A multi-day severe weather event struck the southeast January 21-22, 2017 with three rounds of severe weather moving through the area. The first round of severe weather started during the mid-morning hours on Saturday, January 21, 2017 as a squall line pushed into southeast Alabama and the Florida panhandle.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS TAE wrote it up.
A multi-day severe weather event struck the southeast January 21-22, 2017 with three rounds of severe weather moving through the area. The first round of severe weather started during the mid-morning hours on Saturday, January 21, 2017 as a squall line pushed into southeast Alabama and the Florida panhandle. As it pushed eastward nine warnings were issued with a total of 18 damaging wind reports (trees and power lines downed) related to these storms.
After a brief lull during Saturday evening as the aforementioned squall line washed out near the Gulf Coast, strong southerly flow returned late Saturday night as a warm front pushed northward across the Florida Big Bend and southern Georgia. Initially with this late Saturday night to early Sunday morning event, a strong supercell moved across southern Georgia producing a tornado that moved across Thomas and northern Brooks Counties. This was the first tornado across the area with this multi- day event. From the same supercell that produced the tornado in Thomas and northern Brooks Counties, another tornado developed that tracked across Brooks, Berrien and Cook Counties and this tornado resulted in 11 fatalities. This overnight into early Sunday morning event produced one more tornado, an EF-1 that struck Lowndes County.
A final round of severe weather moved through Sunday afternoon as a warm front continued to push northward into southeast Alabama and southern Georgia while the main low and trailing cold front pushed eastward across the Florida panhandle and offshore regions. This afternoon round of supercells first produced a tornado in Henry County, AL. An hour and a half after the Henry County tornado, two more tornadoes developed, an EF-2 that struck Clay, Randolph and Calhoun Counties (Georgia) and an EF-1 tornado that hit Franklin County, FL. After this, a long tracked tornado (track length of more than 70 miles) moved across Albany (Dougherty County) and into Worth and Turner Counties, causing extensive damage and five fatalities.
Overall this multi-day event resulted in seven tornadoes, 16 deaths and numerous injuries. Three days of damage surveys were conducted to rate the tornadoes on the Enhanced Fujita scale.
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 Jan 21, 9:51 AM CST, 40 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1051 AM EST Sat Jan 21 2017
...Tornado Watch in effect for most of region until this
afternoon...
.NEAR TERM [Through Today]...
...Multiple rounds of severe storms expected over the next 24 to 48
hours across the region...
The Storm Prediction Center has much of the region outlined in an
enhanced risk for severe weather today. A Tornado Watch is in effect
for all of the Alabama counties, all of the Florida Panhandle
counties and most of the Georgia counties.
A squall line is currently moving through Southeast Alabama and the
Florida Panhandle. Damaging winds are the biggest threat with this
line but isolated tornadoes are likely to develop as the line moves
into a favorable environment. Conditions ahead of this line are
highly favorable for severe weather. 0-6 km wind shear was 60 knots
on the morning sounding released in Tallahassee. CAPE is currently
1500 J/KG ahead of the line. This line may intensify further as
daytime heating increases over the next few hours.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION [626 AM EST]...
.SHORT TERM [Tonight Through Monday]...
**High impact weather event tonight through Sunday--All severe
weather modes possible!**
Will focus this period discussion on the high impact weather event.
NAM/GFS/Local CAMs are coming into better agreement on the evolution
of this dynamical system with models slowing down the ending of
precipitation to later Sunday and Sunday evening. This will continue
the severe threat into Sunday afternoon and eventually ending from
west to east.
Mid level low will move from the TX panhandle eastward to N AL/N MS
by Sunday evening. At the surface, the near term MCS will largely be
east of the CWA with additional development across the northern Gulf
coast aided by increasing large scale lift and speed convergence on
the nose of the strengthening LLJ. Wind fields strengthen
considerably overnight with 40-50 kt LLJ underneath 60-80 kt mid
level jet in the exit region of upstream 120kt speed max. This leads
to 50-70 kts of 0-6km bulk shear and sfc-1km bulk shear of 25-35
kts. This system has a lot of wind with it with lines and bowing
segments having the potential to produce damaging winds and isolated
tornadoes. Although surface winds will be south to south-
southwest, area hodographs are curved and become longer with time
overnight Saturday night into Sunday. The tornado threat will be
highest during this time frame, which is suggested by local CAM
guidance. Mid level lapse rates will remain around 7 C/km so
isolated large hail is possible as well.
Atmosphere remains primed Sunday with the mid level low progged
to move across the southeast United States. This feature will
help induce cyclogenesis of a surface low across MS/AL emerging
into N GA Sunday afternoon. Low level wind fields strengthen
further in response to this feature with another squall line
possible. Again, all modes of severe weather is possible. As the
low races northeastward, a cold front will sweep through and
effectively end the severe weather threat from west to east
through the afternoon hours and be east of our CWA by Sunday
evening.
SPC has our entire area outlooked in an enhanced risk of severe
weather both today and Sunday. All modes of severe weather will be
possible with this event, with the highest probability favoring
damaging winds, followed by isolated tornadoes then large hail. If
discrete cells develop in this regime, the tornado potential will
increase. Residents across the Tri-State region should remain
weather aware through Sunday and stay tuned to a trusted weather
source to receive weather alerts and be ready to seek safe shelter
should a warning be issued for your area.
.LONG TERM [Monday Night Through Saturday]...
Tuesday and Wednesday we will be between weather systems with high
pressure building in, a warmup is in store for Wednesday with
southerly winds returning. The warmup will be short lived as
another cold front is progged to move through Thursday. Colder,
Canadian air will accompany this front with high temperatures
tumbling down into the 50s Friday and Saturday.
.AVIATION [Through 12Z Sunday]...
SHRA has cleared nearly all TAF sites at this hour, with only
activity lingering near ABY. Expect MVFR to IFR CIGS through
daybreak, with the exception of ECP where LIFR conditions are
being observed. CIGS will be slow to improve this morning ahead of
a line of strong TSRA to the west. Southerly winds will increase
ahead of this line, with TSRA affecting all terminals from west to
east this afternoon. Gusty winds, low vsbys, and low CIGS expected
with this activity.
.MARINE...
South winds will increase across the coastal waters from west to
east today. Small craft advisories have been hoisted across all
coastal waters. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected
through Sunday with a few storms possibly becoming severe. A cold
front will move through Sunday night with winds becoming westerly to
northwesterly with the possibility of gale force gusts Sunday night
and Monday. Winds will decrease beginning Tuesday with seas
diminishing as a result.
.FIRE WEATHER...
Several rounds of thunderstorms today and tomorrow will keep RHs
well above critical thresholds and fuel moisture high through the
period, precluding any red flag warning conditions. Elevated
transport and 20 foot winds on Sunday will yield high dispersion
values across much of the region, particularly the western half.
.HYDROLOGY...
Rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches with isolated higher amounts are
likely with this event through Sunday afternoon. Although we are
expecting multiple rounds of rainfall, the overall speed at which
these occur will be quick enough to preclude widespread flash
flooding. Some minor nuisance flooding will be possible in low lying
and poorly drainage areas. As far as local rivers are concerned, we
are not expecting any to reach flood stage with this event.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee 77 65 73 54 62 / 80 90 90 10 10
Panama City 74 67 71 57 62 / 70 80 90 10 10
Dothan 74 63 71 52 58 / 90 90 70 30 10
Albany 76 63 72 52 58 / 90 90 80 20 20
Valdosta 77 64 74 53 61 / 80 80 90 10 10
Cross City 79 66 74 58 63 / 50 70 90 50 10
Apalachicola 74 68 72 59 63 / 70 80 90 30 10
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through late Monday night for Coastal Bay-
Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.
High Surf Advisory from 1 AM EST /midnight CST/ Sunday to 1 AM
EST /midnight CST/ Tuesday for Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-
South Walton.
GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory from 7 PM this evening to 7 AM EST Tuesday
for Apalachee Bay or Coastal Waters From Keaton Beach to
Ochlockonee River Fl out to 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 Suwannee River to Apalachicola FL from 20 to 60 NM.
Small Craft Advisory until 7 AM EST Tuesday for Coastal waters
from Apalachicola to Destin FL out 20 NM-Waters from
Apalachicola to Destin FL from 20 to 60 NM.
&&
NEAR TERM...McDermott
SHORT TERM...Scholl
LONG TERM...Scholl
AVIATION...Pullin
MARINE...Scholl
FIRE WEATHER...Pullin
HYDROLOGY...SchollSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
946 AM CST SAT JAN 21 2017
ALZ065>069-FLZ007>010-211645-
Henry AL-Dale AL-Coffee AL-Houston AL-Geneva AL-Central Walton FL-
Washington FL-Holmes FL-North Walton FL-
946 AM CST SAT JAN 21 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN HENRY...SOUTHERN
COFFEE...WESTERN HOUSTON...SOUTHERN DALE...GENEVA...HOLMES...
NORTHEASTERN WALTON AND NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES UNTIL 1045
AM CST...
At 945 AM CST, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Fort Rucker to
9 miles northwest of Eglin Air Force Base. Movement was east at 50
mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Daleville, Geneva, De Funiak Springs, Dothan, Bonifay, Headland,
Enterprise, Hartford, Taylor, Midland City, Kinsey, Slocomb, Samson,
Cowarts, Newton, Webb, Pinckard, Eglin Air Force Base, Union and
Liberty.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
A tornado watch remains in effect until 1100 AM CST for southeastern
Alabama...and the Panhandle of Florida. A tornado watch also remains
in effect until 200 PM CST for the Panhandle of Florida.
LAT...LON 3099 8639 3100 8619 3120 8619 3129 8611
3129 8569 3139 8527 3117 8530 3100 8547
3100 8550 3097 8553 3094 8553 3087 8558
3065 8580 3061 8639
TIME...MOT...LOC 1545Z 313DEG 61KT 3143 8582 3069 8639
ADLPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1102 AM EST SAT JAN 21 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1023 AM TSTM WND DMG 1 N VICTORIA 31.55N 85.93W
01/21/2017 COFFEE AL 911 CALL CENTER
4 TREES DOWN IN THE NORTHERN PART OF COFFEE COUNTY.
&&
EWESTONPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1116 AM EST SAT JAN 21 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1052 AM TSTM WND DMG 1 E OZARK 31.45N 85.63W
01/21/2017 DALE AL 911 CALL CENTER
TREE FELL ON CAR ON MATTHEWS AVE.
&&
EWESTONSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1120 AM EST SAT JAN 21 2017
ALZ066-067-GAZ120>122-142-211700-
Henry AL-Dale AL-Clay GA-Early GA-Randolph GA-Quitman GA-
1120 AM EST SAT JAN 21 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HENRY...SOUTHEASTERN DALE...
CLAY...RANDOLPH...QUITMAN AND NORTHWESTERN EARLY COUNTIES UNTIL NOON
EST/1100 AM CST/...
At 1119 AM EST/1019 AM CST/, National Weather Service doppler radar
indicated a strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near
Richland to near Midland City. Movement was east at 60 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Daleville, Abbeville, Fort Gaines, Cuthbert, Headland, Georgetown,
Ozark, Fort Rucker, Midland City, Newton, Columbia, Pinckard, Kinsey,
Grimes, Newville, Napier Field, Bellville, Bluffton, Haleburg and
Suttons Corner.
A tornado watch remains in effect until noon EST/1100 AM CST/ for
southeastern Alabama. A tornado watch also remains in effect until
300 PM EST/200 PM CST/ for southwestern Georgia.
LAT...LON 3197 8496 3194 8496 3192 8491 3192 8460
3180 8460 3162 8478 3162 8482 3157 8482
3130 8507 3131 8542 3129 8569 3171 8532
3170 8522 3177 8516 3177 8512 3189 8513
3194 8508 3199 8507
TIME...MOT...LOC 1619Z 251DEG 54KT 3208 8471 3125 8550
15-HARRIGANThe Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 25 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:31 UTC.
57 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were blown down onto a power line on Spring Lake Road.
A tree was blown down on McBride Ct.
Multiple trees were blown down on Salem Road.
Power lines were blown down on Fairbanks Ferry Road.
A tree was blown down onto McClendon Lane.
Additional power lines were blown down near 2061 Fairbanks Ferry Road.
Power lines were blown down in the northern part of Jefferson county.
The public reported quarter size hail in the Southport area on social media.
Trees were blown down near Summerbrooke Drive.
Several large trees were blown down.
The public sent a photo of quarter size hail from De Funiak Springs.
Multiple trees and power lines were blown down.
Multiple trees were blown down in Holmes county.
Multiple trees and power lines were blown down in the Panama City area.
Multiple trees were blown down across Washington county.
A 60 mph wind gust was measured at KPAM.
A 68 mph wind gust was measured at the Tyndall AFB drone runway, KTDR.
Multiple trees and power lines were blown down across Calhoun County, FL.
A 58 mph wind gust was measured at KMAI.
Several trees were blown down.
I-10 eastbound was closed at mile marker 203 due to a tree in the road.
Roof damage occurred in Bristol and a large tree was blown into the road. Damage cost was estimated.
County Road 157 and Bell Drive were closed due to trees down.
Trees and power lines were blown down over U.S. Highway 90.
Across rural Franklin County, a tornado touched down just west of SR-65 on the north side of East Bay. This tornado tracked across SR-65 before dissipating prior to reaching Juniper Creek Road. Damage along the path of the tornado was limited to snapped or uprooted pine trees. Damage along the track was consistent with an EF-1 tornado with maximum winds of 105 mph.
Trees and power lines were blown down near Highway 65 and Highway 98.
Trees were blown down south of Sopchoppy.
Trees were blown down in Crawfordville.
The left hand, southbound lane of U.S. Highway 98 was closed due to trees down.
Several trees and power lines were blown down.
Trees were blown down near the intersection of Tram Road and South Monroe Street.
Trees were blown down at 4505 Spring Hill Road.
Trees were blown down at 843 Campbell Road.
Trees were blown down on Blair Stone Road at Lafayette.
Trees were blown down at 1533 Indianhead Road.
Trees were blown down near 1800 Old Fort Drive.
Trees were blown down at 1601 Golf Terrace.
Trees were blown down on Capital Circle NE.
Trees were blown down at 1427 Lynn Lane.
Trees were blown down at 2128 Seminole Drive.
Trees were blown down at 1955 Flipper Road.
Trees were blown down at 1749 Apalachee Parkway.
Trees were blown down at Circle Dr and Magnolia Dr.
Trees were blown down on the 1500 block of Belmont Trace.
Trees were blown down near Devra Dr and Alton Road.
Trees were blown down at 216 West 2nd Ave.
Trees were blown down at 750 Riggins Road.
Trees were blown down at 1525 Coombs Drive.
Trees were blown down at 2025 Watson Way.
Trees were blown down on Hillgate Court.
Trees were blown down near Miccosukee Road.
Trees were blown down at 2983 Nutmeg Drive.
Trees were blown down at 2052 Capital Circle NE.
Trees were blown down near Polos On Park.
Trees were blown down near Potts Road at Noble Drive.
Trees were blown down at 2700 Donovan Drive.
Trees were blown down at 3506 Colonnade.
Trees were blown down at 2347 Braeburn Road.
I-10 at Mile Marker 238 was closed due to trees down.
Numerous trees were blown down.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Florida, 2017Warnings in Florida, January 2017
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: 673364, 673365, 673366, 673367, 673368, 673369, 673375, 673376, 673334, 673335, 673377, 673388, 673390, 673389, 673391, 673378, 673379, 673392, 673380, 673393, 673370, 673381, 673371, 673372, 673008, 673382, 673383, 673384, 673385, 673386, 673336, 673337, 673338, 673339, 673340, 673341, 673342, 673343, 673344, 673345, and more.