Alert archive / Georgia / Tornado Warnings in 2024

Tornado Warning 8, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

September 25, 2024Habersham County, Rabun County, Georgia

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this tornado warning at Sep 25, 2024, 2:44 PM EDT for Habersham County, Rabun County, Georgia. It was in force for 46 min. 2 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
Sep 25, 2024, 2:44 PM EDT (18:44 UTC)
Expired
Sep 25, 2024, 3:30 PM EDT
In force
46 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

Counties Habersham County, GA, Rabun County, GA

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 128 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:43 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Sep 25, 3:05 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 Nw Hollywood, GAA report of trees down in the northern part of Habersham.
Sep 25, 3:07 PM EDTHAIL 13 W Turnerville, GAQuarter sized hail.

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 nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 6.7 hours before the alert went out and 162 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2024-09-25Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 543 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2024-09-25The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 59 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
543 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-62 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
905 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
46 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
59 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
79 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
1.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

502 
WFUS52 KGSP 251844
TORGSP
GAC137-241-251930-
/O.NEW.KGSP.TO.W.0008.240925T1844Z-240925T1930Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
244 PM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Habersham County in northeastern Georgia...
  Southwestern Rabun County in northeastern Georgia...

* Until 330 PM EDT.

* At 244 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 5 miles southwest of Clarkesville, or near Demorest,
  moving northeast at 30 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...
  Clarkesville and Demorest around 250 PM EDT.
  Tallulah Falls around 310 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this dangerous thunderstorm include Seed
Lake, Hollywood, Turnerville, and Batesville.

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.

Please report damaging winds, hail, or flooding to the National
Weather Service by calling toll free, 1, 800, 2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, or by
posting on our Facebook page, or Tweet it using hashtag nwsgsp. Your
message should describe the event and the specific location where it
occurred.

&&

LAT...LON 3462 8364 3463 8364 3483 8361 3471 8335
      3470 8335 3459 8350 3452 8361 3453 8363
      3454 8362 3455 8362 3458 8364 3459 8364
      3460 8365
TIME...MOT...LOC 1844Z 227DEG 27KT 3456 8361 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

JRK
3 follow-up statements
018 
WWUS52 KGSP 251901
SVSGSP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
301 PM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

GAC137-241-251930-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-240925T1930Z/
Habersham GA-Rabun GA-
301 PM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
HABERSHAM AND SOUTHWESTERN RABUN COUNTIES...

At 301 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Clarkesville, moving northeast at 30 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...
  Tallulah Falls around 310 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Turnerville, Seed Lake, and Hollywood.

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.

Please report damaging winds, hail, or flooding to the National
Weather Service by calling toll free, 1, 800, 2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, or by
posting on our Facebook page, or Tweet it using hashtag nwsgsp. Your
message should describe the event and the specific location where it
occurred.

&&

LAT...LON 3459 8351 3462 8356 3481 8356 3471 8335
      3470 8335 3459 8350
TIME...MOT...LOC 1901Z 227DEG 27KT 3465 8350 

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

$$

JRK
131 
WWUS52 KGSP 251907
SVSGSP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
307 PM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

GAC137-241-251930-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-240925T1930Z/
Habersham GA-Rabun GA-
307 PM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
HABERSHAM AND SOUTHWESTERN RABUN COUNTIES...

At 307 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 5 miles northeast of Clarkesville, or 5 miles southwest
of Tallulah Falls, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong 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...
  Tallulah Falls around 310 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Turnerville, Seed Lake, and Hollywood.

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.

Please report damaging winds, hail, or flooding to the National
Weather Service by calling toll free, 1, 800, 2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, or by
posting on our Facebook page, or Tweet it using hashtag nwsgsp. Your
message should describe the event and the specific location where it
occurred.

&&

LAT...LON 3461 8348 3465 8354 3481 8356 3471 8335
      3470 8335 3459 8350
TIME...MOT...LOC 1907Z 227DEG 27KT 3467 8345 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

JRK
431 
WWUS52 KGSP 251928
SVSGSP

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
328 PM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

GAC137-241-251937-
/O.EXP.KGSP.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-240925T1930Z/
Habersham GA-Rabun GA-
328 PM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL HABERSHAM AND SOUTHWESTERN RABUN
COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 330 PM EDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However, gusty
winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
northern Habersham and southeastern Rabun Counties until 4 PM.

&&

LAT...LON 3461 8348 3465 8354 3481 8356 3471 8335
      3470 8335 3459 8350
TIME...MOT...LOC 1927Z 227DEG 27KT 3477 8332 

$$

JRK

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 Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Sep 25, 1:36 PM EDT, 1 hour 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 25, 1:36 PM EDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
136 PM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

.SYNOPSIS...
Tropical Cyclone Helene is forecast to make landfall over the
Florida Panhandle late Thursday, with the remnant circulation moving
quickly north bringing gusty winds and heavy rainfall to our area
Thursday night into Friday.  Expect a calmer weekend with
temperatures near seasonal normals.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
1000 AM Update...An upper trof axis has setup west of the FA and is
instigating an active PRE along a sfc frontal zone. Showers and
thunderstorms have developed and will continue to train along the
front into the sw/rn NC mtns an nrn NE GA. So far, new rainfall amts
have approached an inch across wrn Graham Co with little impact as
far as flooding is concerned. Good confidence is had in this pattern
holding rather steady state into the afternoon and evening, which
will increase the threat of flash flooding over the aforementioned
areas.

The WPC has a Day 2 Moderate Risk area that includes our western
zones and we have a Flood Watch in effect for that same area. In
addition, our area will be under the gun again this aftn/evening for
strong to severe convection with some organization possible due to
the continued high shear environment. These storms will be capable
of producing high rainfall rates and pose a risk of localized
flooding outside/east of the PRE area mentioned above. All this
precip is expected to occur before the rainfall associated with TC
Helene begins moving into our area on Thurs. Thus, more widespread
flooding is likely with this tropical system. Please remain weather
aware over the next few days, the potential for major to
catastrophic flooding over parts of our fcst area is looking more
likely.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
As of 130 PM EDT Wednesday: ***MAJOR RAINFALL EVENT FOR THE
SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS AND VICINITY WITH POTENTIAL FOR WIDESPREAD
FLASH FLOODING***

The predecessor rainfall event will be coming to an end by the
beginning portions of the forecast period as the initial tropical
rain bands from Hurricane Helene begins to move in from the south
as Helene will be in the midst of making landfall as a major
hurricane near the Big Bend of Florida Thursday evening. Large
amounts of rainfall will have already fallen across the Blue Ridge
Escarpment, southeast facing slopes, western Upstate South Carolina,
and northeast Georgia. Sandwiched between a closed upper low over
the mid-Mississippi Valley and an upper anticyclone over the western
Atlantic will inadvertently sling shot Helene into the Southeast
Thursday night before the storm takes on a more western track as
the closed upper low overtakes the track by Friday afternoon. The
heaviest rainfall rates will be within the tropical rainbands
and with already rising streams, creeks, and rivers, expect for
significant flash flooding to take place in locations that will get
hammered by the PRE in the near-term forecast. The areas of most
concern will be the southern Appalachians and adjacent foothills
as flash flooding becomes widespread, with locally severe and
life-threatening flooding likely. The rainfall is expected to taper
off by Friday afternoon as Helene becomes absorbed by the closed
upper low and drier air filters in. Before everything is all said
and done, 5-10" of rainfall will be possible in locations west
of HWY 321 and 10-15+" on the southeastern facing slope along the
Blue Ridge. Still expect moderate to major flooding on some main
stem rivers including: French Broad River Basin, Pigeon River and
Tuckasegee River Basin, and Saluda and Broad River Basins. These
areas are forecasted to see river floods that rival 1995 (TC Jerry)
and 2004. With the amount of rain and heavy rainfall rates, it's
likely that numerous landslides will occur over the mountains,
especially the Blue Ridge Escarpments and result in a couple of
large, damaging debris flows/slope failures as well.

With the fast track north to the area that Helene will encompass,
the frictional force that usually derails any tropical cyclone's
wind fields won't have enough time to totally wipe out the strong
wind field associated with Helene. In this case, wind gusts of
40-50, some 60-70 mph will be possible in the western portions
of the CFWA Thursday night into Friday morning. In this case,
we have issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the North Carolina
mountains/foothills, Upstate South Carolina, and northeast
Georgia. The impacts will be significant from winds as soils will
already be super saturated and any strong wind gusts will easily
knock down numerous trees and lead to numerous power outages
across the locations in the Tropical Storm Watch. The tornado
threat will be the lowest concern of the big three that come with
any tropical system, but definitely nonzero, especially with the
initial rainbands that work into the region Thursday evening into
the overnight period. The biggest threat will be in locations along
and south of the I-85 corridor as better instability will become
established in this region and will be in the favorable front-right
quadrant of Helene. Most instability will diminish overnight as
more stable northeasterly flow filters in thanks to Helene. Most
model guidance lifts Helene out of the region by Friday afternoon
with conditions quickly improving. Flooding will be ongoing Friday
afternoon and evening, while mainstem river flooding may persist
into the weekend.

Saturday will be much improved and provides relief from the impacts
that will occur Thursday and Friday, with a lot of locations
cleaning up after the storm. The closed upper low is expected to
engulf Helene, but should gradually push east. This could lead
to a few showers in the mountains Saturday afternoon, but expect
for rainfall to remain light in comparison to the rainfall from
Thursday and Friday. Temperatures will be near-normal Saturday as
well in part to the lower heights and any lingering cloud cover.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
As of 325 am EDT Wednesday: Upper low is forecast to be centered
somewhere over the Ohio Valley at the start of the extended, and
should begin wobbling east over the weekend, as a series of strong
short wave brush the northern part of the Conus. We should have an
opportunity to dry out over the weekend, as precip chances are
expected to be limited to spotty, mainly diurnal showers. Precip
chances ramp up a bit (although remaining of the token chance
variety) early in the work week as the upper low opens up and ejects
over the region. Any additional rainfall amounts should (hopefully)
be light during this time frame. Temperatures are forecast to be
close to normal through the period.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: The TAF set will start out mostly VFR with
MVFR lingering at KHKY for a few more hrs this afternoon. Precip and
thunder chances outside the the mtns will be tricky, but enuf
destabilization will likely develop sct showers with isol thunder at
least, so went with a TEMPO thunder all sites later this afternoon
into the evening. Flight conds will begin to deteriorate overnight
with IFR conds, mainly due to CIGs, likely at all sites before
daybreak. High moisture levels persist Thu and will expect little
improvement in CIGs thru the day. Winds remain se/ly outside the
mtns and more varying at KAVL with low-end gusts all sites by the
late period.

Outlook: A tropical cyclone will bring low CIGs, heavy rain, and
strong winds Thurs into Fri before moving out of the area late Fri
into Sat. Isolated to sct mainly diurnal convection will be possible
thru the weekend.

&&

.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for GAZ010-017-018-026-
     028-029.
     Tropical Storm Watch for GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029.
NC...Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for NCZ033-035-048>053-
     056-058-059-062>065-068-069-501>510.
     Tropical Storm Watch for NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-068-
     501>510.
SC...Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for SCZ008-010>013-019-
     101>109.
     Tropical Storm Watch for SCZ008-010>013-019-101>109.
&&

SYNOPSIS...JPT
NEAR TERM...JPT/SBK
SHORT TERM...JDL
LONG TERM...JDL
AVIATION...SBK
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 25, 5:20 AM EDT, 9 hours 24 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
520 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

NCZ035>037-056-057-068>072-082-SCZ008-009-011>014-019-109-260930-
Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston-
Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-Cherokee-York-Abbeville-Laurens-
Union SC-Chester-Greenwood-Southern Spartanburg-
520 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina and
upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Another round of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms is
expected this afternoon and evening. Some of these storms could become
strong to severe and produce damaging wind gusts and hail. Heavy rainfall
can occur with any storm.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

A tropical system is expected to strengthen over the Gulf of Mexico
on Thursday as it tracks northward. This system will impact the western
Carolinas and northeast Georgia Thursday and Friday, bringing gusty
winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding to the area.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-501>510-
SCZ010-101>108-260930-
Rabun-Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Avery-Madison-Yancey-
Mitchell-Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-
Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Caldwell Mountains-
Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains-
Eastern McDowell-Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford-
Polk Mountains-Eastern Polk-Anderson-Oconee Mountains-
Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-Greater Oconee-
Greater Pickens-Central Greenville-Southern Greenville-
Northern Spartanburg-
520 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, western
North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

Another round of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms is expected
this afternoon and evening. Some of these storms could become strong to
severe and produce damaging wind gusts and hail. In addition, heavy rainfall
can occur with any storm and may lead to localized flash flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

Gusty winds are also expected as a tropical system impacts the area
Thursday and Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

None.

JPT

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 25, 10:42 AM EDT, 4 hours 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1042 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

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

1225 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 S Mocksville          35.89N 80.56W
09/25/2024                   Davie              NC   Public

            Several trees either down or split off
            halfway up in the backyards of 2 adjacent
            properties on the south side of Mocksville.

&&

DEO

The office that day

Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 25, 11:27 AM EDTTropical Storm WatchGSPElbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun, Stephens6 hr
Sep 25, 2:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPRabun24 min
Sep 25, 3:16 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPHabersham, Rabun44 min
Sep 25, 4:12 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGSPRabun5 hr
Sep 25, 5:06 PM EDTTropical Storm WarningGSPElbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun, Stephens45 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Georgia, 2024Every tornado warning in 2024Tornadoes in 2024

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.