A strong spring cold front moved through the tri-state region. A squall line preceded the front with scattered reports of severe weather, including a few tornadoes.
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 spring cold front moved through the tri-state region. A squall line preceded the front with scattered reports of severe weather, including a few tornadoes.
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 18, 1:30 AM CST, 3 hours 30 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
330 AM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021
...ISOLATED SEVERE STORMS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON...
.NEAR TERM [Through Tonight]...
An upper level low located near the mid-Mississippi Valley this
morning will track into the Tennessee Valley today while a cold
front moves across the southeast. A line of thunderstorms ahead of
the cold front was pushing into the Florida Panhandle as of 06z this
morning and activity will increase across our western counties over
the next hour or two. These storms will continue to track across
the tri-state area and exit the Big Bend by the evening.
Initially, the hi-res guidance timing was off when compared to
radar, however, more recent runs of the HRRR seem to be handling
current trends better.
Portions of the line have been struggling this morning, however, the
environment is still supportive of severe storms today and a tornado
watch was issued earlier that is in effect through 7am ET for the
western half of the CWA. CAPE values are expected to be around 1000
J/kg today, although instability is a bit more limited inland early
this morning. 50kts and 25-30kts of deep and low level shear,
respectively, are generally expected with the better instability.
SPC removed the enhanced risk from southwest Georgia, leaving the
majority of the CWA in the slight risk. While the threat has
decreased some, mainly across SW GA, it's important to remember that
regardless of the threat level today, isolated severe storms are
still expected and it only takes one storm to impact you.
The severe threat will end by this evening as the storms move east
of the region.
.SHORT TERM [Friday Through Saturday]...
Upper level troughing will deepen over the southeast CONUS.
Meanwhile, a wedge of high pressure will build down into the Tri-
state region with an inverted trough developing off the NE FL/SE GA
coast on Saturday. This will likely result in overcast sky
conditions on Saturday but rain is not expected. Temperatures will
be below seasonal levels with highs in the 60s to around 70 Friday
and ranging from the upper 50s north to lower and mid 60s south.
Lows Friday night will mostly be in the mid to upper 40s.
.LONG TERM [Saturday Night Through Thursday]...
The dry weather will continue with a gradual warming trend through
Tuesday as upper ridging builds in from the west ahead of the next
trough and surface cold front. Rain chances return on Wednesday and
Thursday as the front makes it's way into our forecast area.
Temperatures return to near seasonal levels by Tuesday with highs
in the mid to upper 70s and lows in the upper 40s to lower 50s.
&&
.AVIATION...
[Through 06Z Friday]
A line of severe storms will move through the TAF sites from west to
east today bringing TSRA and gusty winds to each site. Hi-res
guidance is not handling the line well timing wise and timing in the
TAFs of the TSRA is low to medium at best. Lower cigs (MVFR to IFR)
are expected through the morning, however conditions will improve as
the cold front moves through the TAF locations later today.
&&
.MARINE...
Advisory conditions will continue across the local waters through
mid Friday morning. Southwest winds will shift to northwest in the
wake of a strong cold front today. Some of the storms along and
ahead of the front may become strong to severe. Another period of
advisory level winds will be possible from Saturday into Sunday
morning as the pressure gradient tightens across the local waters.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Aside from high dispersion indices today and Friday, there are
no other fire weather concerns at least for the next several days.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Rainfall with today's cold front is not expected to be sufficient
for flooding concerns as most areas will see less than one inch of
rain. The next chance for rain after today won't be until the middle
of next week.
&&
.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 79 49 69 48 62 / 90 0 0 0 0
Panama City 73 51 67 50 63 / 80 0 0 0 0
Dothan 74 47 64 45 59 / 70 0 0 0 0
Albany 79 48 67 44 58 / 90 0 0 0 0
Valdosta 79 48 69 45 57 / 90 0 0 0 10
Cross City 79 51 71 49 64 / 90 10 0 0 0
Apalachicola 74 52 67 50 63 / 90 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.
GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 11 AM EDT /10 AM CDT/ Friday 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...Fieux
SHORT TERM...Barry
LONG TERM...Barry
AVIATION...Fieux
MARINE...Barry
FIRE WEATHER...Barry
HYDROLOGY...BarryPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
510 AM EDT THU MAR 18 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0504 AM TSTM WND GST 3 NNE FREEPORT 30.54N 86.12W
03/18/2021 M39 MPH WALTON FL PUBLIC
REPORTED AT FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL.
&&
TBPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
521 AM EDT THU MAR 18 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0519 AM TSTM WND GST 2 WNW BLUE MOUNTAIN BEA 30.35N 86.23W
03/18/2021 M39 MPH WALTON FL PUBLIC
REPORTED AT ED WALLINE PUBLIC BEACH ACCESS.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
540 AM EDT THU MAR 18 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0538 AM TSTM WND GST MOSSY HEAD 30.74N 86.31W
03/18/2021 M39 MPH WALTON FL PUBLIC
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
610 AM EDT THU MAR 18 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0541 AM TSTM WND GST NAPIER FIELD 31.32N 85.45W
03/18/2021 M39 MPH DALE AL PUBLIC
MEASURED AT THE DOTHAN ASOS.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
626 AM EDT THU MAR 18 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0559 AM TSTM WND GST HOLMES COUNTY AIRPORT 30.85N 85.60W
03/18/2021 M44 MPH HOLMES FL PUBLIC
MEASURED AT K1J0 AWOS.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
656 AM EDT THU MAR 18 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0650 AM TSTM WND GST MARIANNA MUNICIPAL A/P 30.84N 85.18W
03/18/2021 M44 MPH JACKSON FL PUBLIC
REPORTED AT MARIANNA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.
&&The Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 26 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 10:59 UTC.
7 thunderstorm wind, 4 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A wind gust of 74 mph was measured at KECP airport, followed by another gust to 82 mph as reported by the control tower.
A tornadic debris signature was observed on dual-pol radar in a forested area with tree damage. No structural damage was reported.
This tornado touched down just south of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport with most damage occurring on the airport property. A few small pine trees were snapped on Johnny Reeves Road and Venture Crossings Blvd. A ground-level metal sign was bent over 90 degrees at the intersection of Venture Crossings Blvd. and West Bay Parkway. At the Sheltair FBO, a Citation aircraft spun 90 degrees with the nose damaging an adjacent plane, which was spun 20 degrees. Other smaller planes were shifted further north on the property near an area of hangars. One hangar lost a small section of roof and had the door damaged. Wind entering the hangar did considerable damage to one of the antique cars being stored there. The metal door track punched a hole through the wall of the hangar. Another hangar also suffered minor roof damage. Finally, the KECP ASOS measured a gust to 82 mph as the tornado passed by. The tornado then tracked a couple of miles northeast of the airport property through uninhabited terrain before lifting. Damage along the path, and the measured gust, are consistent with high-end EF0 damage with max winds estimated at 85 mph.
Fences were blown down in the Bayou George area.
The tornado touched down along the north shore of a small lake near S. Lake Joanna Dr. and Sweet Lane. The tornado travelled east-northeast across the lake, producing EF1 damage to a home at the northeast end of the lake in the 7300 block of S. Lake Joanna Dr, including removal of a back porch canopy roof and causing a sizable opening in the main roof of the home. Debris from this house peppered another nearby home, with two 2x4s puncturing its back porch awning. The tornado crossed east-northeast across Bayou George Dr. On the other side of Bayou George Dr. the tornado hit a PODS storage yard, where PODS were originally in 3-high stacks. Some of the PODS shifted, and one POD unit was tossed. The tornado then lifted. Tornado damage at the home at the east-northeast end of the lake in the 7300 block of S. Lake Joanna Drive is consistent with a tornado of EF1 strength with max winds around 95 mph.
A few trees were blown down in the Chipley area, including one on a power line.
Trees were blown down along Corbin Road, including one on a mobile home.
A few trees were blown down near Campbellton.
A brief tornadic debris signature was observed on dual-pol radar in a forested area with tree damage. No structural damage was reported.
A tree was blown down onto a power line near Oscar Harvey Road and Starr Hill Road.
A tree and power lines were blown down along Old St Augustine Road near Williams Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Florida, 2021Warnings in Florida, March 2021
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: 947670, 948526, 948531, 947671, 948533, 947673, 947675, 947676, 948516, 947679, 947680.