A persistent upper level ridge west of the region started to break down and retrograde with steep mid level lapse rates around 8-9 degC/km. A remnant MCS tracked across the periphery of the weakening ridge west of the area with associated cold pools enhancing convergence over elevated low and mid level instability.
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 persistent upper level ridge west of the region started to break down and retrograde with steep mid level lapse rates around 8-9 degC/km. A remnant MCS tracked across the periphery of the weakening ridge west of the area with associated cold pools enhancing convergence over elevated low and mid level instability. These convective ingredients produced strong to severe storms across SE GA in the late 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 Jacksonville, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 17, 9:04 PM EST, 1 minute earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 1004 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022 ...STRONG TO ISOLATED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE THROUGH AROUND MIDNIGHT ACROSS SOUTHEAST GA... ...DANGEROUSLY HOT WEATHER AREA-WIDE ON SATURDAY... ...STRONG TO ISOLATED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE SOUTH OF I-10 ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING... .UPDATE... Late evening surface analysis depicts weak high pressure (1017 millibars) situated along the northern Gulf coast, with an upstream cold front crossing the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic states and approaching the Tennessee Valley. Meanwhile, stronger high pressure (1027 millibars) located near Hudson Bay was building southward towards the northern Great Lakes in the wake of this front. Aloft...stout ridging has retrograded westward to a position over the southern Plains states and the Ozarks as a potent shortwave trough dives southeastward from Quebec towards New England. This weather pattern was creating deep north to north-northwesterly flow locally, which has propelled a developing squall line of strong to severe thunderstorms across the Altamaha and Ocmulgee River basins in southeast GA. This Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) originated over the Upper Midwest before sunrise today and has a history of producing wind damage and hail as it has moved along the eastern periphery of the stout ridge. A somewhat drier and more subsident air mass remains in place to the south of the developing squall line across most of our area per latest LAPs/RAP analyses, with PWATS generally in the 1.5-1.75 inch range at most locations. The evening sounding at Jacksonville continues to indicate steep lapse rates in the 900-500 millibar layer (around 3,500 to around 20,000 feet), with high amounts of downdraft CAPE in place throughout our region following another hot afternoon and evening. Temperatures at 02Z have only cooled to the low to mid 80s at most locations, with dewpoints generally in the 70-75 range. The broken squall line containing strong to isolated severe thunderstorms should continue to gather momentum as they dive southeastward across southeast GA through around midnight. Given the unstable air mass in place, stronger activity within this broken line will be capable of producing downburst winds of 40-60 mph, hail, frequent lightning strikes, and downpours. All indications from short-term, higher resolution guidance are that the squall line will weaken as it moves over the Okefenokee Swamp and exits the coastal counties of southeast GA and enters the Atlantic waters towards midnight. This squall line could create enough of a cold pool and could acquire enough momentum to make it to the FL/GA border or perhaps even Interstate 10 overnight. A few leftover showers could develop as the MCS decays overnight for locations south of I-10, and our region will otherwise be shrouded with debris cloud cover through around sunrise. Lows will fall to the low to mid 70s, with few upper 70s possible along the northeast FL coast. Potent shortwave troughing will pivot across Maine on Saturday, digging a progressive longwave trough through the Mid-Atlantic region that will drive the aforementioned cold front into the Deep South by the afternoon hours. Deep northwesterly flow will advect a much drier air mass into southeast GA, and dewpoints will crash through the 60s during the afternoon hours. This drier air mass will allow high temperatures to soar to the upper 90s to near 100 degrees across much of southeast GA, but the lower dewpoints should keep maximum heat index values to near 105 degrees. Deeper moisture will remain in place for locations along and south of Interstate 10, where scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms should develop during the afternoon hours, with strong to isolated thunderstorms possible, as a very unstable air mass featuring DCAPE values in excess of 1,000 j/kg presents a threat for downburst winds of 40-60 mph. The Atlantic sea breeze boundary will be slow to inland during the afternoon hours, and this boundary could collide with existing storms to focus a severe weather threat along the I-95 corridor to the south of Jacksonville during the late afternoon or early evening hours. Highs will soar to the mid to upper 90s all the way to the coast, with maximum heat index values approaching heat advisory criteria (108 degrees) for locations south of I-10 during the afternoon hours. && .MARINE... A few strong thunderstorms containing gusty winds and frequent lightning strikes will be possible across the Georgia waters through around midnight tonight. Meanwhile, a southerly evening wind surge will bring speeds up to near Caution levels over the offshore waters through around midnight. Seas of 3-4 feet will prevail overnight both near shore and offshore. A cold front moving southward towards the Tennessee Valley this evening will approach the Georgia waters on Saturday afternoon and will then stall just south of the northeast Florida waters by Sunday morning. Showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage on Saturday afternoon and evening ahead of this front, especially across the Florida waters. High pressure building over the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic states in the wake of this front will result in strengthening onshore winds on Sunday, with a brief period of Caution level wind speeds of 15-20 knots expected both near shore and offshore. Seas will build to 3-5 feet on Sunday both near shore and offshore. High pressure will then build southward towards our local waters early next week, resulting in gradually diminishing onshore winds and diminishing seas. Seas of 2-3 feet will prevail both near shore and offshore by Tuesday and Wednesday. Rip Currents: Developing onshore winds on Saturday afternoon will combine with a persistent easterly ocean swell to likely keep at least a low-end moderate risk in place at the northeast FL beaches. Strengthening onshore winds early on Sunday will raise the risk to at least moderate, with a high risk possible at the northeast FL beaches. && .FIRE WEATHER... Southerly transport winds overnight will shift to west-northwesterly towards sunrise on Saturday, except across north central FL, where transport winds will remain west-southwesterly. Breezy conditions by late morning will result in high daytime dispersion values area-wide tomorrow. A drier air mass will plunge into southeast GA on Saturday, with minimum humidity values falling to near 30 percent at inland locations as temperatures approach 100 degrees during the afternoon hours. Showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage on Saturday afternoon for locations along and south of the Interstate 10 corridor, with strong to isolated severe thunderstorms possible, especially across north central FL. Stronger storms will be capable of producing strong wind gusts and frequent lightning strikes. Surface and transport winds will then shift to easterly on Sunday, with breezy conditions across coastal southeast GA and most of northeast and north central FL resulting in good dispersion values nearly area-wide. && .PREV DISCUSSION [813 PM EDT]... .NEAR TERM [Through Tonight]... Hot weather conditions this afternoon with values topping out in the mid 90s for most areas away from the beaches with a few spotty upper 90s far inland and low 90s along the coast. Heat index values have peaked between 100F-105F, below heat advisory criteria as ridging aloft NW of the region slowly retrogrades westward into the deep south. Meanwhile, a line of strong to severe thunderstorms over northern GA is rounding the ridge to the NW with a fast moving outflow boundary sinking south towards I-20 with a few showers and isolated storms ahead of it as a prefrontal trough hangs over the piedmont of the SE US states from VA down to GA. Otherwise, the current dry conditions will stay in place over the area, especially over NE FL thanks to strong subsidence under the SE portion of the upper ridge. However, the line of storms should progress towards the Altamaha river basin through the late afternoon into the early evening hours as the complex of storms slowly weakens with it's southward extent. Storms that do arrive over northern parts of SE GA will bring a threat for gusty winds 40-60 mph, frequent lightning strikes, and small hail through the midnight hour before weakening and shifting eastward off the SE GA coast. Partly to mostly cloudy skies will linger behind the storms for SE GA areas overnight with mostly clear to partly cloudy skies over NE FL with light southerly winds turning SW by sunrise. Conditions should be too dry for fog for most locations. Night time lows will fall only into the low to mid 70s with upper 70s at the coast keeping Cointon's humid overnight. .SHORT TERM [Saturday Through Sunday Night]... A cold front from the north will move south into the areas and scattered showers and storms will develop with a focus over NE FL areas. However, the big story will be the heat as highs climb into the upper 90s inland of the coast with mid 90s at the beaches to start the weekend. Elevated winds from the west to NW ahead of the cold front and will help to support higher temperatures than today with a pinned Atlantic seabreeze at the coast unable to bring much relief for the afternoon. Heat index values, or feels like temperatures will rise to near 110F for many areas. With these high values it is important to plan accordingly if conducting any outdoor activities. Take frequent breaks in the shade, drink plenty of water, and avoid strenuous activities. In addition, wear light clothing and never leave people or pets in a closed car while parking outside in the heat. Showers and storms will gradually wind down during the evening hours Saturday as the cold front works south into the FL/GA state line. Light and variable winds overnight Saturday will turn north and then NE 5-10 mph by sunrise Sunday as the front moves into north central FL by late Sunday morning. Drier air will begin to filter into much of the area behind the front on Sunday limiting chances for scattered showers and storms south of I-10 over NE FL with the best chances over north central FL. The NE winds will be breezy along the coast 15-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph and lighter inland 5-15 mph. The winds off the Atlantic will limit highs to near to slightly above normal values in the low 90s inland with mid 90s over the suwannee valley and areas west of I-75 over NE FL and upper 80s to near 90 at the beaches. Skies will be sunny north of I-10 with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies over NE FL areas. Be sure to wear the sunscreen if you venture to the beaches. .LONG TERM [Monday Through Friday]... The chances for any thunderstorms will be almost non existent to start next week as drier air and high pressure ridging take hold over the region. Moisture levels during this span will then drop substantially with PWAT values falling to under 1 inch Monday with a slow, modest increase in moisture through midweek as upper ridging slowly migrates west of the region. Late in the week, the break down of the ridge will allow for moisture return and daily seabreezes that will allow isolated to scattered storm coverage to return. Surface high pressure north of the region Monday will bring easterly onshore winds into Tuesday with the high moving ENE and then east of the region into midweek and turning surface winds southeasterly. Surface high will move well east of the area through the end of the week brining light southerly flow as allowing for the aforementioned seabreezes to form and favor convection inland between I-75 and I-95. Our temperatures will heat up during the week, approaching near record daily highs with low to mid 90s inland rising into the upper 90s to low 100s by Wednesday persisting into Friday with temperatures at the beaches not faring much better as they steadily increase from the upper 80s Monday to the low to mid 90s through the second half of the week. .AVIATION... [Through 00Z Sunday] Showers and thunderstorms approaching southeast GA could impact the SSI terminal during the 02Z-04Z time frame. We included a TEMPO group during this time frame for wind gusts up to 35 knots and brief MVFR conditions during heavier downpours. This activity could approach the Duval County terminals after 03Z, but confidence remains too low to include anything other than vicinity coverage. A few showers could also develop at the GNV and SGJ terminals towards 06Z. Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail at the regional terminals through at least 16Z Saturday. Outside of thunderstorm activity, prevailing southerly winds sustained around 10 knots at the SSI and SGJ coastal terminals and 5-10 knots inland will shift to northwesterly around 5 knots overnight. West-northwesterly surface winds will then increase to 5-10 knots before 14Z Saturday, with the Atlantic sea breeze boundary then moving inland after 16Z, shifting winds to east-northeasterly at the coastal terminals, with sustained surface speeds increasing to 10-15 knots outside of thunderstorm activity that will develop along and south of the Interstate 10 corridor through the afternoon hours. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AMG 73 98 71 92 66 / 70 10 10 0 0 SSI 76 95 78 87 75 / 40 20 20 10 0 JAX 75 97 75 90 72 / 20 30 30 20 0 SGJ 76 96 75 88 74 / 10 40 40 20 10 GNV 73 96 73 92 70 / 20 50 60 40 10 OCF 74 96 73 92 71 / 10 50 50 50 20 && .JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AM...None. &&
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
935 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022
GAZ133-135-136-180230-
Appling GA-Jeff Davis GA-Wayne GA-
935 PM EDT Fri Jun 17 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Wayne,
Jeff Davis and northern Appling Counties through 1030 PM EDT...
At 934 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Scotland to near Plant Hatch to near
Mendes. Movement was southeast at 20 mph. Conditions are quite
favorable for strong outflow winds from these storms.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Baxley, Hazlehurst, Graham, Plant Hatch, Denton and Pine Grove.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3193 8232 3194 8228 3190 8219 3191 8213
3189 8212 3189 8211 3186 8212 3182 8202
3179 8199 3179 8196 3176 8193 3173 8209
3171 8273 3185 8279 3192 8268 3193 8259
3196 8256 3195 8249 3197 8247
TIME...MOT...LOC 0134Z 330DEG 18KT 3204 8278 3200 8233 3206 8197
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
WOLFThe Moody AFB radar (KVAX), 114 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:03 UTC.
8 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple trees down and hail were reported in Hazlehurst and surrounding areas. Timing of events estimated by radar.
Emergency manager reported trees down with power outages on Jim sellers road and holt rentz road. Time was estimated by radar.
County dispatch received numerous calls of trees down, especially near Surrency.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of GA-203 and odum screven rd.
Pierce county 911 was getting numerous calls of widespread wind damage and some structure damage due to thunderstorm winds. Trees and power lines were down across roads creating road closures in HWY 32 and Spatula Dr. A home had damage due to an utility pole line ripping the resident utility box pole. Power outages were also reported. Pierce county fire department responded to nine incidents involving downed trees and powerlines. A vehicle was struck by a tree while traveling on HWY 32.
Brantley 911 call center reported multiple trees were down throughout Nahunta. Brantley county EM reported multiple trees and power lines were down along Buffalo Creek Dr, Riverside rd, Satilla Ave and Main street. A pine tree fell on Hometown Pizza but there was no damage to the building. Mesonet station UGA81 Nahunta measured a 40 mph thunderstorm wind gust at 10:30 PM EST.
Brantley county EM reported multiple trees down along HWY 82, Saddleclub rd, and Mt. Calvary church rd. Time was estimated by radar.
Georgia DOT reported tree debris was blown down and blocking all lanes of state road 110 at Godley avenue. the time of the event was based on radar data.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, June 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: 1031775, 1031776, 1031778, 1031780, 1031782, 1031784, 1032076, 1031785.