A summer-like pattern including high CAPE/low shear and both Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast sea breezes resulted in numerous convection across interior northeast FL and southeast GA. Pockets of dry air aloft as well as cooler than normal mid level temperatures resulted in isolated severe wind gusts as well as small 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 JAX wrote it up.
A summer-like pattern including high CAPE/low shear and both Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast sea breezes resulted in numerous convection across interior northeast FL and southeast GA. Pockets of dry air aloft as well as cooler than normal mid level temperatures resulted in isolated severe wind gusts as well as small hail. Slow storm motion also produced localized very heavy rainfall.
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 Jacksonville, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 17, 12:12 PM EST, 3 hours 23 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
112 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
For the latest NE FL and SE GA Daily Key Messages please visit:
https:/www.weather.gov/media/jax/briefings/nws-jax-briefing.pdf
- High Risk Of Rip Currents through Monday
- Thunderstorms this Week - Mainly Afternoon & Evening. Today:
Isolated Strong Storms near I-75 Corridor Late Afternoon & Evening.
Tue & Wed: Inland Storms. Thu-Sat: Better storm chances focus toward
I-95 Corridor
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Main Highlights This Period:
- High Risk for Rip Currents through Monday
- Isolated Severe Storm Risk near I-75 late afternoon & evening
A very unstable airmass was developing across the local forecast
area early this afternoon with surface based CAPEs over 3k J/kg with
temps in the upper 80s to near 90 inland and juicy dew pts in the
lower 70s. Radar showed a few 'seeding' showers breaking out ahead
of the east coast sea breeze across Flagler, Putnam, Marion and
Duval counties. With further heating and sea and river breeze
boundaries developing, diurnally enhanced convection will continue
to erupt through the afternoon and expand in coverage between the
Highway 301 and Interstate 75 corridors. By late afternoon into the
early evening, sea breeze and boundary collisions are still on track
to merge near the Interstate 75 corridor where the best potential
for strong to pulse severe storms will focus. Mean layer 1000-700 mb
ESE steering flow near 10 kts will propagate cells toward the WNW,
but upper level NW anvil level flow will push some lingering
stratiform and lightning risk back toward the ESE as surface based
storms depart to the west of the region through 10 pm.
The 12z JAX RAOB displayed a more unstable airmass compared to
yesterday with a weakening and lifting low level inversion. Very
steep mid level lapse rates (7.5 C/km) were noted between 700-500 mb
with below normal 500 mb temps of -11.6 degC and stronger NW anvil
level winds. There was also a notable layer of dry mid level air.
All of these convective ingredients support an increased risk of
isolated strong to pulse severe storms this afternoon where boundary
mergers collide, especially for locations west of Highway 301 and
toward the I-75 corridor between the 5 pm and 8 pm time frame.
Thunderstorm hazards will include gusty wet downbursts of 40-60 mph
and small hail, as well as localized heavy rainfall and frequent
lightning. With storm motion of only near 10 kts and deep layer
moisture over the 75th percentile of 1.53" for locations near and
west of Highway 301, localized, temporary flooding could occur this
evening across parts of the Suwannee River Valley, with localized
high end values of 2-3 inches.
Rainfall tapers off by 10 pm as drier air invades from the east with
precipitable water content falling below 1 inch into Monday morning.
With inland rain this evening, clearing skies overnight and
decoupled winds, included patchy ground fog toward daybreak for much
of the I-75 corridor northward into SE GA, generally west of
Waycross as low temperatures fall into the mid to upper 60s inland
to low 70s coast thanks to the drier air.
&&
.SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
Main Highlights This Period:
- Showers and storms development limited on Monday. Afternoon
thunderstorms return on Tuesday along the sea breeze.
- Rip currents at area beaches will be a concern; High risk likely
through the first half of the upcoming week.
Drier air in place on Monday will limit convection, leaving mostly
sunny skies and warm temperatures. An onshore breeze will keep east
coast locations in the 80s whereas most inland spots will rise into
the low 90s. The stronger easterly winds may bring a few stray
showers onshore Monday afternoon and into north central Florida, but
overall it will be a dry day.
Tuesday, PWATs begin to increase with steering flow coming off the
Atlantic, paving the way for daily afternoon showers and storms.
Convection will mainly be limited to northeast FL on Tuesday,
particularly near the I-75 corridor where sea breezes merge, with
similar temperatures to Monday as the onshore breeze continues.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Weather Concerns this Period:
- Daily afternoon thunderstorms; best coverage and strongest storms
expected along the sea breeze mergers
- Rip currents at area beaches continue to be of concern
Precipitation chances will increase in coverage gradually each day
Wednesday onward as onshore winds continue and a front begins to
sink southward and stall over northern Georgia late this week.
Midweek, the Atlantic sea breeze will push inland, sparking up
convection mainly west of I-95 each afternoon as it interacts with
the Gulf sea breeze. By the end of the week into the weekend,
steering flow is expected to become more southerly, allowing the two
sea breezes to meet in a more central location, and increasing
precipitation chances overall this weekend.
Overall, temperatures each day will be a little above normal, in the
lower to mid 90s inland, and a little cooler near the Atlantic coast
in the mid to upper 80s.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/...
Sea breeze showers and storms will continue to blossom near and
inland of the inland progressing east coast sea breeze through 9 pm,
with the best chances of TSRA impacting VQQ now through 20z and GNV
from roughly 18-01z. Breezy ESE winds will trail the sea breeze with
dry conditions at other terminals after 19z with sustained speeds 11-
14 kts and gusts of 20-25 kts at times. Winds relax into the evening
as debris clouds fade, with dry conditions by 02z. After 06z, fog
potential increases at VQQ and especially GNV where rainfall is most
likely to occur later today. At this time, included 6 SM at GNV and
4 SM at VQQ after 08z through 12z. After 12z, VFR conditions under
ESE winds 5-10 kts and dry weather.
&&
.MARINE...
The Bermuda ridge will dominant through the week with a ridge
axis extending just north of the local waters. This pattern will
bring persistent east to southeast winds, with local wind
surges each afternoon and evening trailing the inland
progressing east coast sea breeze. Morning and midday showers
and isolated coastal storms will shift inland by mid-afternoon
with generally clearing skies across the local waters late
afternoon into the evening.
Rip Currents:
A high rip current risk continues for all local beaches through at
least Monday due to persistent onshore winds. An elevated risk will
continue through the end of the week due to prevailing ESE winds.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
- Patchy High Dispersions Into Midweek
The combination of deep mixing and sufficient southeasterly
transport winds will generate generally good to high dispersions
inland each afternoon heading into midweek. Patchy high dispersion
will be present over inland locations on Monday and Tuesday. MinRH
will be unconcerning this week, with slightly lower values inland on
Monday, however they will be above critical values. Moisture then
steadily increases each day, with thunderstorms possible each
afternoon and evening, mainly for inland northeast FL through
Thursday, then area-wide Friday through next weekend.
FOG POTENTIAL AND OTHER REMARKS: Isolated thunderstorms each day
Tuesday onward. Patchy fog possible early Monday morning inland.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AMG 90 65 89 63 / 60 40 0 0
SSI 82 72 83 73 / 10 0 0 0
JAX 88 68 86 70 / 20 0 0 0
SGJ 85 72 86 73 / 10 0 0 10
GNV 91 68 91 69 / 60 40 10 0
OCF 91 68 91 70 / 50 40 10 0
&&
.JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Risk for Rip Currents through late Monday night for FLZ124-125-
138-233-333.
GA...High Risk for Rip Currents through late Monday night for GAZ154-166.
MARINE...None.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
415 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026
FLZ021-172045-
Suwannee FL-
415 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL SUWANNEE COUNTY THROUGH
445 PM EDT...
At 414 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Mcalpin, or 9 miles south of Live Oak, moving northwest at 5 mph.
Another storm was about 3 miles north of Obrien drifting northwest.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Mcalpin.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3014 8288 3004 8289 3008 8301 3019 8317
3028 8304
TIME...MOT...LOC 2014Z 141DEG 6KT 3015 8303
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SHASHYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
416 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026
GAZ163-172045-
Clinch GA-
416 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL CLINCH COUNTY
THROUGH 445 PM EDT...
At 416 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Du Pont, or 11 miles southeast of Lakeland. A strong thunderstorm was
nearly stationary.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph, penny size hail, and excessive
cloud-to-ground lightning.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible. Excessive cloud-to-ground lightning is occurring.
Locations impacted include...
Du Pont.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3103 8297 3103 8289 3096 8276 3082 8282
3083 8285 3084 8286 3085 8292 3087 8297
TIME...MOT...LOC 2016Z 110DEG 2KT 3092 8293
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
CHANEYPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
422 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0420 PM Hail 5 WNW Mcalpin 30.16N 83.04W
05/17/2026 M0.70 Inch Suwannee FL Emergency Mngr
Emergency manager reports dime size hail.
&&
PKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
423 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026
FLZ021-172100-
Suwannee FL-
423 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL SUWANNEE COUNTY THROUGH
500 PM EDT...
At 422 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms centered Mcalpin, or 10 miles south of Live Oak,
moving northwest at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph and nickel size hail. Dime size
hail has already been reported.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Live Oak and Mcalpin.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3017 8313 3029 8299 3012 8279 3012 8280
3003 8289
TIME...MOT...LOC 2022Z 141DEG 7KT 3014 8294
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
SHASHYPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
430 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0400 PM Hail West Green 31.61N 82.73W
05/17/2026 E0.25 Inch Coffee GA Public
Several reports of pea size hail in the West
Green, GA area.
&&
PKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
435 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026
FLZ035-136-236-422-522-172115-
Eastern Alachua FL-Southeastern Columbia FL-Western Alachua FL-
Southwestern Columbia FL-Gilchrist FL-
435 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN GILCHRIST...NORTHWESTERN
ALACHUA AND SOUTHWESTERN COLUMBIA COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM EDT...
At 434 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles east of Bell, moving north at 15 mph. Another area of storms
were over northwest Alachua county moving northwest at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
High Springs and Fort White.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 2991 8283 2992 8282 3001 8260 2985 8244
2976 8258 2967 8262 2964 8276 2991 8286
TIME...MOT...LOC 2034Z 166DEG 13KT 2973 8273
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
SHASHYThe Jacksonville radar (KJAX), 130 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:34 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
EM reported nickel size hail over the SE portion of Gilchrist county. Time based off radar estimate.
Personal Weather Station Home Station - KFLLAKEC225 reported 2.51 inches of rainfall during the one hour period between 4:44 pm and 5:44pm.
Trees and powerlines were reported down along County Road 150. Time estimated from radar.
Trees were reported down along County Road 6 East. Time of event based on radar. Nearby Mesonet station 1175W 5.1 SW Belmont (WEATHERSTEM) reported gust of 47 mph at 610 PM EDT.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, May 2026
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: 1331309, 1331312, 1331314, 1331317.