Tornado Warning 53, NWS Atlanta, GA

471 
WWUS52 KFFC 210415
SVSFFC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1215 AM EDT Wed May 21 2025

GAC015-057-129-227-210424-
/O.CAN.KFFC.TO.W.0053.000000T0000Z-250521T0430Z/
Cherokee GA-Gordon GA-Pickens GA-Bartow GA-
1215 AM EDT Wed May 21 2025

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN CHEROKEE...SOUTHEASTERN GORDON...
SOUTHERN PICKENS AND NORTHEASTERN BARTOW COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 AM EDT for north central
and northwestern Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3447 8430 3447 8429 3438 8428 3426 8435
      3437 8474 3448 8473
TIME...MOT...LOC 0413Z 273DEG 43KT 3439 8437 

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
933 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

...Evening Update...

.UPDATE...
Issued at 912 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

As of this update, storms ahead of the main frontal boundary have
begun to move into far northwestern GA (Dade/Walker Co.). A
Tornado Watch remains in effect until 10PM for these areas and 2AM
for the remainder of North GA (from Whitfield to Union counties down
to Forsyth and back to Bartow counties). We have been closely
monitoring storms moving in from northern Alabama as several have
a history of producing large hail and tornadoes. In our
northwestern counties - MUCAPE on the order of 1500-2000 J/kg,
0-6km shear of 40-50kts, 0-3km helicity of ~200 m2/s2 and upper
support from the shortwave swinging through the TN/Ohio Valley
will continue to support the supercell structures we're currently
seeing move through North AL into NW GA. Our focus will then turn
to the activity moving through Central AL which will into the
western portions of our area overnight. It is anticipated that the
activity will become more of a broken line of storms as it pushes
through the remainder of the forecast area. We will definitely be
monitoring trends over the next several hours in the event the
Tornado Watch needs to be extended further south and east but it
does still appear that the severe weather threat overall becomes
more isolated in nature as the night goes on given lessening
instability and upper level supper lifts northeast.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Wednesday)
Issued at 156 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

Key Messages:

 - Severe thunderstorms are expected in northwest Georgia between
   7 PM this evening and 2 AM Wednesday.

 - Damaging winds of 50 to 70 mph are the main threat, but an
   isolated tornado or burst of large hail are also possible.

 - Storm intensity should decrease as storms move into central
   Georgia after 2 AM, though and isolated severe threat will
   remain.

Severe Weather Potential Along & North of Interstate 85:

A cold front and an upper level shortwave will provide the necessary
lift for thunderstorms in northern Georgia this evening and tonight.
Instability for the storms to work with should decrease as they
advance eastward out of Alabama, but the 1000-2000 J/kg of MUCAPE
indicated by the 12Z HREF should be more than sufficient to maintain
convective intensity north of Interstate 85. Shear does't look like
and issue, with mean 0-6 km shear values in the CAM guidance
hovering between 40 and 50 kts. Forecast soundings continue to prog
sufficient low level hodograph curvature to support a risk for
tornadoes, with that risk increasing as you move northward from
Interstate 85. The primary challenge in the forecast is determining
the storm mode for northwest Georgia. Most of the guidance suggests
a broken line of thunderstorms, but there is some potential for
isolated supercells either ahead of or within this line. If
supercells occur then the tornado threat may become a more
significant concern. For now damaging wind gusts in the 50 to 70 mph
range remain the primary expected hazard for northwest Georgia.
Isolated large hail will also be possible, especially closer to the
AL/GA border. The expected storm timing remains relatively
unchanged. We expect storms to be on the doorstep of Dade County by
around 7 PM, with the severe risk peaking between 7 PM and 2 AM.
Please note that SPC has maintained and slightly expanded the
Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe weather with the latest
update. It now includes a portion of the Atlanta Metro.

Severe Weather Potential South of Interstate 85:

The shortwave helping to drive mid and upper level support for
thunderstorm activity will move towards the northeast early
Wednesday morning. As this occurs thunderstorm activity should
become increasing driven by cold front/cold pool interactions. This
combination may encourage storms to alight in a more east-west
direction. Leading to a less favorable alignment with the vertical
shear profile and decreasing the overall potential for damaging
winds. While instability will be favorable for continued storms
after 2 AM, it will decrease as convection moves into central
Georgia. This is evident in the CAMs, which continue to favor the
most widespread overnight thunderstorm activity along the AL/GA
border where instability is the highest. Given these considerations
the primary thunderstorm hazard as storms move south of Interstate
85 is expected to be damaging winds gusts in the 40 t0 60 mph range.

Quiet Weather Returns Wednesday:

Isolated thunderstorms may longer in central Georgia Wednesday
morning. By the afternoon the cold front should push into south
Georgia resulting in a more stable atmosphere. This will lead to dry
weather and partly cloudy skies in the afternoon. A slight reduction
in temperatures is expected behind the front, but most areas will
still see temperatures in the 80s Wednesday afternoon.

Albright

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Thursday morning through next Monday)
Issued at 156 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

At a glance:

 - Quiet start to the long term.

 - The chances for thunderstorms will return by the end of the
   weekend.

The long term picks up with a break from showers and thunderstorms
as high pressure establishes itself over the SE. Some upper level
ridging will keep the flow generally west/northwest which will bring
us a break from the humidity as well. Temps will be a few degrees
below normal and pleasantly in the upper 70s to mid 80s as you head
further south down the CWA. Dewpoints though will be limited to the
50s and even a few day in the 40s which I expect will feel lovely.

As the weekend approaches, the upper level flow shifts back to the
SW and we start to build in moisture as the next impulse pulses
through. As of now, both of the major models want to take that
system through TN limiting storm potential to northern GA, but it's
a week out and I suspect there will some variation in both location
and timing as the week unfolds. The primary concern with that system
is the potential for it to stall as a stationary front across the SE
which in turn would provide a lift source for however long it
decides to stick with us. This could present both a localized
flooding threat and the potential for severe weather along the
northern most extent of the warm sector. Lots of variables to
consider, so please continue to monitor the forecast if you have
plans early next week.

Vaughn

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 731 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

A line of shra/tsra will be moving through the region between
roughly 03-09z. VRB/erratic winds, lower vsbys and cigs will be
possible as the line moves through. MVFR cigs will be possible
following the FROPA persisting until 13-15z before scattering out.
Still a question as to weather the line will be able to maintain
itself by the time it reaches MCN -- for now maintain a PROB30 for
tsra between 08-11z. Gusty WNW/NW winds following FROPA after 14z
through the afternoon -- gusts 22-26kts.

//ATL Confidence...00Z Update...

Medium confidence on all elements.

07

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          67  90  67  85 /  10  10  50   0
Atlanta         70  90  69  84 /  10  10  70   0
Blairsville     62  83  61  77 /  10  20  90  10
Cartersville    68  91  66  83 /  10  10  80   0
Columbus        68  91  70  89 /   0  10  60  20
Gainesville     67  89  67  82 /  10  10  70   0
Macon           68  91  70  90 /   0  10  30  20
Rome            68  89  66  82 /  10  20  80   0
Peachtree City  67  90  67  86 /  10  10  70   0
Vidalia         71  93  73  91 /   0   0  10  20

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

SHORT TERM...Albright
LONG TERM....Vaughn
AVIATION...07

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1104 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-220315-
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-
1104 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

.DAY ONE...Tonight...

A line of strong to severe thunderstorms will continue pushing
south and east overnight. The highest potential for severe weather
is expected along and north of Interstate 85 prior to 2 AM.
Damaging winds gusts of 50 to 70 mph are the primary expected
hazard. Isolated tornados or large hail will also remain a
possibility. A limited risk for damaging wind gusts in the 40 to
60 mph range exists for central Georgia between 2 AM and 9 AM
Wednesday.

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

Isolated thunderstorms may return to north Georgia Saturday and
Sunday. Then on Memorial Day scattered thunderstorms are expected.
At this time the risk for severe weather over the holiday weekend
remains low.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not requested 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 while following all local, state, and
CDC guidelines.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1057 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

GAZ006-008-210345-
Union GA-Fannin GA-
1057 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Union
and northern Fannin Counties through 1145 PM EDT...

At 1056 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Ducktown, moving east
at 30 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, up to penny sized hail, 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...
Nottely Dam, Ivy Log, Loving, Cohutta Wilderness, Mineral Bluff, and
Epworth.

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 AM EDT for north central
Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3499 8401 3490 8401 3492 8461 3499 8461
TIME...MOT...LOC 0256Z 268DEG 26KT 3501 8443

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1125 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

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

1107 PM     Hail             Summerville             34.48N 85.35W
05/20/2025  E0.75 Inch       Chattooga          GA   Trained Spotter

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1127 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

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

1100 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Trion                   34.54N 85.32W
05/20/2025                   Chattooga          GA   Emergency Mngr

            Tree on a home near the intersection of
            Ridge Street and Allgood Street.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1129 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

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

1100 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Menlo                   34.49N 85.48W
05/20/2025                   Chattooga          GA   Trained Spotter

            1 to 2 trees down and powerlines down along
            Edison Street.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1143 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

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

1026 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 WSW Rocky Face        34.80N 85.07W
05/20/2025                   Whitfield          GA   Emergency Mngr

            Multiple trees along Houston Valley Road.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1152 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025

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

1045 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     5 WSW Center Post       34.59N 85.44W
05/20/2025                   Chattooga          GA   Emergency Mngr

            Large tree across the road near the
            intersection of Highway 157 and Valley View
            Ranch Road.

&&