Very strong northerly winds on the back side of an area of low pressure moving out of the Gulf brought wind gusts of 50-60 mph to the Taylor and Dixie county coasts, resulting in some power outages.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 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 TAE wrote it up.
Very strong northerly winds on the back side of an area of low pressure moving out of the Gulf brought wind gusts of 50-60 mph to the Taylor and Dixie county coasts, resulting in some power outages.
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 Dec 17, 5:59 AM EST, 1 hour 1 minute earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
559 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
...New AVIATION...
.NEAR TERM...
(Today and tonight)
Issued at 238 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
The system in the Gulf is quite impressive this morning with the
peak gust at Buoy 42036 at 51 knots so far as of 2 am EST. The
immediate concern with this wind is how it will translate over to
the Taylor/Dixie county coast later this morning. The overnight
HRRR runs appear to have a reasonable handle on this, and as the
low moves eastward, these northerly to northwesterly winds on the
backside of the system impinge on the coast by mid-morning. Given
that the buoy has observed 50+ knot winds, we're going to take the
rare step of issuing a high wind warning for the Taylor and Dixie
county coasts this morning. We'll also have to watch carefully
how this wind evolves later this morning further inland as well,
but for now we'll continue with the wind advisory inland.
Otherwise, the remainder of the forecast is generally unchanged.
Moderate to heavy rain will continue through mid-morning and exit
the area this afternoon. The flood watch will continue with
localized flooding remaining possible.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(Monday through Tuesday night)
Issued at 238 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
The Gulf low has completely left the CWA and is racing up the
Eastern Seaboard at the start of this term. In its wake, we will
have breezy westerly/northwesterly winds with gusts between 15-20
mph. The winds will become more northwesterly on Tuesday, and
still gusting up to 20 mph.
What will definitely be noticed is the much colder air that will
be arriving Tuesday. Temperatures for Monday will be cool in the
upper 50s/low 60s across the region. A cold front will pass
through Monday night/Tuesday morning, bringing in drier and colder
air. Remembering the breezy northwesterly winds will drive the
cold air advection. Temperatures Tuesday morning will be in the
low 30s with wind chills in the 20s. During the day Tuesday, upper
level ridging and a strong surface high will build, bringing us
northerly flow (surface) and northwesterly flow (aloft) keeping us
cool and dry. There won't be much warming during the day, even
though the winds will be gusting less. High temperatures for
Tuesday will be in the upper 40s/low 50s.
Tuesday night will have mostly clear skies and light/calm winds.
This will be an ideal night for radiational cooling. Low
temperatures will fall to the upper 20s/low 30s area wide, with
wind chills again in the low-mid 20s. There is also a good chance
for frost to develop during the early morning hours on Wednesday.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Wednesday through Saturday)
Issued at 238 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
High pressure dominates through the week. We can expect gradual
warming as low temperatures will increase to the low 40s by the
end of the long term, and high temperatures will return to the
60s.
Possible shortwave trough traverses north of the region during
the day on Saturday with a trailing cold front which could bring
our next best chance for rain over the weekend at the earliest as
low- level moisture increases. Although, global models are not yet
in agreement this far out, so we will continue to monitor through
the week.
&&
.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 558 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
A large of area of moderate to occasionally heavy rain will affect
TLH and VLD through the mid-morning hours along with gusty winds and
MVFR to IFR conditions. Elsewhere, MVFR to IFR ceilings are also
expected with lighter rainfall gradually ending. Breezy to windy
conditions will continue into the afternoon with ceilings gradually
improving and rain gradually ending.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 238 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
A tightening pressure gradient associated with low pressure
moving just southeast of the coastal waters will lead to dangerous
marine conditions through the weekend, with frequent gale force
wind gusts expected this morning. Observations from buoy 42036
around 2 am EST indicate wind gusts around 50 knots. Given this
and trends in the guidance, a few hours of storm force wind gusts
are expected to continue through early this afternoon for
nearshore waters from the Suwannee River to Keaton Beach and
offshore waters from Suwannee River to Apalachicola FL. A Storm
Warning is now in effect for the aforementioned area. The low will
move out of the region later today with breezy northwest winds
expected. While gale and storm conditions will subside early this
afternoon, advisory level conditions are expected through at least
Monday morning. As high pressure moves into the region next week,
borderline advisory-level conditions will likely persist through
much of the week.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 238 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
There are currently no fire weather concerns with wet conditions
across the area.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 238 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
Widespread moderate to heavy rain across the eastern half of the
area will move eastward later today. As of 2 am EST, portions of
Dixie county have already received over 4 inches of rain with more
on the way this morning before ending. In general, storm total
rainfall amounts across eastern portions of the Florida Big Bend
and south central Georgia are expected to be in the 3-5 inch range
with localized higher totals. The flood watch remains in effect
through mid-morning while the rain is still ongoing. The
Ochlockonee, Withlacoochee, and Aucilla River will see rises with
the Aucilla rising well into the minor flood stage later this
week. Smaller creeks and streams may also see flooding this
morning, including the Econfina River in northwest Taylor county.
Dry weather is expected after this system for the next several
days with the next system approaching in about a week.
&&
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always
encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they
occur by calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee 63 44 60 36 / 80 0 0 0
Panama City 66 45 63 37 / 30 0 0 0
Dothan 63 41 60 31 / 20 0 0 0
Albany 61 41 59 30 / 80 0 0 0
Valdosta 62 44 59 33 / 100 0 0 0
Cross City 66 46 62 36 / 70 0 0 0
Apalachicola 65 46 61 38 / 50 0 0 0
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Wind Advisory until 1 PM EST /noon CST/ this afternoon for
FLZ016>019-027>029-034-114-115-118-127.
Flood Watch until 10 AM EST this morning for FLZ018-019-028-029-
034-118-128-134.
High Rip Current Risk through late tonight for FLZ108-112-114-
115.
High Wind Warning until 1 PM EST this afternoon for FLZ128-134.
Coastal Flood Advisory until 1 PM EST this afternoon for FLZ134.
GA...Wind Advisory until 1 PM EST this afternoon for GAZ127>131-
145>148-156>161.
Flood Watch until 10 AM EST this morning for GAZ129>131-146>148-
158>161.
AL...None.
GM...Gale Warning until 1 PM EST /noon CST/ this afternoon for GMZ730-
752-755-770-772.
Small Craft Advisory from 1 PM EST /noon CST/ this afternoon to
10 AM EST /9 AM CST/ Monday for GMZ730-752-755-765-770-772-
775.
Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM CST Monday for GMZ750.
Storm Warning until 1 PM EST this afternoon for GMZ765-775.
&&
NEAR TERM...DVD
SHORT TERM...Montgomery
LONG TERM....Montgomery
AVIATION...DVD
MARINE...Montgomery
FIRE WEATHER...DVD
HYDROLOGY...DVDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
526 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0525 AM Rain Old Town 29.60N 82.98W
12/17/2023 M8.01 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
Ambient weather station storm total so far.
0525 AM Rain 5 SSW Fletcher 29.68N 83.01W
12/17/2023 M8.01 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
Ambient weather station storm total so far.
&&
DVDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
549 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0548 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 SSW Kinderlou 30.74N 83.40W
12/17/2023 M47 MPH Lowndes GA Mesonet
An Ambient weather station gusted to 47 mph.
&&
DVDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
552 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0524 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Valdosta Regional Airpo 30.78N 83.28W
12/17/2023 M45 MPH Lowndes GA ASOS
KVLD gusted to 45 mph.
&&
DVDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
623 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0615 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Perry-Foley Airport 30.07N 83.58W
12/17/2023 M41 MPH Taylor FL AWOS
KFPY gusted to 41 mph.
&&
DVDPreliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
624 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1107 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SSW Eastpoint 29.71N 84.89W
12/16/2023 M39 MPH GMZ755 FL Mesonet
The St George Island Bridge WeatherSTEM
gusted to 39 mph.
1200 AM Rain 3 ESE Old Town 29.59N 82.94W
12/17/2023 M3.30 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
The FSWN Fanning Springs WeatherSTEM has
measured 3.30 inches of rain so far.
1201 AM Rain 1 SSE Old Town 29.59N 82.98W
12/17/2023 M3.01 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
The FSWN Old Town Elementary School
WeatherSTEM has measured 3.01 inches of rain
so far.
1215 AM Rain Cross City 29.64N 83.13W
12/17/2023 M3.10 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
The FSWN Dixie County Managers Office
WeatherSTEM has measured 3.10 inches of rain
so far.
1216 AM Rain 1 S Cross City Airport 29.62N 83.11W
12/17/2023 M3.01 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
The FSWN Dixie County High School
WeatherSTEM has measured 3.01 inches of rain
so far.
1228 AM Rain Suwannee 29.33N 83.14W
12/17/2023 M3.00 inch GMZ765 FL Mesonet
An Ambient weather station at the Suwannee
Marina Boat Ramp has measured 3.00 inches of
rain so far.
1238 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Florida a And M 30.43N 84.28W
12/17/2023 M41 MPH Leon FL Mesonet
The FAMU WeatherSTEM gusted to 41 mph.
1259 AM Rain 5 SSW Fletcher 29.68N 83.01W
12/17/2023 M4.01 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
An Ambient weather station measured 4.01
inches of rain so far.
0100 AM Rain Old Town 29.60N 82.98W
12/17/2023 M4.02 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
An Ambient weather station measured 4.02
inches of rain so far.
0102 AM Rain Fletcher 29.75N 82.99W
12/17/2023 M3.08 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
FSWN Dixie County Emergency Services Station
3 has measured 3.08 inches of rain so far.
0103 AM Rain 3 ESE Old Town 29.59N 82.94W
12/17/2023 M4.01 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
FSWN Fanning Springs has measured 4.01
inches of rain so far.
0135 AM Rain 1 SW Cross City Airport 29.63N 83.11W
12/17/2023 M4.00 inch Dixie FL Public
FSWN Dixie County EOC total so far.
0135 AM Rain 1 SSE Old Town 29.59N 82.98W
12/17/2023 M4.00 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
FSWN Old Town Elementary School total so
far.
0137 AM Rain Cross City 29.64N 83.13W
12/17/2023 M4.02 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
FSWN Dixie County Managers Office total so
far.
0149 AM Rain Old Town 29.60N 82.98W
12/17/2023 M5.01 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
Ambient weather station storm total so far.
0150 AM Rain 5 SSW Fletcher 29.68N 83.01W
12/17/2023 M5.01 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
Ambient weather station storm total so far.
0200 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Saint George Island 29.68N 84.83W
12/17/2023 M44 MPH Franklin FL Mesonet
An Ambient weather station on St George
Island gusted to 44 mph.
0300 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SSE Port Leon 30.07N 84.18W
12/17/2023 M43 MPH Wakulla FL Mesonet
FSWN Wakulla St. Marks Lighthouse.
0313 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Valdosta Regional Airpo 30.78N 83.28W
12/17/2023 M40 MPH Lowndes GA ASOS
Gust to 40 mph at KVLD airport.
0320 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 ENE Panacea-Wakulla A 30.01N 84.34W
12/17/2023 M40 MPH GMZ730 FL Mesonet
Mesonet station XAPA Apalachee Bay - Panacea
Channel.
0326 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNE Shell Point 30.07N 84.29W
12/17/2023 M41 MPH Wakulla FL Mesonet
Ambient weather station gusted to 41 mph.
0335 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Alligator Point 29.90N 84.40W
12/17/2023 M45 MPH Franklin FL Mesonet
Mesonet station FW9222 Alligator Point.
0341 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 WNW Alligator Point 29.91N 84.42W
12/17/2023 M41 MPH Franklin FL Mesonet
Ambient station gusted to 41 mph.
0352 AM Rain 3 ESE Old Town 29.59N 82.94W
12/17/2023 M6.00 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
FSWN Fanning Springs WeatherSTEM storm total
so far.
0405 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Alligator Point 29.90N 84.40W
12/17/2023 M47 MPH Franklin FL Mesonet
Mesonet station FW9222 Alligator Point.
0429 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 ENE Panacea-Wakulla A 30.01N 84.34W
12/17/2023 M45 MPH GMZ730 FL Mesonet
Mesonet station XAPA Apalachee Bay - Panacea
Channel.
0506 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SSE Port Leon 30.08N 84.18W
12/17/2023 M51 MPH Wakulla FL Mesonet
The St Marks Lighthouse WeatherSTEM gusted
to 51 mph.
0516 AM Rain 3 ESE Old Town 29.59N 82.94W
12/17/2023 M7.00 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
The FSWN Fanning Springs WeatherSTEM
measured a storm total of 7.00 inches of
rain so far.
0517 AM Rain 2 N Valdosta 30.88N 83.28W
12/17/2023 M3.31 inch Lowndes GA Mesonet
Mesonet station GW2038 Valdosta storm total
so far.
0524 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Valdosta Regional Airpo 30.78N 83.28W
12/17/2023 M45 MPH Lowndes GA ASOS
KVLD gusted to 45 mph.
0525 AM Rain 5 SSW Fletcher 29.68N 83.01W
12/17/2023 M8.01 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
Ambient weather station storm total so far.
0525 AM Rain Old Town 29.60N 82.98W
12/17/2023 M8.01 inch Dixie FL Mesonet
Ambient weather station storm total so far.
0548 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 SSW Kinderlou 30.74N 83.40W
12/17/2023 M47 MPH Lowndes GA Mesonet
An Ambient weather station gusted to 47 mph.
0615 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Perry-Foley Airport 30.07N 83.58W
12/17/2023 M41 MPH Taylor FL AWOS
KFPY gusted to 41 mph.
&&
DVDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
643 AM EST Sun Dec 17 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0638 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Valdosta Regional Airpo 30.78N 83.28W
12/17/2023 M48 MPH Lowndes GA ASOS
KVLD gusted to 48 mph.
&&
DVDThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Scattered power outages occurred from wind gusts in the 50-60 mph range along the coast.
Scattered power outages occurred from wind gusts in the 50-60 mph range along the coast.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, December 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: 1151148, 1151149.