Clusters of strong thunderstorms developed in the late afternoon hours ahead of a cold front across central Georgia. These thunderstorms then tracked to the east through the evening into southeast Georgia and produced damaging wind gusts.
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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 CHS wrote it up.
Clusters of strong thunderstorms developed in the late afternoon hours ahead of a cold front across central Georgia. These thunderstorms then tracked to the east through the evening into southeast Georgia and produced damaging wind gusts.
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 Jul 30, 5:43 PM EST, 21 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 643 PM EDT Sun Jul 30 2023 .SYNOPSIS... A weak cold front will sag into the region and likely stall through mid week. High pressure will then return by the middle and latter part of the week. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM MONDAY MORNING/... High resolution, 1-min GOES-E visible imagery and RAP soundings show the atmosphere is somewhat capped over the area with little vertical development noted in a meager cumulus field. Forcing for ascent, currently supporting numerous showers/tstms across central and southern Georgia up into the Midlands of South Carolina, will overspread the area over the next few hours as shortwave energy propagating across Georgia draws closer. While mixed-layer instability will gradually wane after sunset, forcing with the shortwave looks strong enough to keep convection going well into the evening hours. Pops were adjusted up a slightly for many area with the early evening update, ranging from 60-70% across the interior to 50-60% at the coast. 0-6km bulk shear will remain fairly weak through the night, only averaging 15-20 kt, so convection will remain fairly pulsy in nature with only loose organization possible along outflow collisions. A few strong to locally severe tstms will be possible through midnight, but widespread severe weather seems unlikely at this time. Lows from the lower 70s inland to the upper 70s at the beaches look on track. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Low pressure aloft will be positioned well to the north of New England, while ridging builds in across TX. This will put the region within a northwestern flow regime through around mid- week. With the northwestern flow moisture will not be abundant, however a weak cold front will droop into the region on Monday and linger in the vicinity through the middle of the week. Forcing from the weak front, as well as a possible shortwave rippling through aloft, will likely be enough to support isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday afternoons. The greatest coverage will likely be Monday afternoon as the front sags into the area. Additionally a strong to severe thunderstorm cannot be ruled out Monday afternoon. Forecast soundings depict CAPE values around 1200 J/kg as well as shear values around 25 knots. By Wednesday only isolated showers and thunderstorms are forecast as the front slowly moves further away. Temperatures each day are expected to reach into the low to mid 90s, warmest south of I-16 in GA. Overnight lows will generally be in the low to mid 70s. && .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/... The low aloft north of New England is forecast to weaken as the ridging over TX builds into the southeastern states. This will result in a warming trend along with slightly lower POPs. Generally isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible in the afternoons, with POPs peaking around 30%. Temperatures near normal on Thursday will likely warm to above normal by the weekend. && .AVIATION /00Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... 31/00z TAFs: There will be a risk for tstm impacts at KCHS, KJZI and KSAV through mid-evening as a shortwave approaches from the west. Best impact probabilities are at KSAV where a cluster of tstms is about 2 hours away from that terminal at 2240z. TEMPO groups will be highlighted at all 3 terminals for MVFR conditions, roughly 00-03z at KSAV and 01-04z at KCHS and KJZI. Last minute adjustments may be needed prior to issuance time per latest KCLX radar trends. Briefly lower conditions, possibly below alternate minimums, my occur, especially in vsbys, but these conditions should not last too long (generally < 1 hr). Overnight, expect generally VFR conditions. A brief stint at fog/stratus could occur, especially at KSAV, but it should be right at sunrise and should be fairly brief if it occurs. Extended Aviation Outlook: Brief flight restrictions are possible with isolated/scattered thunderstorms each afternoon. && .MARINE... Tonight: A cold front will approach from the northwest and north this evening. It's forecasted to move south, shifting through our SC waters late tonight and becoming located near the SC/GA border around daybreak Monday. No Small Craft Advisories are expected. Ahead of the front, winds will generally be from the S to SW. They'll veer with time, generally becoming WNW by daybreak Monday across our Charleston waters, and the W across across our remaining SC and GA waters. Seas will average 2-3 ft within 20 nm and 3-4 ft for the GA waters beyond 20 nm. Also, a line of storms is expected to cross through the waters later this evening, bringing brief gusty winds. It's not out of the question we may need Marine Weather Statements or Special Marine Warnings. Monday through Friday: A weak front will sag into the marine waters Monday, with variable winds generally around 10 knots. Seas should average 2 to 3 ft. Surface high pressure is forecast to build into the area through mid-week while the weak front remains in the vicinity of the marine waters. NE winds, generally around 10 knots are forecast, with seas 2 to 3 ft. The surface high pressure will meander to the north later in the week, shifting the winds from NE to SW, 10 to 15 knots. Seas will continue to average 2 to 3 ft. && .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... Astronomical tides will gradually rise each day through Thursday. There could be several high tide cycles where levels reach minor coastal flooding levels, staring Monday evening and then each evening until Thursday at Charleston Harbor. Below are the high tides of concern at Charleston Harbor (time and astro tide): Day High Tide Astro Tide Monday 748 PM 6.52 ft Tuesday 843 PM 6.66 ft Wednesday 937 PM 6.67 ft Thursday 1031 PM 6.55 ft Tides are not expected to reach coastal flood levels at Fort Pulaski. && .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston SC 410 AM EDT Sun Jul 30 2023 SCZ049-050-310815- Coastal Colleton-Charleston- 410 AM EDT Sun Jul 30 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Severe Thunderstorms: There is the risk for isolated severe weather late today into tonight. Damaging winds are the most likely weather hazard between 5 PM and 12 AM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Coastal Flooding: Minor coastal flooding will be possible with the evening high tide cycles beginning Monday. A Coastal Flood Advisory could be needed. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time. GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047-048-051-052- 310815- 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-Dorchester-Inland Berkeley- Inland Jasper-Beaufort-Coastal Jasper-Tidal Berkeley- 410 AM EDT Sun Jul 30 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Severe Thunderstorms: There is the risk for isolated severe weather late today into tonight. Damaging winds are the most likely weather hazard between 4 PM and 12 AM. .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. AMZ330-350-352-354-374-310815- 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- 410 AM EDT Sun Jul 30 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Severe Thunderstorms: There is the risk for isolated severe weather late today into tonight. Damaging winds are the most likely weather hazard between 5 PM and 12 AM. .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
635 PM EDT Sun Jul 30 2023
GAZ087-302300-
Jenkins-
635 PM EDT Sun Jul 30 2023
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF JENKINS COUNTY...
At 635 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Perkins to near
Butts, and moving southeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph and excessive cloud to ground
lightning.
SOURCE...Radar Indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. All outdoor activities should
cease. Move indoors immediately.
Some locations in the path of these storms include...
Millen, Butts, Emmalane, Perkins, and Scarboro.
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 3292 8208 3292 8195 3295 8186 3294 8183
3295 8182 3293 8178 3291 8177 3269 8187
3266 8186 3265 8184 3261 8201 3263 8204
3290 8210
TIME...MOT...LOC 2235Z 293DEG 21KT 3291 8205 3266 8198
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
652 PM EDT Sun Jul 30 2023
GAZ087-088-099-100-302315-
Bulloch-Jenkins-Candler-Screven-
652 PM EDT Sun Jul 30 2023
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF SCREVEN, BULLOCH,
JENKINS AND CANDLER COUNTIES...
At 652 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Scarboro to
near Twin City, and moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph and excessive cloud to ground
lightning.
SOURCE...Radar Indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. All outdoor activities should
cease. Move indoors immediately.
Some locations in the path of these storms include...
Sylvania, Portal, Rocky Ford, Woodcliff, Altman, Hopeulikit, and
Scarboro.
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 3252 8215 3255 8210 3256 8207 3254 8203
3261 8200 3266 8206 3280 8191 3277 8156
3240 8190 3246 8219
TIME...MOT...LOC 2252Z 277DEG 21KT 3273 8192 3252 8211
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPHThe Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 74 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:04 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Screven County dispatch reported a tree down along Thomasboro Road.
Bulloch County dispatch reported a tree down on power lines which caught fire near the intersection of Highway 25 and Rocky Ford Road.
Bulloch County dispatch reported a tree down near Rocky Ford Road and Moore Road.
Bulloch County dispatch reported a tree down near Lakeview Road and Middle Ground Road.
Bulloch County dispatch reported a tree down near Highway 80 and Burkhalter Road.
Screven County dispatch reported a tree down along Millhaven Road.
Screven County dispatch reported a tree down along S Old River Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, July 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: 1123985, 1123982, 1123984, 1123983, 1123986, 1123987, 1123988.