Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 73, NWS Huntsville, AL

July 12, 2020Colbert County, Lawrence County, Alabama

NWS Huntsville, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 12, 2020, 9:41 AM CDT for Colbert County, Lawrence County, Alabama. It was in force for 34 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
Jul 12, 2020, 9:41 AM CDT (14:41 UTC)
Expired
Jul 12, 2020, 10:15 AM CDT
In force
34 min
Issued by
NWS Huntsville, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Colbert County, AL, Lawrence County, AL

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 106 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 14:42 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, 2.7 hours before the alert went out and 175 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 2020-07-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 43 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 2020-07-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 37 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
43 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-299 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1793 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
37 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
68 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 Jul 12, 6:18 AM CDT, 3 hours 23 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 12, 6:18 AM CDT, 3 hours 23 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
618 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

.UPDATE...
For 12Z TAFS.

&&

.NEAR TERM...(Today)
Issued at 239 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

A ridge remains anchored across the Rockies with a trough out
in New England, keeping us in northwesterly flow again today.
Convection is ongoing this morning in few different areas. A
shortwave trough moving into the Mid MS Valley developed storms that
are quickly moving through Indiana, while convection is also located
in the OH Valley along a warm front and in the Southern Plains ahead
of a cold front. We will be focusing on the area between the IN and
OK storms for additional development and keeping an eye on what the
outflow boundary from the storms in KY/TN will develop.

Currently, hires model guidance is doing ok picking up on current
trends but feel the timing is a little slow. A few thunderstorms are
possible as early as 08Z but expecting the main batch of storms to
encroach the TN Valley around 12Z and push through thereafter.
Additional development is expected later this afternoon along any
outflow boundaries and into this evening with a cold front pushing
through. Convection will come to an end as the cold front exits the
area later this evening into tonight.

Storms this morning and this afternoon could become strong to
severe, so be sure to stay weather aware. We have some instability
this morning but will have lift from a disturbance rounding the ridge
and no shortage of outflow boundaries. Main hazards are heavy
rainfall, gusty to damaging wind gusts and hail. This afternoon we
will have synoptic lift from the shortwave diving out of the Mid MS
Valley but will need some clearing for diurnal heating to help us
reach our convective temp in the upper 80s in order to reach our full
instability potential of +2000 J/kg. Main hazards this afternoon
will be the same, heavy rainfall, gusty to damaging winds and hail.

.SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Tuesday)
Issued at 239 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

As previously mentioned, some strong to severe storms could continue
into this evening as a cold front moves through. Storms will come to
an end as the front exits the forecast area and the shortwave trough
pushes out. Looking for precip to be out of the forecast area by
midnight. Depending on how fast cloud cover decreases, patchy fog
could develop late tonight/early tomorrow morning. Overnight lows
will be in the upper 60s to lower 70s.

Cloud cover will continue to decrease and allow for a sunny and warm
start to the work week as high pressure builds into the region.
Daytime highs will be in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Overnight lows
will be a tad cooler in the mid to upper 60s and with mostly clear
skies, patchy fog is possible once again. Tuesday will feel the same
with mostly sunny skies and daytime highs in the lower 90s but heat
index values will be around 100 degrees.

.LONG TERM...(Tuesday night through Saturday)
Issued at 239 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

The focus for the long term period extending into the weekend
continues to be hot temperatures returning to the forecast by mid
week along with a chance of showers/storms as we move closer to the
weekend.

A decaying surface boundary over the N. Gulf will give way to the
surface ridge axis cutting westward through the central Gulf. A
southerly return flow that gradually develops through Wednesday will
help modify the drier air mass over the region, pushing dew points
into the low 70s (~2-5 deg higher than previous days). An increase in
surface based instability may be enough to get some isolated to
scattered storms during he late afternoon hours on Wednesday.

By Thursday, a mid level shortwave pushing through the Great Lakes
Region will further help support increased shower and storm coverage
across the TN Valley from the late morning through the afternoon.
Would not be surprised to see some potentially strong storms on
Thursday given the thermo profiles. Regarding heat on Thursday- with
scattered storm coverage expected, afternoon heat index values will
have the potential to rise into the 100-105+ range for rain/cloud
free locations.

For Friday and Saturday - expect a continuation of scattered
afternoon showers and storms. The mid level ridge over TX is
expected to gradually spread eastward which may inhibit overall
coverage of storms for our western zones compared to our eastern
zones. Afternoon heat index will top out ~100 degrees.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Monday morning)
Issued at 618 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

Confidence on the timing and coverage of strong to severe storms
today is low. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected around
12-13Z and will push through the terminals after 18-19Z. Additional
storms are possible this afternoon but timing may need to be adjusted
if storms redevelop later than forecast. If a terminal is directly
impacted, heavy rainfall could reduce visibility, and gusty/erratic
winds and lightning would prompt issuance of AWWs. Did not include it
in the TAFs at this time, but fog is possible during the early
morning hours on Monday and will depend on how quickly cloud cover
decreases.

&&

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

NEAR TERM...JMS
SHORT TERM...JMS
LONG TERM...Barron
AVIATION...JMS

For more information please visit our website
at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 12, 3:05 AM CDT, 6 hours 36 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
305 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-122315-
Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan-
Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN-
305 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central Alabama,
northeast Alabama, northwest Alabama and southern middle Tennessee.

.DAY ONE...Today.

Chances for thunderstorms will increase beginning after sunrise,
especially for counties in northwest Alabama and southern Middle
Tennessee. A few strong to marginally severe thunderstorms will be
possible, with wind gusts in the 50 to 60 MPH range, hail up to the
size of quarters, and frequent lightning the main hazards.

After this morning round, additional storm development will be
possible through the afternoon as a weak cold front pushes south
toward the region.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Heat index values may reach or exceed 105 degrees each afternoon
from Wednesday through Friday, especially across portions of
northwest Alabama. Widely scattered afternoon thunderstorms will be
possible during this period, as well.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Formal activation of storm spotters and emergency management
personnel is not anticipated at this time. However...timely reports
of severe thunderstorm damage will be greatly appreciated.

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

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 12, 7:52 AM CDT, 1 hour 49 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
752 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

ALZ001-005-006-TNZ096-121330-
Madison AL-Lauderdale AL-Limestone AL-Lincoln TN-
752 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN MADISON...
NORTHEASTERN LAUDERDALE...NORTHERN LIMESTONE AND SOUTHWESTERN LINCOLN
COUNTIES UNTIL 830 AM CDT...

At 751 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southwest of Pulaski, moving south at 25 mph.

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

Locations impacted include...
Athens, Ardmore, Harvest, Elkmont, Lester, Good Springs, Cartwright,
Coxey, Mt Rozell and Cash Point.

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 3478 8673 3479 8721 3500 8727 3499 8684
      3524 8683
TIME...MOT...LOC 1251Z 343DEG 21KT 3508 8711

McCoy
Special weather statement, Jul 12, 8:00 AM CDT, 1 hour 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
800 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

ALZ001-002-121345-
Lauderdale AL-Colbert AL-
800 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN LAUDERDALE AND NORTHERN
COLBERT COUNTIES UNTIL 845 AM CDT...

At 759 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Pickwick Landing State Park, moving east at 35 mph.

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

Locations impacted include...
Waterloo, Wright, Threet, Oakland and Riverton.

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.

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 3500 8768 3477 8776 3489 8810 3492 8816
      3496 8817 3500 8820 3501 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 1259Z 288DEG 32KT 3503 8815

McCoy
Special weather statement, Jul 12, 8:41 AM CDT, 1 hour before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
841 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

ALZ001-004-005-121415-
Lawrence AL-Lauderdale AL-Limestone AL-
841 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN LAUDERDALE...
NORTHWESTERN LIMESTONE AND NORTH CENTRAL LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 915
AM CDT...

At 841 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lexington, or 18 miles northwest of Athens, moving southeast at 25
mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Rogersville, Lexington, Anderson, Lester, Good Springs, Cartwright,
Coxey, Oliver, Whitehead and Cairo.

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 3500 8713 3486 8702 3474 8725 3500 8744
TIME...MOT...LOC 1341Z 329DEG 22KT 3495 8725

McCoy
Special weather statement, Jul 12, 8:49 AM CDT, 52 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
849 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

ALZ001-002-004-121430-
Lawrence AL-Lauderdale AL-Colbert AL-
849 AM CDT Sun Jul 12 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR LAUDERDALE...CENTRAL COLBERT AND
NORTH CENTRAL LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 930 AM CDT...

At 848 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles north of St. Florian, or 13 miles northeast of Florence, moving
southeast at 40 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Killen, Cherokee,
Leighton, St. Florian, Underwood-Petersville and Green Hill.

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.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3501 8803 3500 8743 3469 8722 3471 8803
TIME...MOT...LOC 1348Z 335DEG 34KT 3498 8758

McCoy
Special weather statement, Jul 12, 9:14 AM CDT, 27 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 12, 7:52 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNLimestone38 min
Jul 12, 8:00 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNColbert45 min
Jul 12, 8:41 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNLimestone34 min
Jul 12, 8:49 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNLauderdale41 min
Jul 12, 9:14 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNColbert, Lauderdale46 min
Jul 12, 9:35 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNColbert, Lauderdale25 min
Jul 12, 9:55 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNColbert, Franklin, Lawrence35 min
Jul 12, 9:59 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNColbert, Lauderdale31 min
Jul 12, 10:16 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningHUNColbert, Lauderdale3 hr
Jul 12, 10:21 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNLawrence, Morgan39 min
Jul 12, 10:29 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNColbert, Lauderdale46 min
Jul 12, 10:45 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNFranklin, Lawrence30 min
Jul 12, 10:47 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNColbert, Franklin43 min
Jul 12, 11:02 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNCullman, Lawrence, Morgan28 min
Jul 12, 11:12 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNColbert, Franklin33 min
Jul 12, 11:30 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNCullman30 min
Jul 12, 11:51 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningHUNCullman3 hr
Jul 12, 12:05 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNCullman40 min
Jul 12, 12:20 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningHUNFranklin, Lawrence3 hr

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.