EF0 tornado in Stewart County, Georgia

A National Weather Service survey team found a second tornado touched down in Stewart County. This tornado, associated with the same thunderstorm that produced the tornado near Lumpkin, was rated EF-0 with maximum wind speeds of 70 MPH and a maximum path width of 100 yards. The tornado touched down along US Highway 27 southwest of Richland snapping a few trees south of the highway. The tornado moved northeast hitting a small shed on the north side of the highway, ripping off roof panels. The tornado continued northeast along US Highway 27 knocking down a few trees near the intersection with Pleasant Valley Road before ending prior to reaching Highway 520. No injuries were reported. [04/03/17: Tornado #5, County #1/1, EF-0, Stewart, 2017:037].

A strong short wave and associated surface low swept through the southern and eastern U.S. and combined with moderate instability and strong shear resulted in widespread severe weather, including numerous tornadoes, across north and central Georgia from late morning through the afternoon.