Scattered to numerous thunderstorms developed across southeast Georgia in the early afternoon hours near a subtle surface trough. A few of these storms became strong enough to produce large hail.
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 CHS wrote it up.
Scattered to numerous thunderstorms developed across southeast Georgia in the early afternoon hours near a subtle surface trough. A few of these storms became strong enough to produce large 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 8, 10:29 AM EST, 2 hours 45 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Charleston SC 1129 AM EDT Thu May 8 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Expect unsettled, wet weather to continue through the weekend as a front remains stalled nearby and a strong upper-lvl low situates itself over the Gulf States. Below normal temperatures can be expected over the next couple days. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Limited rainfall coverage late this morning with only a small area of moderate rainfall passing from the Midlands to the Pee Dee and inland portions of the Charleston Tri-County area. Overall, previous forecast remains on track with minimal adjustments to POP trends. Previous Discussion: Today: Aloft, westerly flow will prevail across the area which will be south of a trough that stretches from the Great Lakes region back into the Central Plains. At the surface, the pattern remains rather weak and ill-defined with a subtle boundary still lingering across south GA. Overall, it is very difficult to have much confidence in rain chances due to the nebulous setup and the subtle nature of any forcing to initiate convection. Hi-res models are all quite different especially from the early morning through midday. If there is some slight consensus, its that there could be an area of light rain or light showers that breaks out just after sunrise and gradually tracks to the east. Overall, expect very little (if anything) from this and it is hard to justify anything other than 20 percent chances. There is a bit more agreement in the afternoon, seemingly favoring southeast GA yet again for the best coverage. This appears to be where some low-level ThetaE ridging sets up along with the most unstable profiles. We have highlighted this area with 60 percent chances. There could be a low end severe threat as well, with potential MLCAPE values approaching 2,000 J/kg as temperatures warm into the mid to upper 80s. However, wind profiles aren't particularly impressive. But there could be a strong to marginally severe storm or two, especially as outflow boundaries interact. Expect another afternoon with temperatures in the low to mid 80s just about everywhere, with some upper 80s across southeast GA. Tonight: Any late afternoon convection should dissipate through the evening and there should be a period of little to no activity into the early morning hours. Then for the late night, confidence remains low regarding shower activity thanks to the subtle setup. There are some suggestions that convection upstream across the SC Midlands could try to push into the area late and we have generally shown rain chances increasing into the 20-30 percent range. Lows are forecast to range in the low to mid 60s. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Friday: As an upper-lvl low situates itself over the Gulf States, an associated cold front will pass through the region in the evening. A good amount of guidance indicates showers and thunderstorms developing in the afternoon (~19-20Z) along the sea breeze. With decent surface heating throughout the day, it is possible to see ~1500-2000 J/kg MLCAPE values in the afternoon. 00Z HRRR soundings pointed towards ~2000 SBCAPE values in the afternoon as well. Strong mid-lvl winds along the Eastern Seaboard could promote a couple isolated organized storms to develop. Given the unstable environment ahead of the sea breeze, SPC has placed the region under a MRGL risk for severe thunderstorms today. Damaging winds and the potential for large hail (given the modest mid-lvl lapse rates) will be possible with these storms. Along with the severe threat, WPC continues to highlight the region under a marginal risk for excessive rainfall. With PWAT values ranging ~1.30-1.50 inches and extremely moist southwesterly flow being advected into the region, decent amounts of rainfall could be seen. Rainfall amounts for Friday range from 0.50 to 1.25 inches, with most precipitation falling in southeast Georgia. However, due to the relatively dry antecedent conditions, the overall flash flooding threat remains on the lower side. Expect temperatures to be near normal on Friday. Southerly winds could become quite gusty along the coastline in the evening with the seabreeze and the cold front approaching. Expect highs to climb into the low to mid 80s (with temps. cooler along the beaches). Friday night: As the cold front passes through the region, any remaining showers and thunderstorms should push offshore. Cloud cover will keep temperatures warmer than usual with low to 60s inland and upper 60s along the coast. Saturday: This upper-lvl low will continue to park itself across the Gulf States and push rich moisture into the Southeast. At the surface, stationary front will linger nearby and promote showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. Highest confidence in severe thunderstorms development will be along the sea breeze in the afternoon. There is potentially to see precip. amounts from 1.0 to 1.50 inches and WPC highlighted the entire region under a marginal risk for excessive rainfall again. Given the overall pattern, temperatures will be below normal for this time of year with highs only reaching into the low to mid 70s with pockets of upper 70s in southeast Georgia. Northeasterly winds will likely become gusty again in the afternoon as the sea breeze develops and pushes inland. Sunday: Sort of a continuation of Friday and Saturday .. an unsettled and rainy pattern persists for Sunday. Showers and thunderstorms will continue to develop while a frontal boundary lingers nearby. It's too far out to tell if there will be any severe threat with these storms. However, with ample moisture present, it'll be another day of heavy rainfall and not surprisingly .. WPC highlighted the entire region under a marginal risk for excessive rainfall again. Rainfall amounts range from 1.0 to 1.50 inches across most of the region with southeast Georgia potentially seeing +2 inches of rainfall. Temperatures will be below normal again for this time of year. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Expect this unsettled, wet pattern to persist Sunday night into Tuesday night. The cutoff low will finally begin to slowly shift northeastward Monday afternoon and place the region in favorable location for strong upper-lvl divergence. This combined with deep tropical moisture continuing to pool in from the Gulf, will cause multiple rounds of potentially heavy showers and thunderstorms to impact the region on Monday and Tuesday. There is potential to see rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches in some spots throughout this period. However, due to the recent drought conditions, it will take quite a bit of rainfall to produce any significant flooding issues. On Wednesday, drier air will begin to filtrate through the region and allow this rainy pattern to finally come to an end. Expect temperatures to be near and below normal for this time of year. && .AVIATION /15Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... KCHS and KJZI: The 12z TAF period begins with VFR conditions and current expectations are that this will continue through most of the day. An area of light showers is progressing through southeast GA and could approach the terminals mid to late morning. While there is a low chance of brief MVFR conditions, confidence is low. For the afternoon, convection is expected to be isolated in coverage and we do not have a mention of anything in the TAF's. Showers could again move into the area late tonight near the end of the TAF period. KSAV: An area of showers is steadily moving towards the terminal and could reach the area shortly after 12z. Some MVFR conditions will be possible as the showers move through this morning. For the afternoon, scattered to potentially numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected across southeast GA. For now we think most of the activity will remain west of the terminal, but we bring in VCSH at 20z. Extended Aviation Outlook: Expect multiple rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms associated with a nearby front to develop through the period. Periods of MVFR/IFR conditions are possible at CHS/JZI/SAV each day. && .MARINE... Today through tonight: Winds will turn onshore this afternoon with the development of the sea breeze and speeds should top out around 10-15 knots close to shore. Overnight, winds will steadily turn more southwesterly with time with speeds mostly 10-15 knots. Seas should average 2-3 feet through the period, highest overnight. Saturday through Tuesday: As this upper-lvl low approaches the region over the next couple days, a nearby stationary front at the surface will waver over the Atlantic waters. This will support unsettled weather conditions and showers and thunderstorms could possible each day. In general, offshore winds will peak ~10 to 15 kt with gusts (~20-23 kt) becoming slightly stronger with the sea breeze. Thanks to winds in the tropical easterlies, easterly swell should be on tap. Seas will be from 2 to 4 ft over the weekend and then becoming 4 to 5 ft with some 6 footers possible in the outer Georgia waters (AMZ374) on Monday and Tuesday. Therefore, Small Craft Advisories might be needed for Monday afternoon through Tuesday for AMZ374. && .CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... GA...None. SC...None. MARINE...None. && NEAR TERM...BSH/CEB SHORT TERM...Dennis LONG TERM...Dennis AVIATION...BSH/Dennis MARINE...BSH/Dennis
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston SC 1048 AM EDT Thu May 8 2025 GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>052-091500- 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- 1048 AM EDT Thu May 8 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today 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: - Excessive Rainfall && The Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook can be found at: https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo/?wfo=chs
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Charleston SC 121 PM EDT Thu May 8 2025 SCZ043-048-049-081800- Inland Colleton SC-Beaufort SC-Coastal Colleton SC- 121 PM EDT Thu May 8 2025 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT BEAUFORT AND COLLETON COUNTIES UNTIL 2 PM EDT... At 121 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over White Hall, moving southeast at 10 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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... Green Pond, White Hall, Ashepoo, Nemours Plantation and Blake. 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. && LAT...LON 3266 8080 3280 8070 3271 8048 3255 8059 TIME...MOT...LOC 1720Z 305DEG 9KT 3269 8067 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH CB
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Charleston SC 153 PM EDT Thu May 8 2025 GAZ099-100-115-081845- Candler GA-Bulloch GA-Evans GA- 153 PM EDT Thu May 8 2025 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CANDLER...EVANS AND BULLOCH COUNTIES UNTIL 245 PM EDT... At 153 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Pulaski, moving southeast at 15 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... Statesboro, Claxton, Pulaski, Register, New Hope, Adabelle, Kennedy Pond, Excelsior, Edna and Jimps. This includes I-16 between mile markers 109 and 122. 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. 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 3230 8205 3242 8195 3240 8171 3213 8188 TIME...MOT...LOC 1753Z 297DEG 12KT 3233 8194 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH SST
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
208 PM EDT Thu May 08 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0157 PM Marine Tstm Wind 2 ESE Charleston 32.77N 79.91W
05/08/2025 M39 mph AMZ330 SC Mesonet
The Shutes Folly WeatherFlow sensor reported a peak
wind gust of 34 kt as thunderstorms moved across the
Charleston Harbor.
&&
Event Number CHS2500298The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 83 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:12 UTC.
5 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Video relayed via social media showed quarter sized hail on Interstate 16 near the Sinkhole Road overpass.
Penny sized hail was reported west of Blitchton.
Penny sized hail was reported near Blitchton.
Hail up to the size of nickels was reported on Colonels Island.
Hail up to the size of quarters was reported on the south end of Colonels Island.
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: 1263510, 1263511, 1263512, 1263514, 1263515.