A strong cold front moved through the area during the afternoon hours of Feb 15th. The airmass ahead of the front was relatively unstable, and shear was very strong.
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 cold front moved through the area during the afternoon hours of Feb 15th. The airmass ahead of the front was relatively unstable, and shear was very strong. The result was a round of strong to severe storms across the tri-state area with damaging winds and a few tornadoes, including a strong EF2 tornado in Early county, GA. A few days later, a round of heavy rainfall led to minor flooding in Tift County.
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 Feb 15, 3:26 PM EST, 1 hour 3 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
326 PM EST Mon Feb 15 2021
...ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS
EVENING WITH DAMAGING WINDS AND A FEW TORNADOES POSSIBLE...
...MUCH COLDER AIR LATE TONIGHT ACROSS THE NORTHWEST WITH LOW
WIND CHILLS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR STANDING WATER TO FREEZE...
.NEAR TERM [Through Tuesday]...
A very dynamic and fast moving system transits the region this
evening with an enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms. The
primary threats are damaging winds and a few tornadoes. A couple
of strong tornadoes are also possible. A tornado watch is in
effect for the entire region outside of Quitman County. The
setup is favorable with strong dynamics, sufficient instability,
and high shear. In particular, shear in the lowest 1 km and
CAPE in the lower 3 km are favorable for QLCS tornadoes where
bowing segments along the squall line align favorably with the
low to mid-level shear vector (0-3 km). We're also monitoring
discrete cells developing ahead of the line, and where any
activity interacts with a fast northward warm front. Expect
the thunderstorm/tornado threat to move east of the area around
midnight.
Temperatures will fall from the 60s to around 70 this afternoon
to a wide range of lows Monday morning from the mid-20s over
Southeast AL to the low-50s over the Southeast FL Big Bend. In
particular, low temperatures will be at or below freezing from
the Flint River Valley westward into Southeast AL, including
the Western FL Panhandle. Winds will remain elevated tonight,
setting the stage for advisory-level wind chills late tonight
through Tuesday morning west of the Flint River Valley in GA,
including Southeast AL, including north/central Walton and
Holmes Counties FL. Wind chills across this area will dip to
between 15 and 20 degrees late tonight through Tuesday morning.
In addition, any standing water from today's rainfall has the
potential to freeze after midnight, leading to icy spots on
bridges, overpasses, and untreated surfaces, mainly across the
Wind Chill Advisory area.
.SHORT TERM [Tuesday Night Through Wednesday Night]...
A brief break from the persistent wet pattern is in store throughout
the short term. In the wake of Monday's frontal passage, our region
will experience a short period of CAA as winds become northwesterly.
This will bring clear skies through Wednesday morning with dewpoints
in the lower 30s. However, this is short lived, throughout Wednesday
afternoon winds transition to being easterly, cloud cover increases,
and dewpoints begin their climb ahead of the next frontal system on
Thursday. Overnight lows Tuesday night into Wednesday morning will
be in the low to mid 30s across most of the region, with only the FL
Big Bend reaching the low 40s. Wednesday highs will generally be in
the upper 50s to low 60s.
.LONG TERM [Thursday Through Monday]...
Throughout Wednesday night into Thursday morning we'll transition
from easterly flow back into southeasterly flow ahead of the next
frontal system on Thursday. In the process we'll see some impressive
return flow as dewpoints recover quickly from the last frontal
passage. Dewpoints will be going from the mid 40s to the mid 60s
across our northern counties between Wednesday evening and Thursday
afternoon (~18 hours). Throughout the day on Thursday a piece of
energy digs deep into the central plains allowing the longwave
trough trapped over the central US to finally budge. This PV energy
will move eastward bring with it enhanced upper level support,
through PVA, while putting our region under the right entrance
region of an upper level jet streak. In the lower levels, the GFS
has remained consistent with the placement of a 50-65 kt LLJ across
our CWA through frontal passage. Additionally, with dewpoints in the
mid to upper 60s and CAPE around 500-1000 J/kg ahead of the front,
all of the ingredients are present for the potential for severe
weather. The limiting factor here could potentially be the lack of
robust midlevel lapse rates. Once this front exist the region Friday
morning, we'll be freed from the wet pattern that has dominated for
the last week or so. We'll enter a cool and dry period with mostly
sunny skies through the rest of the long term as we head into zonal
flow.
Expect overnight lows to rebound after frontal passage. Overnight
lows will range from the mid 50s (before passage) to the lower 30s
(after passage), rebounding into the mid 40s by Monday morning.
Daytime highs will experience a similar pattern and will range from
the mid 70s (before passage) to the low to mid 50s (after passage),
rebounding into the upper 60s by Monday afternoon.
&&
.AVIATION...
[Through 18Z Tuesday]
IFR to LIFR conditions will prevail with low ceilings and areas of
fog prior to a cold frontal passage this evening. Along with this
cold front, a line of strong to severe thunderstorms will sweep
the terminals from west to east this evening into early tonight.
Once the front/line clear the area, IFR ceilings will prevail into
the morning hours, with winds veering from southwest to northwest.
&&
.MARINE...
As a cold front makes its way across our region this evening into
early tonight, a small craft advisory remains in effect until
Tuesday morning. Post-frontal passage, we'll experience a brief
break in precipitation through Wednesday afternoon. Winds and seas
will likely reach SCA criteria again ahead of the next frontal
system on Thursday.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Red flag conditions are not expected for the next several days.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
River flood warnings are in effect for the Withlacoochee above
Valdosta, the Ochlockonee near Concord (CR 12) and Thomasville
(US 84), and the Apalachicola near Blountstown.
Rainfall amounts over the next week (including today's event)
will range from 1 to 3 inches from the SE FL Big Bend (lower) to
Southeast AL (higher), and could aggravate the river flooding.
For more detailed information on specific river stages and
forecasts, visit: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=tae.
&&
.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 37 53 34 60 53 / 90 0 0 40 60
Panama City 34 50 35 63 56 / 30 0 0 30 70
Dothan 26 44 29 56 50 / 40 0 0 30 80
Albany 31 48 31 56 49 / 90 0 0 30 80
Valdosta 41 54 35 59 53 / 90 0 0 40 50
Cross City 52 60 39 67 57 / 90 10 0 50 40
Apalachicola 41 52 39 64 57 / 90 0 0 40 60
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through Tuesday evening for Coastal Bay-
Coastal Franklin-Coastal Gulf-South Walton.
GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EST this evening for Apalachee
Bay or Coastal Waters From Keaton Beach to Ochlockonee
River FL out to 20 Nm-Coastal waters from Suwannee River to
Keaton Beach FL out 20 NM.
Small Craft Advisory until 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ Tuesday for
Coastal Waters From Ochlockonee River to Apalachicola Fl
out to 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...LF
SHORT TERM...Oliver/Montgomery
LONG TERM...Oliver/Montgomery
AVIATION...LF
MARINE...LF
FIRE WEATHER...Dobbs
HYDROLOGY...LFPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
345 PM EST MON FEB 15 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0330 PM TSTM WND DMG WEST PANAMA CITY BEACH 30.18N 85.80W
02/15/2021 BAY FL PUBLIC
POWERLINES DOWN ON THE WEST END OF PANAMA
CITY BEACH.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
402 PM EST MON FEB 15 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0315 PM TSTM WND GST 3 W PFN-BAY COUNTY AIRP 30.21N 85.73W
02/15/2021 E43 MPH GMZ750 FL PUBLIC
0302 PM TSTM WND GST 2 WNW RIVERSIDE 30.49N 85.69W
02/15/2021 E42 MPH WASHINGTON FL PUBLIC
0336 PM TSTM WND GST MADISON 30.47N 83.41W
02/15/2021 E49 MPH MADISON FL PUBLIC
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
404 PM EST MON FEB 15 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0402 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SE ARGUTA 31.55N 85.58W
02/15/2021 DALE AL PUBLIC
TREES DOWN.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
408 PM EST MON FEB 15 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0401 PM TSTM WND GST 1 W GREENWOOD 30.87N 85.18W
02/15/2021 E40 MPH JACKSON FL PUBLIC
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
412 PM EST MON FEB 15 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0306 PM TSTM WND GST 1 SE GULF RESORT BEACH 30.21N 85.88W
02/15/2021 M75 MPH GMZ750 FL BUOY
&&
JMPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
429 PM EST MON FEB 15 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0400 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NNE WILLIS 30.56N 85.18W
02/15/2021 JACKSON FL PUBLIC
TREES DOWN ON HIGHWAY 73 IN NORTHERN CALHOUN
COUNTY NEAR THE JACKSON COUNTY LINE.
&&The Tallahassee radar (KTLH), 72 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:26 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind, 2 tornado, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A brief dual-pol tornadic debris signature was observed from KTLH radar with trees also blown down in the area. This area is rural with no structural damage reported.
Trees were snapped and uprooted with debris flying across the highway on Highway 27. Trees were also blown down on the side of the highway.
A tornado touched down just west of Highway 45 south of Damascus in Early County, Georgia. Along Highway 45 the tornado snapped a few trees and damaged the roofs of a couple of houses. The tornado crossed the highway moving northeast and reached peak intensity as it hit homes along Killebrew Rd. Two homes and a detached garage along Killebrew Rd were destroyed down to their foundations, which were not anchored. One home was constructed of concrete block which collapsed. The other home was constructed of wood with a concrete block foundation. The 5 injuries noted came from these two homes. A truck was tossed from the detached garage and onto the homes. Several trees were uprooted and snapped, with other cars sustaining heavy damage. A large tree was uprooted behind the homes and thrown about 100 yards into the front yard. Two instances were noted of small metal pole projectiles lodged into trees. Another house nearby sustained heavy damage to the roof and had portions of the exterior walls fail. A propane gas tank was dislodged and moved at this location as well. Powerlines were knocked down and most trees were snapped or uprooted along this section of the path. After the tornado crossed Killebrew Rd, it headed northeast and appeared to weaken. Trees snapped and uprooted were observed along the rest of the track along Po Boy Lane, Pullen Rd, GA Highway 200, Big Pond Rd, County Rd 3, Billy Newberry Rd, County Rd 119, Patmos Milford Hwy, and Julia Jones Rd. Damage sustained in these areas were mostly tree damage along with a couple instances of minor roof damage. The tornado lifted in Baker County after crossing Julia Jones Rd. The tornado was rated as a high end EF2 with max estimated winds around 130 mph.
A mesonet station with the University of Georgia in northwest Baker county measured a 65 mph wind gust.
Trees and power lines were blown down on Russ St. A tree landed on a truck and resulted in damage to the truck.
A tree was blown down along Dellwood Road near Highway 97.
Water was reported over the road on U.S. Highway 41 South between mile markers 3 and 4.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Georgia, 2021Warnings in Georgia, February 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: 942822, 934171, 942828, 942825, 942823, 942824, 942814.