Clusters of strong thunderstorms developed across portions of southeast Georgia in the afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front. These thunderstorms became strong enough to produce damaging wind gusts as the moved to the east.
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 CHS wrote it up.
Clusters of strong thunderstorms developed across portions of southeast Georgia in the afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front. These thunderstorms became strong enough to produce damaging wind gusts as the moved to the east.
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 Charleston, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 22, 3:08 PM EST, 14 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 408 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022 .SYNOPSIS... Warm and humid conditions in place, along with a few weather systems moving through, will maintain unsettled weather across the area through much of the week. Drier conditions could return next weekend behind a cold front. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM MONDAY MORNING/... This Evening and Tonight: High pressure will remain centered across the western Atlantic while waves of mid-lvl energy traverse across the Southeast United States. Forcing combined with ample moisture has led to numerous showers/thunderstorms across portions of the area earlier today, which appears to have worked over much of the environment across the Tri-County Area. Further south, widespread breaks in cloud cover have favored strong sfc heating where ample moisture continues to be drawn into the area within a southwest sfc flow. Although some cirrus clouds associated with convection ongoing in the Gulf of Mexico is filtering into southern areas, conditions are still favorable for shower and thunderstorm development late afternoon into early evening hours, initially back-building along a boundary across coastal Georgia, then shortly thereafter across inland Southeast Georgia where sfc heating is greatest. Some pulse type thunderstorms could be strong and/or severe through early evening hours given MLCAPE between 2500- 3000 J/kg, DCAPE around 900 J/kg, and a slight uptick in low-mid lvl flow (25-30 kt), especially with thunderstorms that interact with mesoscale boundaries such as outflow from previous convection and/or a sea breeze. Damaging winds, hail, and heavy rainfall remain the primary concerns with stronger convection. Given the amount of mid- lvl energy traversing the region, thunderstorms could persist at least a few hours after sunset, before weakening/dissipating around midnight. Conditions should remain rain-free late tonight with lingering clouds in place. Temps will be mild overnight, only dipping into the mid/upper 60s inland to lower 70s closer to the coast. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Pattern Synopsis/Forecast: Low amplitude short-wave trough progressing through the northern Great Lakes today, will exit into the north Atlantic tonight, while another piece of strong Pacific energy digs into the central CONUS and closes off by midweek. Larger scale ridging, warm and somewhat humid conditions will remain in place across the SE CONUS and Gulf Coast region, although there will be a weakening boundary attempting to sag down into the Carolinas into Monday, which is looking to stall out before getting this far south. Meanwhile, some semblance of a disorganized tropical low is over the central Gulf region, pinwheeling bouts of tropical moisture, showers and thunderstorms across the Gulf Coast region and into our area. That feature will be a player for our weather for the next couple of days. Details: A period of active weather will persist across the forecast area for the first part of the week, although with a good amount of uncertainty in regard to timing/placement of precip chances. As mentioned, stalling boundary is looking to lay out W-E across North Carolina on Monday, never getting this far southward. However, one or more surges of tropical moisture, associated with the loosely organized low in the Gulf, will be spreading north-northeastward up through Georgia and the Carolinas Monday into Monday night. With daytime heating and influences from the loosely organized wave in the Gulf (possibly another small tropical MCV pressing N/NE up through Georgia and the Carolinas), shower and thunderstorm chances should increase across the region later in the morning and through the afternoon/evening timeframe. Again, exact timing and placement carries a lot of uncertainty. But I feel that at least likely pops are warranted at this juncture for most of the forecast area. Like the last few days, an organized widespread severe weather threat appears low. But a few strong, possibly severe storms are likely, producing hail and strong winds. Heavy rainfall/localized flooding is also possible and we are in a marginal excessive rainfall risk for Monday. It may quiet down some for Tuesday and Wednesday, at least in terms of convection coverage, as the tropical feature in the Gulf becomes absorbed by increasing larger scale flow. But, given the persistent warm/moist airmass, shower and thunderstorm chances will continue right through midweek. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... A cold front will be situated to the west of the region on Thursday. Then on Friday, the cold front will move through the area before stalling offshore overnight. High pressure will then build into the region on Saturday and Sunday. In regards to rain chances, decent moisture and isentropic lift will be in place so expect isolated to scattered showers/thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday. As the front stalls offshore, there could be enough lingering moisture/forcing to support isolated showers on Saturday and Sunday. High temperatures will be in the 80s to low 90s with lows in the 60s to 70s. && .AVIATION /20Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Showers and thunderstorms will continue to develop across the region, most likely impacting the SAV terminal late afternoon into early evening hours. MVFR or potentially lower conditions are possible during showers/thunderstorms, which has been amended to 20-22Z for SAV. Thunderstorm activity should slowly shift inland by the evening. VFR conditions should prevail overnight through Monday morning, but recent rains pose a small risk of some flight restrictions late tonight at all terminals. Extended Aviation Outlook: VFR conditions will largely prevail through the week. However, flight restrictions remain possible at times at the terminals, as periodic showers and thunderstorms impact the region. && .MARINE... This Evening through Tonight: Conditions should be similar to the past few days with southwest to south flow maximized near the land/sea interface into late evening due to a sea breeze. Wind speeds should top out in the 15-20 kt range, gradually weakening through the evening. Seas will range between 2-3 ft. Monday through Friday: Conditions will remain below Small Craft Advisory levels through midweek, although locally higher winds and waves will occur with any storms. A bit stronger southeasterly winds and higher seas develop through the coastal waters late in the week as a strong cold front approaches from the west. However, at this juncture, winds and seas are still expected to remain below headline criteria. && .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None. && NEAR TERM...DPB SHORT TERM...TBA LONG TERM...TBA AVIATION...DPB/TBA MARINE...DPB/TBA
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston SC 415 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022 GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042-043-047>049-051-232015- Jenkins-Screven-Candler-Bulloch-Effingham-Tattnall-Evans- Inland Bryan-Coastal Bryan-Inland Chatham-Coastal Chatham-Long- Inland Liberty-Coastal Liberty-Inland McIntosh-Coastal McIntosh- Allendale-Hampton-Inland Colleton-Inland Jasper-Beaufort- Coastal Colleton-Coastal Jasper- 415 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Severe Thunderstorms: Scattered to potentially numerous thunderstorms are expected to develop across parts of the area. Some thunderstorms could be strong and/or severe, producing damaging wind gusts, hail, and heavy rainfall, especially along and west of I-95 across Southeast Georgia late this afternoon into the evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Heavy Rainfall: Showers and thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall may lead to localized flooding across the region on Monday into Monday evening. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time. SCZ044-045-050-052-232015- Dorchester-Inland Berkeley-Charleston-Tidal Berkeley- 415 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Heavy Rainfall: Showers and thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall may lead to localized flooding across the region on Monday into Monday evening. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time. AMZ330-350-352-354-374-232015- Charleston Harbor- Waters from South Santee River to Edisto Beach SC out 20 NM- Waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM- Waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA out 20 NM, including Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary- Waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA from 20 to 60 NM- 415 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters. .DAY ONE...Tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
117 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022
SCZ045-050-221745-
Inland Berkeley-Charleston-
117 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF CHARLESTON AND
BERKELEY COUNTIES...
At 116 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 7 miles west of
Hampton Plantation State Park to near McClellanville to 6 miles east
of Awendaw, and moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar Indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Some locations in the path of these storms include...
McClellanville, Cape Romain, Santee Coastal Reserve, Hampton
Plantation State Park, Cape Island and Lighthouse Island.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Report damage directly to the Charleston National Weather Service at
888-383-2024 when it is safe to do so. You can also email your
report to nws.charlestonsc@noaa.gov.
&&
LAT...LON 3307 7931 3299 7933 3298 7951 3290 7954
3289 7959 3304 7958 3323 7964 3326 7955
3324 7950 3325 7948 3323 7948 3324 7946
3322 7945 3316 7935 3314 7928 3311 7927
TIME...MOT...LOC 1716Z 258DEG 30KT 3317 7957 3305 7953 3297 7954
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
AdamSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
235 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022
GAZ118-119-SCZ051-221845-
Coastal Chatham-Inland Chatham-Coastal Jasper-
235 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF CHATHAM AND JASPER
COUNTIES...
At 235 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Downtown Savannah, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar Indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
Downtown Savannah, Bellinger Hill Area, Hunter Army Airfield, Midtown
Savannah, Garden City, Thunderbolt, Savannah Historic District and
Hutchinson Island.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify. Be certain to monitor local radio and TV
stations as well as local cable TV outlets for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3210 8118 3212 8112 3210 8109 3211 8108
3214 8107 3216 8100 3205 8093 3200 8115
TIME...MOT...LOC 1835Z 252DEG 12KT 3206 8112
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
309 PM EDT SUN MAY 22 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0258 PM HEAVY RAIN 2 NE SAVANNAH 32.07N 81.06W
05/22/2022 U0.00 INCH CHATHAM GA SOCIAL MEDIA
SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEOS SHOW MINOR FLOODING ON PORTIONS OF
EAST PRESIDENT STREET AND SOME SURROUNDING STREETS IN
SAVANNAH, GA.
&&
EVENT NUMBER CHS2200525Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
345 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022
GAZ114-222015-
Tattnall-
345 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF TATTNALL COUNTY...
At 345 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm near Santa Claus, or 7 miles west of Reidsville,
moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar Indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
Reidsville, Collins, Manassas and Gordonia Altamaha State Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify. Be certain to monitor local radio and TV
stations as well as local cable TV outlets for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3211 8220 3216 8218 3220 8219 3226 8202
3215 8199 3209 8198 3208 8197 3203 8196
3202 8221
TIME...MOT...LOC 1945Z 257DEG 23KT 3210 8226
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
413 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022
GAZ114-115-222045-
Evans-Tattnall-
413 PM EDT Sun May 22 2022
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF EVANS AND TATTNALL
COUNTIES...
At 413 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Collins to near
Mendes, and moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar Indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Some locations in the path of these storms include...
Claxton, Hagan, Collins, Daisy, Bellville and Manassas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms may intensify. Be certain to monitor local radio and TV
stations as well as local cable TV outlets for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3228 8199 3227 8193 3228 8191 3227 8189
3225 8186 3204 8182 3202 8207 3224 8213
TIME...MOT...LOC 2013Z 259DEG 14KT 3222 8207 3204 8200
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPHThe Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 90 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:22 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Evans County dispatch reported a tree down on Red Clay Road.
Evans County dispatch reported a tree down near the intersection of Kennedy Bridge Road and Old Anderson Church Road.
A tree was reported down and blocking the southbound lane of Highway 169 between James O Water Road and Highway 301.
Bulloch County dispatch reported a large tree down on D Anderson Road.
Evans County dispatch reported several trees down along a 4 mile stretch of Nevils Daisy Road and Daisy Nevils Highway.
Multiple trees were reported down and blocking the roadway on Ivanhoe Road between Highway 119 and Mud Road.
Multiple trees were reported down and blocking the roadway on Oliver Kildare Road between Pryor Road and Simpson Town Road.
Screven County dispatch reported several trees down along Highway 21 near the Screven and Effingham county line.
Effingham County dispatch reported two trees down on Clyo-Kildare Road.
Screven County dispatch reported a tree down on Roberts Bridge Road.
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, 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: 1023874, 1023875, 1023876, 1023877, 1023878, 1023879, 1023880, 1023881, 1023882, 1023883.