Alert archive / Georgia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1995

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 40, NWS Atlanta, GA

February 16, 1995Banks County, Georgia

NWS Atlanta, GA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Feb 16, 1995, 5:49 PM EST for Banks County, Georgia. It was in force for 41 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Feb 16, 1995, 5:49 PM EST (22:49 UTC)
Expired
Feb 16, 1995, 6:30 PM EST
In force
41 min
Issued by
NWS Atlanta, GA
Area
Whole counties

County Banks County, GA

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 10.8 hours before the alert went out and 143 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, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 1995-02-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 3 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 1995-02-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 287 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
3 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-77 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
501 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
72 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
287 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
320 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
TTAA00 KAHN 162254 COR
SVRAHN
GAC011-162330-

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ATHENS GA
549 PM EST THU FEB 16 1995

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ATHENS HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  630 PM EST
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS......

IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA

   ...BANKS COUNTY

AT 550 PM EST...ATHENS RADAR SHOWED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IN
BANKS COUNTY. THIS STORM IS MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.


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'T 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, Feb 16, 3:25 PM EST, 2 hours 24 minutes before
GAZ005-006-007-011-012-013-019-020-021-022-030-031-032-033-034-
041-042-043-044-045-046-052-053-054-055-056-057-058-066-067-068-
069-070-162115-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
320 PM EST THU FEB 16 1995

AT 215 PM EST A LARGE AREA OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUED ACROSS
NORTHERN GEORGIA. SOME OF THE HEAVIER STORMS WERE LOCATED FROM TOCCOA TO
MARIETTA TO BREMAN GEORGIA. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS HAVE PRESISED OVER
THE AREA FOR THE PAST 6 HOURS. STRONG WINDS HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH
THESE STORMS.
Special weather statement, Feb 16, 3:45 PM EST, 2 hours 4 minutes before
GAZ008>010-014>018-023>029-035>038-047>051-162200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ATHENS GA
345 PM EST THU FEB 16 1995

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHERN HABERSHAM COUNTY
UNTIL 715 PM EST...

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHEAST
GEORGIA UNTIL 8 PM EST...

...A FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE REMAINDER OF
THE DAY TO THE NORTH OF A LINMING ACROSS NORTHEAST GEORGIA FROM NEAR
LAWRENCEVILLE TO TOCCOA GEORGIA TO 15 MILES SOUTH OF ASHEVILLE NORTH
CAROLINA.  THESE STORMS WERE MOVING TO THE EAST AT 50 MILES AN HOUR.
AS THE STORMS PASSED THROUGH DAHLONEGA INTENSE LIGHTNING WAS
OBSERVED WITH VERY HEAVY RAIN AS ELECTRICITY WAS TEMPORARILY
KNOCKED OUT.  THE VERY HEAVY RAIN PASSING THROUGH HABERSHAM
COUNTY PROMPTED A FLASH FLOOD WARNING AS STREAMS WERE ALREADY
SWOLLEN IN THE SOUTHERN SECTIONS.

REMEMBER...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING
WINDS AND POSSIBLE TORNADOES.  BE ALERT TO TAKE QUICK ACTION
TO MOVE TO A SAFE PLACE IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES
YOUR AREA OR IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO OR
TELEVISION FOR THE LATEST STATEMENTS...WATCHES OR WARNINGS.
Special weather statement, Feb 16, 3:47 PM EST, 2 hours 2 minutes before
GAZ008>010-014>018-023>029-035>038-047>051-162200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ATHENS GA
345 PM EST THU FEB 16 1995

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHERN HABERSHAM COUNTY
UNTIL 715 PM EST...

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHEAST
GEORGIA UNTIL 8 PM EST...

...A FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE REMAINDER OF
THE DAY TO THE NORTH OF A LINE FROM CARROLLTON TO ATLANTA TO ATHENS
TO ELBERTON.  THIS INCLUDES THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA CITIES OF ATHENS
...GAINESVILLE...BLAIRSVILLE...CLAYTON AND HARTWELL...

AT 340 PM EST...ATHENS RADAR SHOWED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH
VERY HEAVY RAIN FORMING ACROSS NORTHEAST GEORGIA FROM NEAR
LAWRENCEVILLE TO TOCCOA GEORGIA TO 15 MILES SOUTH OF ASHEVILLE NORTH
CAROLINA.  THESE STORMS WERE MOVING TO THE EAST AT 50 MILES AN HOUR.
AS THE STORMS PASSED THROUGH DAHLONEGA INTENSE LIGHTNING WAS
OBSERVED WITH VERY HEAVY RAIN AS ELECTRICITY WAS TEMPORARILY
KNOCKED OUT.  THE VERY HEAVY RAIN PASSING THROUGH HABERSHAM
COUNTY PROMPTED A FLASH FLOOD WARNING AS STREAMS WERE ALREADY
SWOLLEN IN THE SOUTHERN SECTIONS.

REMEMBER...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING
WINDS AND POSSIBLE TORNADOES.  BE ALERT TO TAKE QUICK ACTION
TO MOVE TO A SAFE PLACE IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES
YOUR AREA OR IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO OR
TfELEVISION FOR THE LATEST STATEMENTS...WATCHES OR WARNINGS.
Special weather statement, Feb 16, 4:50 PM EST, 59 minutes before
GAZ008>010-014>018-023>029-035>038-047>051-162300-

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ATHENS GA
450 PM EST THU FEB 16 1995

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHERN HABERSHAM COUNTY
UNTIL 715 PM AND FOR UNION COUNTY UNTIL 8 PM EST...

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHEAST
GEORGIA UNTIL 8 PM EST...

...A FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE REMAINDER OF
THE DAY TO THE NORTH OF A LINE FROM LAGRANGE TO MONTICELLO TO APPLING.
THIS INCLUDES THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA CITIES OF ATHENS...MADISON...UNION
POINT...CRAWFORDVILLE...MONROE...CLAYTON...HARTWELL...BLAIRSVILLE AND
DAHLONEGA...

AT 445 PM EST...ATHENS RADAR INDICATED WIDESPREAD RAIN ACROSS ALL OF NORTH
GEORGIA WITH SEVERAL EMBEDDED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS...SOME WITH HEAVY
RAIN. UNION AND HABERSHAM COUNTIES CONTINUE TO REPORT WIDESPREAD
FLOODING OF MANY ROADS AND BRIDGES. THE HEAVIEST RAIN WAS INDICATED
ABOUT 25 MILES WEST OF ATLANTA NEAR DOUGLASVILLE.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE ACROSS FLOODED ROADS. IF YOU LIVE NEXT TO A
STREAM OR IN A FLOOD PRONE AREA BE PREPARED TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

MOVEMENT WAS TO THE EAST 50 MILES AN HOUR.

ELSEWHERE..RAIN WITH EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WERE ALSO INDICATED ACROSS
EASTERN ALABAMA...SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE AND THE WESTERN CAROLINAS. THE
RAIN WAS LOCATED ABOUT 5 MILES SOUTH OF ANDERSON SOUTH CAROLINA.
MOVEMENT OF THESE STORMS WAS TO THE EAST AT 50 MILES AN HOUR.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL RADIO AND TV FOR LATER
STATEMENTS OR WARNINGS.
Special weather statement, Feb 16, 4:55 PM EST, 54 minutes before
GAZ008>010-014>018-023>029-035>038-047>051-162300-

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ATHENS GA
450 PM EST THU FEB 16 1995

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHERN HABERSHAM COUNTY
UNTIL 715 PM AND FOR UNION COUNTY UNTIL 8 PM EST...

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF NORTHEAST
GEORGIA UNTIL 8 PM EST...

...A FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE REMAINDER OF
THE DAY TO THE NORTH OF A LINE FROM LAGRANGE TO MONTICELLO TO APPLING.
THIS INCLUDES THE NORTHEAST GEORGIA CITIES OF ATHENS...MADISON...UNION
POINT...CRAWFORDVILLE...MONROE...CLAYTON...HARTWELL...BLAIRSVILLE AND
DAHLONEGA...

AT 445 PM EST...ATHENS RADAR INDICATED WIDESPREAD RAIN ACROSS ALL OF NORTH
GEORGIA WITH SEVERAL EMBEDDED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS...SOME WITH HEAVY
RAIN. UNION AND HABERSHAM COUNTIES CONTINUE TO REPORT WIDESPREAD
FLOODING OF MANY ROADS AND BRIDGES. THE HEAVIEST RAIN WAS INDICATED
ABOUT 25 MILES WEST OF ATLANTA NEAR DOUGLASVILLE.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE ACROSS FLOODED ROADS. IF YOU LIVE NEXT TO A
STREAM OR IN A FLOOD PRONE AREA BE PREPARED TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

MOVEMENT WAS TO THE EAST 50 MILES AN HOUR.

ELSEWHERE..RAIN WITH EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WERE ALSO INDICATED ACROSS
EASTERN ALABAMA...SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE AND THE WESTERN CAROLINAS. THE
RAIN WAS LOCATED ABOUT 5 MILES SOUTH OF ANDERSON SOUTH CAROLINA.
MOVEMENT OF THESE STORMS WAS TO THE EAST AT 50 MILES AN HO.UR.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL RADIO AND TV FOR LATER
STATEMENTS OR WARNINGS.
Special weather statement, Feb 16, 5:48 PM EST, 1 minute before
GAZ059-060-083-084-095-096-105>109-170050-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MACON GA
548 PM EST THU FEB 16 1995

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR JASPER AND PUTNAM COUNTIES
   UNTIL 8PM THIS EVENING...

AT 545 PM WEATHER RADAR IN MACON SHOWED A FEW SHOWERS AND STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS OVER CENTRAL GEORGIA. THE THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED FROM
JEFFERSONVILLE IN TWIGGS COUNTY AND EXTENDED SOUTHWEST TO VIENNA IN
DOOLY COUNTY TO NEAR AMERICUS IN SUMTER COUNTY. MOVEMENT WAS EAST AT 40
MPH.

ALSO THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAINFALL WAS NOTED ACROSS NORTH GEORGIA N
THE ATLANTA METRO AREA.

THESE THUNDERSTORMS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING RAINFALL IN EXCESS OF 2
INCHES IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE SOME FLOODING OF LOW
LYING POOR DRAINAGE AREAS AS WELL AS CITY STREETS. ALSO SMALL STREAMS
AND CREEKS COULD OVERFLOW.

AT SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING STORM...TOWERING THUNDERHEADS...DARKENING
SKIES...LIGHTNING AND INCREASING WINDS...MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY.
TUNE IN NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL RADIO OR TV STATION FOR
THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION.

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 16, 6:57 AM ESTTornado WarningFFCChattooga48 min
Feb 16, 7:17 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCatoosa, Walker43 min
Feb 16, 7:50 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCMurray25 min
Feb 16, 8:14 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCFannin, Gilmer31 min
Feb 16, 1:48 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBartow, Floyd42 min
Feb 16, 6:02 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBarrow, Clarke, Jackson43 min
Feb 16, 6:02 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCWalton43 min
Feb 16, 6:16 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCFranklin, Hart, Madison39 min
Feb 16, 6:16 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCElbert, Oconee, Oglethorpe39 min
Feb 16, 6:39 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCoweta, Heard51 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Georgia, 1995Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1995

Sources

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