EF3 tornado in Lanier County, Georgia

This is a continuation of the tornado that occurred in Lowndes county. This tornado strengthened to EF3 status while in Lanier county with maximum winds estimated around 140 mph. The tornado entered Lanier county along Highway 122 near Barber Road and then impacted a property just north of 122 along Boyette Road. As the tornado approached Boyette Road, it was likely reaching maximum intensity. Radar reflectivity showed a signature known as a debris ball and gave forecasters high confidence that a tornado was in progress, despite an actual tornado not having been reported yet. The damage at the aforementioned location was severe. A mobile home was completely destroyed with debris scattered for hundreds of yards in many directions. This site was originally unrecognizable as a mobile home to the survey team. A few trees at the location were almost totally debarked. A one story residence also had some roof and window damage, a small grain silo was completely destroyed, and a large shed structure was completely destroyed with debris swept well away from the original location. Other things were noted around this location. There were quite a few instances of objects driven into the ground, including metal bars, gutters, branches, and other debris. There was some ground scouring noted, and many of the shrubs were ripped out of their original spots. Large debris was lofted for hundreds of yards including what appeared to be a hatch door from the missing grain silo, a door off of a chest freezer, and a mower and propane tank. The main part of the chest freezer was found across the street. Near the location of the large shed structure that was swept away, an electric meter was ripped out of the ground, and additional deep gouges were found in the ground. The tornado continued to the east-northeast, cutting a clear path through some dense forest in the swampland to the south of Highway 122 and to the west of Banks Lake. Around that time, the damage path began to narrow as the tornado approached the town of Lakeland. Once in Lakeland, the tornado largely caused damage to trees and vegetation, although some structures were impacted. A mobile home was completely destroyed, a nearby full shipping container was rolled about 50 feet, and some debris was driven through metal. Near the end of the tornado path it impacted the hospital in Lakeland, pushing a trailer away from its original location and damaging the ambulance station. Some antennas were also snapped at the hospital, and some damage was reported to the AC units on the roof. Damage in Lanier county was estimated at around $500,000.

Several subtle upper level shortwaves affected the area during a three day period between March 1-3 as a broad long-wave upper level trough located west of the area slowly progressed eastward. Subtle surface boundaries were also in the area with a relatively warm, moist and unstable airmass in place. Instability values approached 2000 j/kg with low level shear around 30 knots and deep layer shear around 50 knots. Several tornadoes occurred in the National Weather Service Tallahassee forecast area with numerous instances of straight line wind damage, heavy rain, and localized flooding as well.