Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 52, NWS Huntsville, AL

May 4, 2020Jackson County, Alabama; Franklin County, Tennessee

NWS Huntsville, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 4, 2020, 9:57 PM CDT for Jackson County, Alabama; Franklin County, Tennessee. It was in force for 33 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 4, 2020, 9:57 PM CDT (02:57 UTC)
Expired
May 4, 2020, 10:30 PM CDT
In force
33 min
Issued by
NWS Huntsville, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Jackson County, AL, Franklin County, TN

The radar

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 5 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:00 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 watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 4, 6:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 00:00Z, 3.0 hours before the alert went out and 139 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, Nashville Metro, TN at 00:00Z on 2020-05-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Nashville Metro, TN at 00:00Z on 2020-05-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 17 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1666 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
41 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
17 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
164 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 May 4, 9:03 PM CDT, 54 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 4, 9:03 PM CDT, 54 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
903 PM CDT Mon May 4 2020

.NEAR TERM...(Tonight)
Issued at 903 PM CDT Mon May 4 2020

An MCS is currently moving to the southeast and entering our
northern counties at the time of this writing. These storms have had
a history of producing large hail and damaging winds. The atmosphere
over the TN Valley remains fairly unstable, with CAPE values on the
order of 1000-1500 j/kg. Meanwhile, effective wind shear values are
up to 50-60 kts indicating that the MCS will at least maintain some
organization as it continues to move into our area. Hires guidance
suggests that we will see some stabilization with the loss of daytime
heating which will likely lead to some weakening of this complex.
We're still anticipating it holding together for a couple more hours,
especially north of the TN River where a stalled boundary remains
draped from west to east. The main threats will be damaging wind
gusts and large hail north of the boundary, with a lesser threat of
gusty winds and small hail further south. Additionally, high rainfall
rates may produce some ponding of water on roadways, but given dry
conditions over the last few weeks, the flash flooding threat is low
as well. However, if we see any stalling of the complex then we may
realize a higher threat for flash flooding. The system is expected to
dissipate/move out of the area by midnight, with mild conditions
expected through the predawn hours.

.SHORT TERM...(Tuesday through Wednesday)
Issued at 257 PM CDT Mon May 4 2020

A vigorous upper-trough will swing into the Great Lakes and Ohio
Valley on Tuesday, forcing a cold front south through the Tennessee
Valley and Deep South on Tuesday afternoon. Should lingering cloud
cover from the previous day's convection break-up by late morning,
expect enough heating (lower 80's highs) will take place to allow
for an uncapped environment in the afternoon and subsequently surface
based storms along and ahead of this front. While this is a conditional
threat, confidence is a little higher than if storms can develop
they could become strong to severe once again. The main window for
this would be during the afternoon and evening.

Behind this system, a much cooler and drier air mass will filter into
the area Tuesday night into Wednesday. Northerly winds will help to
reinforce this air mass and as a result highs will struggle to make
it out of the 60s despite the abundant sunshine.

.LONG TERM...(Wednesday night through Sunday)
Issued at 257 PM CDT Mon May 4 2020

The extended period will be marked by a significant period of cool
weather, with temperatures running 10-20 degrees below normal for
early to mid May as an upper-level trough over the Great lakes
remains the dominant weather feature across the Eastern CONUS. High
pressure and northerly flow will promote a cool and clear day on
Thursday, with highs peaking in the upper 60s to lower 70s. The only
chance for rain in the extended will come on Friday as a stout
shortwave drops south out of the Plains and through the Deep South.
Showers and scattered elevated storms will accompany this feature
(though the threat for any strong/severe storms appears to be low at
this time). Thereafter, a very cool and dry air mass will move in
for Mother's Day weekend and into early next week. Highs will
struggle to climb above the low to mid 60s, with lows in the upper
30s common. A Frost Advisory could be needed in some areas during
this time period should these trends continue.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Tuesday evening)
Issued at 637 PM CDT Mon May 4 2020

A complex of thunderstorms over western TN is expected to move to the
east-southeast during the evening hours, reaching KMSL between
02-03Z and KHSV between 03-04Z. These storms will bring gusty winds
and very heavy rainfall that will reduce visibilities and may lead to
ponding of water on runways. The storms will likely exit the area by
06Z, with dry conditions expected through the remainder of the
overnight period. Given an abundance of moisture, cigs are expected
to lower to between 2500 and 3000 feet between 11 and 14Z, with MVFR
conditions expected to prevail in this period. Cigs will lift to
around 4000 feet through the remainder of the period with winds
increasing from the southwest with gusts up to 20 kts during the
afternoon. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are also expected to
develop along a cold front during the afternoon, however confidence
is too low to include more than a PROB30 at this time.

&&

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

NEAR TERM...73
SHORT TERM...AMP.24
LONG TERM...AMP.24
AVIATION...73

For more information please visit our website
at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous weather outlook, May 4, 1:51 PM CDT, 8 hours 6 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
151 PM CDT Mon May 4 2020

ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-051000-
Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan-
Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN-
151 PM CDT Mon May 4 2020

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight...

A complex of strong to severe storms will push southeast into the
Tennessee Valley this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds up to
60-70 MPH, and large hail will be the primary impacts with the
strongest storms. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. The threat
for severe weather will decrease after Midnight, behind this system.

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

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will continue into the day
Tuesday, as the cold front begins to move eastward through the area.
Gusty winds and small hail are again possible with a few of these
storms. Any lingering thunderstorms will then taper off to the
southeast Tuesday evening following the passage of the cold front.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is
possible late this afternoon through this evening.

Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the
NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 4, 9:14 PM CDT, 43 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
914 PM CDT MON MAY 4 2020

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

0914 PM     HAIL             2 N UNDERWOOD-PETERSVIL 34.91N 87.70W
05/04/2020  E0.75 INCH       LAUDERDALE         AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

&&

GH
Special weather statement, May 4, 9:15 PM CDT, 42 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
915 PM CDT Mon May 4 2020

ALZ001-002-004-050300-
Lawrence AL-Lauderdale AL-Colbert AL-
915 PM CDT Mon May 4 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN LAUDERDALE...EAST CENTRAL
COLBERT AND NORTHWESTERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 1000 PM CDT...

At 914 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Killen, or 9 miles northeast of Florence, moving southeast at 35 mph.

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

Locations impacted include...
Florence, Muscle Shoals, Rogersville, Killen, Town Creek, Lexington,
Leighton, St. Florian, Underwood-Petersville and Anderson.

LAT...LON 3501 8744 3500 8739 3485 8721 3481 8722
      3478 8728 3476 8726 3476 8723 3463 8751
      3489 8771
TIME...MOT...LOC 0214Z 303DEG 30KT 3490 8756

JMS
Local storm report, May 4, 9:20 PM CDT, 37 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
920 PM CDT MON MAY 4 2020

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

0914 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 NW LYNCHBURG          35.33N 86.40W
05/04/2020                   MOORE              TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN ACROSS DOG TAIL ROAD.

&&

GH
Local storm report, May 4, 9:24 PM CDT, 33 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
924 PM CDT MON MAY 4 2020

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

0903 PM     TSTM WND DMG     9 N UNDERWOOD-PETERSVIL 35.00N 87.67W
05/04/2020                   LAUDERDALE         AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN ON POWERLINE HWY 17/GOBBLE DRIVE.
            AND CR8/CR17.

&&

GH
Local storm report, May 4, 9:44 PM CDT, 13 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
944 PM CDT MON MAY 4 2020

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

0930 PM     TSTM WND DMG     4 NW LYNCHBURG          35.33N 86.41W
05/04/2020                   MOORE              TN   EMERGENCY MNGR

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN ON WOMACK RIDGE RD. TIME
            ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

&&

GH
Local storm report, May 4, 9:53 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 4, 8:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNColbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone49 min
May 4, 9:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNLauderdale45 min
May 4, 9:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNJackson, Madison38 min
May 4, 10:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNDeKalb, Jackson34 min
May 5, 2:47 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNJackson28 min
May 5, 3:48 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNDeKalb27 min
May 5, 4:01 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNDeKalb29 min
May 5, 4:29 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNDeKalb31 min
May 4, 8:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNLincoln, Moore47 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2020Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Tennessee, 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.