Alert archive / Georgia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 47, NWS Tallahassee, FL

March 31, 202012 counties in Georgia

NWS Tallahassee, FL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Mar 31, 2020, 1:43 PM EDT for 12 counties in Georgia. It was in force for 62 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued: Mar 31, 2020, 1:43 PM EDT (17:43 UTC)
Expired: Mar 31, 2020, 2:45 PM EDT
In force: 62 min
Issued by: NWS Tallahassee, FL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Hail: 0.75 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Baker County, GA, Calhoun County, GA, Colquitt County, GA, Decatur County, GA, Dougherty County, GA, Grady County, GA, Lee County, GA, Miller County, GA, Mitchell County, GA, Seminole County, GA, Terrell County, GA, Worth County, GA

The radar

The Tallahassee radar (KTLH), 102 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:41 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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Mar 31, 9:51 AM EDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Tallahassee Rgnl, FL (KTLH), launched 12:00Z, 5.7 hours before the alert went out and 102 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: 734 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 50 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 125 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 203 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Tallahassee, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Mar 31, 11:23 AM EDT, 2 hours 20 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 31, 11:23 AM EDT, 2 hours 20 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1123 AM EDT Tue Mar 31 2020

...SEVERE WEATHER EXPECTED TODAY ACROSS THE REGION...

.NEAR TERM [Through Today]...

A positively tilted short wave trough axis was lined up along the
Mississippi River at 14Z. Associate surface low pressure was
centered over central AL with a warm front extending eastward from
it across southern AL to just south of an Albany to Waycross GA
line. South of the front, dew points are in the upper 60s to lower
70s. The 12Z KTAE sounding showed quite a bit of dry air below 500
mb. However, model soundings from the HRRR show this column
moistening sufficiently to allow instability supportive of severe
weather. About a day's worth of HRRR runs show a 50-knot low level
jet developing over the forecast area during the afternoon. Strong
mid level flow, about 80 knots, working through the base of the
trough as well. Bulk shear should be in the 50-60 knot range.
Hodographs are fairly straight, suggesting some splitting cells with
left and right movers. All severe modes are still in play, however.
A tornado watch is in effect for the northwestern half of the
forecast area fro Turner County southwest to Decatur and then on to
Walton County and points northwest. Wind damage has already occurred
upstream in AL with at least one cell showing a TDS.

In addition to the severe threat, the strong onshore flow warrants a
high risk for rip currents, although there shouldn't be anyone in
the water with all beaches closed. Finally, strengthening low level
jet will allow sufficient low level winds to mix down to the surface
to justify leaving the wind advisory in effect.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION [652 AM EDT]...

.SHORT TERM [Tomorrow Through Thursday]...

In the upper levels, a ridge will build into the Southeast by
Wednesday night. At the surface, high pressure will be over the
region with a much cooler, drier air mass in place. POPs will be
near zero with little to no cloud cover. Temps will be noticeably
cooler and more seasonable with highs in the lower 70s tomorrow.
Thursday highs will be in the mid to upper 70s. Lows tomorrow night
will be in the mid to upper 40s.

.LONG TERM [Thursday Night Through Tuesday]...

In the upper levels, the weak ridge over the Southeast will
strengthen on Monday and Tuesday. At the surface, easterly winds
Friday will become more southerly on Saturday. POPs will begin to
increase on Saturday with a slight chance for showers as moisture
returns. The best chance for a shower or thunderstorm is Sunday and
Monday afternoon/evening with POPs of 20 to 40 percent. Highs will
be mainly in the lower 80s. Lows will be in the 50s and lower 60s.

.AVIATION...
[Through 12Z Wednesday]

Scattered LIFR to MVFR conditions will lift to MVFR, drift north
and scatter through the morning and early afternoon. Showers and
thunderstorms will spread into the Panhandle later this morning,
followed by a powerful line of storms moving west to east through
the region in the afternoon. Strong winds are expected today ahead
of the thunderstorms, with sustained winds near 20 knots and
gusts around 35 knots.

.MARINE...

Southerly winds will increase significantly today ahead of an
approaching system. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through
Wednesday morning for sustained winds in excess of 20 knots. Severe
storms are possible mainly this afternoon and evening. Strong
northerly winds (20 to 25 kt) are expected tonight after the cold
front passes. Late in the week expect light easterly winds.

.FIRE WEATHER...

High dispersion indices are expected today ahead of numerous showers
and thunderstorms expected to arrive later this afternoon. Winds
could gust as high as 30 to 40 mph at times. High dispersion indices
will continue once again tomorrow, though Red Flag conditions are
not expected over the next several days.

.HYDROLOGY...

The best chance for rain will be today as a more substantial cold
front moves through. Another chance for rain is likely this weekend.
Forecast rainfall totals are one inch or less for the region over
the next five days.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is requested. Spotters should safely report
significant weather conditions and/or damage by calling the office or
tweeting us @NWSTallahassee. Please relay any information to the
NWS while following all local, state and CDC guidelines.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...

Tallahassee   83  50  74  48  79 /  80  40   0   0   0
Panama City   78  52  73  53  76 /  80  10   0   0   0
Dothan        79  46  70  47  76 /  90  10   0   0   0
Albany        79  47  70  46  75 /  90  20   0   0   0
Valdosta      81  49  71  47  77 /  90  70   0   0   0
Cross City    81  53  75  48  79 /  30  50   0   0   0
Apalachicola  79  52  72  55  73 /  60  10   0   0   0

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Wind Advisory until 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ this evening for Calhoun-
     Central Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Dixie-Coastal Franklin-
     Coastal Gulf-Coastal Jefferson-Coastal Taylor-Coastal
     Wakulla-Gadsden-Holmes-Inland Bay-Inland Dixie-Inland
     Franklin-Inland Gulf-Inland Jefferson-Inland Taylor-Inland
     Wakulla-Jackson-Lafayette-Leon-Liberty-Madison-North Walton-
     South Walton-Washington.

     High Rip Current Risk through this evening for Coastal Bay-
     Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.

GA...Wind Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for Baker-Ben Hill-
     Berrien-Brooks-Calhoun-Clay-Colquitt-Cook-Decatur-Dougherty-
     Early-Grady-Irwin-Lanier-Lee-Lowndes-Miller-Mitchell-
     Quitman-Randolph-Seminole-Terrell-Thomas-Tift-Turner-Worth.

AL...Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for Coffee-Dale-Geneva-
     Henry-Houston.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 11 AM EDT Wednesday for Apalachee Bay
     or Coastal Waters From Keaton Beach to Ochlockonee River FL
     out to 20 Nm-Coastal Waters From Ochlockonee River to
     Apalachicola Fl out to 20 Nm-Coastal waters from Suwannee
     River to Keaton Beach FL out 20 NM-Waters from Suwannee
     River to Apalachicola FL from 20 to 60 NM.

     Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM CDT Wednesday for Coastal
     waters from Mexico Beach to Apalachicola FL out 20 NM-
     Coastal waters from Mexico Beach to Okaloosa Walton County
     Line FL out 20 NM-Waters from Apalachicola to Mexico Beach
     FL from 20 to 60 NM-Waters from Mexico Beach to Okaloosa
     Walton County Line FL from 20 to 60 NM.

&&

NEAR TERM...Wool
SHORT TERM...McD
LONG TERM...McD
AVIATION...Harrigan
MARINE...McD
FIRE WEATHER...Harrigan
HYDROLOGY...McD

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 31, 12:39 PM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1239 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

1155 AM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NE PINE LEVEL         31.51N 86.16W
03/31/2020                   COFFEE             AL   911 CALL CENTER

            TREE DOWN ON COUNTY ROAD 348.

1209 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 NE WOODLAND GROVE CHU 31.47N 85.95W
03/31/2020                   COFFEE             AL   911 CALL CENTER

            POWER LINE DOWN ON COUNTY ROAD 239.

1215 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NNE CLINTONVILLE      31.42N 85.89W
03/31/2020                   COFFEE             AL   911 CALL CENTER

            SIGN BLOWN OVER ON HIGHWAY 167.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 31, 1:03 PM EDT, 40 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
103 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

1231 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BAREFIELD CROSSROADS    31.55N 85.46W
03/31/2020                   DALE               AL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            REPORT OF TREE DOWN ON COUNTY ROAD 67.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 31, 1:17 PM EDT, 26 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
117 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

1227 PM     TSTM WND DMG     OZARK                   31.46N 85.64W
03/31/2020                   DALE               AL   911 CALL CENTER

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN ACROSS DALE COUNTY.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 31, 1:20 PM EDT, 23 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
120 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

1245 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ABBEVILLE               31.57N 85.25W
03/31/2020                   HENRY              AL   911 CALL CENTER

            TREE DOWN IN ABBEVILLE.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 31, 1:27 PM EDT, 16 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
127 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

1259 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CROSSROADS              31.83N 84.99W
03/31/2020                   QUITMAN            GA   911 CALL CENTER

            *** 1 INJ ***
            TREE DOWN ON A HOUSE ALONG HIGHWAY 82 WITH
            ONE PERSON INJURED. POSSIBLE TORNADO.

&&

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Mar 31, 11:55 AM EDT	Special Marine Warning	TAE		95 min
Mar 31, 12:08 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Holmes, Jackson, Walton, Washington	67 min
Mar 31, 1:14 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Walton and 1 more	61 min
Mar 31, 1:20 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	TAE		85 min
Mar 31, 2:12 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Bay, Calhoun, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Liberty and 2 more	63 min
Mar 31, 2:40 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	TAE		65 min
Mar 31, 3:18 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and 1 more	57 min
Mar 31, 3:43 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	TAE		62 min
Mar 31, 3:59 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	TAE	Franklin, Gulf	31 min
Mar 31, 4:09 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Franklin, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla	66 min
Mar 31, 4:10 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	TAE	Jefferson, Madison, Taylor	35 min
Mar 31, 4:16 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	TAE	Madison	29 min
Mar 31, 4:38 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	TAE		67 min
Mar 31, 4:39 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	TAE	Lafayette, Madison, Taylor	23 min
Mar 31, 5:12 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Dixie, Lafayette, Taylor	63 min
Mar 31, 5:40 PM EDT	Special Marine Warning	TAE		65 min
Mar 31, 6:13 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Dixie	62 min
Mar 31, 7:09 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Dixie	36 min
Mar 31, 12:35 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	TAE	Clay, Quitman, Randolph	40 min
Mar 31, 12:50 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Dougherty, Early, Miller and 4 more	25 min
Mar 31, 1:05 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Decatur, Dougherty, Early and 7 more	55 min
Mar 31, 1:10 PM EDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	TAE	Quitman, Randolph, Terrell	35 min
Mar 31, 2:09 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Colquitt, Tift, Worth	36 min
Mar 31, 2:31 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Ben Hill, Berrien, Colquitt, Cook, Irwin, Tift	44 min
Mar 31, 2:49 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Lanier, Lowndes	21 min
Mar 31, 3:21 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Brooks, Lowndes, Thomas	54 min
Mar 31, 11:18 AM EDT	Tornado Warning	TAE	Geneva	27 min
Mar 31, 11:28 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Coffee, Dale	62 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Georgia, 2020 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2020

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.