Alert archive / Florida / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 9, NWS Jacksonville, FL

February 15, 2021Columbia County, Gilchrist County, Suwannee County, Florida

NWS Jacksonville, FL issued this tornado warning at Feb 15, 2021, 3:36 PM EST for Columbia County, Gilchrist County, Suwannee County, Florida. It was in force for 39 min. 3 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: Feb 15, 2021, 3:36 PM EST (20:36 UTC)
Expired: Feb 15, 2021, 4:15 PM EST
In force: 39 min
Issued by: NWS Jacksonville, FL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 1.0 in

Counties Columbia County, FL, Gilchrist County, FL, Suwannee County, FL

The radar

The Moody AFB radar (KVAX), 101 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:36 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
Feb 15, 4:10 PM EST	TSTM WND DMG	5 Sw Winfield, FL	PUBLIC SENT DRONE VIDEO OF POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. DAMAGE INCLUDE FENCING PANEL MOVED APPROXIMATELY 750 FT FROM ORIGINAL LOCATION AND MINOR STRUCTURAL DAAGE. ESTIMATED TIMING BASED ON RADAR DATA.
Feb 15, 4:12 PM EST	TSTM WND DMG	4 E Wellborn, FL	POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE. ROOF DAMAGE TO A COUPLE STRUCTURES AND FENCING BLOWN THROUGH THE WINDOW OF A HOUSE. TIMING ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
Feb 15, 4:12 PM EST	TSTM WND DMG	4 Wsw Lake City, FL	POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE. BARN LEVELED ON PINEMOUNT RD. TIMING ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR.

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
Feb 15, 3:02 PM EST	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Jacksonville, FL (KJAX), launched 12:00Z, 8.6 hours before the alert went out and 129 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: 408 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 42 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 83 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 135 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

442 
WFUS52 KJAX 152036
TORJAX
FLC023-041-121-152115-
/O.NEW.KJAX.TO.W.0009.210215T2036Z-210215T2115Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
336 PM EST Mon Feb 15 2021

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Gilchrist County in northern Florida...
  Southwestern Columbia County in northern Florida...
  Southeastern Suwannee County in northern Florida...

* Until 415 PM EST.
    
* At 336 PM EST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 9 miles south of Obrien, or 13 miles northwest of Bell,
  moving northeast at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size 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.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Obrien around 355 PM EST.
  Ichetucknee Spring around 405 PM EST.
  Columbia around 415 PM EST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Branford and Hildreth.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to 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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3026 8287 3022 8270 3003 8257 2980 8293
      2982 8293 2983 8289 2988 8287 2990 8290
      2989 8292 2990 8291 2992 8293 2996 8293
      2996 8295 2999 8296 3001 8298 3001 8300
      3004 8302
TIME...MOT...LOC 2036Z 229DEG 24KT 2991 8299 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

HESS

3 follow-up statements

233 
WWUS52 KJAX 152047
SVSJAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
347 PM EST Mon Feb 15 2021

FLC023-041-121-152115-
/O.CON.KJAX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210215T2115Z/
Gilchrist FL-Columbia FL-Suwannee FL-
347 PM EST Mon Feb 15 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM EST FOR NORTH
CENTRAL GILCHRIST...SOUTHWESTERN COLUMBIA AND SOUTHEASTERN SUWANNEE
COUNTIES...
    
At 347 PM EST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Obrien, or 7 miles northwest of Ichetucknee Spring,
moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size 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.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Columbia around 410 PM EST.
  Lake City around 425 PM EST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Branford and Hildreth.

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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3026 8287 3022 8270 3003 8257 2988 8287
      2990 8290 2989 8292 2990 8291 2992 8293
      2996 8293 2996 8295 2999 8296 3001 8298
      3001 8300 3004 8302
TIME...MOT...LOC 2047Z 227DEG 29KT 3000 8288 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.75IN

$$

HESS

680 
WWUS52 KJAX 152051
SVSJAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
351 PM EST Mon Feb 15 2021

FLC041-152101-
/O.CAN.KJAX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210215T2115Z/
Gilchrist FL-
351 PM EST Mon Feb 15 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL GILCHRIST COUNTY 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 1000 PM EST for northern
Florida.

LAT...LON 3026 8287 3022 8270 3003 8257 2991 8287
      2990 8290 2989 8292 2990 8291 2992 8293
      2996 8293 2996 8295 2999 8296 3001 8298
      3001 8300 3004 8302
TIME...MOT...LOC 2051Z 229DEG 24KT 3002 8286 

$$

FLC023-121-152115-
/O.CON.KJAX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210215T2115Z/
Columbia FL-Suwannee FL-
351 PM EST Mon Feb 15 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM EST FOR
SOUTHWESTERN COLUMBIA AND SOUTHEASTERN SUWANNEE COUNTIES...
    
At 351 PM EST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Obrien, or near Ichetucknee Spring, moving northeast
at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size 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.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Columbia around 410 PM EST.
  Lake City around 430 PM EST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Branford and Hildreth.

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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3026 8287 3022 8270 3003 8257 2991 8287
      2990 8290 2989 8292 2990 8291 2992 8293
      2996 8293 2996 8295 2999 8296 3001 8298
      3001 8300 3004 8302
TIME...MOT...LOC 2051Z 229DEG 24KT 3002 8286 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.75IN

$$

HESS

934 
WWUS52 KJAX 152104
SVSJAX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
404 PM EST Mon Feb 15 2021

FLC023-121-152115-
/O.CON.KJAX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210215T2115Z/
Columbia FL-Suwannee FL-
404 PM EST Mon Feb 15 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM EST FOR WEST
CENTRAL COLUMBIA AND EAST CENTRAL SUWANNEE COUNTIES...
    
At 404 PM EST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Columbia, or 9 miles north of Ichetucknee Spring,
moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size 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.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Wellborn around 415 PM EST.
  Lake City around 425 PM EST.

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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3026 8287 3022 8270 3005 8267 3003 8285
      3006 8292 3009 8294
TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 211DEG 35KT 3010 8279 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.75IN

$$

SHASHY

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Feb 15, 3:07 AM EST	Small Craft Advisory	JAX		31 hr
Feb 15, 9:25 AM EST	Marine Dense Fog Advisory	JAX		5 hr
Feb 15, 2:23 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	JAX	Putnam	52 min
Feb 15, 2:37 PM EST	Tornado Warning	JAX	Putnam	38 min
Feb 15, 2:53 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	JAX	Saint Johns	52 min
Feb 15, 3:00 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	JAX	Marion	45 min
Feb 15, 3:15 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	JAX	Putnam	45 min
Feb 15, 3:18 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	JAX	Hamilton, Suwannee	57 min
Feb 15, 3:41 PM EST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAX	Clay, Putnam, Saint Johns	49 min
Feb 15, 3:46 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	JAX	Putnam	44 min
Feb 15, 4:04 PM EST	Tornado Warning	JAX	Putnam, Saint Johns	41 min
Feb 15, 4:09 PM EST	Tornado Warning	JAX	Columbia, Hamilton, Suwannee	36 min
Feb 15, 4:13 PM EST	Special Marine Warning	JAX		92 min
Feb 15, 4:13 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	JAX	Hamilton	47 min
Feb 15, 4:16 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	JAX	Clay	44 min
Feb 15, 4:21 PM EST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAX	Clay, Duval, Putnam, Saint Johns	39 min
Feb 15, 4:43 PM EST	Tornado Warning	JAX	Saint Johns	17 min
Feb 15, 4:44 PM EST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAX	Baker, Columbia	46 min
Feb 15, 4:48 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	JAX	Clay, Duval, Nassau	57 min
Feb 15, 4:57 PM EST	Tornado Warning	JAX	Baker	33 min
Feb 15, 5:18 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	JAX	Duval	27 min
Feb 15, 5:26 PM EST	Special Marine Warning	JAX		64 min
Feb 15, 5:53 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	JAX	Nassau	37 min
Feb 15, 6:17 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	JAX	Gilchrist, Hamilton, Suwannee	43 min
Feb 15, 6:22 PM EST	Special Marine Warning	JAX		64 min
Feb 15, 6:58 PM EST	Special Weather Statement	JAX	Columbia, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Suwannee	62 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Florida, 2021 Every tornado warning in 2021 Tornadoes in 2021

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.