Alabama, 2016

Drought in Alabama, December 1 to 31, 2016

December 1 to 31, 2016 · NWS MOB · 14 events in 14 counties and zones

An extensive period of dry weather resulted in worsening drought conditions, with severe to extreme drought continuing over all of southwest and south central Alabama. This came on the heels of a record dry October and November period.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 10 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
14

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 MOB wrote it up.

An extensive period of dry weather resulted in worsening drought conditions, with severe to extreme drought continuing over all of southwest and south central Alabama. This came on the heels of a record dry October and November period. A couple of rain events during the second half of December led to improving conditions.

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 Mobile, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 30, 10:22 PM CST, 1 hour 38 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 30, 10:22 PM CST, 1 hour 38 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1022 PM CST Wed Nov 30 2016

.DISCUSSION...Updated for latest aviation discussion below.

&&

.AVIATION...
06Z issuance...VFR sky and vsby next 24 hrs. Clouds continue to thin
with front moving into the southeast US. Light northwest wind
overnight. /10

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 619 PM CST Wed Nov 30 2016/

DISCUSSION...See updated information for land and marine areas below.

UPDATE...With offshore flow having developed in the wake of the
frontal passage...breaker heights will lessen. The high surf advisory
has been allowed to expire at 6 pm. High risk of rip currents,
though, will continue into Thursday morning due to lingering swell
arriving from the south.

MARINE...Latest data collection platforms indicate that the northwest
flow is trending lower and expect seas to soon follow suit and begin
to lower. Will make an update to marine zones, replacing the
advisories which expired at 6 pm with small craft exercise caution
wording. /10

PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 509 PM CST Wed Nov 30 2016/

DISCUSSION...See updated information for land areas and aviation
discussion below.

UPDATE...After a busy convective day, weather has trended much more
quiet as frontal boundary has cleared the area. In the wake of the
front, a cooler airmass is filtering in across the central Gulf
coast with rain chances ending. A narrow zone of post frontal
clouds, oriented from northeast to southwest over the Appalachians to
the central Gulf was advancing east and is forecast to thin and clear
overnight. /10

AVIATION...
00Z issuance...A light northwest wind flow is forecast overnight in
the wake of a frontal passage which moves rain well east of the local
area. Back edge of mid to high based post frontal cigs was moving
eastward from northern Alabama to southeast Louisiana. Clouds are
forecast to continue to thin thru 03Z. VFR sky and vsby forecast next
24hrs. /10

PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 417 PM CST Wed Nov 30 2016/

NEAR TERM /Now Through Thursday/...A line of strong to severe
thunderstorms extending from the western Florida panhandle northeast
into central Georgia is currently exiting the forecast area to the
east. In its wake, winds become northerly and skies gradually clear,
leading to colder overnight lows tonight that will dip to around 40
well inland and into the mid 40's near the coast. Upper level ridging
then begins to build over the area Thursday in response to the upper
low swinging east off the north Atlantic coast and another trough
digging into the intermountain west. A post-frontal environment
settles in Thursday afternoon, leading to clear skies and pleasant
high temperatures of low to mid 60's areawide. /49

SHORT TERM /Thursday night Through Saturday night/...A dry zonal
flow pattern aloft will develop across the region Thursday night into
Friday as surface high pressure meanwhile continues to build from the
Plains states to the central Gulf Coast. Mostly clear, cool and dry
conditions will prevail over the forecast area Thursday night and
Friday, with overnight lows Thursday night in the 30s over much of
the interior and lower to mid 40s near the coast. Highs Friday should
reach the lower to mid 60s.

Moistening within west to southwest flow aloft is expected beginning
late Friday night, but More so into Saturday-Saturday night as a
shortwave trough lifts from the Plains states to the Mississippi and
Tennessee Valley region. Model guidance is in agreement with showing
a gradual increase in coverage of rain showers Saturday into Saturday
night, especially over the northwestern half of the county warning
and forecast area. There may be enough instability for isolated
embedded thunderstorms by late Saturday night. Lows Friday night
remain cool, but range a little warmer in the lower to mid 40s inland
and in the upper 40s to lower 50s near the coast. Highs Saturday
should be in the upper 50s to lower 60s inland, with mid 60s near the
coast. /21

LONG TERM /Sunday Through Wednesday/...A very moist westerly flow
pattern aloft will persist across the forecast area Sunday and Sunday
night, with a shortwave trough aiding in the development of scattered
to numerous showers and and possibly isolated thunderstorms Sunday
into Sunday night. Southwest flow aloft will likely increase Monday
into Tuesday in advance of a more potent shortwave trough that may
lift northeastward from the southern Plains to the Upper
Midwest/Tennessee Valley region, followed by yet another trough and
associated cold front by midweek. We will therefore keep a chance of
showers and a few thunderstorms in the forecast each day through the
middle of next week. /21

MARINE...Moderate onshore flow and scattered showers and
thunderstorms continue this evening for far eastern marine zones
ahead of the advancing squall line and cold front. Behind the front,
winds shift to northerly while maintaining moderate strength through
tonight. Winds will gradually weaken some Thursday afternoon before
shifting to more easterly and picking up once again Friday morning
into the weekend. /49

&&

.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...High Rip Current Risk until 6 AM CST Thursday for ALZ265-266.

FL...High Rip Current Risk until 6 AM CST Thursday for FLZ202-204-206.

MS...None.
GM...None.
&&

This product is also available on the web at:
http://weather.gov/mob
Hazardous weather outlook, Nov 30, 3:11 PM CST, 8 hours 49 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
311 PM CST WED NOV 30 2016

ALZ051>060-261>266-FLZ201>206-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-012115-
CHOCTAW-WASHINGTON-CLARKE-WILCOX-MONROE-CONECUH-BUTLER-CRENSHAW-
ESCAMBIA-COVINGTON-MOBILE INLAND-BALDWIN INLAND-MOBILE CENTRAL-
BALDWIN CENTRAL-MOBILE COASTAL-BALDWIN COASTAL-ESCAMBIA INLAND-
ESCAMBIA COASTAL-SANTA ROSA INLAND-SANTA ROSA COASTAL-
OKALOOSA INLAND-OKALOOSA COASTAL-WAYNE-PERRY-GREENE-STONE-GEORGE-
311 PM CST WED NOV 30 2016

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL
ALABAMA...SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST
MISSISSIPPI.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT AND THURSDAY

A HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS REMAINS IN EFFECT ALONG THE GULF BEACHES
OF ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY MORNING AS
SWELL CONTINUES ARRIVING FROM THE SOUTH.

THE HIGH SURF ADVISORY EXPIRES AROUND SUNSET AS OFFSHORE LIGHTER WINDS
WILL CAUSE BREAKER HEIGHTS TO LESSEN.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF SKYWARN SEVERE STORM SPOTTER NETWORKS IS NOT
EXPECTED THROUGH TUESDAY.

GMZ630>635-650-655-670-675-012115-
NORTHERN MOBILE BAY-SOUTHERN MOBILE BAY-MISSISSIPPI SOUND-
PERDIDO BAY-PENSACOLA BAY SYSTEM-CHOCTAWHATCHEE BAY-
COASTAL WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS FROM 20 TO 60 NM-
WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL FROM 20 TO 60 NM-
311 PM CST WED NOV 30 2016

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE COASTAL
WATERS OF ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT AND THURSDAY

SMALL CRAFT EXERCISE CAUTION THROUGH LATE TOMORROW MORNING. WINDS AND
SEAS SUBSIDE THEREAFTER.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

14 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Butler

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Butler forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
31.752, -86.680 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

Drought, Choctaw

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Choctaw forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
32.020, -88.263 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

Drought, Clarke

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Clarke forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
31.677, -87.831 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

Drought, Conecuh

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Conecuh forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
31.429, -86.994 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

Drought, Covington

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Covington forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
31.249, -86.451 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

Drought, Crenshaw

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Crenshaw forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
31.732, -86.314 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

Drought, Escambia

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Escambia forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
31.126, -87.162 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

Drought, Lower Baldwin

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Lower Baldwin forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

Drought, Lower Mobile

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Lower Mobile forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

Drought, Monroe

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Monroe forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
31.571, -87.365 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

Drought, Upper Baldwin

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Upper Baldwin forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

Drought, Upper Mobile

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Upper Mobile forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

Drought, Washington

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Washington forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
31.408, -88.208 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

Drought, Wilcox

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Wilcox forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
31.989, -87.308 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A prolonged period of dry weather continued through much of December resulting in continued drought conditions across southwest and south central Alabama. Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) drought conditions were found across much of the region. A couple of rain events late in the month helped to improve conditions.

What these are

Drought
A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Alabama in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, December 2016

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: 668757, 668758, 668759, 668760, 668761, 668762, 668763, 668764, 668765, 668766, 668767, 668768, 668769, 668770.