Severe Thunderstorm Warning 261, NWS Tallahassee, FL

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
149 PM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

...New AVIATION...

...MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TODAY AND TONIGHT WITH
WIDESPREAD WIND DAMAGE, LARGE HAIL, AND TORNADOES POSSIBLE...

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY...

.NEAR TERM...
(Today and tonight)
Issued at 311 AM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

A very anomalous pattern remains in place for mid-June with warm
season instability juxtaposed with jet dynamics reminiscent of
the cool season. Today and Tonight, several shortwave disturbances
will ripple through the fast mid-level northwest flow along with
the right entrance region of a 130 kt upper-level jet over the
Mid-Atlantic, providing large scale ascent. The environment will
be characterized by SB CAPE over 3k J/Kg and Bulk Shear (0-6 km)
up to 50 kts. An Elevated Mixed Layer (EML) will also advect into
the region, with mid-level lapse rates increasing to around 8C/km.
A modest cap at the base of this layer will be easily broken by
the aforementioned large scale ascent, while convective temps in
the mid-80s will be readily attained. Overall, the environment is
very potent, and the SPC Moderate Risk of severe thunderstorms
(Level 4 of 5) is well placed across northwest portions of our
area, with remainder in at least a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5).

Multiple rounds of severe weather are possible, as early as late
this morning and continuing through the overnight hours tonight,
with all hazards possible. CAMs generally show two distinct MCS's:
the first this morning into this afternoon and the second this
evening into the overnight hours. Storm motions are generally
eastward around 35 kts, but QLCS bowing segments could be much
faster. Storms will easily produce damaging winds given the drier
air aloft and strong wind field. The EML and ample CAPE will be
conducive to large hail, especially with any rotating updrafts,
given some veering winds in the lower 3km of the atmosphere. The
potential for large hail is greatest over Southeast Alabama and
Southwest Georgia, and model soundings continue to show high SHIP
values in support of this threat. In terms of tornado potential,
will have to watch any discrete supercells where winds are locally
backed and any any eastward bowing segments that better align with
the Bulk Shear Vector (0-3km). A strong tornado or two is possible.

As mentioned, the environment is very potent, especially for mid-
June when we are not accustomed to the potential for widespread
severe thunderstorms. In particular, higher end severe weather is
possible, including wind gusts to 80 mph, very large hail, and a
strong tornado or two. Factor the potential for severe weather
into your plans for today and tonight, especially for any outdoor
events, and have a plan in place if severe weather threatens. Have
multiple ways to receive warnings (NOAA Weather Radio, Wireless
Emergency Alerts enabled on your cell phone, etc). Since the
threat will also go into the overnight hours, when severe weather
is especially dangerous, make sure any warning alerts will wake
you from a sound sleep.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Thursday through Friday night)
Issued at 311 AM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

The active weather pattern will continue throughout the short term
period with multiple additional rounds of showers and
thunderstorms expected to push across the region. While severe
weather remains possible, the overall threat seems lower than the
Wednesday/Wednesday night threat. Primary hazards include damaging
winds, hail, a few tornadoes, and heavy rainfall. As such, SPC has
much of the area in a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) for severe
weather on Thursday and Thursday night. Flash flooding remains a
concern through Thursday and Friday as well, with additional heavy
rain expected on top of already saturated soils. For the heavy
rainfall threat, WPC has placed much of the area in a Slight Risk
(level 2 of 4) for excessive rainfall. Additionally, a Flood Watch
is in effect through Friday. Widespread rainfall totals of 3 to 6
inches will be possible through the short term, with isolated
higher amounts expected.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Saturday through Tuesday)
Issued at 311 AM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

Active weather remains possible over the weekend as a series of
shortwaves continue to push eastward across the region. While
showers and thunderstorms will remain in the forecast for the
whole long term period, a shift in jet positioning (finally) will
help return us to a more typical summer time setup. While a few
stronger storms will still be possible, widespread severe weather
is not expected.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 146 PM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

VFR to MVFR conditions are expected through most of the TAF
period, thunderstorms will be ongoing for nearly the entire TAF
period and are expected to impact most if not all terminals.
Brief MVFR to IFR conditions are possible within thunderstorms.
Conditions may begin to improve by tomorrow afternoon.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 311 AM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

Stormy weather is likely the next few days with multiple rounds
of showers and thunderstorms moving near or across the waters.
Thunderstorms will be capable of strong gusty winds, hail,
waterspouts and frequent lightning. Otherwise, generally southwest
winds are expected with periods of cautionary conditions around
midweek.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 311 AM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

An unseasonably wet pattern will remain in place this week with the
potential for severe weather. Elevated transport winds will continue
to contribute to pockets of high dispersion over parts of Southeast
Alabama, Southwest Georgia, and the Florida Big Bend and Panhandle
over the next few days.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 341 PM EDT Tue Jun 13 2023

Periods of heavy rainfall will be possible through the upcoming
week, with the greatest threat over the next several days.
Widespread rainfall totals of around 4 to 8 inches are forecast
across portions of SE Alabama and SW Georgia with isolated higher
amounts also possible. These higher amounts in particular may lead
to flash flooding across the region. A Flood Watch is in effect
for Southeast Alabama, Southwest Georgia, and portions of the
Florida Panhandle through Friday.

This heavy rainfall will likely lead to rises on area rivers over
the next week and perhaps beyond, perhaps leading to some points
reaching action stage. Currently, our rivers remain well below flood
stage at this point with many locations actually near or in low
stage. Therefore, although rises are likely we have quite a ways to
go before river flooding becomes a problem. However, if some of
the more extreme higher rainfall totals become realized, rises to
action stage and perhaps minor flood stage may be possible over
the next couple of days with further rises possible later on.

&&

.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.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee   74  89  72  90 /  50  80  60  70
Panama City   76  87  75  87 /  50  70  60  60
Dothan        69  88  70  88 /  70  90  60  60
Albany        69  87  68  89 /  80  90  60  50
Valdosta      71  89  70  89 /  80  80  70  60
Cross City    74  88  73  89 /  60  70  60  60
Apalachicola  77  86  75  86 /  40  60  60  60

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Flood Watch through Friday evening for FLZ007-009-011.

     High Rip Current Risk until midnight EDT /11 PM CDT/ tonight for
     FLZ108-112-114.

GA...Flood Watch through Friday evening for GAZ120>131-142>148-
     155>161.

AL...Flood Watch through Friday evening for ALZ065>069.

GM...None.
&&

NEAR TERM...LF
SHORT TERM...Merrifield
LONG TERM....Merrifield
AVIATION...Oliver
MARINE...Merrifield
FIRE WEATHER...LF
HYDROLOGY...Merrifield

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1148 AM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

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

1140 AM     Tornado          1 SSW Graball           31.57N 85.28W
06/14/2023                   Henry              AL   Park/Forest Srvc

            Henry County Emergency Manager relayed a
            report from the Forestry Commission of an
            observed tornado on the ground.

&&

KR

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1240 PM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

ALZ067-GAZ120>122-141730-
Henry AL-Quitman GA-Randolph GA-Clay GA-
1240 PM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northern Henry,
northwestern Clay, northwestern Randolph and Quitman Counties through
130 PM EDT/1230 PM CDT/...

At 1239 PM EDT/1139 AM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Texasville to near
Richards Crossroads to near Abbeville. Movement was 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...
Abbeville, Fort Gaines, Georgetown, Cuthbert, Shorterville, Walter F.
George Lock And Dam, Wire Bridge, Walter F George Lake, Bonapartes
Retreat, Edwin, Standleys Store, Watson Crossroads, Scottsboro
Crossroads, Double Bridges, Crossroads, Ricks Place, Pecan, Graball,
Thomas Mill Creek and Hatcher.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT/600 PM CDT/ for
southeastern Alabama...and southwestern Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3198 8504 3197 8495 3195 8496 3192 8491
      3193 8480 3192 8480 3192 8472 3186 8468
      3148 8519 3162 8537 3163 8542 3171 8542
      3170 8522 3174 8520 3177 8516 3177 8512
      3178 8514 3189 8513 3194 8508 3199 8507
TIME...MOT...LOC 1639Z 230DEG 34KT 3169 8545 3167 8531 3158 8520

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

73-YOUNG

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
217 PM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

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

0205 PM     Hail             Blakely                 31.38N 84.94W
06/14/2023  E1.75 inch       Early              GA   Public

            Hail estimated around golf ball size in
            Blakely.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
257 PM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

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

0254 PM     Tornado          3 N Elmodel Wma         31.39N 84.48W
06/14/2023                   Baker              GA   Trained Spotter

            Spotter reported tornado at this location.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
347 PM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

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

0345 PM     Tornado          1 SSW Worth             31.74N 83.68W
06/14/2023                   Turner             GA   Trained Spotter

            Spotter reported a tornado west of Highway
            41 and north of Ashburn.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
353 PM EDT Wed Jun 14 2023

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

0349 PM     Hail             1 SE Crossroads         31.82N 84.98W
06/14/2023  E1.00 inch       Quitman            GA   Public

            Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).

&&