Hail and Damaging Wind in Alabama, April 25, 2003

Name: Hail and Damaging Wind in Alabama, April 25, 2003
Start: 2003-04-25T13:40
End: 2003-04-25T17:45
Location: Alabama

April 25, 2003 · NWS BMX · 9 events in 8 counties and zones

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: 0
Injuries: 3
Property damage: $3.9 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 9

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS BMX wrote it up.

Supercell 3 formed over extreme southern Greene County just east of Forkland. The storm started off by producing a weak tornado that moved through by Greene County Steam Plant and crossed the Black Warrior River ending just inside Hale County. The supercell continued strengthening and produced a swath of wind and hail damage along its path. Hail sizes ranged from penny to softball size. Significant wind and hail damage occurred from Autaugaville to Prattville to Montgomery. Several funnel cloud reports were received with the storm. The supercell moved across Russell County and eventually moved into Georgia.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Apr 25, 1:30 PM CST, 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 25, 1:30 PM CST, 10 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM, AL
230 PM CDT FRI APR 25 2003

LOW PRESSURE VCNTY WESTERN KY THIS AFTERNOON WITH TRAILING COLDFRONT
EXTENDING SOUTH ALONG AL/MS STATE LINE TO NR MEI WILL SWEEP RAPIDLY
EAST ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA THIS EVENING.  TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN
EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CDT FOR ENTIRE AREA...SEVERE THREAT WILL CONTINUE
ALONG AND AHEAD OF THE FRONT INTO EARLY EVENING HOURS...WITH DRIER
AND SOMEWHAT COOLER AIR TO OVERSPREAD THE AREA LATER TONIGHT BEHIND
THE FRONT. POPS THIS EVENING WILL DEPEND ON LATEST RADAR
IMAGES/TRENDS.

OTHERWISE...AFTER FRONT CLEARS AREA TONIGHT MAINLY DRY FORECAST.
WILL INCLUDE SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FOR WEDNESDAY AS
UPPER IMPULSE AND MOIST AXIS MOVES ACROSS THE AREA AND FRONTAL
BOUNDARY SAGS SOUTH TO JUST NORTH OF AREA. NO BIG CHANGES IN TEMPS
NEXT FEW DAYS...MOSTLY 50S AT NIGHT AND 70S TO AROUND 80 DURING THE
DAYTIME...AS SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE PERSISTS AS MAIN FEATURE IN OUR
WEATHER PATTERN.

BHM 052/072 050/077 054 400
MGM 055/075 053/080 055 600

.BHM...NONE.

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 25, 9:04 AM CST, 4 hours 36 minutes before

ALZ011>015-017>050-251800-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1004 AM CDT FRI APR 25 2003

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE COUNTIES SERVED BY THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN BIRMINGHAM.

.DAY ONE (TODAY AND TONIGHT)...

A COLD FRONT MOVING ACROSS THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES WILL SPREAD
MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS ALABAMA THIS AFTERNOON.  BREAKS
IN THE CLOUDS TODAY WILL ALLOW THE SUNSHINE TO DESTABILIZE THE
ATMOSPHERE.  THE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON COULD BECOME SEVERE...
AND THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS PLACED A LARGE PORTION OF NORTH
ALABAMA UNDER A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...WITH THE REST
OF THE STATE UNDER A SLIGHT RISK.

THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM THESE STORMS WILL BE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE
WINDS...PERHAPS IN THE FORM A SQUALL LINE...WITH ISOLATED BRIEF
TORNADOES ALSO A POSSIBILITY.  THE PRIMARY THREAT TIME WILL BE
FROM EARLY AFTERNOON...UNTIL AS LATE AS 8 OR 9 PM FOR EASTERN
PORTIONS OF THE STATE.

THE COLD FRONT WILL PUSH THROUGH LATER TONIGHT...TAKING THE RAIN
EASTWARD WITH IT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN (SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY)...

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
WILL BE REQUIRED DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS TODAY.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 25, 10:23 AM CST, 3 hours 17 minutes before

ALZ018-026-251730-

THUNDERSTORM ADVISORY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1123 AM CDT FRI APR 25 2003

.A THUNDERSTORM ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. CLAIR AND ETOWAH
COUNTIES UNTIL 1230 PM CDT...

.WINDS 35 TO 45 MILES AN HOUR ARE POSSIBLE FROM APPROACHING
THUNDERSTORMS.

AT 1122 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS FROM WALNUT GROVE TO 9 MILES WEST OF
ASHVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

THESE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT AREAS IN AND NEAR WALNUT
GROVE...STEELE...RIDGEVILLE...ASHVILLE...ATTALLA...REECE CITY...
RAINBOW CITY AND GADSDEN THROUGH 1230 PM CDT.

THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM THESE STORMS IS STRONG WINDS. WINDS 35 TO 45
MPH ARE LIKELY WITH THESE STORMS. OUTDOOR OBJECTS SUCH AS LAWN
FURNITURE...TRASH CANS....OR OTHER HOUSEHOLD ITEMS COULD BE BLOWN
AROUND.

LAT...LON 3420 8585 3410 8629 3394 8633 3381 8647
          3378 8607 3403 8582

Special weather statement, Apr 25, 10:55 AM CST, 2 hours 45 minutes before

ALZ019-251800-

THUNDERSTORM ADVISORY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1155 AM CDT FRI APR 25 2003

.A THUNDERSTORM ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR CALHOUN COUNTY UNTIL 100 PM
CDT...

.WINDS 35 TO 45 MILES AN HOUR ARE POSSIBLE FROM APPROACHING
THUNDERSTORMS.

AT 1154 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS FROM 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF NEW LIBERTY TO 8
MILES WEST OF OHATCHEE...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

THESE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT AREAS IN AND NEAR
OHATCHEE...NEW LIBERTY...JACKSONVILLE...WEAVER AND PIEDMONT THROUGH
100 PM CDT.

THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM THESE STORMS IS STRONG WINDS. WINDS 35 TO 45
MPH ARE LIKELY WITH THESE STORMS. OUTDOOR OBJECTS SUCH AS LAWN
FURNITURE...TRASH CANS....OR OTHER HOUSEHOLD ITEMS COULD BE BLOWN
AROUND.

FREQUENT LIGHTNING STRIKES WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY THESE STORMS.

LAT...LON 3396 8586 3386 8600 3373 8610 3366 8564
          3387 8565 3394 8554

Special weather statement, Apr 25, 11:36 AM CST, 2 hours 4 minutes before

ALZ021-251815-

THUNDERSTORM ADVISORY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1236 PM CDT FRI APR 25 2003

.A THUNDERSTORM ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR CLEBURNE COUNTY UNTIL 115
PM CDT...

.WINDS 35 TO 45 MILES AN HOUR ARE POSSIBLE FROM AN APPROACHING
THUNDERSTORM.

AT 1235 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
THUNDERSTORM 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF EDWARDSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 30
MPH.

THIS THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT AREAS IN AND NEAR EDWARDSVILLE...PINEY
WOODS AND FRUITHURST THROUGH 115 PM CDT.

THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM THESE STORMS IS STRONG WINDS. WINDS 35 TO 45
MPH ARE LIKELY WITH THESE STORMS. OUTDOOR OBJECTS SUCH AS LAWN
FURNITURE...TRASH CANS....OR OTHER HOUSEHOLD ITEMS COULD BE BLOWN
AROUND.

FREQUENT LIGHTNING STRIKES WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY THIS STORM.

LAT...LON 3389 8553 3371 8563 3362 8533 3396 8540

Local storm report, Apr 25, 11:39 AM CST, 2 hours 1 minute before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1239 PM CDT FRI APR 25 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

1230 PM    DANCY                     AL   TORNADO
04/25/03   PICKENS                        PRELIMINARY REPORT. TWO
                                          HOUSES DAMAGED.  NO
                                          INJURIES REPORTED.
                                          REPORTED BY PICKENS
                                          COUNTY 911.

Local storm report, Apr 25, 12:55 PM CST, 45 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
155 PM CDT FRI APR 25 2003

TIME(CDT)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0110 PM    KNOXVILLE                 AL   0.75 IN HAIL
04/25/03   GREENE                         INTERSTATE 20/59 AT EXIT
                                          52.  REPORTED BY STORM
                                          SPOTTER.

0120 PM    EUTAW                     AL   0.50 IN HAIL
04/25/03   GREENE                         REPORTED BY GREENE COUNTY
                                          EMA.

0125 PM    EUTAW                     AL   0.75 IN HAIL
04/25/03   GREENE                         DOWNTOWN EUTAW.  REPORTED
                                          BY GREENE COUNTY EMA.

0125 PM    MOUNDVILLE                AL   0.75 IN HAIL
04/25/03   HALE                           MOUNDVILLE STATE PARK.
                                          REPORTED BY TUSCALOOSA
                                          COUNTY EMA.

0126 PM    EUTAW                     AL   0.75 IN HAIL
04/25/03   GREENE                         DIME SIZE AND PENNY SIZE
                                          HAIL.  REPORTED BY
                                          TUSCALOOSA COUNTY EMA.

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 93 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:42 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Hale

When: April 25, 1:40 PM CST to 2:00 PM CST
Where: Hale County, 4 mi NW of Cedarville
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 32.633, -87.533

Supercell 3 produced a weak tornado at its initiation then strengthened as it entered south central Hale County. A swath of penny to golf ball size hail was produced along the path from near Cedarville to near Newburn. The hail may have been larger but fell over mostly rural farming country. A few automobiles and homes were damaged. Several trees were also blown down near Newburn.

Hail, Perry

When: April 25, 1:55 PM CST to 2:45 PM CST
Where: Perry County, 12 mi W of Marion
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.517, -87.167

A swath of hail fell across central Perry County associated with supercell 3. Hail was reported from penny size to ping pong ball size. A few locations observed minor accumulations of the hail. The hail may have been larger in the rural areas and was therefore not observed.

Hail, Dallas

When: April 25, 2:36 PM CST to 3:05 PM CST
Where: Dallas County, 7 mi W of Summerfield
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Property damage: $85,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 32.517, -86.917

Supercell 3 produced a swath of large hail across extreme northern Dallas County. Hail sizes varied widely and ranged from penny to tennis ball size. The largest hail reports came from areas just north and northwest of Selma.

Hail, Autauga

When: April 25, 2:55 PM CST to 3:46 PM CST
Where: Autauga County, 5 mi S of Jones
Measured: 4.5 in hail
Property damage: $2.5 million
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 32.517, -86.600

Supercell 3 continued on its east southeast motion and moved across a large part of Autauga County. A large swath of golf ball size hail occurred and affected locations including Jones, Autaugaville, Booth, Independence, and Prattville. The largest hail observed was softball size. Significant hail damage occurred. Numerous automobiles and homes were damaged by the hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Autauga

When: April 25, 3:23 PM CST to 3:33 PM CST
Where: Autauga County, 8 mi WNW of Prattville
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 32.483, -86.367

Supercell 3 also produced an area of significant wind damage from just west of Prattville to Prattville along and just south of US 82. Numerous trees were down beginning in a wooded area west of CR 3 south of US 82. Reports indicated damage to structures (houses and mobile homes) along US 82 on the west side of Prattville to near the river on Maple Street. Three injuries were reported and these may have occurred as residents were crawling out of damaged structures.

Hail, Elmore

When: April 25, 3:39 PM CST to 3:50 PM CST
Where: Elmore County, Millbrook
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.417, -86.300

The supercell thunderstorm remained very strong as it moved across extreme southwest Elmore County. Hail up to the size of baseballs fell across the area generally the southern side of Millbrook down to the Alabama River. Several automobiles were damaged.

Hail, Montgomery

When: April 25, 3:49 PM CST to 4:20 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 2 mi N of Montgomery
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 32.400, -86.033

The storm continued moving east southeast and crossed northern Montgomery County. A swath of hail fell from northern Montgomery to near Mathews. Hail was reported up to baseball size along the path. A three story building along Interstate 85 received minor roof damage. A few trees were also blown down.

Hail, Macon

When: April 25, 4:13 PM CST to 5:10 PM CST
Where: Macon County, 5 mi W of Shorter
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.250, -85.400

The hail storm moved across much of western and southern Macon County. Hail up to the size of golf balls was reported along the path. The hail may have been larger in surrounding rural areas.

Hail, Russell

When: April 25, 5:05 PM CST to 5:45 PM CST
Where: Russell County, Hurtsboro
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 32.650, -87.717

The supercell continued dropping golf ball size hail and eventually moved into Georgia.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alabama in 2003 Every state in 2003 This day in weather history Warnings in Alabama, April 2003

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: 5354301, 5354302, 5354303, 5354304, 5354305, 5354306, 5353680, 5353681, 5353682.