Alert archive / Georgia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1997

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 214, NWS Atlanta, GA

May 3, 1997Dawson County, Forsyth County, Georgia

NWS Atlanta, GA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 3, 1997, 3:29 AM EDT for Dawson County, Forsyth County, Georgia. It was in force for 31 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 3, 1997, 3:29 AM EDT (07:29 UTC)
Expired
May 3, 1997, 4:00 AM EDT
In force
31 min
Issued by
NWS Atlanta, GA
Area
Whole counties

Counties Dawson County, GA, Forsyth County, GA

The radar

The Atlanta radar (KFFC), 115 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:33 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.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 3, 3:00 AM EDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 00:00Z, 7.5 hours before the alert went out and 112 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 00:00Z on 1997-05-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 888 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 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, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 00:00Z on 1997-05-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 120 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
888 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-5 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1099 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
51 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
120 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
242 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.0
Supercell composite
5.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
TTAA00 KATL 030730 RRA
SVRATL
GAC085-117-030800-
 
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
329 AM EDT SAT MAY 3 1997
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PEACHTREE CITY HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  400 AM EDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
 
IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA
 
   ...DAWSON COUNTY...FORSYTH COUNTY
 
AT 325 AM WEATHER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 15 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF SILVER CITY MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. THIS STORM WILL LIKELY
PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH.
 
 
A TORNADO WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT IN OR NEAR THE WARNED AREA.
REMEMBER SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE
TORNADOES WITH LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE WARNING. REMAIN CALM BUT BE
ALERT TO RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS.
 
IF YOU EXPERIENCE STORM DAMAGE TO STRUCTURES OR TREES...OR HAIL THE
SIZE OF DIMES OR LARGER...PLEASE REPORT IT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE BY CALLING 770-486-8535.
 
BDL

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

Local storm report, May 2, 11:40 PM EDT, 3 hours 49 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1140 PM EDT FRI MAY 2 1997

TIME(EST)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

650 PM     CHICKAMAUGA               GA   TORNADO
5/2/97     WALKER                         *** 1 DEAD ***
                                          THREE TRAILERS DESTROYED
                                          TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN
Local storm report, May 2, 11:41 PM EDT, 3 hours 48 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1140 PM EDT FRI MAY 2 1997

TIME(EST)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

650 PM     CHICKAMAUGA               GA   TORNADO
5/2/97     WALKER                         *** 1 DEAD ***
                                          THREE TRAILERS DESTROYED
                                          TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN
Local storm report, May 2, 11:50 PM EDT, 3 hours 39 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1150 PM EDT FRI MAY 2 1997

TIME(EST)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

650 PM     ROSSVILLE                 GA   0.75 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     WALKER                         REPORTED BY PUBLIC

659 PM     FLINTSTONE                GA   1.00 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     WALKER                         REPORTED BY PUBLIC

710 PM     FORT OGLETHORPE           GA   0.75 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     CATOOSA                        REPORTED BY PUBLIC

725 PM     SUMMERVILLE               GA   1.00 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     CHATTOOGA                      REPORTED BY LOCAL
                                          RADIO STATION

800 PM     SUGAR VALLEY              GA   1.00 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     GORDON                         REPORTED BY PUBLIC

805 PM     S DALTON                  GA   0.75 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     WHITFIELD                      REPORTED BY HAM RADIO
                                          OPERATOR

812 PM     8S CHATTSWORTH            GA   1.00 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     MURRAY                         REPORTED BY HAM RADIO
                                          OPERATOR
Local storm report, May 2, 11:51 PM EDT, 3 hours 38 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1150 PM EDT FRI MAY 2 1997

TIME(EST)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

650 PM     ROSSVILLE                 GA   0.75 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     WALKER                         REPORTED BY PUBLIC

659 PM     FLINTSTONE                GA   1.00 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     WALKER                         REPORTED BY PUBLIC

710 PM     FORT OGLETHORPE           GA   0.75 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     CATOOSA                        REPORTED BY PUBLIC

725 PM     SUMMERVILLE               GA   1.00 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     CHATTOOGA                      REPORTED BY LOCAL
                                          RADIO STATION

800 PM     SUGAR VALLEY              GA   1.00 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     GORDON                         REPORTED BY PUBLIC

805 PM     S DALTON                  GA   0.75 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     WHITFIELD                      REPORTED BY HAM RADIO
                                          OPERATOR

812 PM     8S CHATTSWORTH            GA   1.00 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     MURRAY                         REPORTED BY HAM RADIO
                                          OPERATOR
Local storm report, May 3, 12:02 AM EDT, 3 hours 27 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1205 AM EDT SAT MAY 3 1997

TIME(EST)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

730 PM     ROCKY FACE                GA   WIND DAMAGE
5/2/97     WHITFIELD                      WHITFIELD 911 REPORTED
                                          SEVERAL DOWNED TREES NEAR
                                          HOUSTON VALLEY RD

940 PM     CALHOUN                   GA   0.75 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     GORDON                         REPORTED BY PUBLIC

955 PM     ELLIJAY                   GA   0.75 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     GILMER                         PUBLIC REPORTED DOWNED TREES
                                          AND POWER LINES IN ADDITION
                                          TO HAIL
Local storm report, May 3, 12:05 AM EDT, 3 hours 24 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1205 AM EDT SAT MAY 3 1997

TIME(EST)  .....CITY LOCATION.....STATE   ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

730 PM     ROCKY FACE                GA   WIND DAMAGE
5/2/97     WHITFIELD                      WHITFIELD 911 REPORTED
                                          SEVERAL DOWNED TREES NEAR
                                          HOUSTON VALLEY RD

940 PM     CALHOUN                   GA   0.75 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     GORDON                         REPORTED BY PUBLIC

955 PM     ELLIJAY                   GA   0.75 INCH HAIL
5/2/97     GILMER                         PUBLIC REPORTED DOWNED TREES
                                          AND POWER LINES IN ADDITION
                                          TO HAIL

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 2, 8:08 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCChattooga37 min
May 2, 8:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCMurray34 min
May 2, 8:42 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCFannin, Gilmer48 min
May 2, 8:44 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCMurray, Whitfield46 min
May 2, 8:44 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCWalker46 min
May 2, 8:56 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCGordon34 min
May 2, 9:09 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCobb21 min
May 2, 9:35 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCGilmer, Murray25 min
May 2, 9:38 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCChattooga, Walker52 min
May 2, 9:38 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCDade52 min
May 2, 10:02 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCatoosa, Whitfield28 min
May 2, 10:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCFloyd32 min
May 2, 10:15 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBartow, Gordon45 min
May 2, 10:34 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCMurray26 min
May 2, 10:49 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCGilmer, Pickens41 min
May 2, 11:08 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCDawson, Fannin, Lumpkin37 min
May 2, 11:19 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCUnion41 min
May 2, 11:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCTowns, White30 min
May 3, 1:10 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningFFCGordon, Murray, Walker, Whitfield3 hr
May 3, 1:10 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningFFCChattooga, Floyd3 hr
May 3, 1:10 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningFFCGilmer, Pickens3 hr
May 3, 1:30 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCChattooga45 min
May 3, 1:51 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCFloyd39 min
May 3, 2:21 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBartow, Gordon39 min
May 3, 2:28 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCPolk32 min
May 3, 2:33 AM EDTTornado WarningFFCPolk42 min
May 3, 2:42 AM EDTTornado WarningFFCBartow, Floyd33 min
May 3, 3:15 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCherokee30 min
May 3, 5:05 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCHaralson, Polk40 min
May 3, 6:08 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCobb, Paulding37 min
May 3, 6:32 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCDeKalb, Fulton28 min
May 3, 6:55 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCDeKalb, Gwinnett35 min
May 3, 7:12 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCClayton, Henry33 min
May 3, 7:12 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCRockdale33 min
May 3, 7:18 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCNewton, Walton42 min
May 3, 7:46 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCHenry, Newton, Rockdale44 min
May 3, 8:09 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCMorgan, Oconee51 min
May 3, 8:17 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCMeriwether, Pike, Spalding43 min
May 3, 8:24 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCoweta, Troup51 min
May 3, 8:36 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCFayette54 min
May 3, 8:36 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCMeriwether54 min
May 3, 8:52 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCNewton53 min
May 3, 9:13 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCButts, Henry, Newton47 min
May 3, 9:43 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCHarris, Talbot32 min
May 3, 10:09 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCJasper, Jones, Monroe36 min
May 3, 10:32 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCrawford, Peach38 min
May 3, 10:38 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCMarion, Schley, Taylor37 min
May 3, 10:52 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBibb, Houston, Twiggs53 min
May 3, 11:12 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCHouston33 min
May 3, 11:36 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCJohnson, Washington39 min
May 3, 12:31 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCDooly29 min
May 3, 2:08 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCToombs37 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Georgia, 1997Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1997

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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.