A quasi-stationary frontal zone was meandering near the I-10 corridor in the afternoon under zonal flow aloft and passing weak short wave PVA. Cold temperatures aloft combined with shear and CAPE in the hail growth zone combined with diurnal instability and mesoscale boundary collisions to produce large hail in scattered severe afternoon and evening storms.
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 quasi-stationary frontal zone was meandering near the I-10 corridor in the afternoon under zonal flow aloft and passing weak short wave PVA. Cold temperatures aloft combined with shear and CAPE in the hail growth zone combined with diurnal instability and mesoscale boundary collisions to produce large hail in scattered severe afternoon and evening storms.
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 Apr 26, 2:11 PM EST, 1 hour 9 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 311 PM EDT Wed Apr 26 2023 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT TONIGHT... ...STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE HAIL THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING ACROSS NORTH CENTRAL FL... .NEAR TERM... Issued at 311 PM EDT Wed Apr 26 2023 Early afternoon surface analysis depicts a stationary frontal boundary positioned along the Interstate 10 corridor, with high pressure (1025 millibars) situated over coastal New England. Aloft...zonal flow prevails across the southeastern states, with a slow moving shortwave trough digging southeastward from the southern Rockies towards the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles. Subtle shortwave energy continues to stream across the southeastern states within the zonal flow pattern. A healthy cumulus field has developed over our region, with the Atlantic sea breeze boundary already developing and moving inland from area beaches. Convection will be triggered late this afternoon along inland moving mesoscale boundaries, with higher coverage expected along the I-75 corridor to the south of Gainesville during the late afternoon and early evening hours. Moisture is going to be the limiting factor to a more widespread severe weather outbreak, as PWATs will likely remain below 1.5 inches at most locations through tonight. However, cold temperatures aloft and colliding mesoscale boundaries will result in isolated to widely scattered convective coverage this afternoon for locations west of the I-95 corridor, and also mostly south of the I-10 corridor. ML CAPE values of 1,000 - 1,500 j/kg, while Downdraft CAPE values rise to around 1,000 j/kg across north central FL later this afternoon as mid-level lapse rates steepen. There looks to be just enough northwesterly speed shear in the -10 Celsius to -20 Celsius hail growth zone for large hail potential for locations south of Gainesville, where the Storm Prediction Center has indicated an enhanced risk (level 3 out of 5) for severe thunderstorm development, with a risk for downburst winds of 50-70 mph along the I-75 corridor through early this evening, mainly across Marion County. A lack of deep layered moisture will keep coverage more isolated for locations east of the I-75 corridor in northeast FL, with another area of slightly higher coverage expected near the Alapaha and Ocmulgee Rivers in southeast GA late this afternoon through early this evening. Highs this afternoon will generally climb to the low to mid 80s at most locations, with breezy onshore winds keeping coastal temperatures generally around 80 degrees this afternoon. Thunderstorm activity that lingers into the evening hours along the I-75 corridor and near the Alapaha / Ocmulgee Rivers in southeast GA will fade by midnight. Low stratus ceilings will again develop during the predawn and early morning hours on Thursday across inland southeast GA and northern portions of the Suwannee Valley, but boundary layer winds may keep fog potential rather low early on Thursday morning. Thin cirrus cloudiness will also be increasing from the west during the predawn and early morning hours. Lows will generally remain in the low to mid 60s for inland locations, with a light onshore breeze keeping coastal lows in the upper 60s. && .SHORT TERM... (Thursday through Friday night) Issued at 311 PM EDT Wed Apr 26 2023 ...STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING... Shortwave troughing over Oklahoma will pivot eastward across the Ozarks on Thursday and then northeastward across the Tennessee Valley by Thursday night. This feature will gradually develop surface low pressure along the aforementioned stationary boundary over eastern Texas on Thursday morning, with this feature then gradually deepening as it accelerates northeastward towards the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys by late Thursday afternoon and evening. This developing surface low will lift the previously stationary frontal boundary along the I-10 corridor northeastward as a warm front on Thursday afternoon and evening. Our air mass will moisten in the warm sector from southwest to northeast on Thursday afternoon as flow aloft backs to southwesterly, and a few rounds of convection will likely impact our area from Thursday afternoon through Thursday night. The first round will likely occur along the inland moving Gulf Coast sea breeze during the afternoon hours, with strong to isolated severe thunderstorms possible, especially as this activity intersects the Atlantic sea breeze boundary at locations along or just west of the I-95 corridor. Stronger activity will again be capable of producing strong downburst winds and hail. Another round of convection associated with the lifting storm system well to the northwest of our area could sweep across our region towards or just after sunset. Highs on Thursday will climb into the 80s at most locations before rainfall chances increase from west to east during the mid to late afternoon hours. Mild overnight lows in the 60s expected. On Friday, low pressure will be over the Carolinas as its associated cold front stretches southwestward through SE GA. Showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected again on Friday with some diurnal heating, lingering moisture, and lift from the nearby frontal boundary and sea breeze boundaries. Convection subsides from northwest to southeast Friday night as the weakening cold front moves through the area before stalling near the I-10 corridor. Cool, dry air filters in from the north into SE GA. && .LONG TERM... (Saturday through next Tuesday) Issued at 311 PM EDT Wed Apr 26 2023 Models coming into slightly better agreement with the next system. A strong shortwave trough digs into southeastern Texas developing low pressure at the surface along the stalled frontal boundary over the Gulf coast. The surface low then lifts northeastward Saturday night into Sunday across the SE US into the Carolinas. Meanwhile, the stalled boundary over the I-10 corridor will lift as a warm front through SE GA on Sunday. Numerous showers with embedded storms spread across the area Saturday night into Sunday. The cold front will move through the area from the northwest Sunday night into Monday bringing an end to rain for early next week. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 817 AM EDT Wed Apr 26 2023 Strong to isolated severe thunderstorms are expected to develop after 20Z this afternoon along the Interstate 75 corridor, with potential impacts to the GNV terminal expected between 22Z - 02Z this afternoon and evening. We included a PROB30 group for briefly gusty winds and MVFR visibilities during heavier downpours due to some uncertainty in timing and intensity, but we will add a TEMPO group with likely stronger winds and IFR visibilities for the 18Z TAF package if model guidance continues to trend towards higher probabilities for strong to severe thunderstorms along the I-75 corridor. Severe thunderstorms that develop later today will be capable of producing large hail and significant downburst winds. Thunderstorms should largely remain west of the I-95 corridor in northeast FL, with confidence only high enough to include vicinity coverage at VQQ after 21Z through around 03Z late this afternoon and this evening. VFR conditions should otherwise prevail at the regional terminals until overnight fog and low stratus ceilings develop at VQQ after 06Z. Light north northeasterly surface winds early this morning will shift to easterly this afternoon, with speeds increasing to 10-15 knots at the SGJ and SSI coastal terminals towards 16Z and around 10 knots at the inland terminals. && .MARINE... Issued at 311 PM EDT Wed Apr 26 2023 Stationary frontal boundary over the southeast Georgia waters will lift as a warm front Thursday afternoon into evening as its associated low pressure system lifts into the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys. Strong to isolated severe thunderstorms are expected to move over our local waters from the west, mainly during the evening hours. Stronger thunderstorms on Thursday evening will be capable of producing strong wind gusts, hail, and frequent lightning strikes. Outside of thunderstorm activity, southerly winds will briefly strengthen on Thursday night, followed by winds shifting to southwesterly on Friday ahead of a weakening frontal boundary that will stall to the west of our area on Friday night and Saturday.Low pressure will then potentially develop along the northern Gulf coast by Sunday, bringing increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms to our area on Sunday afternoon and night ahead of a strong cold front that will likely pass through our local waters by Monday. Rip Currents: Persistent onshore winds and a developing northeasterly ocean swell will create a high end moderate risk at area beaches through Thursday. Strengthening southwesterly winds should result in a low risk at area beaches on Friday. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 130 PM EDT Wed Apr 26 2023 Scattered slow moving thunderstorms this afternoon and evening along the I-75 corridor and portions of north central FL will be capable of producing localized flooding, especially for locations south of Gainesville. Widespread showers and thunderstorms are forecast from Thursday afternoon through Friday evening across our region, producing widespread 1-2 inch rainfall totals, with locally higher amounts possible. This rainfall will be mostly beneficial in nature, but downpours that repeatedly train across the same locations could result in a localized flood threat, especially at urban locations. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AMG 60 83 64 81 / 20 70 80 70 SSI 66 79 68 82 / 0 60 70 60 JAX 63 83 67 84 / 10 60 70 70 SGJ 67 81 67 83 / 0 60 70 70 GNV 63 87 67 83 / 30 50 50 70 OCF 63 89 67 83 / 60 40 70 80 && .JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AM...None. &&
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
332 PM EDT Wed Apr 26 2023
GAZ153-154-262015-
Inland Glynn GA-Coastal Glynn GA-
332 PM EDT Wed Apr 26 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Glynn
County through 415 PM EDT...
At 332 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Thalmann, or 11 miles northwest of Dock Junction, moving southeast at
15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel 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...
Dock Junction and Thalmann.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3133 8172 3138 8165 3123 8145 3115 8168
TIME...MOT...LOC 1932Z 330DEG 13KT 3133 8165
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
KBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
332 PM EDT WED APR 26 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0331 PM HAIL 2 ENE HOMELAND 30.87N 81.99W
04/26/2023 E1.75 INCH CHARLTON GA TRAINED SPOTTER
MULTIPLE HAIL SIZES...LARGEST ESTIMATED TO
BE GOLF BALL SIZE.
&&
ACSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
345 PM EDT Wed Apr 26 2023
FLZ024-GAZ264-364-262030-
Inland Nassau FL-Northeastern Charlton GA-Western Charlton GA-
345 PM EDT Wed Apr 26 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Nassau
and east central Charlton Counties through 430 PM EDT...
At 345 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from just south of Folkston to 8 miles west of
Hilliard. ovement was southeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph and nickel 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...
Hilliard and Kings Ferry.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3056 8195 3071 8210 3082 8203 3080 8187
3079 8184 3079 8180
TIME...MOT...LOC 1945Z 319DEG 7KT 3081 8201 3071 8207
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
KBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
352 PM EDT WED APR 26 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0250 PM HAIL 2 NNW MOUNT PLEASANT 31.46N 81.70W
04/26/2023 M0.25 INCH WAYNE GA PUBLIC
HAIL MEASURED AT 3/8THS OF AN INCH USING A
MEASURING TAPE.
&&
ACPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
354 PM EDT WED APR 26 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0352 PM HAIL 1 N GARDI 31.54N 81.80W
04/26/2023 E1.75 INCH WAYNE GA PUBLIC
RELAYED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.
&&
ACPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
358 PM EDT WED APR 26 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0230 PM HAIL 1 N GARDI 31.54N 81.80W
04/26/2023 E1.75 INCH WAYNE GA PUBLIC
CORRECTS PREVIOUS HAIL REPORT FROM 1 N
GARDI. RELAYED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. TIME
ESTIMATED BY RADAR. HAIL WITHIN THE GARDI,
GA AREA.
&&
ACThe Jacksonville radar (KJAX), 35 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:18 UTC.
12 hail, 5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A large tree was snapped at its base near Hilliard. A photo was shared via Social Media.
Golf ball hail was observed. There were multiple reports.
Quarter size hail was observed. The report was shared via Social Media.
Hail slightly bigger than quarter size fell near Chaffee Road South and Crystal Springs Road. Hail melted a bit before the observer took the measurement.
Quarter size hail was observed near the Intersection of County Road 215 and North Deer Road in Middleburg.
About 2 inch hail and golf ball sized hail were observed near Camp Blanding.
Quarter size hail was observed near SW 68th Court in Ocala.
FDEM reported a tree was blown down onto 2 RVs in the Arrowhead Campground. The time of damage was based on radar.
Golf ball size hail was reported at the Marion County Emergency Operations Center.
About 50 vehicles were damaged by large hail at the Public Safety Complex. There was also hail damage to about 4 homes in the area.
The FDEM Regional Coordinator reported high winds caused a structure fire and power lines were blown down in Ocala.
FDEM reported a large tree blown down onto a home. The residents were extricated by Fire Rescue.
About 1.25 inch hail fell near SW 27th Ave and SW 8th St in Ocala.
FDEM reported a tree was blown down onto a home at the intersection of NE 62nd Street and NE Jacksonville Road.
Ping pong ball size hail was reported near Archer. The hail covered the yard.
Golf ball size hail was reported along Highway 41 near the Alachua-Levy county-line.
Large hail between 2 and 3 inches in diameter was observed in Anthony. Photos were shared via Social Media.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, April 2023
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: 1092181, 1092167, 1092168, 1092169, 1092170, 1092171, 1092172, 1092257, 1092175, 1092176, 1092182, 1092258, 1092177, 1092259, 1092178, 1092179, 1092180.