A weakness in the subtropical ridge was noted across the southeast U.S., with the center of a strong subtropical ridge persisting across Texas and off the east coast in the central Atlantic.  A subtle upper trough was noted across the Mid-Atlantic region, with an extension of this trough into the southeast U.S.  A hot, humid, air mass also remained in place across the southeast U.S.  These synoptic features provided for scattered to numerous thunderstorms on the 4th of July in 2011.  Activity began quite early, namely in the late morning, and persisted until midnight across parts of north Georgia.  Cloud-to-ground lightning was particularly intense, resulting in several lightning-related fires.  Several thunderstorms also became severe during the mid-afternoon to early evening, mainly across north Georgia, producing damaging downburst winds and quarter to half-dollar-sized hail.  Extremely erratic thunderstorm movement was observed throughout this event as thunderstorms propagated on outflow boundaries throughout the afternoon and evening.  Initial thunderstorm movement/propagation was northeastward, but by the end of the day had become southeastward.  Numerous cell mergers were also noted throughout this convective event.

Lightning in HENRY, GEORGIA
From 04-JUL-11 15:20:00 to 04-JUL-11 15:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: STOCKBRIDGE
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

FOX 5 Television of Atlanta reported that two lightning-related fires occurred almost simultaneously in Henry county during afternoon thunderstorms.  A home in Stockbridge caught fire when lightning struck an adjacent tree.  The current from the lightning apparently traveled from the tree through the nearby well pump to the house causing the fire.  Significant structural damage was noted to the home as a result of the fire.

Lightning in CHEROKEE, GEORGIA
From 04-JUL-11 17:18:00 to 04-JUL-11 17:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: BALL GROUND
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Cherokee County Emergency Management Director reported that lightning struck a home one mile east of Ball Ground.  Damages were minor and confined to the electrical system.  No fire was observed.

Hail in COBB, GEORGIA
From 04-JUL-11 16:20:00 to 04-JUL-11 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: SMYRNA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained storm spotter observed penny to nickel-sized hail on Concord Road near South Cobb Drive in Smyrna.  WSR-88D radar data suggests that similar-sized hail likely fell eastward toward the Fulton county line and the Vinings area.  Two trees were also blown down in the Marietta area from this same thunderstorm.

Thunderstorm Wind in UNION, GEORGIA
From 04-JUL-11 16:30:00 to 04-JUL-11 16:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: BLAIRSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Union County 911 Center reported that several trees were down along U.S. Highway 76 west of Blairsville.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHEROKEE, GEORGIA
From 04-JUL-11 18:29:00 to 04-JUL-11 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: WOODSTOCK
Magnitude: 37.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Cherokee County Emergency Management Director reported that three trees were down at Fire Station No. 19 near Hickory Flat.  Two of the trees fell on the station and one fell on a vehicle in the parking lot.

Lightning in DOUGLAS, GEORGIA
From 04-JUL-11 20:11:00 to 04-JUL-11 20:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: DOUGLASVILLE
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Fox 5 Television of Atlanta reported that there were at least four almost simultaneous lightning-related fires in Douglas county during the evening, as relayed by Douglas County fire officials.  One home near Douglasville was a total loss.

Lightning in HENRY, GEORGIA
From 04-JUL-11 15:25:00 to 04-JUL-11 15:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: MAHERS QUARRY
Property damage: 175.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Fox 5 Television of Atlanta reported that lightning started a second fire in the Stockbridge area.  This fire was to a home on McKenzie Drive, just east of Stockbridge.  The home was vacant, but was a total loss from the resulting fire.

Thunderstorm Wind in TOWNS, GEORGIA
From 04-JUL-11 13:28:00 to 04-JUL-11 13:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALEXANDERS MILL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Towns County 911 Center reported that between three and four dozen trees were down across the county, especially the northern portions.

Hail in COWETA, GEORGIA
From 04-JUL-11 15:20:00 to 04-JUL-11 15:28:00 (EST-5)
Location: SENOIA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed quarter-sized hail near Senoia.  WSR-88D radar data suggests that hail of similar size likely continued toward Haralson before the storm weakened.

Hail in MADISON, GEORGIA
From 04-JUL-11 14:38:00 to 04-JUL-11 14:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: DANIELSVILLE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A CoCoRaHS observer reported half-dollar-sized hail from northeast Madison county, approximately six miles north of Comer.  Thunderstorm wind gusts were also estimated at 50 to 60 mph, but no wind damage was observed.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILKINSON, GEORGIA
From 04-JUL-11 15:00:00 to 04-JUL-11 15:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: MC INTYRE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Wilkinson County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were blown down just off U.S. Highway 441 north of McIntyre in the north central and northeast part of the county.