Alert archive / Georgia / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 37, NWS Atlanta, GA

February 28, 2009Harris County, Muscogee County, Georgia

NWS Atlanta, GA issued this tornado warning at Feb 28, 2009, 9:23 AM EST for Harris County, Muscogee County, Georgia. It was in force for 52 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Feb 28, 2009, 9:23 AM EST (14:23 UTC)
Expired
Feb 28, 2009, 10:15 AM EST
In force
52 min
Issued by
NWS Atlanta, GA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Harris County, GA, Muscogee County, GA

The radar

The Atlanta radar (KFFC), 79 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 14:25 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
Feb 28, 9:30 AM ESTTSTM WND DMG15 Sw Hamilton, GAONE TREE DOWN NEAR GOAT ROCK LAKE DAM.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Feb 28, 8:25 AM ESTTornado WatchSPC3 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 2.4 hours before the alert went out and 82 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 2009-02-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 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 2009-02-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 524 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
509 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
50 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
524 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
700 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 
WFUS52 KFFC 281423
TORFFC
GAC145-215-281515-
/O.NEW.KFFC.TO.W.0037.090228T1423Z-090228T1515Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
923 AM EST SAT FEB 28 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PEACHTREE CITY HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  HARRIS COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA
  NORTHERN MUSCOGEE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA

* UNTIL 1015 AM EST

* AT 921 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 28 MILES
  SOUTHWEST OF HAMILTON...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  UPATOI...WAVERLY HALL AND SHILOH.

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.

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT WILL BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE
PLACE.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM EST SATURDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHERN GEORGIA.

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.

LAT...LON 3285 8471 3283 8468 3274 8468 3274 8467
      3269 8470 3268 8468 3257 8469 3256 8467
      3255 8468 3254 8502 3259 8507 3264 8510
      3268 8509 3272 8512
TIME...MOT...LOC 1423Z 256DEG 42KT 3259 8528

$$
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS52 KFFC 281434
SVSFFC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
934 AM EST SAT FEB 28 2009

GAC145-215-281515-
/O.CON.KFFC.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-090228T1515Z/
MUSCOGEE GA-HARRIS GA-
933 AM EST SAT FEB 28 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 AM EST FOR HARRIS
AND NORTHERN MUSCOGEE COUNTIES...

AT 930 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 11 MILES SOUTHWEST OF 
MOUNTAIN HILL...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.  GOAT ROCK LAKE IS IN THE 
DIRECT PATH OF THIS TORNADO.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED 
TO...MULBERRY GROVE...FORTSON...CATAULA...MIDLAND...
HAMILTON...ELLERSLIE...PINE MOUNTAIN VALLEY...UPATOI...
WAVERLY HALL AND SHILOH.

WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED BASED ON DOPPLER RADAR...IT MEANS
THAT STRONG ROTATION HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE STORM. A TORNADO MAY
ALREADY BE ON THE GROUND...OR IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SHORTLY. IF YOU
ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS DANGEROUS STORM...MOVE INDOORS AND TO A
BASEMENT OR INTERIOR ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
IF DRIVING...DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM EST SATURDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHERN GEORGIA.

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.

LAT...LON 3285 8471 3283 8468 3274 8468 3274 8467
      3269 8470 3268 8468 3257 8469 3256 8467
      3255 8468 3254 8502 3259 8507 3264 8510
      3268 8509 3272 8512
TIME...MOT...LOC 1433Z 256DEG 42KT 3262 8515

$$
000 
WWUS52 KFFC 281446
SVSFFC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
946 AM EST SAT FEB 28 2009

GAC145-215-281515-
/O.CON.KFFC.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-090228T1515Z/
MUSCOGEE GA-HARRIS GA-
945 AM EST SAT FEB 28 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 AM EST FOR HARRIS
AND NORTHERN MUSCOGEE COUNTIES...

AT 944 AM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A STRONG STORM WITH A POSSIBLE TORNADO. THIS STORM WAS 
LOCATED OVER GOAT ROCK LAKE...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.  THE STORM 
HAD WEAKENED CONSIDERABLY SINCE 930 AM...BUT THE THREAT OF A TORNADO 
STILL EXISTS.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
FORTSON...CATAULA...MIDLAND...HAMILTON...ELLERSLIE...PINE MOUNTAIN
VALLEY...UPATOI...WAVERLY HALL AND SHILOH.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM EST SATURDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHERN GEORGIA.

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.

LAT...LON 3285 8471 3283 8468 3274 8468 3274 8467
      3269 8470 3268 8468 3257 8469 3256 8467
      3255 8468 3254 8502 3259 8507 3264 8510
      3268 8509 3272 8512
TIME...MOT...LOC 1445Z 256DEG 42KT 3265 8499

$$
000 
WWUS52 KFFC 281508
SVSFFC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
1008 AM EST SAT FEB 28 2009

GAC145-215-281516-
/O.EXP.KFFC.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-090228T1515Z/
MUSCOGEE GA-HARRIS GA-
1006 AM EST SAT FEB 28 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR HARRIS AND NORTHERN MUSCOGEE COUNTIES
EXPIRES AT 1015 AM EST...

AT 700 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED 
THAT THE TORNADO HAD WEAKENED.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM EST SATURDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHERN GEORGIA.

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.

LAT...LON 3285 8471 3283 8468 3274 8468 3274 8467
      3269 8470 3268 8468 3257 8469 3256 8467
      3255 8468 3254 8502 3259 8507 3264 8510
      3268 8509 3272 8512

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 28, 8:58 AM ESTRiver Flood WarningFFCClarke, Greene, Oconee5 days
Feb 28, 9:03 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCHarris57 min
Feb 28, 9:40 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCChattahoochee, Muscogee50 min
Feb 28, 9:52 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCMacon, Marion, Schley, Taylor53 min
Feb 28, 10:13 AM ESTTornado WarningFFCChattahoochee, Marion47 min
Feb 28, 11:05 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCHouston, Macon, Peach, Schley, Taylor40 min
Feb 28, 11:14 AM ESTTornado WarningFFCMacon37 min
Feb 28, 11:18 AM ESTTornado WarningFFCCrawford, Macon, Peach, Taylor27 min
Feb 28, 11:32 AM ESTTornado WarningFFCHouston, Pulaski58 min
Feb 28, 11:35 AM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCDooly, Macon, Pulaski40 min
Feb 28, 12:04 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBleckley, Dodge, Pulaski, Wilcox56 min
Feb 28, 12:42 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCSumter33 min
Feb 28, 12:55 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCDodge, Laurens, Montgomery, Telfair, Treutlen, Wheeler50 min
Feb 28, 12:57 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCDooly48 min
Feb 28, 1:05 PM ESTAreal Flood WarningFFCLamar, Spalding5 hr
Feb 28, 1:05 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCrisp, Wilcox40 min
Feb 28, 1:10 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCCrisp, Dooly, Wilcox50 min
Feb 28, 1:36 PM ESTAreal Flood WarningFFCHaralson5 hr
Feb 28, 1:38 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCDodge, Telfair46 min
Feb 28, 1:52 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCDodge, Laurens, Telfair, Wheeler38 min
Feb 28, 2:24 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCMontgomery, Telfair, Toombs, Wheeler51 min
Feb 28, 3:20 PM ESTWind AdvisoryFFCBaldwin, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Bleckley and 90 more31 hr
Feb 28, 3:41 PM ESTWinter Weather AdvisoryFFCBaldwin, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Bleckley and 73 more31 hr
Feb 28, 6:00 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCHancock, Washington35 min

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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.