A strong area of low pressure with sufficient instability and a very strong low level jet affected the tri-state area. A severe squall line crossed the area with numerous reports of wind damage.
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 strong area of low pressure with sufficient instability and a very strong low level jet affected the tri-state area. A severe squall line crossed the area with numerous reports of wind damage. A couple of tornadoes occurred in south-central Georgia.
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 12, 11:34 PM EST, 1 hour 41 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1234 AM EDT Mon Apr 13 2020
.AVIATION...
[Through 06Z Tuesday]
Updated timing of arrival for line of thunderstorms based from
latest high resolution guidance to each of our TAF sites. Expect
MVFR/IFR just ahead of the line, variable strong wind gusts with
the line along with heavy thunderstorms, an hour or two of
degraded flight conditions behind the line, then decreasing
westerly winds and VFR conditions after that through the rest of
the TAF period.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION [846 PM EDT]...
.NEAR TERM [through Monday]...
Rest of Today - A strong shortwave currently in the Lower
Mississippi Valley will lift northeast, merging with the northern
stream by this evening. As the two waves superposition, a stronger
shortwave will emerge with a strengthening surface low over the
Middle Mississippi Valley. By this time, the surface cold front
will essentially stretch north to south through central AR/LA,
with the warm front draped through the Tennessee Valley and Mid-
Atlantic.
Through the remainder of the afternoon, and while the
aforementioned are realized, the local area should remain
relatively quiet. The warm front has lifted north of us, and
without any focused large-scale ascent or surface mechanism for
convective initiation, expect a lull in shower and thunderstorm
activity.
The main concern through the remainder of the afternoon will be
the windy conditions that are ongoing. Gusts have generally been
between 20-30 mph outside of the Wind Advisory, and have recently
risen into the 30-35 mph range across the Panhandle and portions
of southeast Alabama (within the wind advisory). Expect winds and
gusts to continue to increase a bit through the afternoon hours as
the low pressure system strengthens.
Tonight - The frontal system will continue strengthening tonight
as the upper wave and surface low move through the Tennessee and
Ohio Valleys. Strong wind fields are expected throughout the
troposphere, with a nearly 100kt 500mb jet moving into the
Southeast accompanied by a potent 70kt LLJ directly overhead of
the Tri-State region. In addition to the forcing provided by the
strong low-level winds, they’ll act to keep us well mixed
through the night and continuously advect high theta-e air through
the Gulf coast states. This will allow for storms to remain
surface based through the night as a squall impacts the region. 40
- 50 kts of low-layer shear and curved hodographs through the
lowest 1-2 km would suggest a significant tornado threat across
southeast Alabama and possibly into the Panhandle around the
midnight hour and beyond. The tornado threat decreases only
slightly as the squall line moves east through the night as low-
layer shear only falls to about 40kts with only slight drops in
the SRH as well. Instability becomes a little more of a question
mark the further east we go later in the night, but in general a
significant tornado threat continues. In addition to tornadoes,
destructive straight line winds are expected within the line as
well, convective gusts could reach the 70-75kt range.
Monday - By sunrise, the squall line is forecast to only have
crossed about half of the Tri-State region with portions of south-
central Georgia and the Big Bend still under threat of tornadoes
and damaging winds. While we’ll naturally destabilize through
the morning hours, the upper and surface low will continue to be
lifting further away from the region and some of the very
impressive dynamics will be shifting north with them. A still
impressive, but weaker LLJ, and a 500mb jet about as strong as the
LLJ was in the overnight hours are expected. By early afternoon,
the squall line is expected to have exited south-central GA and
the southeast Big Bend of Florida. Clearing skies and temperatures
warming back through the 80s are expected for the remainder of
the afternoon.
.SHORT TERM [Tuesday and Wednesday]...
The cold front that will likely bring widespread severe weather to
the deep south will stall over our southeastern locations early
Tuesday as the shortwave that brought us the active weather
quickly moves northeast on Monday. Cyclonic flow aloft, and minor
ripples in the flow aloft will keep a chance for scattered showers
and thunderstorms across much of the FL panhandle and southern
Georgia. Rainfall amounts have been trending up over the last 24
hours, but preceding dry condition should keep the flood risk
down, but one thing to watch for will be any training storms.
Further upstream, over the central US, the upper level trough
rotates through on Wednesday and will help bring the stalled front
briefly north and then will clear the area by Thursday. Widespread
showers and a few thunderstorms are likely with this front and we
can't rule out a low end chance of severe weather, but a better
picture of this scenario will available tomorrow.
.LONG TERM [Thursday Through Sunday]...
A slight break in the active weather is possible nearing the end
of the week, but relative cyclonic flow over much of the eastern
US will lead to additional chances for shower and thunderstorms
across the area by the end of the week and into the weekend.
.MARINE...
Hazardous marine conditions expected through the next 24 to 36
hours as a strong frontal system pushes through the area. The next
24 hours will see the greatest threat as strong southerly flow
ahead of this system brings widespread 20 to 30 knot winds,
especially to waters west of Apalachicola. Seas will build to
around 6 to 12 feet in our eastern waters with seas ranging from
9 to 14 feet west of Apalachicola. Gale force gusts are likely and
the potential is there for 50 knot gusts in thunderstorms along
the front. Winds decrease behind the line but active weather
continues through much of the week which keep cautionary
conditions possible every day.
.FIRE WEATHER...
There are no fire weather concerns over the next couple of
days.
.HYDROLOGY...
The storm system moving through this evening and into the mid
afternoon hours on Monday is only expected to bring around 1-1.5
inches of rain across the region due to the fast movement of the
cold front. No flooding is expected with this system.
Later this week, the cold front is expected to stall near the Gulf
Coast and will be a focus for additional showers and storms. There
is the possibility of an additional 2-4 inches of rain on Tuesday
and Wednesday. At the current time, most of the guidance indicates
the heaviest rain is expected to occur over North Florida, in areas
with moderate drought conditions, thus little or no flooding is
anticipated with these rainfall amounts.
For coastal flood concerns, strong onshore flow ahead of Sunday
night's storm system will lead to some minor coastal flooding around
the time of high tide Monday morning in Apalachee Bay. Water levels
of 1 to 1.5 ft MHHW are possible around Apalachee Bay. These levels
typically only impact boat ramps along the coast.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is requested. Spotters should safely report
significant weather conditions and/or damage (while following all
local, state, and CDC guidelines) by calling the office or tweeting
us @NWSTallahassee.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee 62 84 62 76 55 / 80 80 30 60 60
Panama City 64 80 62 76 58 / 90 30 30 50 70
Dothan 57 82 57 73 51 / 90 10 10 20 60
Albany 59 83 60 75 52 / 90 40 10 30 60
Valdosta 63 82 64 74 55 / 70 80 30 60 50
Cross City 67 82 67 79 59 / 20 70 50 60 30
Apalachicola 65 77 64 74 59 / 70 80 50 60 60
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Wind Advisory until 5 AM EDT /4 AM CDT/ early this morning for
Calhoun-Central Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Franklin-Coastal
Gulf-Gadsden-Holmes-Inland Bay-Inland Franklin-Inland Gulf-
Jackson-Liberty-North Walton-South Walton-Washington.
High Rip Current Risk through Tuesday evening for Coastal Bay-
Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.
High Surf Advisory until 5 PM EDT /4 PM CDT/ this afternoon for
Coastal Bay-South Walton.
GA...Wind Advisory until 5 AM EDT early this morning for Baker-Ben
Hill-Calhoun-Clay-Colquitt-Decatur-Dougherty-Early-Grady-
Irwin-Lee-Miller-Mitchell-Quitman-Randolph-Seminole-Terrell-
Thomas-Tift-Turner-Worth.
AL...Wind Advisory until 4 AM CDT Monday for Coffee-Dale-Geneva-Henry-
Houston.
GM...Small Craft Advisory from 7 AM to 7 PM CDT Monday 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.
Gale Warning until 7 AM CDT Monday 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.
Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening 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.
&&
NEAR TERM...Harrigan
SHORT TERM...Dobbs
LONG TERM...Dobbs
AVIATION...Scholl
MARINE...Dobbs
FIRE WEATHER...LF
HYDROLOGY...GodseyPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1112 PM EDT SUN APR 12 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1056 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 NW CAIRNS AAF 31.28N 85.72W
04/12/2020 M44 MPH DALE AL AWOS
AWOS STATION KOZR OZARK CAIRNS AAF.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1154 PM EDT SUN APR 12 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1125 PM NON-TSTM WND GST NAPIER FIELD 31.32N 85.45W
04/12/2020 M44 MPH DALE AL ASOS
ASOS STATION KDHN DOTHAN.
1135 PM NON-TSTM WND GST ENTERPRISE MUNICIPAL A/ 31.30N 85.90W
04/12/2020 M43 MPH COFFEE AL AWOS
AWOS STATION KEDN ENTERPRISE.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
113 AM EDT MON APR 13 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1234 AM NON-TSTM WND GST NAPIER FIELD 31.32N 85.45W
04/13/2020 M48 MPH DALE AL ASOS
ASOS STATION KDHN DOTHAN.
1234 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 NW CAIRNS AAF 31.28N 85.72W
04/13/2020 M46 MPH DALE AL AWOS
AWOS STATION KOZR OZARK CAIRNS AAF.
1255 AM NON-TSTM WND GST DE FUNIAK SPRING AIRPOR 30.73N 86.15W
04/13/2020 M45 MPH WALTON FL AWOS
AWOS STATION K54J DE FUNIAK SPRNGS.
0100 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 3 SW KINSEY 31.27N 85.38W
04/13/2020 M42 MPH HOUSTON AL MESONET
MESONET STATION 0303W 3.2 N DOTHAN
(WEATHERSTEM).
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
128 AM EDT MON APR 13 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0120 AM TSTM WND DMG 2 WSW EWELL 31.41N 85.60W
04/13/2020 DALE AL LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREE DOWN ALONG HIGHWAY 231.
&&
LNPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
140 AM EDT MON APR 13 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0139 AM TSTM WND DMG 1 E ARITON 31.60N 85.69W
04/13/2020 DALE AL LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREE DOWN ON COUNTY ROAD 72.
&&
LNPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
203 AM EDT MON APR 13 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0126 AM TSTM WND GST 1 NW CAIRNS AAF 31.28N 85.72W
04/13/2020 M51 MPH DALE AL AWOS
AWOS STATION KOZR OZARK CAIRNS AAF.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
36 thunderstorm wind, 3 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was blown down onto power lines along Highway 82.
Power lines were blown down in the Parrot area.
Trees were blown down at the Dollar General Store in Ft Gaines.
Trees were blown down on Highway 82 heading to Georgetown.
Several trees were blown down across the southern half of Randolph county.
Power lines were blown down in the Dawson area.
Power lines were blown down in the Sasser area.
A tree was blown down at Lumpkin Road and Smithville Road.
A tree was blown down onto a power line.
Trees were blown down along Highway 37 between Leary and Morgan.
Mitchell EMC facebook page reports numerous broken power poles, power lines down, and trees on the power lines across its service area with 1956 outages.
Multiple trees were blown down on Cedar Springs Road.
A tree was blown down on Gillionville Road.
A tree was blown down blocking the southbound lane of Highway 91.
Numerous trees were blown down in the 3800 block of Highway 82 east of Sylvester. One home had roof damage in the area.
Several trees were blown down on Pleasant Grove Church Road.
A tree was down across Highway 133.
A tree was down on a house.
Trees were blocking the road at Highway 256 and Seabrook Drive.
Trees were blocking the road at Jewel Crowe Road and Blue Springs Road.
A tree fell on a house in Doerun.
A tree was blown down at Sizemore Farm.
Several trees were blown down along Highway 82 one mile west of Ty Ty.
A brief tornado touched down just southwest of Highway 82, west of Ty Ty, GA where there was minor structural damage as well as widespread trees being uprooted and snapped. The tornado moved northeast and crossed Highway 82 where a member of the public reported seeing it. It then continued northeast with damage reported on Little River Road and Whiddon Mill Road which was consistent with radar signatures. Thank you to Worth County GA Emergency Management officials in their help in collecting damage points and pictures.
A power line was down along Little River Road.
A brief tornado touched down just southwest of Highway 82, west of Ty Ty, GA where there was minor structural damage as well as widespread trees being uprooted and snapped. The tornado moved northeast and crossed Highway 82 where a member of the public reported seeing it. It then continued northeast with damage reported on Little River Road and Whiddon Mill Road which was consistent with radar signatures. Thank you to Worth County GA Emergency Management officials in their help in collecting damage points and pictures.
Several trees were down north of Tifton on North Carpenter Road. Additional trees were down on Brighton Road and over near Old Ocilla Road.
Several trees were blown down across northeast Colquitt county.
Several trees were down on Five Bridge Road south of Ocilla.
Brief tornado touched down in western Irwin County. The tornado initially touched down north of Five Bridge Road, crossed Five Bridge Road near Palm Road and ended near Palm Road and Peach Road. Many trees were snapped. The tornado was rated EF1 with max winds around 90 mph.
A tree was blown down across Althea Road.
A tree was blown down across Highway 82.
Trees were blown down along Highway 93 south of the Ochlockonee River.
Trees and power lines were down along Highway 319 near McDonald and St Paul Roads.
Three trees were blown down in the Nashville area.
A tree was blown down in the 5700 block of Old U.S. Highway 41.
Trees were blown down in the 500 block of South Highway 135.
Several trees were blown down on Good Hope Road.
Trees were blown down in the Stockton area.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Georgia, 2020Warnings in Georgia, April 2020
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: 887308, 887309, 887310, 887311, 887312, 887313, 887314, 887315, 887316, 887317, 887318, 889293, 889294, 889295, 889296, 889297, 889298, 889299, 889301, 889302, 889303, 889304, 889305, 890615, 889306, 890617, 889307, 889308, 889309, 890582, 889310, 889311, 889313, 889314, 889315, 889316, 889317, 889318, 889319.