A narrow band of showers and thunderstorms ahead of a cold front swept through north Georgia during the early morning hours with strong and gusty winds.
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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 FFC wrote it up.
A narrow band of showers and thunderstorms ahead of a cold front swept through north Georgia during the early morning hours with strong and gusty winds.
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 Atlanta, GA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 29, 10:31 PM EST, 2 hours 39 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 1031 PM EST Sun Dec 29 2019 .UPDATE... After coord with SPC and neighboring offices will not be issuing any tornado watch unless things change dramatically. Could see a few storms with weak rotation or wind gusts to 40 mph but no severe storms are expected. Also seeing an area of relatively unorganized convection expanding over southwest GA which should move into parts of middle GA. Have tweaked PoPs a bit. Rest of forecast and timing look good. SNELSON && .PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 701 PM EST Sun Dec 29 2019/ UPDATE... Only minor tweaks to PoP timing and winds. Still appears like relatively narrow line of SHRA with some TSRA will move thru area quickly overnight. Sfc dewpoints this evening very close to forecast so does not appear that CAPE will be higher than expected in earlier SPC outlooks and model forecasts. Only small chance for damaging winds or brief/weak tornado, mainly associated with line. Best guess for timing for line of strong/poss svr storms: Rome........11PM-2AM ATL metro...1AM-4AM Columbus....1AM-4AM Athens......2AM-5AM Macon.......3AM-6AM Dublin......5AM-8AM SNELSON PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 200 PM EST Sun Dec 29 2019/ SHORT TERM /Tonight through Monday Night/... This afternoon the forecast area remains situated in the prefrontal warm sector ahead of an incoming cold front. Temperatures this afternoon are thus running well above normal with widespread upper 60s and low-to-mid 70s despite mostly cloudy skies and scattered light showers. These scattered light showers will persist through the evening hours before a more marked increase in PoPs by late evening as the cold front enters the forecast area. The primary risk for severe thunderstorms remains to our west in MS/western AL/south central TN through this evening as a developing surface low lifts northward along the front from Mississippi into Tennessee. For the local area, there remains a small but nonzero risk of an isolated strong to severe thunderstorm as a line of convection along the cold front pushes into the area late this evening into the first half of tonight. Instability remains meager and thus a big limiting factor. However, given strong shear ahead of the front, the risk for isolated strong wind gusts or even a brief, weak tornado cannot be ruled out, primarily along and north of a Columbus to Forsyth to Washington line. The risk will gradually diminish after 06z as the front and associated convective line pushes eastward and continues to weaken. Forecast rainfall totals overnight have tapered further, with any half inch totals relegated to the mountains and generally under a quarter inch elsewhere. Monday will bring rapidly clearing skies behind the front with cooler temperatures beginning to filter into the forecast area. Even so, afternoon temperatures as well as low temperatures Tuesday morning will remain several degrees above seasonal normals. RW LONG TERM /Tuesday through Sunday/... Did not deviate far from the previous trends through the extended forecast period. Period starts out dry and cool (near normal temperatures actually, but cool compared to recent temperatures) for the front half of the upcoming workweek. Models in good agreement at the onset of the period but diverge somewhat as the next system approaches by the latter half of the week. ECMWF is much quicker/ more progressive with the late week system while the GFS is deeper/slower. Current extended forecast grids represent a decent compromise for now. HPC QPF has shifted the higher totals with this system a bit north and west. Still looking at potentially 1.5-2.5" of rain along and north of the I-85 corridor. Instability still looks to be limited and I have kept thunder out of the weather grids for now. 20 Previous LONG TERM Forecast Discussion /Monday Night through Saturday/... Little change in the long term forecast from previous nights. Following the cold front, dry air behind the front will have moved into the forecast area as surface high pressure from the southern plains begins to slide back into the region, ultimately being centered over Georgia on Wednesday afternoon. With subsidence from the surface high and westerly flow aloft, skies are expected to be mostly clear and limit the effect of the incoming cooler air mass with highs staying in the 50s to lower 60s, near seasonal norms, Tuesday and Wednesday. Starting early Thursday, strong troughing reaching all the way into northwestern Mexico will place the Southeast and Southern Plains back into moist, southwest flow as low-level southerly flow brings PWATS over an inch back to the forecast area and reintroduces precip back into the forecast. The first round of rain is likely around a lifting warm front with the second along a cold front on Friday afternoon and evening, followed by the upper-level shortwave. Some instability will be present but very limited. As the warm front lifts, temperatures will begin to warm late Thursday with highs rising into the 60s to mid 70s by Friday, about a 10-12 degree increase from Thursday. The only significant inconsistency has been the evolution of low-pressure system and the orientation of the frontal boundaries and subsequent rain bands. If the shortwave trough under-develops a low-level low-pressure system, a possibility of several inches of rain along a narrow corridor may be possible in north Georgia. Current 48-hour forecast accumulations from Thursday morning to Saturday morning show 2-4 inches for North Georgia, with locally higher amounts possible. Thiem AVIATION... 00Z Update... Cigs expected to drop to near IFR after 03Z tonight before line of SHRA moves through the state. SSE 8-12kt sfc winds will become SSW then W with rapid clearing as line move through 06Z-09Z at ATL metro airports and KCSG and slightly after at airports further south and east. Isold TSRA also possible with the line of SHRA but relatively low probability and brief duration precludes inclusion in forecast. //ATL Confidence...00Z Update... Medium confidence on cig height and timing tonight. High confidence on all other elements. SNELSON && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 56 61 39 54 / 60 10 0 0 Atlanta 52 57 38 53 / 50 10 0 0 Blairsville 46 53 33 48 / 80 10 5 0 Cartersville 49 56 36 52 / 80 10 0 0 Columbus 55 63 40 58 / 60 10 0 0 Gainesville 51 56 37 51 / 60 10 0 0 Macon 60 65 39 58 / 50 20 0 0 Rome 48 55 36 52 / 80 10 0 0 Peachtree City 52 59 37 55 / 60 10 0 0 Vidalia 67 69 42 60 / 40 30 0 0 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SHORT TERM...SNELSON LONG TERM....30 AVIATION...SNELSON
Hazardous Weather Outlook...Updated National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 1100 AM EST Sun Dec 29 2019 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-301030- 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- 1100 AM EST Sun Dec 29 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight... A line of showers, with a slight chance of thunderstorms, is expected late this evening into Monday morning. Widespread severe weather is not expected but isolated damaging wind gusts and even a brief, weak tornado cannot be ruled out at this time, mainly north of a line from Columbus to Forsyth and Washington. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday... The next storm system will move through the area on Thursday and Friday. Thunderstorm potential will be limited but two day rainfall totals of two to four inches are currently expected for most of north Georgia, which may cause flooding concerns for roadways, low- lying areas and rapid-responding creeks, streams, and rivers. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1203 AM EST Mon Dec 30 2019
GAZ011-012-019-300515-
Chattooga GA-Gordon GA-Floyd GA-
1203 AM EST Mon Dec 30 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN CHATTOOGA...SOUTHWESTERN
GORDON AND FLOYD COUNTIES UNTIL 1215 AM EST...
At 1203 AM EST...a strong thunderstorm was over Holland, or 9 miles
south of Summerville...moving northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...40 mph wind and heavy rain.
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.
Some locations in the path of this storm include
Rome, Cave Spring, Shannon, Lyerly, Lindale, Tidings, Armuchee,
Coosa, Sugar Valley, Chattoogaville, Everett Springs, James H. Floyd
State Park and Holland.
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 3457 8500 3418 8517 3410 8542 3439 8549
TIME...MOT...LOC 0503Z 237DEG 44KT 3435 8539
WIND...40MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1216 AM EST Mon Dec 30 2019
GAZ002-004>007-011>013-019-020-300545-
Chattooga GA-Gilmer GA-Whitfield GA-Walker GA-Gordon GA-Bartow GA-
Pickens GA-Murray GA-Floyd GA-Fannin GA-
1216 AM EST Mon Dec 30 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN CHATTOOGA...WESTERN
GILMER...WHITFIELD...SOUTHEASTERN WALKER...GORDON...NORTHWESTERN
BARTOW...NORTHWESTERN PICKENS...MURRAY...NORTHEASTERN FLOYD AND
NORTHWESTERN FANNIN COUNTIES UNTIL 1245 AM EST...
At 1216 AM EST...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from Red Clay S.p. to near Cave Spring...and moving
northeast at 65 mph.
HAZARD...Winds up to 40 mph.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects.
Some locations in the path of these storms include
Rome, Dalton, Calhoun, Chatsworth, Adairsville, Varnell, Eton, Tunnel
Hill, Cohutta, Resaca, Plainville, Shannon, Fairmount, Ranger,
Crandall, Pinson, Subligna, Jones Mill, Cohutta Wilderness and
Beaverdale.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately.
LAT...LON 3499 8435 3441 8470 3431 8534 3487 8504
3488 8501 3489 8502 3499 8497
TIME...MOT...LOC 0516Z 226DEG 58KT 3500 8493 3416 8540
WIND...40MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1230 AM EST Mon Dec 30 2019
GAZ085-097-098-107>109-300700-
Treutlen GA-Johnson GA-Wilcox GA-Laurens GA-Dodge GA-Pulaski GA-
1230 AM EST Mon Dec 30 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN TREUTLEN...
JOHNSON...WILCOX...LAURENS...DODGE AND SOUTHEASTERN PULASKI COUNTIES
UNTIL 200 AM EST...
At 1230 AM EST...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from Harrison to Arabi...and moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Heavy rain.
IMPACT...Heavy rain may cause temporary street flooding especially
in poor drainage areas.
Some locations in the path of these storms include
Dublin, Eastman, Abbeville, Wrightsville, East Dublin, Chester,
Rochelle, Adrian, Dexter, Dudley, Cadwell, Rhine, Chauncey, Rentz,
Union, Kite, Spann, Plainfield, Cedar Grove and Rockledge.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Motorists should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of
control due to hydroplaning.
LAT...LON 3186 8356 3278 8290 3281 8280 3277 8277
3282 8253 3277 8247 3276 8243 3269 8250
3265 8247 3264 8251 3258 8259 3253 8256
3252 8259 3253 8259 3252 8260 3251 8265
3227 8276 3220 8288 3190 8321 3185 8318
TIME...MOT...LOC 0530Z 215DEG 39KT 3283 8274 3186 8375Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1235 AM EST Mon Dec 30 2019
GAZ019-020-030-041-042-300600-
Polk GA-Haralson GA-Bartow GA-Carroll GA-Floyd GA-
1235 AM EST Mon Dec 30 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR POLK...HARALSON...SOUTHWESTERN
BARTOW...WESTERN CARROLL AND SOUTHERN FLOYD COUNTIES UNTIL 100 AM
EST...
At 1235 AM EST...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Cave Spring to near Fosters Cross Roads...and
moving northeast at 60 mph.
HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind and enhanced risk for downed trees.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects is expected. Trees can also
down more easily with already wet soil from previous
rainfall.
Some locations in the path of these storms include
Carrollton, Cedartown, Buchanan, Bremen, Temple, Rockmart, Euharlee,
Tallapoosa, Bowdon, Mount Zion, Aragon, Cave Spring, Kingston, Waco,
Taylorsville, Cassville, Esom Hill, John Tanner State Park, Blackjack
Mountain and Fish Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately.
LAT...LON 3431 8481 3395 8498 3395 8505 3388 8504
3372 8505 3369 8510 3343 8523 3343 8529
3411 8543
TIME...MOT...LOC 0535Z 240DEG 51KT 3405 8533 3339 8558
WIND...50MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1244 AM EST Mon Dec 30 2019
GAZ005>007-012-013-300615-
Gilmer GA-Gordon GA-Pickens GA-Murray GA-Fannin GA-
1244 AM EST Mon Dec 30 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR GILMER...EASTERN GORDON...
NORTHWESTERN PICKENS...MURRAY AND NORTHWESTERN FANNIN COUNTIES UNTIL
115 AM EST...
At 1244 AM EST...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Parksville to near Adairsville...and moving
northeast at 65 mph.
HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind and enhanced risk for downed trees.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects is expected. Trees can also
down more easily with already wet soil from previous
rainfall.
Some locations in the path of these storms include
Calhoun, Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Eton, East Ellijay, Talking
Rock, Fairmount, Ranger, Crandall, Sumac, Jones Mill, Higdon, Redbud,
Gregory, Cohutta Wilderness, Epworth, Conasauga Lake, Cartecay and
Cherry Log.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately.
LAT...LON 3499 8426 3453 8439 3440 8483 3440 8495
3438 8496 3439 8496 3499 8477
TIME...MOT...LOC 0544Z 224DEG 57KT 3506 8466 3442 8494
WIND...50MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
100 AM EST Mon Dec 30 2019
GAZ012-013-020-021-030>032-041>043-052-300630-
Polk GA-Douglas GA-Cobb GA-Cherokee GA-Gordon GA-Haralson GA-
Bartow GA-Carroll GA-Pickens GA-Heard GA-Paulding GA-
100 AM EST Mon Dec 30 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN POLK...WESTERN DOUGLAS...
NORTHWESTERN COBB...WESTERN CHEROKEE...SOUTHEASTERN GORDON...EASTERN
HARALSON...BARTOW...CARROLL...PICKENS...NORTHWESTERN HEARD AND
PAULDING COUNTIES UNTIL 130 AM EST...
At 1259 AM EST...a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from Kingston to near Tennant...and moving northeast at 65
mph.
HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind and enhanced risk for downed trees.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light...unsecured objects is expected. Trees can also
down more easily with already wet soil from previous
rainfall.
Some locations in the path of these storms include
Douglasville, Carrollton, Canton, Cartersville, Dallas, Jasper,
Buchanan, Kennesaw, Acworth, Villa Rica, Powder Springs, Bremen,
Adairsville, Temple, Rockmart, Euharlee, Hiram, Bowdon, Mount Zion
and Emerson.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately.
LAT...LON 3366 8526 3438 8491 3454 8434 3383 8472
3379 8472 3378 8475 3358 8486 3357 8481
3355 8483 3352 8482 3343 8494 3346 8498
3343 8501 3340 8501 3327 8526 3365 8534
TIME...MOT...LOC 0559Z 230DEG 56KT 3426 8495 3325 8543
WIND...50MPHThe Atlanta radar (KFFC), 100 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:08 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The management at the Green Valley Greens golf course reported the roof blown off of a tractor shed behind the clubhouse.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, December 2019
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: 864777.