Alert archive / Georgia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 280, NWS Atlanta, GA

August 16, 2026Bleckley County, Twiggs County, Georgia

NWS Atlanta, GA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 16, 2026, 3:23 PM EDT for Bleckley County, Twiggs County, Georgia. It was in force for 37 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
Aug 16, 2026, 3:23 PM EDT (19:23 UTC)
Expired
Aug 16, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
In force
37 min
Issued by
NWS Atlanta, GA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Bleckley County, GA, Twiggs County, GA

The radar

The Robins AFB radar (KJGX), 14 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:27 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
Aug 16, 3:27 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG1 S District Path, GATwo trees reported down near the intersection of Hwy 96 and Hwy 358.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 4 minutes after it went out.

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, 7.4 hours before the alert went out and 142 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 2026-08-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1457 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 2026-08-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -15 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
1457 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-44 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1079 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
3 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-15 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
6 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

603 
WUUS52 KFFC 161923
SVRFFC
GAC023-289-162000-
/O.NEW.KFFC.SV.W.0280.260816T1923Z-260816T2000Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
323 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southeastern Twiggs County in central Georgia...
  Northeastern Bleckley County in central Georgia...

* Until 400 PM EDT.

* At 323 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over District
  Path, or near Jeffersonville, moving southeast at 5 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Goldsboro, District Path, and Cary.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

If you see wind damage...hail or flooding...wait until the storm has
passed...and then call the National Weather Service toll free
at 1 8 6 6 7 6 3 4 4 6 6 or tweet us your report at NWSATLANTA.

&&

LAT...LON 3264 8341 3266 8331 3250 8320 3242 8328
      3246 8340
TIME...MOT...LOC 1923Z 334DEG 5KT 3263 8335 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Atlanta, GA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Aug 16, 2:26 PM EDT, 57 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Oppressive heat continues through much of the upcoming work week. A Heat Advisory remains in effect through Monday evening, and additional heat headlines are likely thereafter.
  • A few strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts up to 60 MPH are possible in North Georgia on Monday.
  • Limited thunderstorm chances are expected through mid-week before increasing slightly late in the week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 16, 2:26 PM EDT, 57 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
226 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

...Afternoon Area Forecast Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...

 - Oppressive heat continues through much of the upcoming work
   week. A Heat Advisory remains in effect through Monday evening,
   and additional heat headlines are likely thereafter.

 - A few strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing
   damaging wind gusts up to 60 MPH are possible in North Georgia
   on Monday.

 - Limited thunderstorm chances are expected through mid-week
   before increasing slightly late in the week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Monday)
Issued at 222 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

Summer heat will not relinquish its grip any time soon as a broad
ridge will persist across the southern tier of the US headed into
Monday. Our long-standing Heat Advisory will continue through
tomorrow evening (with extension beyond this time expected with
future forecast updates) as heat index values will easily reach the
105 threshold for the bulk of the area outside of the mountains on
Monday. In fact, Monday looks likely to bring the hottest
temperatures of the week for most areas before the ridge begins to
retreat westward slightly thereafter. As such, more widespread highs
touching the upper 90s (with a couple 100 degree readings possibly
sprinkled in) are expected while soupy 70s dewpoints provide an
environment ripe for heat index values 105-109 by afternoon. As has
been the case the past few days, a few spots could flirt with 110
heat index maximums during the afternoon, but the lack of more
widespread/sustained values will preclude any Extreme Heat Warning
issuance at this juncture.

As far as thunderstorm potential today is concerned, as expected,
north Georgia is largely dry this afternoon as a bit of "drier" air
has settled into that part of the state. Scattered thunderstorms
will continue to be concentrated across eastern and central Georgia
through early evening before dissipating.

On Monday, a convergent boundary/weak front will settle across the
Tennessee Valley into the Appalachians. Coupled with a midlevel
wave/vortmax, this will provide the impetus for thunderstorm
development during the heat of the afternoon. While the bulk of this
activity will likely be north of the area initially, these storms
should propagate into far north Georgia through the afternoon with a
gradual diminishment in coverage farther south toward the I-20
corridor during the evening. The environment will be supportive of
a few instances of strong to locally damaging wind gusts with
this threat highlighted by a Slight Risk from SPC for the far
northern tier and a Marginal Risk farther south to the I-20
corridor.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Tuesday morning through next Saturday)
Issued at 222 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

Impactful heat continues areawide through this next work week.
Ridging aloft and surface high pressure will keep daytime
temperatures in the mid to upper 90s for all except the higher
elevations each day. Heat index values are anticipated to be highest
on Tuesday with values ranging 103-109F. Regardless, heat indices
are likely to remain at or above 100F for most places through the
week. Additional heat headlines throughout the week for at least
some portions of the forecast area are likely.

Limited thunderstorm coverage is anticipated both Tuesday and
Wednesday as drier and hotter air stays in place. But from mid-week
onward isolated to scattered thunderstorms return. Thunderstorm
chances and cloud cover may provide some relief from the heat but
daytime temperatures and heat indices will still be quite warm
through the period. Continue to keep the heat in mind, both day and
night, as you plan outdoor work and activities for next week.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 120 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period outside of iso
TSRA possible mainly at MCN/CSG through 22-00Z. Otherwise, winds
will remain NW 5-8 kts through the day and under 5 kts overnight.

//ATL Confidence...18Z Update...
High confidence.

RW

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          75  99  76  97 /   0  10   0   0
Atlanta         77  98  77  95 /   0  10  10  10
Blairsville     70  90  69  87 /   0  30  20   0
Cartersville    75  98  74  95 /   0  10  10  10
Columbus        77  98  77  97 /   0  10  10  10
Gainesville     75  97  75  95 /   0  20  10   0
Macon           75  97  76  97 /  10  10   0  10
Rome            76  97  75  94 /   0  20  20  10
Peachtree City  75  97  75  95 /   0  10  10  10
Vidalia         76  99  78 100 /  10  10   0  10

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Monday for GAZ001>005-011-012-
019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-089>098-102>113.

&&

SHORT TERM...RW
LONG TERM....07
AVIATION...RW
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 16, 2:31 PM EDT, 52 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
231 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-171845-
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-
231 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight...

A Heat Advisory remains in effect for much of north and central
Georgia today. Afternoon "feels like" temperatures will once
again be well into the 100s. Please exercise caution if outdoors
and check on vulnerable neighbors.

Scattered thunderstorms across eastern and central Georgia
through this evening will be capable of gusty winds, frequent
lightning, and heavy rainfall.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday...

Hot and humid conditions will persist through much of the week
ahead with heat index values rising into the triple digits. The
current Heat Advisory will remain in effect through 8PM EDT on
Monday.

Scattered thunderstorms in north Georgia Monday afternoon and
evening could become severe, bringing the risk for strong to
damaging wind gusts.

Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible each
afternoon, especially Thursday through Saturday. Locally heavy
rainfall and gusty winds will be primary storm threats.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 16, 2:38 PM EDT, 45 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
238 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

GAZ111-112-161915-
Wheeler GA-Montgomery GA-
238 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Wheeler and
central Montgomery Counties through 315 PM EDT...

At 238 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Alamo, moving east at
15 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
         ground lightning.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Alamo, Mount Vernon, Glenwood, Ailey, Alston, and Landsburg.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3212 8281 3224 8276 3223 8251 3209 8248
      3199 8257
TIME...MOT...LOC 1838Z 285DEG 12KT 3216 8273

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
Special weather statement, Aug 16, 2:41 PM EDT, 42 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
241 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

GAZ073-161915-
Baldwin GA-
241 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Baldwin
County through 315 PM EDT...

At 241 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Meriwether, or near
Milledgeville, moving east at 15 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...
Milledgeville, Midway-Hardwick, Meriwether, Allenwood, Underwood, and
Hardwick.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3300 8319 3314 8337 3317 8334 3317 8332
      3318 8332 3318 8330 3319 8329 3319 8326
      3315 8311 3308 8312 3307 8311 3306 8311
TIME...MOT...LOC 1841Z 288DEG 12KT 3313 8328

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
Special weather statement, Aug 16, 2:52 PM EDT, 31 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
252 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

GAZ050-061-161915-
Hancock GA-Greene GA-
252 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Hancock and
southern Greene Counties through 315 PM EDT...

At 251 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Shoulderbone, or 7
miles northwest of Sparta, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
         ground lightning.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Sparta, Shoulderbone, and Culverton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3319 8291 3317 8303 3332 8315 3334 8314
      3336 8317 3337 8317 3338 8318 3345 8309
      3330 8288
TIME...MOT...LOC 1851Z 311DEG 19KT 3334 8309

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
Special weather statement, Aug 16, 2:53 PM EDT, 30 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
253 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

GAZ097-109-161930-
Laurens GA-Dodge GA-
253 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Laurens and east central Dodge Counties through 330 PM EDT...

At 253 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Plainfield, or 7 miles
northeast of Eastman, moving southeast at 15 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...
Jay Bird Springs and Plainfield.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3226 8314 3233 8307 3220 8288 3216 8291
      3215 8293 3215 8294 3214 8295 3213 8295
      3209 8300
TIME...MOT...LOC 1853Z 315DEG 14KT 3225 8307

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
Special weather statement, Aug 16, 3:04 PM EDT, 19 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
304 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

GAZ111>113-161915-
Toombs GA-Wheeler GA-Montgomery GA-
304 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Toombs,
southeastern Wheeler and south central Montgomery Counties through
315 PM EDT...

At 304 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Charlotteville, or 9
miles north of Hazlehurst, moving southeast at 10 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...
Uvalda, English Eddy, Charlotteville, McNatt Falls, and Grays
Landing.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3198 8264 3205 8257 3198 8234 3195 8237
      3196 8239 3195 8239 3196 8240 3195 8240
      3197 8243 3197 8248 3196 8250 3195 8248
      3195 8249 3196 8251 3196 8255 3193 8261
TIME...MOT...LOC 1904Z 305DEG 9KT 3201 8258

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
Special weather statement, Aug 16, 3:09 PM EDT, 14 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
309 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

GAZ083-096-161945-
Bleckley GA-Twiggs GA-
309 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Twiggs
and north central Bleckley Counties through 345 PM EDT...

At 309 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over District Path, or near
Jeffersonville, moving south at 5 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
         ground lightning.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Jeffersonville, Marion, District Path, and Cary.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3268 8345 3270 8336 3253 8323 3246 8329
      3247 8340
TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 347DEG 5KT 3263 8338

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

The office that day

Everything else NWS Atlanta, GA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 15, 8:16 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCToombs29 min
Aug 16, 1:38 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCWashington37 min
Aug 16, 2:37 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningFFCBibb, Houston, Twiggs38 min
Aug 16, 2:38 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCMontgomery, Wheeler37 min
Aug 16, 2:41 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCBaldwin34 min
Aug 16, 2:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCHancock23 min
Aug 16, 2:53 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCDodge37 min
Aug 16, 3:04 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCMontgomery11 min
Aug 16, 3:09 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCTwiggs36 min
Aug 16, 3:46 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCTelfair14 min
Aug 16, 3:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCTreutlen38 min
Aug 16, 4:23 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCWilkes37 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Georgia, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

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.