Alert archive / Georgia / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 6, NWS Atlanta, GA

February 18, 2009Bartow County, Cherokee County, Georgia

NWS Atlanta, GA issued this tornado warning at Feb 18, 2009, 4:22 PM EST for Bartow County, Cherokee County, Georgia. It was in force for 38 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
Feb 18, 2009, 4:22 PM EST (21:22 UTC)
Expired
Feb 18, 2009, 5:00 PM EST
In force
38 min
Issued by
NWS Atlanta, GA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Bartow County, GA, Cherokee County, GA

The radar

The Atlanta radar (KFFC), 112 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:25 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.

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Feb 18, 1:42 PM ESTTornado WatchSPC7 hr
Feb 18, 3:32 PM ESTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 9.4 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 12:00Z on 2009-02-18Temperature 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 2009-02-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 605 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
588 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
66 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
605 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
895 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 182122
TORFFC
GAC015-057-182200-
/O.NEW.KFFC.TO.W.0006.090218T2122Z-090218T2200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
422 PM EST WED FEB 18 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PEACHTREE CITY HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  WESTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL GEORGIA
  NORTHERN BARTOW COUNTY IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA

* UNTIL 500 PM EST

* AT 420 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR
  ADAIRSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  CASSVILLE...WHITE...WALESKA...HOLLY SPRINGS...CANTON AND
  BUFFINGTON.

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 GROUND FLOOR. STAY AWAY FROM
WINDOWS. IF DRIVING...DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EST WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR NORTHWEST GEORGIA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL
1100 PM EST WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR 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 3435 8500 3440 8500 3439 8495 3440 8494
      3441 8473 3440 8457 3438 8457 3439 8442
      3438 8440 3416 8442 3423 8502 3434 8502
TIME...MOT...LOC 2122Z 274DEG 56KT 3432 8493

$$
2 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS52 KFFC 182138
SVSFFC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
438 PM EST WED FEB 18 2009

GAC015-057-182200-
/O.CON.KFFC.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-090218T2200Z/
CHEROKEE GA-BARTOW GA-
437 PM EST WED FEB 18 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EST FOR
NORTHERN BARTOW AND WESTERN CHEROKEE COUNTIES...

AT 434 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED JUST NORTH OF 
CASSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PINE
LOG...WHITE...FUNKHOUSER...SALACOA VALLEY...LAKE ARROWHEAD...
SUTALLEE...WALESKA...BRIDGEMILL...CANTON...BUFFINGTON...HICKORY FLAT
AND HOLLY SPRINGS.

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED
BUILDING. AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW
SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EST WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR MUCH OF NORTH AND CENTRAL 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 3439 8481 3440 8475 3440 8474 3441 8473
      3440 8457 3438 8457 3439 8442 3438 8440
      3416 8442 3422 8493 3429 8493
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 283DEG 42KT 3426 8481

$$
000 
WWUS52 KFFC 182152
SVSFFC

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
452 PM EST WED FEB 18 2009

GAC015-182201-
/O.CAN.KFFC.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-090218T2200Z/
BARTOW GA-
451 PM EST WED FEB 18 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EXTREME EAST CENTRAL BARTOW COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

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

A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EST WEDNESDAY 
EVENING FOR MOST OF NORTH GEORGIA.

IF YOU SAW 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 3438 8440 3417 8442 3416 8443 3422 8464
      3429 8464 3434 8463 3439 8442
TIME...MOT...LOC 2151Z 278DEG 22KT 3425 8457

$$

GAC057-182200-
/O.CON.KFFC.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-090218T2200Z/
CHEROKEE GA-
451 PM EST WED FEB 18 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EST FOR WESTERN
CHEROKEE COUNTY...

AT 448 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A DANGEROUS STORM WITH A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 
5 MILES WEST OF CANTON...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. 

THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. PERSONS IN CANTON SHOULD MOVE TO A 
SAFE PLACE NOW.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
BUFFINGTON...CANTON AND HICKORY FLAT.

DO NOT USE YOUR CAR TO TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO. CARS ARE EASILY
TOSSED AROUND BY TORNADO WINDS. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN THE PATH OF A
TORNADO...LEAVE THE CAR AND GO TO A STRONG BUILDING. IF NO SAFE
STRUCTURE IS NEARBY...SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR LOW SPOT AND COVER
YOUR HEAD.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EST WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR 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 3438 8440 3417 8442 3416 8443 3422 8464
      3429 8464 3434 8463 3439 8442
TIME...MOT...LOC 2151Z 278DEG 22KT 3425 8457

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 18, 3:43 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBartow, Chattooga, Floyd, Gordon52 min
Feb 18, 3:52 PM ESTWind AdvisoryFFCBaldwin, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Bleckley and 90 more27 hr
Feb 18, 4:19 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCChattahoochee, Marion, Muscogee41 min
Feb 18, 4:52 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCHarris, Talbot38 min
Feb 18, 4:53 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCCherokee, Forsyth, Fulton37 min
Feb 18, 5:02 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCCarroll43 min
Feb 18, 5:06 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCMarion, Schley, Taylor24 min
Feb 18, 5:31 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCCarroll, Coweta, Douglas, Fulton44 min
Feb 18, 5:32 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCTalbot, Taylor27 min
Feb 18, 5:33 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCMacon, Taylor22 min
Feb 18, 5:36 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett54 min
Feb 18, 5:43 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCDeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett34 min
Feb 18, 5:54 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCClayton, Coweta, Fayette, Fulton, Henry, Spalding51 min
Feb 18, 5:59 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCGwinnett, Walton46 min
Feb 18, 6:01 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCrawford, Houston, Peach44 min
Feb 18, 6:13 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCCarroll47 min
Feb 18, 6:19 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCHouston, Twiggs26 min
Feb 18, 6:21 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCClarke, Greene, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Walton54 min
Feb 18, 6:22 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCarroll, Haralson38 min
Feb 18, 6:33 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCButts, Henry, Jasper, Newton42 min
Feb 18, 6:44 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCBleckley, Laurens, Twiggs25 min
Feb 18, 6:48 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCWilkinson22 min
Feb 18, 6:50 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCJasper, Putnam55 min
Feb 18, 6:54 PM ESTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCCarroll, Coweta, Douglas, Fulton18 min
Feb 18, 6:58 PM ESTTornado WarningFFCGreene, Oglethorpe, Taliaferro, Warren, Wilkes77 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.