A strong developing system over brought moist southerly winds across the north and central Georgia, creating isolated severe thunderstorms and flash flooding on the afternoon and evening of January 3rd. The severe weather threat continued into Wednesday, January 4th, as the storm progressed eastward and brought a cold front across the area, producing isolated damaging wind gusts.
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 FFC wrote it up.
A strong developing system over brought moist southerly winds across the north and central Georgia, creating isolated severe thunderstorms and flash flooding on the afternoon and evening of January 3rd. The severe weather threat continued into Wednesday, January 4th, as the storm progressed eastward and brought a cold front across the area, producing isolated damaging wind gusts.
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 Jan 3, 2:27 PM EST, 1 minute earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 227 PM EST Tue Jan 3 2023 ...Afternoon Area Forecast Discussion... .SHORT TERM... (This afternoon through Wednesday) Issued at 209 PM EST Tue Jan 3 2023 Afternoon temps in the 60s and 70 with dewpoints in the 60s is bringing spring like weather. Just like the Spring...showers and thunderstorms with the possibility of severe weather is on the way also. Instability is gradually growing this afternoon with capes across the area in the 500-1000 J/KG range with a decent amount of bulk shear across western GA coming in around 50kts. The ingredients for a severe wind threat and low end tornado risk is certainly present, so we have issued a Tornado watch for most of North and west central GA through 9pm. Locally heavy rainfall will likely lead to a risk of isolated flash flooding especially south of I-20 where 3-4 inches of rain is possible with higher isolated totals where storms are training. The rest of the area will see 2-3 inches of rain over the next 24-36 hours and if any training of storms sets up we could have flash flooding just about anywhere across North and Central GA through Wed afternoon. The main frontal boundary will move into NW GA late tonight and move SE through the state Wed. We will see another round of showers with a few thunderstorms possible before finally clearing out Wednesday night. The second round will likely just bring additional rainfall to the area, but we will still see a threat for severe weather. This second round will be diminished some by the first round of storms having already worked the area over. Things finally clear out Wed night with a slightly cooler airmass moving in. Low temps Thu morning will dip down in the 40s for most of the area. 01 && .LONG TERM... (Thursday morning through next Monday) Issued at 209 PM EST Tue Jan 3 2023 The cold front will clear the area at the start of the long term period, bringing a return to dry conditions and relatively cooler temperatures. Despite the relative coolness, temperatures will only return back from record warmth to only a few degrees above normal by Thursday into Friday. Dry conditions will persist into the weekend before another weak frontal system drops southward by Sunday. Moisture appears very limited, so at this point continue to advertise generally on slight chance PoPs beginning Sunday into Monday as the front sags and stalls/washes out in Georgia. Model consensus then diverges by early next week as additional waves potentially traverse eastward along the frontal zone. Thus, opted to maintain only slight chance PoPs into early next week for potential showers. RW && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1254 PM EST Tue Jan 3 2023 Seeing showers increase across NW GA as frontal system to the west nears the area. Expecting SHRA/TSRA to continue to increase across the TAF sites with the ATL area seeing showers now and will TSRA by 20z. The AHN/CSG/MCN areas will see the same thing but a few hours later as the system continue to move East. Ceilings will stay in the MVFR and IFR range through 18z Wed then lift and clear out through 00z Thu as the front sweeps through the state. Winds expected to stay out of the SW with speeds in the 8-12kt range gusting to 20kt. VSBYs will stay mainly VFR expect in and around any stronger storms. //ATL Confidence...Avi Update... Confidence high on all elements. 01 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 62 71 46 62 / 90 100 0 0 Atlanta 62 70 46 60 / 90 100 0 0 Blairsville 57 66 40 55 / 100 100 0 0 Cartersville 61 70 43 59 / 100 90 0 0 Columbus 64 73 47 65 / 90 90 0 0 Gainesville 62 69 46 59 / 90 100 0 0 Macon 64 74 48 68 / 80 100 10 0 Rome 62 70 42 60 / 100 80 0 0 Peachtree City 62 72 45 62 / 90 90 0 0 Vidalia 65 76 54 70 / 40 90 30 0 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Wednesday evening for GAZ056-066>072-078>082- 089>092-094-102-103. && SHORT TERM...01 LONG TERM....RW AVIATION...01
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 1257 PM EST Tue Jan 3 2023 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-041800- 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- 1257 PM EST Tue Jan 3 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight... Several waves of showers and thunderstorms are expected across north and central Georgia starting this afternoon. Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible through. Severe storms that develop will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, brief tornadoes, and frequent lightning. Periods of heavy rainfall could lead to localized flash flooding and river flooding. A Flood Watch has been issued in portions of west-central Georgia where rainfall totals are forecast to be highest. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday... Showers and thunderstorms will continue across north and central Georgia Wednesday morning and afternoon ahead of an advancing cold front. Several storms could become strong to severe, capable of producing damaging wind gusts, brief tornadoes, and frequent lightning. Locally heavy rainfall could lead to localized flash flooding and river flooding concerns. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not requested but spotters are encouraged to submit reports of severe weather through the web by going to weather.gov/atlanta. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
211 PM EST Tue Jan 3 2023
GAZ001>003-032000-
Catoosa GA-Walker GA-Dade GA-
211 PM EST Tue Jan 3 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Catoosa,
western Walker and Dade Counties through 300 PM EST...
At 211 PM EST, a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Sequatchie Cave to near Fabius, and moving east
at 70 mph.
HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind and heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
light, unsecured objects. Heavy rain may cause temporary
street flooding especially in poor drainage areas.
Locations impacted include...
Trenton, Fort Oglethorpe, Rossville, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain,
Chattanooga Valley, La Fayette, Rising Fawn, Lakeview, Cole City,
Wildwood, Fairview, Stephensville, Chattanooga Valley, New England,
Morganville, Hooker, Cloudland Canyon State Park and Cooper Heights.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. Motorists should
slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EST for northwestern
Georgia.
&&
LAT...LON 3499 8525 3472 8528 3459 8551 3459 8553
3498 8560
TIME...MOT...LOC 1911Z 248DEG 59KT 3509 8554 3487 8574
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHThe Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 51 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:26 UTC.
20 thunderstorm wind, 11 flash flood, 5 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Tree down on White Oak Gap Rd and Back Valley Rd.
Tree down near intersection of Cloverdale Rd and Morgan Rd.
Tree down near intersection of Akes Station Rd and Gilley Rd.
Tree down on Yarbrough Rd near intersection of Bon Loop Rd.
Report of tree down on Wilson Rd between Sewell Creed Rd and Fields Rd.
Several trees down along North and South Five Notch Rd.
Tree down on home near intersection of Brock St. and US Hwy-27.
Several reports of trees and/or powerlines in the area around Fairburn and Union City, west of the I-85/i-285 interchange. Most significant damage was tree down through a home on Thaxton Rd SW near intersection of Wolf Creek Cir SW.
A brief tornado spun up between Newnan and Peachtree City, a couple miles|south of Hwy 34. The tornado initially touched down in the White Oak community near Nicklaus Walk and Tillinghast Trace where several smaller trees were seen snapped. As the tornado moved east-northeast, larger pines were snapped on either side of a|golf course fairway between the White Oak and Woodstream community. 20-30 large pines were snapped near the top to halfway down in this area to Fairway Court with a few houses sustained minor roof and siding damage. The tornado then crossed Sullivan|Road into the Woodstream neighborhood where additional trees were snapped or uprooted, between Pheasant Ridge and Wildflower Circle. A couple of homes in this area also sustained minor roof and/or siding damage but no significant structural damage occurred. The tornado appeared to lift just northeast of Wildflower Circle based on radar and lack of any other notable damage.
A brief tornado touched down and dissipated quickly in the Spring Lake neighborhood off Evans Mill Rd. The tornado only traveled 100 yards within a minute, but downed |dozens of trees which fell on and damaged several homes.
Report of a tree down at Beaumont Heights and Williamson Rd.
Multiple trees down, including a tree down on a structure near intersection of Reinhardt College Pkwy and Salacoa Rd.
A tornado quickly touched down in extreme northwest Heard County|in west-central GA, near the intersection of Hendley Road and Roosterville Road.|Fairly significant damage was noted immediately as a manufactured|home was completely destroyed and pushed off its foundation.|Numerous trees around this property were twisted off or snapped,|some more than halfway to its base. The tornado was at its peak|intensity around this location. The tornado tracked northeast snapping a|few more trees in a very narrow path along Gum Creek Airport|Road. The tornado then continued over a mainly wooded/rural area|between Gum Creek Airport Road and Dowdy Road. Looking west from|Dowdy Road, numerous large trees were seen flattened (snapped or|uprooted). The tornado then took out a 30 x 30-foot barn at a|residence along Dowdy Road. Multiple trees were snapped or|uprooted around this location. The tornado appeared to weaken as|it moved northeast from this point.
ASOS station at KPDK reported wind gust of 65mph, planes pushed sideways at hangar.
Tree down near the intersection of Liberty Rd and E Liberty Rd.
Tree down near the cul-de-sac on Professional Pkwy.
Tree down at intersection of Aspen Dr and Skyview Dr.
Reports of a couple trees down on Koweta Rd and Enon Rd.
Multiple trees down and a parked semi-truck overturned near the intersection of Turner Rd and Hwy 362.
Broadcast Media reported the closure of Valor Christian Academy due to flooding of the cafeteria, hallways and front entrance from the combination of heavy rainfall and backed up drains. Radar estimates indicate that between 3 and 4 inches of rain occurred in the area, resulting in the flooding.
The Emergency Manager reported a water rescue near the intersection of Crossville Road and Mansell Road due to high water on Hog Wallow Creek. Radar estimates indicate that 3 to 4 inches of rain occurred quickly over the area, resulting in the rises of local creeks and streams.
The Emergency manager reported Horseshow Circle was washed out in Rockmart, and several other roads closed, including Brock Road, Stringer Road, Grady Road, and White River Road. Radar estimates indicate that between 3 to 5 inches fell quickly over the area, causing rises on local creeks and streams and flash flooding of flood-prone areas.
The Emergency Manager reported multiple roads closed due to flooding, including Hardin Road, Shilo Road and Mountain Home Loop. Radar estimates indicate that between 3 and 5 inches of rain fell quickly over the area, resulting in flash flooding and rises in local area creeks and streams.
The Broadcast Media reported Glenn Street closed due to flooding after a car stalled in the floodwaters. Radar estimates indicate that between 3 and 4 inches of rain occurred in the area, resulting in the flooding.
Broadcast Media reported the right lanes blocked on Interstate 285 at Peachtree Industrial Blvd due to water over the roadway. Radar estimates indicate that 3 to 4 inches of rain fell quickly over the area, resulting in the flash flooding.
Report of trees down near intersection of US 80 and Pleasant Hill Church Rd.
Public reported Mansell Road and Highway 92 closed due to flooding. Radar estimates indicate that between 3 and 4 inches of rain occurred in the area, producing rises on local creeks and streams and resulting in the flash flooding.
The Athens Banner Herald reported flooding inside their office building on S Milledge Avenue. Radar estimates indicate that 3 to 4 inches of rain occurred in the area, resulting in the flooding.
Multiple trees down on and near Greystone Dr, Long Acre Rd, and Watson Reynolds Rd.
The tornado caused hundreds of trees to be blown down or snapped along and just north of Fall Line Fwy on the northern side of Sandersville. The tornado touched down just to the east of the Oconee Fall Line Technical College and traversed just north of the school, downing dozens of trees before crossing Deepstep Rd, just north of Fall Line Fwy, and damaging a metal warehouse building with portions of the roof being pulled back while blowing out sliding metal doors, breaking windows, and damaging cars in the parking lot. On the west side of the building a tractor-trailer was flipped with the driver sustaining minor injuries. The tornado continued NNE up the Freeway, narrowly missing the T J Elder Middle School, but snapping or blowing down nearly 80 percent of the trees. The storm then continued NNE, crossing Sparta road and moving into neighborhoods near and along Walden Rd where several dozen trees were blown in estimated 90 mph winds. Several homes received minor damage, a shed was destroyed by a downed tree, and a second story bedroom in one home was destroyed in part to a downed tree. The tornado then dissipated quickly thereafter along Ridge road.
The tornado touched down in central Jefferson county and produced minor damage to a couple warehouse buildings, farm equipment, and a school while also downing over a dozen trees between Louisville and Wren. The tornado touched down near the Ostro Steel building on Clarks Mill Rd where damage was sustained to the western wall of the metal building structure as well as to the heavy metal sign out front. The tornado then moved toward the ENE roughly along Mennonite Church Rd, where scattered trees were downed with minor damage to a metal roof structure. At the intersection of GA 296 and Warrior Trail an irrigation system was flipped over towards the north, indicating swirling winds. The tornado then moved towards the Jefferson County High School where the tornado quickly occluded, forcing strong rear-flank downdraft winds across the school as the tornado wrapped up to the north along US HWY 221. The winds over the school caused moderate damage to a softball field facility, destroying a shed, several signs, scoreboards, and the fencing around the field.
Multiple trees down along and near intersection of GA-296 and GA-88.
Trees and powerlines down at Hwy 296 near Jefferson County Middle School.
The Emergency Manager reported a portion of Fannie Thompson Road was flooded by high water from Wildcat Creek. Radar estimates indicate that 3 to 4 inches of rain fell over the area, resulting in increased runoff into the creek and causing flash flooding.
The Emergency Manager relayed reports of flooding along Dean Hill Road, cutting off residential driveways. Radar estimates indicate that between 3 and 4 inches of rain occurred over the area, resulting in the flash flooding.
The Emergency Manager reported flooding at the intersections of Union Grove Road at Creel Drive and Huey Road at Industrial Access Road. Radar estimates indicate that 2.5 to 4 inches of rain occurred over the area, causing local creeks and rivers to overflow into the surrounding areas.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Georgia, 2023Warnings in Georgia, 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: 1074925, 1074926, 1074927, 1074929, 1074928, 1074945, 1074934, 1074956, 1074973, 1074974, 1074957, 1074958, 1074975, 1074959, 1074960, 1074961, 1074966, 1074968, 1074967, 1079489, 1079490, 1079473, 1079476, 1079491, 1079484, 1074969, 1079492, 1079517, 1074970, 1074977, 1074979, 1074971, 1074972, 1083746, 1083747, 1079481.