Alert archive / Georgia / Special Weather Statements in 2026
Special Weather Statement, NWS Atlanta, GA
NWS Atlanta, GA issued this special weather statement at Jan 10, 2026, 12:02 PM EST for 4 counties in Georgia. It was in force for 28 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
- Jan 10, 2026, 12:02 PM EST (17:02 UTC)
- Expired
- Jan 10, 2026, 12:30 PM EST
- In force
- 28 min
- Issued by
- NWS Atlanta, GA
- Hail
- 0.00 in
- Wind
- 40
Counties Lamar County, GA, Meriwether County, GA, Pike County, GA, Spalding County, GA
The radar
The Atlanta radar (KFFC), 35 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:06 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.
The nearest sounding before it
Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 5.0 hours before the alert went out and 33 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 32 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -25 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 703 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 61 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 337 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 394 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.3
The text
As transmitted.
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</html>What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this special weather statement 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 special weather statement went out at Jan 10, 6:50 AM EST, 5 hours 12 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Updated at 644 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
- Tornado Watch in effect for extreme west-central GA through 11 AM EST.
- Continued waves of rainfall through the day may lead to instances of flash or river flooding in North GA as far south as I-20. A Flood Watch remains in effect.
- Isolated strong to severe storms capable of producing a few damaging wind gusts and a brief spin up tornado remain possible this morning and afternoon.
- A return to more seasonal temperatures is expected early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jan 10, 6:50 AM EST, 5 hours 12 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
650 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
...New 12Z Aviation Discussion...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 644 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
- Tornado Watch in effect for extreme west-central GA through
11 AM EST.
- Continued waves of rainfall through the day may lead to
instances of flash or river flooding in North GA as far
south as I-20. A Flood Watch remains in effect.
- Isolated strong to severe storms capable of producing a few
damaging wind gusts and a brief spin up tornado remain
possible this morning and afternoon.
- A return to more seasonal temperatures is expected early
next week.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(Today through Sunday)
Issued at 330 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
Early morning update:
A baroclinic boundary set up from roughly Peachtree City, GA
extending southwest back into Central AL and southern MS has
allowed for just enough low-level spin in the atmosphere to cause
rotation within showers and isolated storms despite limited
instability (storm fuel). Latest SPC Mesoanalysis paints 100-300
ms/s2 of 0-1km SRH confirming where the boundary has set up. As
the upper trough inches closer, activity is anticipating to pick
up from now until at least mid-day. Thus a Tornado Watch has been
issued for far west-central Georgia through 11 AM EST (Chattooga
County down to Heard County). There is uncertainty in how far
north the boundary drifts so trends will need to be monitored as
the morning progresses.
Currently:
A mixed bag of low stratus and high cirrus blanket much of North and
Central Georgia this morning. This has largely prevented any dense
fog development so far -- south-central Georgia being the primary
concern. Will continue to monitor trends over the next few hours but
it's more than likely low stratus that will win out in the areas in
question.
Radar estimated 24hr totals paint a broad area of 1-1.5 inches of
rain across parts of North GA as far south as northern Polk County.
Though a locally higher swath of up to around 2 inches was noted in
southern Chattooga/north Floyd/Gordon Counties. Waves of light to
moderate rainfall will continue across North Georgia this morning --
generally along and north of the I-85 corridor, though isolated
showers have begun to develop just to the north of Columbus. While
thunder has not been an issue thus far, some embedded (non-severe)
storms were noted in parts of Central Alabama, so will need to
monitor trends as these could contribute to heavier pockets of
rainfall.
Today:
Instances of flooding will be a growing concern through the
afternoon for much of North GA including the mountains. With the 00z
hi-res guidance now at our disposal, there remain consistent signals
in the slight southward trend of bands of heavier rainfall. This
does align with the current radar trends and placement of a 850mb
LLJ. Given all of this information, the Flood Watch has been
expanded out an abundance of caution going as far south as Carroll
County (west-central GA) to Hall County (east GA) and does include
ATL Metro. Additional rainfall today will range from 1-2" and
upwards of up to 4" in the heaviest rainbands for areas within the
Flood Watch (north of I-85 in the east and I-20 in the west). Note
that while these totals may seem 'low' occurring over a short period
of time may lead to some flash flooding concerns, especially in low-
lying or poor drainage areas and along creeks and streams that are
prone to flooding. This will certainly bear watching through the
morning. Additional expansions of the watch are not anticipated at
this time unless models continue to hint at the potential for
further banding or training precipitation further south. The axis of
notable rainfall quickly tapers the further south and east one goes
with the lowest totals in southeast-central Georgia.
A deep elongated trough extending from the Four Corners up to the
Northern Plains will dig eastward today prompting a cold front to
begin moving through the state this afternoon through late evening.
Low level convergence ahead of the boundary will aid in embedded
thunderstorm development through the afternoon. Rain showers and
embedded thunderstorms will attempt to congeal into a disorganized
line as the front enters the state. As one would expect, instability
will be hard to come by given upper-level support by the trough
(well to our west) and the presence of persistent cloud cover and
rain. What little instability there is coupled with decent shear and
lift along the front may be enough for an isolated strong to severe
storm capable of producing strong wind gusts or a brief spin up
tornado. This threat best overlaps across parts of west-central
Georgia (in the Columbus vicinity southward). A Slight Risk (Level 2
of 5) for severe weather is in place across parts of west-central
Georgia, though shifted southward by SPC with the morning update.
Again, this severe threat will be along and ahead of the cold front
moving into the area. Another important note - any stronger storms
are likely to contribute to instances of localized heavy rainfall
given the environmental set up.
Sunday:
The cold front will finally push through the state late tonight as a
shortwave dives southward from the Northern Plains gradually
bringing rainfall and any thunderstorms to an end. Low to mid-level
cloud cover and perhaps some drizzle may persist into the late
evening until the main front pushes through tonight. Post-frontal
conditions will be present on Sunday with a return to cool morning
low temperatures. Morning lows are forecast to range from the low
30s (20s in the mountains) to upper 40s/low 50s in far south-central
Georgia. Much cooler and drier air will settle in during the day
Sunday as northwest flow returns and high pressure builds in from
the west. Daytime highs will be more seasonal climbing into the 40s
and 50s during the afternoon.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Sunday night through Friday)
Issued at 330 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
Dry and cool (albeit more seasonal) temperatures will
characterize the long-term forecast at least through mid week.
High pressure will continue to build in from the west with very
broad troughing to our north. The main concern at least through
Tuesday will be for fire weather as RH values are may approach
critical thresholds ( 25% or less) across parts of Central Georgia
as a result of much drier air filtering into the region. Daytime
highs will gradually warm through mid-week but remain more
seasonal. On Sunday forecast highs range from the low 40s to upper
50s and by Wednesday will rise to the 50s and 60s areawide.
Wednesday through the end of the week brings some uncertainty. Long
range guidance has another trough diving southward from southern
Canada and sweeping across the Deep South. Precipitation may make a
return to portions of the forecast area between Wednesday and
Thursday but inconsistencies among model guidance make it difficult
to pinpoint timing, amounts or precip type at this time. Stay
tuned...
&&
.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 644 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
A mixed bag of IFR and LIFR cigs blanket the TAF sites this
morning as -SHRA/SHRA spread across the area. Thunder chances
(lower confidence) will largely occur between 13-19z at the north
sites and between 18-22z at CSG/MCN. FROPA occurs this afternoon
turning SSW winds to the NW. Gusts 20-22kts through the period.
Slight improvement to cigs following the FROPA with greater
improvements Sunday around 12z.
//ATL Confidence...12Z Update...
Medium confidence on all elements.
07
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens 73 40 50 27 / 80 50 0 0
Atlanta 71 40 47 28 / 90 30 0 0
Blairsville 65 30 40 20 / 100 20 0 0
Cartersville 71 36 47 25 / 100 10 0 0
Columbus 76 43 54 29 / 80 50 0 0
Gainesville 69 39 47 28 / 90 30 0 0
Macon 79 44 55 28 / 60 70 0 0
Rome 72 39 51 28 / 100 10 0 0
Peachtree City 72 38 50 25 / 90 30 0 0
Vidalia 82 53 61 31 / 10 40 0 0
&&
.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch through this evening for GAZ001>009-011>016-019>023-
030>034-041>045.
&&
SHORT TERM...07
LONG TERM....07
AVIATION...07Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 10, 10:50 AM EST, 1 hour 12 minutes before
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</html>In the hours before
Special weather statement, Jan 10, 10:30 AM EST, 1 hour 32 minutes before
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</html>Special weather statement, Jan 10, 10:47 AM EST, 1 hour 15 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1047 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
GAZ013>016-023-101615-
Hall GA-Dawson GA-Pickens GA-White GA-Lumpkin GA-
1047 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Lumpkin,
southwestern White, central Dawson, northwestern Hall and
southeastern Pickens Counties through 1115 AM EST...
At 1047 AM EST, a strong thunderstorm was over Marblehill, or 7 miles
east of Jasper, moving east at 55 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...
Dahlonega, Jasper, Cleveland, Dawsonville, Nelson, Clermont, Whitley
Gap Shelter, Marblehill, Juno, Fausett Lake, Camp Coleman Lake,
Hollis Lathem Reservoir, Lake Tamarack, Auraria, Tate, Garland,
Porter Springs, Nimblewill, Turners Corner, and McKee.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. Motorists should
slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
&&
LAT...LON 3473 8381 3448 8370 3436 8426 3438 8426
3438 8438 3448 8443
TIME...MOT...LOC 1547Z 248DEG 47KT 3443 8431
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHSpecial weather statement, Jan 10, 11:20 AM EST, 42 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1120 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
GAZ033-044>046-053>055-057-101645-
Fayette GA-North Fulton GA-Rockdale GA-Clayton GA-Coweta GA-
DeKalb GA-Henry GA-South Fulton GA-
1120 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Rockdale, southwestern DeKalb, northern Fayette, northwestern Henry,
north central Coweta, Clayton and south central Fulton Counties
through 1145 AM EST...
At 1120 AM EST, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Palmetto, or 10 miles south of City of South
Fulton, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind and increased chance of a brief tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...While winds should result in minor damage to tree limbs and
blowing around of light, unsecured objects, this storm has
also exhibited localized rotation. A brief tornado could
quickly form.
Locations impacted include...
Atlanta, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, City of South Fulton, East Point,
Stockbridge, Union City, Forest Park, Riverdale, College Park,
Fairburn, Tyrone, Morrow, Hapeville, Palmetto, Lake City, Belvedere
Park, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Candler-Mcafee, and Lake Spivey.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 PM EST for west central
Georgia.
&&
LAT...LON 3377 8421 3351 8411 3345 8470 3356 8474
TIME...MOT...LOC 1620Z 252DEG 39KT 3352 8464
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial weather statement, Jan 10, 11:23 AM EST, 39 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1123 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
GAZ066-078-101700-
Harris GA-Troup GA-
1123 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southwestern Troup
and northwestern Harris Counties through NOON EST...
At 1123 AM EST, a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Abbottsford to near Denson, and moving southeast
at 25 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...
LaGrange, West Point, Pine Mountain, Cannonville, State Line Park,
Abbottsford, Piedmont Heights, Jones Crossroads, Baughs Crossroads,
Smiths Crossroad, Whitesville-Pine Lake, Lake Harding, and Long Cane.
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 west central
Georgia.
&&
LAT...LON 3307 8517 3285 8485 3264 8510 3264 8511
3266 8509 3269 8512 3271 8512 3274 8511
3276 8514 3278 8512 3281 8517 3283 8517
3285 8515 3286 8519 3304 8522
TIME...MOT...LOC 1623Z 308DEG 22KT 3303 8514 3288 8532
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial weather statement, Jan 10, 11:46 AM EST, 16 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1146 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
GAZ025-034-035-045>048-055-057-058-101715-
Butts GA-Jackson GA-Walton GA-Rockdale GA-Barrow GA-Clayton GA-
DeKalb GA-Gwinnett GA-Newton GA-Henry GA-
1146 AM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Rockdale, Barrow,
eastern DeKalb, Gwinnett, Henry, Walton, north central Butts, western
Jackson, eastern Clayton and Newton Counties through 1215 PM EST...
At 1145 AM EST, a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from Berkeley Lake to Snapfinger to near Atlanta Motor
Speedway, and moving east at 60 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...
Lawrenceville, McDonough, Conyers, Winder, Monroe, Covington,
Jefferson, Peachtree Corners, Duluth, Stockbridge, Sugar Hill,
Snellville, Suwanee, Buford, Lilburn, Loganville, Norcross,
Clarkston, Braselton, and Hampton.
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 3426 8351 3395 8357 3391 8364 3388 8361
3388 8359 3348 8374 3341 8385 3333 8415
3335 8439 3367 8428 3400 8422 3399 8419
3403 8417 3403 8412 3406 8411 3413 8394
3410 8387 3423 8370 3427 8359
TIME...MOT...LOC 1645Z 248DEG 51KT 3397 8416 3370 8422 3336 8434
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHSpecial weather statement, Jan 10, 12:02 PM EST, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1202 PM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
GAZ056>058-067>071-101730-
Butts GA-Lamar GA-Monroe GA-Upson GA-Spalding GA-Meriwether GA-
Pike GA-Henry GA-
1202 PM EST Sat Jan 10 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Spalding, central
Meriwether, Pike, north central Monroe, south central Henry,
northwestern Upson, southern Butts and northern Lamar Counties
through 1230 PM EST...
At 1202 PM EST, a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from Luella to Hollonville to near Odessadale, 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...
Griffin, Barnesville, Jackson, Zebulon, Greenville, Locust Grove,
Manchester, Woodbury, Flovilla, Milner, Warm Springs, Molena,
Williamson, Orchard Hill, Meansville, Aldora, Gay, East Griffin,
Concord, and Atwater.
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 west central
Georgia.
&&
LAT...LON 3337 8418 3326 8388 3301 8422 3284 8459
3285 8464 3300 8485
TIME...MOT...LOC 1702Z 292DEG 23KT 3333 8418 3318 8443 3301 8477
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHThe office that day
Everything else NWS Atlanta, GA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 10, 7:50 AM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FFC | Floyd, Haralson, Polk | 40 min |
| Jan 10, 9:37 AM EST | Flash Flood Warning | FFC | Bartow | 4 hr |
| Jan 10, 9:53 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | FFC | Cherokee, Dawson, Forsyth, Lumpkin | 37 min |
| Jan 10, 10:16 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | FFC | Carroll, Paulding | 29 min |
| Jan 10, 10:27 AM EST | Flash Flood Warning | FFC | Cherokee | 5 hr |
| Jan 10, 10:30 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | FFC | Carroll, Douglas | 30 min |
| Jan 10, 10:47 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | FFC | Dawson, Lumpkin | 28 min |
| Jan 10, 11:00 AM EST | Flash Flood Warning | FFC | Dawson, Lumpkin, Pickens | 5 hr |
| Jan 10, 11:00 AM EST | Tornado Warning | FFC | Carroll, Coweta, Fulton | 15 min |
| Jan 10, 11:10 AM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FFC | Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding and 1 more | 50 min |
| Jan 10, 11:20 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | FFC | Clayton | 25 min |
| Jan 10, 11:23 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | FFC | Harris | 37 min |
| Jan 10, 11:37 AM EST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | FFC | Chattahoochee, Harris, Muscogee, Talbot, Troup | 38 min |
| Jan 10, 11:46 AM EST | Special Weather Statement | FFC | Barrow, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Henry, Jackson, Newton and 2 more | 29 min |
| Jan 10, 12:15 PM EST | Special Weather Statement | FFC | Chattahoochee, Muscogee, Talbot | 30 min |
| Jan 10, 1:52 PM EST | River Flood Warning | FFC | Forsyth, Fulton | 18 hr |
| Jan 10, 4:10 PM EST | River Flood Warning | FFC | Dawson | 95 min |
| Jan 10, 4:52 PM EST | River Flood Warning | FFC | Forsyth | 7 hr |
| Jan 10, 5:12 PM EST | River Flood Warning | FFC | Dawson | 21 days |
| Jan 10, 5:20 PM EST | River Flood Warning | FFC | Dawson, Forsyth | 14 hr |
| Jan 10, 6:53 PM EST | River Flood Warning | FFC | Cherokee | 23 hr |
Nearby
Special Weather Statements in Georgia, 2026Every special weather statement 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.