A line of thunderstorms moved across Central and North GA ahead of a cold front in the afternoon hours of the 28th. High winds aloft and marginal instability, due to diurnal heating ahead of the line, allowed for storms to bring damaging winds to the surface.
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 line of thunderstorms moved across Central and North GA ahead of a cold front in the afternoon hours of the 28th. High winds aloft and marginal instability, due to diurnal heating ahead of the line, allowed for storms to bring damaging winds to the surface. Winds damage was the main reported hazard, although one hail report was noted in Troup county.
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 Feb 28, 9:52 AM EST, 2 hours 26 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 952 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 ...Mid-Morning Update... .UPDATE... Issued at 944 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 Forecast remains on track for this morning. A line of showers and thunderstorms continues to approach from the northwest, progged to breach northwest GA within the next two hours or so. A decreasing trend has been noted, but cannot rule out an isolated stronger/marginally severe thunderstorm. Expect wind gusts to increase (already at 25-35 mph) as the line moves southeastward, even in "just" showers. 96 && .SHORT TERM... (Today through Thursday) Issued at 327 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 Cold front currently stretches from the central Great Lakes back through eastern Texas. This front will continue to move eastward today. Models continue to show a narrow band of convection along the front as it moves through today. Both the hi-res and synoptic models have struggled with the timing of the fropa/line of convection, but most are in agreement that it moves through rather quickly during the afternoon. Very little surface instability along or ahead of the convective line, but an isolated rumble of thunder or two is not out of the question. However, with the stronger winds aloft, even the showers have the potential to be gusty. Have not realized the higher gusts overnight in most locales outside of the highest elevations. The inversion in place is most likely keeping the strongest gusts at bay. Due think once mixing begins, the gusts will pick up and especially behind the front. Will not make any changes to the Wind Advisory currently in place. The Advisory will also cover any strong gusts in showers. Drying will occur tomorrow and NW winds will likely turn NE by the end of the day. Temps near or slightly below normal expected tonight and Thursday. Temps some 10 to 15 degrees above normal expected this afternoon. NListemaa && .LONG TERM... (Thursday night through Tuesday) Issued at 327 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 Following the frontal passage on Wednesday into Wednesday night, temps cool into the low to mid 30s for the lows. With the temps dropping quickly after the front, there is the chance for any leftover precip in north GA to result in a light rain/snow mix with no accumulation expected at this time. Highs are forecast to reach the 50-60 degree range into Friday bringing us closer to normal. Momentary relief from rain is expected during the day Thursday evening. Beginning Friday a shortwave moves through the relatively zonal pattern which will start to increase our rain chances through mid week as wave after wave of precip moves through the area. Expecting the first wave to move through Friday into Saturday, which with the moisture return and daytime heating are likely to result in thunderstorms especially towards the Columbus and Macon areas where CAPE values are higher. Sunday, the front looks to stall out/interact with a weak gulf low which will cause the rain w/ chances of thunderstorms to stick around through Sunday. Then finally another front associated with a deep trough pushing eastward is likely to bring the chance for thunderstorms into the area for Monday into Tuesday. The one area of uncertainty seen is if the front moves through a little quicker on Friday into Saturday then Sunday may be a little drier but currently going with the wetter solution for now considering this zonal flow pattern is indicating back to back to back fronts through the long term. From Friday through Tuesday we are only looking at seeing up to 2-3" at this time though so flooding likely won't be as much of a concern. Hernandez && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 621 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 Models continue to be very consistent with a narrow line of shra approaching ATL early this afternoon. Thunder chances remain small at this time, so will not mention. Winds will be gusty today and frequent gusts to 30-35kt will be possible. Winds will also shift from the SW to the NW behind the line of shra/fropa. //ATL Confidence...12Z Update... Med-high confidence all elements. NListemaa && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 35 57 40 48 / 20 0 40 90 Atlanta 35 57 41 48 / 10 0 50 90 Blairsville 28 54 35 47 / 10 0 20 80 Cartersville 31 57 40 50 / 10 0 40 90 Columbus 40 62 46 59 / 30 0 40 80 Gainesville 34 57 40 47 / 10 0 30 90 Macon 41 61 45 56 / 60 0 40 80 Rome 31 57 38 51 / 10 0 30 90 Peachtree City 34 59 40 51 / 10 0 50 90 Vidalia 46 62 48 64 / 40 0 20 70 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory until midnight EST tonight for GAZ001>009-011>016- 019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-089>098-102>113. && SHORT TERM...NListemaa LONG TERM....Hernandez AVIATION...NListemaa
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 909 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-291415- 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- 909 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight... A narrow line of showers and possibly embedded thunderstorms will accompany a strong cold front moving through this afternoon and evening. Brief, heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts are possible. A Wind Advisory is in effect for much of north and central Georgia tonight through Wednesday evening. Winds at 15-25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph are expected. Higher wind gusts are possible with rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday... Waves of rainfall, with a slight chance for thunderstorms, are expected Friday through early next week. No severe weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected through tonight.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1132 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
GAZ001>003-281700-
Catoosa GA-Walker GA-Dade GA-
1132 AM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Catoosa, Walker and
Dade Counties through NOON EST
...
At 1130 AM EST, a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from near Martin Springs to Long Island to near Fabius, and
moving east southeast at 55 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.
Locations impacted include...
Lafayette, Ringgold, Trenton, Fort Oglethorpe, Rossville,
Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga Valley, La Fayette, Center
Post, Blue Spring, Fairview, Linwood, Chattanooga Valley, Hooker,
Cloudland Canyon State Park, Cooper Heights, Rock Spring, Naomi, and
Rising Fawn.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. Motorists should
slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
&&
LAT...LON 3499 8498 3497 8498 3497 8500 3492 8501
3491 8502 3488 8501 3486 8506 3482 8506
3482 8513 3472 8517 3472 8516 3459 8530
3459 8553 3498 8560
TIME...MOT...LOC 1630Z 275DEG 49KT 3514 8551 3497 8565 3477 8583
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1204 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
GAZ002>005-281730-
Whitfield GA-Catoosa GA-Walker GA-Murray GA-
1204 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Catoosa,
northeastern Murray, northeastern Whitfield and north central Walker
Counties through 1230 PM EST
...
At 1203 PM EST, a strong thunderstorm was over Indian Springs, or
over Ringgold, moving east at 65 mph.
HAZARD...Up to 40 mph wind, frequent cloud to ground lightning 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...
Ringgold, Fort Oglethorpe, Chickamauga, Varnell, Tunnel Hill,
Cohutta, Crandall, Sumac, Indian Springs, Gregory, Graysville, Blue
Spring, Conasauga Lake, Tennga, Boynton, Beaverdale, Cisco, and
Fairview.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Motorists
should slow down and be prepared for possible loss of control due to
hydroplaning.
&&
LAT...LON 3499 8465 3483 8463 3485 8535 3499 8522
TIME...MOT...LOC 1703Z 267DEG 56KT 3493 8515
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHThe Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 77 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:18 UTC.
48 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees and powerlines down and trees reported on homes north of Warthen St and east of hwy27 in North Lafayette.
Trees reported down near the intersection of N 6th Street and Seab Green Rd.
Trees down along Judkin Mill Road .
Two trees reported down along Old Mill Rd .
Trees reported down near the intersection of Blanche Rd and Cherokee Cir.
Four reports of trees down along Fincher Rd between Broad Water Bay Rd and Reinhardt College Parkway.
Large tree limbs and branches down greater than 2 inches in diameter near intersection of sr-140 and Waleska Road. Estimated wind gusts to 50 mph.
Fallen tree near the intersection of Croker Rd and E Memorial Dr.
Several reports of trees down around Canton Ga. Pearidge Rd and Pine Grove Rd, Marietta Rd and Bells Ferry Rd, York Dr, N Brooke Dr and River Estates Pkwy, and Scott Rd and Spring Rd.
Trees down at the intersection of Pearidge Rd and Pine Grove Road.
Tree down along Marble Quarry Rd and Crestmont Dr.
Four reports of trees down near the town of Lathemtown, between Cumming hwy, along Ball Ground Rd, and near New Green Rd and Edwards Mill Rd intersection.
Tree down along Ball Ground Road just south of George Mcclure Lane.
Trees and powerlines down at the intersection of Edwards Mill Road and Newt Green Road.
Damage to an outdoor structure. The roof of a baseball dugout was blown off at the ball fields on Main St.
Tree down at Brookwood Dr and Alabama Rd .
Tree down in Woodstock Park near Dupree Rd .
Tree down on Osco Parkway .
Four trees down North of Highway 92 and South of Arnold Mill Rd, between Neese Rd and Wiley Bridge Rd.
Tree down and blocking the roadway near the intersection of Stonechat CT and Mabry Rd NE.
Tree downed along Atlanta Hwy at Gaines Ferry Road.
Tree downed along Gillsville Hwy just east of Suggs Road.
Tree reported down near the intersection of Governors Lake Pkwy NW and Jones Mill Rd NW.
Tree down near the intersection of Jones Mill Rd and Bay Cir.
Weather station dw1905 Atlanta measured 71mph.
A few small trees downed near Blackstock Rd .
Tree down at the intersection of Oneta Dr and Williams Rd.
Tree and wires reported down in the Road on Rolling Way NW.
Tree reported down on a house on Millerbrook Dr NW.
Tree down near the intersection of Buford Dr and Gravel Springs Rd.
Tree reported down near the intersection of Stoneview Dr SW and Bailey Dr SW.
Tree down on powerlines near the intersection of Duluth HWY and Sever Rd.
Measured gust from peachtree-dekalb of 63 mph.
Tree down near the intersection of Fort Daniels Dr NE and Auburn Rd.
Tree reported down near the intersection of Braselton HWY and Old Fountain Rd.
Tree down on powerlines, which started a brush fire, on Old Fountain Rd NE.
Tree reported down on a home on White Cir SW.
Powerlines down near the intersection of I285 and Memorial Dr.
Power lines damaged at the intersection of Xavier Ray Ct SW and Lenna Dr SW.
Tree down at the intersection of Center Hill Church Rd and Mccullers Rd.
Tree down, blocking one lane of traffic on Hwy 78 near the intersection of Cown Rd.
Report of a tree downed along I85 near the Sharpsburg-Mccollum Rd exit.
Tree down on Norton Rd between Barnett Shoals Rd and Williamsburg Pl.
Tree down across Hwy 92 at Peeples Road. All lanes blocked.
Tree down along Nunnally Shoals Rd near Old Monroe Madison Hwy.
Tree down near the intersection of Wolfskin Rd and Athens Rd.
Tree down near the intersection of Stevens Grove Church Rd and Palmer Rd.
UGA mesonet station UGA49 Covington report 58 mph gust.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, February 2024
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: 1163562, 1163565, 1163563, 1163564, 1163566, 1163567, 1163568, 1163570, 1163572, 1163573, 1163571, 1163569, 1163574, 1163575, 1163576, 1163577, 1163578, 1163579, 1163600, 1163599, 1163603, 1163605, 1163580, 1163582, 1163594, 1163602, 1163583, 1163584, 1163585, 1163586, 1163587, 1163588, 1163596, 1163589, 1163590, 1163591, 1163592, 1163597, 1163593, 1163607, and more.