Georgia, 2022

Damaging Wind in Georgia, August 3, 2022

August 3, 2022 · NWS GSP · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Scattered thunderstorms and storm clusters developed over northeast Georgia during the late afternoon and evening. One storm cluster produced brief damaging wind gusts in Rabun County.

Where it happened

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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 GSP wrote it up.

Scattered thunderstorms and storm clusters developed over northeast Georgia during the late afternoon and evening. One storm cluster produced brief damaging wind gusts in Rabun County.

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 Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 3, 5:29 PM EST, 1 hour 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 3, 5:29 PM EST, 1 hour 28 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
629 PM EDT Wed Aug 3 2022

.SYNOPSIS...
Subtropical high pressure over the western Atlantic will
maintain control of our weather pattern for the rest of
the week. We can expect predominately afternoon and evening
showers and thunderstorms each day with the best coverage
generally over the higher terrain.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 630 PM EDT Wednesday: Convective coverage has become more
expansive across the CFWA with the exception of the NC piedmont.
Expect the convection to continue spreading further north into
portions of the GSP and CLT metro areas. Outflow boundaries have
been indicated via radar across the Upstate and should help carry
this activity through around sunset before nocturnal cooling settles
in.

Otherwise, good sbCAPE on the order of 2500 J/kg is available yet no
distinct triggers are noted outside of mtn top convg. There remains
a weak sfc bndry generally along the I-85 corridor where dCAPE
values have increased over 1000 J/kg...so storms that develop east
of the mtns could produce stg/svr downbursts later this afternoon.
Thunderstorm activity will wane after sunset and the overnight
period will see lowering winds, which may set the stage of for dense
fog development outside of longer lasting debris clouds. The best
chance for dense fog still looks to be across the NC mtn valleys
where drainage flow may aide in formation.

The overall synoptic pattern does not change much Thu. The area will
remain in a general weakness within the ulvl ridge as subTrop high
nudges in more from the east bringing weak energy traversing the wrn
periphery and the wrn part of the FA. Still, the sfc ridge will
maintain decent llvl moist adv and allow for afternoon storms across
most locales as sfc temps rise to the m90s and dewpoints remain
elevated in sw/ly flow. Soundings are similar to this afternoon,
with modest sbCAPE seen on the NAM while the overall column flow
remains quite weak. With little triggering, expect similar pulse or
multi-cell storms, a few possibly reaching severe levels, moving
slowly north and northeast.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 1230 PM Wed: Still expecting the Bermuda High to strengthen
at the end of the week. Weak troughing associated with northern
CONUS wave train will persist across the Appalachians on Friday,
but heights rise slightly and contours flatten north of the
region by Saturday. The zone of most obvious convergence on the
periphery of the Bermuda ridge looks to remain to our north,
so can't say that will have much of an effect on our precip
chances. Diurnal convection will remain the norm, with reduced
partial thicknesses supporting a return to near-normal temps. Flow
thru most of the atmospheric column will remain southerly to
southwesterly, so initiation generally should remain focused over
the mountains. However, wind speeds aloft will be weak enough
it is hard to be confident that propagation will be preferred in
any one direction. Thus we can make a case for Piedmont initiation
along outflows from the mountain activity, and perhaps from the sea
breeze in the late aftns or early evenings.  Sfc-midlevel theta-e
lapses will be seasonably large perhaps simply as a result of
high sfc moisture; soundings don't depict a clear deep dry layer.
Thinking the threat of isolated damaging microbursts is about
average for this time of year, with possibility of localized
excessive rainfall continuing from high PWATs and slow storm motion.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 200 PM Wed: Trough moving thru central/eastern Canada Sunday
will subsequently begin to dig into the NE CONUS. Bermuda ridge
appears to begin weakening Sunday as a result of this progression,
and furthermore a very weak inverted trough may move in from the
Atlantic. That suggests an uptick in diurnal convective chances
that day, and the best overall chance of the period. Meanwhile,
Rockies ridge will strengthen; combined with the continued dig of
the trough into our region, some degree of pattern change appears
in store by the middle of next week. Models do not yet agree well
on when the trough arrives, but would appear poised to enhance
convective coverage when it does. Given the distant time range
and limited confidence, have depicted PoPs falling back a little
for Mon-Tue but still a little above climo.  Temps continue near
to just below climo, with the threat for isolated microbursts or
excessive rain continuing.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: VFR conds continue this evening outside of or
near deep convection. The model trend has been to keep a better
storm potential across the NC terminals, esp at KAVL this afternoon
and evening. So, have tempos for these sites, except VCTS at KHKY.
Less convective confidence for the SC terminals, but still think a
VCTS is warranted with weak bndry lingering just south of I-85.
Morning VSBY/CIG issues are possible at KAVL, with IFR or lower
conds possible before daybreak lasting a few hrs. Winds will remain
generally light and continue to veer se/ly to sw/ly across the
non/mtns as an Atl high nudges in from the southeast. Winds at KAVl
will remain channeled light nw/ly.

Outlook: A typical summertime pattern is expected to persist
through late week. Fog and low stratus may develop each morning
in the mountain valleys and wherever appreciable rain fell the
previous day.

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...None.
NC...None.
SC...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...JPT
NEAR TERM...CAC/SBK
SHORT TERM...Wimberley
LONG TERM...Wimberley
AVIATION...CAC/SBK
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 3, 5:00 AM EST, 13 hours 57 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
600 AM EDT Wed Aug 3 2022

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501>510-
SCZ010>013-019-101>109-041000-
Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Avery-Madison-Yancey-
Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-
Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Caldwell Mountains-
Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains-
Eastern McDowell-Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford-
Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Union SC-
Greenwood-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-Central Greenville-
Southern Greenville-Northern Spartanburg-Southern Spartanburg-
600 AM EDT Wed Aug 3 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, the
mountains and foothills of North Carolina, and upstate South
Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and
evening, with gusty winds, small hail, frequent lightning, and
torrential downpours possible. A few of the storms could become
severe with damaging wind gusts the main threat. The storms should
diminish gradually during the evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-SCZ008-009-014-041000-
Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-
Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-Cherokee-York-Chester-
600 AM EDT Wed Aug 3 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the western Piedmont of North
Carolina and upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop late this afternoon
and evening, with gusty winds, small hail, frequent lightning, and
torrential downpours possible. One or two of the storms could become
severe with damaging wind gusts the main threat. The storms should
diminish gradually during the evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

PM

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 3, 6:04 PM EST, 53 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
704 PM EDT Wed Aug 3 2022

NCZ068-504-506>508-032330-
Greater Rutherford NC-Cleveland NC-Greater Burke NC-
Rutherford Mountains NC-Eastern McDowell NC-
704 PM EDT Wed Aug 3 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
McDowell, Rutherford, northwestern Cleveland and south central Burke
Counties through 730 PM EDT...

At 704 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles northeast of Forest City, or near Bostic, moving northwest at
10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size 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...
Forest City, Rutherfordton, Spindale, Polkville, Ellenboro,
Lattimore, Bostic, Kingstown, Mooresboro and South Mountains State
Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3534 8153 3525 8193 3552 8215 3553 8208
      3557 8206 3564 8174
TIME...MOT...LOC 2304Z 154DEG 11KT 3539 8183

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

RWH
Special weather statement, Aug 3, 6:13 PM EST, 44 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
713 PM EDT Wed Aug 3 2022

NCZ064-SCZ102-103-105-032345-
Transylvania NC-Pickens Mountains SC-Greater Pickens SC-
Greenville Mountains SC-
713 PM EDT Wed Aug 3 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Transylvania, northwestern Greenville and northern Pickens Counties
through 745 PM EDT...

At 713 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Pickens, moving northwest at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size 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...
Pickens, Jocassee Gorges, Lake Jocassee, Keowee Toxaway State Park,
Table Rock State Park, Caesars Head State Park, Dupont State Forest,
Gorges State Park, Pumpkintown and Connestee.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3495 8291 3497 8292 3498 8294 3499 8294
      3501 8293 3501 8291 3503 8292 3505 8290
      3505 8292 3525 8264 3490 8258 3482 8277
TIME...MOT...LOC 2313Z 147DEG 10KT 3493 8273

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

RWH
Special weather statement, Aug 3, 6:17 PM EST, 40 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
717 PM EDT Wed Aug 3 2022

GAZ010-017-018-SCZ101-104-032345-
Rabun GA-Stephens GA-Habersham GA-Greater Oconee SC-
Oconee Mountains SC-
717 PM EDT Wed Aug 3 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Stephens, northeastern Habersham, southeastern Rabun and west central
Oconee Counties through 745 PM EDT...

At 717 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles northeast of Toccoa, or 7 miles east of Tallulah Gorge State
Park, moving northwest at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size 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...
Clayton, Toccoa, Tiger, Tallulah Falls, Lake Rabun, Lakemont,
Tallulah Gorge State Park, Lake Burton, Hollywood and Long Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3470 8309 3457 8338 3480 8359 3494 8322
TIME...MOT...LOC 2317Z 147DEG 10KT 3472 8324

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

RWH
Local storm report, Aug 3, 6:32 PM EST, 25 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
732 PM EDT WED AUG 3 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0515 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 E ABBEVILLE           34.18N 82.29W
08/03/2022                   ABBEVILLE          SC   911 CALL CENTER

            MULTIPLE REPORTS OF TREES DOWN EAST OF THE
            CITY OF ABBEVILLE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM
            RADAR.

&&

ARK
Local storm report, Aug 3, 6:35 PM EST, 22 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
735 PM EDT WED AUG 3 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0550 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NW ANTREVILLE         34.31N 82.56W
08/03/2022                   ABBEVILLE          SC   911 CALL CENTER

            NUMEROUS TREES DOWN IN THE ANTREVILLE AREA.
            TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.

&&

ARK
Local storm report, Aug 3, 6:44 PM EST, 13 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
744 PM EDT WED AUG 3 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0555 PM     TSTM WND DMG     IVA                     34.31N 82.66W
08/03/2022                   ANDERSON           SC   PUBLIC

            REPORT OF TREES DOWN IN IVA, SC VIA SOCIAL
            MEDIA.

&&

ARK

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 119 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:55 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rabun

When
August 3, 6:57 PM EST
Where
Rabun County, 5.62 mi W of Lakemont to 6.08 mi SSW of Persimmon
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
34.779, -83.519

County comms reported a tree blown down along Seed Lake and another tree down near Lake Burton.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Georgia in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, August 2022

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: 1053893.