Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2018

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 43, NWS Huntsville, AL

May 15, 2018Limestone County, Morgan County, Alabama

NWS Huntsville, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 15, 2018, 5:15 PM CDT for Limestone County, Morgan County, Alabama. It was in force for 30 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
May 15, 2018, 5:15 PM CDT (22:15 UTC)
Expired
May 15, 2018, 5:45 PM CDT
In force
30 min
Issued by
NWS Huntsville, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Limestone County, AL, Morgan County, AL

The radar

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 83 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:15 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

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 10.3 hours before the alert went out and 162 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, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2018-05-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 85 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, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2018-05-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 9 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
85 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-206 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1464 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
18 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
9 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
58 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.3

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 May 15, 3:05 PM CDT, 2 hours 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 15, 3:05 PM CDT, 2 hours 10 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
305 PM CDT Tue May 15 2018

.NEAR TERM...(Tonight)
Issued at 305 PM CDT Tue May 15 2018

Current temps across the TN Valley range from 82 degrees in Fort
Payne where there has been the most cloud cover to 91 in HSV and 93
degrees in MSL who have seen less cloud cover. Both HSV and MSL are
one degree away from their record highs for today which are:
HSV:92 (1962) and MSL:94 (2004).

A boundary due to convergence and terrain influence is currently
draped across the forecast area. With enough daytime heating, this
source of lift has developed a line of thunderstorms in TN extending
across Franklin Co. TN down into Madison Co. AL. A few of these
storms have become strong with gusty winds and heavy rainfall as the
primary threats. Some of this convection will end with sunset,
however the tropical disturbance in the Gulf is slowly lifting
northward with disturbances rounding the northern periphery. This
will keep isolated to scattered chances of thunderstorms in
overnight. Otherwise, as experienced during the past few nights,
light valley and river fog is possible late tonight into early
tomorrow morning and overnight lows will be mild in the mid 60s.

.SHORT TERM...(Wednesday through Thursday Night)
Issued at 305 PM CDT Tue May 15 2018

As previously mentioned, light valley and river fog is possible
early Wednesday morning. The tropical disturbance will continue to
make northward progress on Wednesday and as it moves inland starting
Wed afternoon. This lift will bring scattered convection for the
first half of Wed, increasing in coverage to numerous by the
afternoon. Once inland, the tropical disturbance will phase with a
weak trough moving out of the Plains Wed Night into Thursday. This
will provide additional lift across the area, with numerous
thunderstorms expected on Thursday. The lift combined with a ~2k
CAPE, daytime heating and increased moisture (PWATS 1.5-1.7"), the
main threats will be gusty winds and heavy rainfall Wed and Thurs.
Daytime highs on Wed and Thurs will be 'cooler' in the 80s due to the
increase of cloud cover and rainfall. Overnight lows will stay mild
in the mid 60s.

.LONG TERM...(Friday through Monday)
Issued at 305 PM CDT Tue May 15 2018

Sluggish upper trough across the central OH and TN valleys on Friday
will shift slowly east on Saturday in Sunday. A weak 8h reflection of
this trough will do the same, producing convergence and the potential
for more showers and thunderstorms. There is still some indication
that a weak/shallow surface cool front will drop south into TN as
well. All told, daytime chances of showers and thunderstorms will be
greatest over TN, then shifting southeast during the evening hours.
The trough axis positions will also delineate best chances over our
eastern counties as well. On Saturday, the higher chances will lie
over our eastern counties and may even have some terrain enhancement
as well. Both the GFS and ECMWF build the upper ridge eastward from
the western Gulf of Mexico and western Gulf states late Sunday into
Monday. Will continue to keep low chances of mainly daytime
thunderstorms though as the ridge does not appear strong to enough
to withhold cold pools from westerly flow MCS activity to our north
which could spill southward into the TN valley as well.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday afternoon)
Issued at 1226 PM CDT Tue May 15 2018

Daytime heating and converging winds are developing mid-level
cumulus and could spark a few thunderstorm this afternoon near the
TAF sites. Confidence was not high enough that the TAF sites would
directly be affected so amendments may be needed later. As with
previous nights, light fog development is possible at KMSL providing
MVFR conditions starting around 07Z for a few hours. Scattered
thunderstorm development will start up shortly before the end of the
TAF period so introduced VCTS once again.

&&

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

NEAR TERM...JMS
SHORT TERM...JMS
LONG TERM...17
AVIATION...JMS

For more information please visit our website
at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous weather outlook, May 15, 12:47 PM CDT, 4 hours 28 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
1247 PM CDT Tue May 15 2018

ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-161200-
Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan-
Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN-
1247 PM CDT Tue May 15 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north Alabama and portions of
southern middle Tennessee.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight...

Scattered thunderstorms are forecast to develop, especially this
afternoon and evening, as atmospheric moisture and instability
increase across the Tennessee Valley. Gusty winds to 40 mph and
lightning are the primary threats.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday...

Scattered to numerous storms are expected across portions of the
region on Wednesday. Numerous thunderstorms are possible during the
daytime hours of Thursday and Friday, as a series of upper level
disturbances and deep tropical moisture impact the Tennessee Valley.
Scattered thunderstorms remain in the forecast for the upcoming
weekend and continue into early next week.

Although brief gusty winds may occur with the stronger thunderstorms
during the period, the main threats will come from lightning and
locally heavy rainfall.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...

Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is
not anticipated at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 15, 2:46 PM CDT, 2 hours 29 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 15, 2:58 PM CDT, 2 hours 17 minutes before
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    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
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Special weather statement, May 15, 3:50 PM CDT, 1 hour 25 minutes before
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  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
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  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
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Special weather statement, May 15, 3:57 PM CDT, 1 hour 18 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
357 PM CDT TUE MAY 15 2018

ALZ009-152130-
Jackson AL-
357 PM CDT TUE MAY 15 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL JACKSON COUNTY
UNTIL 430 PM CDT...

At 356 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Section, or near Scottsboro, moving south at 5 mph.

Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Scottsboro, Section and Langston.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3451 8595 3449 8597 3452 8611 3468 8603
      3466 8594
TIME...MOT...LOC 2056Z 016DEG 6KT 3461 8600

AMP
Special weather statement, May 15, 4:30 PM CDT, 45 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
430 PM CDT TUE MAY 15 2018

ALZ006-152200-
Madison AL-
430 PM CDT TUE MAY 15 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN MADISON COUNTY UNTIL 500
PM CDT...

At 430 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
northwestern Huntsville, moving north at 5 mph.

Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Huntsville, Madison, Moores Mill, Redstone Arsenal, Meridianville,
Triana, Alabama A And M University, Marshall Space Flight Center,
University Of Alabama In Huntsville and Huntsville International
Airport.

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
storm has passed.

Very heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3484 8644 3457 8656 3458 8658 3457 8662
      3461 8679 3492 8674
TIME...MOT...LOC 2130Z 182DEG 8KT 3474 8666

LN
Special weather statement, May 15, 5:07 PM CDT, 8 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
507 PM CDT TUE MAY 15 2018

ALZ005-007-152245-
Morgan AL-Limestone AL-
507 PM CDT TUE MAY 15 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN LIMESTONE AND
NORTHWESTERN MORGAN COUNTIES UNTIL 545 PM CDT...

At 507 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Decatur. This storm was nearly stationary.

Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Decatur, Priceville, Tanner, Mooresville and Belle Mina.

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
storm has passed.

Very heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

This storm 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 3453 8679 3456 8701 3473 8698 3469 8679
TIME...MOT...LOC 2207Z 195DEG 2KT 3461 8688

LN

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 15, 2:09 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNJackson36 min
May 15, 2:22 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNJackson38 min
May 15, 2:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNMorgan44 min
May 15, 2:58 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNJackson47 min
May 15, 3:50 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNJackson40 min
May 15, 3:57 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNJackson33 min
May 15, 4:30 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNMadison30 min
May 15, 5:07 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNMorgan38 min
May 15, 5:30 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNMarshall30 min
May 15, 5:48 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNMorgan27 min
May 15, 6:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNMarshall13 min
May 15, 6:52 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNLawrence38 min
May 15, 2:05 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNFranklin25 min
May 15, 2:32 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNFranklin28 min
May 15, 5:41 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNLincoln34 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2018Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2018

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.