Isolated severe storms over southwest Georgia resulted in wind damage and large hail.
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.
Isolated severe storms over southwest Georgia resulted in wind damage and large hail.
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 3, 2:24 PM EST, 26 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
324 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, MARINE, FIRE WEATHER...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 323 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
- Scattered showers and thunderstorms focus the most across the
Eastern FL Big Bend into SW GA this afternoon. Storms will be
capable of strong-gusty winds, frequent lightning, and locally
heavy rain.
- A cold front crossing the region on Sunday brings high coverage
of showers and thunderstorms - some of which may be strong
(isolated severe weather is also possible). Otherwise, expect
some beneficial rains from this system.
- A prolonged period of high rip current risk is expected to
continue at all local beaches into the weekend. Please heed the
beach flags if visiting.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(This Evening through Saturday)
Issued at 323 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
A moist airmass will remain in place across the region through the
short term period, supporting scattered showers and thunderstorms
this afternoon. The highest coverage is expected along the I-75
corridor where PoPs are 60-80%, with lower but still notable chances
(around 40-50%) elsewhere. Temperatures today will rise into the
lower 80s, with mild overnight lows in the mid 60s.
Ability for convection will gradually diminish overnight, however by
Saturday afternoon, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected
to redevelop, with activity generally drifting northeast across SE
Alabama, SW Georgia and the inland Florida Panhandle. Coverage
should be somewhat lower than Friday, with PoPs in the 30-60% range.
High temperatures Saturday will reach the mid 80s, with overnight
lows settling into the lower 60s.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Saturday night through next Thursday)
Issued at 323 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
Attention turns to a cold front associated with a mid-latitude
cyclone over the Midwest, which will begin to move through the
region through the afternoon and into the evening on Sunday. Ahead
of the boundary, warm and moist conditions will support widely
spread showers and thunderstorms. In addition to convective
potential, this system is expected to bring a period of beneficial
rain to the area, which is much appreciated with the ongoing
drought. Temperatures on Sunday will depend on frontal timing, with
highs generally ranging from the upper 70s to mid 80s. Cooler and
drier air will begin to filter into the region Sunday night post-
front, with lows dropping into the lower 50s to lower 60s more
south.
In the wake of the front, northerly flow will generally bring about
drier conditions for the remainder of next week. However, slight
rain chances (30-40%) will persist along the Panhandle coast and
southward into Monday evening. Otherwise, conditions will trend
drier through the early part of the week. Temperatures will cool
modestly behind the front, with highs in the mid 70s early in the
week before gradually warming back into the lower 80s by mid to late
week. Overnight lows will generally range from the mid to upper 50s.
&&
.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 111 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
VFR conditions are expected through the next 12 hours or so.
Scattered SHRA has developed generally along and east of a ABY-TLH
line. Increasing in SHRA/TSRA is expected this afternoon near all
sites but ECP later this afternoon into the evening, ending by
02z. MVFR cigs are expected at most sites overnight with some
patchy fog possible. Cigs in the patchy fog may briefly drop to
IFR at times. Cigs and vsbys will improve shortly after sunrise.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 323 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
A persistent subtropical ridge of high pressure maintains gentle
to moderate easterly breezes through this weekend with daily
afternoon seabreezes and nightly landbreeze surges. A passing
front some time Sunday afternoon or evening causes winds to veer
southerly and southwesterly. Winds then quickly freshen out of the
north following frontal passage and approach advisory levels west
of Apalachicola by Monday morning. Rainy weather is likely to
persist into mid week from a wave low pressure traversing the
Gulf. The chances for advisory winds and seas increase on Tuesday
and persist the remainder of the work week.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 323 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
Increasing moisture ahead of an approaching front will lead to
scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms across the area
into the weekend. A cold front will push through the area from the
northeast Sunday/Sunday night, with showers and storms along and
ahead of it. Rain chances are forecast to be highest across the FL
Panhandle, SE Alabama, and SW Georgia on Sunday before diminishing
fairly quickly across the Big Bend and south Central Georgia Sunday
evening into Sunday night. The front is forecast to stall out south
of our region and may help develop a few additional showers across
the southern portion of the area early next week.
High dispersions will be possible on Sunday with increasing onshore
flow ahead of the approaching front. Conditions are forecast to be
drier in the wake of the front on Monday, but the driest conditions
actually arrive Tuesday once the front moves further away.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 254 AM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
The best chances for rain over the next several days are today
and Sunday, which will be much welcomed given our ongoing extreme
(D3) to exceptional (D4) drought conditions. Yesterday, we saw
further D3- D4 expansion. Additional rainfall is likely early next
week, especially along the coastal strip into the Suwannee
Valley. Current amounts are up to about 1.25 inches (isolated
higher) east of the Apalachicola River. Values are subject to
change.
For more local drought information & statements, visit the
following websites: weather.gov/tae/LocalDrought
weather.gov/tae/DroughtInformationStatement
&&
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not requested. However, spotters are always
encouraged to safely report significant weather conditions when they
occur by calling the office or tweeting us @NWSTallahassee.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Tallahassee 65 84 61 84 / 10 20 0 30
Panama City 66 81 64 78 / 0 20 0 50
Dothan 63 84 62 76 / 30 60 20 80
Albany 64 84 62 80 / 30 40 10 70
Valdosta 63 86 62 85 / 40 20 0 30
Cross City 62 88 61 86 / 30 10 0 10
Apalachicola 67 75 64 77 / 0 10 0 20
&&
.TAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...High Rip Current Risk through late Saturday night for FLZ108-112-
114-115.
GA...None.
AL...None.
GM...None.
&&
SHORT TERM...Merrifield
LONG TERM....Merrifield
AVIATION...Young
MARINE...IG3/Merrifield
FIRE WEATHER...Merrifield
HYDROLOGY...IG3Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
325 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
FLZ019-032000-
Madison FL-
325 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL MADISON COUNTY THROUGH
400 PM EDT...
At 325 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Madison, moving northwest at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Madison, Lee, Hopewell, and Cherry Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3046 8325 3032 8334 3039 8362 3061 8347
TIME...MOT...LOC 1925Z 120DEG 11KT 3042 8338
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
42-DVDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
334 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
GAZ146-032015-
Colquitt GA-
334 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL COLQUITT COUNTY THROUGH
415 PM EDT...
At 334 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles north of Pavo, or 8 miles southeast of Moultrie, moving north
at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Moultrie, Norman Park, Doerun, Riverside, Schley, Berlin, Funston,
Pineboro, Autreyville, Minnesota, Spence Airport, South Moultrie,
Sigsbee, Moultrie Municipal A/P, Crosland, New Elm, and Murphy.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3104 8378 3103 8378 3103 8379 3104 8380
3104 8382 3133 8393 3133 8376 3132 8376
3132 8372 3133 8371 3133 8363 3103 8359
TIME...MOT...LOC 1934Z 166DEG 10KT 3107 8371
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
42-DVDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
339 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
FLZ029-034-032030-
Inland Dixie FL-Lafayette FL-
339 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN LAFAYETTE AND
NORTHEASTERN DIXIE COUNTIES THROUGH 430 PM EDT...
At 339 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles west of Bell, moving north at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Mayo, Grady, Hatch Bend, Fletcher, Guaranto Springs, San Pedro
Junction, Alton, and Fletcher Springs.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 2983 8289 2981 8293 2980 8292 2976 8295
2972 8294 2972 8296 2970 8294 2970 8296
2967 8296 2966 8314 3008 8327 3010 8312
3003 8301 3001 8300 2999 8296 2996 8295
2996 8293 2989 8292 2990 8290 2986 8288
TIME...MOT...LOC 1939Z 166DEG 10KT 2974 8301
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
42-DVDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
342 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
GAZ146-147-032030-
Colquitt GA-Cook GA-
342 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT COOK AND NORTHEASTERN COLQUITT
COUNTIES THROUGH 430 PM EDT...
At 342 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hahira, or near Adel, moving north at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Adel, Sparks, Omega, Lenox, Cecil, Ellenton, Reed Bingham State Park,
Cook Co A/P, Cool Spring, Staunton, Barneyville, Greggs, Pine Valley,
Flat Ford, Wagon Wheel, Crosland, and Laconte.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3103 8347 3104 8349 3105 8350 3105 8355
3108 8357 3106 8357 3133 8367 3133 8346
3135 8344 3135 8343 3132 8344 3130 8343
3125 8337 3103 8334
TIME...MOT...LOC 1942Z 166DEG 10KT 3104 8346
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
42-DVDThe Moody AFB radar (KVAX), 72 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:50 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was down across the entire roadway at Old Berlin Road and Horseshoe Drive.
A fertilizer tank was blown over due to straight line winds.
A tree was down near Jacob Hall Road and Chula Brookfield Road.
A tree was blown down in a yard along Chula Brookfield Road going towards Chula.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, April 2026
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: 1327822, 1327823, 1327824, 1327825, 1327826, 1327827.