Tornadoes and Damaging Winds in Florida, March 31, 2020

Name: Tornadoes and Damaging Winds in Florida, March 31, 2020
Start: 2020-03-31T11:45
End: 2020-03-31T15:35
Location: Florida

March 31, 2020 · NWS TAE · 11 events in 6 counties and zones

A strengthening surface low pressure area moved across the Tri-State region. A warm front lifted northward through the area, and a cold front moved through during the afternoon hours.

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: $54,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 11

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.

A strengthening surface low pressure area moved across the Tri-State region. A warm front lifted northward through the area, and a cold front moved through during the afternoon hours. Scattered thunderstorms moved across the area, some of which were severe.

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 31, 9:23 AM CST, 2 hours 22 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 31, 9:23 AM CST, 2 hours 22 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1123 AM EDT Tue Mar 31 2020

...SEVERE WEATHER EXPECTED TODAY ACROSS THE REGION...

.NEAR TERM [Through Today]...

A positively tilted short wave trough axis was lined up along the
Mississippi River at 14Z. Associate surface low pressure was
centered over central AL with a warm front extending eastward from
it across southern AL to just south of an Albany to Waycross GA
line. South of the front, dew points are in the upper 60s to lower
70s. The 12Z KTAE sounding showed quite a bit of dry air below 500
mb. However, model soundings from the HRRR show this column
moistening sufficiently to allow instability supportive of severe
weather. About a day's worth of HRRR runs show a 50-knot low level
jet developing over the forecast area during the afternoon. Strong
mid level flow, about 80 knots, working through the base of the
trough as well. Bulk shear should be in the 50-60 knot range.
Hodographs are fairly straight, suggesting some splitting cells with
left and right movers. All severe modes are still in play, however.
A tornado watch is in effect for the northwestern half of the
forecast area fro Turner County southwest to Decatur and then on to
Walton County and points northwest. Wind damage has already occurred
upstream in AL with at least one cell showing a TDS.

In addition to the severe threat, the strong onshore flow warrants a
high risk for rip currents, although there shouldn't be anyone in
the water with all beaches closed. Finally, strengthening low level
jet will allow sufficient low level winds to mix down to the surface
to justify leaving the wind advisory in effect.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION [652 AM EDT]...

.SHORT TERM [Tomorrow Through Thursday]...

In the upper levels, a ridge will build into the Southeast by
Wednesday night. At the surface, high pressure will be over the
region with a much cooler, drier air mass in place. POPs will be
near zero with little to no cloud cover. Temps will be noticeably
cooler and more seasonable with highs in the lower 70s tomorrow.
Thursday highs will be in the mid to upper 70s. Lows tomorrow night
will be in the mid to upper 40s.

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

In the upper levels, the weak ridge over the Southeast will
strengthen on Monday and Tuesday. At the surface, easterly winds
Friday will become more southerly on Saturday. POPs will begin to
increase on Saturday with a slight chance for showers as moisture
returns. The best chance for a shower or thunderstorm is Sunday and
Monday afternoon/evening with POPs of 20 to 40 percent. Highs will
be mainly in the lower 80s. Lows will be in the 50s and lower 60s.

.AVIATION...
[Through 12Z Wednesday]

Scattered LIFR to MVFR conditions will lift to MVFR, drift north
and scatter through the morning and early afternoon. Showers and
thunderstorms will spread into the Panhandle later this morning,
followed by a powerful line of storms moving west to east through
the region in the afternoon. Strong winds are expected today ahead
of the thunderstorms, with sustained winds near 20 knots and
gusts around 35 knots.

.MARINE...

Southerly winds will increase significantly today ahead of an
approaching system. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through
Wednesday morning for sustained winds in excess of 20 knots. Severe
storms are possible mainly this afternoon and evening. Strong
northerly winds (20 to 25 kt) are expected tonight after the cold
front passes. Late in the week expect light easterly winds.

.FIRE WEATHER...

High dispersion indices are expected today ahead of numerous showers
and thunderstorms expected to arrive later this afternoon. Winds
could gust as high as 30 to 40 mph at times. High dispersion indices
will continue once again tomorrow, though Red Flag conditions are
not expected over the next several days.

.HYDROLOGY...

The best chance for rain will be today as a more substantial cold
front moves through. Another chance for rain is likely this weekend.
Forecast rainfall totals are one inch or less for the region over
the next five days.

.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. Please relay any information to the
NWS while following all local, state and CDC guidelines.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...

Tallahassee   83  50  74  48  79 /  80  40   0   0   0
Panama City   78  52  73  53  76 /  80  10   0   0   0
Dothan        79  46  70  47  76 /  90  10   0   0   0
Albany        79  47  70  46  75 /  90  20   0   0   0
Valdosta      81  49  71  47  77 /  90  70   0   0   0
Cross City    81  53  75  48  79 /  30  50   0   0   0
Apalachicola  79  52  72  55  73 /  60  10   0   0   0

&&

.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Wind Advisory until 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ this evening for Calhoun-
     Central Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Dixie-Coastal Franklin-
     Coastal Gulf-Coastal Jefferson-Coastal Taylor-Coastal
     Wakulla-Gadsden-Holmes-Inland Bay-Inland Dixie-Inland
     Franklin-Inland Gulf-Inland Jefferson-Inland Taylor-Inland
     Wakulla-Jackson-Lafayette-Leon-Liberty-Madison-North Walton-
     South Walton-Washington.

     High Rip Current Risk through this evening for Coastal Bay-
     Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.

GA...Wind Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for Baker-Ben Hill-
     Berrien-Brooks-Calhoun-Clay-Colquitt-Cook-Decatur-Dougherty-
     Early-Grady-Irwin-Lanier-Lee-Lowndes-Miller-Mitchell-
     Quitman-Randolph-Seminole-Terrell-Thomas-Tift-Turner-Worth.

AL...Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for Coffee-Dale-Geneva-
     Henry-Houston.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 11 AM EDT Wednesday 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-Waters from Suwannee
     River to Apalachicola FL from 20 to 60 NM.

     Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM CDT Wednesday for 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 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...Wool
SHORT TERM...McD
LONG TERM...McD
AVIATION...Harrigan
MARINE...McD
FIRE WEATHER...Harrigan
HYDROLOGY...McD

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 31, 10:39 AM CST, 1 hour 6 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1239 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

1155 AM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NE PINE LEVEL         31.51N 86.16W
03/31/2020                   COFFEE             AL   911 CALL CENTER

            TREE DOWN ON COUNTY ROAD 348.

1209 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 NE WOODLAND GROVE CHU 31.47N 85.95W
03/31/2020                   COFFEE             AL   911 CALL CENTER

            POWER LINE DOWN ON COUNTY ROAD 239.

1215 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NNE CLINTONVILLE      31.42N 85.89W
03/31/2020                   COFFEE             AL   911 CALL CENTER

            SIGN BLOWN OVER ON HIGHWAY 167.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 31, 11:03 AM CST, 42 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
103 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

1231 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BAREFIELD CROSSROADS    31.55N 85.46W
03/31/2020                   DALE               AL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            REPORT OF TREE DOWN ON COUNTY ROAD 67.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 31, 11:17 AM CST, 28 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
117 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

1227 PM     TSTM WND DMG     OZARK                   31.46N 85.64W
03/31/2020                   DALE               AL   911 CALL CENTER

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN ACROSS DALE COUNTY.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 31, 11:20 AM CST, 25 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
120 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

1245 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ABBEVILLE               31.57N 85.25W
03/31/2020                   HENRY              AL   911 CALL CENTER

            TREE DOWN IN ABBEVILLE.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 31, 11:27 AM CST, 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
127 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

1259 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CROSSROADS              31.83N 84.99W
03/31/2020                   QUITMAN            GA   911 CALL CENTER

            *** 1 INJ ***
            TREE DOWN ON A HOUSE ALONG HIGHWAY 82 WITH
            ONE PERSON INJURED. POSSIBLE TORNADO.

&&

The radar

The Ft Rucker radar (KEOX), 57 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:44 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 thunderstorm wind, 5 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: March 31, 11:45 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, Campbellton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.950, -85.400

A tree was blown down near Highway 2 and Cedar Street.

Tornado, Walton

When: March 31, 11:55 AM CST to 11:56 AM CST
Where: Walton County, 3.33 mi S of Portland to 3.31 mi S of Portland
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.17 mi
Path width: 25 yd
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 30.462, -86.195

A waterspout moved onshore. A tree was snapped and caused some minor roof damage to a home. This tornado was rated EF0 with max winds estimated at 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walton

When: March 31, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Walton County, 0.91 mi NW of Freeport
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.500, -86.140

Trees were blown down near Freeport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: March 31, 12:15 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 3.29 mi NNW of Hornsville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.980, -85.030

A tree was blown down near Highway 2 and Timberlane Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: March 31, 12:45 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 3.89 mi SSE of Inwood
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 30.650, -84.940

A tree was blown down on Blueberry Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When: March 31, 12:48 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County, 0.59 mi W of Altha
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 30.570, -85.130

A power line was blown down on NW JW Rackley Street.

Tornado, Jefferson

When: March 31, 3:10 PM EST to 3:16 PM EST
Where: Jefferson County, 4.21 mi SSW of Lamont to 3.03 mi SSE of Lamont
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.39 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Continued into: Madison, Fl (TAE)
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 30.315, -83.841

Initial damage was noted in far eastern Jefferson County along HWY 257 near its intersection with Walker Spring Rd. Damage consisting of many hundreds of snapped and uprooted trees continued east northeast into Madison County eventually crossing HWY 19. There was also at least one wooden power pole snapped. This tornado was rated EF1 with max winds estimated at 90 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: March 31, 3:15 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 1.2 mi W of Royal Bluff
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 29.790, -84.770

Tree damage was reported along Highway 98.

Tornado, Madison

When: March 31, 3:16 PM EST to 3:18 PM EST
Where: Madison County, 7.72 mi W of Sirmans to 2.02 mi WSW of Sirmans
Rating: EF1
Path length: 5.82 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 30.331, -83.787

Tornado, Madison

When: March 31, 3:17 PM EST to 3:30 PM EST
Where: Madison County, 3.37 mi S of Greenville to 1.99 mi WSW of Madison
Rating: EF1
Path length: 11.74 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 30.422, -83.636

Initial damage, consisting of a few dozen trees uprooted and snapped, was noted on a farm on the west side of HWY 221 just south of I-10. Damage, consisting of hundreds of snapped and uprooted trees, continued to the east northeast crossing Sundown Creek Rd. and eventually I-10. After the tornado crossed I-10 it moved into inaccessible areas of the Hixton Swamp Conservation Area. Based on radar the tornado remained on the ground continuously until damage became accessible again along HWY 360A just south of the intersection with CR 35. Damage to several trees at this location was the last damage evident from this tornado. Damage further northeast in Madison was from a separate brief spinup after this tornado lifted. This tornado was rated EF1 with max winds estimated at 90 mph.

Tornado, Madison

When: March 31, 3:33 PM EST to 3:35 PM EST
Where: Madison County, 0.1 mi NW of Madison to 0.09 mi NNE of Madison
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.11 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 30.461, -83.411

A business suffered roof uplift and had a window blown in. There was significant water damage inside the business. There was an outbuilding damaged at the south Duval Street location as well. There was also scattered minor tree damage in the area. This tornado was rated EF0 with max winds estimated at 75 mph. Damage cost was estimated.

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 Florida in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Florida, 2020 Warnings in Florida, March 2020

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: 882746, 882752, 882747, 882748, 882749, 882750, 883153, 882751, 883154, 883155, 883156.