Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2017

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 135, NWS Huntsville, AL

September 5, 2017DeKalb County, Jackson County, Alabama

NWS Huntsville, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Sep 5, 2017, 4:04 PM CDT for DeKalb County, Jackson County, Alabama. It was in force for 26 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Sep 5, 2017, 4:04 PM CDT (21:04 UTC)
Expired
Sep 5, 2017, 4:30 PM CDT
In force
26 min
Issued by
NWS Huntsville, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.25 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties DeKalb County, AL, Jackson County, AL

The radar

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 38 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:05 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 9.1 hours before the alert went out and 190 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2017-09-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 483 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2017-09-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 47 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
483 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-38 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
936 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
22 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
47 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
28 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Huntsville, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Sep 5, 2:43 PM CDT, 1 hour 21 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 5, 2:43 PM CDT, 1 hour 21 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
243 PM CDT Tue Sep 5 2017

.NEAR TERM...(This afternoon and Tonight)
Issued at 242 PM CDT Tue Sep 5 2017

Two episodes of showers and storms have developed: one on the pre-
frontal trough/outflow boundary axis and the other with the cold
front just crossing into NW AL. Currently, strong storms are
occurring along both the frontal boundary and pre-frontal trough
within the area of highest instability. One thing to note is that
northeast Alabama has received more sfc heating than NW which may be
the reason for some small hail existing within the pre-frontal trough
axis storms. In addition to the hail threat, the primary threats
remain gusty to damaging winds up to 50-60 MPH (i.e. some storms
could be severe) and heavy rainfall. Though conditions have been dry
recently, could still see some instances of flash flooding.

As the surface front moves further southeast, more widespread
coverage of storms is expected and have only made modest adjustments
for late this afternoon and early evening with the POPs. Instability
is already around 2500-3000 J/kg via latest RAP analysis. However,
there is also some dry air entrainment noted on upstream RAOBs (LZK)
and smoke plume within VIS/WV channels. As a result, may see some
impact on coverage with this dry slot, but haven't seen that yet.

For tonight, behind the surface front, there will be some lingering
showers and isolated storms and have already noted this on regional
radars across TN/KY behind the front. Did incorporate an overall
diminishing trend with the convective showers and storms this evening
mainly before midnight as the 850 mb front crosses behind the surface
front. This activity should be elevated in nature. Northwest to north
winds may also gust up to 15-20 MPH behind the front.

.SHORT TERM...(Wednesday through Thursday night)
Issued at 242 PM  CDT Tue Sep 5 2017

Clouds will likely linger into Wednesday behind the front and have
made some slight adjustments to keep mostly cloudy conditions in the
forecast for longer during the morning hours as the longwave trough
axis moves atop the TN Valley. However, the bigger story will be the
cooler temperatures behind the front with daytime highs registering
in the mid 70s compared to mid 80s (Tuesday). Much drier air with
dewpoints in the 40s by late afternoon and early evening is also
something we will experience. Did keep gusty north to northwest
winds in the forecast for Wednesday afternoon but overall the weather
should be nice. There may be a threat for fog on Wednesday evening
given the completely clear sky, ground moisture from early rainfall,
and lower dewpoint depressions but will wait before including in the
forecast due to some uncertainty on the dewpoint forecast. The
overnight lows may drop into the 40s for some areas on Wednesday
night.

By Thursday, dry autumn like weather will be in full swing with very
pleasant temperatures in the mid 70s along with continue dry air as
the southeast remains on the western flank of the synoptic scale
trough. In addition, subsidence from an expansive surface high
pressure system building east from the southern Plains will keep much
of the area cloud free, dry, and cooler than average (approx. 12-15
degrees below average).

.LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Monday)
Issued at 242 PM CDT Tue Sep 5 2017

Ending the work week, a trough will exit the Great Lakes and move
into New England as a ridge builds in the Intermountain West while
sfc high pressure lingers across the Southeast. This pattern will
continue to provide northerly flow keeping temps below normal and
conditions dry. Temps will rebound from the cold front passage in the
short term on Friday with highs in the upper 70s and overnight lows
still chilly but slowly getting warmer in the low/mid 50s. On
Saturday, a short wave glides down the anchored ridge our west and
towards the TN Valley. Daytime highs will be around 80 degrees,
warmest day of the extended, before the sfc high starts to weaken due
to Irma approaching the region. The forecast here on out is
dependent on Irma's track. Seeing better model agreement today, then
again there is still a lot of disagreement on where exactly Irma's
track will go and therefore the TN Valley's extended forecast. We
could see more or less rainfall depending on where she tracks. As of
right now, expect below normal temps to continue, cloud cover
increasing as Irma approaches the region and the next chance for
showers/storms will be Monday night as we start to feel the impacts
of Irma.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday afternoon)
Issued at 1224 PM CDT Tue Sep 5 2017

MVFR sky cover conditions are beginning to impact NW AL as cloud
cover preceding a cold front moves over the area. Anticipating MVFR
cigs to continue eastward towards KHSV after 19Z along with the
potential for TSRA at all sites. Along with the lower cigs, the
primary time period for thunderstorms will be in the 19Z-22Z time
frame. Some of these TSRA may have gusty winds up to 40 kts and will
amend TAF if one of these stronger TSRA approach. In addition to the
TSRA threat, winds may gust up to 20 kts with the cold front. VFR
conditions should then return after 06Z-13Z before gusty northerly
winds prevail through the rest of the period.

&&

.HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...NONE.
TN...NONE.
&&

NEAR TERM...SL.77
SHORT TERM...SL.77
LONG TERM...JMS
AVIATION...SL.77

For more information please visit our website
at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 5, 3:26 PM CDT, 38 minutes before
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In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 5, 2:33 PM CDT, 1 hour 31 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
233 PM CDT TUE SEP 5 2017

ALZ003-004-007-052000-
Lawrence AL-Morgan AL-Franklin AL-
233 PM CDT TUE SEP 5 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN FRANKLIN...
SOUTHWESTERN MORGAN AND SOUTHERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 300 PM
CDT...

At 232 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Priceville to near Phil Campbell. Movement
was to the south southeast at 10 mph.

Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these
storms.

Locations impacted include...
Decatur, Hartselle, Moulton, Priceville, Falkville, Phil Campbell,
Somerville, Speake, Basham and Wren.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Strong gusty winds will be capable of knocking down small tree limbs
along with other small unsecured items. Seek safe shelter until this
line of storms has passed.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike several away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3434 8776 3459 8693 3457 8688 3437 8674
      3431 8694 3431 8711 3430 8711 3431 8776
TIME...MOT...LOC 1932Z 346DEG 8KT 3452 8697 3430 8766

70/DD
Special weather statement, Sep 5, 2:57 PM CDT, 1 hour 7 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
257 PM CDT TUE SEP 5 2017

ALZ003-004-007-052030-
Lawrence AL-Morgan AL-Franklin AL-
257 PM CDT TUE SEP 5 2017

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN FRANKLIN...MORGAN
AND SOUTHERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM CDT...

At 256 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Hartselle to near Phil Campbell. Movement
was east at 35 mph.

Penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Decatur, Hartselle, Moulton, Priceville, Falkville, Phil Campbell,
Morgan City, Somerville, Valhermoso Springs and Speake.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike several away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3459 8700 3449 8656 3441 8658 3431 8700
      3431 8711 3430 8711 3432 8778
TIME...MOT...LOC 1956Z 276DEG 29KT 3447 8702 3431 8752

BCC
Special weather statement, Sep 5, 3:04 PM CDT, 1 hour before
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Local storm report, Sep 5, 3:21 PM CDT, 43 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Sep 5, 3:26 PM CDT, 38 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Sep 5, 3:34 PM CDT, 30 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Huntsville, AL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 5, 1:43 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNDeKalb32 min
Sep 5, 2:07 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNFranklin, Lawrence, Morgan23 min
Sep 5, 2:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNDeKalb29 min
Sep 5, 2:33 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNMorgan27 min
Sep 5, 2:57 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNMorgan33 min
Sep 5, 3:04 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNDeKalb11 min
Sep 5, 3:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNCullman, Marshall49 min
Sep 5, 3:34 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNJackson41 min
Sep 5, 3:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNDeKalb, Jackson33 min
Sep 5, 4:29 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNDeKalb46 min
Sep 5, 12:32 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNMoore28 min
Sep 5, 1:02 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNFranklin, Moore43 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2017Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2017

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.