Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 48, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 28, 2026, 10:29 AM CDT for Fayette County, Lamar County, Alabama. It was in force for 31 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
- Apr 28, 2026, 10:29 AM CDT (15:29 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 28, 2026, 11:00 AM CDT
- In force
- 31 min
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 50.0 mph
Counties Fayette County, AL, Lamar County, AL
The radar
The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 41 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:28 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, 3.5 hours before the alert went out and 123 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 16 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -306 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 899 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 51 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 198 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 282 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
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 Apr 28, 6:33 AM CDT, 3 hours 56 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Issued at 630 AM CDT TUE APR 28 2026
- A Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) remains in effect through Tuesday morning. Damaging winds are the primary severe threat
- A Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) is in effect for late tonight, and early Wednesday. Damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are the main threats.
- A Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) remains in effect through Wednesday afternoon. Damaging winds and hail are the main threats with any severe activity.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 28, 6:33 AM CDT, 3 hours 56 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 633 AM CDT Tue Apr 28 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Issued at 630 AM CDT TUE APR 28 2026 - A Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) remains in effect through Tuesday morning. Damaging winds are the primary severe threat - A Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) is in effect for late tonight, and early Wednesday. Damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are the main threats. - A Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) remains in effect through Wednesday afternoon. Damaging winds and hail are the main threats with any severe activity. && .DISCUSSION... (Tuesday through next Monday) Issued at 1155 PM CDT MON APR 27 2026 A decaying line of showers and thunderstorms is still expected to sneak into the region by the morning hours on Tuesday, with continued decaying as time goes on. From here, general showers and thunderstorms are expected through the early afternoon hours across the region, as the next threat for severe weather starts to materialize over the ArkLaTex. Additional storm development is expected here along the cold front during the late morning, with these storms sliding east with the cold front later in the afternoon. Currently, portions of the region remain highlighted in a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5), with damaging winds being the main threat with any severe storms. With that being said, there is a narrow window in the late afternoon where an isolated tornado is possible given singular storm modes, but confidence is low here. However, storms are expected to quickly grow into a large cluster, with the bulk of our threat coming from this as it works into the region. During this time on Wednesday, the upper-level flow will slip into a more zonal pattern, slowing the cold front's progress through the region. Rain chances will slowly drop into Thursday, as this cold front continues towards the coast. Afternoon highs on Thursday will generally range in the low to upper-70s, before falling into the mid and upper-60s on Friday. Our next best chance for rain appears to be this weekend, when a deep trough starts to dig through the Great Lakes region, all the way down to south Texas. Given the stalled front to the south, this will be the perfect catalyst for additional widespread rain across the region. At the time of this discussion, this appears to be the best setup for a good soaking rainfall we've seen recently, with medium confidence (50%) in 1.5-2.0 inches of rain through late Saturday. /44/ && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 630 AM CDT TUE APR 28 2026 Thunderstorm activity has been increasing across the region this morning across the northern part of the state. Isolated activity has been developing across Central Alabama over the last hour so I have introduced VCTS for all sites over the next few hours. MVFR conditions are likely to accompany this activity. There remains a fair amount of uncertainty with the forecast late this morning through the afternoon hours. Latest CAMs hint at thunderstorms lingering across our northern terminals through this afternoon. Due to low confidence, I opted to leave TS out of the forecast through this evening. We will need to monitor the trends and amend as necessary through the day. Another upper level shortwave swings through and will push another round of rain and thunderstorms through the area generally after 00z. I've continued with TSRA in the prob30 for the end of the period from 00z-06z for BHM/EET/TCL and 02z-08z for AUO/MGM. Exact terminal impacts will depend on where the outflow from the morning activity sets up. If it can manage to push far enough south, there's some indications that the evening activity will stay along that boundary or south of it, limiting the TSRA impacts to the northern sites. However, other guidance suggests this boundary sets up right over the northern TAF sites, so they will have a better chance of having the thunderstorm activity in the evening. AMD NOT SKED will continue for TCL due to intermittent observations. NOTE: Spring seasonal issuance of the TAF for KASN is now being issued and will run through 04/29 18z. 95/Castillo && .FIRE WEATHER... Rain chances will increase the next two days, as more organized systems move into the region. Because of that, there's high confidence that MinRH values will generally remain above 50% through Wednesday. However, they will quickly drop right back into the upper-30 and low-40% range behind the cold front on Thursday. Despite the forecast rainfall across the area through midweek, fire weather concerns will remain elevated due to the persistent widespread drought conditions and critically dry fuels. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 81 60 80 52 / 70 90 80 30 Anniston 80 62 80 54 / 60 90 70 40 Birmingham 82 64 81 57 / 70 90 80 40 Tuscaloosa 83 64 83 57 / 80 90 70 50 Calera 83 64 84 57 / 70 90 70 50 Auburn 82 66 84 62 / 50 80 40 60 Montgomery 86 66 87 62 / 50 70 40 60 Troy 86 64 87 62 / 30 60 30 60 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && DISCUSSION.../44/ AVIATION...95/Castillo
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Apr 28, 5:21 AM CDT, 5 hours 8 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
521 AM CDT Tue Apr 28 2026
ALZ020-281045-
Cherokee AL-
521 AM CDT Tue Apr 28 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN CHEROKEE COUNTY THROUGH
545 AM CDT...
At 521 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 11 miles southeast of Ider to near Geraldine.
Movement was east at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Little River Canyon National Preserve, Gaylesville, Blanche, Little
River Falls, Western Weiss Lake, Broomtown, Fullerton, New Moon,
Chesterfield, and Little River Canyon NP.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3424 8545 3427 8576 3434 8568 3436 8566
3437 8563 3439 8562 3440 8563 3440 8561
3444 8558 3446 8558 3447 8557 3449 8557
3449 8556 3450 8556 3450 8555 3453 8552
TIME...MOT...LOC 1021Z 277DEG 47KT 3459 8552 3438 8595
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
25/OwenSpecial weather statement, Apr 28, 5:49 AM CDT, 4 hours 40 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
549 AM CDT Tue Apr 28 2026
ALZ018-020-281145-
Etowah AL-Cherokee AL-
549 AM CDT Tue Apr 28 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN ETOWAH AND CENTRAL
CHEROKEE COUNTIES THROUGH 645 AM CDT...
At 549 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles southwest of Summerville to 6 miles
northwest of Sand Rock to 6 miles northeast of McLarty. Movement was
east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Gadsden, Centre, Cedar Bluff, Little River Canyon National Preserve,
Centre Municipal Airport, Sardis City, Leesburg, Reece City, Sand
Rock, Gaylesville, Tabor Road, Cherokee Rock Village, Cornwall
Furnace Park, Blanche, Eastern Weiss Lake, Little River Falls,
Slackland, Western Weiss Lake, Weiss Dam, and Yellow Creek Falls.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3452 8551 3418 8544 3404 8598 3414 8624
3418 8619 3419 8611 3420 8610 3420 8584
3424 8584 3424 8581 3426 8581 3426 8577
3436 8566 3437 8563 3440 8563 3440 8561
3444 8558 3449 8557 3453 8552
TIME...MOT...LOC 1049Z 274DEG 34KT 3442 8543 3429 8587 3426 8635
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
25/OwenSpecial weather statement, Apr 28, 5:58 AM CDT, 4 hours 31 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
558 AM CDT Tue Apr 28 2026
ALZ011-014-281130-
Winston AL-Marion AL-
558 AM CDT Tue Apr 28 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN MARION AND
NORTHWESTERN WINSTON COUNTIES THROUGH 630 AM CDT...
At 558 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Hackleburg, or 12 miles northeast of Hamilton, moving east at 35 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...
Haleyville, Hackleburg, Needmore, Ashridge, Brinn, Bear Creek, Weiss,
Posey Field Airport, Tessner, Delmar, Pebble, and Upper Bear Creek
Reservoir.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3430 8742 3410 8744 3418 8793 3431 8792
TIME...MOT...LOC 1058Z 274DEG 30KT 3427 8784
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
25/OwenSpecial weather statement, Apr 28, 8:53 AM CDT, 1 hour 36 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
853 AM CDT Tue Apr 28 2026
ALZ034-281430-
Bibb AL-
853 AM CDT Tue Apr 28 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN BIBB COUNTY THROUGH
930 AM CDT...
At 853 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Centreville, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Brent, Centreville, Eoline, Ashby, Brierfield Ironworks Park, West
Centreville, Randolph, Trio, Six Mile, and Bibb County Airport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3309 8723 3309 8695 3308 8695 3308 8693
3306 8693 3306 8690 3305 8690 3305 8688
3286 8688 3295 8727
TIME...MOT...LOC 1353Z 274DEG 36KT 3299 8717
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
86/MartinSpecial weather statement, Apr 28, 10:17 AM CDT, 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1017 AM CDT Tue Apr 28 2026
ALZ012-281545-
Lamar AL-
1017 AM CDT Tue Apr 28 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL LAMAR COUNTY THROUGH
1045 AM CDT...
At 1017 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Bedford, or 9 miles west of Vernon, moving east at 40 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...
Vernon, Blooming Grove, Lamar County Airport, Bedford, Crossville,
Cody, Hightogy, and Lamar County Public Lake.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3380 8824 3386 8823 3386 8795 3367 8795
3372 8825
TIME...MOT...LOC 1517Z 275DEG 33KT 3379 8827
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
86/MartinThe office that day
Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 3:29 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Etowah | 31 min |
| Apr 28, 3:55 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Cherokee | 35 min |
| Apr 28, 5:21 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | DeKalb | 24 min |
| Apr 28, 5:49 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | DeKalb | 56 min |
| Apr 28, 5:58 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Marion | 32 min |
| Apr 28, 8:53 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Bibb | 37 min |
| Apr 28, 10:17 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Lamar | 28 min |
| Apr 28, 10:51 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Lamar, Marion | 39 min |
| Apr 28, 10:53 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Fayette | 37 min |
| Apr 28, 11:22 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Marion, Winston | 16 min |
| Apr 28, 12:25 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Greene | 35 min |
| Apr 28, 12:34 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Lamar | 26 min |
| Apr 28, 2:06 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Fayette | 24 min |
| Apr 28, 2:36 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Marion | 24 min |
| Apr 28, 3:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Marion | 27 min |
| Apr 28, 3:28 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Marengo | 47 min |
| Apr 28, 6:45 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Sumter | 34 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.