Analysis of the 1–3 December 2018 South Georgia and North Florida Flooding Event

The purpose of this project is to determine what caused the 3 day heavy rainfall event in the North Florida and South Georgia region from December 1^st thru December 3^rd, 2018 as well as why it was climatologically abnormal for the month of December. This will be done by 1. Determining the surface features and fronts responsible for providing the lift and moisture to help produce the heavy rainfall, 2. Analyzing upper air data as a second way to identify the systems and to see what the atmospheric column was like in terms of moisture content and instability to produce the heavy rainfall in the region, and 3. Examining in depth the radar loops from the four radar sites in the area to show how the event unfolded. This will also serve as a visual explanation for why certain areas received significantly more rainfall than others.

Some of the initial, but key, observations is that major flash flooding in the region occurred during two distinct periods. In between these two periods, the amount of moisture in the vertical column above Tallahassee, Florida was a record for the date. In the end, by showing the overall synoptic setup and radar imagery that caused the heavy rainfall event over our region, the results will serve as an example for future winter flash flood events if they were to occur again.