A quasi-linear convective system dropped south from Tennessee into northern Alabama just after sunrise. The storms dumped very heavy rainfall in far northwest Alabama as a secondary system moved east and merged with the southward moving system.
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 episode as NWS HUN wrote it up.
A quasi-linear convective system dropped south from Tennessee into northern Alabama just after sunrise. The storms dumped very heavy rainfall in far northwest Alabama as a secondary system moved east and merged with the southward moving system. This enabled some areas to receive rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches in portions of Lauderdale and Colbert Counties. Flash flooding resulted at many notorious low water crossings and poor drainage locations in urban areas of the Quad Cities. In addition, the lines of storms produced damaging winds of 50 to 60 mph.
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 Jun 28, 5:42 AM CST, 28 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL 642 AM CDT TUE JUN 28 2011 .UPDATE... UPDATE FOR 28/12Z AVIATION FORECAST. && .AVIATION... SEVERE MCS CONTINUES TO PUSH ESEWD ACROSS THE TENNESSEE VALLEY THIS MORNING...AND EXPECT LEADING EDGE OF TSRA TO IMPACT MSL/HSV BTWN 28/12-13Z WITH MVFR CIGS AND STRONG/GUSTY WINDS FORECAST AS PREVAILING CONDITION. ALTHOUGH TSRA SHOULD BEGIN TO DIMINISH AFTER 28/13Z...WILL MAINTAIN VCTS/CB AS BACK EDGE OF MCS SHOULD STILL BE CLOSE ENOUGH TO TERMINALS. AS DEBRIS CLOUDS DIMINISH AND COLD FRONT APPROACHES FROM THE NORTH...EXPECT NEW DEVELOPMENT OF SCT TSRA TO IMPACT TERMINALS BTWN 28/16Z-29/01Z. THE WEAK COLD FRONT WILL LIKELY PUSH THRU MSL AROUND 29/00Z AND HSV AROUND 29/01Z...ACCOMPANIED BY BKN MVFR STRATUS DECK AT FL025...WIND SHIFT TO LIGHT NNE AND CONTINUING THREAT FOR A FEW LIGHT SHRA. IT APPEARS THAT SUFFICIENT GROUND MOISTURE...CLEARING SKIES...AND LIGHT WINDS WILL LEAD TO WIDESPREAD FOG DEVELOPMENT AFTER 29/06Z...AND HAVE INCLUDED 4SM/BR AS PREVAILING VSBY AT END OF FORECAST PERIOD. 70/DD && .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 305 AM CDT TUE JUN 28 2011/ EARLY THIS MORNING...A COLD FRONT IS DRAPED FROM MICHIGAN SOUTH TO NEAR PADUCAH AND WESTWARD TOWARD THE TEXAS PANHANDLE. CONVECTION CONTINUES TO FIRE IN WESTERN KY/TN WITH SUPPORT FROM THE WEAK SURFACE CONVERGENCE ZONE AND SHORTWAVES ALOFT. THE 500MB SHORTWAVE IS PROGGED TO INTENSIFY SLIGHTLY AND DRIFT TO THE SE WITH A SMALL LOBE OF VORT...WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BRING SHRA AND TSRA TO THE TN VALLEY LATER TODAY. WHILE SOME SHOWERS ARE ALREADY APPROACHING THE FAR WESTERN CWA...MORE WIDESPREAD IMPACTS TO THE CWA ARE NOT ANTICIPATED UNTIL CLOSER TO 12Z. MODEL SOUNDINGS POINT TO THE POTENTIAL FOR STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS WITH THE ACTIVITY TODAY...AS CAPE VALUES PUSH THE 2000 J/KG MARK AND STEEP ML LAPSE RATES ALLOW A GOOD PORTION OF THAT CAPE TO BE FOCUSED IN THE HAIL GROWTH ZONE. PWAT VALUES THIS AFTERNOON WILL GET TO NEAR 2 INCHES SO LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE WITH SOME OF THESE STORMS...BESIDES THE HAIL AND WIND THREAT FROM STANDARD SUMMER TSRA DEVELOPMENT. EVEN WITH THE INCREASED CLOUD COVER AND PRECIPITATION...HEAT WILL STILL BE A CONCERN FOR THIS AFTERNOON. TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO PUSH TOWARD THE MID 90S AND DEWPOINTS WILL BE ABLE TO REMAIN CLOSE TO THE 70 DEGREE MARK...SO APPARENT T VALUES WILL BE PUSHING 100 FOR A GOOD PORTION OF THE AFTERNOON BUT SHOULD REMAIN BELOW 105. MODELS ARE ALL INDICATING THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE CENTER WILL BEGIN TO RETROGRADE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AND ALLOW NW FLOW AFTER THE FROPA TO COOL THINGS DOWN ACROSS THE REGION EVER SO SLIGHTLY. AFTER A SHORT COOLER PERIOD FOR MID WEEK (HIGHS IN THE LOW 90S FOR WED)...THE AREA WILL SEE A SLOW RISE IN TEMPS BACK TO NEAR 100 BY THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND AS THE RIDGE SLIDES EASTWARD. COMBINED WITH TDS CLIMBING BACK TO NEAR 70 DEGREES FOR THE WEEKEND...HEAT INDEX VALUES ARE FORECAST TO BE IN THE 100-106 DEGREE RANGE FOR THE WEEKEND (MAINLY IN THE WESTERN CWA). AS THE RIDGE OVER THE SOUTHEAST BEGINS TO BREAK DOWN AGAIN LATE THIS WEEKEND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK...PRECIP CHANCES WILL BEGIN TO INCREASE WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR ROUNDS OF SHORTWAVES/SMALL VORT LOBES TO REACH THE CWA. ATTM KEPT POP CHANCES OUT OF THE FCST FOR SATURDAY. LL MOISTURE RETURN LOOKS TO BE SLOW AS THE RIDGE BEGINS TO BREAK DOWN AND SOUTHERLY FLOW IS AGAIN SEEN OVER N AL. BUT THE POTENTIAL FOR SHRA/TSRA SHOULD UNFORTUNATELY BEGIN TO INCREASE ON SUNDAY AND THROUGH THE 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. TN...NONE. && AVIATION...70/DD PREV DISCUSSION...CCC
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL 427 AM CDT TUE JUN 28 2011 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-281815- LAUDERDALE-COLBERT-FRANKLIN AL-LAWRENCE-LIMESTONE-MADISON-MORGAN- MARSHALL-JACKSON-DEKALB-CULLMAN-MOORE-LINCOLN-FRANKLIN TN- 427 AM CDT TUE JUN 28 2011 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH ALABAMA AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT... A LINE OF STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE INTO SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE AND NORTHERN ALABAMA THIS MORNING. THESE STORMS MAY BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH AND LARGE HAIL. IN ADDITION...FREQUENT LIGHTNING AND VERY HEAVY RAINFALL RATES WILL ACCOMPANY THESE STORMS. THIS INITIAL LINE OF STORMS WILL MOVE GENERALLY FROM NORTH TO SOUTH AND MAY CLEAR THE AREA BY LATE MORNING. MORE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE AGAIN BY THE EARLY AFTERNOON AS A COLD FRONT AND UPPER LEVEL SYSTEM CROSS THE AREA. THE POSSIBILITY FOR SEVERE STORMS WILL LINGER THROUGH THE AFTERNOON...WITH A CONTINUED THREAT FOR DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY... ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED MAINLY DURING THE AFTERNOON ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY. A FEW STRONG STORMS ARE POSSIBLE...WITH GUSTY WINDS AND HAIL AS THE PRIMARY THREATS. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL MAY BE NEEDED THIS MORNING. KDW
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
656 AM CDT TUE JUN 28 2011
ALZ001-004>006-281245-
LAUDERDALE-LAWRENCE-LIMESTONE-MADISON-
656 AM CDT TUE JUN 28 2011
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR LAUDERDALE...LAWRENCE...LIMESTONE
AND MADISON COUNTIES UNTIL 745 AM CDT...
AT 655 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM ELKTON TO IRON
CITY...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 30 MPH.
WINDS UP TO 50 MPH...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...AND HEAVY
DOWNPOURS ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS.
* LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE...
LEXINGTON...LESTER.
MT ROZELL...LEGGTOWN.
ELKWOOD...WHITEHEAD.
ELGIN...CENTER STAR.
TONEY...ROGERSVILLE.
ATHENS...HUNTSVILLE.
THIS THUNDERSTORM COULD INTENSIFY QUICKLY...SO BE READY TO ACT IF A
WARNING IS ISSUED.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CDT TUESDAY
FOR NORTHERN ALABAMA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE.
&&
LAT...LON 3501 8698 3500 8673 3464 8647 3461 8696
3469 8710 3460 8711 3458 8736 3470 8744
3479 8742 3483 8754 3501 8768
TIME...MOT...LOC 1155Z 329DEG 27KT 3503 8687 3499 8754
KDWSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
705 AM CDT TUE JUN 28 2011
ALZ009-281230-
JACKSON-
705 AM CDT TUE JUN 28 2011
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR JACKSON COUNTY UNTIL 730 AM
CDT...
AT 704 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM TRENTON TO DUTTON TO
SULPHER SPRINGS. THIS LINE WAS MOVING SOUTH AT 40 MPH.
PEA SIZE HAIL AND WINDS UP TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS.
* LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE...
LIM ROCK.
WOODVILLE...SECTION.
LANGSTON.
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL
TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS
CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION.
&&
LAT...LON 3462 8579 3449 8598 3448 8609 3453 8609
3453 8610 3451 8612 3453 8614 3461 8614
3462 8630 3493 8631 3492 8625 3494 8624
3497 8631 3499 8631 3499 8560 3487 8558
TIME...MOT...LOC 1205Z 344DEG 36KT 3473 8625 3462 8591
3468 8561
70/DDThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
14 thunderstorm wind, 13 flash flood, 1 hail, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was knocked down north of the intersection fo County Road 47 and Highway 64. Time estimated by radar.
A tree was knocked down.
A tree was knocked down onto a house.
A large tree was knocked down. Time estimated based on radar.
A tree was knocked down onto power lines at the 600 block of County Road 107 in Center Star. Time estimated by radar.
A tree and power lines were knocked down across the road at the 100 block of County Road 29 in Killen. Time estimated by radar.
A tree was knocked down on Helton Drive near Church Road. Time estimated by radar.
A tree was knocked down on County Road 31 about 4 miles south of U.S. Highway 72. Time estimated by radar.
A tree was knocked down on Veterans Drive near the Patton Island Bridge. Time estimated by radar.
Power lines were knocked down on Old Memphis Road in Tuscumbia. Time estimated by radar.
Power lines were knocked down on Cave Street in Tuscumbia. Time estimated by radar and other reports.
Power lines were knocked down on Lamar Street in Tuscumbia. Time estimated by radar and other reports.
Quarter sized hail was reported.
Trees were knocked down onto a car and power lines were knocked down.
Cave Street was closed due to flash flooding near the Deshler High School Football Field.
A large tree limb was knocked onto a home.
Flash flooding was reported at the intersection of Highway 133 and Avalon Road. Numerous other low lying locations in Muscle Shoals experienced flash flooding.
County Road 31 was closed near Center Star. Time estimated.
County Road 96 was closed at the creek in Rogersville due to flash flooding.
County Road 502 was closed in Lexington due to flash flooding.
A vehicle was flooded and floating down a creek near County Road 502. No one was in the vehicle. Additional roads were also closed between Lexington and Killen due to flash flooding.
County Road 462 was closed due to flash flooding.
County Road 19 at County Road 2 was closed due to flash flooding in the Oakland area.
County Road 5 was closed between County Roads 14 and 2. This is between Oakland and Waterloo.
County Road 156 was closed due to flash flooding.
County Road 130 was closed due to flash flooding.
County Road 298 closed at a creek northeast of Zip City. Time estimated.
Mars Hill Road was closed due to flash flooding near the Mars Hill Church.
Rainfal of 4.65 inches was reported in four hours at a location 6.6 miles west southwest of Cloverdale.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2011Every state in 2011This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, June 2011
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: 331389, 331390, 331391, 331392, 331393, 331394, 331395, 331396, 331397, 331398, 331399, 331400, 331387, 331401, 330275, 331402, 330276, 331376, 331377, 331378, 331379, 331380, 331381, 331382, 331383, 331384, 331385, 331386, 331388.