Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 124, NWS Birmingham, AL

July 9, 2026Shelby County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 9, 2026, 4:18 PM CDT for Shelby County, Alabama. It was in force for 22 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 9, 2026, 4:18 PM CDT (21:18 UTC)
Expired
Jul 9, 2026, 4:40 PM CDT
In force
22 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Shelby County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 14 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:19 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, 9.3 hours before the alert went out and 14 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 2026-07-09Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1233 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 2026-07-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 27 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
1233 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-58 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1083 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
27 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
48 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.6

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 Jul 9, 1:58 PM CDT, 2 hours 20 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Issued at 156 PM CDT THU JUL 9 2026
  • Thunderstorms: Daily opportunities for mainly afternoon and evening storms will remain in the forecast for now through the beginning of next week. A few of these storms will be capable of normal summertime hazards such as gusty winds, frequent lightning, and heavy downpours.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 9, 1:58 PM CDT, 2 hours 20 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
158 PM CDT Thu Jul 9 2026

...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 156 PM CDT THU JUL 9 2026

- Thunderstorms: Daily opportunities for mainly afternoon and
  evening storms will remain in the forecast for now through the
  beginning of next week. A few of these storms will be capable of
  normal summertime hazards such as gusty winds, frequent
  lightning, and heavy downpours.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(This afternoon through Wednesday)
Issued at 156 PM CDT THU JUL 9 2026

An active weather pattern remains in place as we move through the
weekend. Significant uncertainty persists regarding the magnitude
of shortwave forcing progged to move across the region on Friday.
While some models suggest a more robust impulse capable of
organized convection, others maintain a weaker, more diffuse
signal. High-resolution guidance continues to struggle with the
timing and placement of these features, leading to a lower-than-
average confidence forecast for Friday afternoon or Saturday
afternoon.

Regarding temperatures, heat indices remain a concern; however,
they are extremely sensitive to localized cloud cover and
potential outflow boundaries. Should convective debris persist
longer than anticipated, peak indices may struggle to reach
advisory criteria. Conversely, any extended periods of clearing
will likely push values into the 105 range.

The long-awaited frontal passage has trended slower in recent
data. We have expanded the timing of the front to encompass late
Sunday through Tuesday. This slower progression will maintain
higher moisture levels across the southern counties through early
next week before drier, continental air finally overspreads the
entire forecast area by Wednesday morning.

16

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 156 PM CDT THU JUL 9 2026

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to increase in
coverage and intensity through the afternoon and evening hours;
however, confidence remains high enough to include TSRA only at
EET and MGM. Continued to include VCSH at all sites through 02Z.
Tonight, fog development remains possible, dependent on where
convection lingers late into the evening. Any activity over a TAF
site will likely lower visibility to IFR or lower, accompanied by
gusty winds. Isolated convective activity is possible Friday
morning, with coverage increasing after 18z.

16

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Fire weather concerns continue to be low. A warm and moist air
mass will remain in place with diurnally driven thunderstorm
activity expected over the next several days. Winds will
generally remain light during the day, becoming calm overnight.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Gadsden     72  92  73  90 /  20  50  20  70
Anniston    73  92  73  90 /  20  40  20  60
Birmingham  74  93  75  91 /  20  30  20  50
Tuscaloosa  74  93  75  92 /  20  20  20  40
Calera      73  96  74  94 /  20  20  20  40
Auburn      74  92  74  91 /  20  20  20  30
Montgomery  74  94  75  93 /  20  20  20  20
Troy        73  93  73  93 /  30  20  20  20

&&

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

DISCUSSION...16
AVIATION...16

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 9, 3:07 PM CDT, 1 hour 11 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Special weather statement, Jul 9, 3:18 PM CDT, 1 hour before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Special weather statement, Jul 9, 3:35 PM CDT, 43 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Special weather statement, Jul 9, 3:41 PM CDT, 37 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Special weather statement, Jul 9, 3:59 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Local storm report, Jul 9, 4:12 PM CDT, 6 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 9, 6:52 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXPickens53 min
Jul 9, 7:18 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXPickens27 min
Jul 9, 12:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXClay44 min
Jul 9, 1:03 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXChilton42 min
Jul 9, 1:24 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXGreene66 min
Jul 9, 2:08 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLamar37 min
Jul 9, 2:14 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXElmore31 min
Jul 9, 2:27 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXChambers33 min
Jul 9, 2:30 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXWalker30 min
Jul 9, 2:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXFayette29 min
Jul 9, 2:58 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLee32 min
Jul 9, 3:00 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXWalker30 min
Jul 9, 3:07 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXTuscaloosa23 min
Jul 9, 3:18 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXTuscaloosa42 min
Jul 9, 3:35 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXJefferson25 min
Jul 9, 3:41 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXShelby34 min
Jul 9, 3:59 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXShelby46 min
Jul 9, 4:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson, Shelby30 min
Jul 9, 4:21 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMarion39 min
Jul 9, 4:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXMarion7 min
Jul 9, 4:27 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXWinston33 min
Jul 9, 4:30 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXChilton45 min
Jul 9, 4:51 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMarion24 min
Jul 9, 4:56 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXCoosa34 min
Jul 9, 5:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCoosa19 min
Jul 9, 5:20 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMacon25 min
Jul 9, 5:27 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXCalhoun33 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

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.