Alert archive / Florida / Tornado Warnings in 2023

Tornado Warning 114, NWS Tallahassee, FL

December 10, 2023Holmes County, Washington County, Florida

NWS Tallahassee, FL issued this tornado warning at Dec 10, 2023, 5:46 AM CST for Holmes County, Washington County, Florida. It was in force for 17 min. 1 report 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: Dec 10, 2023, 5:46 AM CST (11:46 UTC)
Expired: Dec 10, 2023, 6:03 AM CST
In force: 17 min
Issued by: NWS Tallahassee, FL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Observed
Hail: 0.75 in

Counties Holmes County, FL, Washington County, FL

The radar

The Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 29 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:49 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
Dec 10, 5:49 AM CST	TSTM WND DMG	Five Points, FL	Trees down at Yates Settlement and Douglas Ferry Rd.

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
Dec 10, 12:58 AM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Tallahassee Rgnl, FL (KTLH), launched 00:00Z, 11.8 hours before the alert went out and 132 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: 11 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -130 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 891 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 37 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 102 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 123 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

383 
WFUS52 KTAE 101146
TORTAE
FLC059-133-101215-
/O.NEW.KTAE.TO.W.0114.231210T1146Z-231210T1215Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
546 AM CST Sun Dec 10 2023

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Holmes County in the Panhandle of Florida...
  Northeastern Washington County in the Panhandle of Florida...

* Until 615 AM CST.
    
* At 545 AM CST, a tornado producing storm was located over Vernon,
  moving northeast at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

  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 tornadic storm will be near...
  Vernon around 550 AM CST.
  Chipley around 605 AM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Brock
Crossroad, Chipley Municipal Airport, Orange Hill, Whitehead
Crossroads, Bradford, Gilberts Mill, Five Points, Hulaw, Smyrna, and
Sunny Hills.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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!

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3058 8572 3077 8580 3079 8553 3063 8544
TIME...MOT...LOC 1145Z 245DEG 28KT 3064 8572 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

11-MM

2 follow-up statements

691 
WWUS52 KTAE 101154
SVSTAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
554 AM CST Sun Dec 10 2023

FLC059-133-101215-
/O.CON.KTAE.TO.W.0114.000000T0000Z-231210T1215Z/
Holmes FL-Washington FL-
554 AM CST Sun Dec 10 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 AM CST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN HOLMES AND NORTHEASTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES...
    
At 553 AM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Vernon, moving northeast at 35 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...
  Chipley around 600 AM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Gilberts Mill, Brock Crossroad, Chipley Municipal Airport, Orange
Hill, Bradford, Sunny Hills, Poplar Head, Johnson Crossroads, and
Wausau.

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!

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3059 8566 3078 8572 3079 8553 3063 8544
TIME...MOT...LOC 1153Z 245DEG 31KT 3068 8562 

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

$$

11-MM

955 
WWUS52 KTAE 101203
SVSTAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
603 AM CST Sun Dec 10 2023

FLC059-133-101213-
/O.CAN.KTAE.TO.W.0114.000000T0000Z-231210T1215Z/
Holmes FL-Washington FL-
603 AM CST Sun Dec 10 2023

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN HOLMES AND NORTHEASTERN
WASHINGTON 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 800 AM CST for the Panhandle
of Florida.

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

LAT...LON 3059 8566 3078 8572 3079 8553 3063 8544
TIME...MOT...LOC 1201Z 245DEG 28KT 3071 8553 

$$

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 10, 5:33 AM CST, 13 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 10, 5:33 AM CST, 13 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
633 AM EST Sun Dec 10 2023

...New AVIATION...

.NEAR TERM...
(Today and tonight)
Issued at 217 AM EST Sun Dec 10 2023

Scattered to widespread showers and storms are expected today
ahead of and along an approaching strong cold front. Dew points
have trended warmer than previous forecast this morning,
supporting perhaps more instability than previously forecast.
Large scale lift remains in place along with moderate low level
wind shear, leading to a marginal risk for severe weather. The
primary threat for storms today are damaging winds, a few
tornadoes, small hail, and locally heavy rainfall. A widespread 1
to 2 inches of rainfall is expected, with isolated higher amounts
near 3 to 4 inches possible. While widespread flooding is not
expected, these higher totals in urban or already saturated areas
may cause some minor flooding issues. The main line of storms is
forecast to enter our western zones a few hours before sunrise and
push eastward through the area today, eventually exiting the area
by this evening. Severe weather and locally heavy rainfall will
remain possible all day.

Much cooler and drier air will push into the region after the
front with breezy northwest winds.

&&

.SHORT TERM & LONG TERM...
(Monday through Saturday)
Issued at 217 AM EST Sun Dec 10 2023

Fairly cold and dry conditions are expected to start out the
period with surface high pressure to the north keeping
northeasterly winds parked over the area. A very gradual warming
and moistening trend is expected through the week. Rain chances
are forecast to increase again heading into the weekend as another
Gulf low tries to develop to the southwest. It's too early to pin
down the details of this system at this point.

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 629 AM EST Sun Dec 10 2023

Mostly IFR to LIFR conditions are expected today with rain and
thunderstorms moving eastward across the area along a cold front.
In the wake of the front today winds will become gusty out of the
NW, with ceilings gradually improving to VFR later tonight.
Overnight, there is some question on whether winds will remain
gusty at the surface or if they will weaken and LLWS will instead
be present. Opted for gusts at the surface for now but may
reevaluate in future forecasts.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 217 AM EST Sun Dec 10 2023

A strong cold front will sweep across the waters today with winds
clocking around to the northwest in its wake by tonight. A rapid
onset of gale-force northwest wind gusts is expected this
afternoon and evening across the coastal waters in the wake of the
cold front. A gale warning is now in effect for all coastal
waters. Gales will subside later tonight with winds remaining
around 20 knots into early Monday afternoon. Offshore wave heights
will increase this afternoon and peak around 5 to 8 feet tonight
into Monday. Winds will clock around to the northeast by Tuesday,
as high pressure settles over the mid- Atlantic, with speeds
continuing in the 15 to 20 knot range. While there is uncertainty
in the forecast for Wednesday and beyond, winds may increase
further to around 20 to 25 knots, especially if low pressure

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 217 AM EST Sun Dec 10 2023

A strong cold front is forecast to push across the area
today with breezy northwest winds in its wake. Given recent
rainfall and expected additional rainfall with this front
today, there are no fire weather concerns for the next few
days.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 217 AM EST Sun Dec 10 2023

Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected to push across
the area today ahead of a strong cold front. Widespread rainfall
totals of 1 to 2 inches will be possible with isolated higher
amounts near 3 to 4 inches. While widespread flooding is not
expected, a few spots of minor flooding may be possible if the
higher totals end up over already saturated areas from the last
event. Higher totals could also create further rises on area
rivers.

&&

.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   70  38  56  36 / 100  30   0   0
Panama City   70  39  57  39 /  90  10   0   0
Dothan        68  34  54  33 /  90  10   0   0
Albany        68  35  54  32 /  90  30   0   0
Valdosta      71  37  56  35 / 100  70   0   0
Cross City    75  40  59  38 /  90  90   0   0
Apalachicola  69  40  57  43 /  90  10   0   0

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Dense Fog Advisory until 9 AM EST this morning for FLZ015>018-
     026-027.

     High Rip Current Risk through Monday evening for FLZ108-112-114-
     115.

GA...Dense Fog Advisory until 9 AM EST this morning for GAZ155>159.

AL...None.
GM...Gale Warning from 4 PM this afternoon to 1 AM EST Monday for
     GMZ730-755-765-775.

     Small Craft Advisory from 1 AM EST /midnight CST/ to 1 PM EST
     /noon CST/ Monday for GMZ730-750-752-755-765-770-772-775.

     Gale Warning from noon today to midnight CST tonight for GMZ750-
     752-770-772.

&&

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

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Dec 9, 11:54 PM CST, 5 hours 52 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1154 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

ALZ065-100630-
Coffee AL-
1154 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL COFFEE COUNTY THROUGH
1230 AM CST...

At 1153 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
New Brockton, or 9 miles southeast of Elba, moving northeast at 25
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...
Enterprise, Fort Novosel, New Brockton, Shell Army Field, Richburg,
Mixons Crossroads, Goodman, Tabernacle, Camp Alaflo Bsa, Turner
Crossroads, and Clintonville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

This storm 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.

&&

LAT...LON 3120 8601 3126 8609 3152 8590 3141 8579
TIME...MOT...LOC 0553Z 224DEG 23KT 3130 8599

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

58-REESE

Local storm report, Dec 10, 4:28 AM CST, 1 hour 18 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
528 AM EST Sun Dec 10 2023

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

0233 AM     Tornado          3 W Lawrenceville       31.66N 85.32W
12/10/2023                   Henry              AL   Emergency Mngr

            Henry County Emergency Management reports
            several trees down on CR 117, CR 210, CR 29,
            along with damage to a shed on CR 29. Radar
            confirmed tornadic debris signature.

&&

Special weather statement, Dec 10, 4:47 AM CST, 59 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
447 AM CST Sun Dec 10 2023

FLZ007>009-101115-
Central Walton FL-Holmes FL-North Walton FL-
447 AM CST Sun Dec 10 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN WALTON AND
SOUTHWESTERN HOLMES COUNTIES THROUGH 515 AM CST...

At 447 AM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
De Funiak Springs, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
De Funiak Springs, Eglin Air Force Base, Union, Liberty, Ponce De
Leon, Westville, Oakwood Hills, Leonia, Sand Hill, Alpine Heights,
Prosperity, Arrant Settlement, De Funiak Spring Airport, Glendale,
Pleasant Hill, Pleasant Ridge, Center Ridge, Hickory Hill, Piney
Grove, and Argyle.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 AM CST for the Panhandle
of Florida.

&&

LAT...LON 3066 8627 3079 8631 3094 8596 3074 8584
TIME...MOT...LOC 1047Z 247DEG 32KT 3075 8614

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

58-REESE

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Dec 9, 7:42 PM CST	Areal Flood Advisory	TAE	Walton, Washington	2 hr
Dec 10, 3:09 AM CST	Dense Fog Advisory	TAE	Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Wakulla	5 hr
Dec 10, 3:33 AM CST	Special Marine Warning	TAE		117 min
Dec 10, 3:54 AM CST	Special Marine Warning	TAE		96 min
Dec 10, 4:00 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Walton	45 min
Dec 10, 4:41 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Bay, Walton, Washington	32 min
Dec 10, 4:47 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Holmes	28 min
Dec 10, 5:13 AM CST	Special Marine Warning	TAE		3 hr
Dec 10, 5:29 AM CST	Tornado Warning	TAE	Holmes, Washington	33 min
Dec 10, 6:14 AM CST	Areal Flood Advisory	TAE	Bay, Washington	3 hr
Dec 10, 6:20 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Jackson	40 min
Dec 10, 6:29 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Bay	46 min
Dec 10, 6:32 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Gadsden	43 min
Dec 10, 7:05 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Calhoun, Gadsden, Gulf, Liberty	55 min
Dec 10, 7:12 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Leon and 2 more	93 min
Dec 10, 7:20 AM CST	Special Marine Warning	TAE		3 hr
Dec 10, 7:24 AM CST	Tornado Warning	TAE	Gadsden, Liberty	21 min
Dec 10, 7:33 AM CST	Areal Flood Advisory	TAE	Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Liberty	117 min
Dec 10, 8:00 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Franklin, Gadsden, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla	90 min
Dec 10, 8:18 AM CST	Areal Flood Advisory	TAE	Gadsden, Gulf, Liberty	117 min
Dec 10, 8:42 AM CST	Special Marine Warning	TAE		3 hr
Dec 10, 8:50 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Jefferson	85 min
Dec 10, 8:54 AM CST	Tornado Warning	TAE	Jefferson, Leon	51 min
Dec 10, 9:29 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Madison	57 min
Dec 10, 9:31 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TAE	Franklin, Jefferson, Wakulla	44 min
Dec 10, 9:41 AM CST	Areal Flood Advisory	TAE	Liberty, Wakulla	2 hr
Dec 10, 10:07 AM CST	Special Marine Warning	TAE		113 min
Dec 10, 10:26 AM CST	Areal Flood Advisory	TAE	Jefferson, Leon, Wakulla	2 hr
Dec 10, 10:30 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Taylor	30 min
Dec 10, 11:51 AM CST	Special Marine Warning	TAE		114 min
Dec 10, 12:46 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Lafayette	44 min
Dec 10, 3:39 PM CST	River Flood Warning	TAE	Jefferson, Madison, Taylor	21 days
Dec 10, 3:45 PM CST	Wind Advisory	TAE	Bay, Dixie, Franklin, Gulf, Taylor, Walton	4 hr
Dec 10, 4:44 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison and 2 more	91 min
Dec 10, 5:59 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	TAE	Madison, Taylor	61 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Florida, 2023 Every tornado warning in 2023 Tornadoes in 2023

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.