During the evening of the 13th, isolated low-topped supercells develops in central moving into north Alabama north of an advancing warm front. One of the storms produced large hail up to the size of tennis balls in Limestone County.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
During the evening of the 13th, isolated low-topped supercells develops in central moving into north Alabama north of an advancing warm front. One of the storms produced large hail up to the size of tennis balls in Limestone County.
Later in the evening of the 13th and through the early morning hours of the 14th, multiple lines of thunderstorms developed in Mississippi ahead of a strong cold front and shifted slowly east into north Alabama. The individual line segments at times broke off into more super-cellular thunderstorms. A couple of these produced tornadoes in Franklin and Colbert Counties. Several other reports of thunderstorm wind damage were received. In addition, gusty south-southeast winds developed ahead of the advancing line of thunderstorms. Gusts over 40 mph were reported, and also knocked a few trees/limbs down in northwest Alabama.
Intense rainfall rates were observed with the thunderstorms at times, and in some cases a few areas received multiple periods of thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts of 2-3 inches in just 1 to 2 hours was reported. Rapid runoff from this rainfall resulted in flash flooding in a few locations of northwest Alabama. In Franklin County, EMA reported a high water rescue and a road that was washed out near the town of Vina. Other reports of flash flooding were reported by Colbert County EMA.
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 Apr 13, 6:23 PM CST, 1 hour 2 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 723 PM CDT Sat Apr 13 2019 .NEAR TERM...(Tonight) Issued at 723 PM CDT Sat Apr 13 2019 Per convective trends, have added thunderstorm potential through 06Z in our eastern counties as well. Isolated lower topped cells in central AL area moving northward into our southern counties. These storms have a risk of hail. Of more concern is the warm front lifting northward at this hour to near a Gadsden to Haleyville line. Depending on how far north this lifts will dictate the magnitude of the threat of severe weather overnight. Effective bulk shear and sr-helicity is quite high along and north of the warm front, and will likely enhance the threat of damaging winds and QLCS and/or supercell tornadoes. At this point, SPC has issued a Tornado Watch for Franklin AL, Lawrence, Morgan, Cullman and Marshall Counties until 08Z. We will continue to monitor mesoscale trends to assess the threat further north. .SHORT TERM...(Sunday through Sunday night) Issued at 407 PM CDT Sat Apr 13 2019 As previously mentioned, the threat for severe weather will persist into Sunday morning. The main line is expected to exit the forecast area around 15Z and some drier air will filter in. There will be a break in activity before another round of storms is expected with the arrival of the cold front and the passage of the upper-level system. Instability will be lower but lapse rates will improve and 0-6km shear will be approaching 90kts. With winds more unidirectional than the overnight hours, the main threat will be damaging winds and hail for the afternoon hours. Locations east of I-65 will have the higher chances to see severe weather during this time. Precip will come to an end Sunday night as the system lifts NE. Daytime highs could reach the lower 70s and fall into the upper 30s/lower 40s behind the cold front. .LONG TERM...(Monday through Friday) Issued at 407 PM CDT Sat Apr 13 2019 The extended period will begin with dry northwest flow aloft in the wake of a trough lifting northeastward off the mid-Atlantic coast. Although any lingering postfrontal cloud cover should dissipate rather quickly in the morning, modest low-level CAA in the wake of a frontal passage Sunday afternoon will provide cooler max temps in the mid 60s on Monday and min temps in the mid 40s Monday night, as conditions will be favorable for radiational cooling. A warming trend is expected to begin on Tuesday, as a low-amplitude mid-level ridge translating across the region will provide mostly sunny skies concurrent with the return of southerly flow in the boundary layer. We expect highs to reach the m-u 70s both Tuesday/Wednesday, with lows Wednesday morning only falling into the l-m 50s in a regime of increasing low-level moisture. By the middle of next week, our attention will focus on an amplifying 500-mb longwave trough, which extended range models suggest will be migrating slowly eastward across the central Plains on Wednesday. At least a couple of weak disturbances ejecting northeastward in strengthening southwest flow aloft will cross the TN Valley from Wednesday-Wednesday night, perhaps bringing a few showers and thunderstorms to the northwestern half of the area. However, coverage of showers and thunderstorms is expected to increase across the same area early Thursday morning, as deeper moisture begins to return northward in advance of the approaching trough. Global models indicate that further deepening/amplification of the broad longwave trough can be expected on Thursday and Thursday night, as the system translates slowly eastward across the central Plains and into the MS Valley, with the intensification process expected to peak sometime early Friday morning. At the surface, a low initially across IA will lift east-northeastward into the Great Lakes, with a Pacific cold front extending southward from the low expected to push eastward across the local area Thursday afternoon/evening. Latest guidance suggests that strong forcing for ascent attendant to the longwave trough will result in upscale growth of a QLCS along the Pacific cold front, and based on a favorable combination of atmoshperic lift, instability and deep-layer shear we strongly suspect that this will produce another severe thunderstorm event for the TN Valley. Low-level flow will veer to southwest by early Friday morning, but should result in limited advection of dry air, and with the axis of the longwave trough remaining to the west of the region, we anticipate a continuation of clouds and perhaps some showers on Friday. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday evening) Issued at 549 PM CDT Sat Apr 13 2019 VFR flight weather conditions will continue through around 06Z at KMSL and 08Z at KHSV. However, southeast surface winds will abruptly increase to 15-18kt with gusts around 28kt, with LLWS developing. Gusts should reach 30kt by 06-08Z with lower ceilings of 015-025agl expected (MVFR). A few showers or thunderstorms cannot be ruled out this evening, but the main line of thunderstorms arrives between 06-08Z at KMSL and 08-10Z at KHSV. Strong wind gusts will be possible with the line of thunderstorms. After the thunderstorms and showers end by 11-12Z, expect a wind shift to the southwest with continued gustiness up to 30-32kt. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. TN...NONE. && NEAR TERM...17 SHORT TERM...JMS LONG TERM...70/DD AVIATION...17 For more information please visit our website at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Huntsville AL 636 PM CDT Sat Apr 13 2019 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-141200- Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan- Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN- 636 PM CDT Sat Apr 13 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north Alabama and portions of southern middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Tonight... This evening, isolated thunderstorms will move northward along a warm front into north Alabama and southern middle Tennessee, mainly along and west of I-65. These storms will be capable of hail and gusty winds. There is also a small risk of a tornado that cannot be ruled out. A line of strong to severe thunderstorms will move west to east through the area late tonight into early Sunday morning, well ahead of a strong cold front moving in from the west. Damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes will be possible as these clusters of storms move east across the region. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday... The line of strong to severe thunderstorms may still be across the eastern half of the area near sunrise Sunday, but should be move out of the area by mid-morning. Damaging winds, large hail, and a couple of tornadoes will be possible. Redevelopment of a few thunderstorms is possible Sunday afternoon across far Northeast Alabama, as a cold front pushes eastward through the region. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible as well with this activity. At this time, damaging winds and large hail are the main threats. Another round of thunderstorms are expected to affect the Tennessee Valley during the later half of next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is likely tonight.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
706 PM CDT SAT APR 13 2019
ALZ003-004-140045-
Lawrence AL-Franklin AL-
706 PM CDT SAT APR 13 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN FRANKLIN AND SOUTHWESTERN
LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM CDT...
At 706 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Haleyville, moving north at 40 mph.
Penny size hail and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Phil Campbell, Newburg, Hatton, Mt Hope, Tharptown, Landersville and
western Bankhead National Forest.
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike several miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a
safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3457 8766 3457 8732 3430 8744 3430 8758
3431 8772
TIME...MOT...LOC 0006Z 198DEG 36KT 3422 8762
70/DDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
729 PM CDT SAT APR 13 2019
ALZ016-140115-
Cullman AL-
729 PM CDT SAT APR 13 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL CULLMAN COUNTY UNTIL 815
PM CDT...
At 729 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Warrior, or 13 miles northeast of Sumiton, moving north at 40 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Cullman, Hanceville, Good Hope, Holly Pond, Dodge City, Baldwin,
Vinemont, Baileyton, West Point and Garden City.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Very heavy rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3429 8692 3427 8649 3420 8655 3419 8655
3412 8660 3412 8663 3408 8669 3409 8669
3408 8670 3405 8668 3406 8671 3403 8670
3398 8676 3395 8685 3393 8686 3394 8688
3392 8689 3391 8692 3388 8692 3387 8694
TIME...MOT...LOC 0029Z 194DEG 36KT 3386 8685
30Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
732 PM CDT SAT APR 13 2019
ALZ004-007-140115-
Lawrence AL-Morgan AL-
732 PM CDT SAT APR 13 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL MORGAN AND LAWRENCE
COUNTIES UNTIL 815 PM CDT...
At 731 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Ashridge, or 11 miles east of Haleyville, moving north at 40 mph.
Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Decatur, Moulton, Trinity, Hillsboro, Mt Hope, Chalybeate Springs,
Speake, Ne Smith, Caddo and Wren.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike several miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a
safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
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 3430 8744 3431 8751 3465 8746 3465 8745
3466 8744 3462 8702 3430 8717
TIME...MOT...LOC 0031Z 192DEG 43KT 3423 8742
30Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
810 PM CDT SAT APR 13 2019
ALZ001-004-005-140145-
Lawrence AL-Lauderdale AL-Limestone AL-
810 PM CDT SAT APR 13 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN LAUDERDALE...NORTHWESTERN
LIMESTONE AND NORTHEASTERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 845 PM CDT...
At 809 PM CDT, the public reported a strong thunderstorm near
Courtland, or 12 miles north of Moulton, moving north at 45 mph.
Dime-sized hail was reported with this storm in Moulton. Nickel size
hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Athens, Rogersville, Courtland, North Courtland, Hillsboro, Elkmont,
Anderson, Lester, Good Springs and Cartwright.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike several miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a
safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3499 8691 3467 8708 3467 8709 3468 8711
3462 8710 3453 8715 3459 8734 3500 8727
TIME...MOT...LOC 0109Z 195DEG 39KT 3465 8721
30The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 103 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:23 UTC.
30 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail, 2 tornado, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter was relayed through broadcast media just south of U.S. Highway 72.
Golf ball sized hail was reported.
Trees were knocked down on Highway 187 north of Hodges. Time estimated from radar.
The tornado touched down on County Road 25 off of County Road 247. Several hardwood and softwood trees were snapped and uprooted at a home on the south side of CR 25. The tornado crossed CR 25 and continued to snap and uproot hard and softwood trees as it crossed CR 247. The tornado continued moving northward through a wilderness area between CR 247 and Winchester Road, snapping and uprooting numerous trees along the path. North of the|wilderness area and a ridge, the tornado approached Winchester Road near the intersection of CR 90. On Winchester Road, the tornado damaged a barn, a wooden outbuilding, and snapped and uprooted trees. It was at this point that the tornado was at its widest at 80 yards. From there, the tornado moved northward toward Highway 90. Along the path, the tornado snapped or uprooted numerous hardwood and softwood trees. Along Highway 90, the tornado blew a tree onto a house, and strewed tin from a farm outbuilding several hundred yards to the north-northeast. The tornado skipped further northeast, snapping and uprooting trees as it traveled toward Coon Dog Cemetery. The tornado lifted shortly before the Colbert County line and no damage was noted northeast of the county line. Damage with this tornado was consistent with an EF-1 tornado, which was assessed at having 100 mph winds.
Several trees were knocked down on Maude Road.
Several trees were knocked down on Mount Hester Road.
A tree was knocked down at 1855 CR 31.
A tree was knocked down on Brooks Drive.
Trees were knocked down as a result of non-thunderstorm winds. Trees were knocked down at the following locations: Huntsville Road near Florence Blvd and 1185 CR 31.
NWS representatives assessed several reports of damage between Belgreen along Highway 24 northward to the Colbert County line as well as from Little Bear Creek Lake northward to Hwy 24. The damage noted in this location was very sporadic and included a few snapped hardwood or softwood trees spread out over 2-3 miles. |After investigating, several of these trees were dead or already weakened from termite damage, and only 3-4 of them over the span of the areas investigated were healthy foliage. No tree damage was noted at Cedar Creek Lake, so this was concluded to be the end of the damage found.
A tree was knocked down at Huntsville Road near Huntsville Boulevard.
Trees were knocked down on the road along North Shore Drive near CR 27.
A tree was knocked down onto CR 94 at Waters Edge Drive.
Numerous damage reported reported in the Springs Valley Community. This included power poles knocked down on Highway 20, Jackson Highway and Blake Drive.
The tornado touched down on far southern Renee Drive, at the beginning of the Aycock Heights subdivision. It proceeded to move northward through the subdivision, uprooting and snapping numerous hardwood and softwood trees along its path. Minor structural damage was noted in the subdivision in the form of roof and shingle damage, with several unanchored outbuildings or sheds destroyed. The tornado was at most 70 yards wide within the subdivision. The tornado then damaged a billboard as it crossed Highway 72, before snapping and uprooting several hardwood and softwood trees at a home across the highway from Aycock Heights. An RV was flipped on its side at this location, with |other minor roof damage noted on the home. The tornado uprooted a few trees just north of this location before dissipating in the field just northeast of the property. Damage with this tornado was consistent with an EF-1 tornado, which was assessed at having 100 mph winds.
A tree was knocked down at 1206 CR 107.
A tree was knocked down at 1206 CR 107. Other trees knocked down along other portions of CR 107.
Two trees were knocked down on CR 227.
A tree and power line was knocked down just south of 2500 CR 69.
A tree was knocked down at 416 CR 427.
Two trees were knocked down at 416 CR 227.
A tree was knocked down onto a bridge on CR 33.
A tree was snapped at this location.
A tree was knocked down onto the road at 8300 CR 71.
A tree was knocked down on CR 104 between CR 71 and CR 478.
Trees were knocked down on CR 8 in Zip City.
A tree was knocked down on CR 52 just before the county line.
Multiple trees were knocked down onto CR 8 at Parsonage Cemetery Road. Other trees were down on CR 52 blocking both lanes.
A tree was knocked down on Jones Road near Highway 247.
Two trees were knocked down on CR 1101.
A tree was knocked down at 16751 Highway 72.
A tree was knocked down across the road on CR 92 just west of the the bridge.
A large tree was knocked down and power outages were reported at this location.
Trees were knocked down on CR 67 south of Alabama Highway 64.
Multiple trees were knocked down and power outages were reported in this area.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Alabama, 2019Warnings in Alabama, April 2019
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: 808271, 808285, 808272, 851470, 808273, 808274, 812532, 812553, 808311, 851471, 812531, 812556, 812557, 808275, 851469, 808276, 812534, 808277, 812546, 812537, 808278, 812554, 808279, 812538, 812552, 812539, 812541, 808280, 808281, 808282, 812542, 812555, 808283, 812544, 808284.