Severe Thunderstorm Warning 140, NWS Birmingham, AL

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
256 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025

...New KEY MESSAGES, SHORT TERM, LONG TERM...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 251 AM CDT SUN MAY 18 2025

- There is a (Level 1 to 3 out of 5) risk of severe storms on
  Tuesday evening for portions of Central Alabama. The best
  chances will be generally along and northwest of the Interstate
  85 corridor.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Today through Monday)
Issued at 251 AM CDT SUN MAY 18 2025

Middle May weather continues, with nightly MCS showers and storms.
Current IR indicates some rapid cooling tops as the MCS moves into
northern MS. Right now just a few showers and storms, but consensus
and guidance is that this will increase over the next few hours.
This correlates with the actual trends on going this hour. Went
ahead and increased PoPs toward daybreak and the first part of the
day. Questions for today will be two fold. Will the activity this
morning be strong/severe? And if the MCS does move through, will we
recover for any severe this afternoon? As mentioned, given the
expansive cooling cloud tops would expected some increase in overall
coverage over the next few hours. That would put an increase in rain
chances into the likely and categorical stages this morning. We did
get worked over nicely 24 hours ago, but there is still plenty of
instability to support at least a few stronger storms this morning
with the activity. Will not mention any severe this morning, but
will definitely monitor the radar trends. So if the activity moves
through this morning as expected now, will severe weather be
possible this afternoon. Well I can say that while it can not be
ruled out, the probabilities appear too low after 1 pm to mention
severe weather. Again this is a very conditional threat across
the area. If the MCS does not develop or spread across the area
with widespread coverage then yes a few afternoon storms could
develop, especially in the south.

Tonight we could see a shower or storm early in the south, but then
activity focuses west and north of the ares. We will likely see
another MCS develop overnight. Model trends right now keep the
majority of the rain north of the area, so I have limited rain
chances in the forecast.

The showers and storms should be limited to the north on Tuesday
closer to the MCS north of the area. Best chances of rain Monday
will be in the northeast.

16

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Monday night through next Saturday)
Issued at 251 AM CDT SUN MAY 18 2025

A cold front will approach Central Alabama on Tuesday evening, with
a threat of severe thunderstorms across the region. With dew points
in the low 70s, supercell formation is likely during the afternoon
across parts of Mississippi and Tennessee. This is likely to grow
upscale into a more linear storm mode as it passes through Central
Alabama, posing a damaging wind threat. Hail and an isolated tornado
will be possible as well, with a bigger threat of hail initially
with more cellular activity. Current timing is still broad but is
potentially late evening to overnight Tuesday night for much of the
area.

Behind the cold front, the rest of the week will be dry, with
surface high pressure in place. Temperatures will be cooler, with
most areas in the 70s to near 80 Thursday and Friday. Rain chances
will return across the north by the weekend.

12

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 1255 AM CDT SUN MAY 18 2025

Made some adjustments to the TAFs for this cycle. Going to
concentrate more on the showers and storms developing this morning
and less this afternoon. Conditions should be very similar to last
night but a few hours later and most likely not as strong. Added
in tempo TSRA at the northern sites but not at MGM. Added only
SHRA there. Looks like the afternoon will not be as widespread so
removed the Prob30 from all sites but MGM for now. So morning
flights will need to be monitored for thunderstorms before and
after sunrise.

NOTE: There is a communication issue at ANB, so will include AMD
NOT SKED here until we see any resolve.

16

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Another batch showers and thunderstorms will move through this
morning, with isolated to scattered this afternoon. Minimum RH
values on this afternoon and Monday will be in mid to upper 40
percent range across portions of the southeast and far southern
counties. Dry conditions return Wednesday after a strong system
moves through on Tuesday, with showers and thunderstorms.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Gadsden     83  66  88  67 /  70  20  30  10
Anniston    83  66  88  69 /  80  20  20   0
Birmingham  84  69  88  70 /  80  20  10   0
Tuscaloosa  87  70  89  72 /  60  20   0   0
Calera      86  69  89  70 /  70  20   0   0
Auburn      84  69  88  69 /  60  10   0   0
Montgomery  88  68  91  69 /  30  10   0   0
Troy        89  68  91  69 /  20  10   0   0

&&

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

SHORT TERM...16
LONG TERM....12
AVIATION...16

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
342 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025

ALZ011>015-017>050-191145-
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-
342 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025

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

.DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight.

A few marginally severe (level 1 out of 5) risk that storms may move
across central portions of Central Alabama through 9 AM. Large hail
and damaging winds will be the main threats.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

There is a marginal to enhanced (level 1 to 3 out of 5) risk of
severe thunderstorms on Tuesday for areas of Central Alabama
northwest of the Interstate 85 corridor, with the highest risk
across the northwestern counties. The main threats will be damaging
winds and hail.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of storm spotters and emergency management may be needed
on early this morning and on Tuesday.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
500 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025

ALZ012-022-031-181045-
Greene AL-Pickens AL-Lamar AL-
500 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PICKENS...NORTH CENTRAL GREENE
AND LAMAR COUNTIES THROUGH 545 AM CDT...

At 500 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Bedford to near Bent Oak. Movement was
east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Aliceville, Cody, Ethelsville, Carrollton, Dillburg, Shaw, George
Downer Airport, Kennedy, Kirk, Star, Benevola, Johnston Lake,
Hightogy, Memphis, Bevill Lock And Dam, Crossville, Garden, Blooming
Grove, North Pickens Airport, and Lamar County Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3390 8823 3391 8795 3353 8795 3352 8784
      3304 8783 3310 8833
TIME...MOT...LOC 1000Z 274DEG 41KT 3382 8831 3340 8858

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

12/Robinson

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
503 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025

ALZ014-015-181045-
Walker AL-Winston AL-
503 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN WALKER AND SOUTHERN
WINSTON COUNTIES THROUGH 545 AM CDT...

At 502 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Nauvoo, or near Carbon Hill, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Curry, Camp McDowell, Mill Branch, Maple Branch, Hullett Branch,
Clear Creek, Smith Dam, Nesmith, Ashbank, Smith Lake, Little Dismal
Creek, Yellow Creek, Coon Creek, Poplar Springs, Helicon, Rockhouse
Creek, Lupton, Battle Branch, Hidden Cove Campground, and Black Pond.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3399 8711 3399 8715 3397 8714 3396 8711
      3394 8710 3393 8709 3390 8759 3394 8764
      3401 8763 3420 8711
TIME...MOT...LOC 1002Z 260DEG 33KT 3397 8753

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

12/Robinson

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
519 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025

ALZ013-015-023-181115-
Fayette AL-Walker AL-Tuscaloosa AL-
519 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL WALKER...NORTHWESTERN
TUSCALOOSA AND FAYETTE COUNTIES THROUGH 615 AM CDT...

At 519 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Bluff to near Millport. Movement was east
at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Stone Wall, Whitson, Bankston, Moores Bridge, Richard Arthur Field,
Windham Springs, Samantha, West Corona, Fayette County Public Lake,
Fayette, Wiley, Holly Grove, Gorgas, Oakman, Corona, Townley, Bluff,
Ashcraft Corner, Goodsprings, and Boley Springs.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3388 8795 3382 8709 3339 8742 3344 8784
      3352 8784 3353 8795
TIME...MOT...LOC 1019Z 273DEG 50KT 3386 8791 3354 8817

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

12/Robinson

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
529 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025

ALZ023>025-181100-
Jefferson AL-Shelby AL-Tuscaloosa AL-
529 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA...WEST
CENTRAL SHELBY AND SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTIES THROUGH 600 AM
CDT...

At 529 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Abernant, or 15 miles east of Holt, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Joe Tucker Park, Birmingham Fairgounds, Promenade Tannehill,
Dolomite, Abernant, Lipscomb, East Brookwood, Shannon, Bent Brook
Golf Club, Midfield, Pleasant Grove, Ensley, Bluff Park, Hoover,
Helena, Legion Field, Oak Mountain Amphitheater, North Johns,
McCalla, and Splash Adventure.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3325 8728 3335 8740 3355 8683 3327 8677
TIME...MOT...LOC 1029Z 264DEG 40KT 3331 8724

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

12/Robinson