On February 28, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a day four risk for severe thunderstorms across a broad region of the Southeast United States stretching from northern Louisiana through northwestern Georgia.

Ahead of this line, the combination of mid-level Convective Available Potential Energy of 500–1,200 J/kg, a low-level jet of 50–70 kn, and effective storm-relative helicity of 250–400 J/kg resulted in a highly unstable atmosphere that was conducive to the formation of strong tornadoes.

The lack of strong convective inhibition, coupled with weak forcing, favored the formation of numerous discrete supercell thunderstorms across the Florida Panhandle, southeastern Alabama, much of central Georgia, and into South Carolina.

Crossing into Lee County, EF1 damage was observed as additional trees were downed and a poorly constructed church had its roof blown off and sustained collapse of two unreinforced cinder block exterior walls.

The most intense damage was inflicted to a well-built, anchor-bolted brick home that was leveled with a portion of the slab foundation swept clean of debris.

A large semi-truck was flipped over and wrapped around the base of a tree as well, a high-tension power line tower was toppled, and a few homes farther away from the center of the damage path had their roofs ripped off.

Continuing to the east-northeast, the tornado weakened to EF3 strength as it crossed SR 51 and struck the small neighboring community of Dupree.

A cell tower was toppled to the ground, blocking US 280/431 in both directions for many hours, and a billboard sign was damaged, part of which was reportedly found roughly 20 mi (32 km) away in Georgia near Hamilton.

As the tornado strengthened and passed between Barin and Fortson, a small area of low-end EF3 damage was noted as a large cell tower was toppled over and mangled along US 27 (SR 1).

Several one inch in diameter metal guide wires were snapped at this location, and a nearby swath of trees was flattened to the ground.

Paralleling and eventually crossing SR 315, the tornado reached EF2 strength as countless trees were snapped or uprooted, and a house sustained major damage to its second floor.

Further intensification occurred as the tornado entered Talbot County and again reached low-end EF3 intensity as it struck the rural community of Baughville, where the Humble Zion Church was destroyed.

The tornado briefly weakened to high-end EF1 strength past Baughville, downing many trees in heavily forested areas.

Once again, regaining low-end EF3 strength, the tornado proceeded to strike the north side of Talbotton, causing major damage in town.

As the storm tracked eastward, snow was wreaking havoc on parts of the Four Corner States and the Midwest, closing roads and cancelling over 700 flights.

[32] This led to a snow day in New York City on March 4,[33] where a total observed snowfall was 5.0 in (13 cm) in Central Park.

[44] Drones with heat-seeking devices were utilized in the search effort for survivors while ground crews had to wait for morning light on March 4.