Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 146, NWS Birmingham, AL

June 29, 2020St. Clair County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 29, 2020, 5:08 PM CDT for St. Clair County, Alabama. It was in force for 35 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
Jun 29, 2020, 5:08 PM CDT (22:08 UTC)
Expired
Jun 29, 2020, 5:43 PM CDT
In force
35 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County St. Clair County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 74 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:11 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, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 74 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 2020-06-29Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 870 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 2020-06-29The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 30 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
870 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-71 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
943 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
13 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
30 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
41 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 Birmingham, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jun 29, 2:58 PM CDT, 2 hours 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 29, 2:58 PM CDT, 2 hours 10 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
258 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

.SHORT TERM...
/Updated at 0227 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020/

Through Tuesday.

The mid-level ridge axis will move across the area today,
positioning to our east tonight. In the lower levels, a more
southwesterly fetch continues to advect moisture northeastward over
southern Mississippi and into western Alabama. Further aloft, winds
become west-northwesterly and the resultant airmass lacks notable
moisture content. Similar to yesterday, this leads to an enhancement
in mid-level evaporative cooling processes and microburst potential
associated with our typical afternoon summertime convection. As
surface air temperatures rise into the 90s, dewpoints are progged to
remain in the mid 70s, producing a very volatile troposphere in
terms of instability. This morning's 12Z BMX RAOB indicated the
airmass is slightly drier than yesterday. Therefore, the spatial
coverage of storms should be limited by the dry air and ridging, but
any that do develop will have the potential to become strong with
gusty winds, frequent lightning, and small hail, potentially
becoming severe in an isolated instance. Kept our highest PoPs ~40%
north of I-20. Some moistening may occur in the northwest late this
afternoon associated with a mid-level shortwave trough tracking
northeastward over the Ozarks, but the longevity of the storms will
follow the diurnal curve and diminish this evening. Look for another
warm, muggy night with lows in the lower to mid 70s.

Should see a similar situation on Tuesday, but the main change will
be the increased moisture in place which will advect around the base
of the aforementioned shortwave trough. Less dry air in the mid-
levels should lessen the microburst risk, but we will likely see
scattered to numerous showers and storms tomorrow afternoon, some
potentially strong. Breaks in the clouds will allow temperatures to
warm into the lower 90s.

86

.LONG TERM...
/Updated at 0227 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020/

Wednesday through Sunday.

Models have been in good agreement the past several days showing
the Atlantic Coast upper trof pushing southwest into the Southeast
States. This pattern shift will be favorable for more coverage of
showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday and Thursday. Steeper mid
level lapse rates and increasing 0-6km bulk shear on Wednesday
could lead to the development of stronger storms, mainly west of
I-65 where warmer surface temperatures will be coincident with
better mid level lapse rates. By Thursday the upper trof axis will
shift into south Alabama, and changed pops to show a gradient,
with lowest rain chances northeast. The upper trof axis should
hang out near the Florida Panhandle for the period Friday thru
Sunday, although there appears to be enough moisture and lift
north of the trof axis for mostly diurnal daily rain chances
through the weekend.

58/rose

Previous long-term discussion:
/Updated at 0319 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020/

Wednesday through Sunday.

Features:

Wednesday through Friday.

Deep-layer ridging will be centered over the Western Gulf of
Mexico. A sprawling trough will extend from Southwest Canada
southeast over Montana and into Wyoming while another closed low
will be positioned over Boston.

An Omega-Block pattern will persist into Thursday as the ridge
remains off the South Texas coast while broad troughing prevails
over much of the Intermountain West. The closed low to our northwest
will remain near the Boston area.

By Friday, the ridge looks to be centered over Central Texas while
the broad low moves northeast into Western and Central Canada. The
closed low to our northeast opens into a trough and lifts out.
Closer to home, the ridge positioned further to our west, permits
the developing of broad troughing along the Eastern Seaboard to
extend further southwest into the Deep South region.

Some global models are maintaining the idea of a convective complex
moving south across the area late Wednesday into Thursday. This
solution is similar to what was depicted last night, however, there
remains considerable disagreement among model members. Also, some
global models continue to entertain the idea of a closed low
developing and moving across the area late Friday into the next
weekend. However, there is considerable uncertainty regarding timing
and location as model field spreads become quite divergent with
time. The result will be notable uncertainty with regard to PoPs and
high temperatures especially as we progress from the midweek through
next weekend time frame.

Saturday and Sunday.

Ridging aloft becomes centered over New Mexico and expands to
encompass much of the Desert Southwest, Southern and Central Plains,
and reaches further north into the High Plains and South Central
Canada. Broad troughing will persist across the Western third of the
country along with across the Northeast while remnant troughing
looks to persist down the spine of the Appalachians from the
Carolinas toward the Central Gulf Coast region.

Forecast:

Wednesday and Thursday.

Expect scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms during this
time frame with coverage increasing during the day Wednesday and
potentially persisting overnight and into the day Thursday. For the
second night in a row, some modeling depicts a convective complex
moving south across much of the area. There remains considerable
disagreement and uncertainty but it is a potential to consider given
expected north to northwesterly flow over the area. High PoPs will
be maintained into the Day Thursday followed by isolated activity
into the overnight hours. Highs will range from the mid to upper 80s
north and east to readings in the low 90s south and west. Lows will
range from the upper 60s north and east to the low 70s south and
west.

Friday through Sunday.

A return to more typical isolated to scattered shower and
thunderstorm activity is forecast late week into the next weekend as
the weak troughing remains in place aloft. Expect showers and
thunderstorms to be greatest in coverage from the afternoon through
early evening hours. Expect highs to range from the mid to upper 80s
north and east to readings around 90 south and west. Lows will range
from the upper 60s north and east to the low 70s south and west.

Given the present uncertainty in model solutions, PoPs and
especially high temperatures during this time frame are considered
low confidence. Higher PoPs may be warranted and would result in
lower temperatures in the afternoon hours.

05

&&

.AVIATION...
18Z TAF Discussion.

Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue
developing this afternoon. Added a mention of VCTS in at all
terminals this afternoon and will make amendments for TSRA as
needed. Ceilings will briefly rise overnight as any lingering
thunderstorms diminish by 03Z. Low-level moisture will remain
elevated tomorrow morning due to light southwesterly winds.
Ceilings will likely lower just before sunrise, but should remain
just above MVFR criteria. Should see a higher coverage of showers
and thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon beginning towards the end of
this TAF cycle as higher moisture content advects in from the
northwest. Included a PROB30 at most of our northern terminals to
trend towards this potential.

86

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Shower and thunderstorm chances will increase as we progress through
midweek. The highest chances will be on Wednesday and Thursday,
where we may see widespread activity. Expect some decrease in the
activity moving into the weekend. Ample moisture in the low
levels will keep afternoon relative humidity values generally
above 45 percent through the forecast period.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Gadsden     72  90  69  89  70 /  20  70  40  80  70
Anniston    72  89  70  90  70 /  30  70  30  80  60
Birmingham  75  92  73  91  72 /  30  60  30  70  60
Tuscaloosa  74  93  74  93  72 /  20  50  20  50  50
Calera      74  91  72  91  72 /  30  60  20  60  50
Auburn      73  89  72  89  70 /  30  60  20  70  50
Montgomery  75  93  74  93  73 /  20  50  10  50  40
Troy        74  92  74  93  73 /  20  40  10  60  40

&&

.BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/...
None.

&&
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 29, 10:22 AM CDT, 6 hours 46 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1022 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

ALZ011>015-017>050-301830-
Marion-Lamar-Fayette-Winston-Walker-Blount-Etowah-Calhoun-Cherokee-
Cleburne-Pickens-Tuscaloosa-Jefferson-Shelby-St. Clair-Talladega-
Clay-Randolph-Sumter-Greene-Hale-Perry-Bibb-Chilton-Coosa-Tallapoosa-
Chambers-Marengo-Dallas-Autauga-Lowndes-Elmore-Montgomery-Macon-
Bullock-Lee-Russell-Pike-Barbour-
1022 AM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the
National Weather Service office in Birmingham.

.DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight.

A few strong to severe storms are possible this afternoon capable of
producing damaging winds up to 60 mph.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of storm spotters and emergency management is not expected
at this time. Please follow all local, state, and CDC guidelines in
regards to travel.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 29, 3:45 PM CDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <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.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Special weather statement, Jun 29, 3:51 PM CDT, 1 hour 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
351 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

ALZ020-292115-
Cherokee AL-
351 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY
UNTIL 415 PM CDT...

At 351 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Little River Falls, or near Little River Canyon National Preserve,
moving south at 10 mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Little River Canyon National Preserve, Blanche, Little River Falls,
Broomtown, New Moon, Chesterfield and Little River Canyon NP.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Birmingham.

&&

LAT...LON 3436 8548 3428 8556 3437 8563 3439 8562
      3440 8563 3440 8561 3444 8558 3446 8558
      3447 8557 3449 8557 3449 8556 3450 8556
      3450 8555 3452 8552 3453 8552
TIME...MOT...LOC 2051Z 342DEG 7KT 3445 8557

40/Sizemore
Special weather statement, Jun 29, 4:20 PM CDT, 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
420 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

ALZ018-020-292200-
Etowah AL-Cherokee AL-
420 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN ETOWAH AND CHEROKEE
COUNTIES UNTIL 500 PM CDT...

At 420 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Sand Rock, or 8 miles northwest of Centre, moving southeast at 10
mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Hokes Bluff, Centre, Cedar Bluff, Little River Canyon National
Preserve, Forney, Centre Municipal Airport, Leesburg, Sand Rock,
Gaylesville, Tennala, Tabor Road, Cherokee Rock Village, Cornwall
Furnace Park, Blanche, Eastern Weiss Lake, Little River Falls,
Ballplay, Slackland, Western Weiss Lake and Moshat.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Birmingham.

&&

LAT...LON 3409 8542 3396 8564 3397 8574 3393 8574
      3396 8584 3395 8587 3420 8603 3420 8584
      3424 8584 3424 8581 3426 8581 3426 8577
      3436 8566 3437 8563 3440 8563 3440 8561
      3444 8558 3449 8557 3453 8552
TIME...MOT...LOC 2120Z 308DEG 7KT 3423 8578

40/Sizemore
Special weather statement, Jun 29, 4:31 PM CDT, 37 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
431 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

ALZ027-292200-
Talladega AL-
431 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN TALLADEGA COUNTY
UNTIL 500 PM CDT...

At 431 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Sylacauga, moving northeast at 10 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Sylacauga, Childersburg, Wilsonville, Talladega Springs,
Fayetteville, Winterboro, Alpine, Sycamore, Lay Lake, Sylacauga
Municipal Airport, Overbrook, Cedar Creek, Gantts Quarry, Varnons and
Mignon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Birmingham.

&&

LAT...LON 3320 8617 3310 8618 3310 8649 3313 8646
      3318 8650 3320 8649 3320 8646 3324 8646
      3324 8644 3326 8642 3328 8643 3327 8641
      3329 8636 3333 8636 3336 8621 3329 8612
      3319 8612
TIME...MOT...LOC 2131Z 222DEG 10KT 3320 8630

40/Sizemore
Special weather statement, Jun 29, 4:50 PM CDT, 18 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
450 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

ALZ026-027-292215-
Talladega AL-St. Clair AL-
450 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTH CENTRAL TALLADEGA AND
CENTRAL ST. CLAIR COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM CDT...

At 449 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Riverside, or near Pell City, moving southeast at 10 mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Pell City, Lincoln, Riverside, Ragland, Honda Manufacturing Of
Alabama, Logan Martin Lake, St. Clair County Airport, Wattsville,
Chula Vista and Cropwell.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

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 3371 8614 3368 8614 3367 8605 3366 8604
      3345 8626 3362 8639 3375 8625
TIME...MOT...LOC 2149Z 305DEG 7KT 3362 8626

40/Sizemore
Local storm report, Jun 29, 5:01 PM CDT, 7 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
501 PM CDT MON JUN 29 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0427 PM     HAIL             1 NNW OAK GROVE         33.19N 86.31W
06/29/2020  E0.70 INCH       TALLADEGA          AL   PUBLIC

            PEA TO DIME SIZE HAIL OBSERVED VIA SOCIAL
            MEDIA REPORT.

&&

AS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 28, 7:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXRussell27 min
Jun 28, 7:10 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMarengo50 min
Jun 28, 7:39 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMarengo36 min
Jun 29, 1:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXWinston29 min
Jun 29, 1:48 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMarion42 min
Jun 29, 3:12 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXCoosa33 min
Jun 29, 3:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXShelby30 min
Jun 29, 4:20 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXCherokee40 min
Jun 29, 4:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXTalladega29 min
Jun 29, 4:50 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXSt. Clair25 min
Jun 29, 5:17 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXSt. Clair28 min
Jun 29, 5:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, St. Clair49 min
Jun 29, 5:29 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXTalladega31 min
Jun 29, 5:55 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXShelby50 min
Jun 29, 6:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson, Shelby31 min
Jun 29, 6:13 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXCalhoun32 min
Jun 29, 6:22 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXCalhoun, St. Clair3 hr
Jun 29, 6:43 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXJefferson, St. Clair, Shelby3 hr
Jun 29, 6:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXShelby45 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2020Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2020

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.