Similar to the previous day, a stationary front remained draped west to east near the Alabama and Tennessee state line. This provided a focus for a cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms which tracked east along the boundary during the evening hours producing strong winds, heavy downpours and frequent lightning across far northeast Alabama and far southern middle Tennessee.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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 episode as NWS HUN wrote it up.
Similar to the previous day, a stationary front remained draped west to east near the Alabama and Tennessee state line. This provided a focus for a cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms which tracked east along the boundary during the evening hours producing strong winds, heavy downpours and frequent lightning across far northeast Alabama and far southern middle Tennessee.
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 Huntsville, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 21, 7:10 PM CST, 1 hour 10 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL 810 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 .UPDATE... LATEST SURFACE ANALYSIS CONTINUES TO INDICATE QUASI-STATIONARY FRONTAL BOUNDARY DRAPED FROM NORTHEAST ARKANSAS ACROSS SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE WITH SEVERAL WEAK UPR LVL IMPULSES RIDING ALONG THE BOUNDARY HELPING TO GENERATE CONVECTION WITHIN MOIST/UNSTABLE AIR MASS. CURRENTLY WATCHING CLUSTER OF STORMS EXTENDING FROM WAYNE TO GILES COUNTY IN TENNESSEE...MOVING EAST-SOUTHEAST. A COUPLE OF EMBEDDED STORMS HAVE APPROACHED SEVERE LIMITS...WITH PENNY-NICKEL SIZE HAIL...TORRENTIAL RAIN AND CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. DESPITE IMPRESSIVE VERTICAL GROWTH WITH SOME STORMS... 00Z SOUNDINGS SHOW FREEZING LVLS AROUND 13KFT SVR HAIL THRESHOLDS WILL REMAIN HIGHER THAN NORMAL. THESE STORMS ARE MOVING INTO A SEMI-FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT WITH MLCAPE AROUND 1500 J/KG AND MARGINAL 20-30KT 0-6KM SHEAR. HOWEVER... LOSS OF DAYTIME HEATING AND CONTINUED LOW LVL WAA SOUTH OF THE BOUNDARY WILL WORK TO GRADUALLY STABILIZE THE ATMOSPHERE ENOUGH TO DIMINISH WIDESPREAD SEVERE THREAT OVER THE NEXT 2-4 HOURS. CURRENT WATCH 374 REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 10 PM CDT FOR SRN MIDDLE TN AND THE NRN COUNTIES OF ALABAMA. OVER THE NEXT 1-2 HOURS...WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR APPROACHING STORMS FROM TENNESSEE AND AREAS NORTH OF THE TENNESSEE RIVER WILL NEED TO REMAIN ALERT TO RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER. IN CONTRAST FROM LAST EVENING...THERE IS LITTLE REDEVELOPMENT BEHIND THIS MAIN AREA OF STORMS AT THIS TIME...HOWEVER A S/W TROUGH IS PUSHING ACROSS SW MISSOURI WHICH COULD TRIGGER ADDITIONAL ELEVATED CONVECTION THROUGH THE EVENING AND EARLY OVERNIGHT HOURS. FOR THE TIME BEING...CURRENT FORECAST REFLECTS SITUATION WELL...SO NO CHANGES WILL BE MADE. NADLER.83 && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. TN...NONE. && 24/83
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL 822 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-221200- LAUDERDALE-COLBERT-FRANKLIN AL-LAWRENCE-LIMESTONE-MADISON-MORGAN-MARSHALL-JACKSON-DEKALB-CULLMAN- MOORE-LINCOLN-FRANKLIN TN- 822 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH ALABAMA AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT... A NEARLY STATIONARY FRONT DRAPED ACROSS SOUTHERN TENNESSEE WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE FOCUS FOR SCATTERED STRONG TO POTENTIALLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THIS EVENING. THE PRIMARY THREATS WITH THE STORMS WILL BE LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. IN ADDITION...VERY HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING WILL OCCUR. THE GREATEST THREAT AREAS THROUGH MIDNIGHT WILL BE LINCOLN...MOORE AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE...AS WELL AS THE EXTREME NORTHERN COUNTIES IN ALABAMA. SOUTH OF THE TENNESSEE RIVER...MAINLY DRY CONDITIONS CAN BE EXPECTED TONIGHT. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY... THE SLOW MOVING FRONTAL BOUNDARY WILL REMAIN NEAR THE AREA ON MONDAY...MAINTAINING THE THREAT OF ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS... MAINLY DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING HOURS. ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORM CHANCES WILL EXIST THURSDAY AND FRIDAY WITH A WEAK TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL SHOULD REMAIN ALERT TO THE SEVERE WEATHER POTENTIAL THROUGH AT LEAST MIDNIGHT TONIGHT...ESPECIALLY ACROSS SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE AND EXTREME NORTHERN ALABAMA. NADLER
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL 634 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 ALZ009-010-220015- DE KALB-JACKSON- 634 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR DEKALB AND JACKSON COUNTIES UNTIL 715 PM CDT... AT 630 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR PISGAH...OR 10 MILES NORTHEAST OF SCOTTSBORO...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH. ONE HALF INCH DIAMETER HAIL AND WINDS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... PISGAH. ROSALIE. FLAT ROCK. BEATY CROSSROADS. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION. PG
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL 812 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 TNZ097-220145- FRANKLIN- 812 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY UNTIL 845 PM CDT... AT 807 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF LYNCHBURG...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH. ONE HALF INCH DIAMETER HAIL...WINDS UP TO 30 MPH...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...AND HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... HARMONY. TIMS FORD LAKE. WINCHESTER. DECHERD. COWAN. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION. PG
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL 828 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 ALZ005-006-220215- LIMESTONE-MADISON- 828 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR NORTHEAST LIMESTONE AND NORTHWEST MADISON COUNTIES UNTIL 915 PM CDT... AT 825 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 7 MILES SOUTH OF PULASKI...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH. STRONG WIND GUSTS TO 30 MPH...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... HOLLAND GIN. ARDMORE. BETHEL. ELKWOOD. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION. PG
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL 835 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 ALZ001-005-006-TNZ096-220215- LAUDERDALE-LIMESTONE-LINCOLN-MADISON- 835 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR LAUDERDALE...LIMESTONE...LINCOLN AND MADISON COUNTIES UNTIL 915 PM CDT... AT 833 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 7 MILES EAST OF PULASKI TO 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LORETTO...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 7 MILES EAST OF PULASKI TO 13 MILES NORTHEAST OF UNDERWOOD-PETERSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH. PEA SIZE HAIL...WINDS UP TO 30 MPH...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...AND HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... LEXINGTON. LESTER. GOOD SPRINGS. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION. PG
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL 907 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 ALZ009-220245- JACKSON- 907 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR JACKSON COUNTY UNTIL 945 PM CDT... AT 903 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF HUNTLAND...OR 16 MILES SOUTH OF WINCHESTER...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH. PEA SIZE HAIL...WINDS UP TO 40 MPH...AND HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... JERICHO. HYTOP. BASS. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION. PG
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL 915 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 ALZ005-220240- LIMESTONE- 915 PM CDT SUN MAY 21 2006 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR LIMESTONE COUNTY UNTIL 940 PM CDT... AT 911 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF ARDMORE...OR 11 MILES NORTH OF ATHENS...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH. WINDS UP TO 40 MPH...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...AND HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... HOLLAND GIN. ARDMORE. BETHEL. REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE STORM TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. SEEK SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION. PG
The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 19 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:58 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Very frequent lightning was reported with numerous power outages resulting from lightning strikes to power structures.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Several power outages were reported. Time estimated report.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Several power outages were reported. Time estimated report.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2006Every state in 2006This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, May 2006
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: 5505940, 5505938, 5505939.