Daytime heating fueled several strong to marginally severe storms across the area on both the afternoon/evening of July 7th and 8th. The hardest hit areas were across parts of east-central GA, around the town of Jefferson (Jackson County) and also over southern Oglethorpe county (July 8th).
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 FFC wrote it up.
Daytime heating fueled several strong to marginally severe storms across the area on both the afternoon/evening of July 7th and 8th. The hardest hit areas were across parts of east-central GA, around the town of Jefferson (Jackson County) and also over southern Oglethorpe county (July 8th).
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 Jul 7, 2:04 PM EST, 2 hours 48 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 304 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023 ...Afternoon Area Forecast Discussion... .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Saturday) Issued at 300 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023 Scattered showers and thunderstorms are currently ongoing across the area with coverage expected to expand and to continue through the afternoon and evening. Storms are currently subsevere and are expected to mainly stay that way, but a severe storm cannot be ruled out. The main threats with these storms are frequent lightning, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall. Since this is mainly diurnally driven, the activity is expected to decrease overnight. Tomorrow, shower and thunderstorms will be driven by a shortwave coming through the area instead of the normal summertime diurnally driven convection. With this, some models are hinting at an MCS type system to affect at least western Georgia. Models are differing in timing so confidence in convection timing is low at this time. Currently have the timing going through the area later in the evening. Parameters at this time are not overly impressive at the moment, but should this system materialize gusty winds are expected to be the main threat. Temps are overall lower like the last forecast due to the more widespread convection. Temps are only forecast to top out in the upper 80s to lower 90s with heat indices ~100 and lower, and thus away from heat advisory criteria at this time. Hernandez && .LONG TERM... (Sunday morning through next Thursday) Issued at 300 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023 Key Messages: - A Slight Risk for Severe Thunderstorms is forecast for the forecast area on Sunday, with a synoptic setup supportive of scattered severe thunderstorm in the afternoon through the overnight period. - Diurnal thunderstorms will continue each day during this typical summertime pattern with seasonally temperatures. Location specific chances will vary from day to day based on the locations of upper- level forcing and frontal boundaries. Sunday: A mid-level trough will be digging into the Tennessee River Valley on Sunday, placing the region in broad upper-level synoptic lift with a couple weak impulses possibly sweeping through. Vertical profiles show enough moisture and instability to support strong updrafts with just enough dryness in the mid-levels to support DCAPE values over 1000 J/kg, which will increase chances for localized downbursts throughout the region. While the atmosphere will be supportive of severe weather, model remain uncertain as to 'where' and even 'if' storms will form. As with any threat this time of year, storms initiating earlier than expected may spoil any severe chances, but we're getting within the window of high-res model guidance soon to evaluate the threat more effectively in further forecast package updates. Monday through next Friday: Following the upper-level trough through the Mid-West, a weak frontal boundary is expected to push into North Georgia on Monday. this boundary is likely to become a focal point for storm initiation through the early part of next week. Aloft a weak jet streak rounding the southern end of the trough will sag southward over Central/Southern Georgia on Monday, bringing slightly drier air to North Georgia to start the week, lessing precip chances in that region for a couple days. Instead, Central Georgia will have higher precip concentrations to start the week. The upper-level trough is progged to move eastward by Wednesday, returning the area to weak, northwesterly upper-level flow, and storm chances between 20-50% each afternoon. Thiem Thiem && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 140 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023 Scattered showers and thunderstorms are popping up in west Georgia while a cu field across much of the area should contribute to more widespread coverage through the afternoon in evening. Main timeframe for ATL would be 18 to 22z. Low confidence in tomorrow's convection timing but overall currently thinking a slightly later time frame then today. //ATL Confidence...18Z Update... Low to Medium confidence on tomorrow's convection timing. High Confidence all other elements. King && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 70 90 72 88 / 40 30 30 60 Atlanta 71 90 72 87 / 40 30 30 70 Blairsville 63 85 66 81 / 30 30 40 80 Cartersville 68 90 69 87 / 20 30 40 80 Columbus 72 92 73 89 / 40 30 30 80 Gainesville 70 89 71 86 / 40 30 30 70 Macon 72 93 74 91 / 40 30 30 70 Rome 70 90 71 87 / 20 30 50 80 Peachtree City 68 90 71 88 / 40 30 30 80 Vidalia 73 93 75 93 / 50 40 30 60 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...Hernandez LONG TERM....Thiem AVIATION...Hernandez
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 1053 AM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-081000- 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- 1053 AM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight... Scattered thunderstorms are expected across the area this afternoon and evening. Widespread severe weather is unlikely, although storms that develop will produce frequent lightning and heavy rainfall. A few storms may become strong and capable of producing occasional strong wind gusts. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday... Thunderstorms will be possible each afternoon and evening through next Thursday. The highest rain chances are expected to be on Sunday and Monday as a cold front moves into the region. A few storms on Sunday and Monday could become strong to severe, capable of producing strong wind gusts and hail. Otherwise, the risk for severe weather appears to be low on any given day. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
353 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023
GAZ061-073-072030-
Hancock GA-Baldwin GA-
353 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Baldwin
and southwestern Hancock Counties through 430 PM EDT...
At 353 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Devereux, or 9 miles
southwest of Sparta, moving southeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
ground lightning.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Beulah, Underwood and Devereux.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
&&
LAT...LON 3324 8290 3308 8308 3319 8324 3329 8319
3331 8315 3332 8315
TIME...MOT...LOC 1953Z 306DEG 8KT 3320 8311
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
400 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023
GAZ054>057-072030-
Fayette GA-Clayton GA-Spalding GA-Henry GA-
400 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Spalding, east central Fayette, west central Henry and south central
Clayton Counties through 430 PM EDT...
At 359 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Jw Smith Reservoir, or
near Fayetteville. This storm was nearly stationary.
HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
ground lightning.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Fayetteville, Hampton, Lovejoy, Woolsey, Bonanza, Atlanta Motor
Speedway, Jw Smith Reservoir, Inman, Irondale and Birdie.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
&&
LAT...LON 3340 8449 3350 8437 3341 8423 3331 8435
TIME...MOT...LOC 1959Z 310DEG 3KT 3342 8439
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
411 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0650 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ENE Whitesville-Pine 32.83N 85.01W
07/05/2023 Harris GA Emergency Mngr
Report of several trees down along I185
about 1 mile north of Hopewell Church Rd.
Trees were close together.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
423 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023
GAZ071-072100-
Monroe GA-
423 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Monroe
County through 500 PM EDT...
At 423 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Bolingbroke, or near
Forsyth, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind, pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
ground lightning.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Forsyth, Bolingbroke, Plant Scherer and Dames Ferry.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
&&
LAT...LON 3292 8401 3309 8400 3305 8374 3304 8373
3293 8375 3292 8376
TIME...MOT...LOC 2023Z 280DEG 10KT 3299 8384
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
450 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023
GAZ033-045-072115-
North Fulton GA-DeKalb GA-
450 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern DeKalb
and central Fulton Counties through 515 PM EDT...
At 450 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Kirkwood, or near
Decatur, moving southeast at 15 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...
Atlanta, Decatur, Grant Park-Zoo Atlanta, Candler-Mcafee, Druid
Hills, North Druid Hills, Belvedere Park, North Decatur, West End,
Virginia Highland, Sweet Auburn, Turner Field, Piedmont Park,
Kirkwood, Lakewood Park, Panthersville, East Lake, Gresham Park, La
Vista and Little Five Points.
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 3382 8433 3369 8422 3365 8427 3365 8436
3366 8436 3367 8439 3375 8443
TIME...MOT...LOC 2050Z 323DEG 13KT 3373 8434
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
456 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023
GAZ070-072130-
Lamar GA-
456 PM EDT Fri Jul 7 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Lamar County
through 530 PM EDT...
At 456 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Liberty Hill, or near
Barnesville, moving southeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind, pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
ground lightning.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Barnesville, Milner, Aldora, Johnstonville, Liberty Hill and Goggins.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
&&
LAT...LON 3318 8415 3312 8404 3310 8404 3300 8409
3307 8425 3308 8425
TIME...MOT...LOC 2056Z 297DEG 9KT 3312 8414
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHThe Atlanta radar (KFFC), 124 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:50 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous trees down across multiple blocks along Mahaffey Street in Jefferson. Approximately 10 trees down on vehicles or houses.
Approximately 30 trees down east of Maxeys in southern Oglethorpe County. Worst of damage was along McWhorter Drive where a shed was rolled over and destroyed in addition to the trees down.
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: 1125660, 1125665.