Severe Thunderstorm Warning 131, NWS Atlanta, GA

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1055 AM EDT Wed Apr 5 2017

.UPDATE...

Warm front continues moving north with widespread shower and
thunderstorm activity along and north of the boundary. As the
area I-20 and southward is now in the warm sector, the threat for
more widespread severe weather will increase through the remainder
of the day. Some breaks in cloud cover in central Georgia are
providing for increased instability. Expect supercells currently
in Alabama to continue their track into our CWA as well as
additional convective development. With increasing instability in
the warm sector, impressive shear, and lapse rates around 7 C/km
the threat for tornadoes, very large hail, and damaging winds will
continue to increase. Threat will remain until cold front begins
sweeping through the area this evening. Flash flood risk also
remains, especially within the Flash Flood Watch which was
extended slightly farther north and includes a good portion of
north and central Georgia.

RW

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 739 AM EDT Wed Apr 5 2017/

PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 348 AM EDT Wed Apr 5 2017/

SHORT TERM /Today through Thursday/...
Severe weather is expected across much of Georgia today. Be ready
to execute your severe weather plan in case a Severe Thunderstorm
Warning or Tornado Warning is issued for your location. Keep a
way to receive weather warnings nearby - such as a NOAA weather
radio or your smart phone. Please stay weather aware today, and
stay safe out there.

A very vigorous storm system will impact the CWFA today. There
could be several rounds of severe thunderstorms today, so don't
let your guard down if you experience relatively quiet conditions
for a period of time. The first round of severe weather is
currently impacting portions of southern Alabama and the Florida
panhandle. This activity is associated with a northward moving
warm front. This warm front is expected to move into SW GA early
this morning and keep moving to near the I-20 corridor by
daybreak. South of the warm front, the airmass is very unstable
and lapse rates are very steep for this time of the morning.
Reports of up to half dollar sized hail have been reported across
portions of SE AL. With this first round of thunderstorms, expect
the primary modes of severe weather to be large hail (up to 2
inches possible) and damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 MPH. An
isolated tornado cannot be ruled out either, as the front will
provide an excellent source of low level shear.

The warm front may end up settling somewhere in the vicinity of
the northern 'burbs of Atlanta by mid morning. This means that
most of the CWFA will be in the warm sector for the afternoon. The
atmosphere should have enough time to recuperate from the morning
storms, and become very unstable during the peak heating of the
afternoon - especially if the clouds begin to break. All the
ingredients for severe weather will be present: strong mid and
upper level forcing, strong surface instability, plenty of deep
level shear, a 40-50kt 850mb jet, etc. This will be the time that
discreet cells ahead of the front are expected to develop and
supercells will be likely. (Prime time for tornado development.)

The actual cold front isn't expected to move through until later
in the evening and into the overnight hours. The actual front will
provide enough focus for additional storms well into the evening
and overnight. However, the atmosphere *may* be worked over enough
by the time the front moves through that the coverage and
*possibly* severity of the storms may decrease. However, not
entirely confident on this situation - so continue to stay weather
aware even after the sun sets.

There is plenty of much cooler air behind this system and
Thursday's will be a (relatively) cold and windy day. A Wind
Advisory will likely be needed, but don't want to over complicate
the headlines for today.

NListemaa

LONG TERM /Thursday Night through Tuesday/...
Extended period largely overshadowed by short term severe threat.
Following the aforementioned system, wrap around moisture will
linger over the northeast Georgia mountains through Friday morning,
with the potential for some mixed precip as temperatures drop into
the low to mid 30s. For now, have limited the p-type to rain or
snow, and will need to revisit this in subsequent forecast packages.
Not expecting any accumulations at this time. Will also need to
consider issuing a Freeze Warning for this area given the expected
low temperatures.

Below normal temperatures expected Friday will slowly warm through
the weekend, with highs in the 60s on Saturday and the mid to upper
70s on Sunday with sunny skies. High pressure will hold through the
weekend and into next week, with the next system approaching late
Tuesday - a tad slower than the previous model runs. GFS and ECMWF
differ in timing by 6-12 hours, with the better activity currently
timed for Wednesday. For now have limited pops to good chance.
Temperatures will generally stay in the mid 70s to near 80 through
next week.

31

HYDROLOGY...
Widespread QPF amounts of 1.5 to 2.25 inches still look to be
handled well across middle Georgia today. Flash Flood Guidance
suggests that the area can handle these rainfall amounts, even if
they were to fall in a one to three hour time frame. WPC does have
the area outlooked for a slight risk of flash flooding, and isolated
flash flooding cannot be ruled out, particularly as storms train
over the same area, or where localized rainfall amounts are higher.
Site specific headwater forecasts are largely keeping river gage
locations at or below action stage following the precipitation
today. Modeled precipitable water values remain near seasonal
maximums, and expect high rainfall rates from efficient storms. Have
opted to issue a Flash Flood Watch mainly along the Interstate 20
corridor for the heaviest QPF axis.

AVIATION... 06Z Update... Main changes to the TAF this cycle were
to tweak the timing for the early morning shra/tsra and change
the prob group to a tempo. Several rounds of shra/tsra expected
for the afternoon. Will likely have to tweak the prevailing tsra
wording at later updates.

//ATL Confidence...12Z Update...
Medium confidence all elements.

AVIATION...
12Z Update...
Made some slight timing tweaks to the TAFS for the first round of
thunderstorms this morning. Otherwise, no major changes through
the day. After the first round of storms, there could be a lull,
but do expect convective activity to develop again during the
early afternoon. This activity could linger into the early evening
hours. Winds are currently flirting with due south, but do
expected them to switch to the SW by mid morning.

//ATL Confidence...12Z Update...
Medium confidence all elements.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          73  50  57  41 /  80  60  20   5
Atlanta         73  48  56  42 /  80  60  20   5
Blairsville     67  44  49  34 /  70  60  40  30
Cartersville    75  48  55  41 /  70  60  30  10
Columbus        78  51  63  45 /  80  60  10   0
Gainesville     71  47  53  40 /  80  60  30  10
Macon           78  51  62  43 /  80  70  10   0
Rome            77  48  56  41 /  70  60  30   5
Peachtree City  74  49  58  41 /  80  60  20   0
Vidalia         82  54  64  45 /  80  70  10   0

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Tornado Watch until 1 PM EDT this afternoon for the following
zones: Barrow...Bartow...Bibb...Bleckley...Butts...Carroll...
Chattahoochee...Cherokee...Clayton...Cobb...Coweta...Crawford...
Crisp...DeKalb...Dooly...Douglas...Fayette...Floyd...Forsyth...
Gwinnett...Haralson...Harris...Heard...Henry...Houston...
Jasper...Jones...Lamar...Macon...Marion...Meriwether...Monroe...
Morgan...Muscogee...Newton...North Fulton...Oconee...Paulding...
Peach...Pike...Polk...Pulaski...Putnam...Rockdale...Schley...
South Fulton...Spalding...Stewart...Sumter...Talbot...Taylor...
Troup...Twiggs...Upson...Walton...Webster...Wilcox.

Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for the following zones:
Baldwin...Banks...Barrow...Bartow...Bibb...Butts...Carroll...
Cherokee...Clarke...Clayton...Cobb...Coweta...Crawford...
DeKalb...Douglas...Fayette...Forsyth...Glascock...Greene...
Gwinnett...Hall...Hancock...Haralson...Harris...Heard...Henry...
Jackson...Jasper...Jones...Lamar...Madison...Meriwether...
Monroe...Morgan...Muscogee...Newton...North Fulton...Oconee...
Oglethorpe...Paulding...Pike...Polk...Putnam...Rockdale...South
Fulton...Spalding...Talbot...Taliaferro...Troup...Upson...
Walton...Warren...Wilkes.

&&

SHORT TERM...RW
AVIATION...RW

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
656 AM EDT Wed Apr 5 2017

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-061100-
Baldwin-Banks-Barrow-Bartow-Bibb-Bleckley-Butts-Carroll-Catoosa-
Chattahoochee-Chattooga-Cherokee-Clarke-Clayton-Cobb-Coweta-
Crawford-Crisp-Dade-Dawson-DeKalb-Dodge-Dooly-Douglas-Emanuel-
Fannin-Fayette-Floyd-Forsyth-Gilmer-Glascock-Gordon-Greene-
Gwinnett-Hall-Hancock-Haralson-Harris-Heard-Henry-Houston-Jackson-
Jasper-Jefferson-Johnson-Jones-Lamar-Laurens-Lumpkin-Macon-
Madison-Marion-Meriwether-Monroe-Montgomery-Morgan-Murray-
Muscogee-Newton-North Fulton-Oconee-Oglethorpe-Paulding-Peach-
Pickens-Pike-Polk-Pulaski-Putnam-Rockdale-Schley-South Fulton-
Spalding-Stewart-Sumter-Talbot-Taliaferro-Taylor-Telfair-Toombs-
Towns-Treutlen-Troup-Twiggs-Union-Upson-Walker-Walton-Warren-
Washington-Webster-Wheeler-White-Whitfield-Wilcox-Wilkes-
Wilkinson-
656 AM EDT Wed Apr 5 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight...

Scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms are expected today into
tonight. Damaging winds in excess of 60 mph, large hail to 2" in
size or greater, and several tornadoes will be main hazards. A
few of the tornadoes could be strong and have long tracks on the
ground, causing extensive damage. Heavy rain can also be expected
with minor flooding possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday...

Strong and gusty winds can be expected on Thursday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time Friday through Monday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is requested for today through this evening
across north and central Georgia. Spotters are also encouraged to
submit reports of severe weather through the web by going to
weather.gov/atlanta.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1108 AM EDT WED APR 5 2017

GAZ021>023-031>034-042>045-052>055-066-051600-
Fayette GA-Coweta GA-Carroll GA-Forsyth GA-Gwinnett GA-Troup GA-
Heard GA-Paulding GA-South Fulton GA-Hall GA-North Fulton GA-
Douglas GA-Cobb GA-Clayton GA-Cherokee GA-DeKalb GA-
1108 AM EDT WED APR 5 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN FAYETTE...
NORTHWESTERN COWETA...SOUTHEASTERN CARROLL...FORSYTH...NORTHWESTERN
GWINNETT...NORTHWESTERN TROUP...HEARD...SOUTHEASTERN PAULDING...SOUTH
FULTON...SOUTHWESTERN HALL...NORTH FULTON...DOUGLAS...COBB...
NORTHWESTERN CLAYTON...SOUTHERN CHEROKEE AND NORTHWESTERN DEKALB
COUNTIES UNTIL noon EDT...

At 1108 AM EDT...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from Birmingham to Seaton Lake to Rock Stand...and moving
east at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind...pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
           ground lightning.

  IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
           light...unsecured objects.

Some locations in the path of these storms include
Atlanta, Marietta, Newnan, Douglasville, Carrollton, Decatur,
Cumming, Franklin, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, Alpharetta,
Smyrna, Dunwoody, East Point, Milton, Kennesaw, Duluth, Woodstock and
Acworth.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

A tornado watch remains in effect. Continue to monitor NOAA Weather
Radio...weather.gov or other media outlets for further statements or
possible warnings on these storms.

LAT...LON 3359 8500 3407 8468 3425 8390 3356 8449
      3315 8507 3315 8524 3338 8528
TIME...MOT...LOC 1508Z 263DEG 28KT 3419 8433 3352 8494 3320 8544

HAIL...0.25IN
WIND...50MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1119 AM EDT WED APR 5 2017

GAZ039-051530-
Wilkes GA-
1119 AM EDT WED APR 5 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN WILKES COUNTY UNTIL
1130 AM EDT...

At 1119 AM EDT...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Nancy Hart State Park to near Newtown...and
moving east at 65 mph.

  HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind...pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
           ground lightning.

  IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
           light...unsecured objects.

Some locations in the path of these storms include
Tignall, Delhi, Danburg and Floral Hill.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

LAT...LON 3384 8258 3383 8260 3380 8258 3376 8279
      3399 8272 3398 8269 3399 8266 3398 8265
      3386 8261 3387 8258 3387 8257
TIME...MOT...LOC 1519Z 248DEG 56KT 3398 8270 3380 8275

HAIL...0.25IN
WIND...40MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1127 AM EDT WED APR 5 2017

GAZ027-037>039-050-051615-
Wilkes GA-Madison GA-Oglethorpe GA-Oconee GA-Greene GA-
1127 AM EDT WED APR 5 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN WILKES...
SOUTHEASTERN MADISON...OGLETHORPE...SOUTHEASTERN OCONEE AND NORTHERN
GREENE COUNTIES UNTIL 1215 PM EDT...

At 1127 AM EDT...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Carlton to Stephens to near Madison...and moving
east at 35 mph.

  HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind...pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
           ground lightning.

  IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
           light...unsecured objects.

Some locations in the path of these storms include
Greensboro, Lexington, Comer, Crawford, Tignall, Woodville, Carlton,
Maxeys, Rayle, Stephens, Jacksons Crossroads, Mallorysville, Norman,
Wrayswood, Hutchings, Greshamville, Penfield, Philomath, Watson Mill
Bridge State Park and Vesta.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

LAT...LON 3390 8271 3359 8318 3360 8335 3366 8337
      3370 8341 3384 8325 3412 8307 3413 8305
      3405 8299 3403 8293 3401 8294 3401 8291
      3398 8286 3398 8285 3399 8284 3397 8278
      3399 8272 3399 8267
TIME...MOT...LOC 1527Z 252DEG 32KT 3408 8304 3378 8318 3358 8352

HAIL...0.25IN
WIND...50MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service PEACHTREE CITY GA
1128 AM EDT WED APR 5 2017

GAZ056>058-068-051600-
Butts GA-Spalding GA-Pike GA-Henry GA-
1128 AM EDT WED APR 5 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BUTTS...SPALDING...NORTHEASTERN
PIKE AND SOUTHERN HENRY COUNTIES UNTIL noon EDT...

At 1128 AM EDT...a strong thunderstorm was over Rover, or near
Griffin...moving northeast at 55 mph.

  HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind...up to penny sized hail...frequent
           cloud to ground lightning and heavy rain.

  IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
           light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
           street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.

Some locations in the path of this storm include
Griffin, McDonough, Jackson, Hampton, Locust Grove, Jenkinsburg,
Williamson, Orchard Hill, Sunny Side, East Griffin, Blacksville, Ola,
Worthville, Walker Mill, Rover, Luella, Fincherville, Highland Mills,
Towalaga and Experiment.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.

LAT...LON 3344 8429 3347 8394 3345 8392 3342 8391
      3341 8390 3339 8389 3339 8388 3332 8385
      3318 8421 3319 8423 3319 8424 3316 8425
      3312 8436 3324 8444
TIME...MOT...LOC 1528Z 233DEG 49KT 3320 8434

HAIL...0.75IN
WIND...50MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1145 AM EDT WED APR 5 2017

GAZ022>025-033>035-044-045-055-051630-
Banks GA-Hall GA-Jackson GA-North Fulton GA-Barrow GA-Clayton GA-
DeKalb GA-Forsyth GA-Gwinnett GA-South Fulton GA-
1145 AM EDT WED APR 5 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BANKS...HALL...NORTHWESTERN
JACKSON...NORTH FULTON...NORTHWESTERN BARROW...NORTHWESTERN
CLAYTON...DEKALB...FORSYTH...GWINNETT AND SOUTHEASTERN SOUTH FULTON
COUNTIES UNTIL 1230 PM EDT...

At 1145 AM EDT...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from Gainesville to Forest Park...and moving northeast at
50 mph.

  HAZARD...Winds 40 to 50 mph...pea sized hail...frequent lightning
           and heavy rain.

  IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
           light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
           street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.

Some locations in the path of these storms include
Atlanta, Gainesville, Lawrenceville, Decatur, Jefferson, Homer,
Duluth, Sugar Hill, Forest Park, Snellville, Suwanee, Riverdale,
Buford, Lilburn, Norcross, Clarkston, Braselton, Auburn, Hapeville
and Stone Mountain.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.

LAT...LON 3448 8347 3446 8340 3445 8340 3391 8383
      3354 8448 3427 8398 3448 8365 3443 8361
      3445 8360 3445 8359 3449 8354
TIME...MOT...LOC 1545Z 232DEG 43KT 3428 8385 3363 8438

HAIL...0.25IN
WIND...50MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1154 AM EDT WED APR 5 2017

GAZ033-044>046-053>055-057-051630-
Fayette GA-North Fulton GA-Rockdale GA-Clayton GA-Coweta GA-
DeKalb GA-Henry GA-South Fulton GA-
1154 AM EDT WED APR 5 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FAYETTE...NORTH FULTON...
ROCKDALE...CLAYTON...NORTHERN COWETA...SOUTHERN DEKALB...NORTHWESTERN
HENRY AND SOUTH FULTON COUNTIES UNTIL 1230 PM EDT...

At 1154 AM EDT...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from Forest Park to near Corinth...and moving east at 45
mph.

  HAZARD...Winds 40 to 50 mph...pea sized hail...frequent lightning
           and heavy rain.

  IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
           light...unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
           street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.

Some locations in the path of these storms include
Atlanta, Newnan, Fayetteville, Conyers, Jonesboro, Peachtree City,
East Point, Stockbridge, Union City, Forest Park, Riverdale, College
Park, Fairburn, Tyrone, Morrow, Lovejoy, Hapeville, Palmetto, Senoia
and Lake City.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder...you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.

LAT...LON 3348 8478 3370 8449 3371 8393 3335 8439
      3331 8497
TIME...MOT...LOC 1554Z 252DEG 38KT 3361 8437 3328 8494

HAIL...0.25IN
WIND...50MPH