Alert archive / Georgia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1988

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 7, NWS Atlanta, GA

January 20, 19884 counties in Georgia

NWS Atlanta, GA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jan 20, 1988, 12:20 AM EST for 4 counties in Georgia. It was in force for 40 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jan 20, 1988, 12:20 AM EST (05:20 UTC)
Expired
Jan 20, 1988, 1:00 AM EST
In force
40 min
Issued by
NWS Atlanta, GA
Area
Whole counties

Counties Clayton County, GA, DeKalb County, GA, Fayette County, GA, Fulton County, GA

The radar

The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jan 20, 12:40 AM ESTThunderstorm Wind 0Clayton, GA

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in. Storm Data before 1996 records only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail.

The nearest sounding before it

Athens Municipal, GA (KAHN), launched 00:00Z, 5.3 hours before the alert went out and 107 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Athens Municipal, GA at 00:00Z on 1988-01-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Athens Municipal, GA at 00:00Z on 1988-01-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 582 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
456 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
95 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
582 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
799 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KATL 200520
SVRATL
GAC063-089-113-121-200600-
 
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ATLANTA GA
1220 AM EST WED JAN 20 1988
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
EFFECTIVE UNTIL  100 AM EST FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...
 
IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA
          ...CLAYTON...DEKALB...FAYETTE
          ...FULTON
 
AT 1220 AM EST RADAR INDICATED A BAND OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MOVING
INTO THE ATLANTA METROPOLITAN AREA FROM THE SOUTHWEST. STRONGEST
STORMS WERE SOUTH OF FAIRBURN ON THE FULTON/FAYETTE COUNTY LINE...
AND JUST WEST OF HARTSFIELD AIRPORT. THESE STORMS HAVE DOWNED
TREES DURING THE PAST HOUR.
 
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DAMAGING WIND IN EXCESS OF 55
MPH...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...DEADLY LIGHTNING...AND VERY HEAVY RAIN.
FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR
OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.  HEAVY RAINS FLOOD ROADS QUICKLY SO
DON'Tr DRIVE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jan 19, 9:50 PM EST, 2 hours 30 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ATLANTA GA
950 PM EST TUE JAN 19 1988

...TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 7 CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR PARTS OF
   NORTHWEST GEORGIA...

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR POLK AND
   HARALSON COUNTIES IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA...

TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 7 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EST FOR THAT
PORTION OF GEORGIA NORTH AND WEST OF A LINE CONNECTING
CARROLLTON...JASPER...AND BLUE RIDGE IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA.
ROME...DALTON...CHATSWORTH AND CARTERSVILLE ARE INCLUDED IN
THIS WATCH.

AT 945 PM EST RADAR INDICATED WIDESPREAD RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS
OVER MOST OF NORTHWEST GEORGIA. STRONGER THUNDERSTORMS WERE OCCURRING
ALONG A LINE FROM JUST EAST OF ROME SOUTH TO NEAR ROCKMART THEN
SOUTHWEST TO WEST OF CARROLLTON.
<
THERE HAS BEEN NO REPORTS OF DAMAGE SO FAR IN GEORGIA. BUT STRONG GUSTY
WINDS AND VERY HEAVY RAIN HAS BEEN REPORTED WITH THE STRONGER
THUNDERSTORMS. THE THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO MOVE TO THE NORTHEAST
AT AROUND 50 MPH.

PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREA ARE URGED TO STAY ALERT FOR POSSIBLE
ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS.

LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA TONIGHT WILL QUICKLY
PRODUCE STREET FLOODING. MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO
DRIVE THROUGH WATER OF UNKNOWN DEPTH ON ROADWAYS. PERSONS LIVING
NEAR SMALL STREAMS AND IN FLOODPRONE AREAS SHOULD KEEP A CHECK
ON WATER LEVELS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE QUICK ACTION SHOULD FLOODING
OCCUR.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL RADIO AND TELEVISION
FOR LATEST INFORMATION.
Special weather statement, Jan 19, 10:53 PM EST, 1 hour 27 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ATHENS GA
1050 PM EST TUE JAN 19 1988

...A LINE OF VERY STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUED TO MOVE ACROSS
NORTHWEST GEORGIA....

AT 1035 PM EST A LINE OF VERY STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WAS LOCATED
OVER NORTHWEST GEORGIA INTO EAST ALABAMA FROM NEAR CHATSWORTH SOUTH
TO CARTERSVILLE THEN SOUTHWEST TO CARROLLTON GEORGIA INTO EAST
ALABAMA. LINE MOVEMENT EAST AT 35 MILES AN HOUR.

PERSONS IN THE MOUNTAINS SECTIONS OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA ESPECIALLY
IN UNION AND LUMPKIN COUNTIES CAN EXPECT WITHIN THE HOUR STRONG
GUSTY WINDS...VERY HEAVY RAINFALL...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...
AND POSSIBLE SMALL HAIL. THROUGHTOUT THE REMAINDER OF TONIGHT
PERSONS IN THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA SHOULD BE ALERT
FOR POSSILBE FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS AS PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN
MOVE THROUGH THEIR AREA.

ELSEWHERE LIGHT RAIN CONTINUED OVER WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND
AND NORTHWEST SOUTH CAROLINA. MOVEMENT NORTHEAST AT 65 MILES AN HOUR.
Special weather statement, Jan 19, 11:37 PM EST, 43 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MACON GA
1130 PM EST TUE JAN 19 1988

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH ISSUED FOR PART OF CENTRAL GEORGIA...

AT 1116 PM THE SEVERE STORMS FORECAST CENTER IN KANSAS CITY ISSUED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 8 FOR PARTS OF GEORGIA AND
SOUTH CAROLINA. THE WATCH IS VALID UNTIL 400 AM EST WEDNESDAY.

MIDDLE GEORGIA COUNTIES IN THE WATCH AREA ARE...BIBB...BALDWIN...
JONES...MONROE...TWIGGS...AND WILKINSON.

AT 1125 PM EST MACON RADAR SHOWED A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS
FROM NORTHWEST OF ATHENS TO NEAR ATLANTA TO NEAR LAGRANGE. THE LINE
WAS MOVING EAST 30 MILES AN HOUR. A FEW STORMS IN THE LINE WERE
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MILES AN HOUR.

STAY BTUNED TO NOAA RADIO OR LOCAL RADIO OR TV FOR MORE INFORMATION
AS THE STORMS BEGIN TO ENTER OUR AREA.
Special weather statement, Jan 19, 11:41 PM EST, 39 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...CORRECTED...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MACON GA
1130 PM EST TUE JAN 19 1988

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH ISSUED FOR PART OF CENTRAL GEORGIA...

AT 1116 PM THE SEVERE STORMS FORECAST CENTER IN KANSAS CITY ISSUED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 8 FOR PARTS OF GEORGIA AND
SOUTH CAROLINA. THE WATCH IS VALID UNTIL 400 AM EST WEDNESDAY.

MIDDLE GEORGIA COUNTIES IN THE WATCH AREA ARE...BIBB...BALDWIN...
JONES...MONROE...TWIGGS...WILKINSON...PUTNAM...AND JASPER.

AT 1125 PM EST MACON RADAR SHOWED A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS
FROM NORTHWEST OF ATHENS TO NEAR ATLANTA TO NEAR LAGRANGE. THE LINE
WAS MOVING EAST 30 MILES AN HOUR. A FEW STORMS IN THE LINE WERE
MOVING NODRTHEAST AT 50 MILES AN HOUR.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA RADIO OR LOCAL RADIO OR TV FOR MORE INFORMATION
AS THE STORMS BEGIN TO ENTER OUR AREA.
Special weather statement, Jan 19, 11:43 PM EST, 37 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ATHENS GA
1145 PM EST TUE JAN 19 1988

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 8 IS IN EFFECT FOR NORTH AND
CENTRAL GEORGIA UNTIL 400 AM EST WEDNESDAY MORNING. THIS INCLUDES
ALL THE COUNTIES OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA.

AT 1130 PM EST A LINE OF VERY STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WAS LOCATED
OVER NORTH GEORGIA FROM JUST WEST OF DAHLONEGA SOUTHWEST TO NEWNAN.
LINE MOVEMENT SOUTHEAST AT 25 MILES AN HOUR. THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORM
IN THIS LINE WAS LOCATED JUST NORTHWEST OF THE ATLANTA METRO AREA.

PERSONS IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA ESPECIALLY IN DAWSON AND LUMPKIN COUNTIES
CAN EXPECT WITHIN THE HOUR STRONG GUSTY WINDS...VERY HEAVY RAINFALL...I
...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND POSSIBLE HAIL. THROUGHTOUT THE REMAINDER
OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA PERSONS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING
WEATHER CONDITIONS AS THIS LINE MOVES THROUGH THEIR AREA.
Special weather statement, Jan 20, 12:11 AM EST, 9 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ATHENS GA
1210 AM EST WED JAN 20 1988

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 8 IS IN EFFECT FOR NORTH AND
CENTRAL GEORGIA UNTIL 400 AM EST WEDNESDAY MORNING. THIS INCLUDES
ALL THE COUNTIES OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA.

AT 1205 AM EST A SHORT LINE OF VERY STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WAS LOCATED
OVER NORTH CENTRAL GEORGIA FROM JUST SOUTHEAST OF DAHLONEGA SOUTH
TO 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LAWRENCEVILLE GEORGIA. LINE MOVEMENT
SOUTHEAST AT 30 MILES AN HOUR. THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE
MOVING INTO HALL...BARROW...JACKSON...BANKS...WHITE...AND HABERSHAM
COUNTIES WITHIN THE HOUR.

PERSONS IN THESE COUNTIES CAN EXPECT STRONG GUSTY WINDS...VERY HEAVY
RAINFALeL...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND POSSIBLE HAIL. THROUGHTOUT THE
REMAINDER OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA PERSONS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR RAPIDLY
CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AS THIS LINE MOVES THROUGH THEIR AREA.

The office that day

Everything else NWS Atlanta, GA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 19, 9:01 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCHaralson, Polk44 min
Jan 19, 11:16 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCobb, Douglas, Fulton44 min
Jan 19, 11:16 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCherokee44 min
Jan 19, 11:43 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCoweta, Heard47 min
Jan 19, 11:53 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCDeKalb, Gwinnett67 min
Jan 19, 11:53 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCForsyth67 min
Jan 20, 12:44 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCoweta, Fayette31 min
Jan 20, 12:58 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCGwinnett, Rockdale32 min
Jan 20, 1:39 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCHenry, Spalding36 min
Jan 20, 1:39 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCRockdale36 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Georgia, 1988Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1988

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.