A robust wave moving across the southeast generated a large and unstable warm sector underneath moderate shear. A few thunderstorms were able to develop in the evening hours of the 15th as the cold front approached and dynamics improved.
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 robust wave moving across the southeast generated a large and unstable warm sector underneath moderate shear. A few thunderstorms were able to develop in the evening hours of the 15th as the cold front approached and dynamics improved. One cell in far north Georgia became strong with damaging winds and a strong enough rotation to warrant a tornado warning. No tornado was generated by the storm. Conditions became more favorable for severe thunderstorms as the front moved across the area. Damaging winds and an EF1 tornado were generated west of the ATL metro before weakening. The QLCS continue in strength across central GA mostly posing a damaging wind threat, however conditions reinvigorated across east-central GA necessitating further tornado warnings. Brief EF0 tornadic damage was found with those northeast of Milledgeville.
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 Mar 15, 7:17 PM EST, 40 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 817 PM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025 Issued at 802 PM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025 A Tornado Watch is in effect for portions of far north and northwest Georgia. A few discrete thunderstorms have begun to develop in this region, which are currently shallow but nonetheless exhibiting a supercellular structure with broad rotation within. This tracks logically with strong shear and 0-1 km updraft helicity values increasing to 300-350 m2/s2. Surface- based instability appears to be the limiting factor across the far north at this time, though strong winds and a brief tornado could still be a threat if these storms are able to tap into any SBCAPE. It should be noted that the 850 mb low-level jet remains to the west of the forecast area over central Alabama. As the LLJ continues to spread eastward into our forecast area, surface instability and low level shear will increase, leading to a more favorable severe weather environment ahead of the the main line of convection, which is looking likely to advance into the western edge of our forecast area by around 02-03Z. King && .SHORT TERM... (This afternoon through Sunday) Issued at 231 PM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025 Key Messages: - Widespread severe weather threat this evening through Sunday morning across the area with damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes possible. - Heavy rainfall likely across portions of N GA through Sunday morning, and a Flood Watch remains in effect through early Sunday morning. Localized flooding is possible elsewhere. - Very gusty winds are expected prior to frontal passage. A Wind Advisory remains in effect through late tonight for much of the area. A sharp upper trough will dig across the Eastern Plains and MS Valley tonight, then begin to lift NE by Sun afternoon. At the surface, a double-barreled frontal system will sweep across the area late tonight and on Sunday. Instability has already begun to increase across the area (much of it initially elevated) with sunshine breaking through a thickening CU field. Instability will become deeper and more surface-based this evening and overnight. A significant pre- frontal band of severe thunderstorms is expected to sweep across the area tonight into Sunday morning. MUCAPE values will increase to 500-1200 J/kg as convection moves across the area, with effective shear of 50 to as high as 80 kts. Helicity values will increase to 400-600 m2/s2 during this time frame. SPC has forecast a moderate risk of severe storms covers across our W zones, with an enhanced risk across most of the remainder of the area. A slight risk is relegated to our extreme SE zones (mostly late tonight into early Sunday morning). Strong tornadoes (EF2 or higher, some long track) are possible in the moderate and enhanced risk areas. Damaging winds and large hail are also possible in severe storms. Residents should ensure they have multiple methods of receiving warnings. Storms will be moving across large portions of the area overnight tonight when most people will be asleep. Your safest shelter during a tornado warning is a central room without windows on the lowest level of your house. A basement room without windows is ideal. Mobile homes are not a substantial enough structure during a tornado, and mobile home residents are urged to have a plan for sheltering in a more substantial structure should a warning be issued. Locally heavy rainfall will accompany this pre-frontal band, adding to the forecast rainfall totals across the N zones. Storm total QPF values with this system will range from 2 to 4 inches across portions of the N, with amounts closer to an inch to an inch and a half elsewhere. Locally heavier amounts are possible, particularly in areas where heavier storms train over the same area for extended periods of time. A Flood Watch continues for extreme N GA through Sunday morning. Some river flooding is possible as well, and a handful of Flood Warnings are already in effect. Outside of thunderstorms, the gradient winds will continue to increase prior to frontal passage. The low-level jet is forecast to increase, making gusts over 40 mph likely by evening. Higher gusts are possible, particularly at elevations above 2000 feet. A Wind Advisory is in effect for all but the SE corner of the area. It remains possible the a High Wind Warning may be required for a portion of the area. /SEC && .LONG TERM... (Monday morning through next Friday) Issued at 231 PM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025 Key Messages: - Temperatures warm to seasonable through the long term. - A weak cold front on Thursday will bring the next chance for rain with a few rumbles of thunder possible. Overall pleasant conditions through the long term. Highs each day reach into the mid to upper 70s through mid week, before a cold front brings things back to a seasonable upper 50s to mid 60s. Lows through the week in the mid 30s and 40s. Unimpressive PoPs return with the weak cold front. While moisture availability will not be a problem, upper level forcing and instability will likely be well separated from the frontal system. Current guidance keeps total rainfall amounts under 0.5". Otherwise, mostly clear conditions and fair temperatures will make for a great week outdoors. If the pollen doesn't get us first! SM && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 729 PM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025 Isolated, discrete showers and thunderstorms have begun to develop across portions of north and central Georgia, and are expected to increase in coverage over the next few hours, warranting VCSH at all TAF sites as the period begins. A line of strong/severe convection is expected to impact area airports this evening and overnight. Models have been fairly consistent with the timing. Thus, a TEMPO for TSRA and strong SW winds has been maintained from 03-07Z at ATL/CSG, 06-10Z at AHN, and 07-11Z at MCN. Ceilings and visibilities will lower to MVFR just ahead of the line of convection. SE winds will be 15-25 kts, with gusts between 30-40 kts through the overnight hours, shifting to SW at 10-15 kts with gusts of 20-25 kts after the line clears in the early morning before sunrise. These gusts will remain possible through the day on Sunday given daytime mixing. VFR conditions are expected to return by 14-16Z on Sunday. //ATL Confidence...00Z Update... Medium on the exact timing of thunderstorms. High confidence on all other elements. King && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Athens 56 80 62 74 / 0 10 90 40 Atlanta 59 80 61 73 / 10 20 100 20 Blairsville 53 72 54 68 / 10 30 100 50 Cartersville 58 80 57 72 / 10 30 100 20 Columbus 58 84 61 76 / 10 10 90 10 Gainesville 56 77 61 72 / 10 20 100 30 Macon 55 84 63 78 / 0 10 90 20 Rome 58 80 56 71 / 20 50 100 30 Peachtree City 54 81 60 73 / 10 20 100 20 Vidalia 56 85 65 81 / 0 0 70 80 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch until 8 AM EDT Sunday for GAZ001>009-011. Wind Advisory until 5 AM EDT Sunday for GAZ001>009-011>016- 019>025-027-030>039-041>050-052>060-066>072-078>082-089>095- 102>108. && SHORT TERM...SEC LONG TERM....SM AVIATION...King
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 446 PM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-162100- 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- 446 PM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north and central Georgia. .DAY ONE...Tonight... A Moderate Risk (level 4 of 5) of severe weather is expected in far west Georgia and an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) of severe weather is expected elsewhere across our area late this afternoon, overnight, and through Sunday morning. All severe weather hazards including tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail will be possible with thunderstorms that develop. Flash flooding is possible tonight across portions of northern Georgia, with more localized flooding possible elsewhere. Residents should ensure that they have a way of receiving warnings and a plan for sheltering should warnings be issued! .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday... River and flash flooding are possible Sunday morning as a result of heavy rains across northern Georgia. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is requested through Sunday morning. Spotters are encouraged to report or relay severe weather reports to the National Weather Service.
The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 156 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:57 UTC.
39 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple to numerous trees down across Blue Ridge, including onto a house near Epsworth which was then struck by lightning and burned down.
House fire possibly due to lightning on the 400 block of buck creek trl home was a total loss.
A large metal roofed car port destroyed. Multiple trees knocked down. Report and photos provided by local media via a viewer near Abernathy's Mill.
Tree reported down on power lines on the 700 block of moon rd.
Trees and powerlines down near the intersection of 27 and poseyville rd.
Trees reported down along hwy 78 in bremen .
Tree reported down on pinewood ln .
Tree down near the intersection of ga hwy 100 and frolona rd.
Multiple reports of trees and powerlines down across cedartown.
Tree down on williamson st in rockmart .
Tree down in the roadway north of taylorsville near the intersection of iron hill rd and appaloosa ct sw.
Tree reported down on a home on the 200 block of cedar heights rd.
Tree reported down on powerlines on the 500 block of old camp church rd.
Tree down on powerlines near helton rd and watkins mill rd.
Tree down on goodyear ave .
Trees and power lines down across vinson mountain rd.
Multiple trees down near the intersection of hwy 113 and hwy 78.
Report of a tree on the roadway near the intersection of wade rd and taylorsville macedonia rd.
An EF1 tornado with maximum winds of 105 to 110 mph touched down|in central Paulding County on March 15, 2025 at 11:41 PM EST. The|tornado spun up within a strong line of thunderstorms moving|rapidly towards the northeast. The tornado initially touched down|to the southwest of Sudie, GA near Pace Creek Lake, where|multiple large pine trees were downed and an outbuilding was|destroyed. The tornado then tracked northeast where it produced|the initial EF1 rated damage near the intersection of Scoggins|Rd. and Cole Lake Rd. This included numerous large pine trees|downed and power line damage. 2 large pine trees fell on two|homes in the Paces Lake neighborhood. From there the tornado|continued on a northeast track through a mostly forested area|before intersecting Villa Rica HWY near Old Villa Rica Rd. The|tornado paralleled Villa Rica HWY for around 1.5 miles until it|reached the intersection with HWY 278. Damage was most intense|during this phase of the tornado with peak winds estimated in the|105 to 110 range. This included damage to a gas station, numerous|uprooted and topped trees, downed power lines and damage to the|roof of a Kroger grocery store near the intersection of HWY|278 and Villa Rica HWY. After crossing Merchants Dr. the tornado|weakened into the EF0 range as if tracked northeast near Ray|Mountain and into New Hope, GA. Additional EF1 damage was found|just north of New Hope near the intersection of Mount Tabor|Church Rd. and Parkway Ct. Here multiple large trees were|uprooted, a shed was destroyed and several homes were damaged by|falling trees. The tornado then continued towards the northeast|where it caused minor tree and shingle damage in the Reserve|neighborhood. It lifted near the intersection of White Spruce Ln.|and Wood Point Way around 11:53 PM EST. The total number of|structures damaged by the tornado was estimated at 15 by Paulding|Co. EMA.
Power lines downed by strong winds near the intersection of lacey rd and white rd in adairsville.
Power lines down near the intersection of boyd mountain rd and hall station rd in adairsville.
Tree down on power line near Pine Oak Dr and Green Oak Dr.
Tree reported down on a house near the intersection of oliver lane and bagby park.
A tree and power lines reported down near baker rd and mickay dr.
Tree down blocking roadway near forest view trail and chapel creek dr.
Tree blocking the road near the intersection of broad st and edgar little cir.
Tree blocking the road near the intersection of berlin and bowdon st.
Multiple trees down on s rt 100 near highway 78 .
Report of a tree down near the intersection of forlona rd and mountain laurel rd.
Two trees reported down on west point rd immediately south of the intersection with resource management dr.
Tree reported down on hamilton dr near highland dr.
Report of a tree down along armstrong mill rd .
Tree down on powerlines near the intersection of main st and college dr.
Tree down along dukes ro northwest of centralhatchee.
Multiple trees down across the city of lagrange stretching from the SW along US29 to the NW along GA14.
Tree reported down at the intersection of hogansville rd and bell rd.
Numerous trees down stretching from just northeast of downtown columbus towards the northeast to the offramp of columbus manchester expressway and county line rd.
Tree reported down near the intersection of hammett rd and johnson rd.
Tree reported down on the 1000 block of bass cross rd.
Several trees down around lake sinclair per law enforecement.
A tree down near the intersection of vinson highway and riverbend drive.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Georgia, 2025Warnings in Georgia, March 2025
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: 1249903, 1249902, 1249883, 1249895, 1249881, 1249882, 1249884, 1250335, 1250339, 1250338, 1249889, 1249896, 1249897, 1249898, 1250337, 1250340, 1249894, 1249892, 1249886, 1249890, 1249891, 1249899, 1249901, 1249893, 1249900, 1250328, 1250327, 1250329, 1250332, 1250343, 1250330, 1250333, 1250334, 1250331, 1250346, 1250345, 1250336, 1250342, 1250341, 1249887, and more.