Damaging Wind in Georgia, September 20, 2012

Name: Damaging Wind in Georgia, September 20, 2012
Start: 2012-09-20T14:25
End: 2012-09-20T14:58
Location: Georgia

September 20, 2012 · NWS TAE · 1 event in 1 county or zone

An isolated thunderstorm developed over Valdosta and produced a severe downburst. This was the only severe weather reported in south central Georgia on this day.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 1

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS TAE wrote it up.

An isolated thunderstorm developed over Valdosta and produced a severe downburst. This was the only severe weather reported in south central Georgia on this day.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Tallahassee, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 20, 1:45 PM EST, 40 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 20, 1:45 PM EST, 40 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
245 PM EDT Thu Sep 20 2012

.NEAR TERM...THROUGH TONIGHT...
SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND STORMS HAVE BROKEN OUT NORTH OF
THE OLD FRONTAL BOUNDARY FROM TALLAHASSEE TO VALDOSTA AND
SOUTHEAST ACROSS THE BIG BEND REGION. SOME OF THESE STORMS HAVE
BECOME STRONG TO SEVERE WITH GUSTY WINDS AND SMALL HAIL AND THE
SLOW MOVEMENT HAS PRODUCED SOME FLOODING RAINS IN A FEW LOCATIONS
ESPECIALLY ACROSS TAYLOR COUNTY. THIS HAS BEEN AIDED BY LIFT
ASSOCIATED WITH SHORTWAVE TROUGH MOVING ACROSS THE NORTHEAST GOMEX
AND WILL TRACK ACROSS THE FLORIDA PENINSULA THROUGH THE EVENING
HOURS. WHILE WESTERN PORTIONS OF THE FORECAST AREA REMAIN MOSTLY
SUNNY AND DRY. EASTERN SECTIONS OF THE FORECAST AREA WILL NEED
UNTIL SUNSET FOR THE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY TO WIND DOWN WITH JUST
A SLIGHT CHANCE OF A SHOWER/TSTM LINGERING DURING THE OVERNIGHT
HOURS ACROSS THE BIG BEND REGION. OVERNIGHT LOWS STILL EXPECTED
INTO THE 60S BUT THIS WILL ALSO HELP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOW
CLOUDS AND SOME FOG...MAINLY CLOSER TO AREAS WHERE RAINFALL WAS
RECEIVED THIS AFTERNOON

.SHORT TERM...FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...
The shortwave mentioned in the near term dampens out but the
mid-upper level pattern will continue to show a broad trough over
the eastern CONUS that will slowly translate eastward. At the
surface, the quasi-stationary front will pivot to become more east
to west oriented and possibly get nudged a bit further down the
Florida Peninsula. Meanwhile, the next cold front will be advancing
from the northwest but won't reach the local Tri-state region until
Sunday. Will place slight PoPs over the easternmost zones for Friday
and Saturday due to our lingering frontal boundary. The remainder of
the forecast area is expected to be dry. Temperatures will be near
climatological averages with highs in the upper 80s and lows in the
mid to upper 60s.

.LONG TERM...SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...
The beginning of the extended period is characterized by an
amplified upper pattern, with a deep trough over the eastern states
and a ridge over the west. A shortwave diving into the eastern
trough will push a dry cold front south towards the Gulf Coast on
Sunday. With the main energy pushing more towards the Mid-Atlantic
than the Deep South, the associated cooler air mass will primarily
be shunted north and east of the forecast area. However, some areas
(especially the northern half) will see some cooler afternoon
temperatures on Monday, with highs in the lower to mid 80s. Upper
80s will persist elsewhere. Thereafter, the upper pattern is
forecast to deamplify with the sfc high parking over the
Mid-Atlantic coast. This will lead to an easterly flow pattern
across the forecast area, with isolated showers for the eastern Big
Bend, and temperatures rising back above seasonal norms.

&&

.AVIATION...
DUE TO THE QUICK BUILD-UP OF CONVECTION ACROSS EASTERN PORTIONS OF
THE FORECAST AREA...TEMPO GROUPS FOR SHOWER/TSTM ACTIVITY HAVE
BEEN ADDED TO KABY/KTLH/KVLD WITH THE BEST CHANCES THE NEXT
SEVERAL HOURS AT KVLD. MAINLY VFR CONDS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS KDHN
AND KECP WITH PATCHY MVFR FOG AT KDHN OVERNIGHT. FURTHER EAST IN
THE MORE MOIST AIRMASS EXPECT ANOTHER REPEAT OF POSSIBLE IFR EVEN
LIFR CIGS IN STRATUS AND FOG TOWARDS MORNING...DID NOT GO TOO
PESSIMISTIC AT KTLH/KVLD/KABY YET BUT HAVE CONTINUED THE TREND IN
THAT DIRECTION.

&&

.MARINE...
OLD FRONTAL BOUNDARY WILL REMAIN OVER THE LOCAL WATERS THE
REMAINDER OF THE WEEK AND EXPECT THE PRESSURE GRADIENT TO REMAIN
WEAK WITH LIGHT WINDS AND LOW SEAS THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEKEND.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
DRY AIRMASS REMAINS IN PLACE OVER WESTERN HALF OF THE FORECAST
AREA THIS AFTERNOON WHERE MINIMUM RH VALUES WILL DROP BELOW 35
PERCENT FOR A FEW HOURS. HOWEVER...SOIL MOISTURE AND ERC VALUES
WILL REMAIN OUTSIDE OF CRITICAL LEVELS SO RED FLAG CONDITIONS ARE
NOT EXPECTED. AFTER TODAY...LOW LEVEL MOISTURE WILL BE ON THE
INCREASE THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee   66  88  67  90  67 /  10  10  10  10  10
Panama City   67  87  69  89  71 /   0  10  10  10  10
Dothan        62  87  65  89  64 /   0  10  10  10  10
Albany        64  88  66  90  64 /  10  10  10  10  10
Valdosta      65  88  66  89  65 /  10  20  10  20  10
Cross City    66  88  65  89  66 /  20  30  10  20  20
Apalachicola  68  86  67  86  71 /  10  10  10  10  10

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...None.
GA...None.
FL...None.
GM...None.
&&

HESS

Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 20, 11:01 AM EST, 3 hours 24 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
1201 PM EDT THU SEP 20 2012

ALZ065>069-FLZ007>019-026>029-034-108-112-114-115-118-127-128-134-
GAZ120>131-142>148-155>161-GMZ730-750-755-765-770-775-210200-
COFFEE-DALE-HENRY-GENEVA-HOUSTON-INLAND WALTON-CENTRAL WALTON-
HOLMES-WASHINGTON-JACKSON-INLAND BAY-CALHOUN-INLAND GULF-
INLAND FRANKLIN-GADSDEN-LEON-INLAND JEFFERSON-MADISON-LIBERTY-
INLAND WAKULLA-INLAND TAYLOR-LAFAYETTE-INLAND DIXIE-SOUTH WALTON-
COASTAL BAY-COASTAL GULF-COASTAL FRANKLIN-COASTAL JEFFERSON-
COASTAL WAKULLA-COASTAL TAYLOR-COASTAL DIXIE-QUITMAN-CLAY-
RANDOLPH-TERRELL-DOUGHERTY-LEE-WORTH-TURNER-TIFT-BEN HILL-IRWIN-
EARLY-MILLER-BAKER-MITCHELL-COLQUITT-COOK-BERRIEN-SEMINOLE-
DECATUR-GRADY-THOMAS-BROOKS-LOWNDES-LANIER-
APALACHEE BAY OR COASTAL WATERS FROM KEATON BEACH TO OCHLOCKONEE
RIVER FL OUT TO 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM APALACHICOLA TO DESTIN FL OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM  OCHLOCKONEE RIVER TO APALACHICOLA FL OUT TO
20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM  SUWANNEE RIVER TO KEATON BEACH OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM APALACHICOLA TO DESTIN FL FROM 20 TO 60 NM-
WATERS FROM  SUWANNEE RIVER TO APALACHICOLA FL FROM 20 TO 60 NM-
1201 PM EDT THU SEP 20 2012 /311 AM CDT THU SEP 20 2012/

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST ALABAMA...
SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL GEORGIA...AND THE FLORIDA BIG BEND
AND PANHANDLE...AND ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT...

ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAY CONTAIN LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL ALONG THE
BIG BEND REGION THIS AFTERNOON...MAINLY FROM TALLAHASSEE AND POINTS
TO THE SOUTH AND EAST. MINOR FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS WILL BE
POSSIBLE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...VISIT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
WEBSITE ON THE INTERNET AT WEATHER.GOV...THEN CLICK ON YOUR AREA
OF INTEREST ON THE NATIONAL MAP.

BARRY/HESS

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 20, 11:17 AM EST, 3 hours 8 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
1217 PM EDT THU SEP 20 2012

FLZ028-128-201700-
COASTAL TAYLOR-INLAND TAYLOR-
1217 PM EDT THU SEP 20 2012

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR WESTERN TAYLOR
COUNTY FOR STRONG WINDS...SMALL HAIL AND EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING VALID
UNTIL 100 PM EDT...

AT 1217 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CENTERED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 3 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF SCANLON TO 4 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HAMPTON SPRINGS...MOVING
WEST AT 5 MPH. THESE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS
AROUND SCANLON...PERRY-FOLEY AIRPORT...HAMPTON SPRINGS...ECONFINA...
BUCELL JUNCTION...NUTALL RISE AND MANDALAY THROUGH 100 PM EDT. HAIL
UP TO THREE QUARTER INCH IN DIAMETER...EXCESSIVE CLOUD-TO-GROUND
LIGHTNING AND GUSTY WINDS OF 40 TO 50 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED ALONG WITH
POSSIBLE MINOR DAMAGE. HEAVY RAINFALL WILL PRODUCE PONDING OF WATER
ON ROADWAYS AND MINOR FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS.

REPORT DAMAGE TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

LAT...LON 2992 8370 2997 8381 2996 8383 3000 8386
      3002 8393 3008 8400 3011 8398 3017 8396
      3020 8391 3005 8349
TIME...MOT...LOC 1617Z 071DEG 3KT 3009 8392 3004 8369

HESS

Special weather statement, Sep 20, 11:37 AM EST, 2 hours 48 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
1237 PM EDT THU SEP 20 2012

GAZ157-158-201700-
GRADY-THOMAS-
1237 PM EDT THU SEP 20 2012

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR WESTERN THOMAS
AND EASTERN GRADY COUNTIES FOR STRONG WINDS...SMALL HAIL AND
EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING VALID UNTIL 100 PM EDT...

AT 1237 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CENTERED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 2 MILES
NORTHWEST OF OCHLOCKNEE TO BEACHTON...MOVING NORTH AT 5 MPH. THESE
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS AROUND ROCKY HILL...PINE
PARK...OCHLOCKNEE...BEACHTON...SPENCE...GRADY CO A/P...CAPEL...CAIRO
AND AKRIDGE THROUGH 100 PM EDT. HAIL UP TO THREE QUARTER INCH IN
DIAMETER...EXCESSIVE CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING AND GUSTY WINDS OF 35
TO 45 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED ALONG WITH POSSIBLE MINOR DAMAGE. HEAVY
RAINFALL WILL PRODUCE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS AND MINOR
FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS.

REPORT DAMAGE TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

LAT...LON 3068 8403 3069 8426 3108 8421 3108 8401
      3107 8400
TIME...MOT...LOC 1637Z 191DEG 4KT 3101 8407 3075 8414

HESS

Special weather statement, Sep 20, 12:13 PM EST, 2 hours 12 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
113 PM EDT THU SEP 20 2012

FLZ028-128-201800-
COASTAL TAYLOR-INLAND TAYLOR-
113 PM EDT THU SEP 20 2012

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR CENTRAL TAYLOR
COUNTY FOR STRONG WINDS AND FUNNEL CLOUDS VALID UNTIL 200 PM EDT...

AT 113 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS CENTERED 3 MILES NORTHWEST OF HAMPTON SPRINGS...OR 7
MILES WEST OF PERRY...MOVING NORTH AT 5 MPH. THESE STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS AROUND PERRY...HAMPTON
SPRINGS...ECONFINA...SECOTAN...BOYD...SHADY GROVE...LAKE BIRD...IDDO
AND ERIDU THROUGH 200 PM EDT. GUSTY WINDS OF 40 TO 50 MPH CAN BE
EXPECTED ALONG WITH POSSIBLE MINOR DAMAGE. DOPPLER RADAR HAS
INDICATED WEAK ROTATION WITHIN THIS STORM. TORNADOES MAY DEVELOP WITH
LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE WARNING. HEAVY RAINFALL WILL PRODUCE PONDING OF
WATER ON ROADWAYS AND MINOR FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS.

REPORT DAMAGE TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

LAT...LON 2993 8358 2999 8385 3027 8386 3030 8382
      3031 8358
TIME...MOT...LOC 1713Z 174DEG 6KT 3013 8370

HESS

Special weather statement, Sep 20, 12:41 PM EST, 1 hour 44 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
141 PM EDT THU SEP 20 2012

GAZ146-147-158>160-201815-
BROOKS-COLQUITT-COOK-LOWNDES-THOMAS-
141 PM EDT THU SEP 20 2012

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THOMAS...
NORTHWESTERN LOWNDES...BROOKS...EASTERN COLQUITT AND SOUTHWESTERN
COOK COUNTIES FOR STRONG WINDS AND SMALL HAIL VALID UNTIL 215 PM
EDT...

AT 142 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS CENTERED 3 MILES NORTH OF BOSTON...OR 12 MILES EAST OF
THOMASVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH. THESE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS
WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS AROUND THOMASVILLE MUNI A/P...THOMASVILLE...
PISCOLA...PIDCOCK...GROOVERVILLE...FIVE POINTS...EASON...DIXIE...
DILLON AND BOSTON THROUGH 215 PM EDT. HAIL UP TO THREE QUARTER INCH
IN DIAMETER AND GUSTY WINDS OF 45 TO 55 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED ALONG
WITH POSSIBLE MINOR DAMAGE.

REPORT DAMAGE TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

LAT...LON 3065 8352 3066 8386 3067 8387 3067 8408
      3075 8408 3133 8366 3086 8318
TIME...MOT...LOC 1742Z 219DEG 18KT 3085 8376

SANDRIK

Special weather statement, Sep 20, 12:44 PM EST, 1 hour 41 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSONVILLE FL
144 PM EDT THU SEP 20 2012

FLZ019-028-201815-
INLAND TAYLOR-MADISON-
144 PM EDT THU SEP 20 2012

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SOUTHWESTERN
MADISON AND NORTHEASTERN TAYLOR COUNTIES FOR STRONG WINDS AND
EXCESSIVE LIGHTNING VALID UNTIL 215 PM EDT...

AT 144 PM EDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS WERE TRACKING
A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CENTERED 3 MILES NORTHEAST OF PERRY...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 15 MPH. THIS STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL ALSO AFFECT AREAS
AROUND SIRMANS...SHADY GROVE...SECOTAN...PINLAND...PERRY-FOLEY
AIRPORT...PERRY...LAKE BIRD...IDDO...HAMPTON SPRINGS AND FOLEY
THROUGH 215 PM EDT. EXCESSIVE CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING AND GUSTY
WINDS OF 45 TO 55 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED ALONG WITH POSSIBLE MINOR
DAMAGE.

REPORT DAMAGE TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

LAT...LON 2997 8361 3000 8363 3003 8370 3018 8378
      3031 8382 3032 8379 3038 8380 3038 8376
      3044 8372 3051 8374 3055 8366 3023 8336
      2995 8337
TIME...MOT...LOC 1744Z 245DEG 15KT 3016 8352

SANDRIK

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lowndes

When: September 20, 2:25 PM EST to 2:58 PM EST
Where: Lowndes County, 0.95 mi E of Remerton to 4 mi NE of Valdosta
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 30.838, -83.294

An isolated thunderstorm developed over portions of Valdosta and produced a severe downburst. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in a swath through the city and to the northeast, including some trees on houses. The damage appeared to start south of the Valdosta State University campus and spread northeastward.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Georgia in 2012 Every state in 2012 This day in weather history Warnings in Georgia, September 2012

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 409117.