Alert archive / Georgia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1996

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 39, NWS Atlanta, GA

March 15, 1996Cobb County, Georgia

NWS Atlanta, GA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Mar 15, 1996, 3:09 PM EST for Cobb County, Georgia. It was in force for 36 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
Mar 15, 1996, 3:09 PM EST (20:09 UTC)
Expired
Mar 15, 1996, 3:45 PM EST
In force
36 min
Issued by
NWS Atlanta, GA
Area
Whole counties

County Cobb County, GA

The radar

The Atlanta radar (KFFC), 64 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:11 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Mar 15, 3:30 PM ESTHail 0.75Marietta, 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 8.2 hours before the alert went out and 64 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 1996-03-15Temperature 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°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 1996-03-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 153 square meters per square second.1939587897117136Sfc1 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
993 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
153 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
155 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 
WUUS1 KATL 152009 RRA
SVRATL
GAC067-152045-
 
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
309 PM EST FRI MAR 15 1996
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PEACHTREE CITY HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  345 PM EST
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION...
 
IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA
 
   ...COBB COUNTY
 
AT 3:00 PM EST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF KENNESAW MOVING EAST SOUTHEAST AT 55
MPH. THIS STORM WILL MOVE JUST TO THE NORTH OF MARIETTA WITHIN THE NEXT
30 MINUTES.
 
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, Mar 15, 11:18 AM EST, 3 hours 51 minutes before
GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
091>098-103>113-152100-

NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1115 AM EST FRI MAR 15 1996

...SEVEE THUNDERSTORM WATCH UNTIL 400 PM EST...

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE OVER NORTH AND CENTRAL
GEORGIA TODAY AND TONIGHT.

A COLD FRONT OVER THE OHIO VALLEY WILL MOVE INTO EXTREME NORTH
GEORGIA BY SUNSET AND FURTHER SOUTH TO NEAR AN ATLANTA TO ATHENS
LINE AFTER MIDNIGHT. WARM MOIST AIR AHEAD OF THE FRONT PLUS AN
UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL COMBINE TO PRODUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...THE MAIN THREAT BEING HAIL AND DAMAGING
WINDS. THE STORMS WILL DEVELOP AHEAD OF AND ALONG THE FRONT. STORMS
WITH THE SYSTEM HAVE A HISTORY OF PRODUCING HAIL TO 1/2 INCH.

SPOTTER GROUPS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN NORTH AND
CENTRAL GEORGIA SHOULD MONITOR LOCAL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND BE
READY FOR POSSIBLE ACTrIVATION.
Special weather statement, Mar 15, 11:57 AM EST, 3 hours 12 minutes before
GAZ001-002-003-004-005-011-012-019-151800-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1157 AM EST FRI MAR 15 1996

AT 1155 AM THE PEACHTREE CITY RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS
OVER FORT OGLETHORPE TO LAFAYETTE TO MENLO.  THESE STORMS ARE MOVING
EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 50 MPH AND WILL AFFECT...DALTON AND CALHOUN
AROUND 1215 PM...CHATSWORTH BY 1230 PM...ELLIJAY AND JASPER BY 1 PM.

SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED WITH THIS
LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS.

WHEN THUNDERSTORMS ARE OCCURRING...PEOPLE SHOULD MOVE INSIDE A
STRONG BUILDING.  DO NOT STAND BY WINDOWS.  DON'T USE TELEPHONES
OR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY UNTIL THE STORM
HAS PASSED.  MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT DRIVE INTO LOW WATER CROSSINGS.
Special weather statement, Mar 15, 12:03 PM EST, 3 hours 6 minutes before
GAZ001-002-003-004-005-011-012-019-151800-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1157 AM EST FRI MAR 15 1996

AT 1155 AM THE PEACHTREE CITY RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS
OVER FORT OGLETHORPE TO LAFAYETTE TO MENLO.  THESE STORMS ARE MOVING EASSOUTHEAST AT 50 MPH AND WILL AFFECT...DALTON AND CALHOUN AROUND 1215 PM.
CHATSWORTH BY 1230 PM AND ELLIJAY BY 1 PM.

SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED WITH THIS LINE
OF THUNDERSTORMS.

WHEN THUNDERSTORMS ARE OCCURRING...PEOPLE SHOULD MOVE INSIDE A
STRONG BUILDING.  DO NOT STAND BY WINDOWS.  DON'T USE TELEPHONES
OR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY UNTIL THE STORM
HAS PASSED.  MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT DRIVE INTO LOW WATER CROSSINGS.
Special weather statement, Mar 15, 12:06 PM EST, 3 hours 3 minutes before
GAZ001-002-003-004-005-011-012-019-151800-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1157 AM EST FRI MAR 15 1996

AT 1155 AM THE PEACHTREE CITY RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS
OVER FORT OGLETHORPE TO LAFAYETTE TO MENLO.  THESE STORMS ARE MOVING
EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 50 MPH AND WILL AFFECT...DALTON AND CALHOUN
AROUND 1215 PM...CHATSWORTH BY 1230 PM...ELLIJAY AND JASPER BY 1 PM.

SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED WITH THIS
LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS.

WHEN THUNDERSTORMS ARE OCCURRING...PEOPLE SHOULD MOVE INSIDE A
STRONG BUILDING.  DO NOT STAND BY WINDOWS.  DON'T USE TELEPHONES
OR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY UNTIL THE STORM
HAS PASSED.  MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT DRIVE INTO LOW WATER CROSSINGS.
Special weather statement, Mar 15, 12:35 PM EST, 2 hours 34 minutes before
GAZ006>017-023-151830-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1235 PM EST FRI MAR 15 1996

AT 1230 PM EST..WEATHER RADAR AT PEACHTREE CITY INDICATED A LINE OF
SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING FROM THE EXTREME NORTHWEST
CORNER OF FANNIN COUNTY..SOUTHWEST TO CHATSWORTH IN MURRAY COUNTY..TO
NORTH OF CALHOUN IN GORDON COUNTY. THESE STORMS WILL AFFECT GILMER
PICKENS..UNION.. LUMPKIN..TOWNS..WHITE..DAWSON..HALL..RABUN AND
HABERSHAM COUNTIES WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR.

SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED WITH THESE
STORMS AS THEY MOVE EAST AT 50 MPH. THESE WIND GUSTS MAY TREE DAMAGE AND
TEMPORARY POWER OUTAGES.

WHEN THUNDERSTORMS ARE OCCURRING...PEOPLE SHOULD MOVE INSIDE A
STRONG BUILDING.  DO NOT STAND BY WINDOWS.  DON'T USE TELEPHONES
OR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY UNTIL THE STORM
HAS PASSED.  MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT DRIVE INTO LOW WATER CROSSINGS.
Special weather statement, Mar 15, 12:38 PM EST, 2 hours 31 minutes before
GAZ006>017-023-151830-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1235 PM EST FRI MAR 15 1996

AT 1230 PM EST..WEATHER RADAR AT PEACHTREE CITY INDICATED A LINE OF
SHOWERS AND EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING FROM THE EXTREME NORTHWEST
CORNER OF FANNIN COUNTY..SOUTHWEST TO CHATSWORTH IN MURRAY COUNTY..TO
NORTH OF CALHOUN IN GORDON COUNTY. THESE STORMS WILL AFFECT GILMER
PICKENS..UNION.. LUMPKIN..TOWNS..WHITE..DAWSON..HALL..RABUN AND
HABERSHAM COUNTIES WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR.

SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED WITH THESE
STORMS AS THEY MOVE EAST AT 50 MPH. THESE WIND GUSTS MAY TREE DAMAGE AND
TEMPORARY POWER OUTAGES.

WHEN THUNDERSTORMS ARE OCCURRING...PEOPLE SHOULD MOVE INSIDE A
STRONG BUILDING.  DO NOT STAND BY WINDOWS.  DON'T USE TELEPHONES
OR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY UNTIL THE STORM
HAS PASSED.  MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT DRIVE INTO LOW WATER CROSSINGS.

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 15, 11:34 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCDade, Walker41 min
Mar 15, 1:05 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBartow, Chattooga, Floyd, Gordon40 min
Mar 15, 1:42 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBartow, Gordon33 min
Mar 15, 1:58 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCherokee47 min
Mar 15, 2:08 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCChattooga, Floyd52 min
Mar 15, 2:17 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBartow43 min
Mar 15, 2:27 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCForsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett48 min
Mar 15, 2:45 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCherokee60 min
Mar 15, 2:50 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCWalker40 min
Mar 15, 2:50 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBarrow, Walton40 min
Mar 15, 3:12 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCClarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe48 min
Mar 15, 3:17 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCFloyd43 min
Mar 15, 3:18 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBarrow, Gwinnett, Walton57 min
Mar 15, 3:27 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCDeKalb, Fulton48 min
Mar 15, 3:35 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCBartow, Floyd40 min
Mar 15, 3:48 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCWilkes42 min
Mar 15, 3:49 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCobb, Paulding56 min
Mar 15, 4:01 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCOconee, Oglethorpe44 min
Mar 15, 4:05 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCCobb40 min
Mar 15, 4:18 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCDeKalb, Fulton27 min
Mar 15, 4:42 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCNewton, Rockdale, Walton48 min
Mar 15, 5:03 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCGreene, Morgan27 min
Mar 15, 5:21 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCPutnam39 min
Mar 15, 5:34 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCHancock41 min
Mar 15, 5:59 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCChattooga, Floyd61 min
Mar 15, 6:21 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCFloyd39 min
Mar 15, 6:44 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBartow31 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Georgia, 1996Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1996

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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.