Thunderstorm Wind — Forsyth, Georgia

2023-07-20 · near Matt, Forsyth, Georgia

Event narrative

A survey of northern Forsyth County was done to assess whether or

not a tornado occurred. The NWS assessment concluded that

widespread significant wind damage occurred and that a tornado

path within the large scale wind damage was not discernible. The

particular area of focus started on Oak Grove Circle southeast

across Dahlonega Hwy, along Tallant Road and across Hopewell

Road. Radar data suggests that this region was located at the apex

of a bowing segment within the thunderstorm complex which had

already caused significant widespread wind damage. Tree fall

patterns along Tallant Road, Hopewell Rd and south of Tallant Road

along Dahlonega Hwy were more suggestive of straight line winds

or downburst due to the fanning out pattern observed. While it is

possible that a tornado can form along a leading edge of a bowing

segment which would resemble an eddy, we were unable to discern

from the damage if that had occurred. Regardless, a wind event

took place in this region which resembled mid range EF1 damage.

Several reporting stations throughout northern Forsyth County

recorded wind gusts of 68 and 69 mph. Winds with these pockets of

more intense tree damage, particularly along Tallant Road, is

estimated to have been 90-95mph.

Wider weather episode

A large squall-line (Mesoscale Convective System) moved across mainly North and East-Central GA during the afternoon and early evening hours of July 20th. Conditions were very favorable for damaging winds along and ahead of well-developed cold pool, with high instability and elevated Downdraft-CAPE. Widespread damage occurred from far north Georgia to east-central GA (Warren County), with very intense winds (80-90+mph) estimated from damage across parts of Cherokee and Forsyth counties. A couple of brief embedded weak tornadoes occurred in Cherokee County from this system.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.3204, -84.1494)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1125604. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.