EF2 tornado, Odessadale to Williamson, Georgia, January 12, 2023

1. EF065 to 85 mph

   Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

2. EF186 to 110 mph

   Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

3. EF2111 to 135 mphthis tornado

   Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

4. EF3136 to 165 mph

   Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

5. EF4166 to 200 mph

   Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

6. EF5over 200 mph

   Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

7. Unrated

   The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

Rating

EF2

Date

January 12, 2023

Touchdown

3:45 PM EST (20:45 UTC)

Lifted

4:17 PM EST (21:17 UTC)

On the ground

32 minutes

Path length

23.4 miles (37.6 km)

Path width

1,500 yards (1372 m)

Deaths

0

Injuries

0

Counties

Meriwether and Pike counties

Touchdown point

33.051, -84.845

Lift-off point

33.176, -84.471

Record number

2301121445-01

290 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS FFC, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF3. The highest wind the damage implies is 160 mph.

• A few small trees uprooted, mailbox still standing.
• Band of trees snapped/uprooted both sides of road
• Large swath of trees snapped and uprooted
• Home completely destroyed. Neighboring home also destroyed

Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.

A line of strong thunderstorms moved into north and central Georgia during the afternoon through the evening on Thursday, January 12th and spawned numerous tornadoes, including several that were long track and significant. Ahead of this line, a few supercells also spawned tornadoes in portions of central and eastern Georgia. Upon further examination of radar data and high resolution areal imagery, it was found that several tornadoes rotated around and within a larger vortex and caused the widespread damage in the area near Griffin GA, over 2 miles wide in some cases. |The result was that as many as 4 tornadoes were on the ground simultaneously in SW Spalding County, which were rotating around the larger circulation, merging together in several cases and crossing paths. The presence of 3 mergers was identified in the reanalysis. Additional analysis revealed that wind speeds in the EF3 storm reached|as high as 155mph or high end EF3. This confirmed a total of 14 tornadoes, including 10 which resulted from the same storm/larger mesocyclone.

Re-cycling from a parent supercell tracking from Chambers County (Alabama) into Troup County (Georgia), this tornado touched down just south of Callaway Airport, snapping several trees along Pegasus Pkwy. Damage quickly picked up just to the northeast approaching Whitesville Road (just north of I-85) where several one-story metal buildings had significant roof damage, along with their garage doors and windows blown in. Numerous trees in this area were either snapped or uprooted. Several power poles along Orchard Hill Road were broken off near the top. Maximum winds in this area were determined to be in the 90-100 mph range (EF-1). As the tornado continued northeast, a large warehouse building at the Vaughan Xpress transportation facility sustained significant damage. About 1/4 of the large warehouse was completely destroyed with several metal bolt anchors stretched or ripped up out of the concrete pad. Winds were estimated between 110-120 mph at this time and as it crossed I-85, a large number of trees were snapped (some near the base) or uprooted. Widespread significant damage by this strong tornado continued across the Baldwin Park community. In this location, more than 30 homes had significant damage; one and two-story homes lost major parts of the roof and upper level floors along with at least partial-collapse of exterior walls. Debris was thrown for hundreds of yards. Winds in this area likely maxed out around 120 mph, making this an EF-2 tornado. The tornado continued east-northeast, cutting down trees across Upper Big Springs Road, I-185, and Stewart Road (east of I-185). There's a fairly rural/wooded area between Stewart Road and the next road (Parmer road) about 2 miles apart but damage picked back up along Hwy 109/Greenville Road (mostly trees snapped/uprooted). The tornado then ripped through the town of Mountville, snapping and uprooting multiple medium to large trees along Trippe and College streets. A couple more trees were uprooted along Wood Road as it moved into Meriwether County. Numerous trees were down near the intersection of Keith Rd and Evans road as the damage veered right. The tornado continued across a wood area, crossing Beech Creek, with more large branches found snapped on Wilbur Keith Rd near Fox Den Rd. The giant mesocyclone continued east where the tornado merged with the ongoing Meriwether/Northwest Pike tornado near Highway 100 and Forrest Rd.

Just west of the Troup-Meriwether County line, another long-track and powerful tornado formed just east of the county line near Keith Rd 0.9 miles north of GA109. The tornado initially traveled north then turned to a east-northeast direction crossing Wilbur Keith Rd and Piney Woods Rd downing hundreds of trees. The tornado broadened and intensified as it approached GA100 with a diameter of 0.9 miles and winds over 100 mph uprooting and snapping over 1000 trees. A home on Forrest Rd had its entire roof blown off where max winds were estimated at 120 mph and first reached EF-2 intensity. The tornado continued at 100 to 120 mph intensity as it continued east-northeast into neighborhoods south of Allie Rd along Mount Pilgram Rd where several homes were damaged or destroyed by trees falling on them. One double-wide manufactured home on Ground Hog Dr had its roof blown off and was shifted 20 yards off its foundation, breaking the home in half. The tornado continued east-northeast along Allie Rd crossing US27. Just east of US27 a very large stand of trees were snapped and a large recently-constructed two-story barn was destroyed. Just east of this location, two single-wide mobile home completely destroyed. The residents of one of the homes was at the hospital when the tornado struck and returned home early next morning to find it in shambles. Here, maximum winds were also rated at EF-2 intensity. The tornado began to weaken east of this point and it tracked a bit more northeast in direction, crossing Rocky Mountain Rd and Malcom Rd before it traveled along Callaway Rd downing several hundred more trees as it moved near the Alps community. While the tornado remained weak east of this area, the overall storm remained extremely strong and the tornado did not dissipate, continuing east paralleling HWY 362 causing sporadic tree damage before crossing the Flint River into NW Pike County crossing River RD and lifting around the Kings Bridge Road. Here winds were only 75-80 mph downing several trees as far as could be seen from public roadways. More recent analysis of radar data and areal satellite imagery confirmed that this particular circulation continued east into Pike County while 2 other tornadoes were spinning up to the North and Northeast of this weakening circulation.

New high resolution areal imagery in concert with a reanalysis of radar data, areal surveys and ground surveys it has been determined that there were multiple tornadoes on the ground simultaneously in southwest Spalding and Northwestern Pike Counties as well as crossing tornado paths. The tornadoes were part of a larger mesocyclone which can be traced west all the way back to the Selma Alabama tornado. Our analysis determined that this tornado would become the dominant circulation which impacted Griffin and much of Spalding County and Southern Henry County. The tornado first touched down in Northwest Pike County along HWY 362 west of Irish Hill Drive where a few trees were snapped and uprooted and quickly increased in intensity to EF1 as it crossed Kings Bridge Road, Huff Creek Rd and Scott Road where numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. As the storm crossed Blanton Mill Road more severe damage was noted both on the ground and areal survey and it was determined that EF2 damage was present in the area around Nunnally Rd and Bethany Road where widespread snapping of trees occurred and a few structures were severely damaged. However, the updated analysis shows that this area also experienced crossing tornado paths both from this tornado and another which struck the area approximately 2 minutes later. The combination of the 2 paths likely resulted in more intense damage indicators. As the storm continued north into southern Spalding County, the circulation briefly weakened causing only sporadic low end EF0 damage northward along Scott Barch Road. It should also be noted that this circulation would pass into southern Spalding County along Scott Barch Road just 2 minutes ahead of another EF1 tornado to cross its path coming in from the west. The tornado continued north crossing Scott Barch Road and uprooting trees in an area south of Blanton Mill Road. Per both radar data and damage on the ground the tornado would pivot within the larger mesocyclone in an area north of Blanton Mill and begin its track east crossing Rover Zetlla Road destroying a barn. It was near this point the tornado and the wind damage would significantly increase as the tornado was intensifying rapidly. The tornado would quickly reach peak intensity of 150-155 mph and several homes were completely destroyed along Kendall Drive and West Road. 2 homes in particular were noted to be completely destroyed down to the foundation however further inspection of the homes revealed that the walls were not anchored fully anchored into the concrete thus a higher rating could not be determined from those homes. The resident of one of those homes rode out the storm in his bathtub, however the bathtub and all plumbing fixtures were torn away from the slab and tossed into the nearby woods. The survivor of the home was miraculously uninjured and got out to help neighbors. Further west along Kendall Drive several homes were also completely destroyed with several others suffering major damage thus the EF3 rating. The damage along West Road in particular garnered a slight upgrade in the wind speed to high end EF3 damage per a reanalysis. Major to severe damage was also noted along Maloy Road, Hwy 16, areas around Griffin High School, The club at Shoal Creek and North Pine Hill Road. As the tornado approached Hwy 19, per UGA faculty, the UGA facility at Dempsey Farm recorded a wind speed of 81.1 mph before the anemometer/wind combo instrument blew off the tower. The tornado continued ENE through the community of Experiment to the NW of the town of Griffin crossing HWY 92 where numerous business and homes suffered damage either from wind or fallen trees consistent with EF0 through EF1 damage. A weather instrument on the south end of the tornado swath at the UGA Griffin Campus recorded a 73.9 mph wind gust as the storm passed by. Damage in the area was consistent with EF0 type wind damage. The tornado struck a Hobby Lobby building in an around Experiment St and Hwy 92 which suffered severe damage to the roof, and exterior walls on the northeast side. Damage to the building was consistent with EF2 winds of approximately 130 mph. The tornado continued Northeast through the northside of Griffin with mostly EF0-EF1 type wind damage. Pockets of more severe damage were noted along Northside Drive and McIntosh Road consistent with high end EF1 damage. The tornado continued northeast crossing Smoak Road and N. McDonough road where it was noted both on the ground and from the air that the circulation weakened and the damage become more sporadic in nature particularly the area from Amelia rd eastward to I75 in southern Henry County. Once the circulation crossed I75 intensity of the tornado increased to a mid to high end EF1 with damage in the city of Locust Grove. The tornado crossed LG Griffin Road where it impacted numerous homes in a subdivision and snapped or uprooted trees. The storm crossed Stanley K Tanger Road and through another neighborhood affecting several homes including some high end EF1 damage. As the storm crossed Hwy 23 numerous trees were snapped or uprooted and a new TDS appeared on radar. The tornado continued NE across Jackson St, Grove Park Drive, Skyland Dr, S. Unity Grove Road and S Ola grove road snapping and uprooting trees as well as causing EF0 or in some cases EF1 damage to homes. The storm continued ENE snapping and uprooting trees through Peaksville Road where it shortly there after become less defined and eventually merged with the circulation/tornado ongoing to the south in the Jenkinsburg area.

New high resolution areal imagery in concert with a reanalysis of radar data, areal surveys and ground surveys it has been determined that there were multiple tornadoes on the ground simultaneously in southwest Spalding and Northwestern Pike Counties as well as crossing tornado paths. The tornadoes were part of a larger mesocyclone which can be traced west all the way back to the Selma Alabama tornado. This particular tornado was spinning up in extreme SW Spalding County near Holonville Road and the Flint River as the EF2 tornado crossing Meriweather County into NW Pike was weaking and winding down. The particular tornado first showed a debris signature on radar in a marshy aread near the flint River east of Holonville Road. Areal satellite imagery and newly acquired information from a homeowner along Huff Creek Road confirm the track continued east just north of Huff Crrek Road snapping and uprooting hundreds of trees. The tornado Crossed Hancock Road as a high end EF 1 before reaching Blanton Mill Road where several outbuildings were destroyed, a home was damaged and hundredes of trees were uprooted or snapped. As the tornado coninued east toward Nunnally Road it was noted that the tornado which would become the Griffin Tornado had crossed approximately 2 minutes prior and as this tornado approached that area. Damage in the Nunnally Road area is consistent with multiple cirulations crossing this region. Also as this EF1 tornado reached the Nunnally/Bethany Road area, a strong surge in wind can be seen on radar rotating ENE around the larger mesocyclone and catching this tornado in this region. The particular tornado would be not only becoming part of that wind surge but also merge with an EF1 tornado sinking ESE out of Spalding County approximately at the Spalding/Pike county line in and around the Yarborough Mill Road region. This tornado would become the dominate circulation per radar analysis thus this track is continued ENE. As the EF1 tornado merges from the WNW, this tornado increases to max intensity of EF2 in and around the Yarborough Mill Road and Crystal Creek Drive area where several structures were severely damaged or destroyed in addition to hundreds of trees snapped and uprooted. Per damage analysis from imagery, this merging which occurred likely resulted in the increased intensification of the tornado to EF2 in this region. The tornado continued eastward toward a large rock quarry along Rover Zetella Road. The tornado snapped trees up to the Rock Quarry however, it appears that due to the size of the quarry, the tornado redeveloped on the N side of the quarry along Rover Zetalla Road and continued east before resuming a northward path. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted wet of Candler Road north across North Rover Road,Agape Avenue and Bethel Lane. Numerous homes sustained everything from minor to moderate damage in this area consistent with EF0 to EF1 winds. This particular tornado continued north toward the stronger EF3 tornado occurring simultaneously ultimately absorbing this tornado into the ciruclation in the area around Maloy road. Due to the scope of the damage and the width, the exact location and the damage attribution (which tornado caused which damage) becomes difficult to discern even with the imagery. As a result, the exact width is an estimate due to the challenges of determining where one tornado damage swath ended and where another one started. The one thing that can be certain is that the vorticies/tornadoes did merge near or just after the EF3 damage occurred.

As the Troup County tornado lifted southeast of LaGrange just west of the Troup-Meriwether County line, another long-track and powerful tornado formed just east of the county line near Keith Rd 0.9 miles north of GA109. The tornado initially traveled north then turned to a east-northeast direction crossing Wilbur Keith Rd and Piney Woods Rd downing hundreds of trees. The tornado broadened and intensified as it approached GA100 with a diameter of 0.9 miles and winds over 100 mph uprooting and snapping over 1000 trees. A home on Forrest Rd had its entire roof blown off where max winds were estimated at 120 mph and first reached EF-2 intensity. The tornado continued at 100 to 120 mph intensity as it continued east-northeast into neighborhoods south of Allie Rd along Mount Pilgram Rd where several homes were damaged or destroyed by trees falling on them. One double-wide manufactured home on Ground Hog Dr had its roof blown off and was shifted 20 yards off its foundation, breaking the home in half. The tornado continued east-northeast along Allie Rd crossing US27. Just east of US27 a very large stand of trees were snapped and a large recently-constructed two-story barn was destroyed. Just east of this location, two single-wide mobile home completely destroyed. The residents of one of the homes was at the hospital when the tornado struck and returned home early next morning to find it in shambles. Here, maximum winds were also rated at EF-2 intensity (120 mph). The tornado began to weaken east of this point and it tracked a bit more northeast in direction, crossing Rocky Mountain Rd and Malcom Rd before it traveled along Callaway Rd downing several hundred more trees as it moved near the Alps community. While the tornado remained weak east of this area, the overall storm remained extremely strong and the tornado did not dissipate, continuing east parallelling HWY 362 causing sporadic tree damage before crossing the Flint River into NW Pike County crossing River RD and lifting around the Kings Bridge Road. Here winds were only 75-80 mph downing several trees as far as could be seen from public roadways. More recent analysis of radar data and areal satellite imagery confirmed that this particular circulation continued east into Pike County while 2 other tornadoes were spinning up to the North and Northeast of this weakening circulation.

New high resolution areal imagery in concert with a reanalysis of radar data, areal surveys and ground surveys it has been determined that there were multiple tornadoes on the ground simultaneously in southwest Spalding and Northwestern Pike Counties as well as crossing tornado paths. This particular EF1 tornado formed on the southern extent of the larger mesocyclone in close proximity to the EF2 tornado to the north. This tornado formed in and around the Nunnally Road and Dunbar School Road area snapping and uprooting trees. It would continue ENE crossing Hutchinson Rd and Bethany Road snapping and uprooting trees. EF1 damage to several storage buildings and homes occurred as the tornado crossed W. Williamson Road just to the south of the Rock Quarry along Rover Zetella Road. This tornado would continue east and pass to the south of the Rock Quarry snapping and uprooting trees before crossing Rover Zetella Road near the intersection of N. Rover Road. A small barn was destroyed and numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. It was near this point the tornado would begin a more north to northeastward path as it became more wrapped up into the larger mesocyclone and more dominate tornado developing and occurring to the north near Hwy16. This EF1 would cross Emanuel Way, Wilder Way, Maloy Road and Delray Cir causing damage to numerous homes and uprooting trees. 2 large storage bins just east of Wilder Way and Saint Luke Dr were completely destroyed. Trees were snapped and uprooted as the tornado continued north into the larger circulation where it would merge just south of HWY16 to the NE of Princess Circle. Areal satellite imagery and radar data confirms the northward moving tornado into the more dominate Griffin EF3 tornado with trees snapped and uprooted to the north and an area of trees snapped and uprooted to the east. Exact width is an estimate due to the challenges of determining where one tornado damage swath ended and where another one started. The one thing that can be certain is that the vorticies/tornadoes did merge near or just after the EF3 damage occurred.

New high resolution areal imagery in concert with a reanalysis of radar data, areal surveys and ground surveys it has been determined that there were multiple tornadoes on the ground simultaneously in southwest Spalding and Northwestern Pike Counties as well as crossing tornado paths. The tornadoes were part of a larger mesocyclone which can be traced west all the way back to the Selma Alabama tornado. Our analysis determined that this tornado spun up near the center of the main mesocylone as it crossed the Flint River in SW Spalding County. The first evidence of a tornado touching down appear along Blanton Mill Road where several trees were uprooted. This tornado would become caught within the larger circulation and swing SE around the center through mostly wooded or swampy areas of SW Spalding County. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted in a path that that tracks ESE until it reaches Scott Barch Road. It is in this area it crosses the path of a tornado which passes approximately 2 minutes early moving NE on the eastern periphery of the larger mesocyclone. Low end EF1 damage occurred to a barn in this area, however, it could have occurred with the first tornado. Numerous trees are uprooted or snapped in this area as well. The tornado continued ESE crossing Flat Creek causing mid range EF1 damage to trees. It is noted per areal imagery and radar data that as the tornado approached Yarborough Rd and Shackleford Road it become absorbed/merged with a larger stronger circulation/tornado moving to the NE. Damage on the ground in this area is indicative of tornadoes coming in from 2 different directions. The particular circulation is terminated at this point as the larger more dominate tornado continues NE toward a rock quarry along Rover Zetalla Road. It should also be noted that EF2 damage occurred shortly after these 2 tornadoes merged near Yarborough Road but will be attributed to the more dominate circulation.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

NWS Atlanta, GA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the tornado touched down at Jan 12, 2:59 PM EST, 46 minutes earlier.

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
259 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

...Afternoon Area Forecast Discussion...

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Friday)
Issued at 238 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 7PM EST for portions of
north and central GA.
Wind Advisory in effect until 11PM EST for all of north and
central GA.

A line of strong to severe thunderstorms is currently pushing
through NW GA (just north of the metro) at this hour. Additionally,
a smaller secondary line of strong to severe storms has also
formed out ahead of this line just NW of Macon. However, the main
front is still well to our west just now entering into NW AL per
latest MSAS analysis. The CWA remains situated in the warm sector
with SSW flow ushering in upper 50s to mid 60 dewpoints. Breaks in
the cloud cover have resulted in further destabilization across
the area with SBCAPE values ranging from 500 to 1000J/kg. Out
ahead of the primary line of thunderstorms DCAPE ranges roughly
from 600-700 J/kg. Thus, strong damaging winds remain the primary
threat. However, tornadoes are certainly not out of the question,
as this line has a history of producing tornadoes (further west in
Central AL). 0-1km SRH values per SPC Mesoanalysis range from
200-350 m2/s2 across a good portion of the area. Locally heavy
rainfall, particularly with stronger storms could also lead to
some localized flooding issues as storms moves through. So
needless to say quite an active afternoon and evening is in store
for the Peach State. At this hour there are several active Severe
Thunderstorm and Tornado Warnings currently in effect. Please stay
weather aware!

Based on latest CAMs (Convective Allowing Models) the primary line
of storms pushes through the ATL metro btwn 3-5PM and past Macon
by 6-9PM and finally clearing the area between 9PM-12AM. Winds
will quickly shift to the W following the passage of the primary
line and eventually to the NW as the cold front moves through.

Still anticipating some wrap around moisture associated with this
system as the sfc low track northeast. Height falls associated
with the upper trough will usher in colder air across the north
overnight. All of this to say, some light wintry precipitation
across North GA (better chances across the NE GA mtns) will be
possible Friday morning as temperatures will be in the 30s.

07

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Saturday morning through next Wednesday)
Issued at 238 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

High pressure continues to dominate the weather pattern today but
things will change Sat afternoon/evening. The ridge is currently
centered over AL but will slide east overnight becoming centered
over GA Sat. It will weaken a bit as it moves east off the GA/SC
coast Sat night/Sun. This will allow the next frontal system to
move into NW GA Late Sat afternoon through Sat night.

Currently a closed low center is developing across the TX/OK
panhandles and will push eastward to the OK/MO/AR borders by 12z
Sat. The associated frontal boundary will spread moisture eastward
into N GA by late morning mainly in the form of increased cloud
cover. By Sat evening The main frontal boundary will be moving
through the MS river Valley but it will also be oriented from NE to
SW with the top end of the front pushing into NW GA at the same
time. Only areas North and West of the ATL area should see precip
Sat night with the rest of the area seeing it Sun. Instability is
fairly limited with the front so for now only going with showers Sat
night but would not be surprised to see a lightning strike or two as
it moves into the area Sun.

Temperatures tonight will dip back down into the 30s with highs Sat
mainly in the 60s. Light southerly flow sets up ahead of the frontal
boundary Sat so Sat night lows will only get down into the 40s. This
will keep any freezing/frozen precip well north of our area.

01

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1234 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

Mostly MVFR cigs at all sites this aftn. SSW winds are starting to
pick up with gusts nearing 25kts. Over the next few hours could
see gusts as high as 27-33kts ahead of the main line of storms
pushing through NW GA. No major changes to the timing of TSRA,
still looks to impact ATL btwn 21-00z. Could see pockets of VFR
behind the line as winds quickly shift to the WNW/NW. Though MVFR
cigs are expect to fill back in overnight through at least 12-14z
Friday. Winds will remain gusts through this later period as well
with NW winds 10-13kts with gusts nearing 20-22kts.

//ATL Confidence...Avi Update...

Medium to high confidence on all elements.

07

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Athens          40  49  30  49 / 100   0   0   0
Atlanta         38  44  30  45 /  60   0   0   0
Blairsville     32  39  25  41 /  60  30  20   0
Cartersville    36  44  28  45 /  50   0   0   0
Columbus        41  49  31  50 /  70   0   0   0
Gainesville     39  46  30  46 /  60  10   0   0
Macon           43  52  31  51 / 100   0   0   0
Rome            38  44  30  47 /  50   0   0   0
Peachtree City  38  46  29  47 /  60   0   0   0
Vidalia         46  56  34  51 / 100   0   0   0

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Advisory until 11 PM EST this evening for GAZ001>009-
011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-089>098-
102>113.

&&

SHORT TERM...07
LONG TERM....01
AVIATION...07

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
301 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-132015-
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-
301 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North and Central Georgia.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight...

Strong to severe thunderstorms are ongoing across portions of
North and Central GA. The main threats will be damaging wind
gusts up to 60 mph, several isolated tornadoes, and frequent
lightning. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 7PM EST for a
good portion of the state.

A wind advisory also remains in effect until 11 pm to account for
strong wind gusts from 30-40 mph ahead of the line which could
also bring down trees and powerlines, before storms begin.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday...

Light snow showers are expected in extreme north Georgia which
could lead to light accumulations of a quarter to a half inch in
higher elevations and a dusting in the lower elevations.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is requested for Thursday afternoon and
Thursday evening across north and central Georgia. Please relay
any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while
following all local, state, and CDC guidelines.

In the hours before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
203 PM EST THU JAN 12 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0120 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 W MCCAYSVILLE-COPPERH 34.99N 84.39W
01/12/2023                   FANNIN             GA   EMERGENCY MNGR

            MULTIPLE TREES DOWN ALONG MOBILE ROAD.

&&

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
207 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

GAZ080-091>093-121945-
Macon GA-Schley GA-Taylor GA-Marion GA-
207 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Macon,
east central Marion, northwestern Schley and southern Taylor Counties
through 245 PM EST...

At 207 PM EST, a strong thunderstorm was near Tazewell, or 8 miles
northeast of Buena Vista, moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
         ground lightning.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Butler, Reynolds, Ideal, Murrays Crossroads, Tazewell, Doyle, Rupert,
Charing, Garden Valley, Hicks and Potterville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EST for west central
Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3227 8445 3241 8454 3264 8414 3238 8400
TIME...MOT...LOC 1907Z 234DEG 33KT 3238 8439

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
232 PM EST THU JAN 12 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0201 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NW CEDARTOWN          34.02N 85.27W
01/12/2023                   POLK               GA   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES AND POWERLINES DOWNED NEAR THE
            INTERSECTION OF PINE ST AND W. GIRARD AVE.

&&

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
236 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

GAZ030-031-041-122000-
Polk GA-Haralson GA-Paulding GA-
236 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of western Paulding,
Haralson and eastern Polk Counties through 300 PM EST...

At 236 PM EST, a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from Van Wert to Tallapoosa, and moving northeast at 80
mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, up to penny sized hail, 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...
Dallas, Buchanan, Bremen, Rockmart, Tallapoosa, Aragon, Waco,
Braswell, Taylorsville, Yorkville, Fish Creek, Eubank Lake, Antioch,
Van Wert, Draketown and Felton.

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.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 500 PM EST for northwestern
Georgia. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until 700 PM EST for
northwestern Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3409 8500 3408 8499 3389 8485 3380 8500
      3381 8505 3378 8505 3365 8528 3365 8532
      3387 8538
TIME...MOT...LOC 1936Z 239DEG 68KT 3397 8505 3376 8529

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
258 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

GAZ020>022-031>033-042-043-122030-
North Fulton GA-Douglas GA-Cobb GA-Cherokee GA-Bartow GA-Carroll GA-
Forsyth GA-Paulding GA-
258 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern
Paulding, Cherokee, western Forsyth, Cobb, north central Carroll,
northwestern Douglas, northeastern Fulton and southeastern Bartow
Counties through 330 PM EST...

At 258 PM EST, a line of strong thunderstorms was along a line
extending from Canton to near Dallas, and moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, pea sized hail and frequent cloud to
         ground lightning.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Marietta, Canton, Dallas, Cumming, Mountain Park, Sandy Springs,
Roswell, Alpharetta, Smyrna, Dunwoody, Milton, Kennesaw, Woodstock,
Acworth, Powder Springs, Holly Springs, Austell, Hiram, Emerson and
Free Home.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 500 PM EST for north central
and northwestern Georgia. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect
until 700 PM EST for north central and northwestern Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3430 8452 3429 8399 3380 8452 3376 8505
      3378 8505
TIME...MOT...LOC 1958Z 267DEG 44KT 3426 8447 3389 8489

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
312 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

GAZ016-122030-
White GA-
312 PM EST Thu Jan 12 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central White County
through 330 PM EST...

At 312 PM EST, a strong thunderstorm was over Helen, or near
Cleveland, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...40 to 50 mph wind, nickel sized hail and frequent cloud to
         ground lightning.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect minor damage to tree limbs and blowing around of
         light, unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Cleveland, Helen, Unicoi State Park, Robertstown, Anna Ruby Falls,
Smithgall Woods Conservation Are, Sautee and Qualatchee Lake.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

People outdoors should seek shelter immediately. If you can hear
thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EST for northeastern
Georgia.

&&

LAT...LON 3477 8365 3477 8364 3476 8363 3473 8362
      3472 8364 3467 8364 3466 8366 3462 8364
      3459 8364 3461 8381 3477 8381 3480 8368
TIME...MOT...LOC 2012Z 265DEG 36KT 3468 8373

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Newnan Coweta County Airport (CCO), 24 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.

The Atlanta radar (KFFC), 29 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 20:44 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

The live radar over the trackEvery 2023 tornado in GeorgiaEvery tornado in Georgia since 1950Warnings in force in Georgia nowThe forecast where you are

41 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.