For the third consecutive day this week, South Georgia has been plagued with severe weather. The results have been heavy rains, high winds, downed trees and limbs, and extensive power outages across a wide swath of the area.
Such a weather system is unusual, although not necessarily unheard of, for South Georgia. This year, the jet stream is to blame. It’s about 500 miles south of where it should be, which is causing the afternoon showers that are common during the summer to be more organized and powerful.
And that is causing problems.
The jet stream should be around Kentucky or Ohio. Instead, it’s over Middle Georgia, and it’s feeding off of the moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. That is intensifying and exaggerating the effects of the misplaced jet stream.
The system is similar to the derecho storms that strike the Midwest. Derechos are large thunderstorms characterized by damaging winds, tornadoes, and lots of rain. They occur when a mass of moist air comes in contact with drier air. This creates a downburst and the results can be disastrous.
In order to be considered a derecho, the storm system must extend over a large area, at least 240 miles. Winds must exceed 58 mph but bursts can top 100 mph.
A derecho was responsible for 1993’s Storm of the Century, which brought cold temperatures and severe weather to South Georgia. That storm extended from Georgia through Florida and down to Cuba. It was also responsible for several deaths.
While what has been happening here over the last couple of days may not technically be a derecho, it shares some similarities with such a system. It’s occurring over a large area, it’s bringing heavy rainfall, destructive winds, possibilities of tornadoes, large hail, and temperatures are unseasonably cool.
It’s also hanging around for awhile. The weather will improve over the weekend but there are elevated chances of more bad weather and cooler temperatures throughout next week.
Staying safe in a system like this is just like staying safe in any severe storm: Remain vigilant, stay inside, don’t be out on the roads unless it’s absolutely necessary.
It will pass — just not immediately.