A quasi-linear convective system developed rapidly during the evening hours of the 9th and tracked east through north Alabama into the early morning hours of the 10th. A few of the thunderstorms produced large hail.
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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 developed rapidly during the evening hours of the 9th and tracked east through north Alabama into the early morning hours of the 10th. A few of the thunderstorms produced large hail. Numerous reports of thunderstorm wind damage were received.
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 Mar 9, 11:25 PM CST, 40 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 1125 PM CST Thu Mar 9 2017 .UPDATE... For 06Z TAFS. && .NEAR TERM...(Tonight) Issued at 900 PM CST Thu Mar 9 2017 Convection continues to develop about 1-2 hrs faster than originally thought, as pockets of showers/tstms develop within an elevated corridor of instability/convergence over W TN leading into NE MS. Much of this activity is being aided by a weak shrtwv aloft traversing ewd over the general area embedded within a strong wnwly flow regime. The main squall line continues to evolve/move swd out of the srn Midwest and into the Mid South/mid TN Valley areas, where Svr Tstm Watches are currently in effect. Additional iso tstms moving out of NE MS into wrn AL have been more pulse like in nature with sustained updrafts producing hail reports to the size of golf balls in a few spots just to the s/sw of Franklin Co AL. This activity is most likely feeding off the instability axis, but should be waning over the next hr or so as the low level flow begins to veer more with the approaching squall line and associated cold front to the nw. Main wx threats continue to be embedded damaging winds within bowing structures, although this threat should be diminishing to the se, and large hail. The timing for the most part still has the main squall line continuing to move swd through NW AL around 11PM-1AM and then through n cntrl AL in the 12-2AM time frame before exiting NE AL around 3 AM. Lingering shower activity should then taper off from the nw as the cold front pushes through and cooler/drier air begins to filter into the area. .SHORT TERM...(Friday through Saturday) Issued at 311 PM CST Thu Mar 9 2017 Lingering showers are possible Friday morning, but should end before noon as drier and more stable air filters in from the north. High temperatures on Friday will be notably colder ~15 degrees than they were today. A sometimes brisk northerly wind of 5-15 mph will bring a chill back to region, especially in the higher and/or more exposed terrain. Under clear skies, a chilly period is forecast Friday night as Canadian air filters in. Night time lows will likely be frosty if not a down right freeze, into the lower 30s. Will hold off on a Non Precipitation Warning (Frost or Freeze) this go around; pending on how cold it will be. Even though it will be cold, clouds will increase from NW to SE as a next system approaches. It will bring a slight chance of rain to parts of the area starting Saturday morning, with better chances in the afternoon. Even cooler than Friday, with highs ranging from near 50 in southern middle Tennessee to the mid 50s south of the Tennessee River. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Wednesday) Issued at 311 PM CST Thu Mar 9 2017 By Saturday night, models develop a weak surface low somewhere between southwestern Louisiana and Texas. Southerly flow around the east side of this low pressure area will likely help to increase deeper moisture advection across a developing frontal boundary diving southeast into the Tennessee Valley. At this point models are in fairly good agreement that this frontal boundary will strengthen Saturday night. Strong enough forcing along the front (especially aloft) will produce a cold rain over northern Alabama and Southern Middle Tennessee. Models continue this through the night, while the surface low pushes southeast into the central Gulf of Mexico during the day on Sunday. Before then though, the atmospheric column aloft will become very cold just ahead and behind the southeastward diving front. As early as Saturday evening, it should be cold enough for snow to develop aloft. However, near the surface temperatures should remain between 35 and 40 degrees at the surface based on most guidance. This should keep precipitation primarily rain. However, around midnight and afterwards, expect a snow/rain mix from somewhere near the Tennessee River west of I-65 northeast through Southern Middle Tennessee (as the surface front pushes into northern Alabama). This should spread southeast to near and just south of the Tennessee River towards daybreak. The exception will be in Southern Middle Tennessee and near the AL/TN border, where it should change to all snowfall. Accumulation is a tricky part of this scenario, since through around 1 AM, surface temperatures could still be 33 to 35 degrees, even in Southern Middle Tennessee. However, given upper level forcing with this front, think that it could be briefly moderate to heavy between 3 AM and 7 AM on Sunday near the TN/AL state border and in Southern Middle Tennessee. Half of an inch to 2 inches of snowfall accumulation on the ground looks possible. However, this could end up being a bit less or more depending on temperatures Saturday evening. Isolated to scattered mixed precipitation will likely taper off early Sunday morning. Very little additional accumulation is expected Sunday morning. Uncertainty still exists with this system, but models have become more convergent on this solution. Colder air will move in with the drier conditions on Sunday. Highs in the lower 40s to around 50 degrees look reasonable. Widespread lows between 29 and 34 degrees. More upper level energy moves southeast from the Upper Midwest Sunday night into Monday. Ahead of this system, some warm air advection occurs, making temperatures more tolerable. Highs should rebound nicely into the upper 40s to mid 50s on Monday as a result. This system will bring cloud cover and a few light showers to the area on Monday and Monday evening, before pushing off the Atlantic coast. Even colder air will push in behind this system on Monday night into Tuesday and remain in place through Wednesday night, before warmer temperatures return. A hard freeze both Wednesday morning and Thursday morning look possible with lows dropping into the mid to upper 20s across northern Alabama and Southern Middle Tennessee. Highs around 40 degrees into the upper 40s are expected during this period. Forecast reflects below guidance trends given the origin of the high pressure (from southern Canada) that pushes into the region. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday night) Issued at 1125 PM CST Thu Mar 9 2017 Line of shra/tsra continues to drop swd across wrn/mid TN and toward NW AL. VFR conds prevail for now although this will be quickly lowering over the next couple of hrs, as the line crosses into NW AL with cigs lowering into the 1-2K range just ahead of the precip. The line is xpcted to impact the KMSL terminal around the 06-08Z time frame and the KHSV airport from 07-09Z period. Vis will be lowering near 2SM in/near heavier shra/tsra with sfc winds gusting +25KT at times until the line moves s of the two main terminals. Lingering shra will then taper off from the nw heading into the morning hrs, with sfc flow turning toward the n near 15KT with higher gusts. MVFR cigs in the 1-2K ft range are xpcted through the late morning hrs, before cloud cover diminishes/lifts during the afternoon period. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. TN...NONE. && NEAR TERM...09 SHORT TERM...RSB LONG TERM...KTW AVIATION...09 For more information please visit our website at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Huntsville AL 915 PM CST Thu Mar 9 2017 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-101100- Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan- Marshall-Jackson-De Kalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN- 915 PM CST Thu Mar 9 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north Alabama and portions of southern middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Tonight... Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible later tonight. The primary hazards will be damaging winds and large hail. The line of strong to severe thunderstorms will arrive in southern middle Tennessee and far northwest Alabama around 11 PM to 1 AM and then track southeast across the remainder of north central and northeast Alabama between 1 AM and 3 AM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday... Rain will begin to mix with snow Saturday night as colder air arrives in the wake of a cold front. Precipitation is expected to change over to all snow by sunrise Sunday morning. The best chances for snow will be along and north of the Tennessee River and along the Cumberland Plateau. There is still some uncertainty regarding accumulations, but at this time only minor accumulations up to and around an inch are possible, mainly in southern middle Tennessee. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel may be requested later tonight.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Huntsville AL 826 PM CST THU MAR 9 2017 ALZ003-004-100300- Lawrence AL-Franklin AL- 826 PM CST THU MAR 9 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN FRANKLIN AND SOUTHERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 900 PM CST... At 826 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Haleyville, moving northeast at 45 mph. Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Moulton, Speake, Bankhead National Forest and Wren. LAT...LON 3458 8711 3430 8711 3431 8776 TIME...MOT...LOC 0226Z 242DEG 37KT 3425 8766 LN
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
1011 PM CST THU MAR 9 2017
TNZ076-096-100445-
Moore TN-Lincoln TN-
1011 PM CST THU MAR 9 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN MOORE AND NORTHERN
LINCOLN COUNTIES UNTIL 1045 PM CST...
At 1011 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Petersburg, or 10 miles northwest of Fayetteville, moving northeast
at 55 mph.
Nickel size hail will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Lynchburg, Petersburg, Chestnut Ridge, Howell, Belleville, Booneville
and Boonshill.
LAT...LON 3541 8625 3539 8628 3538 8625 3537 8627
3535 8624 3533 8626 3516 8676 3524 8683
3526 8683 3525 8675 3531 8668 3533 8660
3537 8659 3535 8654 3536 8649 3533 8646
3532 8642 3535 8641 3536 8633 3541 8629
TIME...MOT...LOC 0411Z 242DEG 49KT 3528 8667
LNSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
1111 PM CST THU MAR 9 2017
ALZ001-002-100545-
Lauderdale AL-Colbert AL-
1111 PM CST THU MAR 9 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN LAUDERDALE AND
CENTRAL COLBERT COUNTIES UNTIL 1145 PM CST...
At 1110 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cherokee, or 8 miles west of Tuscumbia, moving east at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Killen, Cherokee,
Leighton, St. Florian, Underwood-Petersville and Posey Loop.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Strong gusty winds will be capable of knocking down small tree limbs
along with other small unsecured items. Seek safe shelter until this
storm has passed.
&&
LAT...LON 3493 8739 3480 8740 3480 8743 3478 8743
3477 8742 3474 8743 3472 8743 3471 8742
3470 8745 3468 8745 3463 8800 3485 8801
TIME...MOT...LOC 0510Z 264DEG 36KT 3476 8786
RSBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
1133 PM CST THU MAR 9 2017
ALZ001-004-005-100600-
Lawrence AL-Lauderdale AL-Limestone AL-
1133 PM CST THU MAR 9 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN LAUDERDALE...
LIMESTONE AND NORTHEASTERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST...
At 1133 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Rogersville, or 18 miles east of Florence, moving east at 50 mph.
Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Athens, Rogersville, Ardmore, Tanner, Elkmont, Anderson, Cartwright,
Coxey, French Mill and Holland Gin.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 3473 8679 3472 8742 3477 8742 3477 8743
3491 8744 3499 8683 3499 8678
TIME...MOT...LOC 0533Z 264DEG 45KT 3483 8735
RSBSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Huntsville AL 1143 PM CST THU MAR 9 2017 ALZ003-004-100615- Lawrence AL-Franklin AL- 1143 PM CST THU MAR 9 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN FRANKLIN AND SOUTHWESTERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 1215 AM CST... At 1143 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7 miles southwest of Belgreen, or 12 miles east of Red Bay, moving east at 45 mph. Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Russellville, Phil Campbell, Belgreen, Hodges, Mt Hope, Atwood, Duketon, Rockwood, Pleasant Ridge and Isbell. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Strong gusty winds will be capable of knocking down small tree limbs along with other small unsecured items. Seek safe shelter until this storm has passed. && LAT...LON 3454 8744 3430 8742 3432 8802 3447 8803 TIME...MOT...LOC 0543Z 267DEG 38KT 3439 8793 RSB
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
9 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A large tree was knocked down on the Tree Haven Glen Apartment Complex.
A tree was knocked down onto power lines on Barksdale Road in eastern Limestone County.
Power lines were knocked down just east of Ardmore. A tree was also knocked down blocking a medical vehicle in the same area.
Hail up to quarter size was reported at the intersection of Golf Road and South Memorial Parkway.
Trees were knocked down on Arvida Drive near Sherbrook Drive.
A tree was knocked down on Peck Mountain Road near Gullian Farms.
Hail up to quarter size was reported in south Vinemont.
Several trees were knocked down near Ider.
Estimated wind gusts near 60 mph and dime sized hail was reported in the Crossville area.
Thunderstorm wind gusts of around 60 mph were estimated near Arab.
A power pole was knocked down onto a home in the Rainsville 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, March 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: 678870, 678871, 678872, 678873, 678875, 678876, 678877, 678878, 678879, 678880, 678881.