Storm system could spawn Georgia tornadoes, severe thunderstorms

Monroe County Emergency Management Agency Director Matt Perry is watching the sky.

Meteorologists are tracking a potentially dangerous storm system that could wreak havoc in Middle Georgia.

Due to the widespread threat, Georgians are urged to keep weather radios close by when going to bed Tuesday.

A strong storm system capable of triggering tornadoes, damaging winds, hail and flooding will be moving into the state.

Perry posted on the Monroe County EMA Facebook page the following warning of the higher than normal threat: "This means that we could see embedded supercell thunderstorms capable of producing hail, 50 to 60 mph wind gusts, and tornadoes."

Georgia's emergency planners have been briefed about the threat through conference calls with meteorologists. "One of the more troubling phrases was high levels of instability and windshear in the atmosphere. Those are two of the big ingredients needed for tornadoes," Perry posted.

He said if a tornado warning is issued, he will send out a robocall to all residents with landlines and those who have requested calls on their cellphones.

"If we get a tornado warning at 1 a.m., don't get mad at me but I'm going to be using it," he said Tuesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service expects the highest threat between 3-11 a.m. Wednesday.

Monroe County's EMA page also stressed the need to have a battery-operated weather radio: "Having apps on phones are nice to have, but in the middle of the night these radios will save your life."

Up to three inches of rain is possible in some areas, which could bring flash flooding as the ground is saturated from recent rains.

Unsettled conditions will linger, making thunderstorms possible in eastern Georgia through Wednesday afternoon.

The front will usher in much colder air than the state has seen recently.

Extreme north Georgia could see winter precipitation Thursday, but no accumulation is expected.

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 12:53 PM with the headline "Storm system could spawn Georgia tornadoes, severe thunderstorms ."