near shore and offshore from Friday night through the holiday weekend. Rip Currents: Persistent onshore winds will keep a low-end moderate risk in place at all area beaches through at least midweek. && .FIRE WEATHER... Scattered thunderstorms for SE GA and isolated storms elsewhere are expected Tuesday afternoon into the evening, with drier and windier conditions near the NE FL coast. Transport winds will shift to south-southeasterly on Tuesday, with lower dispersion values expected in SE GA, and better dispersion values in NE FL. Area-wide increased dispersion is forecast on Wednesday with higher southeasterly winds. A cool front approaching the region Thursday and Friday will increase rain chances again. && .HYDROLOGY... Brisk north-northeastward storm motion should keep widespread flooding from occurring through Tuesday across inland portions of southeast GA and the northern Suwannee Valley, but training convection will need to be monitored for a more localized flood threat, especially at urban and lower lying locations. Downpours may create localized totals of 1-2 inches in relatively short periods of time. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AMG 69 90 67 89 67 / 60 60 40 20 20 SSI 73 84 73 83 73 / 20 30 20 10 10 JAX 71 90 70 88 70 / 10 30 10 10 10 SGJ 74 87 73 86 72 / 10 10 0 10 10 GNV 70 92 69 90 70 / 20 30 20 10 20 OCF 71 91 69 91 70 / 20 20 10 20 20 && .JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AM...None. &&
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
427 PM EDT MON MAY 23 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0414 PM TSTM WND DMG 4 SE HOMERVILLE 31.01N 82.70W
05/23/2022 CLINCH GA EMERGENCY MNGR
TREE DOWN OVER SHILOH RD NEAR THE
INTERSECTION WITH HWY 441.
&&
DDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
427 PM EDT Mon May 23 2022
GAZ151-152-163-250-232045-
Pierce GA-Clinch GA-Brantley GA-Northern Ware GA-
427 PM EDT Mon May 23 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Pierce,
west central Brantley, northern Ware and northern Clinch Counties
through 445 PM EDT...
At 426 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Manor, or near Argyle, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Waycross, Boggy Bay, Jamestown, Pebble Hill, Manor, Dixie Union and
Needham.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3142 8242 3142 8240 3122 8219 3101 8252
3101 8255 3113 8269
TIME...MOT...LOC 2026Z 219DEG 38KT 3113 8257
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ENYEDISpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
432 PM EDT Mon May 23 2022
FLZ020-021-232100-
Hamilton FL-Suwannee FL-
432 PM EDT Mon May 23 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern Suwannee
and eastern Hamilton Counties through 500 PM EDT...
At 431 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Jasper to near Suwannee Springs. Movement
was north at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph, half inch hail, and minor
flooding due to heavy rainfall.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible. Minor flooding due to heavy rainfall is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Jasper and Suwannee Springs.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3061 8289 3060 8272 3037 8281 3033 8298
3052 8298
TIME...MOT...LOC 2031Z 201DEG 32KT 3046 8293 3037 8295
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ENYEDISpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
443 PM EDT Mon May 23 2022
GAZ135-136-232115-
Appling GA-Wayne GA-
443 PM EDT Mon May 23 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Wayne
and eastern Appling Counties through 515 PM EDT...
At 443 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 12 miles southwest of Glennville to 7 miles
south of Surrency. Movement was northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Surrency and Odum.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3189 8214 3189 8211 3186 8212 3182 8204
3182 8201 3179 8199 3179 8196 3176 8194
3175 8191 3173 8191 3171 8188 3169 8187
3156 8221 3186 8222 3191 8213
TIME...MOT...LOC 2043Z 214DEG 40KT 3186 8213 3161 8218
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ENYEDISpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
446 PM EDT Mon May 23 2022
GAZ151-152-250-232115-
Pierce GA-Brantley GA-Northern Ware GA-
446 PM EDT Mon May 23 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Pierce, west central
Brantley and northern Ware Counties through 515 PM EDT...
At 446 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Waycross, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Waycross, Blackshear, Patterson, Boggy Bay, Jamestown, Pebble Hill,
Bristol and Needham.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3130 8206 3106 8246 3122 8260 3151 8225
TIME...MOT...LOC 2046Z 223DEG 31KT 3120 8245
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ENYEDISpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
458 PM EDT Mon May 23 2022
FLZ020-021-122-222-GAZ162-163-232130-
Southern Columbia FL-Hamilton FL-Suwannee FL-Northern Columbia FL-
Clinch GA-Echols GA-
458 PM EDT Mon May 23 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern
Columbia, northeastern Suwannee, eastern Hamilton, southeastern
Echols and central Clinch Counties through 530 PM EDT...
At 457 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 10 miles west of Needmore to near Mcalpin.
Movement was north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
White Springs, Wellborn, Needmore, Winfield, Suwannee Valley, Belmont
and Houston.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3082 8265 3020 8266 3011 8290 3060 8292
3077 8287
TIME...MOT...LOC 2057Z 190DEG 19KT 3073 8284 3017 8287
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
ENYEDIThe Moody AFB radar (KVAX), 55 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:01 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Up to 9 trees were blown down along U.S. Highway 41 between White Springs and Suwannee Springs. The time of damage was based on radar.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, May 2022
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: 1024691.