Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2024

Tornado Warning 21, NWS Huntsville, AL

May 8, 2024Limestone County, Madison County, Alabama

NWS Huntsville, AL issued this tornado warning at May 8, 2024, 8:52 PM CDT for Limestone County, Madison County, Alabama. It was in force for 38 min. 11 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
May 8, 2024, 8:52 PM CDT (01:52 UTC)
Expired
May 8, 2024, 9:30 PM CDT
In force
38 min
Issued by
NWS Huntsville, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.75 in

Counties Limestone County, AL, Madison County, AL

The radar

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 70 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:55 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 8, 8:59 PM CDTHAIL 12 Ssw Harvest, ALNickel to quarter size hail at Yarborough and Old Railroad Bed Rd.
May 8, 9:05 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG3 N Madison, ALLarge limb on house in Stallion Run neighborhood.
May 8, 9:06 PM CDTHAIL 14 Sse Harvest, ALQuarter size hail in Monrovia.
May 8, 9:07 PM CDTTORNADO3 Nne Madison, ALA National Weather Service Huntsville, AL survey team determined the damage in neighborhoods downslope of Rainbow Mountain in Madison, AL was associated with a high-end EF-0 tornado with max winds of 85 mph.
May 8, 9:07 PM CDTTORNADO3 Nne Madison, ALAn EF-0 with peak wind speed of 85 mph, path length of 1.70 miles, and maximum path with 95 yards. This affected neighbors on Rainbow Mtn., Highland Lakes, and Creekwood subdivisions.
May 8, 9:09 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG3 Nne Madison, ALTrees down and one on a house near Oakland Trace. Possible tornado.
May 8, 9:11 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG3 Ne Madison, ALNumerous trees down in the Highland Lakes and Creekwood areas.
May 8, 9:28 PM CDTTORNADO3 Ne Huntsville, ALAn Ef-1 with peak wind speed of 105 mph, path length of 2.38 miles, and maximum path width of 600 yards. This is still preliminary.
May 8, 9:28 PM CDTTORNADO3 Ne Huntsville, ALAn EF-1 with peak wind speed of 105 mph, path length of 2.38 miles, and maximum path width of 600 yards. This is still preliminary.
May 8, 9:28 PM CDTTORNADO3 Ne Huntsville, ALAn NWS Storm Survey concluded that an EF1 tornado moved through the Old Town neighborhood in Huntsville, AL.
May 8, 9:28 PM CDTTORNADO4 Ene Huntsville, ALAn NWS Storm Survey concluded that an EF1 tornado moved through parts of Old Town in Huntsville, AL.

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

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 8, 4:14 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 1.9 hours before the alert went out and 174 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 00:00Z on 2024-05-09Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2665 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2024-05-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 34 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
2665 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-3 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1094 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
34 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
104 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.9
Supercell composite
4.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

085 
WFUS54 KHUN 090152
TORHUN
ALC083-089-090230-
/O.NEW.KHUN.TO.W.0021.240509T0152Z-240509T0230Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
852 PM CDT Wed May 8 2024

The National Weather Service in Huntsville Alabama has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Madison County in north central Alabama...
  East central Limestone County in north central Alabama...

* Until 930 PM CDT.

* At 851 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a 
  tornado was located near Tanner, or near Athens, moving east at 30 
  mph. Golf ball size hail has been confirmed with this storm.

  HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Madison and Athens around 855 PM CDT.
  Harvest around 900 PM CDT.
  Northern Huntsville around 910 PM CDT.
  Meridianville and Alabama A And M University around 925 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include French
Mill and Capshaw.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3468 8697 3479 8700 3488 8659 3471 8655
TIME...MOT...LOC 0151Z 256DEG 25KT 3475 8691 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

70/DD
2 follow-up statements
201 
WWUS54 KHUN 090214
SVSHUN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
914 PM CDT Wed May 8 2024

ALC083-090223-
/O.CAN.KHUN.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-240509T0230Z/
Limestone AL-
914 PM CDT Wed May 8 2024

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL LIMESTONE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED... has moved out of the warned area. Therefore, the 
warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for north
central, northeastern and northwestern Alabama...and Middle
Tennessee.

&&

LAT...LON 3471 8655 3471 8679 3482 8679 3482 8678
      3488 8659
TIME...MOT...LOC 0213Z 263DEG 28KT 3477 8670 

$$

ALC089-090230-
/O.CON.KHUN.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-240509T0230Z/
Madison AL-
914 PM CDT Wed May 8 2024

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN MADISON COUNTY...

At 913 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near University Of Alabama In Huntsville, or near
Madison, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Northern Huntsville, University Of Alabama In Huntsville, and 
  Alabama A And M University around 920 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3471 8655 3471 8679 3482 8679 3482 8678
      3488 8659
TIME...MOT...LOC 0213Z 263DEG 28KT 3477 8670 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

70/DD
253 
WWUS54 KHUN 090219
SVSHUN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
919 PM CDT Wed May 8 2024

ALC089-090230-
/O.CON.KHUN.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-240509T0230Z/
Madison AL-
919 PM CDT Wed May 8 2024

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN MADISON COUNTY...

At 919 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over northwestern
Huntsville, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and golf ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This tornado will be near...
  Northern Huntsville, Meridianville, and Alabama A And M University 
  around 925 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3471 8655 3471 8679 3482 8679 3482 8678
      3488 8659
TIME...MOT...LOC 0219Z 256DEG 25KT 3478 8665 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

70/DD

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 8, 7:08 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNLauderdale22 min
May 8, 7:18 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNLauderdale27 min
May 8, 7:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNJackson, Madison45 min
May 8, 7:33 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNLauderdale42 min
May 8, 7:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNLauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone39 min
May 8, 7:37 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNLawrence38 min
May 8, 7:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNDeKalb, Jackson67 min
May 8, 7:44 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNLauderdale, Limestone31 min
May 8, 7:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNColbert, Lawrence30 min
May 8, 7:52 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNDeKalb, Jackson38 min
May 8, 7:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNLawrence, Limestone, Morgan50 min
May 8, 8:04 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNLauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone41 min
May 8, 8:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNJackson51 min
May 8, 8:10 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNLimestone, Madison35 min
May 8, 8:17 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNLawrence, Limestone28 min
May 8, 8:26 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNMadison49 min
May 8, 8:29 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedHUNLimestone31 min
May 8, 8:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNDeKalb, Jackson56 min
May 8, 8:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatHUNDeKalb16 min
May 8, 8:46 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNLimestone, Madison31 min
May 8, 8:46 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNJackson29 min
May 8, 8:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatHUNLauderdale, Limestone57 min
May 8, 8:51 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNDeKalb, Jackson39 min
May 8, 8:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNDeKalb22 min
May 8, 9:05 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNDeKalb12 min
May 8, 9:06 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNJackson, Madison54 min
May 8, 9:27 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedHUNJackson, Madison48 min
May 8, 9:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNDeKalb, Jackson45 min
May 8, 9:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNMadison41 min
May 8, 9:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNLimestone52 min
May 8, 9:53 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNJackson22 min
May 8, 9:54 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNLimestone, Madison51 min
May 8, 10:02 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNJackson43 min
May 8, 10:07 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNDeKalb, Jackson17 min
May 8, 10:34 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNMadison41 min
May 8, 10:42 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyHUNDeKalb, Jackson48 min
May 8, 10:56 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningHUNJackson, Limestone, Madison3 hr
May 8, 11:02 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedHUNJackson, Madison43 min
May 8, 11:25 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatHUNDeKalb20 min
May 8, 11:35 PM CDTTornado WarningHUNDeKalb, Jackson40 min
May 9, 12:08 AM CDTTornado WarningHUNDeKalb32 min
May 9, 12:20 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningHUNDeKalb, Jackson3 hr
May 9, 3:41 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNMadison49 min
May 9, 3:48 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNLimestone42 min
May 9, 3:51 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNDeKalb39 min
May 9, 4:14 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNJackson, Madison46 min
May 9, 4:31 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNMadison44 min
May 9, 4:41 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNJackson49 min
May 9, 5:19 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNDeKalb, Jackson26 min
May 9, 5:32 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningHUNMadison9 hr
May 9, 6:06 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningHUNMadison6 hr
May 9, 6:34 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNColbert, Lawrence41 min
May 9, 6:49 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNColbert, Franklin, Lawrence41 min
May 9, 7:00 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningHUNColbert, Lauderdale3 hr
May 9, 7:15 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningHUNMadison22 hr
May 9, 7:19 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningHUNJackson, Madison, Marshall54 hr
May 9, 7:33 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNCullman, Jackson, Madison, Morgan42 min
May 9, 7:37 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementHUNJackson23 min
May 9, 7:49 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNCullman41 min
May 9, 8:04 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNCullman, DeKalb, Jackson, Marshall, Morgan26 min
May 9, 8:08 AM CDTTornado WarningHUNDeKalb, Jackson27 min
May 9, 8:28 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningHUNDeKalb, Marshall20 min
May 9, 8:34 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningHUNDeKalb, Jackson116 min
May 9, 8:53 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningHUNCullman, DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall and 1 more3 hr
May 9, 3:02 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningHUNMadison10 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 2024Every tornado warning in 2024Tornadoes in 2024

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.