Several clusters of thunderstorms developed in the early afternoon hours along the sea breeze. A few of these storms became strong enough to produce strong wind gusts and hail.
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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.
Several clusters of thunderstorms developed in the early afternoon hours along the sea breeze. A few of these storms became strong enough to produce strong wind gusts and hail.
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 29, 2:55 PM EST, 0 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 355 PM EDT Thu May 29 2025 .SYNOPSIS... A storm complex over the Deep South will track over the area this evening, then a cold front will sweep through late Friday. High pressure will build in over the weekend into early next week. && .NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM FRIDAY MORNING/... During the mid-afternoon, KCLX detected numerous thunderstorms across SE GA/SC. The earlier storms were generally focused on the sea breeze and approaching outflow boundary from the west. Since the storms have formed numerous outflow boundaries with DCAPE ranging from 500-1000 J/kg. Numerous to widespread thunderstorms will remain through late this afternoon. Ongoing storm activity has used up some of the surface based instability, however, pockets of 2500 J/kg remain across portions of the forecast area. Given the localized moderate instability, some storms this afternoon and evening may produce strong to severe wind gusts and hail. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch could be needed through this evening. In addition, storm motions have remained below 25 mph. Given cell mergers and some short-term training, these storms could produce localize rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches, possibly higher. The heavy rainfall could lead to roadway flooding, especially across the coastal cities of Charleston and Savannah. Tonight, the atmosphere should generally become worked over by midnight. Isolated showers and storms could linger into the late night. Low temperatures are forecast to range from the mid 60s inland to near 70 along the coast. && .SHORT TERM /6 AM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY/... Friday: A longwave upper trough with an embedded shortwave will approach the southern Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas, which will eventually push a cold front through the area Friday night. Moisture seems to be on a downward trend the last few days, however still expecting PWATs to increase from 1.3 inches in the morning to around 1.75 inches by late afternoon ahead of the front. Similarly, MLCAPE values have decreased but are expected to peak around 800-900 J/kg. Wind fields are fairly strong though with 0-6 km bulk shear of 35-45 kt. There could be some residual showers from the previous night lingering mainly offshore or along the coast in the morning hours, however most locations over land look rain-free with soundings showing decent subsidence. Models depict a line of scattered showers and thunderstorms with some organization approaching from the northwest, sweeping through the area Friday afternoon/evening. A few storms could become severe with damaging winds and large hail. There are also signals that the line of storms could weaken as they march eastward toward the coast as the orientation of the front becomes slightly more aligned parallel to the flow. Regardless, rainfall should come to an end by late evening. Temperatures will peak in the mid to upper 80s before the onset of convection, becoming relatively cool overnight; dropping into the upper 50s far inland and lower to middle 60s elsewhere. Saturday and Sunday: A distinctly drier air mass will move into the area in the wake of the front Saturday. Mostly sunny skies are expected both days in addition to dew points dipping into the 50s during prime afternoon mixing hours. Highs post FROPA will peak in the low to mid 80s Saturday and a degree or two warmer for Sunday. Saturday night low temps will reach the lower to middle 60s away from the immediate coast. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/... A reinforcing cold front could move through late Sunday into Monday, potentially accompanied by a potent upper shortwave sliding by to our south. There is a small chance (less than 20%) this could bring some showers to the area, however moisture will be limited with weak surface high pressure still in place. Thereafter, ridging aloft will take shape resulting in mostly dry weather and a gradual warming trend throughout next week. && .AVIATION /20Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Prior to the 18Z TAFs, a cluster of thunderstorms was located just inland of KCHS, drifting to the ENE. The KCHS TAF will initialize with TS, then outflow boundary development should push the storm activity closer to the KCHS and KJZI terminals between 19 to 23Z, highlighted with TEMPOs. The remnant cold pool associated with an upstream MCS will likely trigger more storms as it arrives late this afternoon and evening. KSAV TAF will mention TSRA with a TEMPO from 20 to 24Z. Showers and thunderstorms will gradually decrease in coverage this evening as outflows spread across the forecast area. Thunderstorm probs should ramp down around midnight. Extended Aviation Outlook: Visibility reductions possible through Friday evening, mainly in showers and thunderstorms. Outside of convection, gusts up to 20 kt are possible Friday and again Saturday afternoon. && .MARINE... Tonight, the weather pattern will support southerly winds between 10 to 15 kts with some gust. Seas are forecast to range between 2 to 3 ft tonight. Special Marine Warnings may be needed across the CHS Harbor and Atlantic waters through this evening, wind gusts around 35 kts possible with these storms. Friday through Tuesday: SW winds will begin to increase Friday ahead of a cold front. Gusts could reach 25 kt late afternoon and continue into the overnight period. Small Craft Advisories could be needed for the Charleston County nearshore waters, including the Charleston Harbor, and the outer Georgia waters from 20-60 nm. Elevated WSW wind gusts are possible again Saturday, but should stay below 25 kt. Improvement should be underway Saturday night with no additional marine concerns through the period. && .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None. && NEAR TERM...NED SHORT TERM...BRS LONG TERM...BRS AVIATION...BRS/NED MARINE...BRS/NED
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston SC 302 PM EDT Thu May 29 2025 GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-301915- 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 Colleton-Charleston-Coastal Jasper- Tidal Berkeley- 302 PM EDT Thu May 29 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. See the Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook for more information about the following possible hazardous weather: - Severe Thunderstorm .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. See the Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook for more information about the following possible hazardous weather: - Severe Thunderstorm && The Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook can be found at: https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo/?wfo=chs
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
225 PM EDT Thu May 29 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0204 PM Flood 4 NNW Givhans 33.06N 80.38W
05/29/2025 Dorchester SC Public
Public reported 2.25 inches of rainfall at the 200
block of Eagle Drive via social media. Some roads nearby
were also reported flooded.
&&
Event Number CHS2500367
ACDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
244 PM EDT Thu May 29 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0230 PM Lightning Ladson 32.99N 80.11W
05/29/2025 Charleston SC Trained Spotter
Trained spotter reported frequent cloud to ground
lightning and heavy rains near the College Park area.
&&
Event Number CHS2500368
DAKPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
246 PM EDT Thu May 29 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0135 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 SSW Summerville 32.97N 80.20W
05/29/2025 Dorchester SC Emergency Mngr
Emergency Manager reported a power line down on the 100
block of Blythe Avenue off Bacons Road.
&&
Event Number CHS2500369
ACDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
255 PM EDT Thu May 29 2025
SCZ044-050-291930-
Dorchester SC-Charleston SC-
255 PM EDT Thu May 29 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CHARLESTON AND DORCHESTER
COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM EDT...
At 255 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Ravenel, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
North Charleston, West Ashley, Johns Island, Hollywood, Ravenel,
Meggett, Delemar Crossroads, Magnolia Gardens, Rantowles and Red
Top.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, TV or your local news
source for the latest information from the National Weather Service.
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 3285 8035 3286 8035 3295 8008 3274 8002
3270 8030
TIME...MOT...LOC 1855Z 255DEG 17KT 3278 8026
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH
BSHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
309 PM EDT Thu May 29 2025
GAZ088-101-SCZ040-042-291945-
Effingham GA-Screven GA-Allendale SC-Hampton SC-
309 PM EDT Thu May 29 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EFFINGHAM...SCREVEN...ALLENDALE
AND HAMPTON COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM EDT...
At 309 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Shirley, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny 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...
Lake Warren State Park, Estill, Gifford, Furman, Scotia, Luray,
Lena, Shirley, Garnett and De Loach.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, TV or your local news
source for the latest information from the National Weather Service.
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 3256 8132 3254 8135 3267 8149 3291 8120
3274 8103
TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 232DEG 19KT 3265 8135
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH
BSHPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
313 PM EDT Thu May 29 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0238 PM Hail 5 SW Pritchardville 32.20N 81.03W
05/29/2025 M0.75 inch Jasper SC Fire Dept/Rescue
Fire Dept personnel reported dime size hail at Levy
Fire Station.
&&
Event Number CHS2500370
DAKThe Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 56 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:55 UTC.
1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Local broadcast media relayed a video via social media of penny sized hail along Highway 30 near Kolic Helmey Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, May 2025
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: 1263833.