Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 13, NWS Huntsville, AL

February 5, 2020Colbert County, Franklin County, Lauderdale County, Alabama

NWS Huntsville, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Feb 5, 2020, 4:53 PM CST for Colbert County, Franklin County, Lauderdale County, Alabama. It was in force for 52 min. 4 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Feb 5, 2020, 4:53 PM CST (22:53 UTC)
Expired: Feb 5, 2020, 5:45 PM CST
In force: 52 min
Issued by: NWS Huntsville, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 0.75 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Colbert County, AL, Franklin County, AL, Lauderdale County, AL

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 112 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:53 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.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Feb 5, 5:20 PM CST	TORNADO	10 Sw Cherokee, AL	WEAK EF-1 TORNADO CONFIRMED IN FAR SW COLBERT CO. NEAR THE ALLSBORO AREA.
Feb 5, 5:32 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	6 Wnw Underwood-Petersv, AL	MULTIPLE TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ACROSS CENTRAL LAUDERDALE COUNTY. REPORT LOCATIONS INCLUDE: CR 6 AND CR 15, CR 6 AND CR 16, AND HWY 20 AND CR 229.
Feb 5, 5:41 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	5 Sw Underwood-Petersvi, AL	TREE DOWN IN OAKLAND ON COUNTY ROAD 19 HALF A MILE NORTH OF COUNTY ROAD 14. TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR.
Feb 5, 5:48 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	2 Wnw Underwood-Petersv, AL	A LARGE TREE DOWN BETWEEN CLOVERDALE AND PETERSVILLE RELAYED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 39 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Feb 5, 4:25 PM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 177 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 1 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 524 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 70 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 177 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 272 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

495 
WUUS54 KHUN 052253
SVRHUN
ALC033-059-077-052345-
/O.NEW.KHUN.SV.W.0013.200205T2253Z-200205T2345Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
453 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

The National Weather Service in Huntsville Alabama has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Western Lauderdale County in northwestern Alabama...
  Colbert County in northwestern Alabama...
  Northwestern Franklin County in northwestern Alabama...

* Until 545 PM CST.

* At 453 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles southwest
  of Burton, or 9 miles southeast of Booneville, moving northeast at
  50 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Cherokee, Underwood-Petersville,
  Waterloo, Malone, Posey Loop, Allsboro and Riverton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northwestern 
Alabama. Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. 
Although a tornado is not immediately likely, if one is spotted, act 
quickly and move to a place of safety inside a sturdy structure such 
as a basement or small interior room.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3500 8769 3457 8769 3450 8815 3489 8810
      3492 8816 3496 8817 3500 8820 3501 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 2253Z 242DEG 45KT 3458 8845 

HAIL...0.75IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

30

2 follow-up statements

378 
WWUS54 KHUN 052328
SVSHUN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
528 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

ALC033-059-077-052345-
/O.CON.KHUN.SV.W.0013.000000T0000Z-200205T2345Z/
Lauderdale AL-Colbert AL-Franklin AL-
528 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CST
FOR WESTERN LAUDERDALE...COLBERT AND NORTHWESTERN FRANKLIN
COUNTIES...

At 528 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm was located over Cherokee, or 12
miles east of Iuka, moving northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Cherokee, Underwood-Petersville,
Malone, Posey Loop, Allsboro, Riverton and Wright.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northwestern 
Alabama. Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. If 
you spot a tornado go at once into the basement or small central 
room in a sturdy structure.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3500 8769 3457 8769 3450 8815 3488 8810
      3494 8802 3501 8798
TIME...MOT...LOC 2328Z 242DEG 45KT 3479 8798 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

30

981 
WWUS54 KHUN 052343
SVSHUN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
543 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

ALC033-059-077-052352-
/O.EXP.KHUN.SV.W.0013.000000T0000Z-200205T2345Z/
Lauderdale AL-Colbert AL-Franklin AL-
543 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WESTERN LAUDERDALE...COLBERT
AND NORTHWESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 545 PM CST...
        
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning will 
be allowed to expire.  However storms may still intensify later this 
evening.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northwestern
Alabama.

LAT...LON 3500 8769 3457 8769 3450 8815 3488 8810
      3494 8802 3501 8798
TIME...MOT...LOC 2342Z 242DEG 45KT 3487 8779 

$$

GH

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 Feb 5, 3:27 PM CST, 1 hour 26 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 5, 3:27 PM CST, 1 hour 26 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
327 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

.NEAR TERM...(Tonight)
Issued at 327 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

An amplified mid/upper pattern was in place across the greater North
American domain, making for active weather for much of the lower-48.
Although rather strong upper ridging was in place over the Caribbean,
the main action was associated with an eastward progressing trough.
This feature extended from the Hudson Bay, southward over the upper
Mississippi Valley to NW Mexico. A number of moisture laden upper
level rivers of moisture (some from northern stream, more of it
subtropical based) was rounding the southern periphery of this
trough, bringing widespread clouds from south of Deep South Texas
across this region to the eastern Canadian Maritimes.

A surface low forming over Louisiana will become a major player in
our sensible weather over the next day or so. A sharp contrast in
airmass' exist, with very cold and some locations in western Texas
reporting snow, to low/mid 70s from central LA to north/central
Alabama to the South Carolina coast. These unseasonably mild
conditions and dewpoints ranging in the mid and upper 60s was setting
up a potentially volatile situation regarding strong to severe
convection.

The above noted low will move to the NE and consolidate into a
synoptic scale system over the Ohio/Tennessee Valley during Thursday.
Deep moisture and unseasonably warm conditions east of this system
will move northward, bringing numerous to widespread showers and
thunderstorms tonight. Some of the storms during the evening to
overnight could become strong to severe in intensity, with the main
risk damaging wind gusts over 60 mph and maybe a few tornadoes.

The high amounts of moisture becoming precipitation will produce
locally heavy amounts of rain across the area. Rainfall totals
through the late night will range from 2-3 inches, with locally
higher amounts. Given that the first round of rainfall has soaked the
soils locally, additional rain will runoff, resulting in flooding
issues. A Flash Flood Watch that was issued earlier for the area, has
been expanded to include all of the greater Huntsville forecast area
through Thursday afternoon. A cold front trailing south of the low
will begin moving in a west to east manner across the area during the
overnight, starting a cool down in temperatures from west to east.

.SHORT TERM...(Thursday through Friday)
Issued at 327 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

Much cooler air west of the front will filter in across the area
during the course of the day Thursday. This will bring a wide range
of temperatures, with high temperatures ranging from the mid 40s over
far NW Alabama to the mid 60s over NE Alabama. Temperatures to the
east will cool off as well, as the colder air penetrates to the east.
Shower activity should finally wind down Thur night. A brief mix of
rain/snow (no accumulations of course) is possible Thu evening, with
lows by Friday morning cooling closer to normal levels, into the mid
30s. Friday will feature slow clearing with high temperatures only in
the low/mid 40s.

.LONG TERM...(Friday night through Tuesday)
Issued at 327 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

An unsettled pattern is expected for the weekend and the first half
of next week, as a series of systems traverse the region in a
predominate but amplified zonal flow. This will bring scattered
showers on Saturday. The precipitation could begin as a mix of
rain/snow in the morning, then become all rain late morning.

Another dry period on Sunday. But another system moving in will bring
more clouds and rain chances to get the work week off. Given the on-
going showers and flooding, runoff from early next weeks rain event
could bring more flooding and/or hydrological issues. Enough
instability returns to warrant a mention of thunder for next Wed.

After a chilly weekend with daily high/low temperatures at or below
seasonable norms, they will rise to above normal levels early next
week. In fact, highs by the middle of next week will recover back
into the mid 60s.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Thursday afternoon)
Issued at 1155 AM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

Multiple waves of showers and storms, combined with low ceilings,
will make for poor flying conditions today-tomorrow.

1st round of showers/storms is ongoing; vis/cigs will fluctuate in
the MVFR-IFR range with further drops possible within TSRA.
A 2nd round of TSRA is expected later this aftn/eve, and have
targeted this timeframe with a TEMPO group accordingly (22-02Z at
KMSL, 03-07Z at KHSV), though timing will likely need adjustment.

There may still be a 3rd round of storms overnight, but confidence in
this phase is lowest. Handled this with a PROB30 (03-06Z at KMSL,
07-10Z at KHSV). Behind the front, MVFR-IFR ceilings with occasional
showers will continue, so little improvement is expected.

&&

.HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday afternoon for ALZ001>010-016.

TN...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday afternoon for TNZ076-096-097.

&&

NEAR TERM...RSB
SHORT TERM...RSB
LONG TERM...RSB
AVIATION...BCC

For more information please visit our website
at weather.gov/huntsville.

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 5, 4:20 AM CST, 12 hours 33 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
420 AM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-061000-
Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan-
Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN-
420 AM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight...

Scattered embedded thunderstorms within numerous to widespread
showers are expected later today into this evening. A few of these
storms could be severe and will be capable of damaging winds along
with hail and a few tornadoes. The threat for severe weather will be
from late this afternoon through the late evening.

In addition, locally heavy downpours in a short period of time could
lead to a few instances of flash flooding. Resulting runoff may also
result in minor flooding of area rivers and streams.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday...

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...

Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is
possible later today into this evening.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Feb 5, 12:00 PM CST, 4 hours 53 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
1200 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

ALZ004>006-051845-
Lawrence AL-Madison AL-Limestone AL-
1200 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL MADISON...SOUTHERN
LIMESTONE AND NORTHEASTERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 1245 PM CST...

At 1200 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Courtland, or 13 miles west of Decatur, moving northeast at 50 mph.

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

Locations impacted include...
Northwestern Huntsville, Madison, Athens, Courtland, Tanner, Harvest,
North Courtland, Hillsboro, French Mill and Capshaw.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 3478 8664 3465 8703 3468 8710 3462 8711
      3453 8738 3471 8732 3495 8678
TIME...MOT...LOC 1800Z 236DEG 42KT 3467 8720

GH

Special weather statement, Feb 5, 12:43 PM CST, 4 hours 10 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
1243 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

TNZ076-096-097-051930-
Franklin TN-Moore TN-Lincoln TN-
1243 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR MOORE...EASTERN LINCOLN AND
CENTRAL FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 130 PM CST...

At 1243 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Fayetteville, moving northeast at 55 mph.

Locations impacted include...
Winchester, Fayetteville, Lynchburg, Decherd, Estill Springs, Cowan,
Tims Ford Lake, Sewanee, Lincoln and Hurdlow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 3539 8628 3538 8625 3537 8627 3534 8624
      3535 8622 3533 8620 3536 8616 3534 8603
      3531 8600 3529 8592 3522 8586 3499 8657
      3534 8658 3536 8650 3533 8646 3532 8642
      3535 8641 3536 8633 3541 8629 3541 8626
TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 235DEG 49KT 3509 8652

GH

Special weather statement, Feb 5, 1:01 PM CST, 3 hours 52 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
101 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

TNZ097-051930-
Franklin TN-
101 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN FRANKLIN COUNTY UNTIL
130 PM CST...

At 100 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Huntland, or 13 miles southeast of Fayetteville, moving east at 35
mph.

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

Locations impacted include...
Cowan, Huntland, Sewanee, Anderson, Beans Creek, Maxwell, St. Andrews
and Sherwood.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 3499 8587 3499 8632 3508 8632 3522 8587
      3522 8586
TIME...MOT...LOC 1900Z 268DEG 30KT 3506 8635

30

Special weather statement, Feb 5, 1:27 PM CST, 3 hours 26 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
127 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

TNZ097-052000-
Franklin TN-
127 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY UNTIL 200 PM
CST...

At 127 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Sewanee, or 8 miles east of Winchester, moving northeast at 60 mph.

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

Locations impacted include...
Winchester, Decherd, Cowan, Sewanee, Anderson, Alto, St. Andrews,
Belvidere, Sherwood and Maxwell.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 3531 8600 3532 8598 3531 8597 3531 8595
      3530 8595 3530 8593 3528 8591 3522 8586
      3499 8587 3499 8630 3533 8604 3533 8602
TIME...MOT...LOC 1927Z 241DEG 53KT 3524 8597

GH

Local storm report, Feb 5, 2:45 PM CST, 2 hours 8 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
245 PM CST WED FEB 5 2020

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

0130 PM     FLOOD            8 WSW RUSSELLVILLE      34.48N 87.86W
02/05/2020                   FRANKLIN           AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMA REPORTS FLOODING IN PARTS OF BELGREEN,
            MAINLY BETWEEN COTTON GIN ROAD AND HWY 24,
            NEAR FLETCHER RD, AND NEAR LAKE ELLIOT RD.

&&

TPB

Local storm report, Feb 5, 2:47 PM CST, 2 hours 6 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
247 PM CST WED FEB 5 2020

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

0140 PM     FLOOD            2 ENE LYNCHBURG         35.29N 86.32W
02/05/2020                   MOORE              TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EMA REPORTS SEVERAL ROADS OVER-TOPPED WITH
            WATER IN MOORE CO.

&&

TPB

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Feb 5, 6:44 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Cullman	31 min
Feb 5, 8:19 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Madison, Morgan	26 min
Feb 5, 8:38 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Morgan	37 min
Feb 5, 8:45 AM CST	Flash Flood Watch	HUN	Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale and 5 more	26 hr
Feb 5, 9:08 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Madison, Morgan	52 min
Feb 5, 9:53 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Jackson	52 min
Feb 5, 10:09 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Madison	36 min
Feb 5, 10:23 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Madison	22 min
Feb 5, 10:32 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Colbert, Franklin	43 min
Feb 5, 10:39 AM CST	Areal Flood Warning	HUN	Jackson, Madison	12 hr
Feb 5, 10:52 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Jackson	38 min
Feb 5, 10:55 AM CST	River Flood Warning	HUN	Madison	50 hr
Feb 5, 10:55 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	HUN	DeKalb, Jackson	20 min
Feb 5, 11:00 AM CST	River Flood Warning	HUN	Lawrence	62 hr
Feb 5, 11:11 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Limestone	49 min
Feb 5, 11:18 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Lawrence	42 min
Feb 5, 11:53 AM CST	Areal Flood Warning	HUN	Madison	6 hr
Feb 5, 11:57 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Limestone	48 min
Feb 5, 12:00 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Limestone	45 min
Feb 5, 1:53 PM CST	Areal Flood Warning	HUN	Franklin	6 hr
Feb 5, 4:55 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Franklin	50 min
Feb 5, 5:08 PM CST	Tornado Warning	HUN	Colbert, Lauderdale	37 min
Feb 5, 5:41 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence	49 min
Feb 5, 5:45 PM CST	Areal Flood Warning	HUN	Madison	4 hr
Feb 5, 5:55 PM CST	Areal Flood Warning	HUN	Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence	9 hr

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2020 Every 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.