A strong spring storm system moved through the area with ample instability and shear for severe weather. Numerous reports of severe weather were received across the tri-state area, although no tornadoes were reported.
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 storm system moved through the area with ample instability and shear for severe weather. Numerous reports of severe weather were received across the tri-state area, although no tornadoes were reported.
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 Apr 15, 6:46 PM EST, 46 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tallahassee FL 746 PM EDT Sat Apr 15 2023 ...New AVIATION... .NEAR TERM... (Through Sunday) Issued at 251 PM EDT Sat Apr 15 2023 Afternoon satellite imagery shows a large, maturing MCS of severe thunderstorms plowing eastward across the lower MS Valley/northern Gulf Coast. The very cold IR temperatures combined with numerous gravity waves rippling from the cloud tops are indicative of intense updrafts. These convective masses have also been prolific lightning producers. Meanwhile, radar shows an organized line/cluster of storms that appear to be on the cusp of merging with robust maritime convection to its south, and some semi-discrete cells just ahead of it. Over the next few hours, this convection is poised to arrive at the western portion of the service area and likely bring severe weather our way, mainly in the form of damaging winds, with some hail and a tornado or two are also possible. Frequent lightning and pockets of heavy rainfall are secondary concerns. Although vertical wind shear is not overly impressive, the environment is sufficiently unstable to maintain a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) along much of the I-10 corridor. Highest CAPE (1500-2000 J/kg) values are near the coast and offshore. We intend to do a special 21Z balloon launch to sample the atmosphere right before the event unfolds. Estimated arrival times of storms, per the latest hi-resolution guidance are: 5-7 PM CT (western FL Panhandle); 8-10 PM ET (SE AL/adjacent SW GA/central Big Bend); 10 PM-12 AM ET (remaining SW GA/eastern Big Bend). After the storms clear us, we are looking at a quiet, but overcast/muggy night, with the potential for renewed convection along/ahead of a cold front from the west tomorrow. However, confidence is low on how that scenario plays out as it will depend on how much the airmass gets affected by the preceding MCS. If the atmosphere is sufficiently worked over, then storms likely have a hard time getting going for a second round. If a cold pool or outflow boundary gets left behind, then storms could redevelop. Regardless, the severe threat for Sunday appears minimal at best right now. Low temperatures are forecast to be in the 60s, followed by highs around 80 degrees. && .SHORT TERM... (Sunday night through Monday night) Issued at 251 PM EDT Sat Apr 15 2023 The active weather from the weekend period will be on its way out of the area Sunday night as the upper level trough over the eastern third of the country pivots east and lifts out. In its wake, broad cyclonic flow aloft will remain over the area, but much drier air will be advected into the region Monday into Tuesday. Despite plenty of sunshine, a pretty cool airmass will advect into the region as well so expect high temperatures generally in the mid to upper 70s with a light 5 to 10 mph north wind. A pretty fantastic day for spring in the southeast. With the cooler drier air moving in and mostly clear skies overnight, expect low temps Monday night to drop into the upper 40s across inland areas and around the low 50s along the coastline. && .LONG TERM... (Tuesday through Friday) Issued at 251 PM EDT Sat Apr 15 2023 Weak cyclonic mid-level flow will prevail while in the low to mid levels, a weak ridge at 700mb will prevail. With an absence of appreciable forcing and synoptic fronts losing steam with eastward progress, expect a fairly benign pattern through much of the week. At the surface, flow becomes easterly and then southerly throughout the week with temperatures warming as southerly flow develops. High temperatures start out in the low 80s on Tuesday but will warm into the mid to upper 80s by week's end. By Friday, another front will be on the doorstep but its too early to determine and specific severe/rainfall potential with this storm at this moment. && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 738 PM EDT Sat Apr 15 2023 A line of strong to severe thunderstorms stretches from DHN to just east of PAM, moving to the east around 35 knots. As the line moves east, expect MVFR cigs, reductions in vsbys, and gusty winds to 20 to 30 kt. The strongest part of the line is approaching TLH, and this may need an amendment soon to up wind gusts based on radar trends. SHRA and embedded TSRA continue behind the line, for a few hours. Cigs may briefly improve to VFR behind the showers and storms, but will drop to MVFR or IFR late tonight and early Sunday morning. Some patchy fog may also develop overnight near ECP, TLH, and DHN, with lower confidence at ABY and VLD. Another round of storms is possible tomorrow, though it's uncertain how it will evolve. The better chances for storms is at ECP, TLH, and VLD, but only enough confidence to write PROB30 lines at this point. How things evolve tomorrow highly depend on how the rest of tonight pans out. Expect changes in the TAFs beyond the 12 hour forecast. && .MARINE... Issued at 251 PM EDT Sat Apr 15 2023 Elevated winds and seas are anticipated through the next 48 hours as a storm system moves through. For this afternoon and evening, main concerns will be a strong/severe area of storms that will move through area waters tonight from the west. These storms will gradually diminish after midnight, but localized wind gusts in storms could reach 40 to 50 knots briefly when they are their strongest. Another round of scattered showers/storms is possible on Sunday as winds and seas increase with the passage of the front late Sunday. Conditions remain elevated through Monday night before more benign conditions overspread the region from Tuesday through the middle of the week. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 251 PM EDT Sat Apr 15 2023 Widespread wetting rains are likely late this afternoon and evening from a cluster of scattered strong to severe thunderstorms. Another round of convection is possible tomorrow ahead of a cold front, but confidence is low. Regardless, high afternoon dispersions are forecast across the Wiregrass Region from elevated west to southwest transport winds. Dry weather arrives by Monday from northwest post- frontal winds. Widespread minimum RH values plummet to the 20s with high afternoon dispersions basically areawide. Tuesday looks similarly dry. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 251 PM EDT Sat Apr 15 2023 With a potential MCS rolling across the area later today and more storms possible Sunday, there is a threat of localized flash flooding. Current rainfall forecasts call for 1-2 inches of rain generally west of Tallahassee and along and south of I-10 with the highest amounts near the Emerald Coast. If training of storms occurs, or the possible MCS backbuilds, localized totals could reach 3 to 6 inches. The Panhandle and southeast Alabama have been relatively wet recently, so these areas may be slightly more susceptible to flash flooding should heavier rainfall materialize. However, given the uncertainty in the evolution of the MCS and possible second round of storms, confidence in rainfall totals and flash flood risk is rather low. With the rainfall falling in the Panhandle, rivers are generally okay. The Choctawhatchee River at Bruce, however, is hovering around action stage. If the heaviest rainfall remains along the coast or offshore, then riverine concerns are not an issue. But, if heavier rainfall falls farther inland, then there is about a 20% chance the Choctawhatchee River could reach minor flood stage based on the latest ensemble guidance. The Apalachicola River at Blountstown is currently in action stage, but is expected to fall below action stage and may be away from the heaviest rainfall. Again, with the low confidence in placement of heavy rainfall, the river concerns are a bit more uncertain at this time. && .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 67 81 53 75 / 80 50 0 0 Panama City 67 77 55 75 / 70 60 0 0 Dothan 64 79 49 73 / 60 40 0 0 Albany 63 79 50 73 / 40 40 0 0 Valdosta 65 81 52 73 / 40 40 10 0 Cross City 66 81 55 77 / 30 50 10 0 Apalachicola 68 79 55 73 / 90 60 0 0 && .TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GA...None. AL...None. GM...None. && NEAR TERM...IG3 SHORT TERM...Dobbs LONG TERM....Dobbs AVIATION...Young MARINE...Dobbs FIRE WEATHER...IG3 HYDROLOGY...Worster
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
812 PM EDT SAT APR 15 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0659 PM MARINE TSTM WIND TYNDALL AFB 30.07N 85.57W
04/15/2023 M53 MPH BAY FL AWOS
AWOS STATION KPAM TYNDALL AFB.
&&
DVDPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
814 PM EDT SAT APR 15 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0807 PM TSTM WND GST 2 SE BETHANY 30.84N 84.72W
04/15/2023 M41 MPH DECATUR GA MESONET
AMBIENT WEATHER STATION GUSTED TO 41 MPH.
&&
DVDPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
823 PM EDT SAT APR 15 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0721 PM TSTM WND DMG COTTONDALE 30.80N 85.38W
04/15/2023 JACKSON FL 911 CALL CENTER
NUMEROUS TREES DOWN ACROSS JACKSON COUNTY.
0730 PM TSTM WND DMG MARIANNA 30.77N 85.24W
04/15/2023 JACKSON FL 911 CALL CENTER
NUMEROUS TREES DOWN ACROSS JACKSON COUNTY.
0756 PM TSTM WND DMG SNEADS 30.71N 84.92W
04/15/2023 JACKSON FL 911 CALL CENTER
NUMEROUS TREES DOWN ACROSS JACKSON COUNTY.
&&
DVDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
827 PM EDT Sat Apr 15 2023
FLZ015-115-160100-
Inland Franklin FL-Coastal Franklin FL-
827 PM EDT Sat Apr 15 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of eastern Franklin
County through 900 PM EDT...
At 826 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles northeast of Carrabelle to 6 miles
south of St George Island. Movement was southeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Carrabelle, Carrabelle Beach, Alligator Point, Morgan Place, Saint
Teresa, Turkey Point, Bald Point, Royal Bluff, Mcintyre, Yent Place,
Lanark Village and St George Island St Pk.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3001 8482 3001 8455 2998 8452 3000 8446
2997 8446 2995 8434 2985 8434 2983 8436
2981 8449 2975 8453 2968 8467 2965 8481
TIME...MOT...LOC 0026Z 305DEG 32KT 2991 8457 2957 8484
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
02-MONTGOMERYPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
827 PM EDT SAT APR 15 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0825 PM MARINE TSTM WIND SAINT GEORGE ISLAND 29.67N 84.86W
04/15/2023 M40 MPH FRANKLIN FL MESONET
WEATHERFLOW STATION GUSTED TO 40 MPH.
&&
DVDPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
830 PM EDT SAT APR 15 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0808 PM MARINE TSTM WIND APALACHICOLA AIRPORT 29.73N 85.03W
04/15/2023 M43 MPH FRANKLIN FL ASOS
ASOS STATION KAAF APALACHICOLA.
&&
DVDThe Tallahassee radar (KTLH), 61 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:30 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was blown down onto Martin Luther King Jr Road.
Trees were blown down onto Loch Laurel Road.
Multiple trees were blown down on Madison Highway and Empress Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, April 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: 1091734, 1091735, 1091736.