EF1 tornado in Hall County, Georgia

A rogue mini-supercell produced a relatively brief tornado over

the northern part of Lake Lanier, just several miles north of

Gainesville, in Hall County during the early evening hours

Friday, May 2nd. Fortunately, the tornado, which was on the

ground for about 9 minutes (2.7 miles), traveled mainly over

water between coves and bluffs along the lake. Much of the damage

was to various trees that were either snapped or uprooted. Initial

damage was noted off of Thompson Bridge Road (Hwy 60) near

Lakewood Baptist Church where at least 10-15 large trees were

uprooted in a narrow path. Across Hwy 60, additional trees were

down across an apartment complex along N Cliff Colony Drive. The

tornado then went over the lake/water where numerous eye-witness

(video) accounts were starting to come in. The next point of

damage was near the west-end of Basin Road where several trees

were snapped or uprooted. The tornado continued to travel

generally north going over mostly water and an uninhabited

bluff/island. Significant damage occurred over The Bluffs along

Cochran Road and Willow Trace. Here, at least 5-7 residences had

several large trees snapped or uprooted. Thankfully, no

structural damage happened. In this area, and back early in the

tornado's track, tree damage is consistent with peak winds around

90 MPH (an EF1) rating.

A quasi-linear convective system moved across northwest Georgia during the afternoon and evening hours of May 2nd along a modest cold front. Winds damage and some hail were the main threats, however conditions became less conducive to severe weather south and east of I85. Complex outflow interactions along the edge of one of the northern embedded cells managed to produce a brief EF1 tornado which crossed Lake Lanier. The lowest radar scan was above the strong rotation signature.