Tornado and Damaging Winds in Georgia, April 15, 2018

Name: Tornado and Damaging Winds in Georgia, April 15, 2018
Start: 2018-04-15T07:40
End: 2018-04-15T09:25
Location: Georgia

April 15, 2018 · NWS TAE · 19 events in 9 counties and zones

A line of strong to severe thunderstorms associated with a cold front moved across the area during the morning hours of April 15th. A strong low level jet enhanced low level shear across the area, and a brief tornado occurred in Decatur county, GA in addition to numerous reports of trees down across southern Georgia.

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: $5,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 19

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.

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 Apr 15, 5:54 AM EST, 1 hour 46 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 15, 5:54 AM EST, 1 hour 46 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
654 AM EDT Sun Apr 15 2018

.AVIATION [Through 12Z Monday]...

A line of strong thunderstorms is moving through the region.
Mostly MVFR CIGs are expected this morning. Winds are strong today
with 25 to 30 mph gusts possible. VFR conditions will return late
this morning in western locations and this afternoon at VLD.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION [316 AM EDT]...

.NEAR TERM [Through Today]...

A line of thunderstorms is moving through the region. Conditions are
still favorable for severe weather overnight through the early
afternoon hours. A tornado watch is in effect for SW Alabama, the FL
Panhandle and parts of SW Georgia until 8 AM EDT.

Instability is currently low but deep layer shear is high at 40 to
50 knots throughout the region. 0 to 1 km shear is very high at 30
to 40 knots ahead of the line. Conditions are favorable for tornado
development. Some weak rotation has been observed in this line of
storms but no warnings have been issued over the last few hours.
This line may intensify in the early morning hours as the low level
jet strengthens.

By morning this line of strong to severe storms will be near Albany
and Tallahassee. Deep layer wind shear will still be high around 50
knots and 0 to 1 km shear will be 30 to 40 knots. Conditions will
still be favorable for damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. This
line of storms will move out of the region around noon. Stratiform
rain will last for a few hours after the main line has past. Highs
today will be in the upper 60s and lower 70s. Clouds will decrease
this afternoon as a cold front moves through.

.SHORT TERM [Tonight Through Tuesday]...

Cold front will be east of the area as the short term begins.
Supporting trough will lift northeast leaving behind rising
heights with an upstream ridge over the southern Plains and
surface high pressure moving across the northern Gulf. The
atmospheric column dries out to under 0.50 inches which will lead
to dry conditions this period. Much cooler temperatures will
continue into Monday with highs in the upper 60s to around 70
degrees. As high pressure moves in, a warmup in anticipated
Tuesday with highs in the mid 70s.

.LONG TERM [Tuesday Night Through Sunday]...

High pressure will slide east into the Atlantic with the approach
of a weak cold front Thursday. Models do indicate a little more
moisture compared to 24 hours ago so introduced a slight chance
for a shower or two along the front. High pressure will quickly
build in for Friday but will be short lived with the approach of a
much stronger system. Increasing clouds expected Saturday with the
main system on approach for Sunday/Sunday night. Some timing
differences between the models but each do show a latter half of
the weekend storm system, increasing confidence for showers and
thunderstorms ahead of the next work week.

.MARINE...

Winds have increased ahead of a cold front which will move
through the coastal waters today. Strong to severe thunderstorms
are also possible ahead of the front. Small craft advisories are
in effect through Monday afternoon, at which time wind speeds
should slowly decrease. More favorable marine conditions are
expected beginning Tuesday.

.FIRE WEATHER...

Drier air will be in place this week after a cold front moves
through today. Minimum RH values are expected to remain above the
critical threshold for red flag conditions. High dispersion values
over 75 are possible this afternoon. A wetting rain is expected
today at all locations.

.HYDROLOGY...

One to two inches of rain, with isolated higher amounts, is
expected as the squall line moves through today. Based on these
values, a river point or two could reach action stage, however
river flooding isn't expected. Some ponding of water in low lying
areas could occur, but widespread flooding is not expected.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always
encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they
occur by calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...

Tallahassee   71  43  69  45  76 / 100   0   0   0   0
Panama City   68  49  69  52  73 /  90   0   0   0   0
Dothan        68  41  66  44  76 / 100   0   0   0   0
Albany        70  43  65  44  75 / 100   0   0   0   0
Valdosta      72  44  65  44  74 / 100   0   0   0   0
Cross City    75  46  66  45  74 / 100   0   0   0   0
Apalachicola  71  48  68  49  72 / 100   0   0   0   0

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through late tonight for Coastal Bay-
     Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.

     High Surf Advisory until 8 AM EDT /7 AM CDT/ Monday for Coastal
     Bay-South Walton.

     High Surf Advisory until 11 AM EDT /10 AM CDT/ Monday for
     Coastal Gulf.

GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 2 PM EDT Monday 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 FL out 20 NM-Coastal waters from
     Mexico Beach to Apalachicola FL out 20 NM-Coastal waters
     from Mexico Beach to Okaloosa Walton County Line FL out 20
     NM-Waters from Suwannee River to Apalachicola FL from 20 to
     60 NM-Waters from Apalachicola to Mexico Beach FL from 20
     to 60 NM-Waters from Mexico Beach to Okaloosa Walton County
     Line FL from 20 to 60 NM.

&&

NEAR TERM...McD
SHORT TERM...Scholl
LONG TERM...Scholl
AVIATION...McD
MARINE...Scholl
FIRE WEATHER...McD
HYDROLOGY...Barry

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 15, 1:57 AM EST, 5 hours 43 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
157 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2018

ALZ066-150730-
Dale AL-
157 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN DALE COUNTY IN
SOUTHEAST ALABAMA UNTIL 230 AM CDT...

At 157 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Ariton, or 9 miles north of Ozark, moving northeast at 35 mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Ariton, Dillard, Phillips Crossroads, Dykes Crossroads, Roberts
Crossroads, Hwy 231 Pea River Bridge, Rocky Head, Arguta and Marley
Hill.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 AM CDT for southeastern
Alabama.

LAT...LON 3149 8570 3156 8579 3162 8579 3162 8548
TIME...MOT...LOC 0657Z 232DEG 31KT 3156 8570

38-GODSEY

Special weather statement, Apr 15, 2:29 AM EST, 5 hours 11 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
229 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2018

ALZ066-068-069-FLZ009-150815-
Dale AL-Houston AL-Geneva AL-Holmes FL-
229 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR DALE...EASTERN GENEVA...AND
NORTHWESTERN HOUSTON COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST ALABAMA AND NORTHEASTERN
HOLMES COUNTY IN THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE UNTIL 315 AM CDT...

At 228 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of Hartford, or 9 miles west of Graceville, moving north
at 50 mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Daleville, Ozark, Dothan, Fort Rucker, Hartford, Taylor, Midland
City, Slocomb, Newton, Pinckard, Malvern, Clayhatchee, Grimes, Esto,
Napier Field, Noma, Black, Hunt Field, Waterford and Ewell.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 AM CDT for southeastern
Alabama...and the Panhandle of Florida.

LAT...LON 3147 8542 3138 8542 3091 8556 3091 8557
      3094 8578 3151 8565
TIME...MOT...LOC 0728Z 196DEG 49KT 3100 8566

38-GODSEY

Special weather statement, Apr 15, 2:46 AM EST, 4 hours 54 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
246 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2018

ALZ067-150800-
Henry AL-
246 AM CDT SUN APR 15 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN HENRY COUNTY UNTIL
300 AM CDT...

At 245 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Texasville, or 9 miles northwest of Abbeville, moving north at 40
mph.

Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Edwin.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 AM CDT for southeastern
Alabama.

LAT...LON 3170 8530 3157 8538 3158 8542 3165 8542
      3171 8541 3171 8533
TIME...MOT...LOC 0745Z 195DEG 36KT 3163 8541

38-GODSEY

Local storm report, Apr 15, 6:33 AM EST, 1 hour 7 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
733 AM EDT SUN APR 15 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0712 AM     TSTM WND DMG     4 WSW ALLANTON          30.01N 85.52W
04/15/2018                   BAY                FL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TWO TO THREE TREES DOWN ALONG HIGHWAY 98
            NEAR MILE MARKER 133. TREES FELL ON POWER
            LINES, RESULTING IN DOWNED POWER LINES TOO.

&&

JLF

Local storm report, Apr 15, 6:45 AM EST, 55 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
745 AM EDT SUN APR 15 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0712 AM     TSTM WND DMG     4 WSW ALLANTON          30.01N 85.52W
04/15/2018                   BAY                FL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TWO TO THREE TREES DOWN ALONG HIGHWAY 98
            NEAR MILE MARKER 133. TREES FELL ON POWER
            LINES, RESULTING IN DOWNED POWER LINES TOO.
            POSSIBLE TORNADO.

&&

JLF

Local storm report, Apr 15, 7:02 AM EST, 38 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
802 AM EDT SUN APR 15 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0655 AM     TSTM WND GST     APALACHICOLA MUNICIPAL  29.73N 85.02W
04/15/2018  M54 MPH          FRANKLIN           FL   ASOS

            ASOS STATION AAF, APALACHICOLA MUNICIPAL
            AIRPORT REPORTED A PEAK GUST OF 54 MPH.

&&

JLF

The radar

The Tallahassee radar (KTLH), 64 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 12:41 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

18 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur

When: April 15, 7:40 AM EST
Where: Decatur County, 0.59 mi W of Bethany
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 30.850, -84.740

Trees were blown down from straight line winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur

When: April 15, 7:40 AM EST
Where: Decatur County, 1.38 mi N of Bethany
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 30.870, -84.730

Trees were blown down from straight line winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur

When: April 15, 7:45 AM EST
Where: Decatur County, 3.37 mi SW of Bainbridge
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 30.864, -84.608

A tree was blown down onto a power line along Country Club Dr.

Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur

When: April 15, 7:46 AM EST
Where: Decatur County, Hanover
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 30.930, -84.640

Trees and power lines were blown down across the area.

Tornado, Decatur

When: April 15, 7:55 AM EST to 7:56 AM EST
Where: Decatur County, 1.01 mi NNW of (Bge)bainbridge-Decatur Arpt to 0.62 mi W of Ausmac
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.46 mi
Path width: 31 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 30.984, -84.635

A brief tornado occurred with trees snapped and fallen in different directions along Brinson Airbase road. Max winds were estimated at 90-95 mph based on the snapped trees. Other tree damage further southwest was determined to be straight line wind damage estimated at 60-80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur

When: April 15, 7:58 AM EST
Where: Decatur County, 3.29 mi N of Steinham Store
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 31.067, -84.550

Trees were blown down on Robinson Wells Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Thomas

When: April 15, 8:06 AM EST
Where: Thomas County, 1.82 mi SW of Thomasville
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.810, -84.000

Several trees were blown down along Highway 319 South and Metcalf Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Colquitt

When: April 15, 8:18 AM EST
Where: Colquitt County, 2.74 mi ENE of Hamilton Elementary School
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 31.230, -83.930

A tree was blown down along Bay Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Brooks

When: April 15, 8:24 AM EST
Where: Brooks County, 1.82 mi SE of Oaklawn
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.820, -83.710

Trees were blown down along Dixie Barwick Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Brooks

When: April 15, 8:36 AM EST
Where: Brooks County, 3.51 mi N of Empress
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.720, -83.570

Trees were blown down along Hamlin Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Colquitt

When: April 15, 8:42 AM EST
Where: Colquitt County, 3.01 mi NNE of Berlin
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 31.110, -83.590

Two trees were blown down along Tillman Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cook

When: April 15, 8:50 AM EST
Where: Cook County, 2.13 mi NW of Pine Valley
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.098, -83.499

Two trees were blown down on Antioch Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tift

When: April 15, 8:54 AM EST
Where: Tift County, 3.03 mi ENE of Omega
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 31.350, -83.540

A tree was blown down near the intersection of Mitchell Store Road and Omega-Eldorado Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cook

When: April 15, 8:55 AM EST
Where: Cook County, Adel
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.130, -83.420

A tree was blown down in Adel.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lowndes

When: April 15, 9:00 AM EST
Where: Lowndes County, 1.37 mi WNW of Remerton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.850, -83.330

Trees were blown down in Troupville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tift

When: April 15, 9:03 AM EST
Where: Tift County, 1.37 mi ESE of Tifton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 31.440, -83.480

A stop light was blown down on Highway 319 on the east side of Tifton.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tift

When: April 15, 9:10 AM EST
Where: Tift County, 3.12 mi NE of Vanceville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.465, -83.407

A tree was blown down on Ferry Lake Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berrien

When: April 15, 9:15 AM EST
Where: Berrien County, 2.05 mi ENE of Cottle
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.215, -83.280

A tree was blown down on Chaserville Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ben Hill

When: April 15, 9:25 AM EST
Where: Ben Hill County, Fitzgerald
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.710, -83.250

A tree was blown down and blocked a road.

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.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Georgia in 2018 Every state in 2018 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Georgia, 2018 Warnings in Georgia, April 2018

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: 741723, 741724, 742015, 739943, 739942, 742014, 739944, 739945, 739946, 739947, 739948, 739949, 739950, 739951, 739952, 739953, 739954, 739955, 739956.