A deep closed upper low was moving southeast from the middle Tennessee Valley into the southeast United States.  An associated frontal system and low pressure area was moving from the eastern Gulf coastal region northeastward along the southeastern U.S. seaboard.  An unusually warm, moist atmosphere was present across the southeast U.S. in advance of this weather system.  Although overall instability was marginal, strong shear was present with this weather system.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms tracked across north and central Georgia throughout the day.  While most of the storms were non-severe, one storm in northwest Georgia produced a significant downburst.  The storm simultaneously produced large hail, which when combined with the downburst winds produced a significant path of damage across Whitfield county.  Another storm during the evening spawned a brief EF0 tornado in the central Georgia county of Dooly, with very minimal damage noted.

Tornado in DOOLY, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 16:48:00 to 12-MAR-10 16:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: SNOW SPG
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that a very weak and brief EF0 tornado caused minor damage just south of Unadilla.  The tornado touched down near the intersection of Taylor Street just west of Interstate-75 and continued approximately one mile east-northeast to a point on the east side of Interstate-75 near the intersection of 3rd District Road and Browns Chapel Road.  The maximum path width was determined to be 100 yards wide with maximum winds estimated to be 75 mph.  Near the touchdown point of the tornado, a tree fell causing minor damage to the corner of a home.  Another nearby home lost a few shingles.  As the tornado continued east, it crossed through a horse arena, where some tin roofing was torn from a portion of one row of horse stalls.  A large adjacent billboard was blown over on a car.  At the end point of the tornado, a tree top was broken out.

Thunderstorm Wind in WHITFIELD, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 12:50:00 to 12-MAR-10 12:53:00 (EST-5)
Location: TRICKUM
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that extensive damage to trees and property southwest of Tunnel Hill was the result of a thunderstorm downburst with wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph.  The wind was also accompanied by 1/4 to 1/2 inch-diameter hail and very heavy rain.  The hail lasted up to five minutes at several spots along the path of the downburst and accumulated up to a depth of 12 to 18 inches at some locations.  Some of the hail was still on the ground up to 6 hours later.  The downburst affected a 3-mile long and 1-mile wide area, beginning near the intersection of Dogwood Valley Road and Houston Valley Road and ending near the intersection of Cottonwood Mill Road and Mount Vernon Road.  At least 100 trees were down along the path of the downburst.  Two mobile homes suffered extensive damage as a result of the downed trees.  Tin roofs were torn off a few barns.  Several homes sustained at least minor shingle damage.

Hail in CHATTOOGA, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 12:12:00 to 12-MAR-10 12:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: TRION
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Chattooga County Emergency Management Director observed nickel-sized hail.  There were several other reports of hail received, but no size was given.

Hail in BLECKLEY, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 17:24:00 to 12-MAR-10 17:28:00 (EST-5)
Location: COCHRAN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Bleckley County Emergency Management Director reported penny-sized hail just southwest of Cochran.

Hail in DADE, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 16:35:00 to 12-MAR-10 16:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: RISING FAWN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Post Office

Employees at the Rising Fawn Post Office observed nickel to quarter-sized hail for up to 30 minutes.

Hail in CATOOSA, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 12:25:00 to 12-MAR-10 12:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOYNTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed penny to quarter-sized hail west of Ringgold.

Hail in PULASKI, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 14:48:00 to 12-MAR-10 15:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: BROWNDALE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed penny to nickel-sized hail across the north part of the county, especially in the Klondike Road area.

Hail in HARRIS, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 14:40:00 to 12-MAR-10 14:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELLERSLIE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A trained storm spotter observed penny-sized hail near Ellerslie.

Hail in HOUSTON, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 16:11:00 to 12-MAR-10 16:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: KATHLEEN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Amateur radio operators relayed reports of nickel-sized hail, mostly south of Warner Robins.

Heavy Rain in HOUSTON, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 16:15:00 to 12-MAR-10 17:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: HENDERSON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Houston County Emergency Management Director reported that rainfall of 2.0 to 2.5 inches over a 2-hour period had resulted in six to seven inches of water on some roads, particularly in the Bonaire area.  Street flooding was observed at the intersection of Georgia Highway 96 and Georgia Highway 247.

Hail in WALKER, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 12:03:00 to 12-MAR-10 12:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: LA FAYETTE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed nickel to quarter-sized hail from between LaFayette and Cooper Heights northeast to near Chickamauga.

Hail in CRISP, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 14:51:00 to 12-MAR-10 14:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: CORDELE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed nickel-sized hail in Cordele and the Crisp County Emergency Management Director observed penny-sized hail near the intersection of U.S. Highway 41 and U.S. Highway 280.

Hail in WHITE, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 19:30:00 to 12-MAR-10 19:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: SAUTEE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A National Weather Service Cooperative observed reported penny-sized hail from the Sautee area.  The hail lasted for up to five minutes.

Hail in OCONEE, GEORGIA
From 12-MAR-10 13:48:00 to 12-MAR-10 13:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOGART
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The former Emergency Management Director for Oconee County observed penny to nickel-sized hail southwest of Bogart near the intersection of U.S. Highway 78 and Georgia Highway 53.