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, 6:20 AM EST, 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
720 AM EDT Thu Mar 18 2021
.AVIATION...
[Through 12Z Friday]
Line of storms have pushed through DHN and ECP bringing strong
winds to the airports. A gust of 71kts was reported on the field
at ECP. This line will continue to track eastward today bringing
TSRA to the remaining sites. While wind gusts in the TAFs are
generally to 25kts, stronger winds will be possible and amendments
may be needed as the line approaches the other airports.
Conditions will begin to clear late this morning and into the
afternoon.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION [330 AM EDT]...
.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.
.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
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.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
722 AM EDT THU MAR 18 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0704 AM TSTM WND GST NW FLORIDA BEACHES INTL 30.36N 85.80W
03/18/2021 M82 MPH BAY FL ASOS
AT 1100Z, ASOS REPORTED A GUST TO 64 KT (74
MPH). FOLLOW UP WITH TOWER OBSERVER
INDICATED A PEAK WIND OF 71 KT (82 MPH) AT
1104Z FOR A 2 MINUTE DURATION.
&&
KGGThe Ft Rucker radar (KEOX), 53 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 11:33 UTC.
3 tornado, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A few trees were reported down between Blakely and Jakin.
A dual-pol tornadic debris signature was observed on radar in a forested area with tree damage. No structural damage was reported.
An EF1 tornado touched down in Terrell County. Damage was initially reported along Kirbo Road where there was roof damage to one single family home. Numerous pines in the yard were snapped or uprooted at this residence. Further east on Kirbo Road, additional pine trees were snapped or uprooted. More trees were observed uprooted or snapped along Florida Short Route just to the northeast of Kirbo Road. No structures were damaged in this area. The tornado again snapped or uprooted several trees along Anthony Road. The tornado lifted before reaching US-82. NWS Tallahassee extends our appreciation to Terrell County Emergency Management for their assistance in this damage survey. Max winds were estimated around 90 mph.
Several trees were blown down.
This tornado touched down near the intersection of U.S. Route 19 and Century Road East where a pine tree was snapped. Further east on Century Road, the tornado snapped another large pine and did considerable structural damage to the property. About 60% of the roof of well-built home was removed. A substantial carport was ripped off the home and tossed several feet. One wall segment of a large garage was sucked outward. The tornado did not do any appreciable damage to houses to the right or left of this residence. After moving over an unpopulated swamp area, the tornado snapped several softwood pines and uprooted several large hardwood trees at 669 Lovers Lane Road. The tornado crossed another sparsely populated swampy area and may have briefly lifted before uprooting more trees on Middle Road North. These were felled in crosswise fashion. The final damage area was on New York Road. A large live oak tree was uprooted and fell into a home. Several other large trees on the property were also uprooted. Just up the road, the tornado was sighted by a homeowner as it crossed their property, destroying a shed, tossing a trampoline and snapping a pine tree. The tornado then likely lifted over an open field beyond this property as no further damage was noted northeast of New York Road. Damage along the entire route was consistent with an EF-1 tornado with tops winds of 100 mph.
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, 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: 947624, 947654, 947647, 947631, 947644.