Georgia Postpones Tornado Drills to November 6
Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Day drills move from November 4 because of inclement weather affecting the state.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Forecasts
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Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency has postponed its Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Day drills to Friday, November 6, 2026. The drills, originally set for November 4 at 9:30 a.m., were moved due to inclement weather impacting the state for the next few days.
Why it matters
Parts of Georgia see a secondary peak in severe weather, including tornadoes, in November and early December, making preparedness drills relevant to residents. Schools, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to take part in the rescheduled tornado drills.
The drills were moved from November 4 to November 6, 2026, due to inclement weather expected to affect the state for the next few days. Six National Weather Service Forecast Offices covering Georgia will issue a modified NOAA Weather Radio test message simultaneously around 9:30 a.m. on the rescheduled day.
The players
Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency
The state agency responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness, response, and recovery across Georgia, which postponed the drills.
National Weather Service
The federal agency under NOAA that issues weather forecasts and warnings, with six forecast offices covering Georgia issuing the drill message.
The details
Drills will be activated by a modified NOAA Weather Radio Routine Weekly Test, with all six forecast offices issuing the message at the same time. Schools, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to take part in severe weather exercises and tornado drills on the rescheduled date.
Timeline
November 4, 2026: Original date for Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Day.
November 6, 2026: Rescheduled date for severe weather and tornado drills.
9:30 a.m.: Scheduled time for tornado drills and the weather radio message.
Seasonal Patterns
Georgia's tornado drill timing reflects the state's secondary severe weather peak in November and early December, which falls outside the spring season most associated with tornadoes. The NOAA Weather Radio Routine Weekly Test system provides the activation mechanism used to schedule the statewide exercise.
Residents, schools, and businesses should plan to take part in the tornado drill on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Households should confirm that their weather radios or alert systems are working so they receive the NOAA message.
The takeaway
Planning ahead for the rescheduled drill on November 6 gives Georgians a chance to test alert systems before the state's secondary severe weather season. Taking part in the exercise can help schools and households practice their response to tornado warnings.
What happens next
Georgia's severe weather preparedness drills are rescheduled for Friday, November 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., with the NOAA Weather Radio test message issued by all six forecast offices covering the state.
Further reading
Track the latest outlooks in our Georgia forecasts section for conditions ahead of the rescheduled drills.
More information
Review the GEMA tornado drill procedures and tips to prepare for the rescheduled exercise.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AccessNorthGA.
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