On Tuesday, July 10, convection developed across central Alabama as a result of two focus mechanisms. A weak upper level low over the lower Mississippi River Valley aided in seabreeze convection that moved northward into the area.
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 BMX wrote it up.
On Tuesday, July 10, convection developed across central Alabama as a result of two focus mechanisms. A weak upper level low over the lower Mississippi River Valley aided in seabreeze convection that moved northward into the area. In addition, convection developed south of a stalled front across Tennessee and moved southward into the area.
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 Jul 10, 2:51 PM CST, 1 minute earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 351 PM CDT TUE JUL 10 2012 .DISCUSSION... NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TODAY WITH THE SYNOPTIC SETUP...WITH AN UPPER LEVEL RIDGE ACROSS THE WESTERN CONUS AND A BROAD TROUGH OVER THE EASTERN CONUS. WEAK UPPER LEVEL LOW IS CENTERED TO OUR WEST OVER THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY. STATIONARY FRONT REMAINS DRAPED WEST TO EAST ACROSS THE TENNESSEE VALLEY. DEWPOINTS DROP QUICKLY FROM THE 60S AND 70S IN TENNESSEE TO LOWER 50S ALONG THE INDIANA/KENTUCKY BORDER. UPPER LOW HAS AIDED SEA BREEZE CONVECTION DEVELOPMENT ACROSS SOUTH ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI. THIS LINE OF STORMS IS MOVING NORTH...AND WILL LIKELY AFFECT THE TCL-BHM METRO AREAS DURING RUSH HOUR. IN ADDITION...CONVECTION DEVELOPING SOUTH OF THE STATIONARY FRONT HAS DEVELOPED ACROSS NORTH ALABAMA. THIS SCATTERED ACTIVITY WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP SOUTHWARD INTO PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL ALABAMA. A GENERAL DECREASE IN ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED WITH LOSS OF DAYTIME HEATING...BUT THE MORE SYNOPTICALLY DRIVEN ACTIVITY FROM THE SOUTH WILL CONTINUE...MUCH LIKE MONDAY NIGHT. IMPULSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE UPPER LOW TO OUR WEST WILL CONTINUE TO ROTATE OVER THE AREA THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK. THIS WILL KEEP ABOVE NORMAL POPS IN THE FORECAST EACH PERIOD. MODELS CONTINUE TO SUGGEST THE UPPER TROUGH AXIS AND FRONT WILL REMAIN NORTH OF THE AREA...BUT SAG CLOSE ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN ELEVATED POPS. QPF THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK WILL RANGE FROM 1.5 INCHES IN THE FAR SOUTHEAST TO 4.0 INCHES IN THE EXTREME NORTHWEST. MOST OF THE RAIN WILL BE CONVECTIVE...SO THESE AMOUNTS ARE AREA AVERAGES...AND SOME LOCATIONS WILL SEE MORE THAN OTHERS. ANY RAIN IS BENEFICIAL AT THIS POINT GIVEN THE CURRENT DROUGHT CONDITIONS. THE UPPER LOW WILL REMAIN TO OUR WEST THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK. IT WILL BE PICKED UP BY A SHORT WAVE TROUGH CROSSING THE NORTHERN CONUS...ALLOWING UPPER LEVEL RIDGING TO BUILD WESTWARD FROM THE ATLANTIC INTO THE SOUTHEASTERN US. THE RAIN AND CLOUD COOLED TEMPS OF MID WEEK WILL RISE BACK INTO THE LOWER 90S...AND POPS WILL BE BACK TO THE MORE SEASONAL DIURNAL CONVECTION FOR THE BEGINNING OF NEXT WEEK. 14 && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF DISCUSSION GENERALLY VFR CONDITIONS OUTSIDE OF CONVECTION THIS AFTERNOON AND POSSIBLE FOG AND MVFR CEILINGS AROUND SUNRISE TOMORROW MORNING. FRONTAL BOUNDARY NORTH OF THE TERMINALS AND SEA BREEZE BOUNDARY TO THE SOUTH WILL LEAD TO SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE TERMINALS THIS AFTERNOON. FOG AND MVFR CEILINGS BE POSSIBLE LATER TONIGHT BUT WILL DEPEND ON WHERE RAINFALL OCCURS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. WILL MONITOR TRENDS AND AMEND TAFS AS NEEDED. MA && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... GADSDEN 73 89 71 86 72 / 70 70 50 60 40 ANNISTON 72 89 70 88 71 / 70 60 40 60 40 BIRMINGHAM 74 89 73 88 74 / 70 70 50 60 40 TUSCALOOSA 73 91 74 91 74 / 60 70 60 60 40 CALERA 72 89 72 88 72 / 60 60 40 60 40 AUBURN 73 89 71 89 71 / 60 50 40 60 40 MONTGOMERY 72 91 72 91 73 / 50 50 40 60 40 TROY 71 91 70 90 71 / 50 50 40 60 30 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. &&
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 1232 PM CDT TUE JUL 10 2012 ALZ011>015-017>050-111745- AUTAUGA-BARBOUR-BIBB-BLOUNT-BULLOCK-CALHOUN-CHAMBERS-CHEROKEE- CHILTON-CLAY-CLEBURNE-COOSA-DALLAS-ELMORE-ETOWAH-FAYETTE-GREENE-HALE- JEFFERSON-LAMAR-LEE-LOWNDES-MACON-MARENGO-MARION-MONTGOMERY-PERRY- PICKENS-PIKE-RANDOLPH-RUSSELL-SHELBY-ST CLAIR-SUMTER-TALLADEGA- TALLAPOOSA-TUSCALOOSA-WALKER-WINSTON- 1232 PM CDT TUE JUL 10 2012 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE COUNTIES SERVED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN BIRMINGHAM. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. HEAVY RAINFALL FROM THUNDERSTORMS BETWEEN 2 PM AND 10 PM COULD CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING IN SMALL STREAMS AND LOW LYING AREAS WITH POOR DRAINAGE. THIS COULD OCCUR ANYWHERE ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA... BUT THE MAIN FOCUS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING WILL BE AREAS NORTH OF INTERSTATE 85. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. HEAVY RAINFALL FROM THUNDERSTORMS WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY COULD CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING IN SMALL STREAMS AND LOW LYING AREAS WITH POOR DRAINAGE ACROSS ALL OF CENTRAL ALABAMA. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS NOT ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
246 PM CDT TUE JUL 10 2012
ALZ040-042-044-046-049-102045-
BULLOCK AL-DALLAS AL-LOWNDES AL-MONTGOMERY AL-PIKE AL-
246 PM CDT TUE JUL 10 2012
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR PIKE...SOUTHERN MONTGOMERY...
LOWNDES...SOUTHEASTERN DALLAS AND WESTERN BULLOCK COUNTIES UNTIL 345
PM CDT...
AT 242 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAS TRACKING STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM AWIN TO I65 AND AL 185 TO
LUVERNE TO 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF VICTORIA...AND MOVING NORTH AT 20
MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS...ALONG WITH
HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.
LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THESE STORMS INCLUDE...
GOSHEN...
FORT DEPOSIT...
TROY...
MOSSES...
MEADVILLE...
TORRENTIAL RAIN...WHICH MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND
UNDERPASSES...IS ALSO LIKELY. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON A FLOODED
ROADWAY.
&&
LAT...LON 3164 8618 3178 8615 3179 8620 3196 8619
3196 8630 3205 8631 3205 8639 3197 8640
3196 8644 3196 8685 3204 8687 3204 8702
3234 8697 3233 8682 3231 8681 3232 8678
3230 8653 3222 8618 3205 8582 3161 8591
TIME...MOT...LOC 1946Z 189DEG 19KT 3189 8694 3186 8661
3178 8627 3165 8600
56SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 249 PM CDT TUE JUL 10 2012 ALZ030-031-102015- GREENE AL-SUMTER AL- 249 PM CDT TUE JUL 10 2012 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN SUMTER AND CENTRAL GREENE COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM CDT... AT 248 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR BLUFFPORT...OR 8 MILES EAST OF LIVINGSTON...MOVING NORTH AT 20 MPH. WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM...ALONG WITH HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT DANGEROUS LIGHTNING. LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE... EUTAW... TISHABEE... EPES... BOLIGEE... THORNHILL... TORRENTIAL RAIN...WHICH MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND UNDERPASSES...IS ALSO LIKELY. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON A FLOODED ROADWAY. && LAT...LON 3292 8812 3287 8783 3246 8797 3250 8818 TIME...MOT...LOC 1950Z 192DEG 17KT 3258 8805 56
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
337 PM CDT TUE JUL 10 2012
ALZ033>035-040>046-049-102130-
AUTAUGA AL-BIBB AL-BULLOCK AL-CHILTON AL-DALLAS AL-ELMORE AL-LOWNDES
AL-MACON AL-MONTGOMERY AL-PERRY AL-PIKE AL-
337 PM CDT TUE JUL 10 2012
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR AUTAUGA...EXTREME NORTHERN
PIKE...EASTERN PERRY...MONTGOMERY...WESTERN MACON...NORTHEASTERN
LOWNDES...ELMORE...NORTHEASTERN DALLAS...SOUTHERN CHILTON...
SOUTHEASTERN BIBB AND WESTERN BULLOCK COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM CDT...
AT 336 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAS TRACKING STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 9 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MARION
TO MULBERRY TO SNOWDOUN TO SHOPTON...AND MOVING NORTH AT 25 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS...ALONG WITH
HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.
LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THESE STORMS INCLUDE...
MONTGOMERY...
PRATTVILLE...
MILLBROOK...
WETUMPKA...
MILSTEAD...
TORRENTIAL RAIN...WHICH MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND
UNDERPASSES...IS ALSO LIKELY. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON A FLOODED
ROADWAY.
&&
LAT...LON 3198 8589 3233 8673 3252 8732 3300 8711
3282 8656 3261 8603 3255 8588 3249 8588
3249 8580 3251 8580 3246 8568
TIME...MOT...LOC 2037Z 200DEG 24KT 3258 8718 3244 8677
3225 8629 3211 8594
56SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
344 PM CDT TUE JUL 10 2012
ALZ022-023-102130-
PICKENS AL-TUSCALOOSA AL-
344 PM CDT TUE JUL 10 2012
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR TUSCALOOSA AND EASTERN PICKENS
COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM CDT...
AT 342 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAS TRACKING STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 5 MILES NORTHWEST OF JENA
TO SHELTON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO LOW GAP...AND MOVING NORTHEAST
AT 20 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS...ALONG WITH
HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.
LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THESE STORMS INCLUDE...
GORDO...
NORTHPORT...
TUSCALOOSA...
HOLT...
SHELTON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE...
TORRENTIAL RAIN...WHICH MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND
UNDERPASSES...IS ALSO LIKELY. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON A FLOODED
ROADWAY.
&&
LAT...LON 3316 8805 3352 8777 3352 8771 3340 8733
3327 8707 3322 8711 3324 8714 3320 8720
3313 8720 3313 8728 3312 8729 3301 8732
3301 8761 3309 8783 3315 8784 3312 8793
TIME...MOT...LOC 2044Z 214DEG 19KT 3321 8789 3310 8757
3298 8732
56The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 82 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:50 UTC.
28 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees and powerlines were downed, some blocking roadways.
Strong winds occurred along the outflow boundary of the thunderstorms.
A few trees were blown down on Hackberry Lane, with one tree falling on a vehicle. Winds were measured with a handheld Anemometer.
A few trees were downed on the east side of Tuscaloosa.
Trees were reported down blocking Highway 69 at Tierce Patton Road.
A patio cover was blown down, causing minor damage to the home and injuring the resident.
A tree was blown down, destroying a fence.
Trees were blown down across many locations in Tuscaloosa county, including in and around Cottondale.
Several trees were blown down on the University of Alabama campus.
Several trees were reported down in and around Clanton.
A few trees were blown down on Highway 171, near the Tuscaloosa and Fayette county line.
A tree was blown down, blocking Highway 13.
Trees were reported down in the Friendship community.
A tree was blown down in Eclectic.
Trees and powerlines were blown down on Independence Drive.
Trees and powerlines were reported down near the Dollar General in Columbiana.
A large tree was snapped at the base at the intersection of Hebb Road and County Road 61.
A large tree was reported down, blocking Highway 32.
A large tree was blown down on Highway 55, blocking the roadway.
A tree was reported down in Sycamore.
Powerlines were down on vehicles in Harpersville.
A tree was reported down on Renfroe Road and Plant Road.
A few trees were reported down in several locations across Lee County.
A few trees were reported down near Cook Springs.
A few trees were reported down blocking Fish Hatchery Road.
A tree was blown down and blocking a road in Woodhaven, just east of Highway 75.
A tree was blown down, blocking one lane on Interstate 20, near exit 162.
A tree was reported down, blocking Mountain View Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2012Every state in 2012This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, July 2012
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: 406594, 406595, 406593, 406597, 406598, 406599, 406600, 406602, 406606, 406607, 406608, 406612, 406611, 406609, 406610, 406613, 406617, 406615, 406614, 406622, 406616, 406618, 406619, 406620, 406621, 406624, 406627, 406626.