Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2022

Tornado Warning 78, NWS Tallahassee, FL

December 14, 2022Coffee County, Dale County, Geneva County, Alabama

NWS Tallahassee, FL issued this tornado warning at Dec 14, 2022, 9:51 PM CST for Coffee County, Dale County, Geneva County, Alabama. It was in force for 15 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued: Dec 14, 2022, 9:51 PM CST (03:51 UTC)
Expired: Dec 14, 2022, 10:06 PM CST
In force: 15 min
Issued by: NWS Tallahassee, FL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 0.75 in

Counties Coffee County, AL, Dale County, AL, Geneva County, AL

The radar

The Ft Rucker radar (KEOX), 39 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:55 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.

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
Dec 14, 5:57 PM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Tallahassee Rgnl, FL (KTLH), launched 00:00Z, 3.9 hours before the alert went out and 167 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: 172 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -15 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 513 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 55 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 222 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 274 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.2
Supercell composite: 1.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

772 
WFUS52 KTAE 150351
TORTAE
ALC031-045-061-150430-
/O.NEW.KTAE.TO.W.0078.221215T0351Z-221215T0430Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
951 PM CST Wed Dec 14 2022

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southwestern Dale County in southeastern Alabama...
  Southeastern Coffee County in southeastern Alabama...
  North central Geneva County in southeastern Alabama...

* Until 1030 PM CST.
    
* At 951 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 7 miles northeast of Samson, or 9 miles northwest of
  Geneva, moving northeast at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  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...
  Enterprise around 1005 PM CST.
  Level Plains around 1010 PM CST.
  Daleville around 1015 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Chancellor, Spears, Sellersville, Lucile, High Bluff, Gerald, Lowe
Army Heliport, Dundee, Central City and Clayhatchee.

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.

To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.
They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in
Tallahassee.

&&

LAT...LON 3137 8573 3124 8569 3121 8569 3120 8571
      3119 8567 3112 8565 3109 8599 3120 8603
TIME...MOT...LOC 0351Z 244DEG 39KT 3116 8594 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

42-DVD

2 follow-up statements

276 
WWUS52 KTAE 150359
SVSTAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
959 PM CST Wed Dec 14 2022

ALC031-045-061-150430-
/O.CON.KTAE.TO.W.0078.000000T0000Z-221215T0430Z/
Dale AL-Coffee AL-Geneva AL-
959 PM CST Wed Dec 14 2022

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1030 PM CST FOR
SOUTHWESTERN DALE...SOUTHEASTERN COFFEE AND NORTH CENTRAL GENEVA
COUNTIES...
    
At 958 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 10 miles southwest of Enterprise, moving northeast at 40
mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

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...
  Enterprise around 1010 PM CST.
  Level Plains around 1015 PM CST.
  Daleville around 1020 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Chancellor, Lucile, High Bluff, Gerald, Lowe Army Heliport, Central
City, Clayhatchee, Cool Springs, Battens Crossroads and Coffee
Springs.

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.

If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.

&&

LAT...LON 3137 8573 3124 8569 3121 8569 3120 8571
      3118 8572 3115 8573 3115 8595 3122 8598
TIME...MOT...LOC 0358Z 242DEG 36KT 3119 8590 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

42-DVD

047 
WWUS52 KTAE 150406
SVSTAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1006 PM CST Wed Dec 14 2022

ALC031-045-061-150416-
/O.CAN.KTAE.TO.W.0078.000000T0000Z-221215T0430Z/
Dale AL-Coffee AL-Geneva AL-
1006 PM CST Wed Dec 14 2022

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN DALE...SOUTHEASTERN COFFEE
AND NORTH CENTRAL GENEVA COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
                
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CST for southeastern
Alabama.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Tallahassee.

LAT...LON 3137 8573 3124 8569 3121 8569 3120 8571
      3118 8572 3115 8573 3115 8595 3122 8598
TIME...MOT...LOC 0405Z 244DEG 39KT 3123 8580 

$$

42-DVD

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 Tallahassee, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Dec 14, 7:51 PM CST, 2 hours earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 14, 7:51 PM CST, 2 hours before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
851 PM EST Wed Dec 14 2022

...New NEAR TERM, MARINE...

.NEAR TERM...
(Through Thursday)
Issued at 846 PM EST Wed Dec 14 2022

Ongoing scattered showers and thunderstorms, some severe, will
continue through the next few hours. The main line of storms is
expected to reach the western counties of the CWA beginning around
9pm CT and march east through the night into tomorrow morning.
Strong wind gusts and a few tornadoes are the main concerns. A
Tornado Watch is currently in effect through 2am ET. Be sure to
have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially while you're
sleeping tonight!

The QLCS will begin to gradually weaken as upper level support
moves off to the north and the stable layer near the surface
strengthens with eastern extent. The QLCS is expected to move out
of the CWA by the late morning, ushering in clear and dry
conditions as high pressure builds in its wake. High temperatures
are expected to range from the low 60s to low 70s and overnight
lows will drop into the low 40s as a dry, cold continental airmass
envelops the region.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Thursday night through Friday night)
Issued at 358 PM EST Wed Dec 14 2022

In the wake of the strong cold frontal passage on Thursday, a much
cooler and drier air mass is in store for Thursday Night. Lows
away the coast will range from the mid-30s to mid-40s. A continued
dry air mass through Friday Night as high pressure gradually
builds in. High temperatures on Friday mostly in the 60s, which is
near average, falling back to the mid-30s to mid-40s Friday
Night.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Saturday through Tuesday)
Issued at 358 PM EST Wed Dec 14 2022

From this weekend into the middle of next week, we'll be watching
a couple southern stream systems lead to the development of waves
of low pressure in the gulf. The first opportunity for showers is
Saturday and Saturday Night, with the highest chances south of a
Valdosta to Panama City line. The next chance of precip looks to
be Monday Night thru Tuesday Night, and may be more significant.
Overall, with low tracks expected to remain south of the area, we
kept thunder out of the forecast, as instability is lacking attm.
The bigger story may be highs only reaching the 50s this weekend
into early next week, and combined with the aforementioned clouds/
precip, would make it feel raw at times. The precip timing as well
as temps will be fine tuned, as there is uncertainty. For example,
temps have the potential to run warmer than currently forecast.

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 629 PM EST Wed Dec 14 2022

Showers and thunderstorms, some severe, are making their way into
our CWA this evening. Scattered thunderstorms will continue
through this evening. TLH and VLD may experience LLWS before the
squall line between 02z and 05z. The main line of storms, some of
which will be severe with strong wind gusts and a few tornadoes,
is expected to arrive at our western terminals between 05-08z. The
squall line will travel east through the overnight and morning
hours and should begin clearing out of the region around 14z with
some lingering showers behind. During the storms, expect IFR cigs
and low vsbys during the heavier rains. Following the rains, the
winds will shift to the northwest due to the frontal passage. The
winds may still be gusting up to 20kts into the afternoon. Cigs
will begin to lift late in the morning and we can expect clear
skies by 12z Thursday.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 837 PM EST Wed Dec 14 2022

A strong cold front will move across the coastal waters tonight
into Thursday. Preceding this front, winds will increase ahead of
a fast moving line of severe thunderstorms, which will sweep
across the waters from west to east late this evening into
Thursday morning. These storms will be capable of producing
waterspouts and gusty winds. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect
thru Thursday. In addition, brief gale force wind gusts are
possible mainly west of the Ochlocknee River, well ahead of the
line of severe thunderstorms. Looking ahead, more tranquil
conditions will return on Friday into Saturday. North to northeast
winds will increase to around 20 knots on Sunday and Monday.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 358 PM EST Wed Dec 14 2022

A cold front will bring storms to the area tonight with a
wetting rain to much of the region. Past this, a cold and dry
continental airmass will fill in which will raise the fire ceiling
and drop RH values to near critical values through the period. No
fire weather concerns are expected at this point in time.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 358 PM EST Wed Dec 14 2022

There is a marginal risk for excessive rainfall tonight into
Thursday morning mainly west of an Albany to Tallahassee line. As
a squall line tracks across the tri-state region during this time
frame, localized rainfall amounts of 1 to perhaps 2 inches are
possible. Given the dry antecedent conditions, main concern is
ponding of water in low-lying/urban areas leading to minor
flooding. Looking ahead, next chance of any meaningful rainfall is
Monday Night into Tuesday Night, the bulk of which looks to
remain south of I-10 attm.

&&

.SPOTTER ACTIVATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is requested. Spotters should safely report
severe weather conditions and/or damage (while following all
local, state, and CDC guidelines) by calling the office or
tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee   60  68  42  64 / 100  50   0   0
Panama City   56  64  45  64 / 100  10   0   0
Dothan        52  61  38  60 / 100  10   0   0
Albany        57  64  39  61 / 100  30   0   0
Valdosta      61  68  40  63 /  90  70   0   0
Cross City    66  73  44  67 /  70  90   0   0
Apalachicola  61  68  45  65 / 100  30   0   0

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through late Thursday night for FLZ108-112-
     114-115.

     High Surf Advisory until 1 PM EST Thursday for FLZ108-112-114.

GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 1 PM EST Thursday for GMZ730-750-752-
     755-765-770-772-775.

&&

NEAR TERM...Montgomery/Worster
SHORT TERM...Franck
LONG TERM....Franck
AVIATION...Montgomery
MARINE...Franck
FIRE WEATHER...Worster
HYDROLOGY...Franck

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Dec 14, 7:45 PM CST, 2 hours 6 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
845 PM EST Wed Dec 14 2022

GAZ142-143-155-150215-
Miller GA-Seminole GA-Early GA-
845 PM EST Wed Dec 14 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Miller,
southern Early and northwestern Seminole Counties through 915 PM
EST...

At 845 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles northwest of Donalsonville, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Colquitt, Blakely, Centerville, Jakin, Saffold, Howards Mill, Mayhaw,
Cuba, Killarney, Enterprise, Harmony Church Rd/hwy 45, Cedar Springs,
Jeterville and Hentown.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 AM EST for southeastern
Alabama...and southwestern Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3122 8467 3101 8499 3102 8501 3105 8501
      3107 8503 3111 8503 3112 8506 3114 8506
      3116 8508 3138 8491
TIME...MOT...LOC 0145Z 219DEG 28KT 3111 8499

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Haner

Special weather statement, Dec 14, 8:01 PM CST, 1 hour 50 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
801 PM CST Wed Dec 14 2022

FLZ008-108-150245-
Central Walton FL-South Walton FL-
801 PM CST Wed Dec 14 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Walton
County through 845 PM CST...

At 801 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Santa Rosa Beach, moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Santa Rosa Beach, De Funiak Springs, Eglin Air Force Base, Freeport,
Douglass Crossroad, Portland, Villa Tasso, Rock Hill, Miramar Beach,
Eucheeanna, Pleasant Ridge, Gulf Pines, New Home, Knox Hill,
Sandestin and Four Mile Village.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CST for the Panhandle
of Florida.

&&

LAT...LON 3040 8639 3038 8633 3045 8631 3047 8631
      3048 8632 3046 8639 3071 8639 3070 8590
      3043 8614 3044 8616 3048 8614 3045 8619
      3042 8622 3039 8617 3027 8627 3029 8632
      3034 8640
TIME...MOT...LOC 0201Z 216DEG 36KT 3039 8631

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

55-SCHOLL

Local storm report, Dec 14, 8:11 PM CST, 1 hour 40 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
911 PM EST WED DEC 14 2022

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

0754 PM     TORNADO          5 WSW TWIN POLE         30.07N 84.92W
12/14/2022                   LIBERTY            FL   NWS EMPLOYEE

            TDS LOCATED IN LIBERTY COUNTY.

0856 PM     TORNADO          5 NNW YENT PLACE        29.93N 84.73W
12/14/2022                   FRANKLIN           FL   NWS EMPLOYEE

            TDS LOCATED IN FRANKLIN COUNTY.

&&

Local storm report, Dec 14, 9:29 PM CST, 22 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1029 PM EST WED DEC 14 2022

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

0937 PM     TORNADO          2 NW SOPCHOPPY          30.08N 84.52W
12/14/2022                   WAKULLA            FL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TWO TREES DOWN ON SMITH CREEK RD, REPORTED
            BY TRAINED STORM SPOTTER.

&&

RAD

Local storm report, Dec 14, 9:33 PM CST, 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1033 PM EST WED DEC 14 2022

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

0932 PM     TORNADO          1 W SOPCHOPPY           30.06N 84.51W
12/14/2022                   WAKULLA            FL   PUBLIC

            SOCIAL MEDIA USER FROM TWITTER REPORTED
            TREES DOWN ABOUT ONE MILE WEST OF SOPCHOPPY
            FL, LOCATION IS ESTIMATED.

&&

RAD

Special weather statement, Dec 14, 9:40 PM CST, 11 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1040 PM EST Wed Dec 14 2022

FLZ017-150415-
Leon FL-
1040 PM EST Wed Dec 14 2022

...A strong shower will impact portions of eastern Leon County
through 1115 PM EST...

At 1039 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong shower near
Florida A And M, or near Tallahassee, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Tallahassee, Florida A And M, Florida State University, Doak Campbell
Stadium, Ralford Greenway, Macon Community Park, Gaither Community
Center, Tallahassee Memorial Hosp, Killearn Estates, Chaires, Lake
Ella, Tallahassee Mall, State Capital Complex, Governors Square Mall,
Pisgah Church, Springsax Park, Belair, Apalachee Regional Park, Levy
Park and Indian Head Acres.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 AM EST for Big Bend of
Florida.

&&

LAT...LON 3052 8400 3052 8404 3049 8404 3034 8421
      3039 8432 3065 8424 3054 8398
TIME...MOT...LOC 0339Z 205DEG 22KT 3040 8423

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Haner

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Dec 14, 7:03 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Houston	27 min
Dec 14, 7:22 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Houston	23 min
Dec 14, 9:29 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Coffee, Dale, Geneva	10 min
Dec 14, 9:56 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston	64 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 2022 Every tornado warning in 2022 Tornadoes in 2022

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.