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Radar time-lapse loop of Spalding County tornado outbreak
The National Weather Service released this radar time-lapse loop showing how there were as many as four tornadoes circulating around each other and eventually merging in Spalding County on Jan. 12, 2023.
SPALDING COUNTY, Ga. - The National Weather Service has a better understanding of the outbreak of tornadoes which tore through Georgia on Jan. 12. A new groundbreaking report was issued on Thursday.
"As many as four tornadoes were on the ground simultaneously in SW Spalding County...rotating around the larger circulation, merging together in several cases and crossing paths," the report reads in part.
Meteorologists reanalyzed the tornadoes that crossed northeastern Meriwether, northwestern Pike, and southwestern Spalding counties. They were able to compare radar data and high-resolution aerial imaging following the outbreak to determine that several tornadoes were rotating around and within a large vortex. That vortex got as large as two miles in some areas.
"It was also noted that near and shortly after tornadoes merged, damage increased. The presence of three mergers was identified in the reanalysis," the report reads.
SKYFOX Drone flies over the Hobby Lobby in Griffin after a tornado tore through the area on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) SKYFOX Drone flies over the Hobby Lobby in Griffin after a tornado tore through the area on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) SKYFOX Drone flies over the Hobby Lobby in Griffin after a tornado tore through the area on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The Hobby Lobby in Griffin after a tornado tore through the area on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The Hobby Lobby in Griffin after a tornado tore through the area on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The Hobby Lobby in Griffin after a tornado tore through the area on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) The aftermath of a tornado in Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) SKYFOX Drone flies over the Hobby Lobby in Griffin after a tornado tore through the area on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) SKYFOX Drone flies over the Hobby Lobby in Griffin after a tornado tore through the area on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) SKYFOX Drone flies over the Hobby Lobby in Griffin after a tornado tore through the area on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) SKYFOX Drone flies over the Hobby Lobby in Griffin after a tornado tore through the area on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Power crews stage in Griffin a day after a tornado tore through the area on Jan. 12, 2023 (FOX 5) Power crews stage in Griffin a day after a tornado tore through the area on Jan. 12, 2023 (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) SKYFOX Drone flies over the Hobby Lobby in Griffin after a tornado tore through the area on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Damage in Griffin caused by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) A large tree falls onto a home on 14th Street in Griffin during severe storms Thursday, January 12, 2023 (Credit: Amanda Doering). (A large tree falls onto a home on 14th Street in Griffin during severe storms Thursday, January 12, 2023 (Credit: Amanda Doering).) Trees down following strong storms in Griffin, Georgia January 12, 2023 (FOX 5 Viewer Kathryn). (Trees down following strong storms in Griffin, Georgia January 12, 2023 (FOX 5 Viewer Kathryn).) An overturned shopping cart rack and debris at the Hobby Lobby in Griffin, Georgia from severe storms Thursday, January 12, 2023 (FOX 5 viewer Jonathan). (An overturned shopping cart rack and debris at the Hobby Lobby in Griffin, Georgia from severe storms Thursday, January 12, 2023 (FOX 5 viewer Jonathan).) Damage from severe storms in Griffin, Georgia Thursday, January 12, 2023 (Amanda Doering). (Damage from severe storms in Griffin, Georgia Thursday, January 12, 2023 (Amanda Doering).) Damage from severe storms in Griffin, Georgia Thursday, January 12, 2023 (Amanda Doering). (Damage from severe storms in Griffin, Georgia Thursday, January 12, 2023 (Amanda Doering).) Damage from severe storms in Griffin, Georgia Thursday, January 12, 2023 (Amanda Doering). (Damage from severe storms in Griffin, Georgia Thursday, January 12, 2023 (Amanda Doering).) Storm damage in Griffin following severe storms Thursday, January 12, 2023. (Credit: Amanda Doering) (Storm damage in Griffin following severe storms Thursday, January 12, 2023. (Credit: Amanda Doering)) Storm damage in Griffin following severe storms Thursday, January 12, 2023. (Credit: Amanda Doering) (Storm damage in Griffin following severe storms Thursday, January 12, 2023. (Credit: Amanda Doering)) Storm damage at the Hobby Lobby in Griffin, Georgia where the roof has been ripped off (FOX 5 viewer). (Storm damage at the Hobby Lobby in Griffin, Georgia where the roof has been ripped off (FOX 5 viewer).) Damage off Experiment Street in Griffin. (FOX 5) Damage off Experiment Street in Griffin. (FOX 5) Damage off Experiment Street in Griffin. (FOX 5) Damage off Experiment Street in Griffin. (FOX 5) Damage off Experiment Street in Griffin. (FOX 5) Damage from the storm at an apartment complex in Griffin, Georgia. Parts of Peterson's Funeral Home on 14th Street in Griffin were destroyed by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Parts of Peterson's Funeral Home on 14th Street in Griffin were destroyed by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Parts of Peterson's Funeral Home on 14th Street in Griffin were destroyed by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Parts of Peterson's Funeral Home on 14th Street in Griffin were destroyed by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Parts of Peterson's Funeral Home on 14th Street in Griffin were destroyed by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Parts of Peterson's Funeral Home on 14th Street in Griffin were destroyed by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Parts of Peterson's Funeral Home on 14th Street in Griffin were destroyed by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Parts of Peterson's Funeral Home on 14th Street in Griffin were destroyed by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Parts of Peterson's Funeral Home on 14th Street in Griffin were destroyed by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Parts of Peterson's Funeral Home on 14th Street in Griffin were destroyed by a tornado on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) A tornado tore through portions of Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) A tornado tore through portions of Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) A tornado tore through portions of Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) A tornado tore through portions of Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) A tornado tore through portions of Griffin on Jan. 12, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) Firefighters in Griffin go door-to-door to make sure all the residents are OK the day after a strong tornado moved through on Jan. 13, 2023. (FOX 5) HERE'S WHY A 'SPY PLANE' WILL BE STATIONED AT DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE THE NEXT FEW MONTHS
The meteorologist say the proximity of the severe weather to the NWS radar helped. Two additional tornadoes were identified bringing the total to 14, including 10 that came from the same storm cell.
Wind speeds as high as 155 mph, or an extremely powerful EF-3 tornado, were reached.
The NWS also released a track and a video outlining the paths and rotations.