KEY POINT
- Tornado watch active for multiple Southwest Georgia counties until 7 p.m. EST.
- Winter weather advisory continues for select Middle Georgia counties through the evening.
- Residents face simultaneous risks from severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and icy conditions.
COLUMBUS, Ga. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for portions of Southwest and Middle Georgia through 7 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time Sunday, amid conditions favorable for severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, officials said.
The alert affects several counties while a separate winter weather advisory remains in effect across central Georgia, signaling a rare combination of severe weather and winter hazards.
The tornado watch covers Crisp, Chattahoochee, Marion, Muscogee, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, and Webster counties, including key cities such as Columbus, Americus, Buena Vista, Cordele, Ellaville, Fort Benning, Preston, and Richland.
The National Weather Service cautioned that while a watch does not indicate that tornadoes have formed, it signals conditions that could support their development.
Meanwhile, central Georgia counties under the winter weather advisory include Lamar, Monroe, Jones, Baldwin, Washington, Hancock, Putnam, Jasper, and Butts. Residents in these areas are warned of potentially icy roads and travel disruptions.
“People should remain alert, have multiple ways to receive weather notifications, and be ready to take shelter if warnings are issued,” said James Lee, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City, Georgia.
Georgia typically experiences its peak tornado season in spring and early summer, but wintertime tornadoes, while less common, can occur when a strong frontal system interacts with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico.
The combination of these factors creates a volatile atmosphere capable of generating severe thunderstorms and tornadoes outside the usual season.
The ongoing winter weather advisory reflects central Georgia’s exposure to cold air and potential ice accumulation, a situation that complicates emergency planning as communities may face dual weather hazards simultaneously.
Dr. Sarah Bouchard, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Georgia, said, “The current setup shows strong wind shear and instability, which are the ingredients for tornadoes even in winter.
Residents should not assume it’s safe because tornado season is usually months away.”
Mark Pendergrass, chief meteorologist at the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, emphasized the logistical challenges of responding to dual hazards.
“Emergency services need to balance severe storm readiness with winter weather precautions. Coordinating shelters, road clearance, and public communications is essential to protect lives.”
Emergency management officials have urged communities to stay vigilant. “We are actively monitoring conditions and coordinating with local governments to ensure shelters and first responders are ready,” said David Thompson, emergency director for Muscogee County.
Residents in affected areas are also taking precautions.
“Getting this alert on my phone reminded me to check our safe room and emergency supplies. We’re watching the radar closely,” said Rebecca Caldwell, a resident of Americus, Georgia.
Weather models indicate the storm system will continue moving eastward overnight, gradually reducing severe thunderstorm and tornado potential.
Winter weather impacts may linger into Monday morning for central Georgia as cold air persists. National Weather Service forecasters plan to issue updates as conditions change.
Emergency agencies recommend maintaining readiness, monitoring forecasts, and limiting non-essential travel until the weather stabilizes.
The combination of a tornado watch in Southwest Georgia and ongoing winter weather advisories in central counties highlights the complexity of current weather patterns.
Residents and authorities must navigate the dual threats of severe storms and icy conditions while remaining alert to rapidly changing conditions.