Alert archive / Georgia / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 49, NWS Tallahassee, FL

March 31, 2009Colquitt County, Mitchell County, Georgia

NWS Tallahassee, FL issued this tornado warning at Mar 31, 2009, 5:27 PM EDT for Colquitt County, Mitchell County, Georgia. It was in force for 48 min. 2 reports 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: Mar 31, 2009, 5:27 PM EDT (21:27 UTC)
Expired: Mar 31, 2009, 6:15 PM EDT
In force: 48 min
Issued by: NWS Tallahassee, FL
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Colquitt County, GA, Mitchell County, GA

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Mar 31, 5:50 PM EDT	FUNNEL CLOUD	2 Sw Moultrie, GA	FUNNEL CLOUD MOVING NORTHEAST ALONG GA ROUTE 111. THIS IS KINDALL CHURCH ROAD.
Mar 31, 6:12 PM EDT	TORNADO	Norman Park, GA	BRIEF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN REPORTED.

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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Mar 31, 2:05 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Tallahassee Rgnl, FL (KTLH), launched 12:00Z, 9.5 hours before the alert went out and 101 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 2169 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 243 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 172 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 KTAE 312127
TORTAE
GAC071-205-312215-
/O.NEW.KTAE.TO.W.0049.090331T2127Z-090331T2215Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
527 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  COLQUITT COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL GEORGIA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF MOULTRIE...
  SOUTHEASTERN MITCHELL COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF PELHAM...

* UNTIL 615 PM EDT

* AT 521 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  DEVELOPING TORNADO NEAR PELHAM...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  MOULTRIE BY 545 PM EDT...
  7 MILES SOUTH OF NORMAN PARK BY 555 PM EDT...

ACCORDING TO SPOTTERS ON THE GROUND NEAR THIS STORM...SEVERAL FUNNEL 
CLOUDS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED AS THE STORM CROSSED GEORGIA STATE ROAD 
300. 

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

RELAY REPORTS OF SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
TALLAHASSEE AT (8 5 0) 9 4 2 8 8 3 3. OR...YOU MAY CONTACT THE
NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT 
TUESDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST ALABAMA AND NORTH FLORIDA AND 
SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA.

LAT...LON 3117 8354 3106 8357 3109 8417 3125 8418
      3126 8417 3129 8351 3121 8351
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 269DEG 38KT 3117 8405

$$

38-GODSEY

2 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS52 KTAE 312142
SVSTAE

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
542 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2009

GAC205-312151-
/O.CAN.KTAE.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-090331T2215Z/
MITCHELL GA-
541 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN MITCHELL COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

RELAY REPORTS OF SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
TALLAHASSEE AT (8 5 0) 9 4 2 8 8 3 3. OR...YOU MAY CONTACT THE
NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT 
TUESDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST ALABAMA AND NORTH FLORIDA AND 
SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA.

LAT...LON 3117 8356 3106 8357 3108 8400 3127 8400
      3129 8351 3121 8351
TIME...MOT...LOC 2141Z 268DEG 34KT 3118 8391

$$

GAC071-312215-
/O.CON.KTAE.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-090331T2215Z/
COLQUITT GA-
541 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM EDT FOR COLQUITT
COUNTY...

AT 538 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 9 MILES WEST OF 
MOULTRIE...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  RIVERSIDE AND MOULTRIE BY 550 PM EDT...
  SPENCE A/P AND 6 MILES SOUTH OF NORMAN PARK BY 600 PM EDT...  

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

RELAY REPORTS OF SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
TALLAHASSEE AT (8 5 0) 9 4 2 8 8 3 3. OR...YOU MAY CONTACT THE
NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT 
TUESDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST ALABAMA AND NORTH FLORIDA AND 
SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA.

LAT...LON 3117 8356 3106 8357 3108 8400 3127 8400
      3129 8351 3121 8351
TIME...MOT...LOC 2141Z 268DEG 34KT 3118 8391

$$

38-GODSEY

000 
WWUS52 KTAE 312149
SVSTAE

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
549 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2009

GAC071-312215-
/O.CON.KTAE.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-090331T2215Z/
COLQUITT GA-
548 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM EDT FOR COLQUITT
COUNTY...

AT 543 PM EDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD WEST 
OF MOULTRIE ALONG THE WESTERN BYPASS. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE 
DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUES TO INDICATE STRONG ROTATION WITH THIS STORM 
AND A TORNADO MAY DEVELOP AT ANY TIME. THIS STORM IS MOVING EAST AT 
40 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  MOULTRIE BY 555 PM EDT...
  SPENCE A/P BY 600 PM EDT...
  NORMAN PARK BY 605 PM EDT...
  ELLENTON BY 615 PM EDT...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

RELAY REPORTS OF SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
TALLAHASSEE AT (8 5 0) 9 4 2 8 8 3 3. OR...YOU MAY CONTACT THE
NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT
TUESDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST ALABAMA AND NORTH FLORIDA AND
SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA.

LAT...LON 3117 8356 3106 8357 3108 8400 3127 8400
      3129 8351 3121 8351
TIME...MOT...LOC 2148Z 268DEG 33KT 3120 8385

$$

38-GODSEY

The office that day

Everything else NWS Tallahassee, FL issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Mar 31, 8:43 AM EDT	River Flood Warning	TAE	Clay	26 hr
Mar 31, 12:05 PM EDT	River Flood Advisory	TAE	Lowndes	36 hr
Mar 31, 4:51 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	TAE	Baker, Mitchell	39 min
Mar 31, 5:01 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Berrien, Irwin	29 min
Mar 31, 5:03 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	TAE	Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Dougherty, Early, Miller and 3 more	117 min
Mar 31, 5:07 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	TAE	Decatur, Early, Miller, Seminole	38 min
Mar 31, 5:29 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Colquitt, Tift, Worth	46 min
Mar 31, 5:50 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	TAE	Decatur, Seminole	25 min
Mar 31, 6:17 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Berrien, Colquitt, Cook, Tift, Worth	43 min
Mar 31, 6:22 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	TAE	Colquitt, Cook, Tift	23 min
Mar 31, 6:43 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	TAE	Colquitt, Cook	26 min
Mar 31, 6:44 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	TAE	Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Thomas, Tift	46 min
Mar 31, 6:54 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	TAE	Decatur, Grady, Thomas	51 min
Mar 31, 6:57 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Brooks, Lowndes, Thomas	48 min
Mar 31, 7:31 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Lanier, Lowndes	44 min

Nearby

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