At least one person has been killed in a tornado that struck Pembroke, Ga., About 30 miles west of Savannah, according to the television subsidiary WJCL in Savannah. The subsidiary also reported that three people were injured in a twist in Allendale, Ga. The storms produced devastating winds and whirlwinds during the day as they moved from west to east. They reached their peak in southern Georgia and South Carolina late in the afternoon and evening, when the Meteorological Service issued numerous “extremely dangerous” warnings for large and catastrophic tornadoes. Meteorological service reports and a social media video of the tornado erupting revealed not only felled trees and cables scattered throughout Southeast Europe, but also severe damage to homes and buildings. More than 25,000 customers were left without power in Georgia and South Carolina. Throughout Tuesday, the offices of the Meteorological Service in the southeast issued dozens of warnings for tornadoes. The warnings approached dangerously and sometimes included large population centers, including Macon, Ga., Savannah, Columbia, SC and Charleston, but the twisters seemed to be missing out on these cities. The nearby locations were not so lucky. At about 6 p.m., a particularly dangerous tornado warning was issued around Ulmer, SC, about 60 miles south of Columbia, and areas in the northeast. Social media showed the large, catastrophic tornado on the ground just to the northeast. The catastrophic and deadly tornado that passed through Pembroke fell shortly after 5 p.m. A tornado warning was in effect until 6:15 p.m. for areas on the north and west side of Savannah for the same twist. Videos on social media showed the twister passing Ellabell, just east of Pembroke. A video showed a large part of a house that was cut by the tornado and hurled to the side. Columbia was also under a tornado warning before 6 p.m. for confirmed twist, but seemed to dissolve before reaching the city. A tornado was declared in the area near Allendale and Sycamore, SC, around 4 p.m. for a confirmed “big and extremely destructive” twister. Radar detected large amounts of debris that had risen from the swivel about 70 miles south of Columbia. The Meteorological Service received reports of roof blasts from structures in Allendale. Just two hours later, a new tornado warning was issued on the north side of Allendale, very close to where the first whirlwind struck. Between 3 and 4 p.m. to the east, several tornado warnings were active in central and southern Georgia as well as western south carolina, including confirmed twists in north and southeast macon. During the morning, some structural tornado damage was reported near Newton, Miss., Between Jackson and Meridian, and in Coffeeville, Ala., About 75 miles north of Mobile. Radar warnings were then issued by radar confirmations east of Montgomery, Ala, shortly before noon Central. The threat of strong storms will continue in the southeast on Wednesday, while another round of a second system is possible in the south and east Mid-Atlantic on Thursday. There are already indications that a strong weather event could occur early next week, with the first potentially large-scale classic spring event hitting the Plains. Conditions seem broadly favorable for tornadoes and are probably just a taste of what will follow in the second half of April and most of May, as the season of severe weather is at its peak. 2022 created most of the March tornadoes recorded in the United States The areas most at risk of additional thunderstorms on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as early next week, are highlighted below.
Areas affected: An increased Level 3 risk exists for northern Alabama, northern Georgia, and southeastern Tennessee, including Birmingham, Atlanta, and Chattanooga. A more extensive Level 2 hazard extends from southern Kentucky to the rest of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina and sinks in Panhandle, Florida. Synchronization: The specific time and the evolution of the storms will depend on what will happen with the storms on Tuesday and the way the atmosphere recovers. That said, thunderstorms are more likely in the afternoon and evening. Risks: Rotating thunderstorms or superstorms are generally not expected, but sloping lines or sections capable of producing harmful straight winds or a single tornado are possible.
Areas affected: Thunderstorms on Thursday are likely to be limited to the far east of North Carolina and possibly Southeastern Virginia. There is a small level 2 risk there. Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Wilmington, NC are affected.
Synchronization: Time is of the essence. Morning thunderstorms in the north can “work” over the air and absorb much of the juice from it, but if the forehead slows down a bit or the “warm sector” can be better established, the chances of bad weather will increase. Any severe weather conditions should probably last until 3 p.m. Risks: The storms are likely to be structured as a dashed line, but there will be a seasonally strong jet stream high, with winds blowing north at highway speeds just a mile above the ground. Any storm that hits this momentum high will be able to carry it to the surface in the form of strong to locally destructive gusts of wind.
Another round of strong to strong storms will start on Monday. The jury does not know the details, but some ingredients seem to portend storms in the Plains. A dry line, or dry air peak from the Southwest Desert, will sharpen along Corridor I-35 in south-central Kansas, Oklahoma and North Texas on Monday. In front there will be air rich in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. Strong upper-level winds from a dip in the jet stream will accompany a disturbance of the upper air, setting the background for storms. It remains to be seen whether wind shear or a change in wind speed or direction with height is sufficient to support tornadoes. Nevertheless, expect a rise in severe weather above the Lower 48 towards the beginning of the next business week.
