Alert archive / Georgia / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 60, NWS Atlanta, GA

April 3, 2026Dodge County, Telfair County, Wheeler County, Georgia

NWS Atlanta, GA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 3, 2026, 6:45 PM EDT for Dodge County, Telfair County, Wheeler County, Georgia. It was in force for 16 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Apr 3, 2026, 6:45 PM EDT (22:45 UTC)
Expired
Apr 3, 2026, 7:01 PM EDT
In force
16 min
Issued by
NWS Atlanta, GA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Dodge County, GA, Telfair County, GA, Wheeler County, GA

The radar

The Robins AFB radar (KJGX), 72 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:48 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm 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, 10.8 hours before the alert went out and 200 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 2026-04-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 15 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 2026-04-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 38 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
15 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-86 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
799 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
10 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
38 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
34 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

221 
WUUS52 KFFC 032245
SVRFFC
GAC091-271-309-032315-
/O.NEW.KFFC.SV.W.0060.260403T2245Z-260403T2315Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
645 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  East central Dodge County in central Georgia...
  North central Telfair County in central Georgia...
  West central Wheeler County in central Georgia...

* Until 715 PM EDT.

* At 645 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Achord, or
  near McRae, moving north at 20 mph.

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

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage 
           to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  McRae, Helena, Milan, Chauncey, Jay Bird Springs, Achord, and
  Little Ocmulgee State Park.

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 3198 8303 3216 8313 3218 8301 3215 8299
      3219 8290 3220 8288 3219 8287 3201 8287
TIME...MOT...LOC 2245Z 168DEG 15KT 3205 8297 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$
2 follow-up statements
269 
WWUS52 KFFC 032258
SVSFFC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
658 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

GAC309-032308-
/O.CAN.KFFC.SV.W.0060.000000T0000Z-260403T2315Z/
Wheeler GA-
658 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WEST CENTRAL WHEELER COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of 
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

&&

LAT...LON 3216 8312 3218 8301 3215 8299 3218 8293
      3214 8292 3213 8294 3212 8292 3205 8290
      3204 8304
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 167DEG 15KT 3210 8298 

$$

GAC091-271-032315-
/O.CON.KFFC.SV.W.0060.000000T0000Z-260403T2315Z/
Dodge GA-Telfair GA-
658 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EDT
FOR EAST CENTRAL DODGE AND NORTH CENTRAL TELFAIR COUNTIES...

At 658 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Achord, or near
McRae, moving north at 15 mph.

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

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
McRae, Helena, Chauncey, Jay Bird Springs, and Achord.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3216 8312 3218 8301 3215 8299 3218 8293
      3214 8292 3213 8294 3212 8292 3205 8290
      3204 8304
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 167DEG 15KT 3210 8298 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$
341 
WWUS52 KFFC 032301
SVSFFC

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
701 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

GAC091-271-032311-
/O.CAN.KFFC.SV.W.0060.000000T0000Z-260403T2315Z/
Dodge GA-Telfair GA-
701 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL DODGE AND NORTH
CENTRAL TELFAIR COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However, small hail and
gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 3216 8312 3218 8301 3215 8299 3218 8293
      3214 8292 3213 8294 3212 8292 3205 8290
      3204 8304
TIME...MOT...LOC 2259Z 168DEG 15KT 3211 8298 

$$

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 Apr 3, 3:51 PM EDT, 2 hours 54 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 347 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
  • Scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, mainly in central and east Georgia.
  • A cold front will bring more widespread rainfall between Saturday and Sunday, though forecast rainfall totals will be insufficient for substantial drought improvement.
  • Above normal temperatures continue through Saturday, with temperatures cooling back to near normal next week.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 3, 3:51 PM EDT, 2 hours 54 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
351 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

...Afternoon Area Forecast Discussion...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 347 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

 - Scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and
   evening, mainly in central and east Georgia.

 - A cold front will bring more widespread rainfall between
   Saturday and Sunday, though forecast rainfall totals will be
   insufficient for substantial drought improvement.

 - Above normal temperatures continue through Saturday, with
   temperatures cooling back to near normal next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Saturday)
Issued at 347 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

Rest of Today/Tonight:

As a welcome change, beneficial rainfall is in the forecast over the
next couple of days. For the remainder of the afternoon, scattered
showers and thunderstorms will continue to blossom with coverage
focused primarily in central and eastern Georgia as subtle
disturbance pushes northward around the western periphery of the
Atlantic ridge. Coverage will generally diminish after sunset,
though a few showers or an isolated thunderstorm will remain
possible through Saturday morning across north Georgia.

Saturday:

Saturday will bring another humid, summery day amid continued
southerly flow. Diurnally-enhanced shower and thunderstorm coverage
will be higher by Saturday afternoon as the Atlantic ridge begins to
shunt eastward courtesy of the incoming trough. In the same vein of
a summer afternoon, a few stronger pulse storms are possible as
MUCAPE reaches 1000-1500 J/kg, bringing locally gusty winds, heavy
rainfall, and frequent lightning.

Saturday Night into early Sunday:

The attention by late Saturday night into early Sunday morning will
be an ongoing line of showers and thunderstorms along the incoming
cold front. CAMs are in good agreement that this convection reaches
northwest Georgia around midnight and progresses east-southeastward
through sunrise Sunday. Fortunately, given the overnight/early
morning time frame, forecast instability is quite weak, generally on
the order of <500 J/kg MUCAPE, which will help to greatly limit any
severe threat alongside both midlevel and surface support being
displaced well to the north of the region. As such, while an initial
stronger storm with gusty winds can't be ruled out, no significant
severe threat is expected.

With this time frame now in the view of CAMs, the potential for
locally heavy rainfall has increased somewhat in northwest Georgia,
as a signal for localized 1.5-2+" rainfall totals through Sunday
morning has increased. Given the ongoing drought, this rainfall
would largely be beneficial and appreciated, though localized
street/nuisance ponding could arise. By sunrise Sunday, both
convective intensity and rainfall rates will be on a downward
trend.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Sunday morning through next Thursday)
Issued at 347 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

An upper level trough will be moving across the eastern Great Lakes
and Ohio Valley region on Sunday. As the morning begins, a cold
front associated with this trough will be positioned near the I-85
corridor, with widespread showers and a few isolated thunderstorms
ongoing ahead of the frontal boundary. As this front continues
southeastward over the course of the day, temperatures behind the
front will rise into the mid 60s to low 70s while highs ahead of the
front will climb into the upper 70s to mid 80s. Within the warm and
and moist airmass ahead of the front, SBCAPE values will increase to
500-1000 J/kg. This instability will be sufficient to support
increasing thunderstorm coverage through the afternoon. Weakening
dynamics and low-level shear ahead of the front will inhibit the
risk for severe weather, though a couple of storms could become
strong and capable of producing gusty winds, frequent lightning,
and locally heavy rainfall. Rainfall totals through the weekend in
association with this system will be highest in areas of north
Georgia to the north of I-85. Here, rainfall amounts are forecast
to range from 1-1.5 inch, with locally higher amounts up to 2
inches at the ridgetops. Rainfall amounts will be progressively
lower as one goes further south and east of I-85, reflecting the
weakening of the front. Unfortunately, this rainfall will not make
much of a dent in ongoing drought conditions.

The front and associated precipitation will exit the forecast area
to the southeast by late Sunday night. Northwesterly flow behind the
front will usher in a cooler and drier airmass overnight and into
Monday. Low temperatures on Monday will largely be in the 40s in
north Georgia (and upper 30s in the highest elevations) and low to
mid 50s in central Georgia. Temperatures will be slightly warmer on
Tuesday with reduced cloud cover as a surface high moves across the
eastern CONUS to the north of the Georgia border, with highs rising
into the mid 70s. Going into the middle of the week, it is looking
increasingly likely that a CAD wedge will set up over north Georgia
as the high moves east of the Appalachians. This will result in
decreased rain chances (near 0%) and temps in the mid to 60s and
dewpoints in the 30s on Wednesday.&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 127 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the evening with cu in the 4-7
kft range. Lower cigs become more likely by 08-09Z, initially
MVFR, with IFR cig probability anticipated to peak in the 12-15Z
time frame before gradual improvement. Iso SHRA/TSRA are possible
at MCN this afternoon with iso -SHRA also possible at remainder of
sites 09-13Z. Sct SHRA/TSRA coverage will be higher Sat after 18Z.
Winds are primarily expected to favor SSE this afternoon into
tomorrow morning, though could briefly meander to SSW at times,
before SSW becomes more favored after 18Z Saturday. Speeds 4-8
kts.

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

RW

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          63  80  63  73 /  40  60  70  90
Atlanta         64  81  62  72 /  30  50  80  90
Blairsville     58  75  54  67 /  30  60 100  80
Cartersville    63  83  56  71 /  20  50  90  80
Columbus        63  85  63  75 /  20  50  50  80
Gainesville     63  79  63  72 /  40  60  90  90
Macon           63  83  64  77 /  30  50  30  80
Rome            63  85  58  72 /  10  50 100  70
Peachtree City  62  83  62  72 /  30  40  70  90
Vidalia         64  85  63  84 /  10  30  10  50

&&

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

SHORT TERM...RW
LONG TERM....King
AVIATION...RW
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 3, 1:39 PM EDT, 5 hours 6 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
139 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-041745-
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-
139 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia.

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

Isolated to scattered showers and storms expected this afternoon
and early evening, primarily across east-central GA. Gusty winds,
lightning, and brief heavy rainfall would be possible with any
storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday...

Scattered to numerous showers and storms expected Saturday
afternoon and evening. A cold front will move through the area
Saturday night and Sunday, bringing widespread rainfall.
Widespread severe weather is not expected.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 3, 3:51 PM EDT, 2 hours 54 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
351 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

GAZ089-090-032015-
Chattahoochee GA-Muscogee GA-
351 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Muscogee and southwestern Chattahoochee Counties through 415 PM
EDT...

At 350 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Benning Hills, or near
Columbus, moving north at 5 mph.

HAZARD...Up to 40 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...
Columbus, Bibb City, Fort Benning/Lawson Army Air Fld, Saint Marys
Hills, Edgewood, Highland Park, Sand Hill, Battle Park, Vista
Terrace, Rose Hill, Custer Road Terrace, Benning Hills, Avondale,
Benning Park, and Carter Acres.

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 3235 8500 3238 8497 3238 8499 3239 8499
      3239 8497 3241 8498 3242 8496 3244 8497
      3245 8499 3246 8500 3251 8500 3247 8481
      3226 8486 3233 8501
TIME...MOT...LOC 1950Z 196DEG 5KT 3241 8495

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
Special weather statement, Apr 3, 5:05 PM EDT, 1 hour 40 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
505 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

GAZ104>106-032130-
Crisp GA-Dooly GA-Sumter GA-
505 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern Dooly,
southeastern Sumter and Crisp Counties through 530 PM EDT...

At 505 PM EDT, a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from East Crisp to near Chokee, and moving north at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Up to 40 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...
Cordele, Vienna, Leslie, De Soto, Desoto, Cobb, Lamar, East Crisp,
Fort Early, Georgia Veterans Memorial St Pk, Richwood, Raines,
Tremont, and Wenona.

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 3185 8392 3185 8394 3186 8393 3190 8393
      3191 8392 3191 8408 3202 8411 3214 8369
      3193 8362 3184 8390
TIME...MOT...LOC 2105Z 177DEG 18KT 3195 8371 3185 8402

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
Special weather statement, Apr 3, 5:37 PM EDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
537 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

GAZ106-108-032215-
Crisp GA-Wilcox GA-
537 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Wilcox
and eastern Crisp Counties through 615 PM EDT...

At 537 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was over Rebecca, or 10 miles
northeast of Ashburn, moving north at 15 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 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...
Cordele, Rochelle, Arabi, Pitts, East Crisp, Double Run, Wenona,
Owensboro, Seville, and Hatley.

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 3195 8381 3207 8342 3185 8341 3185 8361
      3180 8361 3181 8376
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 164DEG 13KT 3181 8353

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
Special weather statement, Apr 3, 6:10 PM EDT, 35 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
610 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

GAZ109>111-032245-
Wheeler GA-Telfair GA-Dodge GA-
610 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Dodge,
central Telfair and western Wheeler Counties through 645 PM EDT...

At 610 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was near Workmore, or 12 miles
south of McRae, moving north at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Up to 40 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...
McRae, Helena, Milan, Jacksonville, Little Ocmulgee State Park, and
Workmore.

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 3184 8283 3179 8303 3205 8317 3212 8286
TIME...MOT...LOC 2210Z 164DEG 13KT 3189 8296

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

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 3, 3:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCChattahoochee24 min
Apr 3, 5:05 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCCrisp25 min
Apr 3, 5:37 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCCrisp, Wilcox38 min
Apr 3, 6:10 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCTelfair35 min
Apr 3, 7:04 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCTalbot26 min
Apr 3, 7:38 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCBleckley, Twiggs37 min
Apr 3, 7:42 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementFFCWebster33 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.