A strong cold front moved through the area. A squall line preceded the front, bringing with it numerous reports of straight line wind damage with trees and power lines down.
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. A squall line preceded the front, bringing with it numerous reports of straight line wind damage with trees and power lines down. In addition an EF1 tornado occurred in Henry 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 Jan 12, 11:57 AM CST, 3 hours 2 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1257 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023
...New AVIATION...
.NEAR TERM...
(Today and tonight)
Issued at 352 AM EST Thu Jan 12 2023
A line of strong to severe storms just in advance of a sharp cold
front this evening is the main concern. Compared with this time
yesterday, the forecast severe potential has increased due to
additional contributions from both instability and shear.
Satellite imagery shows an energetic and progressive southern
stream upper trough now moving from the Southern Plains toward
the Ozarks, and a cold front now cuts squarely across the middle
of Arkansas into northeast Texas. Dewpoint recovery across the
northern Gulf Coast has exceeded previous expectations, with mid
60s common already west of a line from Pensacola-Dothan-Eufaula.
Precipitable Water (PW) values have already recovered to near 1
inch, which is currently enough to support low-topped shower
activity in confluent surface flow off the Gulf. More importantly,
the higher dewpoints have become a bigger contributor to
instability. Moderate instability is possible now in advance of
the front.
The forecast bulk shear is also now forecast to be stronger than
previously expected, reaching 35-50 knots as the main line of
storms arrives. Indeed, probabilities for both severe wind and
tornadoes have bumped up, and the SPC Slight Risk area has
expanded eastward to include more of Southwest and South-Central
Georgia.
In terms of timing, the line of storms should enter our counties
northwest of Dothan late this afternoon, then quickly sweep across
the rest of the service area this evening. It should exit past the
Lower Suwannee Valley soon after midnight.
Otherwise, strong southwest winds will precede the front. A
southwesterly low-level jet will enter our Central Time Zone
counties this afternoon, with the NAM forecasting 925 mb winds of
35-40 knots during the warmest and best mixed part of the
afternoon. This will lead to potential for peak non-convective
gusts to reach into the 35-40 mph range, especially if some peaks
of sunshine through the clouds can add to low-level mixing. We
have therefore issued a Wind Advisory for roughly the northwest
half of the area, along and northwest of a line from Panama City
to Bainbridge to Fitzgerald.
Patchy fog is expected early this morning in the moist advection
pattern. Cooler and drier air will advect in tonight behind the
cold front.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(Friday through Saturday night)
Issued at 352 AM EST Thu Jan 12 2023
The cold front will have moved through the area by daybreak Friday
with a cooler and drier airmass in its wake. Highs are expected to
range from the lower 50s across portions of southwest GA and
southeast AL to the lower 60s across the southeast big bend.
On Friday night, a light freeze is possible across a large portion
of the area with lows in the lower 30s.
On Saturday, high pressure will be dominant with mostly clear skies
and highs mainly in the low to mid 50s.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Sunday through Wednesday)
Issued at 352 AM EST Thu Jan 12 2023
Surface high pressure will continue to prevail into early next week
with dry weather persisting. By mid-week, a longwave trough is
expected to dig west of the area with return flow commencing ahead
of it across our area. This is expected to result in increasing
moisture and a warming trend by the middle of next week. There are
typical timing differences in the details of when rain might return
to the area, but sometime between Tuesday and Thursday appears to be
the next chance of rain.
&&
.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1256 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023
Showers and thunderstorms are affecting the DHN terminal, and
another shower approaching the TLH terminal. Thunderstorm activity
will continue through the afternoon with the squall line
approaching around 23-02Z this evening through the overnight
hours. The line of thunderstorms this evening will have the
potential to produce severe wind gusts and perhaps a brief
tornado. Also ahead of the main line, gusty winds up to 35 kts due
to the tight pressure gradient ahead of the cold front. After the
front passes tonight, winds will shift northwesterly, but still
elevated around 10-15kts. Ceilings after the front will be MVFR
for all TAF sites during the morning hours on Friday, after a
brief overnight break of VFR cigs.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 352 AM EST Thu Jan 12 2023
Southwest winds will increase ahead of a cold front today,
particularly west of Apalachicola where a Small Craft Advisory is
in effect. As the front moves through tonight, winds will become
northwesterly with Small Craft Advisory conditions expanding
across the entire area. Seas are expected to peak around 9 feet
well offshore on Friday night. Winds and seas will decrease during
the day on Saturday with more tranquil conditions returning for
Sunday.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 352 AM EST Thu Jan 12 2023
A sharp cold front will pass the districts this evening. In advance
of the front today, gusty southwest winds will develop, contributing
to high afternoon dispersion. The air mass has already moistened,
and a few showers will be around today. Then a line of strong
thunderstorms will sweep across the districts this evening just in
advance of the front. A sharp wind shift from southwest to northwest
will occur as the front passes. A cooler and drier air mass will
follow for Friday and Saturday, with clearing skies on Friday. High
afternoon dispersion values will continue Friday and possibly
Saturday due to gusty northwest to north winds.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 352 AM EST Thu Jan 12 2023
A line of showers and thunderstorms will cross the area over the
next 24 hours. However, rainfall amounts for most areas will
generally stay below 1 inch. Looking farther into the future, the
next chance of rain is expected by the middle of next week. Flooding
concerns remain minimal.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee 48 56 34 52 / 100 0 0 0
Panama City 47 56 35 54 / 100 0 0 0
Dothan 43 51 31 50 / 90 0 0 0
Albany 45 53 32 51 / 100 0 0 0
Valdosta 48 56 33 51 / 100 0 0 0
Cross City 50 62 34 54 / 100 10 0 0
Apalachicola 49 57 35 53 / 100 0 0 0
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Wind Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for FLZ007>013-108-112.
High Rip Current Risk through late Friday night for FLZ108-112-
114-115.
High Surf Advisory until 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ Friday for FLZ108-
112-114.
GA...Wind Advisory until 7 PM EST this evening for GAZ120>128-130-
142>145-155-156.
AL...Wind Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for ALZ065>069.
GM...Small Craft Advisory from 7 PM this evening to 1 PM EST Saturday
for GMZ730-755-765-775.
Small Craft Advisory until noon CST Saturday for GMZ750-752-770-
772.
&&
NEAR TERM...Haner
SHORT TERM...DVD
LONG TERM....DVD
AVIATION...Montgomery
MARINE...DVD
FIRE WEATHER...Haner
HYDROLOGY...DVDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
101 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023
GAZ120>122-121845-
Quitman GA-Randolph GA-Clay GA-
101 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Clay, Randolph and
Quitman Counties in Southwestern Georgia through 145 PM EST...
At 101 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Richards Crossroads, or 9 miles south of Eufaula, moving northeast at
50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Fort Gaines, Cuthbert, Georgetown, Shellman, Bellville, Wire Bridge,
Walter F George Lake, Bonapartes Retreat, Standleys Store, Watson
Crossroads, Crossroads, Ricks Place, Pecan, Randolph Co A/p, Hatcher,
Morris, Jones Crossing, Bethel, Benevolence and Springvale.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3198 8504 3197 8495 3195 8496 3192 8491
3193 8480 3192 8480 3193 8468 3192 8460
3177 8460 3177 8456 3175 8457 3152 8504
3162 8506 3167 8510 3178 8514 3189 8513
3190 8511 3194 8508 3199 8507
TIME...MOT...LOC 1801Z 233DEG 42KT 3175 8515
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
38-GODSEYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1232 PM CST Thu Jan 12 2023
ALZ067-121900-
Henry AL-
1232 PM CST Thu Jan 12 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Henry County
in Southeast Alabama through 100 PM CST...
At 1232 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Abbeville, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Abbeville, Haleburg, Shorterville, Walter F. George Lock And Dam,
Barnes, Tumbleton, Hardwickburg, Grandberry Crossroads, Hayes,
Graball, Dancey, Miller, Abbeville Municipal A/P, Willis Crossroads
and Balkum.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3166 8508 3164 8509 3162 8506 3157 8506
3154 8504 3147 8507 3143 8507 3143 8508
3140 8508 3137 8509 3134 8509 3135 8529
3163 8528 3168 8511
TIME...MOT...LOC 1832Z 228DEG 40KT 3147 8522
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
38-GODSEYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
144 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023
GAZ122-124-121930-
Randolph GA-Terrell GA-
144 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Randolph
and northwestern Terrell Counties in Southwest Georgia through 230
PM EST...
At 143 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Cuthbert, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Cuthbert, Shellman, Parrott, Pachitla, Chambliss, Coles, White House,
Brooksville, Benevolence, Randolph Co A/p and Wades.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3193 8468 3192 8468 3192 8445 3175 8457
3167 8480 3173 8489 3192 8470 3192 8469
TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 227DEG 40KT 3174 8478
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
38-GODSEYPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
239 PM EST THU JAN 12 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0205 PM NON-TSTM WND GST MARIANNA MUNICIPAL A/P 30.84N 85.18W
01/12/2023 E41 MPH JACKSON FL MESONET
THE MARIANNA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT WEATERSTEM
REPORTED A 10-MINUTE WIND GUST OF 41 MPH.
&&
IG3PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
242 PM EST THU JAN 12 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0115 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 2 E MACON COMMUNITY PAR 30.49N 84.25W
01/12/2023 E39 MPH LEON FL MESONET
THE NORTHEAST TALLAHASSEE WEATHERSTEM
REPORTED A 10-MINUTE WIND GUST OF 39 MPH.
&&
IG3PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
246 PM EST THU JAN 12 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0238 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 1 E DE FUNIAK SPRING AI 30.73N 86.14W
01/12/2023 E39 MPH WALTON FL MESONET
THE EAGLE SPRINGS GOLF COURSE WEATHERSTEM
REPORTED A 10-MINUTE WIND GUST OF 39 MPH.
&&
IG3The Ft Rucker radar (KEOX), 56 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:58 UTC.
20 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Power lines were blown down along County Road 315.
Power lines were blown down along County Road 325.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down along Highway 87 between Jack Post Office and Zion Chapel School with the road blocked.
Trees were blown down onto County Road 208.
Roof damage occurred along County Road 205 with a picture of shingles blown off.
Trees were blown down onto County Road 206.
Trees were blown down onto County Road 114.
Hundreds of trees were blown down across northern Coffee County.
Trees were blown down across Highway 51 and County Road 52 near Ariton.
Trees were blown down at Highway 123 and County Road 120, blocking both lanes.
River Road at the Barbour County line was closed due to numerous trees and power lines down.
Trees were blown down on County Road 68 and County Road 33.
A tornado touched down south of highway 108 between Indian Creek and County Road 68 in northwest Henry County. The first reports of damage occurred along County Road 68 where it uprooted numerous trees and snapped others at the trunk. The tornado then moved to the east-northeast and went across County Road 75. Here, many trees were uprooted or snapped at various levels. One home lost roof shingles and a farm outbuilding had damage to the entire structure. The storm then continued along to the east-northeast with trees being damaged; however, the next report of noticeable tree damage occurred along highway 31 where large branches, around 1 to 3 inches in diameter, were broken. The storm eventually moved towards Highway 431. Several barns had roof uplift or substantial structure damage west of Highway 431. The tornado then moved across Highway 431 towards the Henry County / Barbour County line and damaged multiple trees, which is the last point in Henry County for tornado damage. Additional thunderstorm wind damage was reported at the Walter F George Reservoir near Marilyn Dr and Sharon Dr. Max winds were estimated around 90 mph.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the northern portions of Henry County with one home with structural damage.
Large branches were snapped along Sharon Dr.
An Ambient Weather Station gusted to 63 mph.
A tree was blown down in the Coffee Springs area.
Three trees were blown down in the Hartford area.
A tree was blown down on County Road 30.
A tree was blown down on County Road 49.
A fallen tree caused a power outage.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Alabama, 2023Warnings in Alabama, January 2023
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: 1079159, 1079160, 1079161, 1079162, 1079163, 1079164, 1079165, 1079166, 1079167, 1079168, 1079170, 1079171, 1076689, 1079172, 1079173, 1079174, 1079176, 1079177, 1079178, 1079179, 1079180.