Rainy conditions over Georgia improved the ongoing Short-Term Drought over portions of Georgia through December. By the end of November, D4 Exceptional Drought had been eliminated, with persistent D2 Severe to D3 Extreme drought over north Georgia.
Every event with a place to put it; 35 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 FFC wrote it up.
Rainy conditions over Georgia improved the ongoing Short-Term Drought over portions of Georgia through December. By the end of November, D4 Exceptional Drought had been eliminated, with persistent D2 Severe to D3 Extreme drought over north Georgia. Statistically speaking, at the start of December, 19.9 percent of the state was in D2 Severe Drought or worse, with 8.7 percent being D3 Extreme Drought or worse. At the peak of the drought, as shown in the Drought Monitor map on November 21, 2023, 24.7 percent of the state was in D2 Severe Drought or worse, with 9.7 percent being D3 Extreme Drought or worse.
In total, December's rainfall generally ranged from 2 to 9 inches. Over nearly two thirds of the area, accumulations were 2 to 4 inches (40 to 90 percent of normal), with the lowest amounts near Columbus, Roberta and Eatonton closer to 1.5 inches (35 percent of normal). Over north and east central Georgia, amounts were higher, with accumulations of 5 to 9 inches (100 to 200 percent of normal). The highest totals over the northeast Georgia mountains were 11 inches (200 percent of normal). In general, these rainfall amounts fell during only 2-3 impactful weather events during the month.
In the December 28 Drought Information Statement issued by the NWS Atlanta office, 30-day rainfall totals were included for some of the driest climate record locations: Rome (RMG) reported 3.91 inches (80% of normal), Atlanta (ATL) reported 3.43 inches (77 percent of normal), Peachtree City (FFC) reported 2.88 inches (66 percent of normal), and Columbus (CSG) reported 1.86 inches (40 percent of normal). The 30-day totals for other locations exemplified the improving drought conditions over the state: Gainesville (GVL) reported 6.65 inches (147 percent of normal), Athens (AHN) reported 4.34 inches (103 percent of normal), and Peachtree-DeKalb (PDK) reported 4.10 inches (97 percent of normal).
By the end of December, soil moisture normal to above normal for the southeastern three-quarters of the state, with just northwest Georgia slow to show improvement. The National Drought Mitigation Center's Condition Monitoring Observer Reports from farmers reported improvements with the higher rainfall amounts but still reported fair pasture conditions. Farmers reported supplemental feeding was required for cattle and livestock, though some green up of fields had occurred in the warming beginning of the month. Additionally, through the month there were reports of delayed harvesting or planting of seasonal crops and heavy degree of loss with crop yield, or complete or near crop failure. Some farmers reported having to reduce their livestock herd due to the lack of sufficient food supply. Although collaborative efforts between NWS Atlanta office and local fire officials remained enhanced, many north Georgia localities opted to lift burn bans with the improved drought conditions.
The drought continued to improve in January.
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 Atlanta, GA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 30, 6:49 PM EST, 5 hours 11 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 649 PM EST Thu Nov 30 2023 ...New 00Z Aviation Discussion... .SHORT TERM... (This afternoon through Friday) Issued at 255 PM EST Thu Nov 30 2023 Changes in the weather are afoot for the CWA. The very dry and cool airmass began to modify today...and will continue to trend towards a warmer and wetter pattern. High pressure center currently in place will move offshore today. A warm front will begin to push northward during the day tomorrow, with a wedge setting up across far NE GA. The models do try to erode the wedge tomorrow night, but think that is a bit aggressive and it should hang on. Isentropic lift over the warm front has begun this afternoon and the mid/high clouds will continue to increase through the evening hours. A shortwave trough at 500mb will bypass the CWA to the north and west overnight, but plenty of shortwave energy from the southern stream will move across the area. Isentropic lift aided by forcing aloft usually lends to some patchy light rain and have kept pretty high pops in during the overnight period. QPF should be light. In addition, soundings continue to show very dry air off the surface tonight. Any precip falling will have to overcome this dry air...and evaporative cooling could help precip start as some patchy sleet/ice pellets in the far northeast mountains early Friday morning. Little to no impact is anticipated. Anywhere south of the warm front tomorrow could see thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon. Thunder is less likely within the wedge, but an elevated thunderstorm is not out of the question. Have strayed from the blend for temperatures. Don't think the NBM is handling the wedge very well. NListemaa && .LONG TERM... (Saturday morning through next Wednesday) Issued at 255 PM EST Thu Nov 30 2023 With a 500 mb trough progressing eastward, a surface low pressure system will occlude and track northeastward over the midwest. As the attendant cold front pushes its way across the southeast Saturday, widespread rainfall is expected across the region. Saturday, much of the forecast area outside of the wedge in northeast Georgia will be placed within the warm sector. Dewpoints in the 60s combined with a plume of instability (MUCAPE ~250-500 J/kg) and low level shear will allow for a few embedded thunderstorms to develop. SPC has introduced a Marginal Risk (1 out of 5) for severe weather for Saturday for central Georgia with areas north in a general thunderstorm risk. QPF totals through Monday have trended downward as a result of the NBM relegating precipitation further south. This has ultimately produced a significant change with this forecast cycle in storm total precipitation for this event. Given the model guidance spread, have opted to blend in the the previous forecast and the GFS/EURO/NAM12 to produce the QPF for this weekend's event. Rainfall totals through Monday are now forecast between 2.0-2.5" for most areas south of I-20 with areas northward ranging from 1.25-1.75". A few locations in higher terrain across northeast Georgia could see locally higher amounts between 1.75 to 2.0". Will continue to monitor how the rainfall amounts evolve with future forecast updates. Despite the overall downtrend in QPF for the forecast area, long, skinny CAPE profiles combined with PWATs in the 1.25-1.75" range could still produce periods of heavy rain with locally higher totals that could result in localized flash flooding concerns. WPC maintains a Marginal Risk (1 out of 4) for central Georgia and most of north Georgia for flash flooding on Saturday. Furthermore, we could see a few of our flashier creeks and streams approach minor flood stage over the weekend and early into next week. As the cold front gradually progress southeast through the forecast area, several additional waves of precipitation with embedded thunderstorms are expected Sunday before the rain begins to taper off from the northwest Monday when the cold front finally clears the forecast area. This period of wet weather will bring some beneficial rainfall to the area. Locations along and south of the I-20 corridor that are in abnormally dry (D0) or moderate drought (D1) could experience improvements from this event. Unfortunately, areas across north Georgia in severe (D2) and extreme (D3) drought will receive lower amounts compared to their southern counterpart. Per the Southeast River Forecast Center (SERFC), northwest Georgia needs 3 to 6 inches to bust the drought while areas across northeast Georgia need up to 3 inches. Northwest Georgia is forecast for around 1.25-1.75" with northeast Georgia seeing around 1.75-2.0". While this may not entirely eradicate drought conditions across the region, we'll take any improvement we can get to mitigate ongoing drought conditions and fire danger. Temperatures will be quite warm over the weekend with highs in the 60s and low 70s and lows in the 50s and mid 60s. After the cold front clears the forecast area, high temperatures will trend cooler into the 50s and low 60s with lows in the 30s to low 40s, closer to climatological norms for this time of year. Drier weather is expected to return by midweek. KAL && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 642 PM EST Thu Nov 30 2023 VFR conditions will prevail through 09Z Friday. After 09Z Friday MVFR and eventually a mix of IFR and LIFR conditions will move in from the west. Impacts from the IFR/LIFR ceilings and visibilities are possible at the Atlanta area TAF sites, KAHN and KCSG after 15Z Friday. Rain showers and drizzle will occur in the region between 10Z Friday and 06Z Saturday (mainly north and west of KMCN). Winds will continue from the southeast or east through 06Z Saturday. //ATL Confidence...00Z Update... Confidence in the KATL TAF is moderate. Moderate confidence in the precipitation and ceiling forecasts. High confidence in the wind forecast. Low confidence in the visibility forecast. Albright && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 40 60 52 65 / 20 70 90 100 Atlanta 43 62 58 66 / 30 70 90 100 Blairsville 39 53 50 58 / 40 80 80 90 Cartersville 43 60 55 66 / 40 70 90 90 Columbus 45 70 63 71 / 30 70 90 100 Gainesville 41 50 47 59 / 40 80 90 90 Macon 43 70 61 70 / 10 50 80 100 Rome 42 62 55 66 / 50 80 80 90 Peachtree City 41 65 59 68 / 30 70 90 100 Vidalia 47 75 59 74 / 10 20 70 90 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...NListemaa LONG TERM....KAL AVIATION...Albright
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 1011 PM EST Thu Nov 30 2023 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-020315- Baldwin-Banks-Barrow-Bartow-Bibb-Bleckley-Butts-Carroll-Catoosa- Chattahoochee-Chattooga-Cherokee-Clarke-Clayton-Cobb-Coweta- Crawford-Crisp-Dade-Dawson-DeKalb-Dodge-Dooly-Douglas-Emanuel- Fannin-Fayette-Floyd-Forsyth-Gilmer-Glascock-Gordon-Greene- Gwinnett-Hall-Hancock-Haralson-Harris-Heard-Henry-Houston-Jackson- Jasper-Jefferson-Johnson-Jones-Lamar-Laurens-Lumpkin-Macon- Madison-Marion-Meriwether-Monroe-Montgomery-Morgan-Murray- Muscogee-Newton-North Fulton-Oconee-Oglethorpe-Paulding-Peach- Pickens-Pike-Polk-Pulaski-Putnam-Rockdale-Schley-South Fulton- Spalding-Stewart-Sumter-Talbot-Taliaferro-Taylor-Telfair-Toombs- Towns-Treutlen-Troup-Twiggs-Union-Upson-Walker-Walton-Warren- Washington-Webster-Wheeler-White-Whitfield-Wilcox-Wilkes- Wilkinson- 1011 PM EST Thu Nov 30 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia. .DAY ONE...Tonight... No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday... Periods of heavy rainfall between Friday and Sunday could cause localized flash flooding and rises on rivers, creeks, and streams. Isolated thunderstorms will also occur during this time window. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
35 drought. Local standard time, as filed.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Dade county at the beginning of December and above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 12, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Walker county at the beginning of December and above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 12, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Catoosa county at the beginning of December and above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 12, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Whitfield county at the beginning of December and above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 12, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Dawson county at the beginning of December and above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 12, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Murray county at the beginning of December. Late, above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 26, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Gilmer county at the beginning of December. Late, above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 26, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Fannin county at the beginning of December. Late, above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 26, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Union county at the beginning of December. Late, above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 26, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Towns county at the beginning of December. Late, above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 26, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Chattooga county at the beginning of December. Late, above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 26, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Gordon county at the beginning of December. Late, above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 26, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Pickens county at the beginning of December. Late, above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 26, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Lumpkin county at the beginning of December. Late, above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 26, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Bartow county at the beginning of December. Late, above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 26, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Cherokee county at the beginning of December. Late, above-normal December rainfall improved conditions to D2 Severe Drought on December 26, where it remained through the month.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in White county at the beginning of December. Late, above-normal December rainfall rapidly improved conditions to D1 Moderate Drought on December 26, ending the short-term drought over White county.
In total, White county was under D2 Severe Drought or worse conditions for approximately 8 weeks, beginning on or about October 31, 2023, and ending December 26, 2023. At the peak, White County was under D3 Extreme Drought conditions for approximately 5 weeks.
According to the Drought Monitor, D3 Extreme Drought conditions were present in Floyd through December. Although late-December rainfall offered slight relief, it was not enough to improve conditions to D2 until January 2024.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Forsyth county at the beginning of December. Above-normal December rainfall rapidly improved conditions to D1 Moderate Drought on December 12, ending the short-term drought over Forsyth county.
In total, Forsyth county was under D2 Severe Drought or worse conditions for approximately 4 weeks, beginning on or about November 14, 2023, and ending December 12, 2023. At the peak, Forsyth county was under D2 Severe Drought conditions.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Hall county through December. Although late-December rainfall offered slight relief, it was not enough to end drought conditions until January 2024.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Banks county through December. Although late-December rainfall offered slight relief, it was not enough to end drought conditions until January 2024.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Jackson county through December. Although late-December rainfall offered slight relief, it was not enough to end drought conditions until January 2024.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Madison county through December. Although late-December rainfall offered slight relief, it was not enough to end drought conditions until January 2024.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Polk county through December. Although late-December rainfall offered slight relief, it was not enough to end drought conditions until January 2024.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Haralson county through December. Although late-December rainfall offered slight relief, it was not enough to end drought conditions until January 2024.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Paulding county through December. Although late-December rainfall offered slight relief, it was not enough to end drought conditions until January 2024.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Cobb county through December. Although late-December rainfall offered slight relief, it was not enough to end drought conditions until January 2024.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Fulton county at the beginning of December. Above-normal December rainfall rapidly improved conditions to D1 Moderate Drought on December 12, ending the short-term drought over Fulton county.
In total, Fulton county was under D2 Severe Drought or worse conditions for approximately 3 weeks, beginning on or about November 21, 2023, and ending December 12, 2023. At the peak, Fulton county was under D2 Severe Drought conditions.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Gwinnett county at the beginning of December. Above-normal December rainfall rapidly improved conditions to D1 Moderate Drought on December 12, ending the short-term drought over Gwinnett county.
In total, Gwinnett county was under D2 Severe Drought or worse conditions for approximately 3 weeks, beginning on or about November 21, 2023, and ending December 12, 2023. At the peak, Gwinnett county was under D2 Severe Drought conditions.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Barrow county at the beginning of December. Above-normal December rainfall rapidly improved conditions to D1 Moderate Drought on December 26, ending the short-term drought over Barrow county.
In total, Barrow county was under D2 Severe Drought or worse conditions for approximately 6 weeks, beginning on or about November 14, 2023, and ending December 26, 2023. At the peak, Barrow county was under D2 Severe Drought conditions.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Clarke county at the beginning of December. Above-normal December rainfall rapidly improved conditions to D1 Moderate Drought on December 26, ending the short-term drought over Clarke county.
In total, Clarke county was under D2 Severe Drought or worse conditions for approximately 6 weeks, beginning on or about November 14, 2023, and ending December 26, 2023. At the peak, Clarke county was under D2 Severe Drought conditions.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Oconee county at the beginning of December. Above-normal December rainfall rapidly improved conditions to D1 Moderate Drought on December 26, ending the short-term drought over Oconee county.
In total, Oconee county was under D2 Severe Drought or worse conditions for approximately 6 weeks, beginning on or about November 14, 2023, and ending December 26, 2023. At the peak, Oconee county was under D2 Severe Drought conditions.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Oglethorpe county at the beginning of December. Above-normal December rainfall rapidly improved conditions to D1 Moderate Drought on December 26, ending the short-term drought over Oglethorpe county.
In total, Oglethorpe county was under D2 Severe Drought or worse conditions for approximately 8 weeks, beginning on or about October 31, 2023, and ending December 26, 2023. At the peak, Oglethorpe county was under D2 Severe Drought conditions.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Wilkes county at the beginning of December. Above-normal December rainfall rapidly improved conditions to D1 Moderate Drought on December 26, ending the short-term drought over Wilkes county.
In total, Wilkes county was under D2 Severe Drought or worse conditions for approximately 6 weeks, beginning on or about November 14, 2023, and ending December 26, 2023. At the peak, Wilkes county was under D2 Severe Drought conditions.
According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Walton county at the beginning of December. Above-normal December rainfall rapidly improved conditions to D1 Moderate Drought on December 12, ending the short-term drought over Walton county.
In total, Walton county was under D2 Severe Drought or worse conditions for approximately 3 weeks, beginning on or about November 21, 2023, and ending December 12, 2023. At the peak, Walton county was under D2 Severe Drought conditions.
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, 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: 1164400, 1164401, 1164402, 1164403, 1164404, 1164405, 1164406, 1164407, 1164408, 1164409, 1164410, 1164411, 1164412, 1164413, 1164414, 1164415, 1164420, 1164423, 1164427, 1164430, 1164431, 1164432, 1164433, 1164434, 1164436, 1164437, 1164438, 1164439, 1164440, 1164441, 1164442, 1164443, 1164444, 1164445, 1164447.