A slow moving upper low provided ample tropical moisture over the CWA, with lines of convection forming and pushing SE across the forecast area during the afternoon, with a secondary line forming in the evening along a cold frontal boundary. The afternoon line of convection produced an isolated severe thunderstorm across central Georgia producing damaging wind reports.
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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 FFC wrote it up.
A slow moving upper low provided ample tropical moisture over the CWA, with lines of convection forming and pushing SE across the forecast area during the afternoon, with a secondary line forming in the evening along a cold frontal boundary. The afternoon line of convection produced an isolated severe thunderstorm across central Georgia producing damaging wind reports.
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 Atlanta, GA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 26, 12:34 PM EST, 1 hour 41 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 134 PM EDT Thu May 26 2022 .PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 736 AM EDT Thu May 26 2022/ .Morning Area Forecast Discussion... SHORT TERM /Today through Friday/... Despite the complexity of the forecast and the pattern over the past few days, the forecast has been fairly rinse and repeat. Slow moving pinwheel upper low continues to stream tropical moisture northward into the southern US...and each day lines of convection form to the west and eventually translate east into GA overnight with a secondary line forming further west near the front. Challenge for today will be how the first wave impacts the airmass for the second wave expected this evening closer to the cold front. SPC has introduced a slight risk, mainly for wind, associated with the waves of convection anticipated this afternoon and evening. Many uncertainties are associated with any severe threat due to the impacts of both low clouds and any prior convection...making todays threats conditional, but certainly possible. Short term CAMS suggesting enough instability will be present late AM to pose a risk for storms which would suggest the blob of light rain currently over AL will dissipate enough to allow for destabilization to occur. 0-6km bulk shear sufficient (aoa 40-50kts) and increasing in areal extent through the day as the trof axis approaches. While the damaging wind threat would be the greatest, enough 0-1KM helicity exists to pose a low end tornado threat for a brief spin up...particularly this afternoon across northern GA (slight risk region northward). Per several CAMS, round 1 timing looks to be after 17z through 21z or so, with a secondary round/line coming in after 00z, however, that can easily change depending on a multitude of other factors mentioned (low cloud burnoff, cloud debris from earlier convection, rain cooled airmass etc). With the multiple rounds possible, heavy rainfall and the flooding risk will increase. WPC included much of the region in a slight risk for FF, however per collaboration, there are signals for a heavy rain event setting up across the NE GA mountains given the southerly flow and training of storms possible across that region. Despite a fairly dry runup to this event, the past few days have been wet and the airmass is very tropical owing to increased rainfall rates and runoff. As a result, we have introduced a FFA across that region of N GA. Most of the rainfall should be exiting the region by Friday AM and clouds should give way to the start of a drier Memorial Day weekend by Friday PM. stellman LONG TERM /Friday Night through Wednesday/... A dry pattern emerges on the backside of the the upper level closed low. The CWA will transition out of southwesterly flow and into northwesterly flow followed by upper level riding by Sunday. This ridge along with south to southeasterly surface flow will push highs back into the upper 80s and low 90s Sunday and Monday. Monday and onward the GFS and ECMWF are at odd with each other. Both models eventually develop an tropical wave/upper level low off the Florida Coast and move the low westward over the GUlf Coast under a very amplified upper ridge that will encompass much of the northeastern CONUS. How the work week weather plays out will largely be determined by the interaction of these two features. For now have left the NBM initialized low end PoPs for mid week. If the high remains strengthens and remains over the area will fall under SWRLY flow, but if the tropical waves moves quickly over the area we will fall under SERLY flow. Either way we ingest moisture and PWs increase. This combined with warm day time heating will likely produce summer time afternoon thunderstorms. Forecaster #28...Pazos && .AVIATION... 18Z Update... Showers with some very isolated thunderstorms across the area this afternoon. Ceilings are mainly in the MVFR range but as the main area of precip moves in from AL they will go down in to the MVFR/IFR range. Winds are out of the South and are trying to turn to the SW. Thinking they will turn as the heavy precip moves in. Wind speeds will stay in the 8-12kt range with some higher gust to 20kt. The precipitation will end over night and the lower ceilings will lift and scatter out shortly after daybreak Fri. //ATL Confidence...18Z Update... Confidence medium to high on all elements. 01 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 77 64 81 59 / 90 90 30 0 Atlanta 75 63 79 60 / 100 80 10 0 Blairsville 70 56 73 54 / 100 90 40 10 Cartersville 74 60 79 56 / 100 60 10 5 Columbus 76 64 83 59 / 90 80 5 0 Gainesville 73 62 77 59 / 100 90 10 5 Macon 81 64 85 59 / 90 90 30 0 Rome 75 60 79 58 / 100 50 10 5 Peachtree City 75 62 81 57 / 100 70 5 0 Vidalia 85 69 84 64 / 60 70 70 5 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Friday morning for the following zones: Dawson...Fannin...Gilmer...Lumpkin...Pickens...Towns...Union... White. && SHORT TERM...30 LONG TERM....NListemaa AVIATION...01
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 1017 AM EDT Thu May 26 2022 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-271000- Baldwin-Banks-Barrow-Bartow-Bibb-Bleckley-Butts-Carroll-Catoosa- Chattahoochee-Chattooga-Cherokee-Clarke-Clayton-Cobb-Coweta- Crawford-Crisp-Dade-Dawson-DeKalb-Dodge-Dooly-Douglas-Emanuel- Fannin-Fayette-Floyd-Forsyth-Gilmer-Glascock-Gordon-Greene- Gwinnett-Hall-Hancock-Haralson-Harris-Heard-Henry-Houston-Jackson- Jasper-Jefferson-Johnson-Jones-Lamar-Laurens-Lumpkin-Macon- Madison-Marion-Meriwether-Monroe-Montgomery-Morgan-Murray- Muscogee-Newton-North Fulton-Oconee-Oglethorpe-Paulding-Peach- Pickens-Pike-Polk-Pulaski-Putnam-Rockdale-Schley-South Fulton- Spalding-Stewart-Sumter-Talbot-Taliaferro-Taylor-Telfair-Toombs- Towns-Treutlen-Troup-Twiggs-Union-Upson-Walker-Walton-Warren- Washington-Webster-Wheeler-White-Whitfield-Wilcox-Wilkes- Wilkinson- 1017 AM EDT Thu May 26 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight... Showers and thunderstorms will continue across north and central Georgia throughout the day. Strong storms will be likely and will be capable of producing gusty winds, frequent lightning and locally heavy rainfall. A few storms could become severe, with the primary hazard being damaging wind gusts. A Flood Watch is also in effect for portions of northeast Georgia, where localized flash flooding could occur. Widespread rainfall totals of one to three inches will be likely within the watch area, with some locally higher amounts possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday... There is a chance of isolated thunderstorms Friday. Some storms could become strong to severe and will be capable of producing gusty winds, frequent lightning, and locally heavy rainfall. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
223 PM EDT Thu May 26 2022
GAZ096-097-107-109-261900-
Laurens GA-Bleckley GA-Dodge GA-Pulaski GA-
223 PM EDT Thu May 26 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Laurens, northwestern Dodge, eastern Pulaski and Bleckley Counties
through 300 PM EDT...
At 223 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Gresston, or near
Eastman, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind, frequent cloud to ground lightning and
heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Locations impacted include...
Cochran, Eastman, Chester, Dexter, Cadwell, Chauncey, Rentz, Dubois,
Plainfield, Empire, Mobley Crossing, Roddy, Baileys Park, Rowland,
Ocmulgee Banks, Royal, Paulk, Goldsboro, Cary and Godwinsville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
&&
LAT...LON 3217 8344 3250 8340 3251 8339 3252 8335
3254 8318 3241 8298 3208 8308
TIME...MOT...LOC 1823Z 194DEG 18KT 3221 8328
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
251 PM EDT Thu May 26 2022
GAZ060-061-073-261915-
Putnam GA-Hancock GA-Baldwin GA-
251 PM EDT Thu May 26 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Baldwin, southeastern Putnam and west central Hancock Counties
through 315 PM EDT...
At 251 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Browns Crossing, or 7
miles west of Milledgeville, moving north at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind, frequent cloud to ground lightning and
heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Locations impacted include...
Milledgeville, Eatonton, Meriwether, Plant Harlee Branch, Warfield
and Browns Crossing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
&&
LAT...LON 3303 8329 3305 8340 3309 8341 3332 8341
3336 8329 3330 8320
TIME...MOT...LOC 1851Z 191DEG 20KT 3309 8335
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
257 PM EDT Thu May 26 2022
GAZ083-084-096-097-261930-
Wilkinson GA-Laurens GA-Bleckley GA-Twiggs GA-
257 PM EDT Thu May 26 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Laurens, southeastern Wilkinson, southeastern Twiggs and northeastern
Bleckley Counties through 330 PM EDT...
At 256 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Goldsboro, or 10 miles
northeast of Cochran, moving north at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind, frequent cloud to ground lightning and
heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Locations impacted include...
Irwinton, McIntyre, Dudley, Toomsboro, Danville, Montrose, Allentown,
Goldsboro, Chappells Mill, Rebie, Cary and Nicklesville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
&&
LAT...LON 3243 8315 3245 8317 3244 8319 3248 8334
3282 8328 3288 8305 3285 8303 3285 8299
3280 8295 3276 8296 3275 8294 3271 8296
3271 8293 3270 8293 3242 8309
TIME...MOT...LOC 1856Z 197DEG 32KT 3246 8320
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
311 PM EDT Thu May 26 2022
GAZ049-050-060-261945-
Morgan GA-Putnam GA-Greene GA-
311 PM EDT Thu May 26 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Morgan,
northeastern Putnam and central Greene Counties through 345 PM EDT...
At 311 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Phoenix, or 10 miles
northeast of Eatonton, moving north at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind, frequent cloud to ground lightning and
heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Locations impacted include...
Greensboro, Union Point, Siloam, Phoenix, Reynolds at Lake Oconee,
Liberty, Rockville, Veazey, Parks Mill, Carey and Swords.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
&&
LAT...LON 3337 8315 3336 8316 3335 8316 3331 8318
3336 8336 3366 8331 3366 8314 3358 8302
TIME...MOT...LOC 1911Z 201DEG 28KT 3341 8325
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHThe Robins AFB radar (KJGX), 44 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:12 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Report of trees and powerlines down near the intersection of Hwy 68 and Hwy 272.
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: 1034283.