Alert archive / Georgia / Tornado Warnings in 2019

Tornado Warning 7, NWS Jacksonville, FL

March 3, 20195 counties in Georgia

NWS Jacksonville, FL issued this tornado warning at Mar 3, 2019, 5:30 PM EST for 5 counties in Georgia. It was in force for 45 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 3, 2019, 5:30 PM EST (22:30 UTC)
Expired: Mar 3, 2019, 6:15 PM EST
In force: 45 min
Issued by: NWS Jacksonville, FL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 2.0 in

Counties Appling County, GA, Bacon County, GA, Coffee County, GA, Pierce County, GA, Wayne County, GA

The radar

The Moody AFB radar (KVAX), 100 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:31 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Mar 3, 6:16 PM EST	TSTM WND DMG	5 Ene Odum, GA	911 CALL CENTER REPORTED A TREE DOWN ON STATE ROAD 169 NEAR BETHESDA ROAD BLOCKING THE SOUTH BOUND LANE. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
Mar 3, 6:22 PM EST	TSTM WND DMG	6 Nnw Gardi, GA	THREE HOUSES SUFFERED MINOR ROOF DAMAGE, SEVERAL MORE SHELTERS HAD DAMAGE, AND AT LEAST 20 TREES DOWNED. DAMAGE OCCURRED AROUND GRANTHAM ROAD AND HOLLAND DRIVE AREAS. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR.

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

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

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 3, 3:35 PM EST	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Jacksonville, FL (KJAX), launched 12:00Z, 10.5 hours before the alert went out and 133 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: 684 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -29 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 640 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 47 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 63 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 104 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.2
Supercell composite: 1.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

533 
WFUS52 KJAX 032230
TORJAX
GAC001-005-069-229-305-032315-
/O.NEW.KJAX.TO.W.0007.190303T2230Z-190303T2315Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Key West FL
Issued by National Weather Service Key West FL
530 PM EST SUN MAR 3 2019

The National Weather Service in Key West has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  East central Coffee County in southeastern Georgia...
  North central Pierce County in southeastern Georgia...
  Bacon County in southeastern Georgia...
  Northern Wayne County in southeastern Georgia...
  Southern Appling County in southeastern Georgia...

* Until 615 PM EST.

* At 529 PM EST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Alma, moving east at 50 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and hail up to two inches in diameter. 

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. 

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely. 

* Locations impacted include...
  Jesup, Alma, Surrency, Gardi, Odum and New Lacy. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3147 8262 3163 8262 3178 8199 3152 8173
TIME...MOT...LOC 2229Z 256DEG 42KT 3156 8254 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...2.00IN

$$

SC

1 follow-up statement

842 
WWUS52 KJAX 032254
SVSJAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Key West FL
Issued by National Weather Service Key West FL
554 PM EST SUN MAR 3 2019

GAC005-069-229-032303-
/O.CAN.KJAX.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-190303T2315Z/
Coffee GA-Pierce GA-Bacon GA-
554 PM EST SUN MAR 3 2019

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL COFFEE...NORTH CENTRAL PIERCE
AND BACON COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A tornado watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EST for southeastern
Georgia.

LAT...LON 3158 8179 3153 8220 3164 8235 3178 8199
TIME...MOT...LOC 2253Z 259DEG 41KT 3160 8223 

$$

GAC001-305-032315-
/O.CON.KJAX.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-190303T2315Z/
Wayne GA-Appling GA-
554 PM EST SUN MAR 3 2019

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM EST FOR
NORTHWESTERN WAYNE AND SOUTHEASTERN APPLING COUNTIES...
    
At 553 PM EST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles south of Surrency, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and two inch hail. 

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. 

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely. 

Locations impacted include...
Jesup and Odum. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3158 8179 3153 8220 3164 8235 3178 8199
TIME...MOT...LOC 2253Z 259DEG 41KT 3160 8223 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...2.00IN

$$

11

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Jacksonville, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Mar 3, 9:44 AM EST, 7 hours 46 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 3, 9:44 AM EST, 7 hours 46 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
944 AM EST Sun Mar 3 2019

...STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND
THIS EVENING ACROSS MAINLY SOUTHEAST GEORGIA...

.UPDATE...Morning fog and low clouds gradually lifting this
morning. Weak upper disturbance now spreading showers from the ne
Gulf into the eastern Fl panhandle. This activity will spread ne
across the Suwannee Valley into se Ga later this morning and
afternoon. An isolated strong to severe storm may be possible by late
this afternoon over se Ga as wind shear and instability increase.
A more widespread severe weather outbreak(damaging winds...hail...
and isolated tornadoes possible) is expected to occur over se Ga
this evening between 00z-05z as a stronger trough and associated cold
front develop a squall line to the nw of the area. The storms
will push se into ne Fl around midnight with weakening expected
overnight as a cold front pushes through by early Monday morning
bringing cooler and breezy conditions.

&&

.AVIATION...LIFR conditions due to low ceilings/fog will
gradually improve to MVFR around 16z this morning and then VFR
after 18z. Isolated showers and thunderstorms may affect SSI this
afternoon...with strong storms likely affecting SSI 00z-06z this
evening. Showers and storms will move se across the ne Fl TAF
sites between 05z-12z tonight as they gradually weaken. Winds will
increase to 10-15 knots this afternoon with a windshift to the nw
after midnight.

&&

.MARINE...Southwest winds will increase to 10-15 knots this
afternoon as a strong cold front pushes into the se U.S. The cold
front will increase winds to at least Caution levels this evening
with marginal Small Craft Advisory levels possible especially
over the Georgia waters tonight. Seas offshore will build to 3-5
feet overnight. Showers and thunderstorms will accompany the
strong cold front as it moves through the Georgia waters after
midnight. The shower activity should weaken as it crosses the
northeast Florida waters late tonight and Monday morning. Winds
will shift to north- northwesterly in the wake of the front by
sunrise over the Georgia waters and Monday morning for the
northeast Florida waters. Showers and perhaps a few thunderstorms
will exit the northeast Florida waters by early afternoon.

Rip Currents: Low risk will continue through at least Tuesday as
offshore winds prevail.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AMG  79  51  63  43 /  40  70  20  10
SSI  75  60  65  47 /  20  60  20  10
JAX  81  64  70  48 /  20  50  30  10
SGJ  81  65  70  52 /  10  30  40  20
GNV  83  65  72  48 /  10  30  30  10
OCF  83  65  75  51 /  10  30  30  10

&&

.JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...None.
GA...None.
AM...None.
&&

Zibura/Kennedy/

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 3, 4:58 PM EST, 32 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
458 PM EST SUN MAR 3 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0446 PM     HAIL             3 NNW BROXTON           31.66N 82.91W
03/03/2019  M0.88 INCH       Coffee             GA   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTED NICKEL SIZE HAIL OBSERVED
            ALONG US HIGHWAY 441 2 MILES NORTH OF BROXTON. TIME
            ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

&&

RBRICKER

Local storm report, Mar 3, 5:09 PM EST, 21 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
509 PM EST SUN MAR 3 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0456 PM     HAIL             4 W JASPER              30.51N 83.02W
03/03/2019  M0.50 INCH       Hamilton           FL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERENCY MANAGER REPORTED DIME SIZE HAIL OBSERVED ALONG
            SINKHOLE ROAD WEST OF DOUGLAS BETWEEN HIGHWAY 32 HIGHWAY
            158.

&&

RBRICKER

Local storm report, Mar 3, 5:12 PM EST, 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
512 PM EST SUN MAR 3 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0502 PM     TORNADO          4 WNW DOUGLAS           31.54N 82.91W
03/03/2019                   Coffee             GA   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERGENCY MANAGER RELAYED A REPORT OF A TORNADO OBSERVED
            NORTH OF STATE HIGHWAY 32 ON THE GROUND AT 502PM.

&&

RBRICKER

Local storm report, Mar 3, 5:19 PM EST, 11 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
519 PM EST SUN MAR 3 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0456 PM     HAIL             6 W DOUGLAS             31.52N 82.94W
03/03/2019  M0.50 INCH       Coffee             GA   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMERENCY MANAGER REPORTED DIME SIZE HAIL OBSERVED ALONG
            SINKHOLE ROAD WEST OF DOUGLAS BETWEEN HIGHWAY 32 HIGHWAY
            158.

&&

RBRICKER

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Mar 3, 4:11 PM EST	Tornado Warning	JAX	Appling, Jeff Davis	49 min
Mar 3, 4:32 PM EST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAX	Coffee	28 min
Mar 3, 4:41 PM EST	Tornado Warning	JAX	Appling, Bacon, Coffee, Jeff Davis	49 min
Mar 3, 4:49 PM EST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAX	Atkinson, Bacon, Coffee	26 min
Mar 3, 5:01 PM EST	Tornado Warning	JAX	Atkinson, Bacon, Coffee, Jeff Davis	44 min
Mar 3, 5:36 PM EST	Tornado Warning	JAX	Appling, Coffee, Jeff Davis	39 min
Mar 3, 6:11 PM EST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAX	Appling, Bacon, Jeff Davis	34 min
Mar 3, 6:14 PM EST	Tornado Warning	JAX	Wayne	16 min
Mar 3, 6:48 PM EST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAX	Appling, Wayne	27 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Georgia, 2019 Every tornado warning in 2019 Tornadoes in 2019

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.