Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 66, NWS Birmingham, AL

May 6, 20265 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 6, 2026, 8:11 PM CDT for 5 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 23 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 6, 2026, 8:11 PM CDT (01:11 UTC)
Expired
May 6, 2026, 8:34 PM CDT
In force
23 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Greene County, AL, Hale County, AL, Marengo County, AL, Perry County, AL, Sumter County, AL

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 6, 2:39 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 1.2 hours before the alert went out and 112 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 2026-05-07Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 690 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 00:00Z on 2026-05-07The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 159 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
690 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-23 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
710 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
73 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
159 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
213 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.0
Supercell composite
6.7

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 6, 6:47 PM CDT, 1 hour 24 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Issued at 645 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2026
  • An enhanced risk (levels 3 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms is in effect through early Thursday. Threats include isolated, brief tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and large hail.
  • There is a Moderate Risk (level 3 of 4) of flash flooding with the thunderstorm activity through Thursday morning, especially in urban or poor drainage areas.
Area forecast discussion, May 6, 6:47 PM CDT, 1 hour 24 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
647 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 645 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2026

- An enhanced risk (levels 3 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms is
  in effect through early Thursday. Threats include isolated,
  brief tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and large hail.

- There is a Moderate Risk (level 3 of 4) of flash flooding with
  the thunderstorm activity through Thursday morning, especially
  in urban or poor drainage areas.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(This afternoon through Tuesday)
Issued at 102 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2026

A cold front will continue to move into the area through the rest
of the night into Thursday morning. Timing is generally around
1 pm in the far northwest, with a slow progression of the line of
storms towards the south and southeast. CAMs have been coming
into better agreement with timing, and show isolated storms
moving ahead of the main line. Instability is between 1500-
2500 J/kg with these initial storms, and 0-1 km shear is mild,
though 0-6 km shear is enough to support strong storms.  These
isolated storms could easily rotate and produce damaging winds
and a tornado, though the threat may be slightly lower than the
storms through the late afternoon and early evening.

With strong southerly flow, PW values will be around 2 inches or
higher today through the morning. This is much greater than max
for this time of year climatologically, and with the steering
flow parallel to the boundary, storms are likely to train over
the same areas, producing high rain rates and high rainfall
accumulations. The highest totals look to be in the southeast
where the greatest concentration of training storms is expected.
Values of 4-5 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts in
any stronger storms. Any storm will likely produce rain rates
enough to reduce visibilities so driving could become hazardous.
Flooding is a concern through the night, especially in those
training storms.

As the line moves south and east, individual storms are expected
to move along that line. Low LCLs, enough instability, and an
increase in 0-1 km shear to 40-50 kts will support an increased tornado
threat. Mid level winds increase from a strong mid level jet,
which causes that increase in low level shear, and will also
support stronger updraft and longer lived storms. CAMs have that
line moving into the I85 area after midnight, with a concentration
of weather in the southeast through the early morning.
Instability is slightly weaker in the southeast, values topping
around 1000-1500 j/kg, but shear will remain strong, with
damaging winds and an isolated tornado threat continuing.

Thursday morning, the front will continue to the south and east,
and should push all activity south of the area by sunrise.
Northerly flow will settle over the area, bringing drier and
slightly cooler air, as high pressure continues to build over the
southeast. By Friday evening, a shortwave approaches from the
south and west, bringing the next chance for rain through the
night Friday into Saturday. A low pressure system will move
across the Ohio Valley through the latter half of the weekend,
with a frontal boundary bringing widespread activity through
Sunday. Instability will be higher on Sunday, and shear will be
moderate, allowing for strong atoms to develop, though potential
for any severe storms remains low at this time.

The front will push south and east through night, with rain
decreasing through Monday morning, and northwest flow bringing
drier air to the state through the beginning of the work week.

24

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 645 PM CDT WED MAY 6 2026

Scattered to numerous storms will continue across the area
through Midnight. The activity remains strong to severe across
the south (MGM and AUO). Storms in the north, associated with the
main frontal zone, remain on the weaker side with pockets of
heavy rain and a few strikes. Confidence remains high that MGM
and AUO will see the biggest impacts through the first 6 to
9 hours. Rain and MVFR to IFR clouds will build in behind the
storms line of storms. Any storm moving over a TAF site will
produce high rain rates to drop visibilities to IFR or LIFR, and
enough low level moisture will be available for IFR ceilings
overnight. Thunderstorms should move south with rain lingering
over each TAF site through the early morning, before northerly
flow brings dry air and a decrease in rain through mid morning
Thursday.

AMD NOT SKED will continue for TCL due to intermittent
observations.

16

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms will bring
plenty of rain through the state tonight and Thursday morning. In
total, some locations are likely to see 2-4 inches of rain during
this timeframe, with 4-5 inches possible in the southeast.  After
a brief break in rain Thursday afternoon through Friday
afternoon, rain returns through the weekend. Given the higher
MinRH values and upcoming rain, fire weather concerns remain
little to none at this time.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Gadsden     57  72  45  73 / 100  20   0   0
Anniston    60  72  48  73 / 100  40   0   0
Birmingham  60  72  51  74 / 100  20   0   0
Tuscaloosa  60  75  51  75 / 100  10   0   0
Calera      61  75  51  75 / 100  30   0   0
Auburn      67  77  55  73 / 100  80   0  10
Montgomery  67  77  54  74 / 100  70   0  20
Troy        68  78  56  74 /  80  90  10  20

&&

.BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch through Thursday morning for the following counties:
Autauga-Barbour-Bibb-Blount-Bullock-Calhoun-Chambers-Cherokee-
Chilton-Clay-Cleburne-Coosa-Dallas-Elmore-Etowah-Greene-Hale-
Jefferson-Lee-Lowndes-Macon-Marengo-Montgomery-Perry-Pickens-
Pike-Randolph-Russell-Shelby-St. Clair-Sumter-Talladega-
Tallapoosa-Tuscaloosa.

&&

DISCUSSION...24
AVIATION...16

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 6, 7:53 PM CDT, 18 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 6, 8:02 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 6, 8:04 PM CDT, 7 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 6, 8:07 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
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Special weather statement, May 6, 8:07 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
807 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

ALZ033-040-041-070145-
Autauga AL-Dallas AL-Perry AL-
807 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN AUTAUGA...CENTRAL
PERRY AND CENTRAL DALLAS COUNTIES THROUGH 845 PM CDT...

At 807 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Vaiden, or 8 miles south of Marion, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Selma, Valley Grande, Marion, Selmont-West Selmont, Bogue Chitto,
Vaiden, Gardner Island, Tyler, Old Cahaba Park, Dallas County Horse
Arena, Paul M Grist State Park, Memorial Stadium, Burnsville, Marion
Junction, Potter Station, Radford, Hazen, Craig Field Aiport, Valley
Creek Junction, and Selma Drag Strip.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central and
south central Alabama.

&&

LAT...LON 3239 8743 3263 8737 3263 8680 3226 8687
TIME...MOT...LOC 0107Z 275DEG 32KT 3251 8729

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

44
Local storm report, May 6, 8:09 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
809 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0230 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 NW Old Spring Hill    32.46N 87.81W
05/06/2026                   Marengo            AL   Broadcast Media

            Trees down across highway 69 south of
            Gallion.

0238 PM     Hail             2 WNW Faunsdale         32.47N 87.63W
05/06/2026  E0.70 Inch       Marengo            AL   Public

            Report of dime size hail near mile marker 47
            on us highway 80.

0451 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Montgomery              32.37N 86.30W
05/06/2026                   Montgomery         AL   Emergency Mngr

            Montgomery County EMA reports 3303 power
            outages, 7 trees down, 4 power lines down
            and 5 traffic lights out. Time and location
            approximate.

0453 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 SW Maxwell AFB        32.37N 86.38W
05/06/2026                   Montgomery         AL   Public

            Tree reported down across 180 West Blvd west
            of Montgomery. Time approxmiate.

0459 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 SSW Gunter AFB        32.39N 86.26W
05/06/2026                   Montgomery         AL   Emergency Mngr

            Tree down along West Wareingwood Drive in
            Montgomery. Time approximate.

0502 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Dannelly Field          32.30N 86.39W
05/06/2026  M58 MPH          Montgomery         AL   Official NWS Obs

            MGM 062202Z 35014G50KT 1/2SM +TSRA FG BKN018
            BKN034 OVC044 22/21 A2991 RMK AO2 PK WND
            33050/2155 WSHFT 2146 LTG DSNT N-SE P0059
            T02170211.

0503 PM     Hail             1 SE Auburn Univ Montgo 32.36N 86.17W
05/06/2026  E2.50 Inch       Montgomery         AL   Emergency Mngr

            Report of tennis ball size hail reported
            along Taylor Road near Eastchase Mall. Time
            approximate.

0504 PM     Flash Flood      2 S Huntingdon College  32.32N 86.28W
05/06/2026                   Montgomery         AL   Public

            Street flooding reported by the public.
            Location approximate.

0504 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 S Pinedale            32.26N 86.23W
05/06/2026                   Montgomery         AL   Storm Chaser

            Report of trees down along Snowdoun Chambers
            Road southeast of Montgomery. Time and
            location approximate.

0505 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 SSE Brachias          32.26N 86.17W
05/06/2026                   Montgomery         AL   Utility Company

            Report and photo of trees down, some
            impacting power lines near Trotman Road west
            of Pike Road.

0507 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 WSW Pike Road         32.28N 86.13W
05/06/2026                   Montgomery         AL   Public

            Public reported a portion of a tree fell on
            a car near Pike Road close to U.S. 231. Time
            and location approximate.

0507 PM     Hail             2 E Auburn Univ Montgom 32.37N 86.14W
05/06/2026  E0.50 Inch       Montgomery         AL   Public

            Report from mPING: Half-inch (0.50 in.).

0509 PM     Hail             1 E Mitylene            32.38N 86.16W
05/06/2026  E0.75 Inch       Montgomery         AL   Public

            Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).

0512 PM     Hail             1 SSE Mount Meigs       32.35N 86.09W
05/06/2026  E1.00 Inch       Montgomery         AL   Public

            Quarter sized hail reported by the public at
            Mellow Mushroom. Time approximate.

0516 PM     Hail             1 E Mount Meigs         32.36N 86.08W
05/06/2026  M0.75 Inch       Montgomery         AL   Public

            Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).

0518 PM     Hail             1 WNW Waugh             32.37N 86.05W
05/06/2026  M2.75 Inch       Montgomery         AL   Trained Spotter

            Baseball sized hail reported along
            Interstate 85 at Exit 10 reported by trained
            spotter. Time approximate.

0533 PM     Hail             Pike Road               32.28N 86.10W
05/06/2026  M1.00 Inch       Montgomery         AL   Public

            Location approximate.

0545 PM     Hail             1 N Fort Davis          32.26N 85.71W
05/06/2026  M1.00 Inch       Macon              AL   Broadcast Media

            Hail of at least quarter sized observed by
            broadcast meteorologist just north of CR 2
            in Macon County.

0545 PM     Hail             Fort Davis              32.24N 85.71W
05/06/2026  M1.00 Inch       Macon              AL   Public

            Quarter sized hail reported by the public in
            Fort Davis around 5:45 pm. Time and location
            approximate.

0710 PM     Hail             2 SSW Forkland          32.63N 87.88W
05/06/2026  E1.50 Inch       Greene             AL   Public

            Report of Ping Pong Ball sized hail at
            Forkland Campground.

0711 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 WNW Forkland          32.65N 87.88W
05/06/2026                   Greene             AL   Broadcast Media

            Broadcast media relayed viewer report of at
            least golf ball hail covering the ground,
            backyard garden destroyed.

0711 PM     Hail             1 W Forkland            32.65N 87.88W
05/06/2026  E1.50 Inch       Greene             AL   Public

            Public submitted photo of ping pong ball
            sized hail in Forkland.

0713 PM     Hail             3 S Birdine             32.57N 87.84W
05/06/2026  E2.75 Inch       Greene             AL   Public

            Photo submitted by the public of baseball
            sized hail along U.S. Highway 43 in Greene
            County. Time and location approximate.

0728 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 NE Arcola             32.58N 87.74W
05/06/2026                   Hale               AL   Public

            Report of trees down with large hail in the
            Lock Five community. Time and location
            approximate.

0733 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 W Cedarville          32.61N 87.69W
05/06/2026                   Hale               AL   Emergency Mngr

            Hale County EMA reports many without power
            in Southern Hale County, many trees down and
            some power poles snapped. Hail up to golf
            ball size reported west of Newbern.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 6, 7:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Sumter64 min
May 6, 7:23 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMacon52 min
May 6, 7:42 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXSumter48 min
May 6, 7:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatBMXDallas26 min
May 6, 8:04 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMacon, Russell41 min
May 6, 8:07 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXDallas38 min
May 6, 8:23 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXClay37 min
May 6, 8:39 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXRussell36 min
May 6, 8:43 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXDallas, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Sumter3 hr
May 6, 9:09 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXAutauga, Bullock, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery and 1 more3 hr
May 6, 9:57 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXAutauga48 min
May 6, 11:21 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXPike39 min
May 6, 11:30 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXAutauga, Chambers, Chilton, Dallas, Elmore, Lee and 4 more4 hr
May 7, 2:24 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMarengo36 min
May 7, 2:34 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXHale, Marengo26 min
May 7, 2:55 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXDallas, Perry35 min
May 7, 3:28 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXChilton47 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.