1 thunderstorm wind, as filed by the National Weather Service.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
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 Aug 20, 1:14 PM CST, 2 hours 31 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 214 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 .SYNOPSIS...LOW LEVEL JET REALLY GETTING CONVECTION GOING THIS AFTERNOON. FORECAST HIGHS WERE REALIZED WITH RAIN COOLED AIR NOW (OR SOON TO BE) AFFECTING MOST LOCATIONS. THUS... TRENDING TEMPERATURES DOWNWARD FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY. CURRENT CONDITIONS CONSIST OF NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGHOUT THE CWA WITH A FEW IN THE BODERLINE SEVERE CATEGORY. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH ISSUED BY THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER THIS AFTERNOON PROMPTED BY VEERING LOW LEVEL WINDS UPSTREAM...AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT...IN THE ARKALMIS AS A MID LEVEL DISTURBANCE TRACKS ACROSS THE ARKLATEX. PWS HAVE REBOUNDED SIGNIFICANTLY TODAY...NOW IN EXCESS OF 2 INCHES THROUGHOUT THE REGION. && .SHORT TERM...CURRENT CONVECTION THE MAIN CONCERN THIS AFTERNOON... FOLLOWED BY TEMP CONCERNS TONIGHT AND OVER THE WEEKEND. ABUNDANT MOISTURE/PRECIP SHOULD KEEP TEMPS ABOVE GUIDANCE TONIGHT...AND BELOW TOMORROW. RAISED OVERNIGHT READINGS ACCORDINGLY. OTHERWISE THE FORECAST LOOKS GOOD...KEEPING LIKELY POPS THROUGH MIDDAY SUNDAY. && .LONG TERM...ZONAL FLOW SHOULD KEEP DAY TO DAY CHANGES TO A MINIMUM NEXT WEEK. NEAR CLIMO CONDITIONS LOOK IN STORE AND GUIDANCE LOOKS VERY REASONABLE AND IN RATHER GOOD AGREEMENT. SEE NO REASON AT THE MOMENT FOR SIGNIFICANT CHANGES NOR DEVIATION FROM GUIDANCE. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... GADSDEN 69 84 69 85 66 / 60 70 60 40 ANNISTON 69 84 71 85 68 / 60 70 60 40 BIRMINGHAM 71 84 72 85 69 / 60 70 60 40 TUSCALOOSA 71 85 72 86 68 / 60 70 60 40 CALERA 70 85 71 86 68 / 60 70 60 40 AUBURN 70 86 73 86 69 / 60 70 60 50 MONTGOMERY 72 87 73 88 70 / 60 70 60 50 TROY 70 87 72 88 68 / 60 70 60 50 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 767 IS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHERN AND NORTH CENTRAL ALABAMA THROUGH 7 PM INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...IN THE BMX CWA MARION... LAMAR...FAYETTE...PICKENS...TUSCALOOSA...WALKER... WINSTON...JEFFERSON...BLOUNT...ST CLAIR...ETOWAH...CHEROKEE...AND CALHOUN. NONE. && 12
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 140 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 ALZ011>015-017>050-211838- MARION-LAMAR-FAYETTE-WINSTON-WALKER-BLOUNT-ETOWAH-CALHOUN-CHEROKEE- CLEBURNE-PICKENS-TUSCALOOSA-JEFFERSON-SHELBY-ST. CLAIR-TALLADEGA- CLAY-RANDOLPH-SUMTER-GREENE-HALE-PERRY-BIBB-CHILTON-COOSA-TALLAPOOSA- CHAMBERS-MARENGO-DALLAS-AUTAUGA-LOWNDES-ELMORE-MONTGOMERY-MACON- BULLOCK-LEE-RUSSELL-PIKE-BARBOUR- 140 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE COUNTIES SERVED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN BIRMINGHAM. .DAY ONE...(THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT). ...SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE STORMS NORTHERN HALF... NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AREA EXPECTED ACROSS THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. SOME STORMS MAY BE SEVERE. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...(SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY) NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT. ONCE AGAIN LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL WILL BE POSSIBLE WHERE STORMS PERSIST. AT THIS TIME...NO ORGANIZED SEVERE WEATHER IS EXPECTED. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... ACTIVATION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND STORM SPOTTERS MAY BE REQUIRED.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 404 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 ALZ023-202130- TUSCALOOSA- 404 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT IN EFFECT FOR EASTERN TUSCALOOSA COUNTY UNTIL 430 PM CDT... ...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS POSSIBLE FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM... ...WINDS 35 TO 45 MILES AN HOUR ARE POSSIBLE FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM... AT 400 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A THUNDERSTORM OVER BROOKWOOD...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH. THIS THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT AREAS IN AND NEAR BROOKWOOD AND KELLERMAN THROUGH 430 PM CDT. THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM THESE STORMS IS FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES. IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS IN THE VICINITY OF THESE STORMS...TAKE SHELTER NOW. IF LIGHTNING IS OBSERVED... WAIT AT LEAST 30 MINUTES AFTER THE LAST LIGHTNING FLASH OR THUNDER BEFORE RESUMING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. IN ADDITION...STRONG GUSTY WINDS ARE POSSIBLE. THESE WINDS CAN BREAK OFF SMALL TREE LIMBS...AND BLOW AROUND UNSECURED OBJECTS SUCH AS LAWN FURNITURE AND TRASH CANS.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 416 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 ALZ033-202200- PERRY- 416 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT IN EFFECT FOR PERRY COUNTY UNTIL 500 PM CDT... ...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS POSSIBLE FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM... ...WINDS 35 TO 45 MILES AN HOUR ARE POSSIBLE FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM... AT 410 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A THUNDERSTORM 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF HEIBERGER...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH. THIS THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT AREAS IN AND NEAR MARION AND HEIBERGER THROUGH 500 PM CDT. THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM THESE STORMS IS FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES. IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS IN THE VICINITY OF THESE STORMS...TAKE SHELTER NOW. IF LIGHTNING IS OBSERVED... WAIT AT LEAST 30 MINUTES AFTER THE LAST LIGHTNING FLASH OR THUNDER BEFORE RESUMING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. IN ADDITION...STRONG GUSTY WINDS ARE POSSIBLE. THESE WINDS CAN BREAK OFF SMALL TREE LIMBS...AND BLOW AROUND UNSECURED OBJECTS SUCH AS LAWN FURNITURE AND TRASH CANS.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 423 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 ALZ039-202200- MARENGO- 423 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT IN EFFECT FOR MARENGO COUNTY UNTIL 500 PM CDT... ...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS POSSIBLE FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM... ...WINDS 35 TO 45 MILES AN HOUR ARE POSSIBLE FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM... AT 420 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A THUNDERSTORM OVER SWEET WATER...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH. THIS THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT AREAS IN AND NEAR SWEET WATER... MAGNOLIA...DAYTON AND THOMASTON THROUGH 500 PM CDT. THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM THESE STORMS IS FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES. IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS IN THE VICINITY OF THESE STORMS...TAKE SHELTER NOW. IF LIGHTNING IS OBSERVED... WAIT AT LEAST 30 MINUTES AFTER THE LAST LIGHTNING FLASH OR THUNDER BEFORE RESUMING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. IN ADDITION...STRONG GUSTY WINDS ARE POSSIBLE. THESE WINDS CAN BREAK OFF SMALL TREE LIMBS...AND BLOW AROUND UNSECURED OBJECTS SUCH AS LAWN FURNITURE AND TRASH CANS.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 428 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 ALZ034-202215- BIBB- 428 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT IN EFFECT FOR BIBB COUNTY UNTIL 515 PM CDT... ...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS POSSIBLE FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM... ...WINDS 35 TO 45 MILES AN HOUR ARE POSSIBLE FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM... AT 426 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A THUNDERSTORM 6 MILES NORTHEAST OF CENTREVILLE...MOVING EAST-NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH. THIS THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT AREAS IN AND NEAR CENTREVILLE...BRENT AND MARVEL THROUGH 515 PM CDT. THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM THESE STORMS IS FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES. IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS IN THE VICINITY OF THESE STORMS...TAKE SHELTER NOW. IF LIGHTNING IS OBSERVED... WAIT AT LEAST 30 MINUTES AFTER THE LAST LIGHTNING FLASH OR THUNDER BEFORE RESUMING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. IN ADDITION...STRONG GUSTY WINDS ARE POSSIBLE. THESE WINDS CAN BREAK OFF SMALL TREE LIMBS...AND BLOW AROUND UNSECURED OBJECTS SUCH AS LAWN FURNITURE AND TRASH CANS.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 435 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 ALZ024-202215- JEFFERSON- 435 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT IN EFFECT FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY UNTIL 515 PM CDT... ...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS POSSIBLE FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM... ...WINDS 35 TO 45 MILES AN HOUR ARE POSSIBLE FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM... AT 431 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A THUNDERSTORM OVER HOMEWOOD...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH. THIS THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT AREAS IN AND NEAR HOMEWOOD... BIRMINGHAM...CAHABA HEIGHTS...BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT AND PINSON THROUGH 515 PM CDT. THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM THESE STORMS IS FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES. IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS IN THE VICINITY OF THESE STORMS...TAKE SHELTER NOW. IF LIGHTNING IS OBSERVED... WAIT AT LEAST 30 MINUTES AFTER THE LAST LIGHTNING FLASH OR THUNDER BEFORE RESUMING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM THESE STORMS IS STRONG GUSTY WINDS. THESE WINDS CAN BREAK OFF SMALL TREE LIMBS...AND BLOW AROUND UNSECURED OBJECTS SUCH AS LAWN FURNITURE AND TRASH CANS.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 444 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 ALZ026-202245- ST. CLAIR- 444 PM CDT FRI AUG 20 2004 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT IN EFFECT FOR ST. CLAIR COUNTY UNTIL 545 PM CDT... ...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS POSSIBLE FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM... ...WINDS 35 TO 45 MILES AN HOUR ARE POSSIBLE FROM AN APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM... AT 441 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A THUNDERSTORM OVER MOODY...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH. THIS THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT AREAS IN AND NEAR MOODY... BRANCHVILLE...ODENVILLE AND ASHVILLE THROUGH 545 PM CDT. THE PRIMARY THREAT FROM THESE STORMS IS FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES. IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS IN THE VICINITY OF THESE STORMS...TAKE SHELTER NOW. IF LIGHTNING IS OBSERVED... WAIT AT LEAST 30 MINUTES AFTER THE LAST LIGHTNING FLASH OR THUNDER BEFORE RESUMING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. IN ADDITION...STRONG GUSTY WINDS ARE POSSIBLE. THESE WINDS CAN BREAK OFF SMALL TREE LIMBS...AND BLOW AROUND UNSECURED OBJECTS SUCH AS LAWN FURNITURE AND TRASH CANS.
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 22 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:46 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees and power lines were knocked down in Chelsea on CR 47 and on CR 39.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2004Every state in 2004This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, August 2004
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: 5416575.