Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2025

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 141, NWS Birmingham, AL

May 18, 20254 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 18, 2025, 6:08 AM CDT for 4 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 52 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 18, 2025, 6:08 AM CDT (11:08 UTC)
Expired
May 18, 2025, 7:00 AM CDT
In force
52 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
70.0 mph

Counties Bibb County, AL, Jefferson County, AL, Shelby County, AL, Tuscaloosa County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 29 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:08 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

Jackson, MS (KJAN), launched 00:00Z, 11.1 hours before the alert went out and 302 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, Jackson, MS at 00:00Z on 2025-05-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2601 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, Jackson, MS at 00:00Z on 2025-05-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 86 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
2601 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-7 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
950 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
46 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
86 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
78 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.4
Supercell composite
9.0

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 Birmingham, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 18, 2:56 AM CDT, 3 hours 12 minutes earlier. Its 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.
Area forecast discussion, May 18, 2:56 AM CDT, 3 hours 12 minutes before
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, May 18, 5:50 AM CDT, 18 minutes before
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In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 18, 5:00 AM CDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before
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, May 18, 5:03 AM CDT, 1 hour 5 minutes before
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, May 18, 5:19 AM CDT, 49 minutes before
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, May 18, 5:29 AM CDT, 39 minutes before
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
Local storm report, May 18, 6:08 AM CDT, 0 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 18, 3:11 AM CDTDense Fog AdvisoryBMXCalhoun, Chambers, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Elmore and 8 more6 hr
May 18, 5:00 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLamar, Pickens45 min
May 18, 5:03 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXWinston42 min
May 18, 5:19 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXFayette, Walker56 min
May 18, 5:29 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXJefferson31 min
May 18, 5:33 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa42 min
May 18, 5:48 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson, Shelby27 min
May 18, 6:12 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXBlount48 min
May 18, 6:14 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXClay46 min
May 18, 6:21 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXClay, Coosa, Talladega39 min
May 18, 6:24 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXSt. Clair, Talladega51 min
May 18, 6:29 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXJefferson, Shelby37 min
May 18, 6:44 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatBMXClay, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega46 min
May 18, 6:55 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXRandolph50 min
May 18, 7:06 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXJefferson, Shelby2 hr
May 18, 7:14 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatBMXChambers, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Randolph, St. Clair and 2 more61 min
May 18, 7:39 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChambers, Tallapoosa51 min
May 18, 8:53 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXRussell82 min
May 18, 11:30 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLamar45 min
May 18, 12:02 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXFayette43 min
May 18, 12:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXChambers45 min
May 18, 1:16 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXSt. Clair44 min
May 18, 1:32 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXTuscaloosa43 min
May 18, 1:36 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXShelby39 min
May 18, 1:48 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXJefferson, Shelby3 hr
May 18, 2:12 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXBibb, Shelby, Tuscaloosa108 min
May 18, 2:22 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXClay, Shelby, Talladega3 hr
May 18, 3:37 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXChilton38 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2025Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2025

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.