Severe Thunderstorm Warning 8, NWS Atlanta, GA

481 
WWUS52 KFFC 091658
SVSFFC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1158 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

GAC023-091-153-175-235-289-091706-
/O.EXP.KFFC.SV.W.0008.000000T0000Z-240109T1700Z/
Laurens GA-Dodge GA-Pulaski GA-Twiggs GA-Bleckley GA-Houston GA-
1158 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WESTERN LAURENS...WESTERN
DODGE...PULASKI...SOUTHERN TWIGGS...BLECKLEY AND EASTERN HOUSTON
COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT NOON EST...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 PM EST for central and
east central Georgia.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for 
western Laurens, eastern Twiggs, eastern Dodge, and eastern Bleckley.

&&

LAT...LON 3205 8331 3208 8330 3209 8332 3213 8335
      3212 8361 3225 8362 3229 8361 3229 8363
      3238 8364 3258 8362 3265 8352 3259 8350
      3261 8325 3258 8322 3263 8297 3272 8288
      3271 8285 3239 8297 3199 8327
TIME...MOT...LOC 1656Z 227DEG 61KT 3304 8303 3291 8298 3252 8306 

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
947 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

.UPDATE...

The line of thunderstorms is currently just west of Athens
extending southwestward between Macon and Columbus into the
panhandle of Florida. For areas west of the line, the severe
threat has ended but flooding still may be an issue as an
additional 1-2 inches is possible. For areas east of the line, the
severe threat is increasing as dewpoints have surged northward
which has lead us to extending the tornado watch to encompass most
areas east of the line in southeast central GA. looking at
everything moving out of the CWA severe wise by 2 pm still.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Today through Wednesday)
Issued at 445 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

The main focus today will be on active weather associated with a
deep closed 500 mb low currently moving into the Ozarks. As this low
continues to move east-northeast, it is becoming negatively tilted
as a shortwave rotates around its southern extent, allowing it to
rapidly intensify. An occluded front is extending from the
associated surface low into the Lower Mississippi River Valley. At
the end of this occluded front is a triple point, from which a warm
front extends to the southeast into western Alabama and central
Georgia, and a cold front extends south to near the MS/AL state
line. Meanwhile, A strong surface high is positioned to the
northeast of the forecast area, just off the New England coast, with
a CAD wedge in place along the lee side of the Appalachians and
north Georgia.

As the low pressure system continues to lift to the northeast, the
warm front continues to advance northward through the forecast area.
Strong warm air advection driven by a powerful 80+ kt low-level jet
is overspreading the forecast area, which will bringing copious
moisture into the area, particularly in central Georgia, where
dewpoints will surge into the upper 50s to low 60s in central
Georgia by mid-morning. Widespread isentropic showers are also
ongoing in north Georgia to the north of the warm front.
Temperatures in the highest elevations in far northeast Georgia (and
within the wedge) may remain cool enough for a light rain/freezing
rain mix to be observed at elevations above 2500 ft over the next
couple of hours. However, with strong warm air advection and latent
heating processes already ongoing, additional ice accumulations will
be minimal and the chance for freezing rain should come to an end
entirely by sunrise.

The cold front will advance closer to the forecast area early this
morning, at which point things could get quite interesting with a
line of heavy showers and potentially strong thunderstorms moving
from west to east across the forecast area this morning and
afternoon. With the warm sector continuing to expand northward,
there should be enough instability in central Georgia and portions
of north Georgia to support surface based storms this morning into
the afternoon. Severe weather, heavy rain, and strong gradient winds
will all be possible in association with this system, which will be
discussed below:

1 - Severe Weather: A strong line of thunderstorms ahead of the cold
front will enter west Georgia this morning, advancing eastward
through the forecast area this morning and afternoon. The severe
weather potential will similarly spread from west to east with the
line of storms. As warm air advection continues to spread into
Georgia, the boundary of the wedge should retreat northward over the
next few hours. Warm fronts do not always fare well against the
wedge, but in this case, with such a strong low-level jet at 850 mb
overspreading the region, there is a greater likelihood than normal
in mixing out the wedge. This is important because it will dictate
how far north the warm sector is able to ultimately advance, and the
severe weather potential will be impacted by how much instability
will be present in the warm sector ahead of the advancing cold
front. As the jet sets up and warm front advances further north,
portions of east Georgia will have more time for the airmass to
destabilize. This is well-reflected in the SPC outlook, which
indicates the highest risk for severe weather today will be located
roughly  along and south of a line from Columbus to Macon to
Warrenton where destabilization and the ability to maintain
surface- based storms appears to be most likely. All that said, it
will not take much instability to see severe weather threats in
this low CAPE/high shear environment. The kinematics of this
system will be be quite robust with ample low-level and deep layer
shear, EBWD from 30-40+kt, and 0-1 km SRH from 200-400 m2/s2).
Severe thunderstorms that develop will be capable of producing
strong, damaging wind gusts, especially given the likelihood of
mixing down strong winds aloft. Given the very strong shear and
SRH values, a few QLCS tornadoes will also be possible within the
line, especially where storms are able to interact with the wedge
front and obtain rotating meso-vortices.

2 - Heavy Rain/Flooding: Precipitable water values are continuing to
increase this morning, and are expected to range from 1.5-1.7 inches
roughly along and south of I-20. These values, for context, are near
daily records for this time of the year. As such, the main line of
storms will have plenty of moisture to work with and be capable of
producing bursts of heavy rain as it moves through the forecast
area. A Flood Watch remains in effect in the areas north of the Fall
Line. Additional rainfall amounts of 2-3 inches are forecast with
the remaining isentropic showers and with the line of storms.
Furthermore, orographic enhancement on windward slopes could lead to
locally higher amounts in the mountains of far northeast Georgia,
where up to 4 additional inches will be possible. With efficient
rainfall rates, localized flash flooding will be possible,
especially in urban and low-lying areas. Moreover, numerous creeks
and streams across the area are forecast to reach minor flood stage,
with some potentially approaching moderate stage.

3 - High Winds: A very tight pressure gradient is present due to the
aforementioned surface high to the northeast and approaching low
pressure system. This will keep surface winds strong and boundary
layer well mixed. Sustained winds of 20-30 mph with gusts up to 40
mph will be likely through much of the day. The strong low level jet
at 850 mb early this morning will promote additional mixing of wind
gusts down to the surface, especially in higher elevations, where
wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible this morning. Considering
heavy rainfall and thus wet soils in association with this system,
strong winds could bring down trees, which would lead to localized
power outages. As a result, a High Wind Warning is in effect for
Murray, Gilmer, Fannin, Union, Towns, White, Lumpkin, and Dawson
counties. Elsewhere in the forecast area, a Wind Advisory remains in
effect. Winds will begin to drop below advisory criteria by 7 PM
this evening in north and west Georgia, and by 1 AM on Wednesday in
central and east Georgia.

On the backside of the system tonight into early Tuesday morning,
there will be enough moisture in combination with near freezing
temperatures to see some scattered light snow showers across far
north Georgia and the western facing mountain slopes. Light snowfall
accumulations of about one-half inch will be possible, but no
impacts are expected. These snow showers are expected to diminish by
sunrise on Wednesday. Lingering mid-level moisture on the back side
of the system will keep skies mostly cloudy across the majority of
north Georgia and portions of central Georgia on Wednesday morning
and early afternoon. However, weather conditions will remain benign
during the daytime on Wednesday with no precipitation expected at
this time. Afternoon high temperatures will run about 3-5 degrees
below climatological normals, in the mid to upper 40s in north
Georgia and in the low to mid 50s in central Georgia.

King

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Wednesday night through Monday)
Issued at 445 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

Key Messages:

 - Another storm system will bring showers and thunderstorms to the
   area late Thursday night and Friday. Some thunderstorms may be
   strong.

Colder and drier air will continue to filter into the area Wednesday
night on the heels of the departing cold front and upper trough.
Most locations will drop to near or just below freezing Wednesday
night, with mid 20s across portions of the NE mountains. Warmer
temperatures are forecast for Thursday, with most locations reaching
into the mid to upper 50s and even some lower 60s across the S.

Another storm system will approach the area Thursday night, bringing
a chance of showers and thunderstorms. This system will lift NE on
Friday as a negatively tilted trough, reaching the Great Lakes by
Friday night. A 996 mb surface low is progged to be near Little Rock
by Friday morning. A large area of isentropic lift is forecast to
precede the low, with increasing MUCAPE and wind shear across most
of the forecast area. There will be another threat of severe weather
with this system during the day Friday, and the threat area looks to
be farther to the N than with today's system. GFS MUCAPE values are
forecast to reach near 1000 J/kg as effective shear increases to
over 40 knots in the Atlanta metro area. This will coincide maximum
daytime heating in the early afternoon, with surface temperatures
reaching over 60 degrees and dew points reaching the lower to mid
50s. The wedge/CAD is forecast to hang into NE GA during this time
period, but present indications are that it will be NE of the
Atlanta metro area. Storm total rainfall amounts with this system are
forecast to range from around a quarter inch S of Columbus to close
to an inch across N GA. Residents should continue to monitor the
latest forecast regarding this storm system.

A bit of snow will linger over the N mountains Friday night, but dry
weather is forecast to return on Saturday. Temperatures will be
rather cold over the weekend, with the potential of even colder
weather early next week. A weak southern stream storm system may
move along the Gulf Coast on Monday, bringing light rain amounts and
the chance for frozen precipitation across N GA. NBM low
temperatures Tuesday morning appeared to be too cold. Even though
this was at the tail end of the forecast period, opted to blend 2
parts operational NBM with 1 part NBM 90th percentile to bump low
temperatures up closer to MEX MOS guidance. /SEC

SEC

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 637 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

Precipitation continues to overspread north and central Georgia,
including all TAF sites, as the morning begins. Ceilings are
currently IFR across the majority of the forecast area.
Thunderstorms are also expected as the cold front advances through
the area. A TEMPO for TSRA is being carried from 12-15Z at the ATL
metro sites and CSG, and 13-17Z at AHN/MCN. Winds ahead of the
cold front will be E/SE 17-22 kts with gusts as high as 35 kts.
Winds will shift to SW after the cold front passes, after 15Z at
ATL, but winds behind the front will remain nearly as strong. Rain
chances will begin to diminish behind the front, with precip
coming to an end by 18-19Z at ATL. Ceilings will be slow to
improve today, only reaching MVFR around 19Z. Ceilings could
briefly improve to low VFR in the late afternoon, but will lower
back to MVFR after 00Z.

//ATL Confidence...12Z Update...
Medium to high confidence on all elements.

King

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          33  48  31  57 /  10   0   0   0
Atlanta         33  47  34  57 /  10   0   0   0
Blairsville     28  41  26  52 /  40   0   0   0
Cartersville    32  47  29  57 /  10   0   0   0
Columbus        35  51  33  60 /   0   0   0   0
Gainesville     32  44  32  54 /  20   0   0   0
Macon           35  52  31  60 /  10   0   0   0
Rome            33  48  31  57 /  20   0   0   0
Peachtree City  32  49  31  58 /  10   0   0   0
Vidalia         37  53  36  60 /  20   0   0   0

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch until 7 PM EST this evening for GAZ001>009-011>016-
019>025-027-030>038-041>050-052>060-066>071-078-079.

Wind Advisory until 7 PM EST this evening for GAZ001>004-011>013-
019>023-030>034-041>045-052>055-066-067-078-079-089>091-102-103.

High Wind Warning until 1 PM EST this afternoon for GAZ005>009-
014>016.

Wind Advisory until 1 AM EST Wednesday for GAZ024-025-027-
035>039-046>051-056>062-068>076-080>086-092>098-104>113.

&&

SHORT TERM...King
LONG TERM....SEC
AVIATION...King

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
714 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-101215-
Baldwin-Banks-Barrow-Bartow-Bibb-Bleckley-Butts-Carroll-Catoosa-
Chattahoochee-Chattooga-Cherokee-Clarke-Clayton-Cobb-Coweta-
Crawford-Crisp-Dade-Dawson-DeKalb-Dodge-Dooly-Douglas-Emanuel-
Fannin-Fayette-Floyd-Forsyth-Gilmer-Glascock-Gordon-Greene-
Gwinnett-Hall-Hancock-Haralson-Harris-Heard-Henry-Houston-Jackson-
Jasper-Jefferson-Johnson-Jones-Lamar-Laurens-Lumpkin-Macon-
Madison-Marion-Meriwether-Monroe-Montgomery-Morgan-Murray-
Muscogee-Newton-North Fulton-Oconee-Oglethorpe-Paulding-Peach-
Pickens-Pike-Polk-Pulaski-Putnam-Rockdale-Schley-South Fulton-
Spalding-Stewart-Sumter-Talbot-Taliaferro-Taylor-Telfair-Toombs-
Towns-Treutlen-Troup-Twiggs-Union-Upson-Walker-Walton-Warren-
Washington-Webster-Wheeler-White-Whitfield-Wilcox-Wilkes-
Wilkinson-
714 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight...

A Tornado Watch has been issued for portions of central Georgia
until 2 PM.

A High Wind Warning is in effect for portions of Northeast Georgia
until 1 PM today for wind gusts over 50 mph. A Wind Advisory is in
effect for all other portions of the county warning area for wind
gusts to 45 mph. A Flood Watch is in effect through this evening for
areas north of the fall line due to storm total rainfall amounts of
2 to 4 inches. Locally higher amounts are possible, particularly
across the northeast mountains. Scattered thunderstorms are expected
across central Georgia, with severe storms and isolated tornadoes
possible mostly south of a Columbus to Macon line. Isolated
thunderstorms are possible elsewhere.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday...

Another storm system is expected to bring thunderstorms to the
region again Friday. Some storms may become strong to severe.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not requested at this time, but spotters are
encouraged to submit reports of severe weather through the web by
going to weather.gov/atlanta. Please relay any information about
observed severe weather to the NWS.

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1059 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

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

1050 AM     Flood            2 N Athens              33.98N 83.38W
01/09/2024                   Clarke             GA   911 Call Center

            Water covering portions of the roadway due
            to heavy rainfall/localized flooding
            (Commerce Rd/GA Loop 10).

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1101 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

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

1050 AM     Flood            2 ESE Athens            33.95N 83.35W
01/09/2024                   Clarke             GA   911 Call Center

            Water covering portions of the roadway as a
            result of localized flooding and heavy
            rainfall. (Lexington Rd/Winterville Rd).

&&

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1102 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

GAZ061-062-091630-
Hancock GA-Warren GA-
1102 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southwestern Warren
and central Hancock Counties through 1130 AM EST
...

At 1102 AM EST, a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from Springfield to Beulah, and moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind, frequent cloud to ground lightning and
         heavy rain.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
         street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.

Locations impacted include...
Sparta, Springfield, Mayfield, Devereux, Culverton, and Jewell.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 PM EST for central and
east central Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3327 8278 3314 8310 3315 8310 3316 8313
      3346 8302 3339 8275
TIME...MOT...LOC 1602Z 282DEG 20KT 3343 8298 3315 8309

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

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1103 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

GAZ039-051-061-062-091630-
Taliaferro GA-Wilkes GA-Hancock GA-Warren GA-
1103 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Warren, central
Hancock, Taliaferro and south central Wilkes Counties through 1130 AM
EST
...

At 1103 AM EST, a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Crawfordville to near Devereux, and moving
northeast at 60 mph.

HAZARD...40 mph wind and heavy rain.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
         street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.

Locations impacted include...
Washington, Warrenton, Sparta, Crawfordville, Norwood, Sharon, Camak,
Springfield, Ficklin, Cadley, Lundberg, Robinson, Jewell, Beall
Springs, Mayfield, Aonia, Powelton, Barnett, Rocky Creek Fire Dept.,
and Raytown.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. Motorists should
slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 PM EST for east central
Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3363 8261 3363 8262 3362 8262 3360 8265
      3350 8261 3326 8272 3327 8277 3315 8309
      3347 8301 3349 8298 3354 8300 3361 8298
      3377 8261 3364 8259
TIME...MOT...LOC 1603Z 221DEG 53KT 3355 8295 3318 8307

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

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1106 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

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

1030 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 WSW Goldsboro         32.45N 83.30W
01/09/2024                   Bleckley           GA   Emergency Mngr

            Tree down across Butts Rd near the
            intersection at Hwy 26 East.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1109 AM EST Tue Jan 9 2024

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

1030 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 WSW Goldsboro         32.45N 83.29W
01/09/2024                   Bleckley           GA   Emergency Mngr

            Tree down along Hwy 278 near the
            intersection at Hwy 26 East.

&&