SPC Mesoscale Discussion: Severe Thunderstorm Watch 297…

SUMMARY…An ongoing forward-propagating line of storms is expected to advance south through the remainder of the Georgia and eastern Alabama portion of WW 297 through 14Z, and should exit the Georgia portion by 13Z. If severe-weather threat persists at that time in central Georgia, then a tier or two of counties will need to be added by local extension across south-central Georgia.

DISCUSSION…Trends in mosaic radar imagery through 12Z showed a forward-propagating line of storms extending generally east-west from Putnam to Heard Counties GA to Randolph to Calhoun Counties AL. These storms were tracking to the south/southeast along a moderately strong instability gradient at a forward speed between 35-40 kt. At this storm motion, locally strong wind gusts are possible. However, the current presence of surface-based inhibition may be temporarily limiting that severe-weather threat. There is precedence to maintain the current watch and add downstream counties, as the onset of diabatic heating given generally clear skies south of the ongoing line of storms should aid in the removal of the inhibition. This heating will also destabilize the environment through the morning, suggesting a new severe-thunderstorm watch would need to be considered across southern GA, with a similar threat for damaging winds.

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