A cluster of thunderstorms moved across portions of southeast Georgia during the evening hours, producing cloud to ground lightning strikes.
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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.
A cluster of thunderstorms moved across portions of southeast Georgia during the evening hours, producing cloud to ground lightning strikes.
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 May 6, 2:34 PM EST, 4 hours 56 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 334 PM EDT Mon May 6 2024 .SYNOPSIS... Atlantic high pressure will remain across the region through mid week. A cold front will move through the region late week bringing cooler conditions heading into the weekend. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM TUESDAY MORNING/... Short-wave trough axis has progressed into central Georgia this afternoon with the parent short-wave circulation moving along the Kentucky/Tennessee border. Latest SPC analysis reveals 1000-1500 J/Kg MLCAPE across the forecast area away from the coast. Pockets of convection have developed across eastern Georgia into South Carolina with some convection finally getting going across parts of the forecast area...particularly through the tri-county region. Nothing too impressively organized with the best looking convection thus far in eastern Georgia and along the Charleston/Berkeley county border. Parent short-wave circulation will migrate toward the mid Atlantic with modest troughing edging into the Carolinas/ northern Georgia tonight. Despite the general lack of precip coverage across the forecast area thus far, we still think that convection coverage will increase late this afternoon into the evening as the upper trough axis continues to push into the region in tandem with outflows from ongoing convection. We plan to maintain higher pops late this afternoon and into the evening as that unfolds. Strong-severe storm possibilities: Severe weather threat remains on the low side. Locally heavier rain is the main threat with slower moving convection. Mid level flow and resultant shear profiles remain on the marginal side through the peak heating cycle although will increase a touch heading into the evening with 0-6Km bulk shear values climbing to around 20 knots while mid level lapse rates remain generally under 6C/Km. Thus a briefly stronger storm cannot be completely ruled out with hail the main threat. Convection will runs its course through the evening. There might be some additional lingering convection moving through parts of the Carolinas late evening and overnight, although overall precip chances appear low through the overnight. A mild night is on tap with lows in the middle 60s inland to the lower 70s along the coast. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY/... Tuesday through Wednesday: Mid and upper level ridging will build across the region on Tuesday and persist into Wednesday. At the surface, the pattern will look very summer-like with high pressure over the subtropical Atlantic extending back to the west and into the region. The main story during this period will be increasing low- level thickness values and likely the warmest temperatures of the year so far (see Climate section below). Highs are forecast to reach the low 90s away from the immediate coast each day, with even some mid 90s possible for Wednesday. The good news is that dew points should mix out each afternoon, keeping heat index values only a few degrees higher than the ambient air temperatures. Thanks to the ridge and warm profiles, the atmosphere becomes less supportive of diurnal convection each day. The forecast is dry, other than a small area of slight chances in place for portions of the Charleston Tri- County region early on Tuesday. Thursday: Mostly a continuation of the warm up on Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs again forecast into the low to mid 90s. The main change is that the ridge flattens out aloft and a strong cold front will approach the region from the northwest. While the bulk of the day appears to be dry, by as early as the late afternoon upstream thunderstorms could develop and begin to move into the forecast area. The environment ahead of these storms could be supportive of a notable severe weather threat with CAPE in excess of 2,000 J/kg and deep layer shear on the order of 30-40 knots. The timing of the severe potential remains a bit uncertain, but the area remains within a 15% threat area on SPC's day 4 severe weather outlook. The highest rain chances are across the interior, 50-60 percent, ranging to just 20s along portions of the coast. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/... The Thursday night and Friday portion of the period remains quite uncertain and will depend on the progression of the cold front through the area. Some guidance would suggest that the front does not clear the forecast area and another round of convection could pass through while other guidance pushes the front further south and feature a much drier and quieter solution. Either way, the front will be offshore by Friday night and a notable airmass change is in store for the weekend. The forecast is dry and temperatures are expected to be down to right around normal for mid May, and this should continue into early next week as well. && .AVIATION /19Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... VFR conditions persist at all terminals through Tuesday morning. KCHS/KJZI: Scattered showers have developed in the tri-county area and will be impacting mainly CHS over the next several hours with a higher probability for thunder as well. Bulk of convection will likely remain inland from JZI through the afternoon. At KSAV, a few showers are possible through the afternoon hours with a better risk for showers/thunder late this afternoon into this evening. Precip coverage diminishes later this evening and overnight. There could be some ground fog at the terminals toward morning, although fog probabilities are too low to include in the forecast for now. Primarily VFR. Chances of showers and thunderstorms will increase late Thursday through Friday. && .MARINE... At the sfc, the pattern will feature high pressure from the western Atlantic to the northern Gulf of Mexico and a warm front across the Ohio River Valley. This pattern should yield south-southwest winds across the marine zones. Speeds are forecast to favor values between 10-15 kts today and tonight. Seas should range between 2-3 ft through the near term period. Beyond 50 nm, seas may build to 4 ft late tonight across the outer GA waters. Tuesday through Saturday: For the first half of the period, the pattern will be quite similar to a summertime pattern with the local waters sitting under the western edge of high pressure over the Atlantic. The result will be south to southwest flow that surges closer to the land/sea interface each afternoon and evening. For the late part of the week, this will change as a cold front approaches on Thursday and then passes through by Friday. This will support stronger winds, and possibly necessitate Small Craft Advisories for portions of the waters. Behind the front Friday night and into the weekend, winds will be northwesterly though not as strong and any ongoing advisories should end. && .TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING... The upcoming New Moon (May 8) and recent Perigee (May 5) will lead to elevated astronomical tides over the next few days. Minor coastal flooding is possible along Charleston and coastal Colleton Counties, including Downtown Charleston, during the evening high tides through Thursday. && .CLIMATE... May 7: KCHS: 93/1977 KSAV: 94/1977 May 8: KCHS: 93/1986 KSAV: 96/1986 May 9: KCHS: 95/1963 KSAV: 95/1962 && .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None. && NEAR TERM...Adam SHORT TERM...BSH LONG TERM...BSH AVIATION...Adam/BSH MARINE...Adam/BSH
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston SC 326 PM EDT Mon May 6 2024 GAZ087-088-099>101-SCZ040-042>045-047-052-071930- Jenkins-Screven-Candler-Bulloch-Effingham-Allendale-Hampton- Inland Colleton-Dorchester-Inland Berkeley-Inland Jasper- Tidal Berkeley- 326 PM EDT Mon May 6 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Severe Thunderstorms: Scattered to numerous thunderstorms will develop along and west of the sea breeze this afternoon. A couple of these thunderstorms could produce damaging wind gusts, possibly downing trees and power lines. The greatest potential for severe weather is expected inland of the Highway 17 corridor and the Interstate 95 corridor across southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina. In addition, localized heavy rainfall is possible in these areas as well. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time. SCZ049-050-071930- Coastal Colleton-Charleston- 326 PM EDT Mon May 6 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Coastal Flooding: Minor coastal flooding could occur with the evening high tide. A Coastal Flood Advisory could be needed. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Coastal Flooding: Minor coastal flooding could occur with the Tuesday and Wednesday evening high tides. Coastal Flood Advisories could be needed. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time. AMZ330-350-352-354-374-GAZ114>119-137>141-SCZ048-051-071930- 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- Tattnall-Evans-Inland Bryan-Coastal Bryan-Inland Chatham- Coastal Chatham-Long-Inland Liberty-Coastal Liberty-Inland McIntosh- Coastal McIntosh-Beaufort-Coastal Jasper- 326 PM EDT Mon May 6 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters, southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter assistance is not anticipated at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
600 PM EDT Mon May 6 2024
SCZ042-043-062230-
Hampton-Inland Colleton-
600 PM EDT Mon May 6 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF HAMPTON AND COLLETON
COUNTIES...
At 600 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Crocketville, or near Hampton, moving
southeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...strong winds 45 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar Indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects.
Some locations in the path of this storm include...
Hampton, Varnville, Islandton, Crocketville, Miley, Cummings, and
Almeda Intersection.
LAT...LON 3292 8115 3300 8104 3284 8077 3275 8103
TIME...MOT...LOC 2200Z 313DEG 25KT 3292 8105
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
JRLSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
635 PM EDT Mon May 6 2024
SCZ042-043-047>049-051-062300-
Coastal Colleton-Inland Jasper-Coastal Jasper-Hampton-Beaufort-Inland
Colleton-
635 PM EDT Mon May 6 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF BEAUFORT, HAMPTON,
COLLETON AND NORTHERN JASPER COUNTIES...
At 635 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Hendersonville
to near Tillman, 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...
Walterboro, Ridgeland, Yemassee, Grahamville, Coosawhatchie, Gardens
Corner, Tarboro, and Grays.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas. Do not drive your
vehicle through flooded roadways.
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 3287 8043 3238 8094 3251 8124 3293 8071
TIME...MOT...LOC 2235Z 253DEG 22KT 3286 8074 3253 8106
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
JRLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
708 PM EDT Mon May 06 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0645 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 N Walterboro 32.94N 80.66W
05/06/2024 Colleton SC Emergency Mngr
Two trees down reported in Walterboro. One at
Industrial Road and Jefferies Highway, the other at Otis
Road and Sunny Drive. Time estimated from radar.
&&
Event Number CHS2400237
CPMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
711 PM EDT Mon May 6 2024
SCZ044-045-070000-
Inland Berkeley-Dorchester-
711 PM EDT Mon May 6 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF BERKELEY AND
DORCHESTER COUNTIES...
...MARINERS ON LAKE MOULTRIE AND EASTERN LAKE MARION SHOULD SEEK SAFE
HARBOR...
At 710 PM EDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Harleyville, or 7 miles east of Saint
George, moving northeast 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 this storm include...
Dorchester, Harleyville, Southern Lake Moultrie, Eadytown, Cross,
Eastern Lake Marion, and Pinopolis.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Boaters on Lake Moultrie and the eastern portions of Lake Marion
should seek safe harbor immediately. If caught on the open water,
stay as low as possible and wear a personal flotation device.
Remember, if you can hear thunder you are at risk for being struck by
lightning.
Excessive cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 15 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3324 7998 3308 8047 3324 8057 3329 8049
3326 8043 3326 8036 3328 8035 3327 8030
3330 8025 3338 8024 3339 8022 3345 8022
3344 8021 3345 8021 3345 8020 3346 8016
TIME...MOT...LOC 2310Z 242DEG 22KT 3320 8045
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
JRLPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
713 PM EDT Mon May 06 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0704 PM Hail Guyton 32.33N 81.39W
05/06/2024 E0.25 inch Effingham GA Public
&&
Event Number CHS2400238
CPMPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
823 PM EDT Mon May 06 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0807 PM Hail 2 NNW Blitchton 32.22N 81.45W
05/06/2024 E0.25 inch Bryan GA Emergency Mngr
Emergency manager reported pea size hail along Eldora
Road along the Bryan/Bulloch County border.
&&
Event Number CHS2400239
CPMThe Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 51 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:28 UTC.
1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Effingham County Fire Department reported a lightning strike at a home on Taylor Drive near Guyton. The lightning strike resulted in one injury and also caused a small fire in the attic.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, May 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: 1185440.