Dalton Area Weather

09/27/2024

SEPT 27, 11:00 AM • WIND ADVISORY

EXPIRES: 6:00 AM EDT Saturday

OVERVIEW: As the remnants of Helene spin to the north, we find ourselves in the outer edge of the wind field it’s generated, so we can expect south winds upwards of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

IMPACTS: Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and additional power outages may result.

COUNTIES:
• Fannin
• Gilmer
• Union
• Towns
• Catoosa
• Dade
• Murray,
• Walker
• Whitfield

09/27/2024

While the impacts of Helene come to an end today in north Georgia, it's important to remember that we dodged a bullet in many regards.

I drove from Rocky Face into Dalton and it was clear this morning, water certainly elevated in spots but not dangerously so. Not every spot will be like that, but this could have in many ways been so much worse. Take care on the roads if you need to go out, if the road is covered - turn around, don't drown.

Flooding is still something we will be dealing with for a bit in the wake of this event. Winds will still be gusty at times even with the rain largely done with.

What likely led to this shift in the storm track was an eastern wobble and rapid intensification of the storm before landfall. This helped tilt its trajectory more east, pivoting the most severe impacts of this away from northwest Georgia.

Helene's punch was still felt inland, but more over eastern Georgia and well into the Carolinas.

Right now it seems safe to assume that the worst it would every bring to us is well behind us now, maybe some lingering showers and a decent breeze will stay behind - but we got fortunate, not everyone to our east did as a result.

09/27/2024

SEPT 27, 8:20 AM • FLASH FLOOD WARNING

EXPIRES: 2:15 PM EDT Friday.

OVERVIEW: Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

IMPACTS: Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

COUNTIES:
• N Cherokee County
• NW Dawson County
• SW Gilmer County
• Pickens County
• Catoosa County
• NE Gordon County
• Murray County
• NE Walker County
• Whitfield County

CITIES IMPACTED: Dalton, Calhoun, Chatsworth, Jasper, Ringgold, Ellijay, Fort Oglethorpe, Chickamauga, Varnell, Nelson, Eton, Tunnel Hill, Cohutta, East Ellijay, Resaca, Talking Rock, Fairmount, Ranger, Ramhurst and North Georgia Speedway.

09/27/2024

SEPT 26, 2024 - 9:30 PM • TROPICAL STORM HELENE UPDATE

Helene has stayed more to the east than expected overnight, sending the center of circulation more to the east of Atlanta and even Gainsville.

For the most part, however, not much impact will change for north Georgia outside of wind severity. This remains a very dangerous rainmaker, and this morning I am observing and hearing reports that winds have begun to pick up more.

This pattern will hold until noon at the earliest then start to improve. Be safe and aware today. Not out of the woods yet.

09/27/2024

SEPT 26, 2024 - 9:30 PM • HURRICANE HELENE UPDATE

Helene has been elevated to a category 4 storm with winds estimated to be around 130 MPH as it approaches landfall in there Florida big bend. Conditions in Georgia will continue to deteriorate over the next several hours and into the day tomorrow.

RISKS: The primary threats continue to be extreme flooding and sustained strong winds.

TIMELINE:
• 2 AM: The storm is anticipated to be near Albany, GA as a category 2 hurricane with winds sustained around 100 MPH at the core, will into tropical storm strength for upwards of 75 miles outside of said core. Torrential rain will also persist, with a risk of isolated quick tornadoes on the northeast side of the storm.

• 10 AM: My guess is that the center of circulation will be approaching or over some area of north Georgia with winds around 50 / 45 MPH.

• 2 PM: The center of circulation may be near McMinnville, TN north of Chattanooga with winds sustained around 45 MPH.

09/26/2024

HURRICANE HELENE • NORTH GEORGIA IMPACTS

As this massive storm barrels towards the Florida coastline, it's a good chance to review what we can expect in North Georgia over the next 72 hours.

TIMING: In a strange way this has already started with the rain we got yesterday, this "Predecessor Rain Event" put down upwards of 2-4 inches in areas of northwest Georgia - specifically east of Dalton setting the table for the flooding risk

With the hurricane expected to make landfall this evening in Florida along the big bend, it's reasonable to expect the onset of the rain specifically from Helene will arrive this evening and persist well into Friday.

It will be moving quickly north after landfall, so this is partly why we'll be seeing more substantial impacts then normal.

IMPACTS: This storm is massive, so thus the wind and rain coverage will be substantial. Current best estimates suggest as much as 5 additional inches of rainfall to fall over the next 48 hours. It's not out of the question to see tropical storm force winds upwards of 40 / 50 MPH could be seen, especially to the east of Dalton. Gusts will be higher.

I don't see tornado activity being a huge risk over Dalton, but it depends on where the center of circulation sets up. If for some reason we end up on the east side of the center then I will be a little more concerned about that risk. But for now, I am not worried.

RISKS: Downed trees, flooding - anything that comes with the territory of a deluge of water and wind. Be prepared for power to be out for stretches.

05/27/2024

Significant wind damage from this mornings storms across town. What are you seeing?

Due to storm damage, the Riverbend Park Soccer/Football Stadium is closed until further notice. Please stay off field for safety reasons. Thanks WCRD.

05/27/2024

5/27 | 5:28 AM

The the immediate severe threat has passed. There’s still some rain and thunder behind that main line. Tornado watch still active until 9, though I anticipate that will be cancelled sooner for NW Georgia as it was for parts of Tennessee earlier.

05/27/2024

5/27 | 4:53 AM
We just had dime-sized hail in west Rocky Face, which is what's headed to Dalton. Torrential rain, strong winds, and lightning are all still ongoing as well. Whitfield and Murray were added to the tornado watch as expected for now.

05/27/2024

May 27 | 4:32 AM

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Catoosa, Walker, and Whitfield Counties until 5:00 AM.

60 MPH winds and hail and quarter-sized hail is expected. Torrential rain and lightning is ongoing. Take shelter and stay away from windows.

05/27/2024

May 27 | 4:10 AM

A large complex of thunderstorms is marching its way to the east out of Tennessee and Alabama producing damaging winds and potentially larger hail as expected. There are smaller discrete cells that can produce some rotation that I'm watching for this morning so far.

A tornado watch has been issued for counties north and west of Whitfield County, which I am wondering if it will be extended to the west and south as this line marches onward.

05/27/2024

05/26/2024

⚠️ Severe Weather Outlook #1 of 2: Late Tonight into Early Tomorrow (Monday) Morning

An organized area of storms diving southeastward from Tennessee and Alabama will bring the potential for damaging winds, hail, and a brief tornado to portions of north and central Georgia late tonight into early tomorrow morning. Areas shaded in yellow and orange -- where the potential for these storm hazards is greatest -- should especially remain weather aware.

For more detailed information on timing, search for your location at https://www.weather.gov/ffc/

05/09/2024

MAY 9 | 7:17 AM

The Tornado Watch has been canceled for Whitfield County, thus the severe storm risk has now come to an end in Dalton.

We will have some rain still moving through the region, which will aggravate the flooding risk, so remain vigilant of standing water

05/09/2024

Final update:

Our crews have continued to restore power to our members, with only 14 members out of power as of 11:00 p.m. We appreciate your patience and support for our crews throughout this weather event.

6:10 p.m. update.

At this time, we are working to restore power to 153 members affected by 20 scattered outages. Our crews will continue to work around the clock to restore power to all members.

4:30 p.m. update.

NGEMC will continue our efforts around the clock to restore the 508 members who remain without power in 44 scattered outages. We thank you for your patience, and are grateful to all who have contributed to the restoration effort so far.

10:25 a.m. update.

Crews have been in the field all night working to restore power following widespread damage caused by multiple storm systems that swept through the entire service area last night and early this morning. Approximately 9,000 NGEMC members have been impacted in around 200 scattered outage events. As of 10:25 a.m. much progress has been made; however, 2,237 members remain without power in 135 outage events.

More storm activity is forecasted for this morning and the ground is saturated, which makes it difficult to give an accurate estimate of when all power will be restored as additional damage is likely. The operations team anticipates complete restoration may take over 24 hours. Multiple spans of wire are down and the number of broken poles has not been confirmed at this time. We appreciate your patience as the crews work around the clock to safely rebuild and repair the power system in many areas.

Be safe and stay away from downed power lines. For more detailed information on outages in your area, please see our outage map: https://www.ngemc.com/outage/current . Due to the volume and scope of the storm damage, we are unable to provide estimated times of restoration for individual outages.

05/09/2024

MAY 9 | 5:55 AM

Good morning. Several updates:

A line of severe storms is about to sweep through the area as expected. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings have been posted ahead of the line, Dalton is now under one.

A new Tornado Watch has been issued ahead of this line as these storms also have the potential to spawn a tornado. The chances of a tornado are lower than last night, but it's still vital to pay attention to warnings as they come.

A flash flood warning is still up for Dalton and the surrounding area. With more rain coming, the flooding issues will remain a very critical risk.

05/09/2024

MAY 9 | 12:45 AM

A tornadic supercell thunderstorm with a long history of producing tornadoes is crossing into Walker and Chattooga counties. *At this time, I'm thinking the tornadic portion of the storm will stay SOUTH of Dalton.*

However, there is intense rainfall and wind in the part of the storm that should clip Dalton still, aggravating the existing flooding and wind damage.

05/09/2024

MAY 8 | 11:50 PM

A tornado watch is up until 4 AM. We have already seen one wave of tornadic cells come through and there's more waves expected as the night goes on. Will all be tornadic? Can't be sure. But what you CAN control is having multiple ways to get warnings and knowing what your shelter plan is. Tonight will be bumpy. Be ready.