A slow moving upper level trough pushed southward across Alabama on July 25-45, producing scattered to numerous thunderstorms each day. Precipitable water values were above two inches south of the trough axis, and some of the thunderstorms produced localized flash flooding.
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.
A slow moving upper level trough pushed southward across Alabama on July 25-45, producing scattered to numerous thunderstorms each day. Precipitable water values were above two inches south of the trough axis, and some of the thunderstorms produced localized flash flooding.
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 24, 12:05 PM CST, 25 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 105 PM CDT Mon Jul 24 2017 .UPDATE... For 18Z Aviation. && .SHORT TERM... Wow, there are numerous mechanisms out there today that may enhance shower and thunderstorm coverage. The challenge will be where to place the highest chances. Overall, an above normal rain chance for this summer day. First off, we have a surface trough which is a reflection of the mid to upper trough approaching the area from the northwest. This subtle boundary was in the neighborhood of the southern Tennessee Valley Counties. The actual synoptic front was a few hundred miles behind this trough and therefore no airmass change expected. Some early morning convection along this boundary sent out a few outflow boundaries that were generally located from near Hamilton to Calera to Sylacauga. This was also very close to the north and east extent of the morning low stratus deck. This low stratus deck also produced a differential heating zone which just enhanced the boundary zone. Two additional differential heating zones, most likely from leftover convective boundaries, were located near Auburn and Phenix City. On the latest Water Vapor Imagery, a "relative" jet streak was observed from northern Arkansas to northern Kentucky which may enhance the lift over northern Alabama. It appears this jet streak was only 45-50kts, but OK for summer time in the south. Some of the low stratus was also still depicted on the least satellite imagery, and therefore have the convective initiation zone located near these smaller scale boundaries. Some activity already beginning in the higher orographic zones northeast and along the aforementioned boundary zone. There is a large rain mass across southern Mississippi that the models are not handling too well. There is a mid level low moving slowly eastward. Enhanced 850 theta e field and some better 850 winds near this feature. It appears that this feature will move slightly north of east today and eventually enhance the rain potential across south Alabama. Upper level winds become more westerly oriented area wide by this afternoon and expect a convergence of these focusing mechanisms across the south half of central Alabama late this afternoon. The forecast retains its same general flavor from the previous ones, but did increase rain chances this afternoon south and into this evening. With PWATS close to 2 inches, some of the rainfall may be locally heavy. At this time, it will be too local for any mention of minor flooding or other concerns. The wet microburst potential is Low to Moderate today, so once again, some of the storms may produce gusty winds and deadly lightning, but an overall low threat strong to severe is not warranted. Temperatures today will be below what we have experienced the past several days. Although low level moisture remains the same, heat indices will not reach 105 degrees to due clouds and rain. Thought of the day...it was in the 30s in central and northern Quebec this morning. 75 Previous short-term discussion:Today and Tonight. An outflow boundary has been pushing southward out of Tennessee and into the far northern counties of Alabama this morning. Showers and thunderstorms have been developing along and to the north of the outflow boundary. This activity will likely reach Blount, Etowah, and Cherokee counties by 5 am, but hi-res models show the activity dissipating by sunrise. A weak upper level trof axis across Tennessee will sink southward today and provide enough lift for scattered showers and thunderstorms across north central Alabama. A pocket of drier mid level air along the I-20 corridor may limit the southward extent of the convective activity, and reduced rain chances for areas north of I-20. The better chances of rain will likely be across the far southern counties of central Alabama in an axis of deeper moisture and better upper level forcing. A more active pattern across south Alabama may also limit northern convection. The northern trof axis will push to near the I-20 by this evening, and better rain chances will shift south of I-20 for the overnight period. Temperatures should be a little cooler today than yesterday as the upper ridge shifts westward in response to upper height falls east of the Mississippi River. Heat indices this afternoon will be in the 95-100 degree range. 58/rose .LONG TERM... Tuesday through Monday. The main trough axis and frontal boundary push southward through Central AL on Tuesday. This will increase coverage of thunderstorms across the area with the best chances being south of the I-20 corridor Tuesday afternoon. The boundary slides into Southern AL overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. Low level ridging builds in behind the front Wednesday afternoon, keeping rain chances lower for the northern portions of Central AL. Have kept 40 PoPs in across the southern third of the area. Southerly flow returns on Thursday as low level ridging builds in across the TX and LA coasts. This will increase moisture across the area leading to dewpoints in the low to mid 70s. Models still hint that we could see another hot/humid afternoon on Thursday; however, another trough begins to dig southward as a surface low slides eastward through the Midwest. This will lead to height falls across Central AL, so there's some uncertainty on just how warm it can get Thursday before the southerly flow becomes more westerly and dries out, lowering the afternoon heat indices. I'll keep a low confidence mention in the HWO for Thursday afternoon because it's still possible some areas might reach 105 degree heat index briefly. Will continue to follow trends in models to see if this needs to be adjusted or removed. There is some model disagreement on timing, but we could see a more substantial cold front push into Central AL Friday and through the weekend. Thunderstorm chances will increase, but due to timing uncertainty, have left 40-50 PoPs in the forecast Friday evening and Saturday. Temperatures expected to be in the mid to upper 80s behind the front for the second half of the weekend and into early next week as the northerly flow continues with troughing in the Eastern US. 25/Owen && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF Discussion. Chaotic conditions across Central Alabama today. As mentioned in the short term discussion, numerous small and some larger scale boundaries and lifting mechanisms around the region this period. Mentioned thunderstorms at all terminals this afternoon as VCTS and Tempo. Will be updated for prevailing conditions as necessary and will affect BHM/EET/ASN first. This convective activity may last into the evening hours and have kept some mention of VCSH into the early evening. This may need to be extending when and if a trend establishes itself. Low stratus has lifted for the most part but there are a few lingering areas of MVFR ceilings. These clouds will continue lifting into VFR ceilings in a few hours outside rain areas. There will be no airmass change and low level conditions will be very moist overnight. Models are hinting at some weak isentropic lift again around daybreak near the area that had the clouds this morning. Will keep the mention of IFR ceilings starting just before daybreak and slowly mixing out through the morning. Showers and thunderstorms are expected again tomorrow most numerous south. 75 && .FIRE WEATHER... Rain chances remain high Monday and Tuesday as a mid to upper level trough enters the region. Plenty of moisture, instability and convergence/focus will aide in this development. Temperatures not quite as hot as the previous several days as heat indices only reach around 100. Dispersion values will be low due to relatively light surface winds and light transport winds. 75 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 72 89 72 91 73 / 30 50 20 30 20 Anniston 73 88 73 91 73 / 30 50 20 30 20 Birmingham 75 89 74 93 75 / 30 50 20 30 20 Tuscaloosa 74 89 74 94 75 / 40 50 20 30 20 Calera 74 88 73 92 74 / 40 60 20 30 20 Auburn 73 87 73 88 73 / 50 60 30 40 20 Montgomery 75 89 75 92 75 / 50 60 30 40 20 Troy 73 88 73 90 73 / 50 60 30 40 20 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/... None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Birmingham AL 334 AM CDT Mon Jul 24 2017 ALZ011>015-017>050-251145- 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- 334 AM CDT Mon Jul 24 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the National Weather Service office in Birmingham. .DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Heat indices may reach 105 degrees Thursday afternoon across Western portions of Central Alabama. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management is not expected at this time.
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 36 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:30 UTC.
3 flash flood, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
A young male approximately 10-12 years old was struck by lightning while fishing at Lunkner Public Lake. He was transported to a local hospital and was said to be in stable condition.
Several streets flooded in downtown Oneonta.
Several roads flooded in the Birmingham Metropolitan area. Water rescues for stranded vehicles were performed on Tallapoosa Street near the intersection of Interstate 20 and Montevallo Road near the intersection of Oporto Madrid Boulevard.
Several roads flooded in and around the Phenix City area.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, July 2017
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: 716716, 716754, 716750, 716756.