Scattered thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours in a typical summertime environment. A few storms produced gusty winds with isolated impacts.
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 TAE wrote it up.
Scattered thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours in a typical summertime environment. A few storms produced gusty winds with isolated impacts. In addition, there was one fatality due to a lightning strike in Gadsden county.
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 Tallahassee, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 18, 12:44 PM EST, 30 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tallahassee FL 144 PM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024 ...New AVIATION... .UPDATE... Issued at 1105 AM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024 Radar was a bit different than how models initialized last night with showers and storms developing a bit more to the north and west. Tried to adjust the PoP grids for this morning to reflect that, but even then some of the 12Z guidance was off so opted to blend the old forecast with some of the new NBM guidance. Also trended some of the high temperatures a few degrees lower, especially over SW GA, SE AL, and the western FL panhandle. && .NEAR TERM... (Today and tonight) Issued at 225 AM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024 Continued troughiness to the north and west will allow for shortwaves to ride over the ridge currently over the FL Peninsula and the western Atlantic. This will again lead to forcing for ascent today, and when coupled with the high moisture content (PWATs around 2 - 2.5 inches) given the established southerly flow, we'll again have elevated chances for precip today. Showers and storms will begin this morning across the FL Panhandle and offshore waters and will then gradually move inland throughout the day. Forcing will be provided through the sea breeze and by mid-level perturbations. Ongoing showers and thunderstorms to our west are a few hours ahead of when high-res guidance had them initiating. We'll have to see if this early start and it's associated cloud cover leads to reduced rain chances throughout the day for inland areas. Nonetheless, activity is expected to be diurnally forced, thus winding down around sunset. Expect daytime highs generally in the low to mid 90s with overnight lows generally in the mid to upper 70s. && .SHORT TERM... (Friday through Saturday night) Issued at 225 AM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024 Broad upper level troughing will extend from southeastern Canada southwestward into the western Gulf and will serve as the weakness between an upper high over the four corners and the Bermuda ridge to our east. To begin Friday, a weak frontal boundary will stretch across our western zones then move back north during the day while continuing to weaken. Will want to keep an eye on the location of the front Friday afternoon for heavier rain locations which may favor southeast Alabama. Otherwise, PWATs continue in the 1.8-2.5 range with widespread 60-80% rain chances each day. Localized pockets of flooding could occur in areas of slow moving or training of storms. Highs both days will be in the low to mid 90s. && .LONG TERM... (Sunday through Wednesday) Issued at 225 AM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024 Troughing in the southeast US weakens and pushes back northwestward as the Atlantic ridge builds back westward into the area beginning Sunday. Rain chances are slightly less Sunday and Monday but not by much. There is some low to mid level drier air on cross sections through our area which may lessen coverage and thus slightly lower rain chances. A tropical wave and increase in moisture arrives Tuesday and Wednesday with a return to a more widespread coverage of convection. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 138 PM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024 A scattered showers and thunderstorms are being observed over the eastern half of the service area, west of TLH and ABY. Behind it, some storms are forming to the southwest over the Gulf. Confidence is particularly low with any additional development behind this line though due to models not initializing well. Added some VCTS into KECP, KABY, and KTLH for the rest of the afternoon, but there is a chance it could stay dry. Lower vis and cig are possible with storms, otherwise VFR conditions prevail. Tomorrow will bring renewed chances for showers and storms. Added vcts to TLH and ECP after 10Z. && .MARINE... Issued at 225 AM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024 Favorable marine conditions will continue through early next week. Light to occasionally moderate south to southwesterly winds are expected thru this weekend before turning more southeasterly early next week. Seas will generally run less than 2 feet. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop during the early morning hours each day. Suddenly higher winds, frequent lightning, waterspouts, and increased seas are possible in the vicinity of any storms. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 225 AM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024 Morning and afternoon showers and thunderstorms are once again on tap for today and tomorrow. Other than erratic directional wind changes around thunderstorms, there are currently no fire weather concerns. Fair to good dispersions are expected. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 225 AM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024 Unsettled weather will continue over the next week with generally 1.5-3 inches of rainfall in our area with locally higher amounts, with the heavier side of that range favoring our western counties. Over the next two days, WPC has a marginal risk (Level 1 of 4) for excessive rainfall for areas north and west of the Florida Big Bend. Localized nuisance flooding in poor drainage areas will be possible where storms are slow moving or train over an area for an extended period of time. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they occur by calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Tallahassee 92 75 93 75 / 70 20 70 30 Panama City 89 79 89 79 / 90 50 80 60 Dothan 92 74 89 73 / 90 50 90 50 Albany 92 74 92 73 / 70 50 80 40 Valdosta 92 75 95 75 / 60 30 60 30 Cross City 92 75 94 75 / 60 20 70 30 Apalachicola 88 80 89 80 / 90 30 70 60 && .TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AL...None. GM...None. && NEAR TERM...Oliver SHORT TERM...Scholl LONG TERM....Scholl AVIATION...KR MARINE...Scholl FIRE WEATHER...Oliver HYDROLOGY...Scholl
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
113 PM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024
GAZ158-159-181800-
Brooks GA-Thomas GA-
113 PM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL THOMAS AND BROOKS
COUNTIES THROUGH 200 PM EDT...
At 113 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Boston, or 12 miles east of Thomasville, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Quitman, Boston, Pavo, Morven, Barwick, Dixie, Thomasville Municipal
A/P, Barney, Dillon, Patten, Eason, Oaklawn, Pidcock, Brooks Co A/p,
Blue Springs, Hollis, and Newark.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3083 8338 3083 8341 3081 8343 3082 8345
3077 8345 3075 8348 3069 8345 3077 8388
3084 8392 3093 8392 3102 8347 3095 8343
3090 8344 3089 8342 3088 8337 3086 8336
TIME...MOT...LOC 1713Z 265DEG 12KT 3086 8377
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
71-BUNKERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
138 PM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024
FLZ018-019-028-181815-
Inland Taylor FL-Inland Jefferson FL-Madison FL-
138 PM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN TAYLOR...CENTRAL
JEFFERSON AND SOUTHWESTERN MADISON COUNTIES THROUGH 215 PM EDT...
At 138 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles south of Monticello, moving east at 5 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Iddo, Moseley Hall, Ebb, Lamont, Eridu, Cabbage Grove, Thomas City,
Lake Bird, Wacissa, Wacissa Springs, Sirmans, Shady Grove, and
Hopewell.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3011 8375 3032 8408 3034 8408 3039 8390
3047 8387 3044 8338
TIME...MOT...LOC 1738Z 277DEG 5KT 3032 8389
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
71-BUNKERSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
154 PM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024
FLZ018-019-GAZ159-160-181830-
Inland Jefferson FL-Madison FL-Brooks GA-Lowndes GA-
154 PM EDT Thu Jul 18 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON...
NORTHERN MADISON...SOUTHWESTERN LOWNDES AND SOUTHEASTERN BROOKS
COUNTIES THROUGH 230 PM EDT...
At 154 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles east of Monticello, moving northeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Madison, Greenville, Dills, Aucilla, Cherry Lake, Hamburg, Pinetta,
Lovett, Nankin, Empress, Clyattville, Hanson, and Ashville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3047 8380 3065 8379 3071 8331 3044 8331
TIME...MOT...LOC 1754Z 224DEG 8KT 3050 8373
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
71-BUNKERThe Tallahassee radar (KTLH), 68 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:13 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was blown down at the intersection of South Quitman Highway and Bright Proctor Road.
A power line was blown down at Jefferson Road and Mahan.
A tree was blown down on Lake Road.
At 3:30 pm EDT on July 21, 2024, an employee working as a roofer for a roofing contractor was installing a single ply roof over an existing metal roof when a storm approached. As the crew was covering up their tools, the employee was struck by lightning. The employee died from multiple injuries due to the lightning strike.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning, Gadsden | 2024-07-21 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, July 2024
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: 1191839, 1191841, 1191842, 1280654.