Georgia, 2026

Damaging Wind in Georgia, June 29, 2026

June 29, 2026 · NWS GSP · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Isolated thunderstorms developed over northeast Georgia during the late afternoon. One of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts in Stephens County.

Where it happened

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
1

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS GSP wrote it up.

Isolated thunderstorms developed over northeast Georgia during the late afternoon. One of the storms produced brief damaging wind gusts in Stephens County.

What forecasters said that day

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 Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 29, 12:35 PM EST, 4 hours 4 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1. Another round of scattered showers and thunderstorms is possible west of I-26 this afternoon and evening, with one or two storms potentially becoming strong to severe. 2. Heat risk will steadily increase through the week, with heat indices likely exceeding 100 degrees across much of the Piedmont and foothills, especially by mid to late week. Daily thunderstorms will also be possible across the mountains.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 29, 12:35 PM EST, 4 hours 4 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
135 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Updated the aviation discussion for the 18Z TAFs.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1. Another round of scattered showers and thunderstorms is possible
west of I-26 this afternoon and evening, with one or two storms
potentially becoming strong to severe.
2. Heat risk will steadily increase through the week, with heat
indices likely exceeding 100 degrees across much of the Piedmont
and foothills, especially by mid to late week. Daily thunderstorms
will also be possible across the mountains.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Key message 1: Another round of scattered showers and thunderstorms is
possible west of I-26 this afternoon and evening, with one or two
storms potentially becoming strong to severe.

A stout upper ridge continues to build in across the Deep South into
the Tennessee Valley. On the eastern flank of the ridge, deep-layer
northerly flow is in place over the Southern Appalachians. Low-level
convergence has fostered a plume of deep moisture and locally high 0-
3 km ThetaE air generally along and west of the I-26 corridor. Early
afternoon visible satellite imagery depicts a deepening cumulus
field within this plume of moisture with convective initiation to
follow shortly thereafter. Coverage may remain limited and
predominately scattered, but the environment will be conducive to a
few of these storms potentially becoming strong to severe. SPC
mesoanalysis depicts surface-based CAPE upwards of 4500 J/kg along
with 700-1000 J/kg of DCAPE and modest low-level lapse rates.
Locally damaging winds will be the main threat with any severe
storms along with an outside chance for isolated small hail.
Otherwise, the ongoing heat advisory for Elbert County remains in
effect until 8 PM this evening.

Key message 2: Heat risk will steadily increase through the week, with
heat indices likely exceeding 100 degrees across much of the
Piedmont and foothills, especially by mid to late week. Daily
thunderstorms will also be possible across the mountains.

The synoptic pattern will continue to amplify through the week as a
deep trough digs down the west coast while a highly anomalous upper
ridge builds from the Tennessee Valley into the Southern
Appalachians. 500mb heights and 850mb temperatures will both be in
the 99th percentile for the end of June and early July and will
support a building heat wave as we head into the 4th of July holiday
weekend. Temperatures will climb into the mid to upper 90s by
Wednesday with upper 90s to low 100s common east of the mountains
Thursday through the weekend. Mountain valleys will likely see highs
in the low to mid 90s with mid to upper 80s even across the highest
elevations.

The biggest question is whether heat indices reach advisory criteria
of 105 degrees. Historically, for temperatures in the western
Carolinas and northeast Georgia to reach the low 100s we need
relatively dry soil along with dry air. Given ongoing drought
conditions and only scattered swaths of rainfall the last several
days these conditions would appear to be met. Diving deeper into
forecast soundings, and guidance indicates a very deep and well
mixed boundary layer with mixing as deep as 700 mb on the hottest
days this weekend. This in turn results in dewpoints mixing out into
the low 60s and perhaps even the upper 50s. This has major
implications on the heat index forecast with values struggling to
reach criteria despite air temperatures in the low 100s.
Furthermore, you can never rule out a ridge riding upstream
convective complex in these setups. Even if no rain makes it into
the area convective debris clouds could wreak havoc on daytime
temperatures. That being said, while confidence in reaching advisory
criteria is moderate at best, it will still be hot and heat related
stress leading up to and through the holiday weekend needs to be
taken seriously. Those with outdoor plans, including holiday and
recreation, should prepare for several days of elevated heat risk.
Stay hydrated, take frequent breaks in air-conditioned or shaded
areas, and never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.

In addition to heat, daily afternoon thunderstorms will be possible
across the mountains where topographical influences should help to
initiate at least isolated to widely scattered storms each day. Most
of this activity should remain confined to the mountains, at least
through much of this week. As with any summer storms, a few could
become strong to severe. There are some indications that the pattern
could become more convectively active late weekend and beyond as the
upper ridge breaks down and northwest flow with embedded shortwaves
returns.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Predominately VFR conditions will prevail at
most terminals through the TAF period. An afternoon cumulus field
has developed across the area along with scattered showers and
thunderstorms, mainly along and west of I-26. As such, PROB30 groups
have been carried at KAVL, KGSP, KGMU and KAND for scattered
thunderstorms through this afternoon. Thereafter, any showers and
storms should dissipate through the evening with quiet conditions
overnight and tomorrow morning. The only other thing to watch for
will be the potential for another round of valley fog/stratus at
KAVL, but confidence is too low to warrant mention in the TAF at
this time.

Outlook: Diurnal showers and thunderstorms are expected mainly
across the mountains through the workweek. Mountain valley fog/low
stratus will be possible each morning.

&&

.CLIMATE...
RECORDS FOR 07-02

               MAX TEMPERATURE         MIN TEMPERATURE
  STATION      HIGH        LOW         HIGH        LOW
  -------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   KAVL      93 1970     65 1943     70 2018     44 1988
                1954
                1931
   KCLT     101 1931     64 1943     76 1991     56 2008
                                        1970
                                        1931
   KGSP     101 1954     66 1943     77 1931     53 1899

RECORDS FOR 07-03

               MAX TEMPERATURE         MIN TEMPERATURE
  STATION      HIGH        LOW         HIGH        LOW
  -------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   KAVL      93 1970     65 1988     70 2018     50 2008
                1897                    1931        1937
                                                    1932
   KCLT      99 1931     70 1988     76 1925     56 2010
   KGSP      99 2016     70 1988     77 1925     56 1984
                1970
                1953

RECORDS FOR 07-04

               MAX TEMPERATURE         MIN TEMPERATURE
  STATION      HIGH        LOW         HIGH        LOW
  -------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   KAVL      97 1948     68 1976     70 2016     51 1986
   KCLT      99 1993     70 1968     76 1993     55 1933
                1955
   KGSP     100 1993     70 1988     75 2018     58 2021
                                                    1996
                                                    1933

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for GAZ029.
NC...None.
SC...None.

&&

TW

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 29, 3:38 PM EST, 1 hour 1 minute before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
438 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

SCZ101-102-104-105-292130-
Greater Oconee SC-Pickens Mountains SC-Greater Pickens SC-
Oconee Mountains SC-
438 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL PICKENS AND
NORTHEASTERN OCONEE COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM EDT...

At 438 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles northeast of Walhalla, or near Devils Fork State Park, moving
south at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Walhalla, Salem, Devils Fork State Park, Lake Keowee, Keowee Toxaway
State Park, Lake Jocassee, Jocassee Gorges, and Bad Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3502 8302 3502 8288 3474 8285 3476 8312
TIME...MOT...LOC 2038Z 006DEG 18KT 3495 8297

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

MPR
Special weather statement, Jun 29, 3:42 PM EST, 57 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
442 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

SCZ012-013-109-292130-
Laurens SC-Southern Spartanburg SC-Union SC-
442 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL LAURENS...
SOUTHEASTERN SPARTANBURG AND WESTERN UNION COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM
EDT...

At 442 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Spartanburg, or over Cedar Springs, moving south at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Spartanburg, Woodruff, Roebuck, Moore, Croft State Park, Cedar
Springs, Pacolet, Cross Keys, Pauline, and Cross Anchor.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3463 8209 3499 8195 3500 8195 3500 8194
      3499 8178 3460 8176
TIME...MOT...LOC 2042Z 010DEG 17KT 3493 8189

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

MPR
Special weather statement, Jun 29, 3:56 PM EST, 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
456 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

SCZ011-012-019-107-292130-
Laurens SC-Abbeville SC-Greenwood SC-Southern Greenville SC-
456 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL LAURENS...SOUTHERN
GREENVILLE...NORTHEASTERN ABBEVILLE AND NORTHWESTERN GREENWOOD
COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM EDT...

At 456 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles west of Laurens, or 5 miles east of Honea Path, moving south at
20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Ware Shoals, Donalds, Shoals Junction, Honea Path, and Princeton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3435 8241 3444 8239 3448 8231 3450 8233
      3450 8234 3451 8235 3451 8236 3453 8236
      3454 8224 3437 8219 3432 8229
TIME...MOT...LOC 2056Z 356DEG 18KT 3447 8230

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MPR
Special weather statement, Jun 29, 4:05 PM EST, 34 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
505 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

GAZ018-026-SCZ104-292130-
Franklin GA-Stephens GA-Greater Oconee SC-
505 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN FRANKLIN...STEPHENS
AND SOUTHWESTERN OCONEE COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM EDT...

At 505 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Toccoa, moving south at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Toccoa, Carnesville, Avalon, Eastanolee, and Boydville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3433 8339 3439 8338 3443 8338 3446 8340
      3448 8346 3468 8333 3465 8319 3435 8321
      3432 8338
TIME...MOT...LOC 2105Z 017DEG 15KT 3460 8327

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MPR
Local storm report, Jun 29, 4:13 PM EST, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
513 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0430 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 SSW Powdersville      34.75N 82.53W
06/29/2026                   Anderson           SC   Utility Company

            Power outage caused by trees on powerlines.

&&

AR
Special weather statement, Jun 29, 4:38 PM EST, 1 minute before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
538 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

NCZ501-502-504-292230-
Caldwell Mountains NC-Greater Burke NC-Greater Caldwell NC-
538 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL CALDWELL AND CENTRAL
BURKE COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM EDT...

At 538 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles west of Lenoir, or 4 miles north of Gamewell, moving south at
10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Lenoir, Gamewell, Cajah's Mountain, Collettsville, and Patterson.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3600 8166 3600 8155 3581 8154 3582 8173
TIME...MOT...LOC 2138Z 010DEG 9KT 3593 8163

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MPR

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 117 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:39 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stephens

When
June 29, 4:39 PM EST
Where
Stephens County, 2.76 mi S of Ayersville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
34.530, -83.420

County comms reported three large trees blown down on Guard Camp Rd.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Georgia in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, June 2026

Sources

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: 1351482.