Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 135, NWS Mobile, AL

August 20, 2026Baldwin County, Mobile County, Alabama

NWS Mobile, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 20, 2026, 3:47 PM CDT for Baldwin County, Mobile County, Alabama. It was in force for 32 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Aug 20, 2026, 3:47 PM CDT (20:47 UTC)
Expired
Aug 20, 2026, 4:19 PM CDT
In force
32 min
Issued by
NWS Mobile, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Baldwin County, AL, Mobile County, AL

The radar

The Mobile radar (KMOB), 27 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:51 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Aug 20, 3:51 PM CDTTORNADO3 Wsw Hurricane, ALReview of available Sentinel 2, Planet, and NISAR satellite imagery along with public/media provided video helped to determine the track, intensity, and width of the tornado that occurred in the Mobile River Delta. It was determined an EF0 with peak winds of 7
Aug 20, 3:57 PM CDTTORNADO2 Wsw Hurricane, ALBroadcast media shared video of a tornado near the Tensaw River via social media. Time and location estimated from radar with TDS evident.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Slidell Radar S, LA (KSIL), launched 12:00Z, 8.8 hours before the alert went out and 175 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, Slidell Radar S, LA at 12:00Z on 2026-08-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2123 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, Slidell Radar S, LA at 12:00Z on 2026-08-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -61 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
2123 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-19 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
760 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
10 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-61 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-31 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

810 
WUUS54 KMOB 202047
SVRMOB
ALC003-097-202130-
/O.NEW.KMOB.SV.W.0135.260820T2047Z-260820T2130Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Mobile AL
347 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  East central Mobile County in southwestern Alabama...
  West central Baldwin County in southwestern Alabama...

* Until 430 PM CDT.

* At 347 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 5 miles east of
  Chickasaw, moving east at 15 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Downtown Mobile, Prichard, Saraland, Chickasaw, Satsuma, I65 And
  I165, and I65 And AL 158.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3070 8811 3080 8813 3087 8807 3089 8783
      3078 8778 3067 8784
TIME...MOT...LOC 2047Z 270DEG 11KT 3078 8798 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

KLG
1 follow-up statement
784 
WWUS54 KMOB 202119
SVSMOB

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
419 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

ALC003-097-202128-
/O.CAN.KMOB.SV.W.0135.000000T0000Z-260820T2130Z/
Mobile AL-Baldwin AL-
419 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL MOBILE AND WEST
CENTRAL BALDWIN COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However, small hail and
gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

LAT...LON 3070 8811 3080 8813 3087 8807 3089 8783
      3078 8778 3067 8784
TIME...MOT...LOC 2115Z 270DEG 11KT 3078 8787 

$$

KLG

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 Mobile, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Aug 20, 12:39 PM CDT, 3 hours 8 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 1239 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026
  • Abnormally hot conditions continue with a Heat Advisory in effect for all locations Thursday and Friday as afternoon heat indices rise into the 108 to 112 range.
  • Scattered afternoon thunderstorms will continue to be capable of producing brief intense rainfall, resulting in localized flooding and locally strong to damaging wind gusts.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 20, 12:39 PM CDT, 3 hours 8 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1239 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1239 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

- Abnormally hot conditions continue with a Heat Advisory in
  effect for all locations Thursday and Friday as afternoon heat
  indices rise into the 108 to 112 range.

- Scattered afternoon thunderstorms will continue to be capable of
  producing brief intense rainfall, resulting in localized
  flooding and locally strong to damaging wind gusts.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1123 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

Starting off with late this morning, offshore convection
continues, fueled by ample marine instability and the remnant
landbreeze boundary. Will keep an eye on weak/subtle backbuilding
and NW propagation per recent upwind corfidi vectors from the SE,
but should remain weak enough and locked over outer waters before
dissipating. Otherwise, we'll heat on up over land areas again
today enough to reach convective T. Looks like it'll be another
similar day to yesterday with earliest convection igniting from
greatest onset forcing caused by either subtle confluence bands or
seabreeze interactions. Any boundary interactions will quickly
allow updrafts to accelerate, and with notable dry air entrainment
(DCAPE >1000j/kg), severe downburst winds will yet again be
another risk. Best timing from 2PM-7PM this afternoon. Otherwise,
no modifications needed to temperatures as guidance/trends remains
on track, with a Heat Advisory remaining in effect.

Friday and going into the weekend, we remain in general mid-level
weakness on the eastern periphery of an anonymously strong ridge
over the four corners region, with broad troughing centered over
the Ohio/TN valley. Could distinctly see a rinse- repeat of
today/yesterday again for Friday introducing another round of
strong to locally severe storms in the afternoon hours.
Additionally, went with another Heat Advisory for all areas as
heat indices reach 108-111, moreso along the I-10 corridor. Then,
going into the weekend, the aforementioned broad trough sharpens
into the mid/southern Atlantic states, helping to push (slightly)
drier air aloft into the region. Could see just enough suppression
to offset peak heating, diurnally forced convection, or at least
enough to lower coverage overall. NBM PoPs are coming into
agreement on that idea reducing coverage down to 10-20% in areas.
Still, areas of greatest forcing, enough to offset this
suppression (moreso caused by seabreeze/boundary confluence) could
get a few isolated storms going.

With this slightly drier air, it's likely we'll be introduced
with lower dewpoints, perhaps reaching the low to mid 60's for
interior AL counties which will reduce the need for heat
advisories. However, will watch the coast where it could remain
close enough, especially near/south of the I-10 corridor.

Monday into next week, focus will be on what long-range guidance
is hinting with shortwave impulses riding around the ridge from
the north-central Plains into the TN valley, and how any
sfc/mesoscale reflection could be in the form of either a NW to SE
MCS, and how far/expansive these (possible several) complexes
could become if they could clip our area. Something to watch,
otherwise it remains pretty typical for summer next week with
highs in the mid 90's and max heat indices in the 103-108 range
thanks to slightly drier air at the sfc. KLG

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1239 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

VFR conditions prevail through the period. Showers and thunderstorms
return to the area this afternoon into the early evening. These
storms are accompanied by gusty winds and drops of cigs/vis to MVFR
and even locally IFR within the strongest storms. Winds are
generally light and variable inland and become southerly to
southwesterly at 5-10 knots with periodic gusts up to 15 knots as
the afternoon seabreeze advances inland. These winds wane after
sunset and become generally northwesterly after sunrise. SS/97

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 1123 AM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

A light to occasionally moderate mostly westerly flow pattern will
persists late this week into next week. Winds are expected to shift
northwesterly late each night and then southwesterly in the
afternoon. Isolated to potentially scattered showers and storms can
be expected each morning with locally higher seas and winds near
storms. KLG

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Mobile      75  95  74  95 /  10  60  20  10
Pensacola   78  93  77  93 /  10  50  30  20
Destin      79  91  79  91 /  10  50  40  20
Evergreen   72  96  70  96 /  40  60  30  10
Waynesboro  73  98  70  98 /  20  50  20  10
Camden      73  95  72  95 /  30  40  30   0
Crestview   73  95  73  95 /  20  60  30  20

&&

.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for ALZ051>060-261>266.

     Heat Advisory from 7 PM to 8 PM CDT Friday for ALZ051>060-
     261>266.

FL...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for FLZ201>206.

     Heat Advisory from 7 PM to 8 PM CDT Friday for FLZ201>206.

MS...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for MSZ067-075-076-078-
     079.

     Heat Advisory from 7 PM to 8 PM CDT Friday for MSZ067-075-076-
     078-079.

GM...None.
&&

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 20, 2:42 PM CDT, 1 hour 5 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
242 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

ALZ052-261-MSZ076-079-202015-
Washington AL-Mobile Inland AL-Greene MS-George MS-
242 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MOBILE...
SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON...NORTHEASTERN GEORGE AND SOUTHEASTERN GREENE
COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM CDT...

At 242 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Chunchula, or 9 miles south of Citronelle, moving northwest at 5 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Citronelle, Chunchula, and Gulfcrest.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

If on or near area lakes, get out of the water and move indoors or
inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles
from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not
be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 3083 8847 3104 8858 3120 8844 3119 8822
      3101 8807 3082 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 1942Z 132DEG 6KT 3096 8822

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

KLG
Special weather statement, Aug 20, 2:53 PM CDT, 54 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
253 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

ALZ059-202030-
Escambia AL-
253 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL ESCAMBIA COUNTY THROUGH
330 PM CDT...

At 252 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 4
miles north of Brewton, moving south at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Brewton, East Brewton, and Riverview.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3124 8721 3125 8706 3115 8695 3103 8696
      3103 8709 3109 8722
TIME...MOT...LOC 1952Z 337DEG 12KT 3117 8710

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

KLG
Special weather statement, Aug 20, 2:58 PM CDT, 49 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
258 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

FLZ201>204-202100-
Escambia Inland FL-Santa Rosa Coastal FL-Escambia Coastal FL-
Santa Rosa Inland FL-
258 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN SANTA ROSA AND
SOUTHEASTERN ESCAMBIA COUNTIES THROUGH 400 PM CDT...

At 258 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms
capable of producing strong winds and waterspouts over marine areas
along a line extending from near Gonzalez to 5 miles north of
Navarre. Movement was south at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Waterspouts and wind gusts up to 40 to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally
         hazardous waters. Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs
         and blow around unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Pensacola, Ferry Pass, Brent, West Pensacola, Ensley, Warrington,
Gonzalez, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, Goulding, Bagdad, Myrtle Grove,
Oriole Beach, Navarre, Molino, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Pea
Ridge, and Floridatown.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

If on or near areas of water, get out and move indoors or inside a
vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the
parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough
to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be
caught on the water in a thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 3038 8734 3062 8740 3065 8740 3067 8741
      3079 8734 3080 8715 3064 8702 3052 8683
      3035 8680 3029 8729
TIME...MOT...LOC 1958Z 020DEG 7KT 3062 8727 3049 8693

WATERSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

KLG
Special weather statement, Aug 20, 3:19 PM CDT, 28 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
319 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

ALZ264-266-FLZ201-202-202100-
Baldwin Coastal AL-Baldwin Central AL-Escambia Inland FL-
Escambia Coastal FL-
319 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL BALDWIN AND WESTERN
ESCAMBIA COUNTIES THROUGH 400 PM CDT...

At 319 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 9 miles west of Molino to 5 miles west of
Gonzalez. Movement was west at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

These storms will remain over mainly rural areas of east central
Baldwin and western Escambia Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3051 8763 3079 8764 3079 8756 3084 8762
      3087 8764 3089 8762 3096 8754 3096 8728
      3091 8728 3091 8729 3089 8728 3085 8731
      3083 8730 3079 8734 3067 8741 3041 8735
TIME...MOT...LOC 2019Z 105DEG 12KT 3075 8747 3055 8737

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

KLG
Special weather statement, Aug 20, 3:24 PM CDT, 23 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
324 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

ALZ261-263-202115-
Mobile Inland AL-Mobile Central AL-
324 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL MOBILE COUNTY THROUGH
415 PM CDT...

At 324 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Midtown Mobile. This storm was nearly stationary.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Midtown Mobile, Downtown Mobile, Prichard, Tillmans Corner, Saraland,
Chickasaw, I65 And I165, I65 And AL 158, I10 And I65, and Mobile
Regional Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3056 8826 3071 8832 3084 8817 3083 8801
      3074 8799 3072 8800 3072 8799 3071 8800
      3069 8799 3068 8800 3056 8813
TIME...MOT...LOC 2024Z 156DEG 3KT 3069 8817

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

KLG
Special weather statement, Aug 20, 3:28 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
328 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

ALZ059-FLZ201-203-202100-
Escambia AL-Escambia Inland FL-Santa Rosa Inland FL-
328 PM CDT Thu Aug 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL ESCAMBIA...
NORTHWESTERN SANTA ROSA AND NORTH CENTRAL ESCAMBIA COUNTIES THROUGH
400 PM CDT...

At 328 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Pollard, or near Flomaton, moving southwest at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Century, Flomaton, Jay, and Pollard.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3110 8719 3104 8708 3088 8718 3088 8730
      3099 8741
TIME...MOT...LOC 2028Z 046DEG 11KT 3103 8720

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

KLG

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 19, 7:29 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBWilcox46 min
Aug 20, 8:24 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB96 min
Aug 20, 10:00 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB90 min
Aug 20, 11:21 AM CDTHeat AdvisoryMOBBaldwin, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Covington and 6 more33 hr
Aug 20, 11:32 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB58 min
Aug 20, 2:11 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB64 min
Aug 20, 2:53 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBEscambia37 min
Aug 20, 3:05 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB68 min
Aug 20, 3:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBMobile23 min
Aug 20, 3:24 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBMobile51 min
Aug 20, 3:28 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBEscambia32 min
Aug 20, 3:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBBaldwin39 min
Aug 20, 3:42 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB63 min
Aug 20, 3:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBMobile52 min
Aug 20, 3:57 PM CDTTornado WarningMOBBaldwin15 min
Aug 20, 4:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBBaldwin51 min
Aug 20, 4:15 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB33 min
Aug 20, 4:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBMobile38 min
Aug 20, 4:27 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMOBMobile2 hr
Aug 20, 4:44 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB61 min
Aug 20, 4:52 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBMonroe38 min
Aug 20, 4:58 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBMobile47 min
Aug 20, 5:01 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMOBBaldwin119 min
Aug 20, 5:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBConecuh, Escambia, Monroe25 min
Aug 20, 5:41 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningMOB64 min
Aug 20, 5:43 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMOBMobile47 min
Aug 20, 5:45 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMOBMonroe2 hr

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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.