A stationary frontal boundary as well as both a Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast sea breeze combined with plentiful diurnal instability to produce robust thunderstorms across northeast FL during the afternoon and evening hours. 8 inches and slow moving/training convection resulted in very heavy rainfall and localized minor flooding.
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 stationary frontal boundary as well as both a Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast sea breeze combined with plentiful diurnal instability to produce robust thunderstorms across northeast FL during the afternoon and evening hours. Along with isolated severe thunderstorm activity, PWATs around 1.8 inches and slow moving/training convection resulted in very heavy rainfall and localized minor flooding.
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 8, 11:15 AM EST, 5 hours earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jacksonville FL 1215 PM EDT Fri May 8 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 - Daily Thunderstorms through Monday. Today: Afternoon & Early Evening Northeast Florida. Weekend & Monday: Mainly During the Afternoon & Evening SE GA & NE FL. Isolated daily strong to severe storms possible. - Exceptional to Extreme Drought continues Wildfire Risk && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Main Highlights This Period: - Strong to Isolated Severe Thunderstorms Possible this Afternoon, Mainly for Locations South of the Interstate 10 Corridor. Stronger Storms Could Produce Wind Gusts of 40-60 mph, Frequent Lightning Strikes, Locally Heavy Downpours, and Possibly Some Hail. Rest of this Afternoon: Frontal boundary has slowed to near stalling across NE FL, generally along a line from Gainesville to Palm Coast and will be the focus for scattered to numerous storms this afternoon and evening, mainly south of the I-10 corridor, a few of which could be strong to severe with gusty winds to 40-60 mph, small hail and locally heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy skies continue across the region but a few sunny breaks will allow for Max temps well into the mid/upper 80s south of the I-10 corridor of NE FL and generally in the upper 70s/lower 80s north of the stalled frontal boundary. Tonight: Convection across NE FL should fade after sunset, with scattered shower and isolated storm activity possible area-wide through the evening hours, then refocusing across SE GA during the overnight hours, while NE FL remains mostly cloudy with patchy low clouds and fog developing towards morning. Low temps will remain above normal with lower/middle 60s across inland SE GA and upper 60s inland NE FL and lower 70s along the Atlantic Coastal Areas. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... Main Highlights This Period: - Potential for strong to severe thunderstorms this period, mainly in the afternoon hours Frontal boundary will linger west to east across NE FL through the weekend. Waves of energy are expected to move east along and north of the boundary. The combination of surface convergence along boundary, and upper waves will lead to unsettled weather for the entire weekend, bringing rounds of showers and thunderstorms. The potential will exist for a few strong to severe storms, mainly during the afternoon hours when any breaks in the clouds could lead to enhanced instability. A significant north to south temperature gradient can be expected over the weekend, due to the location of the front, and where best coverage of clouds and rain will be. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... Main Highlights This Period: - The unsettled weather will continue through Wednesday, with potential for a few strong to severe thunderstorms A cold front will move southeast across the area Monday and Monday night. The front will move through slowly, but is expected to clear to the south Tuesday. Showers and thunderstorms will accompany the passage, with a few strong to severe storms possible. Temperatures will be near normal on Monday. A northeast flow will keep temperatures below normal over eastern counties Tuesday, while readings will be closer to normal further inland. High pressure will build to the east northeast Tuesday night and Wednesday. Flow around this high will result in a east to southeast flow. The Gulf sea breeze will push inland Wednesday afternoon, prompting showers and thunderstorms across NE FL as this Gulf breeze interacts with this onshore flow. Another cold front will move southeast across the area Wednesday night into Thursday. At this time, it looks like most of the precipitation associated with this front will remain to the north. High pressure will build across the area on Friday. Temperatures will trend near to a bit above average Wednesday through Friday. && .AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/... MVFR to lower VFR CIGS will linger through the afternoon hours, while TSRA activity is expected to develop near the GNV terminal and have updated to TEMPO group for gusty TSRA activity through at least 21Z this afternoon. Otherwise after sunset, expect lower IFR CIGS to develop area-wide once again with some patchy MVFR VSBYS as well, mainly at GNV/VQQ. Higher rainfall chances develop late in the TAF period across inland SE GA/inland North FL, but may not impact the local terminals until after 18Z on Saturday. && .MARINE... A cold front will push south of the local waters today, before lifting back northward into the waters later tonight and remain in place as a stationary front this weekend. Periods of showers and thunderstorms are expected through this weekend, with strong to isolated severe thunderstorms possible. A stronger cold front will then push through the local waters on Monday. Northwesterly winds will strengthen to Caution levels late Monday evening in the wake of the frontal passage, with winds quickly shifting to northerly Monday Night and increasing to Small Craft Advisory levels on Tuesday as high pressure builds north of the region. Rip Currents: Low to Moderate risk of rip currents with surf/breakers of only 1-2 feet through Monday. Next chance of solid Moderate to High Risk of rip currents is next Tuesday with surge of Northeast winds expected. && .FIRE WEATHER... - Patchy High Afternoon Dispersions Ne Fl This Weekend - Areas Of High Afternoon Dispersions Tuesday Through Thursday A cold frontal boundary will linger across the area through the weekend, with rounds of showers and thunderstorms move east along it. A cold front will move southeast across the area Monday into Monday night. High pressure will then build to the east northeast mid week. After another front moves through on Thursday, high pressure ridging will build overhead Friday. Except for readings a little below average on Tuesday, temperatures will be near seasonal levels throughout this period. FOG POTENTIAL AND OTHER REMARKS: Significant fog is not expected Tonight or Saturday night. Daily thunderstorm chances through next Thursday. The potential will exist each day for a few mainly afternoon strong to severe storms. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AMG 63 79 66 83 / 70 80 60 80 SSI 69 79 70 80 / 60 90 50 80 JAX 68 85 69 86 / 40 80 40 80 SGJ 70 88 71 87 / 30 60 20 80 GNV 68 88 70 89 / 40 30 20 40 OCF 69 90 70 90 / 20 20 10 20 && .JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. MARINE...None. &&
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
349 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026
FLZ031-136-232-237-082030-
Eastern Alachua FL-Western Clay FL-Western Putnam FL-Bradford FL-
349 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN BRADFORD...
NORTHEASTERN ALACHUA...NORTHWESTERN PUTNAM AND SOUTHWESTERN CLAY
COUNTIES THROUGH 430 PM EDT...
At 349 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms centered over Orange Heights, or 7 miles west of
Melrose, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts 40 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...
Keystone Heights, Melrose, Orange Heights, Lake Geneva, Gainesville
Airport, Waldo, Hampton, and Putnam Hall.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 2963 8219 2968 8226 2974 8235 2983 8224
2991 8201 2969 8188 2964 8213
TIME...MOT...LOC 1949Z 243DEG 12KT 2973 8217
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SHASHYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
414 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026
FLZ132-137-232-237-082100-
Eastern Clay FL-Western Clay FL-Eastern Putnam FL-Western Putnam FL-
414 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN PUTNAM AND SOUTHERN
CLAY COUNTIES THROUGH 500 PM EDT...
At 412 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lake Geneva, or near Putnam Hall, moving northeast at 20 mph.
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...
Bostwick, George's Lake, Florahome, and Putnam Hall.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 2968 8193 2974 8199 2986 8200 2999 8172
2975 8160
TIME...MOT...LOC 2012Z 247DEG 17KT 2977 8195
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SHASHYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
429 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026
FLZ137-237-082115-
Eastern Putnam FL-Western Putnam FL-
429 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL PUTNAM COUNTY THROUGH
515 PM EDT...
At 429 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hollister, or near Interlachen, moving east at 20 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 hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Palatka, East Palatka, Orange Mills, Bardin, Hollister, Satsuma, San
Mateo, Carraway, and Mannville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 2962 8188 2970 8189 2977 8157 2964 8156
2952 8158 2953 8180
TIME...MOT...LOC 2029Z 276DEG 19KT 2967 8182
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SHASHYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
445 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026
FLZ038-137-082100-
Inland Flagler FL-Eastern Putnam FL-
445 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL FLAGLER AND
SOUTHEASTERN PUTNAM COUNTIES THROUGH 500 PM EDT...
At 445 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
capable of producing a landspout over Crescent City, moving east at
10 mph.
HAZARD...Landspouts and wind gusts around 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Gusty winds
could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured
objects.
Locations impacted include...
Crescent City and Andalusia.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 2943 8155 2948 8157 2956 8140 2942 8135
TIME...MOT...LOC 2045Z 253DEG 9KT 2946 8153
LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SHASHYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
501 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026
FLZ137-140-237-082130-
Eastern Putnam FL-Western Putnam FL-Eastern Marion FL-
501 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN PUTNAM COUNTY
THROUGH 530 PM EDT...
At 501 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
capable of producing a landspout near Lake Delancy, or 10 miles north
of Salt Springs, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Landspouts and wind gusts around 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Gusty winds
could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured
objects.
Locations impacted include...
Pomona Park, Fruitland, Satsuma, Welaka, and Lake Como.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 2946 8181 2955 8182 2961 8154 2941 8158
TIME...MOT...LOC 2101Z 276DEG 8KT 2950 8177
LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SHASHYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
507 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026
FLZ038-082145-
Inland Flagler FL-
507 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN FLAGLER COUNTY
THROUGH 545 PM EDT...
At 507 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
capable of producing a landspout over Andalusia, moving east at 10
mph.
HAZARD...Landspouts and wind gusts around 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Gusty winds
could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured
objects.
Locations impacted include...
Andalusia and Espanola.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 2942 8147 2952 8149 2961 8129 2942 8126
TIME...MOT...LOC 2107Z 257DEG 8KT 2948 8144
LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SHASHYThe Jacksonville radar (KJAX), 92 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:16 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind, 2 heavy rain, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Law enforcement reported multiple trees down across E Cracker Swamp Road And Turner Road.
Tree Reported Down On State Road 11 Near Bunnell. Time Of Event Based On Radar.
Nickel size hail was reported along Musselwhite Road near Callahan. Time was estimated by radar.
Several Large Trees were reported down on a property along Musselwhite Road near Callahan. Time was estimated by radar.
Personal Weather Station Kflsaint309 Measured A Total Rainfall Amount Of 4.69 Inches. Rain Began Around 1215 Pm. Surrounding Sites Measured 2.5-4.5 Inches Of Rainfall.
A CoCoRaHs site measured 3.40 Inches Of Rainfall Over The Past 3 Hours. Ditches were reported to be Full And Flooding Into the nearby Street.
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: 1331300, 1331304, 1331305, 1331306, 1333314, 1333315.