A deep closed upper low continued to meander about the southern Appalachians, as it had for nearly a week. As the upper low was finally beginning to shift east, a significant short wave rotated through the base of the upper low.  Warm, moist air remained in place across east central and southeast Georgia.  The combination of unusually cold temperatures aloft and the warm, moist, unstable air mass across the southeast part of the state combined to produce scattered afternoon severe thunderstorms.  As would be expected with cold air aloft, large hail was the main concern.  However, there were a few incidents of damaging downburst winds as well.

Hail in BUTTS, GEORGIA
From 27-SEP-11 15:43:00 to 27-SEP-11 15:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: JACKSON
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Butts County 911 Center reported half-dollar-sized hail just northeast of Jackson.

Hail in JASPER, GEORGIA
From 27-SEP-11 15:49:00 to 27-SEP-11 15:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: CALVIN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Jackson County 911 Center relayed a report of penny-sized hail in the Turtle Cove area near the Butts county line.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUTTS, GEORGIA
From 27-SEP-11 16:30:00 to 27-SEP-11 16:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: WORTHVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

FOX 5 Television of Atlanta relayed a report of strong thunderstorm downburst winds that caused damage in the Lake Jackson area in the far eastern part of Butts county along the Jasper county line.  Several large trees and power lines were down with at least one tree on the home with roof damage.

Hail in BIBB, GEORGIA
From 27-SEP-11 14:42:00 to 27-SEP-11 14:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: MACON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several reports of nickel to quarter-sized hail were received from the public from Macon, east-southeastward toward Dry Branch, including much of the east central part of the county.

Hail in JEFFERSON, GEORGIA
From 27-SEP-11 15:48:00 to 27-SEP-11 15:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: WADLEY
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 45.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed golf ball-sized hail just south of Wadley in the far southern part of the county.

Hail in TWIGGS, GEORGIA
From 27-SEP-11 14:58:00 to 27-SEP-11 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: DRY BRANCH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed quarter-sized hail in the Dry Branch area near the Bibb county line.

Thunderstorm Wind in BIBB, GEORGIA
From 27-SEP-11 14:42:00 to 27-SEP-11 14:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: MACON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Amateur radio operators reported a thunderstorm downburst just southeast of Macon that caused considerable damage to trees and property in the area.  At least 14 trees were either uprooted or blown over.  The downed trees caused minor to moderate damage to three structures in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in TWIGGS, GEORGIA
From 27-SEP-11 14:58:00 to 27-SEP-11 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: DRY BRANCH
Magnitude: 42.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Twiggs County 911 Center reported that three trees were down near Bullard.  WSR-88D velocity data suggests that strong winds from a thunderstorm downburst in Bibb county likely also affected the Dry Branch area, as there was damage on the Bibb county side of the line.

Lightning in TWIGGS, GEORGIA
From 27-SEP-11 15:15:00 to 27-SEP-11 15:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: JEFFERSONVILLE
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Twiggs County Emergency Management Director reported that lightning struck a tree near Jeffersonville, setting the tree on fire.

Hail in HANCOCK, GEORGIA
From 27-SEP-11 15:34:00 to 27-SEP-11 15:37:00 (EST-5)
Location: LINTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Hancock County Emergency Management Director relayed a report of quarter-sized hail from just east-northeast of Beulah in the far south central part of the county.