Tornadoes and Hail in Georgia, March 3, 2019

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Georgia, March 3, 2019
Start: 2019-03-03T14:30
End: 2019-03-03T20:00
Location: Georgia

March 3, 2019 · NWS TAE · 28 events in 15 counties and zones

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: 3
Property damage: $1.3 million
Crop damage: $5,000
Events: 28

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.

This event featured all modes of severe weather in our forecast area, including 13 tornadoes, numerous reports of straight-line wind damage, and even large hail. The 13 tornadoes consisted of 1 EF3, 2 EF2s, 6 EF1s, and 4 EF0s. This is a very high number of tornadoes for our forecast area for a single event. This compares with 7 tornadoes in the 1/22/17 event, 8 tornadoes in the 1/2/17 event, and 10 tornadoes in the 3/1/07 event. This may have been the most tornadoes for a single event in our area since the Hurricane Ivan tornadoes back in 2004. The synoptic pattern was characterized by a fast-moving upper trough through relatively zonal flow. The forecast area was under the favorable right entrance region of the upper jet with lots of upper level divergence. An 850 mb jet near or in excess of 50 knots was also present, which is another typical ingredient for severe weather in this part of the country in the cool season. Cool season levels of shear (0-1 km shear > 30 knots and 0-6 km shear > 50 knots) were overlaid with moderate levels of instability (SBCAPE 1500 j/kg), as opposed to more typical winter SBCAPE < 500 j/kg. Without this strong low-level jet, the low-level shear values would have been weaker and we would have probably seen less tornadoes.

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 Mar 3, 10:04 AM EST, 4 hours 26 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 3, 10:04 AM EST, 4 hours 26 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1004 AM EST Sun Mar 3 2019

.UPDATE...

SPC has expanded the slight risk farther south. Otherwise no major
changes to the forecast for today. Forecast for timing and
intensity of storms still looks on track.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION [614 AM EST]...

.NEAR TERM [Through Today]...

The bottom line is that all available guidance continues to suggest
a threat of severe storms across the area from this afternoon into
the overnight hours. There is general agreement that the best
overlay of CAPE and shear will be located across the northern
portions of the forecast area, generally near and north of a line
from Dothan to Tifton. This is where the Storm Prediction Center has
outlooked an enhanced risk of severe storms. The risk of severe
weather gradually decreases the farther south one goes, however it
should be noted that almost the entire area has at least some level
of risk today.

Storm mode will almost certainly consist of at least a QLCS just
ahead of the cold front starting this afternoon into the early
evening across portions of southeast Alabama, the Florida panhandle,
and adjacent southwest Georgia. This squall line will progress
eastward across the remainder of the forecast area during the
overnight hours. The trickiest part of the forecast is whether or
not any discrete supercells will form ahead of the squall line. Some
runs of the HRRR show this occurring, while others do not. If cells
do develop ahead of the main line, then the potential exists for a
couple of strong tornadoes given the strong low level jet and
favorable hodographs. Some large hail could also occur. Even if this
scenario doesn't pan out, there is still the risk of a few embedded
tornadoes along the squall line as well as damaging wind gusts.

.SHORT TERM [Tonight Through Tuesday]...

Cold front will push through the southeastern Big Bend Monday
morning, with a few showers lingering across this portion of the
region early in the period. This will give way to clearing skies and
much cooler and drier conditions by Monday afternoon. Cold air will
continue advecting into the region On Tuesday, with the coldest
airmass since late January settling in place by mid-week. Expect
highs generally in the upper 50s to mid 60s on Monday, falling to
the mid to upper 50s on Tuesday. Overnight lows will range from the
mid 30s to low 40s Monday night. A light freeze is possible Tuesday
night, with temperatures falling below the freezing mark across
portions of the wiregrass. The rest of the region will see lows
generally in the 33 to 36 degree range.

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

Dry and unseasonably cool weather will persist on Wednesday, with
highs remaining in the low to mid 50s, almost 20 degrees below
normal for early March. A light freeze will be possible once again
Wednesday night as lows will fall into the low 30s once again
regionwide. Temperatures will moderate beginning on Thursday as
upper level flow becomes zonal once again over the region. Dry
weather will persist through at least the start of the weekend.
However, longer range global guidance has been hinting at another
system and associated cold front pushing through the region
during the day 7+ period. Despite the upcoming cold snap this
week, it appears that Spring is well on its way for the tri-state
region. Stay tuned.

.AVIATION...

[Through 12z Monday] Low clouds and areas of fog are expected to
result in IFR to LIFR conditions through the mid-morning hours.
Showers and thunderstorms will begin this afternoon near DHN and
ABY and move southeast through the region through the evening and
overnight. Some storms may become severe. Otherwise, breezy
conditions are expected through the day.

.MARINE...

Cautionary conditions are expected today with seas increasing to 2
to 4 feet this afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms are expected
to spread over coastal waters this afternoon and evening. Expect
elevated winds and seas through Monday, with a brief reprieve on
Monday night. Advisory level wind and seas will be possible by
Tuesday night into Wednesday.

.FIRE WEATHER...

Red flag conditions are not expected for the next several days.

.HYDROLOGY...

Generally 1 to 2 inches of rain are expected with today's showers
and thunderstorms, with the highest amounts forecast for the
Wiregrass region of southeastern Alabama into southwestern and
southcentral Georgia. Note that isolated higher amounts will be
possible under the strongest storms and/or in any areas of cell
training this afternoon. Flooding concerns today will generally be
limited to poor drainage areas given the recent dry spell across
the region.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is requested. Spotters should safely report
significant weather conditions and/or damage by calling the office or
tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...

Tallahassee   77  54  64  42  59 /  60  90  20  10  10
Panama City   73  51  60  42  57 /  60 100  10  10  10
Dothan        76  44  56  36  53 /  90 100   0  10  10
Albany        75  47  58  38  55 /  80 100  10  10  10
Valdosta      77  55  62  41  58 /  50  80  20  10  10
Cross City    79  63  69  45  63 /  20  80  40  10  10
Apalachicola  73  56  63  43  59 /  60  90  20  10  10

&&

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

GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...None.
&&

UPDATE...McD
NEAR TERM...DVD
SHORT TERM...Pullin
LONG TERM...Pullin
AVIATION...DVD
MARINE...Pullin
FIRE WEATHER...DVD
HYDROLOGY...Pullin

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 3, 1:44 PM EST, 46 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
144 PM EST SUN MAR 3 2019

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

0124 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     2 N BLACK               31.04N 85.74W
03/03/2019                   GENEVA             AL   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

WD

The radar

The Ft Rucker radar (KEOX), 109 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:28 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

13 thunderstorm wind, 8 hail, 6 tornado, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.

Funnel Cloud, Terrell

When: March 3, 2:30 PM EST
Where: Terrell County, 0.91 mi NW of Sasser
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.720, -84.350

Hail, Turner

When: March 3, 2:55 PM EST
Where: Turner County, Ashburn
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.700, -83.650

Thunderstorm Wind, Dougherty

When: March 3, 2:55 PM EST
Where: Dougherty County, 3 mi NNE of Albany
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 31.610, -84.150

Power lines were blown down at the 400 block of Philema Road.

Hail, Early

When: March 3, 3:10 PM EST
Where: Early County, 0.58 mi NNW of Blakely
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 31.378, -84.934

Quarter size hail was reported at the 911 center at the Early County Sheriff's Office.

Hail, Turner

When: March 3, 3:10 PM EST
Where: Turner County, 1.89 mi WSW of Rebecca
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.790, -83.510

Golf ball size hail was reported southwest of Rebecca. Quarter to golf ball size hail accumulated on Highway 112.

Hail, Irwin

When: March 3, 4:04 PM EST
Where: Irwin County, 2.15 mi SSW of Abba
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.720, -83.380

Hail, Irwin

When: March 3, 4:10 PM EST
Where: Irwin County, 2.72 mi SW of Pinetta
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.560, -83.380

Quarter size hail was reported in the Pleasure Lake area.

Hail, Tift

When: March 3, 4:10 PM EST
Where: Tift County, 0.59 mi W of Chula
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.550, -83.550

Quarter to ping pong ball size hail accumulated up to an inch on the side of the road on I-75 between exits 67 and 69.

Thunderstorm Wind, Berrien

When: March 3, 4:32 PM EST
Where: Berrien County, 0.48 mi WNW of Enigma
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 31.413, -83.327

Power poles were snapped and a tractor trailer tipped over in the media of Highway 82 near Enigma.

Hail, Berrien

When: March 3, 4:34 PM EST
Where: Berrien County, 1.82 mi NW of Alapaha
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 31.400, -83.240

Hail, Turner

When: March 3, 4:50 PM EST
Where: Turner County, Ashburn
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.700, -83.650

A second round of quarter size hail occurred in Ashburn.

Tornado, Quitman

When: March 3, 5:03 PM EST to 5:10 PM EST
Where: Quitman County, 4.48 mi WNW of State Rd 27/County Rd 14 to 3.14 mi ENE of State Rd 27/County Rd 14
Rating: EF1
Path length: 6.98 mi
Path width: 860 yd
Continued into: Stewart, Ga (FFC)
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.948, -85.083

A strong/cycling tornado crossed into Georgia along the Chattahoochee River, about 2-3 miles south of Lakepoint Resort State Park, causing considerable tree damage along State Hwy 39 in northern Quitman county. The tornado raced east with more trees snapped or uprooted along Hwy 27, just south of CR 10. Based on the surveyable damage (mainly trees), EF-0 to EF-1 damage was noted with max wind speeds estimated around 100 mph. The tornado appeared to briefly weaken near Hwy 27,|but quickly re-intensified as it crossed the Quitman/Stewart county line.

Thunderstorm Wind, Quitman

When: March 3, 5:15 PM EST
Where: Quitman County, 2.72 mi SW of State Rd 27/County Rd 14
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.900, -85.040

A barn was damaged along Highway 27 South.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ben Hill

When: March 3, 5:30 PM EST
Where: Ben Hill County, Lulaville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.770, -83.240

A tree was blown down.

Tornado, Clay

When: March 3, 5:45 PM EST to 5:52 PM EST
Where: Clay County, 2.23 mi SSW of Fort Gaines to 0.9 mi N of Zetto
Rating: EF0
Path length: 7.45 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.591, -85.057

The tornado touched down in Henry County Alabama in an area just south of Shorterville on Henry County Route 47 between Bennett Mill Creek and Route 188. There were several softwood trees uprooted in this area. The tornado proceeded northeast across the Chattahoochee River into Clay County Georgia. The damage in Clay County Georgia began on Route 39/ Washington Street near the intersection of Blakely and Blufton Highways. There were several softwood trees uprooted in this area, as well as some roofing material removed from the roadway. Additional softwood trees were uprooted at several points between the aforementioned intersection to a point just north of Route 37/ Edison Highway along Wesely Chapel Road. In addition, Center Line Irrigation was also downed near the previously mentioned location. Damage cost was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: March 3, 5:50 PM EST
Where: Clay County, 2.37 mi S of Pecan
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.606, -84.990

Trees were blown down along Highway 37.

Thunderstorm Wind, Terrell

When: March 3, 5:57 PM EST
Where: Terrell County, 0.59 mi W of Dawson
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 31.770, -84.450

A power line was blown down around Forrester Drive and Roundtree.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: March 3, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Clay County, 0.17 mi WNW of Bluffton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.521, -84.863

Trees were blown down along Highway 27.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When: March 3, 6:28 PM EST
Where: Calhoun County, Leary
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 31.480, -84.510

Two trees were blown down in Leary.

Thunderstorm Wind, Seminole

When: March 3, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Seminole County, 3.01 mi NNE of Sharphagen
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 31.060, -84.800

Trees and power lines were blown down on Burl Lane Road.

Tornado, Miller

When: March 3, 7:02 PM EST to 7:10 PM EST
Where: Miller County, 2.61 mi SW of Boykin to 1.38 mi S of Babcock
Rating: EF1
Path length: 4.14 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.073, -84.711

An EF1 tornado with maximum winds of 100 mph initially touched down west of US-27 in Miller County near Brinson Road. Damage west of US-27 included a center pivot irrigation system overturned. One home in the area was blown off cinder blocks.|Another home had roof damage where a corner of the roof was peeled off. A portion of the wall of this home was blown out. The tornado crossed US-27 and east of the highway destroyed a small modular home. This home had tie-downs to a cinder block|foundation. The home was blown 60 ft to the south and destroyed. The occupant suffered serious injuries. As the tornado continued moving eastward, several trees were snapped or uprooted, with another pivot irrigation system overturned. The tornado lifted before Babcock Lake Road. Damage cost was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur

When: March 3, 7:12 PM EST
Where: Decatur County, 1.5 mi NNE of Bethany
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.870, -84.720

Trees and power lines were blown down along South Spring Creek Road.

Tornado, Decatur

When: March 3, 7:18 PM EST to 7:24 PM EST
Where: Decatur County, 3.18 mi NE of Bethany to 2.46 mi SW of West Bainbridge
Rating: EF1
Path length: 4.53 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 30.877, -84.686

An EF1 tornado with maximum winds of 90 mph initially touched down southwest of Bainbridge along GA-253, or Spring Creek Road. Damage in the area was mainly limited to large pines snapped. A tree fell on a home along the road. The tornado lifted before reaching the Flint River with straight-line wind damage observed south of Bainbridge. Damage cost was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Decatur

When: March 3, 7:20 PM EST
Where: Decatur County, 4.15 mi S of Hanover
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 30.870, -84.640

A tree was blown down, resulting in a power outage along River Oaks Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tift

When: March 3, 7:43 PM EST
Where: Tift County, Omega
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 31.340, -83.590

A couple of trees were blown down in Omega.

Tornado, Tift

When: March 3, 7:45 PM EST to 7:52 PM EST
Where: Tift County, 1.39 mi NE of Omega to 2.06 mi NE of Omega
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.72 mi
Path width: 180 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Crop damage: $5,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.355, -83.575

An EF-1 tornado briefly touched down at the edge of a farm damaging snapping and uprooting trees along the path. Some were peach trees. When the tornado crossed Urbana Road, it blew out part of the foundation of a large garage causing the associated wall to bow outward. There was significant shingle damage to the|roof of this building. A bit further from the road, the tornado moved a large trailer, filled with air conditioning units and estimated to weigh 7000 lb in total, about 3 feet. The metal roof of the structure sheltering this and other vehicles was partially uplifted. The tornado lifted just beyond the edge of the property line. Damage cost was estimated.

Tornado, Grady

When: March 3, 7:54 PM EST to 8:00 PM EST
Where: Grady County, 1.98 mi WSW of Cairo to 0.93 mi NNE of Cairo
Rating: EF2
Path length: 2.68 mi
Path width: 800 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 30.862, -84.232

An EF-2 tornado, with maximum winds of 120 mph, tracked 2.7 miles across Grady County in the Cairo area. The tornado touched down on Monrovia Nursery, downing 100s of potted plants and numerous trees in the forest. The tornado continued to track|northeastward, downing numerous trees, many of which fell on homes causing structural damage. In one of the harder hit areas, the roof was torn off of a single family home and a carport was destroyed. The tornado eventually lifted northeast of Hwy 84. Two injuries were sustained from the storm. Damage cost was estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grady

When: March 3, 7:56 PM EST
Where: Grady County, 1.91 mi WSW of Cairo
Measured: 89 kt (102 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 30.860, -84.230

A wind gust of 102 mph was measured by a Georgia mesonet site near the tornado track just south of Cairo.

What these are

Funnel Cloud: A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Georgia, 2019 Warnings in Georgia, March 2019

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: 810797, 810798, 810799, 810800, 810801, 810802, 810803, 810804, 810805, 810806, 810807, 810783, 810808, 810809, 810795, 810810, 810811, 810812, 810813, 810814, 810788, 810815, 810790, 810816, 810817, 810793, 810794, 810818.