A strong cold front moved through the region during the afternoon hours of March 17th. A squall line preceded the front, resulting in a few instances of trees and power lines down across the tri-state area.
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 region during the afternoon hours of March 17th. A squall line preceded the front, resulting in a few instances of trees and power lines down across the tri-state area. In addition, a few tornadoes occurred across the Florida panhandle. Fortunately, these tornadoes impacted forested areas and no structures.
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 17, 5:35 PM CST, 45 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
735 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
...New AVIATION...
.NEAR TERM...
(Through Saturday)
Issued at 409 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
A cold front is expected to start moving through the area within the
next few hours, which is driven by an elongated vorticity streamer
appendage from the much larger scale trough currently across the
Great Lakes region. This vorticity streamer is currently producing
enough large-scale forcing for ascent to support the line of showers
and thunderstorms this afternoon and into the overnight hours. Along
with increased upper level forcing for ascent, instability has also
increased across the region ahead of the line of thunderstorms, with
roughly 1000 J/Kg of SBCAPE currently being analyzed across the
Florida Panhandle, these storms are expected to increase in
intensity through the next few hours as the aforementioned
instability peaks. Currently deep layer shear values of (45 knots)
are being observed in the 18UTC KTLH sounding. This will support the
threat for strong to severe winds along portions of the line as it
pushes into the area over the next couple of hours. Surface to 3Km
SRH values of 150 M2/S2 were also observed in the aforementioned
KTLH sounding, which suggests that there is also sufficient low
turning of the winds through the low levels to possibly produce a
tornado or two as the line of storms moves through our area. As
night falls, and instability wanes, the overall threat should start
to diminish through the overnight hours; however, scattered showers
and thunderstorms are expected to linger through Saturday in the
wake of the front as southwesterly flow aloft remains in place, and
the cold front becomes quasi-stationary across the Florida Big
Bend.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(Saturday night through Sunday night)
Issued at 409 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
Lingering showers with perhaps some isolated thunder are likely
across the southeastern part of the forecast area until early
Sunday. Cooler temperatures filter in from the northwest as readings
drop to the mid 30s/low 40s by daybreak. Precipitation should clear
us the remainder of the period, but mostly cloudy skies will make
for a raw afternoon with high temperatures struggling to exceed 60
degrees. Sunday night into Monday morning is shaping up to be quite
chilly thanks to clearing skies working in concert with strong cold-
air advection. That timeframe will be our next best chance for a
light freeze, particularly across southeast AL, and portions of the
FL Panhandle & southwest GA. Widespread wind chills near or below
freezing.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Monday through Thursday)
Issued at 409 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
Mostly dry weather is forecast through next week thanks to initially
large-scale troughing in conjunction with surface high pressure
reinforcing the dry airmass. By Thursday, a strong upper ridge
developing over the region kicks off a noticeable warming trend to
conclude the period. High temperatures start off in the low 60s on
Monday, then rebound several days each successive day. Readings in
the low 80s appear likely Thursday and Friday. A similar trend is
expected for overnight lows. Outside of a chilly Tuesday morning,
more mild conditions are upon us as temperatures surge back to the
50s and 60s from mid-week, onward.
&&
.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 727 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
Tough forecast as a storm system progresses through the evening.
KDHN is likely out of the thunder threat as the main line
currently stretches from KABY down to Walton County, FL. The main
threats with this line have been gusty and erratic winds, some of
which may be severe, and heavy rain. The environment is still
favorable for possible tornadoes, especially for our FL counties
from say Leon and Wakulla west. As the line moves through, the
threat for severe weather ends. MVFR to IFR cigs are possible with
the line, as well as MVFR to LIFR vis with the worst conditions
being found in the strongest cells.
Behind the front, rain lingers along with lower cigs. We may see
a brief dry spell during the middle of the the night, with chances
for rain popping back up by mid to late morning. Best chances for
precip look to be from KABY to KECP and east of that line, with
increasing chances as you move east and southeast. Cigs should
improve by mid morning.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 409 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
Boating conditions initially start at or near cautionary levels
ahead of an approaching line of thunderstorms from a cold front,
which will pose a gusty wind and waterspout threat through tonight.
Winds ramp up to advisory levels late tonight across the western
waters, then spread to the remaining eastern zones tomorrow
afternoon. Strong post frontal offshore winds maintain advisory
conditions until late Sunday with occasional gale force gusts
possible. Winds and seas then gradually relax early next week.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 409 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
The passage of a cold front this evening and overnight tonight will
provide the area with widespread rainfall totals of 1-2 inches of
precipitation. This will increase soil moisture across the area,
which will hinder any fire weather concerns for the area for the
next couple of days. By Sunday, minimum RH values are forecast to
drop into the mid 20s to low 30s across the area, which will quickly
dry out fuels areawide. With windy conditions forecast post frontal
on Sunday, fire weather concerns look to increase; however by
Monday, winds are forecast to quickly drop, which would inevitably
lower fire weather concerns for the area.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 409 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
A risk for isolated flooding from heavy rain remains in place
through tonight and into tomorrow morning as a cold front and
associated line of showers and thunderstorms moves through the area.
The highest forecast amounts over the next 24-36 hours are about an
inch to 1.25" mainly over the FL Big Bend. Isolated higher amounts
are possible. Otherwise, precipitation comes to end by
Sunday afternoon, with a mostly dry forecast next week. All area
rivers remain in good shape.
We also hoisted up a Coastal Flood Advisory from Franklin to
Dixie County to account for possible minor coastal flooding
tonight during the high tide cycle. Normally dry ground near the
shoreline could see 2 feet of inundation. Some of our coastal sites
with lower criteria such as Suwannee and the Spring Creek Boat
Ramp in Wakulla County are most likely to experience coastal
flooding. Trends will be monitored at the Panhandle coastal sites
where confidence in realization is lower.
&&
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always
encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they
occur (while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines) by
calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee 50 61 41 58 / 90 60 50 10
Panama City 49 60 43 55 / 100 40 30 0
Dothan 43 57 36 54 / 100 20 20 0
Albany 45 59 36 55 / 100 30 30 0
Valdosta 48 61 40 60 / 100 80 50 10
Cross City 56 69 43 63 / 90 90 70 20
Apalachicola 51 60 45 59 / 90 60 50 10
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk until 11 PM EDT /10 PM CDT/ this evening
for FLZ108-112-114-115.
Coastal Flood Advisory until 3 AM EDT Saturday for FLZ115-118-
127-128-134.
GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory from 1 PM Saturday to 5 PM EDT Sunday for
GMZ730-755-765-775.
Small Craft Advisory from 2 AM Saturday to 4 PM CDT Sunday for
GMZ750-752-770-772.
&&
NEAR TERM...Bunker
SHORT TERM...IG3
LONG TERM....IG3
AVIATION...KR
MARINE...IG3
FIRE WEATHER...Bunker
HYDROLOGY...IG3Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
641 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
ALZ069-GAZ155-172315-
Houston AL-Seminole GA-
641 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of eastern Houston and
northwestern Seminole Counties through 715 PM EDT/615 PM CDT/...
At 641 PM EDT/541 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Columbia to near
Ashford to near Graceville. Movement was east at 20 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...
Cottonwood, Donalsonville, Ashford, Columbia, Madrid, Gordon, Pansey,
Crosby, Grangeburg, Lovetown, Sealy Springs, Chattahoochee SP, Lucy
and Farley Nuclear Plant.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3130 8509 3128 8511 3123 8510 3120 8511
3117 8510 3115 8507 3111 8503 3108 8503
3107 8484 3097 8500 3100 8500 3100 8549
3101 8549 3114 8527 3131 8510
TIME...MOT...LOC 2241Z 285DEG 19KT 3126 8507 3113 8520 3099 8542
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HanerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
659 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
ALZ069-FLZ009>011-GAZ142>144-155-156-172330-
Houston AL-Holmes FL-Jackson FL-Washington FL-Miller GA-Decatur GA-
Baker GA-Seminole GA-Early GA-
659 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern Houston,
northwestern Jackson, southeastern Holmes, northeastern Washington,
north central Decatur, Miller, Baker, central Early and Seminole
Counties through 730 PM EDT/630 PM CDT/...
At 659 PM EDT/559 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 8 miles southwest of
Arlington to 7 miles northwest of Colquitt to near Cottonwood to near
Bonifay. Movement was east at 40 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...
Colquitt, Cottonwood, Newton, Chipley, Donalsonville, Bonifay,
Marianna, Graceville, Douglasville, Centerville, Malone, Cottondale,
Greenwood, Alford, Caryville, Gordon, Iron City, Damascus,
Campbellton and Brinson.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3099 8538 3125 8496 3135 8491 3139 8425
3133 8428 3131 8434 3128 8434 3124 8436
3122 8441 3120 8441 3119 8442 3119 8443
3116 8448 3114 8448 3113 8450 3109 8450
3093 8477 3065 8540 3081 8586
TIME...MOT...LOC 2259Z 278DEG 33KT 3132 8479 3124 8484 3100 8524 3079
8572
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HanerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
715 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
GAZ123-125-142-144-172345-
Baker GA-Dougherty GA-Calhoun GA-Early GA-
715 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Dougherty, Baker,
Calhoun and east central Early Counties in southwestern Georgia
through 745 PM EDT...
At 715 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Morgan to 8 miles southwest of Leary to 8 miles
northeast of Colquitt. Movement was east at 40 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...
Newton, Morgan, Albany, Leary, Walker, Iveys Mill, Radium Springs,
Milford, Red Store Crossroads, Lockett Crossing, Crestview, South
Albany, Southwest Ga Regional A/P, Holt, Ducker, Cordrays Mill,
Commissary Hill, Bermuda, Elmodel Wma and Bethany.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3144 8412 3144 8414 3142 8415 3141 8418
3140 8418 3133 8429 3132 8431 3131 8432
3131 8434 3130 8434 3128 8436 3126 8465
3158 8470 3162 8454 3162 8415
TIME...MOT...LOC 2315Z 260DEG 33KT 3153 8460 3138 8458 3127 8466
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HanerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
730 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
FLZ008-010-011-GAZ143>145-155-156-180000-
Central Walton FL-Jackson FL-Washington FL-Miller GA-Decatur GA-
Baker GA-Mitchell GA-Seminole GA-
730 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of central Jackson, east
central Walton, Washington, northeastern Decatur, Miller, southern
Mitchell, southwestern Baker and Seminole Counties through 800 PM
EDT/700 PM CDT/...
At 730 PM EDT/630 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 9 miles west of Newton to
near Colquitt to 10 miles southeast of De Funiak Springs. Movement
was east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Colquitt, Vernon, Newton, Chipley, Donalsonville, Marianna, Camilla,
Eglin Air Force Base, Bradford, Live Oak, Malone, Cottondale,
Greenwood, Ponce De Leon, Alford, Wausau, Iron City, Brinson, Bascom
and Whitehead Crossroads.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3059 8624 3071 8595 3070 8585 3075 8583
3078 8575 3075 8574 3074 8562 3085 8560
3100 8520 3100 8500 3107 8502 3107 8492
3111 8492 3115 8482 3125 8472 3126 8464
3134 8463 3132 8400 3105 8438 3045 8585
TIME...MOT...LOC 2330Z 284DEG 21KT 3128 8449 3113 8472 3059 8605
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
HanerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
759 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
FLZ010-011-GAZ143>145-155>157-180030-
Jackson FL-Washington FL-Miller GA-Decatur GA-Baker GA-Mitchell GA-
Seminole GA-Grady GA-
759 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of central Jackson,
northeastern Washington, northern Decatur, northwestern Grady,
southeastern Miller, southern Mitchell, southwestern Baker and
Seminole Counties through 830 PM EDT/730 PM CDT/...
At 759 PM EDT/659 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Camilla to 6 miles
southeast of Donalsonville to 6 miles northwest of Marianna to near
Vernon. Movement was east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Vernon, Chipley, Donalsonville, Pelham, Marianna, Camilla,
Bainbridge, Bradford, Malone, Cottondale, Greenwood, Alford, Wausau,
Sale City, Iron City, Brinson, Bascom, Lovedale, Dellwood and
Donaldsonville A/P.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3064 8587 3086 8540 3122 8444 3128 8400
3120 8400 3096 8450 3059 8554
TIME...MOT...LOC 2359Z 269DEG 17KT 3124 8426 3096 8483 3085 8531 3067
8572
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
HanerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
816 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
GAZ127>131-145-146-180100-
Tift GA-Worth GA-Colquitt GA-Irwin GA-Mitchell GA-Turner GA-
Ben Hill GA-
816 PM EDT Fri Mar 17 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Irwin, Turner, east
central Mitchell, northern Colquitt, Tift, western Ben Hill and Worth
Counties through 900 PM EDT...
At 815 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles west of Ashburn to Poulan to near
Doerun to near Camilla. Movement was east 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...
Tifton, Ashburn, Ocilla, Fitzgerald, Sylvester, Omega, Poulan,
Doerun, Ty Ty, Phillipsburg, Mystic, Unionville, Worth, Terrell,
Sycamore, Sumner, Sale City, Rebecca, Minton and Scooterville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3157 8316 3147 8323 3148 8334 3146 8337
3140 8337 3135 8343 3133 8351 3131 8351
3129 8357 3126 8415 3138 8401 3151 8390
3171 8391 3185 8333 3184 8322
TIME...MOT...LOC 0015Z 262DEG 39KT 3168 8380 3152 8380 3137 8392 3128
8416
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HanerThe Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 33 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:19 UTC.
2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A well defined TDS appeared just inland from the coast in the Grayton Beach State Park area. Pictures of minor tree damage were received. This tornado was very brief and rated EF0 with the tree damage. No structures were impacted.
A tornado touched down in a rural, forested area of Bay county near the Panama City airport. The tornado narrowly missed the airport structures, and no other damage was reported. A well defined TDS was present on dual-pol radar due to tree damage.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Florida, 2023Warnings in Florida, March 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: 1084640, 1084624.