Alert archive / Georgia / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 110, NWS Atlanta, GA

April 20, 20096 counties in Georgia

NWS Atlanta, GA issued this tornado warning at Apr 20, 2009, 12:37 AM EDT for 6 counties in Georgia. It was in force for 53 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Apr 20, 2009, 12:37 AM EDT (04:37 UTC)
Expired
Apr 20, 2009, 1:30 AM EDT
In force
53 min
Issued by
NWS Atlanta, GA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Clayton County, GA, Cobb County, GA, Coweta County, GA, Douglas County, GA, Fayette County, GA, Fulton County, GA

The radar

The Atlanta radar (KFFC), 36 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:40 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
Apr 19, 8:51 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 00:00Z, 4.6 hours before the alert went out and 36 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 2009-04-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 182 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 00:00Z on 2009-04-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 212 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
182 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-11 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1004 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
47 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
212 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
248 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
1.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WWUS52 KFFC 200500
SVSFFC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1200 AM EDT MON APR 20 2009

GAC067-077-097-200509-
/O.CAN.KFFC.TO.W.0110.000000T0000Z-090420T0530Z/
COWETA GA-DOUGLAS GA-COBB GA-
1200 AM EDT MON APR 20 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL COBB...EASTERN DOUGLAS AND
EXTREME NORTH CENTRAL COWETA COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

THE STORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS EXITED COBB...DOUGLAS...AND 
COWETA COUNTIES.

IF YOU SEE WIND DAMAGE...LARGE HAIL OR SIGNIFICANT FLOODING...WAIT
UNTIL AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED...AND THEN CALL THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE TOLL FREE AT 1 8 6 6 7 6 3 4 4 6 6.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 AM EDT MONDAY MORNING FOR
NORTHWESTERN GEORGIA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
700 AM EDT MONDAY MORNING FOR NORTHEASTERN GEORGIA.

LAT...LON 3369 8465 3377 8456 3384 8442 3355 8433
      3351 8465 3366 8467
TIME...MOT...LOC 0459Z 257DEG 37KT 3358 8457

$$

GAC063-113-121-200530-
/O.CON.KFFC.TO.W.0110.000000T0000Z-090420T0530Z/
FAYETTE GA-CLAYTON GA-FULTON GA-
1200 AM EDT MON APR 20 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 130 AM EDT FOR CENTRAL
FULTON...NORTHWESTERN CLAYTON AND EXTREME NORTH CENTRAL FAYETTE
COUNTIES...

AT 1259 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A STRONG STORM WITH A POSSIBLE TORNADO. THIS STORM WAS 
LOCATED NEAR UNION CITY...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
SANDTOWN...COLLEGE PARK...CASCADE HEIGHTS...RIVERDALE...
HARTSFIELD-JACKSON AIRPORT...EAST POINT...BANKHEAD...BOLTON...
HAPEVILLE...WEST END...LAKEWOOD PARK...FOREST PARK...TURNER FIELD AND
MORROW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE IN A MOBILE HOME OR VEHICLE...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE
A STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

IF YOU SEE WIND DAMAGE...LARGE HAIL OR SIGNIFICANT FLOODING...WAIT
UNTIL AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED...AND THEN CALL THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE TOLL FREE AT 1 8 6 6 7 6 3 4 4 6 6.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 AM EDT MONDAY MORNING FOR
NORTHWESTERN GEORGIA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
700 AM EDT MONDAY MORNING FOR NORTHEASTERN GEORGIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3369 8465 3377 8456 3384 8442 3355 8433
      3351 8465 3366 8467
TIME...MOT...LOC 0459Z 257DEG 37KT 3358 8457

$$
2 follow-up statements
000 
WFUS52 KFFC 200437
TORFFC
GAC063-067-077-097-113-121-200530-
/O.NEW.KFFC.TO.W.0110.090420T0437Z-090420T0530Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1237 AM EDT MON APR 20 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PEACHTREE CITY HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN CLAYTON COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL GEORGIA
  SOUTH CENTRAL COBB COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL GEORGIA
  EASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL GEORGIA
  NORTHWESTERN FAYETTE COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL GEORGIA
  SOUTHWESTERN FULTON COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL GEORGIA
  EXTREME NORTH CENTRAL COWETA COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA

* UNTIL 130 AM EDT

* AT 1236 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 12 MILES
  NORTHWEST OF PALMETTO...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  FAIRBURN...UNION CITY...COLLEGE PARK...RIVERDALE...
  HARTSFIELD-JACKSON AIRPORT...EAST POINT...HAPEVILLE AND FOREST
  PARK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW TORNADOES AT NIGHT ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT
WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE.

IF YOU SEE WIND DAMAGE...LARGE HAIL OR SIGNIFICANT FLOODING...WAIT
UNTIL AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED...AND THEN CALL THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE TOLL FREE AT 1 8 6 6 7 6 3 4 4 6 6.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 AM EDT MONDAY MORNING FOR
NORTHWESTERN GEORGIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3384 8442 3355 8433 3349 8472 3373 8480
TIME...MOT...LOC 0437Z 255DEG 30KT 3360 8484

$$
000 
WWUS52 KFFC 200512
SVSFFC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
112 AM EDT MON APR 20 2009

GAC113-200521-
/O.CAN.KFFC.TO.W.0110.000000T0000Z-090420T0530Z/
FAYETTE GA-
112 AM EDT MON APR 20 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EXTREME NORTH CENTRAL FAYETTE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

THE STORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT OF FAYETTE COUNTY.

IF YOU SEE WIND DAMAGE...LARGE HAIL OR SIGNIFICANT FLOODING...WAIT
UNTIL AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED...AND THEN CALL THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE TOLL FREE AT 1 8 6 6 7 6 3 4 4 6 6.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 AM EDT MONDAY MORNING FOR
NORTHWESTERN GEORGIA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
700 AM EDT MONDAY MORNING FOR NORTHEASTERN GEORGIA.

LAT...LON 3364 8452 3371 8453 3376 8451 3379 8440
      3355 8433 3355 8443 3355 8446 3355 8447
      3355 8454
TIME...MOT...LOC 0511Z 257DEG 37KT 3361 8443

$$

GAC063-121-200530-
/O.CON.KFFC.TO.W.0110.000000T0000Z-090420T0530Z/
CLAYTON GA-FULTON GA-
112 AM EDT MON APR 20 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 130 AM EDT FOR CENTRAL
FULTON AND NORTHWESTERN CLAYTON COUNTIES...

AT 108 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A STRONG STORM LOCATED NEAR HARTSFIELD-JACKSON 
AIRPORT...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.  THIS STORM HAS WEAKENED 
CONSIDERABLY AND WILL LIKELY CONTINUE TO WEAKEN THROUGH 130 AM.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
HAPEVILLE...WEST END...LAKEWOOD PARK...FOREST PARK...TURNER FIELD AND
MORROW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU SEE WIND DAMAGE...LARGE HAIL OR SIGNIFICANT FLOODING...WAIT
UNTIL AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED...AND THEN CALL THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE TOLL FREE AT 1 8 6 6 7 6 3 4 4 6 6.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 AM EDT MONDAY MORNING FOR
NORTHWESTERN GEORGIA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
700 AM EDT MONDAY MORNING FOR NORTHEASTERN GEORGIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3364 8452 3371 8453 3376 8451 3379 8440
      3355 8433 3355 8443 3355 8446 3355 8447
      3355 8454
TIME...MOT...LOC 0511Z 257DEG 37KT 3361 8443

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 19, 10:12 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCChattooga, Dade, Walker63 min
Apr 19, 10:25 PM EDTTornado WarningFFCChattooga, Dade, Walker28 min
Apr 19, 10:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCFloyd57 min
Apr 19, 10:40 PM EDTTornado WarningFFCCherokee, Cobb, Fulton34 min
Apr 19, 11:04 PM EDTTornado WarningFFCHarris, Muscogee71 min
Apr 19, 11:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCarroll, Haralson59 min
Apr 19, 11:51 PM EDTTornado WarningFFCChattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Talbot23 min
Apr 20, 12:07 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBanks, Dawson, Forsyth, Hall, Lumpkin, White53 min
Apr 20, 12:21 AM EDTTornado WarningFFCCarroll, Coweta, Douglas, Fulton54 min
Apr 20, 3:26 PM EDTWind AdvisoryFFCBanks, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa and 55 more28 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Georgia, 2009Every tornado warning in 2009Tornadoes in 2009

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.