Parts of metro Atlanta were under a tornado warning Monday afternoon. While the warning passed without a tornado, there were reports of hail from Cobb County to Banks County. A watch remained in effect until 8 p.m. for parts of metro Atlanta. Here’s how the event unfolded:
8 p.m.: The tornado watch expired for the remaining counties.
6:34 p.m.: Tornado watch remains in effect for 11 counties, including Clayton, Fayette, Henry, Newton, Rockdale and Walton. Cancelled for other metro counties.
5:00 p.m.: Tornado watch cancelled for Cobb, Douglas, Forsyth, Hall and Paulding counties. Watch still on for 17 counties, including Barrow, Clayton, DeKalb, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Rockdale and Walton.
4:00 p.m.: The tornado warning has expired. No touchdowns have been reported.
A tornado watch will continue until 8 p.m. for 27 north Georgia counties, including metro Atlanta.
3:59 p.m.: Storm passing to the north of Danielsville.
3:57 p.m.: Main storm threat moving out of Jackson County. In Fulton County, school officials say dismissal was temporarily delayed but is currently back on schedule.
3:48 p.m.: "Hail core" now in Waterworks Road area near Nicholson. "Concern still there" for possible tornado touchdown. This is the same storm that produced large amounts of hail in Alpharetta, Cobb County and across the metro, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.
3:36 p.m.: Center of storm expected to hit Commerce in about 15 minutes. Currently north of Arcade, passing through Jefferson. Golf ball-sized hail reported.
3:29 p.m.: Storm moving toward Jefferson. Gwinnett County fire reports pea sized hail, wires down in Buford and Suwanee.
3:23 p.m.: Heart of storm about to pass over West Jackson Middle School. "This is a storm that has really sustained itself in intensity," Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz said.
3:19 p.m.: Tornado warning extended to 4 p.m., to include Jackson, Banks and Madison counties. Hall and Gwinnett removed.
3:17 p.m.: According to Gwinnett County schools Facebook page, Lanier High School has released students. The Mill Creek, Dacula and North Gwinnett clusters are holding elementary and middle school students; and the Mountain View and Lanier clusters are holding students at all levels.
3:15 p.m.: National Weather Service tells Channel 2 Action news meteorologist Brad Nitz its not sure if the tornado warning will be extended. Originally set to expire at 3:30 p.m.
Threat for tornadoes in Gwinnett and Hall essentially over, Nitz said.
3:13 p.m.: Forsyth County schools now releasing students. Tornado warning now just Gwinnett, Barrow, Jackson and Hall.
3:10 p.m.: "Blinding, heavy rain" and hail reported as storm moves out of Gwinnett. Eight minutes from Braselton and Hoschton, then on toward Jefferson.
3:07 p.m.: Storm moving into Braselton. "It's going to get worse before it gets better," Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz said.
3:00 p.m.: Main storm cell expected to hit Auburn in 12 minutes. Forsyth County removed from tornado warning.
2:59 p.m.: Storm moving near Mountain View High School. Greatest risk of tornado touchdown and large hail.
2:57 p.m.: Cobb County schools are not delayed: "The warning has been lifted officially and schools and transportation have been given the go ahead to resume dismissal and transport," an official said.
2:55 p.m.: A number of Gwinnett County Public Schools high schools have held students for afternoon dismissal due to the weather warning. Elementary and middle schools are following their local safety plans.
2:47 p.m.: Greatest threat currently between Suwanee and Duluth along Buford Highway, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist said.
2:46 p.m.: New warning includes parts of Barrow, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson counties. Storm currently about six minutes from Suwanee.
2:45 p.m.: Gwinnett County fire department reports no weather-related incidents or damage as of yet.
2:42 p.m.: National Weather Service extends tornado warning for an additional 45 minutes.
2:40 p.m.: Forsyth County schools tweeted the following: "All buses and students are being held at school because of the tornado warning."
2:37 p.m.: Area along Chattahoochee River near Barnwell and Old Alabama roads currently at greatest risk for tornado touchdown.
2:35 p.m.: Newtown residents needs to seek shelter immediately. Storm forecast nine minutes away from Atlanta Athletic Club. Storm running along Fulton and Gwinnett County line.
2:33 p.m.: Cobb and DeKalb have been removed from the tornado warning.
2:30 p.m.: "Very real threat" of a tornado, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz says. Storm approaching Centennial High School. No visual confirmation of tornado.
2:26 p.m.: Cobb County "all clear." Those in Dunwoody need to "seek shelter immediately." Storm expected to hit Peachtree Corners in 12 minutes.
2:20 p.m.: Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Fulton and Forsyth counties are under a tornado warning. The warning — which means a possible tornado has been spotted or detected by radar — is in effect until about 2:45 p.m.
“Now is the time if you live in these neighborhoods to move to your safe place,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz said.
The storm cell was moving east from Marietta toward Roswell, Sandy Springs and Peachtree Corners. Hail damage had been reported.
»Check the full forecast and track changes
ORIGINAL STORY: Most parts of metro Atlanta are under a tornado watch until 8 p.m. Monday.
According to an alert from the National Weather Service, the affected counties include Fulton, Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Henry and Paulding counties.
Barrow, Coweta, Hall, Rockdale, Newton, Hall, Walton, Banks, Jackson, Madison, Clarke, Oconee County and Oglethorpe counties are part of the watch, too.
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