Volume 9, Issue 1

March 2010 Shareholders’ Report 2009

National Weather Service • Weather Forecast Office • Peachtree City, Georgia

Status Quo is Not an Option! Lans P. Rothfusz bulk of the rain fell at a less- Meteorologist in Charge than-ideal time (in the middle of the night, at the end of a Big News Items of 2009 ike any Weather Fore- weekend). Forecasting such a cast Office (WFO) in the small-scale, rare and epic event • Historic Flooding (pages 6 and National Weather Ser- with reasonable lead time is un- 10) L vice (NWS) after a ma- fortunately beyond the state of • WFO Wins DOC Silver Medal jor weather event, the Peach- today’s science. Even if it were (page 3) tree City WFO looks carefully for possible, the public must still ways in which warning services respond appropriately. 24-hour rainfall ending September 21st • Decision Support Program and public response might be showing >16” bulls-eye (yellow) over Evolves (page 10) Douglas County. Warnings were in effect, improved. This was the case As you will see in this yet eight people perished in this area. after the deadly September newsletter, ours is not an office floods in North Georgia— that sits still. We pride reduce the loss of life and In Fiscal Year 2009, especially the fateful morning of ourselves in learning from every September 21 when flooding property over time, but they do Congress appropriated event we work. We will con- take time to develop. claimed the lives of ten people. tinue improving our science and

$958,900,000 to the NWS To say this was an epic event is skills. We’re collaborating with While we regret the loss of life not hyperbole. Receiving >16” emergency managers to de- which equates to an and property to any weather of rain in a 24-hour period is be- velop innovative changes in phenomon, we want you to “investment” of $3.21 per yond a 10,000 year event, flood warning procedures. So- know that such losses only meaning there is much less cial scientists and other human U.S. citizen. drive us harder. Read on and than 0.01% chance of such a behavior experts are helping us learn how we accomplished rainfall event occurring in any address public response. some of this in 2009. ☼ This Shareholders’ Report given year. On top of that, the These steps will undoubtedly provides an accounting of what the NWS office in Severe Weather 2009 Peachtree City is doing with Robert Beasley & Laura Griffith mid-November. Eight-one flash on record for our area Meteorologists flood events and 154 warnings touched down on October 15th. its portion of your investment. Verona Murrell were the most for WFO FFC Senior Meteorologist since 2003. Flash flooding For the second consecutive occurred in every month except year, February proved to be a Inside this issue: espite 2009 bringing January, February, April and significant severe weather the most warnings June. Tornadoes were not month, with ten tornadoes Georgia Weather Overview 4 ever to WFO FFC lacking either. Although down occurring on February 18th. (1,748 severe Severe Weather Performance 6 D slightly from the record 38 After a relatively quiet March, thunderstorm and tornado tornadoes of 2008, 34 two major severe weather Hydro & Fire 7 warnings), the year will best be tornadoes affecting 44 counties events in April brought 14 (April remembered for the Aviation, CWSU 8, 10 were confirmed in 2009, well 10) and two (April 19) catastrophic late September above the 14-year annual tornadoes. The April 10th event Forecast Performance 9 flooding. Not only was the average of 14. Thirty tornadoes followed just three days after a lingering three-year drought (88% of annual totals) occurred period of record cold weather, Web Site Status 12 completely erased, the flooding during the first four months. freezing temperatures, and was exacerbated by frequent Outreach 14 After this flurry, no tornadoes even some snow! On the heavy rain events October occurred in the Peachtree City contrary, May and July, often Systems 14 through December, including a CWA until mid-October when late season hurricane Ida in Coop Observer Program 15 only the second October (Continued on page 3) Page 2 Shareholders’ Report 2009

Top 25 North and Central Georgia Weather Events for 2009 Date Counties Cause Damage Deaths Injuries Cost 20-Sep to Flood/Flash Catastrophic flash flooding and flooding resulted in 6 deaths and damage to 1 Douglas 7 0 20.01M 23-Sep Flood hundreds of homes and businesses, many totally destroyed. North & High Wind Winds of 50 to 60 mph caused widespread damage to trees, power lines, and 2 13-Apr 1 3 3.15M West GA (max 50 kt) structures. One person died when a tree struck his vehicle. Hancock, An EF3 tornado touched down in Hancock county and continued into Warren 3 18-Feb Warren & Tornado (EF3) and Glascock counties. A church, 2 site-built homes, and 4 mobile homes were 1 3 0.50M Glascock destroyed, resulting in 1 fatality and 3 injuries. Catastrophic flash flooding and flooding resulted in significant damage to 21-Sep to Flood/Flash 4 Gwinnett homes, businesses and roads. A woman died when her vehicle was washed 1 0 25.02M 23-Sep Flood away in the flood waters. 21-Sep to Flood/Flash Record flash flooding and flooding resulted in damage to homes, businesses 5 Carroll 1 0 22.95M 23-Sep Flood and roads. A child died when a mobile home washed away in the flood waters. Significant flash flooding and flooding caused the Chattooga River to breach 21-Sep to Flood/Flash 6 Chattooga levees, flooding Trion. Dozens of homes and businesses sustained significant 1 0 11.98M 23-Sep Flood damage. A teenager died in an attempt to rescue a person from flood waters. An EF1 tornado touched down near Woodstock. More than 120 homes were 7 19-Apr Cherokee Tornado (EF1) 025.0M damaged, 12 were completely destroyed. Two residents were injured by debris. North & Strong Wind Wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph, associated with a cold front, caused damage to 8 7-Jan 0295.0K Central GA (Max 39 kts) trees and powerlines in 11 counties, resulting in 2 injuries. An EF3 tornado touched down in Hancock county, destroying 1 site-built home 9 10-Apr Hancock Tornado (EF3) and 1 double-wide mobile home, and damaging 4 others. One person suffered 0 1 0.75M serious injuries. Nine homes were struck by lightning. Two strikes resulted in fires. One 10 21-Aug Paulding Lightning 0 1 0.25M individual was injured as a result of a lightning strike. An EF1 tornado touched down west of Eatonton and lifted at the Hancock county 11 18-Feb Putnam Tornado (EF1) 0 1 0.20M line, destroying 3 commericial buildings. One person was injured from debris. Minor flooding was observed on some roads in the county. A male was injured 12 21-Sep Floyd Flood 0115.0K in a storm drain when raging high water attempted to carry him downstream. 13 18-Feb Spalding Lightning A person was struck and injured by lightning. 0 1 0 14 28-Feb Harris Lightning A woman was stuck and injured by lightning. 0 1 0 A woman, at her residence in Lawrenceville, suffered non-life threatening 15 12-Jul Gwinnett Lightning 010 injuries after lightning struck a nearby tree. 16 4-Aug Gwinnett Lightning A teenage girl suffered minor injuries as a result of a nearby lightning strike. 0 1 0 Record flash flooding and flooding caused significant damage to hundreds of 21-Sep to Flood/Flash 17 Cherokee homes, apartments, and businesses. Some culverts and bridges were washed 0 0 53.04M 23-Sep Flood out and several roads were closed, including Interstate-575 near Woodstock. Catastrophic flash flooding and flooding resulted in damages to hundreds of 21-Sep to Flood/Flash 18 Cobb homes, apartments, and businesses. A number of culverts and bridges were 0 0 29.95M 23-Sep Flood washed out and several roads were closed. 19-Sep to Flood/Flash Record flash flooding and flooding caused damage to hundreds of homes, 19 DeKalb 0 0 10.04M 23-Sep Flood apartments, businesses and roads. 19-Sep to Flood/Flash Extensive flash flooding and flooding resulted in significant damage to dozens of 20 Walker 009.0M 23-Sep Flood homes. At least 20 roads were closed. 21 18-Feb Fayette Hail Baseball-sized hail caused extensive damage to homes and cars. 0 0 8.0M 22 18-Feb Clayton Hail Baseball-sized hail caused extensive damage to homes and cars in Jonesboro. 0 0 6.0M 19-Sep to Flood/Flash Record to catastrophic flash flooding and flooding resulted in damage to 23 Paulding 004.0M 23-Sep Flood hundreds of homes, apartments, businesses, and roads. 24 18-Feb Coweta Hail Softball-sized hail caused extensive damage to homes and vehicles. 0 0 4.0M An EF1 tornado moved into Columbus after touching down in Phenix City, AL. 25 19-Apr Muscogee Tornado (EF1) Columbus State Unversity's campus sustained significant damage. Over 100 003.0M structures suffered minor to moderate damage. Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 3

Severe Weather 2009

(Continued from page 1) saturated ground fell in several from 527 events in 2008. The west and north Atlanta metro 81 flash flood events were the the most convectively active counties (Carroll, Douglas, most since 2003, when 196 months, were unusually quiet Paulding, Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb, such events occurred. The with only 49 severe convective and Gwinnett) between 9 pm number of severe convective 2009 Deaths and Injuries events in May (average is 86) September 20th and 10 am events was 88% of the 14-year Event Deaths Injuries and six severe convective September 21st. Rivers and CWA average of 431. The Tornado 17 events in July (average is 59), creeks in the area reached all 2009 “event counts“ by season T-storm Wind 00 the second lowest July total time record high levels washing and their 15-year normals (in Hail 00 ever for WFO FFC. The July out roads, destroying homes, parentheses) were: January— Lightning 05 through September period and killing ten people. March: 75 (68); April—June: Flash Flood 80 brought only 28% of normal Damages from this flood event 249 (228); July—September: 31 Flood severe convective events for mounted to at least $250 (110); and October—December: 21 this period, largely a result of million. While nothing of similar 25 (25). High Wind 13 persistent northwest flow aloft. magnitude occurred during the Strong Wind 02 remainder of 2009, the area Deaths and Injuries was left primed for repeated While an unprecedented five Twelve weather-related 2009 Weather-Related Damage flash flood/flood events tornadoes affected Carroll fatalities were recorded during Phenomenon Losses October through December. county in 2008, Hancock 2009. With the exception of Floods $259,060,000 Many north/central Georgia county in east central Georgia 1998, this is the most ever for Hail $58,756,000 rivers and streams remained at won that dubious prize in 2009 WFO FFC. Eight of these were Tornadoes or above flood stage throughout $16,412,000 with four tornadoes. A church flash flood-related, the most Flash Floods this period. $12,279,000 and several small ever for WFO FFC. Two Thunderstorm Wind $6,100,500 neighborhoods were destroyed. additional deaths were caused Lightning $5,603,000 Hancock county also recorded Winter was somewhat more by subsequent flooding. There High Winds the only 2009 tornado death, notable during 2009 than in was one tornado and one high $3,318,000 as well as four tornado-related previous years. An unusually wind event death. Eighteen Strong Winds $411,000 injuries, the most for a WFO FFC late snow storm brought five to weather-related injuries were county during 2009. nine inches of heavy, wet snow recorded. Seven of these were to several north/central Georgia the result of tornadoes, five But by far the event that many counties on March 1st. . The from lightning, three from high Georgians will remember for weight of the snow resulted in wind, two from strong wind, and years, was the catastrophic widespread power outages and one from flooding. flooding of late September. significant damage to several buildings in northeast Georgia. September 20th and 21st will Property Damage long be remembered for some At $362M, weather-inflicted of the worst flooding ever Overall, 380 severe convective property damage in 2009 was recorded in Georgia. Rainfall of events were recorded during (Continued on page 5) 15 to 20+ inches on totally the year, down considerably

WFO Peachtree City Receives DOC’s Second-Highest Award

Lans Rothfusz The tornado outbreak struck the Floyd County Emergency Meteorologist in Charge when our staff was decimated Manager, however, firefighters by the flu and while others were working a lightning fire were his past November, we conducting damage surveys for cleared out of the path of the accepted the the downtown Atlanta tornado tornado before it hit, saving Department of the previous night. Tornado several lives. For this event, T Commerce’s Silver warnings began just after noon 96.1% of the events were Medal in recognition for our and lasted long into the night. warned. 240 warnings were performance during the March Two people were killed and issued, with an average lead 15, 2008 tornado outbreak. three were injured in the first time of 19 minutes. ☼ We were honored to be only one tornado of the day. Because of Department of Commerce’s Silver Medal awarded to WFO Peachtree City for its per- of two NWS offices to receive a timely call from our office to formance during the March 15, 2008 tor- this prestigious award in 2009. nado outbreak. Page 4 Shareholders’ Report 2009

General Weather Overview: 2009 Paul Denault ens and Columbus. This also episode in the tropical Pacific CWSU Meteorologist set the March snowfall record in established a wet pattern Columbus. Two heavy precipita- across the southeastern U.S. for “[September] rainfall fter three years of tion events in March contrib- the fall and early winter. During drought, 2009 was an uted to monthly surpluses in all eight days in mid-September, totals were more than two extraordinary year for four cities. It was the 2nd wet- prolonged periods of heavy rain to three times the average A excess precipitation test March on record in Colum- resulted in flooding which set or across north and central Geor- bus with 12.7”. Also, Macon broke several high water marks. for Atlanta (8.94”), gia. However, a dry January with 7.78” was nearly 3” above Monthly rainfall totals were Athens (9.86”), and and February hinted that more normal. April rainfall again ex- more than two to three times of the same was in store for the ceeded the average in all four the average for Atlanta (8.94”), Macon (10.68”).” parched region. Warmer than cities. On April 2, a drenching Athens (9.86”), and Macon normal monthly averages only of 2.78” in Macon broke a 71 (10.68”). It was the 3rd wettest compounded the problem. year old record for the date. September in Macon, the 4th Then, on February 28, record Similarly, on the 13th, Columbus wettest in Athens, and the 5th rainfall of 2.75" in Columbus, received a soaking 2.33”. Am- wettest in Atlanta. along with 1.61” in Atlanta be- ple precipitation continued in The monsoon-like pattern con- gan a drought-reversing trend. May, as Atlanta (+0.59”), Co- tinued through October. Four lumbus (+1.48”), and Macon March 1st witnessed the first potent systems brought record (+2.75”) were wetter than aver- heavy snow in seven years with rainfall again to north Georgia. age. Temperatures, on the daily records of 6.5” set in Ath- On the 12th, a deluge of 3.84” other hand, moderated by late in Athens and 2.5” in Atlanta, May, reaching 90° F in Athens, Monthly Temperature Departures broke previous records of 2.7" Columbus and Macon on the and 1.34", respectively. By 31st. ATL AHN CSG MCN Halloween, both Athens and 5 June became the year’s warm- Atlanta had recorded their 2nd 4 est month as all four cities re- wettest October ever with 9.14” corded monthly averages more and 8.71”, respectively. Octo- 3 than 2° F above normal. High ber was cooler than average, 2 temperatures reached 90° F or except in Macon (+0.6° F). 1 above on 17 to 23 days among Although, not as wet as the

0 the four locations. previous two months, Novem- JFMAMJJASOND ber also received well above -1 During this heat wave, rainfall average rainfall. -2 became infrequent, and all

Departure from from Normal Departure (deg F) locations except Columbus re- As the El Nino evolved into a -3 corded rainfall deficits ranging strong episode, rainfall totals -4 Month from 0.74” in Macon to 2.28” in again spiked during December. Athens. Drier than average Four moisture laden storms Monthly Precipitation Departures conditions persisted in July, as soaked Atlanta, Athens, Colum- all four locations posted rainfall bus, and Macon with 9.10”, ATL AHN CSG MCN deficits. Temperatures moder- 8.87”, 13.62”, and 8.98” of 10 ated though, as monthly aver- rainfall, respectively. Not only ages were cooler than normal was the Columbus total a new 8 by as much as 1.9°F and 2.2°F record for December, but it also 6 in Atlanta and Columbus, re- set the record for their wettest

4 spectively. A surplus of rainfall month ever. Incredibly, it was returned to parts of north and enough to set a new yearly re- 2 central Georgia in August, due cord with 80.20”, eclipsing the

0 in part to the remnants of T.S. old record of 73.22” set in JFMAMJJASONDClaudette. Atlanta received an 1964. December temperatures -2 excess of 2.47”, while Colum- cooled dramatically, as depar- Departure from Normal (in.) Normal from Departure -4 bus recorded more than twice tures from normal ranged from - its monthly average with 8.26”. 1.9° F in Macon to -3.1° F in -6 Month Atlanta. ☼ A strengthening El Nino/South- Charts showing the departures from normal for rainfall and temperatures in 2009. ern Oscillation (ENSO) warm Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 5

Severe Weather 2009

(Continued from page 3) Several large hail storms in included thunderstorm wind February and April pushed hail ($6.1M), lightning ($5.6M), and the highest ever reported in the to second in the list, with high/strong wind ($3.73M). CWA, easily surpassing the $58.76M. Despite the number There were 118 weather- $262M of 2008. Flooding of tornadoes, the $16.41M in related events in 2009 with contributed to 75% or related damages accounted for estimated damages $271.34M of the 2009 only 4% of the total damages. ≥$250,000, compared with weather-related damages. Other notable damages 113 in 2008. ☼

Tornadoes in Peachtree City NWS Forecast Area in 2009 Path Length Width Date County Location Strength(mi) (yds) Deaths Injuries Damage 6-Jan Chattooga 1 SSW Rowell Siding to Holland EF0 2.0 100 0 0 50K 7-Jan Monroe 1 W Smarr to 2 ENE Smarr EF0 2.9 100 0 0 25K 18-Feb Taylor 3 SW Potterville EF0 3.9 33 0 0 50K 18-Feb Houston 2 SE Elberta EF0 0.1 1 0 0 0 18-Feb Oconee 1 NW Turpin to 3 SSW Elder EF1 5.4 880 0 0 0.20M 18-Feb Jasper 1 W Smithboro to 2 E Smithboro EF1 3.0 440 0 0 0.25M 18-Feb Putnam 1 W Willard to 1 ENE Meda EF1 8.7 1320 0 1 0.20M 18-Feb Wilkes and McDuffie Tyrone to 5 SSW Adasburg EF3 18.6 880 0 0 0.30M 18-Feb Newton 2 WNW Lassiter to 1 WSW Jamestown EF1 2.8 200 0 0 0.63M 18-Feb Jasper 9 WNW Shady Dale to 2 NW Shady Dale EF1 7.2 440 0 0 0.13M Meriwether, Coweta, and 18-Feb Spalding 2 NNW Luthersville to 1 S Blantons Mill EF2 20.4 1760 0 0 1.33M Hancock, Warren, and 18-Feb Glascock 3 SSE Culverton to 3 NNE Mitchell EF3 10.4 500 1 3 0.55M 15-Mar Marion and Schley 1 NW Putnam to 2 NW Walls Crossing EF0 2.3 100 0 0 0.13M 28-Mar Dooly 3 ESE Lilly EF0 0.3 50 0 0 0.10M 10-Apr Chattooga 1 NNE Fairview to 1 NE Fairview EF2 0.3 200 0 0 0.90M 10-Apr Pickens 2 NE Jasper to 5 ENE Jasper EF1 3.4 440 0 0 25K 10-Apr Forsyth 3 SE Dunn to 4 SE Dunn EF1 0.2 200 0 0 0.20M 10-Apr Chattahoochee 1 NW Central Springs to 1 SSE Halloca EF1 3.7 440 0 0 0.10M 10-Apr Chattahoochee 1 WSW Ida Vesper to 3 ESE Ida Vesper EF1 3.7 100 0 0 0.15M 10-Apr Hancock 2 NW Sparta to 3 NNW Sparta EF0 1.1 33 0 0 10K 10-Apr Hancock 1 WNW Granite Hill to 1 NW Granite Hill EF0 0.3 33 0 0 7K 10-Apr Hancock 1 WSW Sunshine to 3.5 SSW Mayfield EF3 6.8 880 0 1 0.75M 10-Apr Glascock Gibson to 1 ESE Gibson EF0 0.3 150 0 0 4K 10-Apr Sumter, Dooly, and Wilcox 3 E Methvins to 4 S Five Points EF1 25.1 250 0 0 0.63M 10-Apr Dooly 2 N Vienna to 6 ENE Vienna EF0 5.6 100 0 0 50K 10-Apr Sumter 2 NE Plains to 2 WSW New Point EF1 1.2 200 0 0 5K 10-Apr Glascock and Jefferson 2 W David to 2 NW Wrens Memorial Airport EF1 4.6 200 0 0 0.10M 10-Apr Sumter, Crisp, and Wilcox Cobb to 1 E Owensboro EF1 28.2 200 0 0 2.20M 19-Apr Cherokee 4 ESE Woodstock to 4 WSW Arnold Mill EF1 1.5 880 0 2 5M 19-Apr Muscogee 1.4 WSW Columbus to 1 NW Wynnton EF1 2.0 250 0 0 3M 15-Oct Sumter 1 W Maddox to 1 ESE Maddox EF1 2.1 100 0 0 0.13M 2-Dec Jones 3 ESE Juliette to 4 E Juliette EF0 1.5 100 0 0 15K 2-Dec Putnam 4 W Eatonton to 4 WNW Eatonton EF0 1.7 100 0 0 0.10M 2-Dec Putnam 8 NNE Eatonton to 9 NNE Eatonton EF0 0.8 100 0 0 0.12M Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 6

Severe Weather Performance for 2009

Robert Handel Inclusive Senior Meteorologist Exclusive Verification Verification & Robert Beasley Method* Method** Meteorologist Svr Tstm Tornado Flash Svr Tstm & Floods Tornado everal enhancements Warnings Issued 1410 340 154 1750 to our severe weather Warned Events 237 38 70 329 operations for the Unverified Warnings 1048 299 71 1239 2009 convective S Unwarned events 10361155 season paid dividends this past Total Events 340 44 81 384 year and will continue to do so POD 0.697 0.864 0.864 0.857 in 2010. Some of the most “This 33% greater lead FAR 0.743 0.879 0.461 0.708 noteworthy include a faster CSI time provided the public network connection to the 0.231 0.118 0.497 0.278 Lead Time (min.) with, on average, an Warner Robins AFB WSR-88D 17.2 22.3 97.0 17.8 Radar allowing us to receive POD = Probability of Detection, our ability to issue warnings before additional 4.5 minutes “super-resolution” radar damage occurs. Optimum POD is 1.00. imagery; a Hazards Monitor FAR = False Alarm Rate, the percentage of warnings not verified. of time to reach Situational Awareness Display Optimum FAR is 0.00. safety...” (SAD) that analyzes and tracks CSI = Critical Success Index, a combination of the POD and FAR. severe weather events up to a Optimum CSI is 1.00. week in advance and helps us Lead Time = The time between warning issuance and first damage. to identify and more *Severe Thunderstorm warnings only verified by large hail or damaging consistently convey potential winds. Tornado warnings verified by tornadoes only. Flooding only weather risks in our outlooks, verified by flash floods. forecasts, and briefings; as well ** Tornado warnings verified with tornadoes, large hail, or damaging as two online severe weather winds. Tornadoes also verify severe thunderstorm warnings. reporting systems to get affecting 1,750 counties, the of warnings not verified for each ground-truth information highest number of counties county warned, increased from instantly from trained storm ever warned and a slight 0.650 (65.0%) in 2008 to spotters in the field to our increase over the 1,663 0.708 (70.8%) in 2009. The meteorologists issuing counties warned by 697 optimum FAR is 0.00. This warnings. polygon warnings in 2008. Our increase partially reflects a warning numbers continue to gradual shift away from county- During 2009, WFO Peachtree be significantly above the 14- based warnings to storm-based City issued 599 severe year average of 884 counties warnings, which became official convective polygon warnings warned. The greatest number in FY08. Ignoring county of counties warned were in April boundaries, a severe weather SVR+TOR Verification (532), May (305), February event occurred in 49.9% of all (Running 12-Month Score) (290), and June (267). These severe convective polygon POD FAR CSI months accounted for 80% of warnings. 1.000 all warnings issued. The estimated average lead 0.800 The Probability of Detection time (the time between warning (POD), which measures our issuance and first damage 0.600 ability to issue warnings before report) increased sharply from damage occurs, continues to 13.3 minutes in 2008 to 17.8

Score 0.400 improve, rising from 0.829 minutes in 2009. This 33% (82.9%) in 2008 to 0.857 greater lead time provided the (85.7%) in 2009 – higher than public with, on average, an 0.200 any other year on record since additional 4.5 minutes of time at least 2000. The optimum to reach safety ahead of 0.000 POD is 1.00 (100%). approaching severe Jan-00 Jan-01 Jan-02 Jan-03 Jan-04 Jan-05 Jan-06 Jan-07 Jan-08 Jan-09 Month thunderstorms and tornadoes. The False Alarm Rate (FAR) Performance statistics for severe weather warnings using a rolling, 12-month (Continued on page 15) methodology. Low FAR, high POD and high CSI are desired. which provides the percentage Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 7

Hydrology: The Floodgates Open! Kent Frantz Chattahoochee River basin. Atlanta (69.43“, +19.23”), Hydro Tally for 2009 Senior Service Hydrologist Athens (60.20”, +12.37”), Amounts of 3 to 6 inches were

Columbus (80.20”, +31.63”) common. ainfall amounts and Macon (61.54”, +16.54”). 125 Flood watches increased in 2009, A rainfall surplus over most of The most hydrologic-active 56 Flash flood warnings with a wetter than Georgia caused above normal month was September with 79 Flash flood statements R normal year across flows on numerous streams. record flooding in the 299 River flood warnings most of Georgia. This was due However, the greatest annual Chickamauga and Chattooga 1081 Flood statements, to a moderately strong El Nino rainfall of 80 to 90 inches basins of northwest Georgia 24 F l o o d p o t e n t i a l pattern beginning in June that across the state occurred on and the middle Chattahoochee outlooks. continued through the end of the Tennessee Valley Divide and upper Ocmulgee basins in the year. Most of Georgia ridge line between Amicalola the north. This occurred when received 110 to 150 percent of Falls and Helen. This allowed widespread 5 to 20 inches of its normal annual rainfall with a Lake Lanier to reach full pool in rain fell in less than 36 hours. few spots in the north from 90 October which was the first time The heavy rain was associated to 100 percent. in three years. with nearly stationary thunderstorms that had Consequently, the three year Georgia had a minimal tropical significant Gulf moisture and a historic drought ended in June season this year. Tropical Storm strong upper level disturbance with above normal rainfall Ida in November affected north that “trained” thunderstorms beginning in August. Selected and central Georgia with heavy over the same area the next locations with annual rainfall rain and flash flooding of creeks day. ☼ and departure amounts include: and rivers in the upper Red Flag Warning POD Fire Weather Surpasses Goals (Higher is better)

Brian D. Lynn Verification scores for Red Flag Nat'l Goal WFO Incident Meteorologist Warnings continue to exceed national goals (see charts at 100 he Peachtree City WFO right). 95 had another active 90 year in Fire Weather. In the spring of 2009, Brian 85 29 Red Flag events Lynn was dispatched to T Percent 80 occurred in 2009, which Granbury, TX twice to provide required the issuance of 2,028 75 IMET support for the Texas 70 warnings. This yielded an Forest Service. Kent Frantz, average of 70 fire zones per WFO Service Hyrdrologist, was 2006 2007 2008 2009 event (out of 97 possible also dispatched to Granbury in zones). Five events were early August. This was due to missed totaling 115 fire zones. ongoing wildfire concerns Red Flag Warning Lead Time January and February were the across the state due to drought. (Higher is better) busiest months of the year, with Matt Sena, WFO Meteorologist, 18 of 34 events (53%) has entered the IMET training Nat'l Goal WFO occurring in that window, and a program and will start his 20 total of 1,405 Red Flag training in 2010. Warnings (69% of annual total) being issued. This was due to 15 Finally, fire weather customers rainfall being well-below have access to a web-based average. March through May 10 product called the "Fire had just eleven events while the Time (hrs) Weather Point Forecast period of September through Matrices." With a lat/lon pair, December had just two events. 5 elevation and a location name, The very quiet spring and fall 2006 2007 2008 2009 the Peachtree City WFO can seasons were due to regular produce a fire weather forecast and sometimes heavy rains. Verification scores for Red Flag Warnings in the Peachtree City WFO for that location twice a day. ☼ area of responsibility. Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 8

Aviation Program Revamped Patricia Atwell 18Z TAF, the WFO now issues improvement. Meteorologist an amendment at 03Z, 09Z, Another improvement by the 15Z and 21Z. The purpose of WFO involved adjusting the he Peachtree City WFO these amendments is to put the amendment criteria used to made two significant forecaster's most up-to-date update our TAFs in order to changes to our thinking in the hands of the focus more on the thresholds T aviation operations on TMU when they need to decide which impact our customers at August 26, 2009. The first airport arrival/departure rates. the seven airports for which we involved the issuance of issue aviation forecasts. These scheduled 3-hour Terminal These updated forecasts also changes allow forecasters to Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) benefit airlines trying to make deliver forecasts more closely amendments for Hartsfield- decisions about fuel needs. aligned with customers’ needs. Jackson Atlanta International Since its inception, this practice For example, at Hartsfield- Airport. Members of the Traffic has resulted in airlines saving Jackson Atlanta International Management Unit (TMU) of the thousands of dollars in fuel Airport, a scattered cloud deck Federal Aviation Administration costs. The Hartsfield-Jackson of 4,500 feet can significantly requested the 3-hour International Airport in Atlanta reduce arrival rates. As “The Hartsfield- amendment for the Hartsfield- reported an 18% improvement forecasters assess the different Jackson International Jackson Atlanta International in efficiency since our office meteorological conditions and Airport in order to aid the began the 3-hour TAF the impacts they have on Airport in Atlanta decision-making process amendments and there is customers, they can respond to reported an 18% concerning flight arrival and evidence, along with customer those which have a meaningful departure rates for the airport. feedback, that the 3-hour impact on airport operations. improvement in In addition to the regularly- amendments are at least ☼ efficiency since our office scheduled 00Z, 06Z, 12Z and partially responsible for the began the 3-hour TAF amendments...” Ceiling < 500' POD Visibility < 1 mile POD (Higher is better) (Higher is better)

Computer Forecasters Computer Forecasters 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.2 Score Score 0.2 0.1 0.1 0 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2006 2007 2008 2009

Ceiling < 500' FAR Visibility < 1 mile FAR (Lower is better) (Lower is better)

Computer Forecasters Computer Forecasters 0.8 1 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.4 Score Score 0.2 0.2 0 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2006 2007 2008 2009

Forecast stats for the seven airports in the WFO area of responsibility. For Probability of Detection (POD), higher scores are better. For False Alarm Rate (FAR), lower scores are better. Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 9

Temp and Precip Forecasts Succeed

Trisha Palmer accuracy decreased slightly in Mean Temperature Error Meteorologist 2009 from 2008 at the five

sites we measure across our Computer Forecasters FO Peachtree City forecast area (Athens, Atlanta, strives to provide Columbus, Macon, and Rome) – 4 Georgians with however we continue to W consistent and improve upon the overall model 3.5 reliable forecasts, and we are error. proud to serve the public by 3 continually making 2009 marked one of the improvements on model wettest years on record, which Degrees 2.5 forecasts. Over the past 20 is noted in the Precipitation years, computer model “Error” chart. In general over forecasts have improved by two the past several years, the 2 days. This means that our “Day wetter the year, the worse our 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2” forecasts today are as good precipitation scores have been. as our “Day 1” forecasts were Again, we continue to improve Comparison of WFO Peachtree City forecasters’ temperature forecasting skill in 2000. Our “Day 3” forecasts upon the model error, but our versus that of the computer models they use. Lower scores are better. today are as good as our “Day improvement in 2009 was 1” forecasts were in 1990. This smaller than in 2008. increase is computer model Precipitation "Error" skill can present a challenge for We also compare our forecasts Computer Forecasters the human forecaster, but we to observed (actual) have consistently managed to 0.14 temperatures. Our goal is to improve upon these improving forecast high and low 0.13 model forecasts. temperatures within three 0.12

degrees of the actual high and 0.11 One method we use is to catch low. The bottom chart shows 0.1 systematic model biases and that we achieved this goal 82% make appropriate adjustments. 0.09 of the time for the first period of Score Skill 0.08 For example, we know that one each forecast for the five sites model consistently forecasts in 2009. We again saw a very 0.07 the high temperatures at Rome slight decrease in accuracy 0.06 too warm by nearly three from 2008, but overall it is still 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 degrees, especially during the one of the highest percentages summer. By catching trends over the past several years. Comparison of WFO Peachtree City forecasters’ precipitation forecasting skill like these, pointing them out to versus that of the computer models they use. Lower scores are better. forecasters, and combining Our office does not currently these biases with day-to-day verify, at a local level, weather meteorological skills to improve First 12 Hour Temperature Error elements such as winds, cloud upon the models, we can cover, and dewpoint. This year, ≤ 3 deg. 4 to 9 deg. > 9 deg. provide the best forecasting however, we are looking to services possible to north and 0.4% 0.5% 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% install a gridded verification central Georgia. This year was package that works with our 100% 17.4% slightly more complicated than 21.3% 19.6% 20.5% 17.9% forecast generation software so recent years; of the three main 80% that we can start a database on models we have always used, these other weather elements. 60% one was retired in March and 82.4% 81.7% In addition, this gridded 78.3% 79.9% 79.3% another underwent a change in 40% verification package should its statistical equations, 20% help with our main elements, Forecasts of Pct resulting in much better temperature and precipitation, 0% temperature forecasts. As we so that hopefully next year we 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 adjusted to these changes, you will have a return of larger can see from the Mean improvements upon the Temperature Error chart that models. ☼ Chart showing distribution of first period (first 12 hours) forecast temperature our temperature forecast errors for Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 10

CWSU Innovations

Dr. Chip West MIC, CWSU Atlanta

tilizing new technology in 2009, the Atlanta Center U Weather Service Unit (CWSU) built and posted 2,190 web based weather briefings for the Atlanta and Charlotte Terminal Approach Control (TRACON) facilities and other aviation customers. The information in these briefings includes current and forecast weather, winds and convection information, which allows traffic management specialists to Atlanta Customer Forum Federal Aviation 23 Administration March 2010 make better decisions on how much traffic can flow through Sample screen captures from multimedia TRACON briefings provided by the CWSU staff at Atlanta. the two airports. Posting the briefings to a public web site provides a consistent message to airlines, other airport deci- Incident/Decision Support Evolves sion-makers, as well as the local traffic management Matt Sena We will be launching a web personnel. Meteorologist page dedicated to Decision Support activities as well as Software called Camtasia™ robably the most online training for our partners allows the CWSU forecaster to obvious change in this by this spring. build weather briefings with program area over the video and audio and post them past year is the name. P Training continues on our end to the CWSU website where it The ‘Incident Support Program’ as well. During 2009 we were can be accessed by the is now the ‘Decision Support able to participate in two major controllers when it is needed to Program’ which more accurately NWS Senior Forecaster Dan Darbe disaster drills. In March we make weather-related describes our goal of providing (seated) at Bartow County Disaster Drill participated in a simulated decisions. Having both audio our partners with the timely, (Mar. 2009) radiological release in Bartow and animation in the briefings accurate and relevant weather County and in November we helps the controller better information they need to make were able to spend three days understand the information, important public safety with the Fayette County even when a meteorologist may decisions. Emergency Management not be immediately available. community participating in their Briefings are updated three Our outreach efforts continued hazardous chemical release times a day for both Atlanta throughout 2009 with visits to drill. We encourage any of our Hartsfield-Jackson International many of our Emergency partners planning a disaster Airport and the Charlotte Managers. We hope to visit with drill in 2010 to contact us if you Douglas International Airport. most, if not all, of our remaining would like the National Weather HySplit Dispersion Model Output These briefings may be EMs in 2010 to introduce every- Service to participate. Of accessed by the public for air one to this program. We will course we also encourage our traffic control planning continue to expand our Emergency Management purposes only at: outreach efforts to include partners to contact us for www.srh.noaa.gov/ztl. ☼ more of our partners in the support during any actual public safety sector from the emergencies as well. ☼ local through the national level. Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 11

Special Feature: Epic Floods of 2009

Shirley Lamback & meaning there was a 0.2 Kent McMullen percent chance of a flood of Senior Forecasters this magnitude occurring in a

year. The Chattahoochee River persistent low and many of its tributaries pressure system reached or exceeded the 100- meandering across year flood level, which is a 1 A the lower Mississippi percent chance of occurrence Valley brought a prolonged any given year. period of heavy rain to much of north and central Georgia Damage from the floods was during mid September. estimated around $500 million.

Some 20,000 homes, During a three-day period businesses and other buildings (September 19th to September received major damage, and 17 21st), much of north and counties received Federal central Georgia measured in Disaster Declarations. The flood excess of eight inches of rain. has been blamed for 10 deaths, Isolated amounts totaling better where the majority of the than 16 inches were reported victims were in cars and driving across portions of north into areas where water covered Road washed out by flooding during the epic September 2009 event. Georgia, where much of this the roads. Hundreds of people rain fell within a 24 hour period. were rescued by boat from there homes and This heavy rainfall caused neighborhoods. significant run-off into area streams and rivers, resulting in The Peachtree City WFO issued major to record flooding across a total of 61 Flash Flood the north Georgia, especially in Warnings and 75 areal flood the Atlanta metropolitan area. warnings during those 3 days. The Sweetwater Creek Basin ☼ rose to the 500-year flood level,

StormReady® News

Jessica Fieux StormReady counties in the Meteorologist Intern Peachtree City CWA to 35, or approximately 33% of the CWA. he StormReady These counties join over 1550 community continued StormReady sites across 49 to grow during 2009! states, Puerto Rico and Guam! T Within the Peachtree Through strong communication City County Warning Area and safety skills, these (CWA), Butts, White, and communities are taking the Whitfield received StormReady extra step to save lives and recognition for the first time. In property before, during and addition, Carroll, Cobb, Laurens, after an event. and Muscogee were approved for a second term as Storm- For information on becoming StormReady Counties in the Peachtree City County Warning Area. Ready, meaning they have StormReady, please contact participated in the StormReady Barry Gooden, Warning program for six years. With the Coordination Meteorologist, at addition of the three new (770) 486-1133 ext. 223. Are counties to the program, this you StormReady? ☼ brings the total number of Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 12

Making Training More Effective Steven Nelson decrease in traditional training training without being taken off- Science and Operations Officer environments such as shift for extended periods. The he amount and residence training and downside as mentioned are the effectiveness of professional conferences and distractions, but even more training remained high workshops. In the past, significant is the lack of in 2009 at the specialized training at NWS interaction with the subject T offices required participants to matter expert or even the Forecast Office (see chart below), in spite of a continued travel to an off-site training others in the group being center, away from the trained. We can contact experts distractions due to day-to-day or others being trained by operations and administrative phone, or email, but subtle duties. While the quality and distinctions in the material or 2009 Training by Category retention of the information at a its application may be lost. training center was good, the E‐Learning (531 hours) costs are higher. As a result, For the 2010 training year, the more training than ever is being office has increased its priority 17% 29% Seminar (451 hours) produced, delivered, and on group workshops and 15% monitored remotely using the discussion of the material. An Residence (202 hours) internet. Even live meetings, group and individual exercise workshops and conferences are will also accompany each 11% 24% WES (72 hours) now largely conducted online. workshop to better demonstrate 4% how the material is to be Journal/Book (269 hours) The benefits of remote, self- applied. After all, the point of paced training are numerous. training is not simply to count Other (322 hours) Other than the lower cost, the how many hours we’ve received largest advantage is flexibility. training. The goal is to turn the Most of the staff work rotating information into better Training achievements of WFO staff, by category , for 2009 shifts and online, self-paced forecasts and warnings for training means that everyone north and central Georgia. ☼ has an opportunity to complete

Internal Changes Make Our Web Pages Better Patricia Atwell different sites (Ft. Worth, Kan- Meteorologist www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/?n=contact sas City, and Silver Spring, MD). (which is a new link to our Now, when we have active he biggest change to contact information)or: weather, all three servers will our website in 2009 handle the expected additional had implications which ww.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/html traffic. This provide users with T affected both our web /warnings. faster and more reliable access page addresses, as well as the (a new link to the latest Local to our information. overall reliability of our web Hazards page). pages. On Tuesday, November Storywise, much of 2009 was 17th our web page officially The biggest advantage of the devoted to tracking the transitioned to a “Content transition, however, is the built- transition from extreme drought Management System” (CMS). in redundancy. Prior to the to flooding. We look forward to With the transition to CMS, transition to the CMS, our web what 2010 will bring and some of our pages looked a servers became overloaded and welcome your comments and little different, and the address bogged down on days when suggestions throughout the of most of our pages changed – web traffic was heavy during year. ☼ the address of most of our web active weather. Now our pages pages now look something like are stored on servers at three this format: Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 13

Upper Air Program: GPS Works at Altitude, Too! Nate Mayes The Radiosonde’s balloon year of 2009 the Weather Hydrometeorological Technician expands as it rises then a Forecast Office in Peachtree parachute allows it descend City sent up a total of 751 his past year is the back to the earth. flights. NWS Headquarters first full year of keeps a formula for scoring operations with the The radiosonde has a self- each station’s performance. T upgraded Upper Air contained mailing package for This past twelve months equipment called Radiosonde the finder to mail it back to our resulted in WFO Peachtree Replacement System (RRS). re-conditioning center in City’s highest ranking since the This new system uses satellite Kansas City, Mo for electronic Upper Air equipment was GPS tracking. checks and refurbishing to re- moved here from the old station Balloon Inflation and parachute . use the instrument. During the in Athens, Georgia. ☼

NOAA All-Hazards Radio: Current and Future Communications

Mike Leary convey watches and warnings Radio Improvement Program” Hydrometeorological Technician to our NAHR transmitters are will use use satellite “...utilities are being occasional sources of communications to replace the used to develop a web- he NWS provides performance problems. While leased phone line circuits based situational weather forecasts, we have outstanding service connecting NWS offices to the information, watches, technicians who quickly NAHR transmitters. This will awareness display for T warnings and other respond to any problems, significantly increase network Emergency Managers emergency messages through keeping 17 transmitters across reliability, performance and and other key decision the NOAA All-Hazards Radio north and central Georgia versatility. In the meantime, (NAHR). Our biggest change for operating at optimum levels is a we’ll keep the existing system makers. Look for it to the year was the upgrade of the never-ending task. operating as well as possible – be released in 2010!.” NAHR transmitter on top of with an excited eye to the near Stone Mountain. Within the next couple years, future. ☼ significant changes in the NAHR The telecommunication program are expected. Among systems (phone lines) used to other things, the “Weather

Cool IT Developments Clark Safford are now always available at a Information Technology Officer glance.

hile most of While porting our Situational 2009 was spent Awareness Software for another converting the office, we developed a toolbox web site to CMS W of routines utilizing Scalable format (see page 12), we did Vector Graphics (SVG) that have a little time left over for allow us to easily build web developing some new programs content like our new and for our staff and customers. improved current conditions map. Those same utilities are A “Hazards Monitor” display being used to develop a web- was developed to help keep the based situational awareness forecasters abreast of the latest display for Emergency key convective parameters. Managers and other key Hazards Monitor display co-created by Rob Handel and Clark Safford to pro- Data that used to require 15 decision makers. Look for it to vide forecasters with a quick look at key severe weather parameters through- minutes of a forecaster's time be released in 2010! ☼ out our area of responsibility. to run specialized procedures Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 14

Systems Continue to be Improved Richard Black ASOS: Many significant CPUs enhanced with Quad Core Electronics Systems Analyst improvements were made to technology. That's sixteen o keep theNWS the Automated Surface “cores” per machine! Couple running effectively we Observing Systems (ASOS) this with our new fiber optic are constantly reliability and data quality. gigabit network, which gives us upgrading our systems Notable changes were the symmetrical, high-speed data T installation of uninterrupted throughput across our entire with the latest technology available to meet the increasing power supplies and the AWIPS platform, and we have demand for weather-based relocation of the Falcon Field an impressive system. We have products. (Peachtree City) ASOS. also replaced the with Red Hat further releasing the full RADAR: 88D radars received a AWIPS is our core system for potential of these machines. complete refresh of their the origination of watches, Finally, we installed several operating systems (OS) along warnings and forecasts. This operational software builds to with several operational builds system received numerous improve our weather products to extend and enhance radar upgrades in 2009. We and distribution methods. products. The changes have completely replaced most of the New, solid-state, NOAA All-Hazards Radio given forecasters better tools to hardware with the latest transmitter on Stone Mountain, GA. detect and anticipate severe computer technology available. Weather Radio: Pictured at left storm activity. Our processing power has is the 1KW Crown transmitter increased four-fold in one year. newly-installed on top of Stone Our new servers are fitted with Mountain, GA. ☼

A Busy Year for Outreach Laura Griffith Commission, Citizen Corps, and Meteorologist local radio. Over 250

attendees received valuable he Peachtree City emergency preparedness NWS had an exciting information, and a few lucky 2009 with many individuals took home outreach events, T preparedness items raffled off including two ambitious as door prizes. WFO staff members Robert projects! We kicked off

Beasley and Kent Frantz prepared hurricane season with the Air for visitors at the 2nd Annual Force Reserve “Hurricane Other outreach events included ReadyFest. Hunters.” Over 4,000 people staffing our NWS booth at the flocked to Falcon Field Airport in Women in Aviation Conference, early June to tour the WC-130J the Atlanta Home and Garden and learn about the inland Show, and conferences for the impacts of tropical cyclones. Georgia Agricultural Association The office also held an open and the Georgia Science house for 800 attendees! Teachers Association. We also held two workshops for our

NOAA employees Shari Mutchler broadcasting media partners. (Aviation Weather Center), Ame- This year we also teamed up lia Ebhardt (NOAA Corps Officer), with Cherokee County EMA in Nicole Cabana (NOAA Corps September to hold the second Spring and Fall Storm Spotter Officer), Laura Griffith (NWS classes continued to attract Forecaster), and Joann Becker annual “ReadyFest” in support (Aviation Weather Center) at the of the Department of Homeland weather fans, with 893 Women in Aviation Conference in Security’s National attendees in 30 classes . Closer Atlanta. Preparedness Month. Fox5 to home, we educated 788 Meteorologist Ken Cook individuals through 58 office emceed the event, introducing tours, and provided important speakers from the NWS, GEMA, weather information to local Hurricane Hunter plane of the 53rd Weather Recon- GA Health Dept., Cherokee media through more than 200 naissance Squadron from Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. County EMA, State Insurance phone interviews. ☼ Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 15

Severe Weather Performance (Cont.)

(Continued from page 6) total warnings. Lead times also increased significantly for Flash Fifty-seven flash flood warnings Flood Warnings from 77.9 were issued during the year, minutes in 2008 to 97.0 affecting 81 counties – the minutes in 2009. most since 196 counties were warned in 2003. This well Skill scores and other key exceeded the 7-year average, statistics developed for WFO mostly due to the record Peachtree City are depicted on September floods, with that one page 6. ☼ month accounting for 68% of

Cooperative Observers Pilot National Program Frank Taylor 25 Years Observations Program Leader WPEH Radio Station, Louisville

Edward Starling, The Rock hanges continue in (Left to right) Barry Gooden, WCM Peachtree City; Jack Montgomery, Coop Helen Police Dept., Helen the Cooperative Observer from Rome 8SW; Monty Montgomery (Jack’s son and the new

(Coop) Weather observer) and Frank Taylor, NWS Peachtree City. program. Last year at 35 Years John Maddox, Rome this time we began the “roll-out” of WxCoder - the process of entering daily observations via 40 Years the internet. As of this date, Lois Dover, Ellijay 68% of our observers had converted to WxCoder to 45 Years disseminate daily observations. Another change was Jack Montgomery, Rome 8 SW improvement of the Hourly Precipitation Data (HPD) 50 Years collection. We rebuilt and Cicero Swint, Jonesboro installed ten new data logger kits (see picture at right). These Hats off to these wonderful loggers will use Secure Digital volunteers! ☼ (SD) Media Cards to record one minute rainfall to one one- hundredth of an inch. Fisher-Porter gage with punch mechanism (left) and with the new digital logger (right).

Length of Service Awards in WFO Staffing at Year's End 2009: Administrative Update 1 Meteorologist in Charge 10 Years 1 Administrative Support Assistant Deborah Connell There were two staffing Jack & Martha Beech, Jefferson 1 Warning Coord. Meteorologist Administrative Assistant changes in 2009. Mr. Sean Robert Dalton, Alto 1 Science and Operations Officer Ryan, our Student Career Ex- ome fairly significant perience Program (SCEP) intern 5 Senior Meteorologists 15 Years administrative was selected for a Meteorolo- 6 General Meteorologists Edwin Penland, Chatsworth changes took place gist Intern position at 1 Senior Service Hydrologist Preston English, Unicoi State outside the WFO and Hydrometeorological Prediction 1 Information Tech Officer S 1 Observations Program Leader Park impacted our office, in the proc- Center in Camp Springs, MD. 2 Hydrometeorological Technicians ess. Most notably, our finance We also saw the retirement of 2 Meteorologist Interns 20 Years and travel support transferred our long-time friend and co- from Boulder, CO to German- worker Mr. Terry Murphy after 1 Electronics Systems Analyst Tommie Strickland, Lafayette town, MD. Despite a few nearly 33 years of dedicated 3 Electronics Technicians Ferrell and Steve Morton, “bumps,” the transition has service. We wish them both Dublin gone relatively well. well. ☼ The Weather Forecast Office in Peachtree City is a field office of the National Weather Service, an agency of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- ministration, which is part of the U.S. Department of National Weather Service • Weather Commerce. The office is responsible for weather and water forecast and warning services for 96 counties Forecast Office • Peachtree City, Georgia in north and central Georgia (see map below).

Phone: 770-486-1133 Fax: 770-486-9333 Email: [email protected]

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weather.gov (and click on Georgia)

4 Falcon Drive Peachtree City, GA 30215