Strong winds developed across portions of the northeast Georgia mountains as an area of strengthening low pressure moved through the region. Numerous trees were blown down throughout the area.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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 GSP wrote it up.
Strong winds developed across portions of the northeast Georgia mountains as an area of strengthening low pressure moved through the region. Numerous trees were blown down throughout the area. Some livestock was killed by falling trees near Clayton.
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 Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 3, 3:46 AM EST, 14 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
346 AM EST Mon Jan 3 2022
.SYNOPSIS...
A winter storm will impact the higher elevations today, while heavy
rain continues elsewhere. High pressure builds in with cooler and
drier conditions Tuesday and Wednesday. The next system to bring
active weather will be late Thursday and Friday. A lull in the
activity is expected late Friday into Saturday before active weather
returns Sunday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
As of 331 am EST Monday: In the midst of a developing weather event
as a strongly dynamic upper low moving east across the TN Valley
region to the srn Appalachians induces cyclogenesis along the
old frontal boundary draped over the Midlands of GA/SC. Satellite
imagery shows the classic depiction of a developing mid-latitude
cyclone with a pronounced dry slot working into the wrn part of the
fcst area and a baroclinic leaf structure lifting to the east. The
warm conveyor belt feature had worked its way half across the
fcst area while the cold conveyor belt had anchored precip over
the Great Valley of TN. Meanwhile, we await the arrival of the
colder air. Finally, at 08Z, some indications are seen with the
sfc wet bulb temps at the very high elevations along the TN border
finally dipping down enough to allow snow to reach the ground. The
situation over the mtns should go downhill from here as the cold
air filters in and we reach the diurnal min for temps. The burning
question is will this happen quick enough to salvage the Winter
Storm Warnings/Advisories already in place. See no reason to give
up yet based on the HREF and radar/satellite trends, which support
keeping the faith. Signs of developing frontogenesis/deformation
over northeast TN in the radar reflectivity suggest we are on
track as this forcing would translate eastward over the mtns and
pivot further, while the cold air infiltrates. If the precip can
hang on long enough, and it appears it will, we should see a brief
changeover to snow down into the NC Foothills after daybreak. Accums
look minimal right now given the warm ground to start. The way the
fcst shakes out, it appears the cold air will not be able to make
it off the higher terrain to give us a shot of wet snow east of
the foothills, though. But, this is a dynamic situation. Bottom
line...no change to the Winter Warnings/Advisories at this time.
Meanwhile, east of the mtns, the plume of mu-CAPE has developed
into the I-85 corridor as anticipated, with widespread shower
development and occasional lightning strikes associated with
brief stronger updrafts. This activity should continue to slide
east/northeast through daybreak. Shear is of course outrageous,
but unless we manage to bring the sfc-based CAPE northward into the
region, we are going to be limited to gusty winds, brief heavy rain,
and small hail. Model guidance suggests we are not out of the woods
yet, particularly over the south/southeast parts of metro Charlotte
around daybreak. Several of the convection-allowing models develop
updraft helicity in tiny supercells over the southeastern half
of metro Charlotte through 13Z, so we will be watching intently
any stronger cores with lightning activity. The Slight Risk in
the remaining Day 1 Outlook remains warranted. The severe threat
should diminish by mid-morning.
But wait...there's more! As the sfc low wraps up and travels along
the I-85 corridor through mid-morning, a very strong pressure
gradient will develop. Model guidance still quickly develops very
strong wind gusts...on the order of 50kt along the Blue Ridge
Escarpment of SC...and above 40kt elsewhere outside the mtns. While
the wind gusts have yet to develop, dynamic deepening sfc lows
have a way of developing strong gusts in their wake, so we will
keep the Wind Warning/Advisories in place for the time being.
Once the sfc low passes, the situation should start to ramp down
through midday. Wraparound precip will give way to a brief period
of NW flow snow near the TN border that should push snow totals at
some of the peaks up toward double digits, but snow should taper
off elsewhere in the mtns by mid morning. Temps will remain below
freezing after sunrise so there could be some lingering issues
on untreated roads. East of the mtns, the precip should lift out
by midday. While a brief mix with a few wet flakes will not be
ruled out, think by and in large it will be all rain in the I-85
corridor and metro Charlotte. The low pulls away this afternoon
and we clear out quickly from the west. Temps will be much cooler
than we have seen lately...on the order of 20-25 degrees cooler
compared to yesterday. High pressure will build in tonight and
temps will dive below freezing for the first time in weeks in some
places. Woe be to all the confused plants.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
As of 130 AM EST Monday: Split flow aloft with broad ~1035 mb
surface high setting up shop over the central Appalachians will be
the overall pattern to start out the short term period. A dip in the
jet stream Tuesday produce broad troughing over the central CONUS,
which will track into the eastern CONUS by Wednesday. Temperatures
on Tuesday will be 4 to 8 degrees below normal despite mostly sunny
skies as CAA continues to linger in the boundary layer. High
pressure will slide offshore Tuesday night and allow for winds to
veer to a more southerly component. This would uptick temperatures
slightly compared to Monday night, but overnight values on Tuesday
will remain 3 to 6 degrees below normal. With light winds and the
potential for mostly clear skies, radiational cooling and possibly
some form of snow pack in the higher elevations may allow for
temperatures to drop a few more degrees Tuesday night compared to
what's in the current forecast.
Deepening closed 500mb low develops over the northern Great Plains
Tuesday night into Wednesday will promote cyclogenesis over the
Upper Great Lakes region and sends a moisture starved cold front
into the CFWA later in the day Wednesday. Most guidance only have
increasing cloudiness associated with the front, with no QPF
response. The placement of the front as it encroaches the CFWA
should shift winds to include a downsloping component during peak
heating and will act to moderate temperatures closer to normal
for highs on Wednesday. After the weak fropa occurs around late
Wednesday evening, the boundary is shown stalling well south of
the area, but a surface low is shown riding along the boundary
from the lower MS Valley Wednesday night and ejects toward the Deep
South and TN Valley after daybreak Thursday. Not expecting any QPF
response through the short-term, however, weak return flow will
build in overnight Wednesday, which will allow for a moisture flux
to filter into the CFWA and set the stage for the next chance of
precip by the beginning portions of the medium range. Overnight lows
Wednesday will be near or slightly above normal due to more
extensive cloud cover compared to previous nights with the incoming
low pressure system.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
As of 300 AM EST Monday: The broad upper trough will become
sharpened by an amplified shortwave that moves across the Midwest
Thursday and into the OH Valley by Thursday night. The surface
low riding along the boundary will lift into the vicinity of the
Appalachians Thursday night into Friday. Confidence in the overall
forecast remains low as the GFS produces little in the way of QPF
with this system as it crosses the CFWA late Thursday. On the other
hand, the ECMWF phases with a coastal low that develops off the FL
coast and produces a bomb-cyclone over the Northeast. This would
produce slightly better QPF response, but not much change in the
overall impacts for our CFWA. The precip Thursday night may be cold
enough to produce a mix bag of wintry precip, mainly in the higher
elevations. Confidence is too low for any specifics, but can't
be ruled out at this point in time. Dry weather will filter in by
Friday afternoon as the departing low pressure system quickly lifts
to the northeast. Broad continental surface high and flat upper
ridging slides in behind the departing low and provides the area
with another round of cooler and drier conditions through Saturday
before pushing offshore the Mid-Atlantic coast Saturday night,
ahead of the next system. Return flow develops back into the region
along with deep layer southwesterly flow advecting moisture back
into the region by Sunday. Deterministic models produce a strong
cold front that pushes into the region by day 7 with active weather
developing ahead and along the boundary. More questions than answers
at this time, but will continue to monitor model trends leading
up to this event. Temperatures will start near normal Thursday,
while dipping 5 to 10 degrees below normal Friday before a gradual
uptick each day through Sunday as we return to near normal values.
&&
.AVIATION /09Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
At KCLT and elsewhere: Widespread flight restrictions through much
of the morning hours as a dynamic upper system brings a deepening
surface low northeast across Upstate SC and the Piedmont of NC
through 15Z. MVFR/IFR stratus will prevail as the low passes, with
intermittent showers and a few embedded thunderstorms. Note that
confidence is not high enough to include thunder in any TAFs. Rain
will change to snow across the NC mtns as the low moves past and
cold air moves in. Expect some accumulation at KAVL for a few hours
centered on daybreak. East of the mtns, only KHKY has a meaningful
shot at snow. Temps look too warm at KCLT at this time. As the low
passes, downslope flow will become strong, leading to frequent wind
gusts from the N/NW perhaps above 40 kt at most terminals through
mid-morning. The downslope should mix out the lower cloud decks
by that time. VFR will take over by early afternoon and remain
through the end of the period. Wind gusts should diminish by sunset.
Outlook: Dry high pressure builds in Monday night through Wednesday.
Another cold front may arrive from the west Wednesday night into
Thursday, but with limited moisture and low confidence on any
restrictions.
&&
.GSP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Winter Weather Advisory until noon EST today for GAZ010.
Wind Advisory until 2 PM EST this afternoon for GAZ017-018-026-
028-029.
NC...Winter Weather Advisory until noon EST today for NCZ063>065-
501>507-509.
Wind Advisory until 2 PM EST this afternoon for NCZ035>037-056-
057-068>072-082-508-510.
Winter Storm Warning until noon EST today for NCZ033-048>050-
052-053.
Winter Weather Advisory below 3500 feet until noon EST today
for NCZ051-058-059-062.
Winter Storm Warning above 3500 feet until noon EST today for
NCZ051-058-059-062.
SC...High Wind Warning until 2 PM EST this afternoon for SCZ001>003.
Wind Advisory until 2 PM EST this afternoon for SCZ004>014-019.
&&
SYNOPSIS...CAC
NEAR TERM...PM
SHORT TERM...CAC
LONG TERM...CAC
AVIATION...PMHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 1212 AM EST Mon Jan 3 2022 NCZ051-058-059-062-040515- Swain-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon- 1212 AM EST Mon Jan 3 2022 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST TODAY ABOVE 3500 FEET... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST TODAY BELOW 3500 FEET... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Weather Advisory. Winter Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Weather Advisory. Winter Storm Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to report snow and ice accumulations to our office. NCZ033-048>050-052-053-040515- Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Haywood-Buncombe- 1212 AM EST Mon Jan 3 2022 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST TODAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Storm Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to report snow and ice accumulations to our office. GAZ010-NCZ063>065-501>507-509-040515- Rabun-Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Caldwell Mountains- Greater Caldwell-Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains- Eastern McDowell-Rutherford Mountains-Polk Mountains- 1212 AM EST Mon Jan 3 2022 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST TODAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia and western North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Weather Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Weather Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. NCZ035>037-056-057-040515- Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Catawba-Rowan- 1212 AM EST Mon Jan 3 2022 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for piedmont North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. In addition to the expected development of very gusty winds, moderate to occasionally heavy rain and perhaps an isolated thunderstorm or two will develop over the northwest Piedmont tonight. Locally excessive rainfall could result in flash flooding of smaller streams and urban areas, mainly between midnight and daybreak. Occasional cloud-to-ground lightning will also be possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. Very gusty winds will continue through at least Monday morning, while lingering precipitation is expected to mix with, and may change over to light snow before ending across the northwest Piedmont Monday morning. Some areas north of I-40 may see a dusting on grassy surfaces. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... None. SCZ001>003-040515- Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains- 1212 AM EST Mon Jan 3 2022 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. High Wind Warning. In addition to the expected development of damaging wind gusts, isolated thunderstorms are possible tonight across the South Carolina mountains. Cloud-to-ground lightning and locally heavy rainfall and will be the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. High Wind Warning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. GAZ017-018-026-028-029-NCZ068>072-082-508-510-SCZ004>014-019-040515- Habersham-Stephens-Franklin-Hart-Elbert-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston- Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Union NC-Greater Rutherford-Eastern Polk- Greater Oconee-Greater Pickens-Greater Greenville-Spartanburg- Cherokee-York-Anderson-Abbeville-Laurens-Union SC-Chester-Greenwood- 1212 AM EST Mon Jan 3 2022 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Georgia, piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. In addition to the expected development of very gusty winds, widespread moderate to heavy rain with embedded isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop tonight across upstate South Carolina and the southern Piedmont of North Carolina. A few of these storms could become severe, especially south and east of I-85. The main severe storm threat will be from locally damaging wind gusts, but an isolated, brief tornado or two is also possible. Finally, locally heavy-to-excessive rainfall could result in brief flash flooding of smaller streams and urban areas, especially east of I-77. Cloud-to- ground lightning can occur with any thunderstorm. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several livestock were killed by falling trees just east of Clayton.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, January 2022
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: 1000816.