Tornadoes and Hail in Alabama, May 3, 1984

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Alabama, May 3, 1984
Start: 1984-05-03T00:30
End: 1984-05-03T20:30
Location: Alabama

May 3, 1984 · 70 events in 33 counties and zones

38 thunderstorm wind, 20 tornado, 12 hail, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 5
Injuries: 52
Property damage: $9.7 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 70

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

Event by event

38 thunderstorm wind, 20 tornado, 12 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Limestone

When: May 3, 12:30 AM CST
Where: Limestone County
Rating: F1
Path length: 3.5 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 34.730, -87.070

Thunderstorm Wind, Morgan

When: May 3, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Morgan County
Coordinates: 34.620, -87.080

Thunderstorm Wind, Limestone

When: May 3, 1:12 AM CST
Where: Limestone County
Coordinates: 34.800, -87.000

Thunderstorm Wind, Tuscaloosa

When: May 3, 2:30 AM CST
Where: Tuscaloosa County
Coordinates: 33.180, -87.570

Hail, Washington

When: May 3, 3:02 AM CST
Where: Washington County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 31.330, -88.420

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 3, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Coordinates: 33.520, -86.830

Thunderstorm Wind, Clarke

When: May 3, 4:40 AM CST
Where: Clarke County
Coordinates: 31.450, -87.700

Hail, Monroe

When: May 3, 4:50 AM CST
Where: Monroe County
Measured: 2.25 in hail
Coordinates: 31.520, -87.330

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: May 3, 5:10 AM CST
Where: Monroe County
Coordinates: 31.430, -87.350

Hail, Conecuh

When: May 3, 5:28 AM CST
Where: Conecuh County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 31.430, -86.970

Thunderstorm Wind, Conecuh

When: May 3, 5:28 AM CST
Where: Conecuh County
Coordinates: 31.430, -86.970

Thunderstorm Wind, Lowndes

When: May 3, 5:30 AM CST
Where: Lowndes County
Coordinates: 32.280, -86.620

Tornado, Montgomery

When: May 3, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Montgomery County
Rating: F3
Path length: 6 mi
Path width: 800 yd
Deaths: 5 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 37 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 32.370, -86.400

Tornado, Elmore

When: May 3, 6:12 AM CST
Where: Elmore County
Rating: F3
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 800 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 32.430, -86.370

Hail, Elmore

When: May 3, 6:15 AM CST
Where: Elmore County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.550, -86.220

Thunderstorm Wind, Macon

When: May 3, 6:15 AM CST
Where: Macon County
Coordinates: 32.380, -85.900

Thunderstorm Wind, Lowndes

When: May 3, 6:30 AM CST
Where: Lowndes County
Coordinates: 32.130, -86.630

Thunderstorm Wind, Pike

When: May 3, 6:45 AM CST
Where: Pike County
Coordinates: 31.670, -86.070

Tornado, Macon

When: May 3, 7:10 AM CST
Where: Macon County
Rating: F1
Path length: 7.5 mi
Path width: 80 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 32.430, -85.900

Thunderstorm Wind, Coffee

When: May 3, 7:15 AM CST
Where: Coffee County
Coordinates: 31.320, -85.850

Tornado, Houston

When: May 3, 8:10 AM CST
Where: Houston County
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 31.620, -85.170

Thunderstorm Wind, Pike

When: May 3, 8:52 AM CST
Where: Pike County
Coordinates: 31.830, -85.680

Thunderstorm Wind, Dale

When: May 3, 8:55 AM CST
Where: Dale County
Coordinates: 31.620, -85.770

Thunderstorm Wind, Tuscaloosa

When: May 3, 10:20 AM CST
Where: Tuscaloosa County
Coordinates: 33.230, -87.700

Thunderstorm Wind, Covington

When: May 3, 10:45 AM CST
Where: Covington County
Coordinates: 31.280, -86.250

Tornado, Sumter

When: May 3, 10:48 AM CST
Where: Sumter County
Rating: F0
Path length: 0.1 mi
Path width: 30 yd
Property damage: $250
Coordinates: 32.380, -88.320

Thunderstorm Wind, Sumter

When: May 3, 10:48 AM CST
Where: Sumter County
Coordinates: 32.380, -88.320

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 3, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Coordinates: 33.420, -86.950

Thunderstorm Wind, Marengo

When: May 3, 11:07 AM CST
Where: Marengo County
Coordinates: 32.300, -87.800

Thunderstorm Wind, Coffee

When: May 3, 11:15 AM CST
Where: Coffee County
Coordinates: 31.380, -86.000

Tornado, Shelby

When: May 3, 11:30 AM CST
Where: Shelby County
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 60 yd
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 33.380, -86.420

Tornado, Shelby

When: May 3, 11:35 AM CST
Where: Shelby County
Rating: F2
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 33.250, -86.380

Tornado, Talladega

When: May 3, 11:38 AM CST
Where: Talladega County
Rating: F2
Path length: 11 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 33.270, -86.370

Tornado, Dallas

When: May 3, 11:40 AM CST
Where: Dallas County
Rating: F2
Path length: 7.5 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 32.430, -87.070

Tornado, Dale

When: May 3, 11:49 AM CST
Where: Dale County
Rating: F0
Path width: 33 yd
Coordinates: 31.300, -85.720

Thunderstorm Wind, Talladega

When: May 3, 11:55 AM CST
Where: Talladega County
Injuries: 12 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 33.430, -86.100

Tornado, Dale

When: May 3, 11:56 AM CST
Where: Dale County
Rating: F2
Path length: 5.5 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 31.280, -85.600

Thunderstorm Wind, Houston

When: May 3, 12:04 PM CST
Where: Houston County
Coordinates: 31.150, -85.300

Tornado, Clay

When: May 3, 12:15 PM CST
Where: Clay County
Rating: F2
Path length: 7 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 33.430, -85.730

Thunderstorm Wind, Clay

When: May 3, 12:15 PM CST
Where: Clay County
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 33.270, -85.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When: May 3, 12:15 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 33.820, -85.780

Tornado, Cleburne

When: May 3, 12:18 PM CST
Where: Cleburne County
Rating: F2
Path length: 8.4 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 33.530, -85.680

Thunderstorm Wind, Cleburne

When: May 3, 12:21 PM CST
Where: Cleburne County
Coordinates: 33.650, -85.580

Tornado, Cleburne

When: May 3, 12:22 PM CST
Where: Cleburne County
Rating: F1
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 33.670, -85.570

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: May 3, 12:25 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 32.380, -86.300

Tornado, Randolph

When: May 3, 12:27 PM CST
Where: Randolph County
Rating: F2
Path length: 6 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 33.480, -85.630

Thunderstorm Wind, Lowndes

When: May 3, 12:30 PM CST
Where: Lowndes County
Coordinates: 32.130, -86.630

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: May 3, 12:30 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County
Coordinates: 32.270, -86.000

Thunderstorm Wind, Randolph

When: May 3, 12:30 PM CST
Where: Randolph County
Coordinates: 33.300, -85.470

Tornado, Randolph

When: May 3, 12:35 PM CST
Where: Randolph County
Rating: F1
Path length: 5 mi
Path width: 80 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Coordinates: 33.430, -85.420

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: May 3, 12:35 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates: 32.270, -86.000

Tornado, Cleburne

When: May 3, 12:40 PM CST
Where: Cleburne County
Rating: F2
Path length: 5 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 33.520, -85.400

Tornado, Macon

When: May 3, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Macon County
Rating: F2
Path length: 3.5 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 32.430, -85.620

Thunderstorm Wind, Lee

When: May 3, 1:09 PM CST
Where: Lee County
Coordinates: 32.620, -85.330

Tornado, Lee

When: May 3, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Lee County
Rating: F2
Path length: 0.4 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 32.520, -85.070

Thunderstorm Wind, Lee

When: May 3, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Lee County
Coordinates: 32.620, -85.470

Thunderstorm Wind, Russell

When: May 3, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Russell County
Coordinates: 32.470, -85.000

Thunderstorm Wind, Pike

When: May 3, 1:30 PM CST
Where: Pike County
Coordinates: 32.030, -85.950

Thunderstorm Wind, Bullock

When: May 3, 1:45 PM CST
Where: Bullock County
Coordinates: 32.100, -85.720

Thunderstorm Wind, Russell

When: May 3, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Russell County
Coordinates: 32.120, -85.070

Hail, Shelby

When: May 3, 4:35 PM CST
Where: Shelby County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.100, -86.870

Hail, Lowndes

When: May 3, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Lowndes County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.170, -86.570

Hail, Elmore

When: May 3, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Elmore County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.630, -86.130

Hail, Tallapoosa

When: May 3, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Tallapoosa County
Measured: 1 in hail
Coordinates: 32.830, -85.750

Hail, Calhoun

When: May 3, 5:57 PM CST
Where: Calhoun County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 33.580, -85.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Autauga

When: May 3, 6:09 PM CST
Where: Autauga County
Coordinates: 32.470, -86.480

Hail, Lauderdale

When: May 3, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Lauderdale County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 34.920, -87.270

Hail, Montgomery

When: May 3, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 32.380, -86.350

Hail, Limestone

When: May 3, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Limestone County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 34.950, -87.200

Thunderstorm Wind, Walker

When: May 3, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Walker County
Coordinates: 33.830, -87.280

What these are

Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alabama in 1984 Every state in 1984 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Alabama, 1984

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 9977886, 9977887, 9977888, 9977889, 9977890, 9977891, 9977892, 9977893, 9977894, 9977895, 9977896, 9977897, 9977898, 9977899, 9977900, 9977901, 9977902, 9977903, 9977904, 9977905, 9977906, 9977907, 9977908, 9977909, 9977910, 9977911, 9977912, 9977913, 9977914, 9977915, 9977916, 9977917, 9977918, 9977919, 9978780, 9978993, 9978994, 9978995, 9978996, 9978997, and more.