One person died due to a lightning strike in Gulf Shores, AL.
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 MOB wrote it up.
One person died due to a lightning strike in Gulf Shores, AL.
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 Aug 15, 11:25 AM CST, 2 hours 35 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Mobile AL 1225 PM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019 .DISCUSSION...Updated for latest aviation discussion below. && .AVIATION... 18Z issuance...With a drier airmass moving south over the region through the forecast, any convection this afternoon is expected to be limited to areas south of Highway 84 and scattered in coverage at most. General VFR conditions expected through the forecast, with MVFR conditions in any convection that forms. North winds 5 to 10 knots expected this afternoon, becoming light overnight. A northeasterly wind of 5 to 10 knots is expected to develop Friday morning. /16 && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 1155 AM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019/ DISCUSSION...See updated information for land areas below. UPDATE...A drier airmass continues to move south over the Southeast, with dewpoints in the upper 60s being reported just north of the northern border of the forecast area, and 1.28" of precip h20 reported on the KBMX morning sounding. Radars over the region show a lack of echoes in the late morning hours with early morning convection having died out. Surface observations over areas south of the Highway 84 corridor still show decent moisture levels, with surface dewpoints in the mid to upper 70s, for afternoon convection to be possible. With this area advertised for a chance of rain this afternoon in the current forecast, have left the current forecast as is with this respect. Also, the latest reported temperatures in the upper 80s to around 90 are in agreement with the current forecast, so no changes needed there. No updates planned for the current forecast at this time. /16 PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 639 AM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019/ DISCUSSION...Updated for latest aviation discussion below. AVIATION... 12Z issuance...Very localized MVFR to IFR visibility reductions and ceilings have developed over portions of the western FL panhandle and south central AL early this morning. These conditions should improve to VFR over the next couple of hours. Scattered SHRA/TSRA will develop mainly over southern portions of our aviation area this afternoon along a weak frontal boundary. Confidence was too low to include prevailing TSRA or TEMPO groups, but we did mention VCTS in the KMOB/KBFM/KPNS TAFs after 19Z. /21 PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 439 AM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019/ NEAR TERM /Now Through Thursday night/...A weak surface front located across interior portions of southeast MS and southwest and south central AL early this morning will slowly advance southward and will become oriented near coastal portions of southwest AL and the western FL panhandle today. The associated axis of deeper moisture will subsequently shift farther to the south along with the boundary today and the highest precipitable water values over 2" become focused near the coast this morning before shifting offshore later this afternoon. The best chances of convection today will be aligned over the southern half of the area within the zone of deeper moisture along the boundary/trough axis. We will carry 40-50% POPs mainly south of a Mobile to Florala line, with lower coverage farther north and west. A much drier airmass advecting into our far northwest zones behind the boundary will preclude much in the way of convective development over southeast MS and southwest AL today, so will keep POPs at 20% or less over these zones. Low level thermal ridging along the associated surface trough axis will allow temperatures to warm into the lower to mid 90s over much of the forecast area today. Surface dewpoints will likely remain in the mid to upper 70s over central and southern portions of the area through peak heating today, and maximum heat index values of 102-107 degrees with localized values up to around 110 degrees are forecast roughly southeast of a Wiggins, MS to Luverne, AL line. A few spots in this part of the area could briefly reach Heat Advisory criteria today, but the overall heat index forecast remains just below these levels and will hold off on advisory issuance with this forecast. Surface dewpoints may mix out into the mid to upper 60s over our far northwest zones this afternoon, allowing for lower heat indices below 100 over this portion of the area. Isolated convection may linger near the coast this evening but probably becomes focused offshore for the most part late tonight. Overnight lows may average a couple of degrees cooler over interior areas with readings around 70 to the lower 70s, while lows along the coast continue to range in the mid to upper 70s. /21 SHORT TERM /Friday Through Saturday night/...The frontal boundary will remain offshore on Friday, keeping the highest rain chances offshore with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms near the coast. The boundary returns northward on Saturday, bringing moisture back northward and returning scattered pops to the entire area. High temperatures will be in the low to mid 90s, but with lower dew points and humidity levels, we will be looking at more "reasonable" heat index values of around 100 to 104 degrees. /13 LONG TERM /Sunday Through Wednesday/...High rain chances expected on Sunday as high moisture levels combine with an upper shortwave to generate numerous showers and thunderstorms. The area will remain under an upper weakness between two upper ridges through the middle of next week. Scattered to locally numerous showers and thunderstorms can be expected each day. The coverage will be most numerous during the afternoon and early evening hours. Temperatures remain near normal through the period with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s and lows in the lower 70s inland to mid 70s coastal. /13 MARINE...A surface ridge of high pressure will continue to extend across the central and southern Gulf of Mexico, bringing southwest to west flow to unprotected waters. A light offshore flow will prevail at night and early in the morning over protected and near coastal waters through Friday morning as a weak front stalls near the coast. This boundary will lift northward and weaken by late Friday, with southwesterly flow returning to all waters this weekend. /21 && .MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...None. FL...None. MS...None. GM...None. && This product is also available on the web at: http://weather.gov/mob
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Mobile AL 548 AM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019 ALZ051>060-261>266-FLZ201>206-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-161100- 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- 548 AM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central Alabama...southwest Alabama...northwest Florida and southeast Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Heat index values will remain elevated between 105 and 108 degrees, and perhaps very briefly around 110 degrees in a few places across far southeast Mississippi and portions of southwest and south central Alabama and the western Florida panhandle. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will mainly develop along and southeast of a Wiggins, Mississippi to Luverne, Alabama line today. A few of the stronger storms that develop will be capable of producing frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes, brief strong and gusty winds, and very heavy downpours. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday A moderate risk of rip currents is expected to return to the Alabama and northwest Florida panhandle beaches this weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time. GMZ630>636-650-655-670-675-161100- Northern Mobile Bay-Southern Mobile Bay-Mississippi Sound- Perdido Bay-Pensacola Bay System-Western Choctawhatchee Bay- Eastern Choctawhatchee Bay- Coastal waters from Pensacola FL to Pascagoula MS out 20 NM- Coastal waters from Okaloosa Walton County Line FL to Pensacola FL out 20 NM- Waters from Pensacola FL to Pascagoula MS from 20 to 60 NM- Waters from Okaloosa Walton County Line FL to Pensacola FL from 20 to 60 NM- 548 AM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the coastal waters of Alabama and northwest Florida. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will continue to develop over the marine area today and tonight. Brief strong and gusty winds, frequent lightning strikes, and visibility reducing heavy rains will accompany the stronger storms that develop. Waterspouts will also be possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Winds and seas will be locally higher in and near scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms through the forecast period. Frequent lightning and locally heavy rain will also be possible in and near the stronger storms. The development of waterspouts will also remain possible.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
159 PM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019
FLZ205-206-151945-
Okaloosa Inland FL-Okaloosa Coastal FL-
159 PM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...
SOUTHERN OKALOOSA COUNTY UNTIL 245 PM CDT...
At 157 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorm was located 4 miles northwest
of Wright. These storms are moving slowly southeast at 5 mph.
Wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Wright, Fort Walton Beach, Eglin AFB, Valparaiso, Ocean City,
Shalimar and Cinco Bayou.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Due to their slow movement torrential rainfall is also occurring
with these storms, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not
drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3045 8680 3046 8680 3063 8675 3057 8644
3052 8650 3052 8649 3043 8658 3043 8659
3045 8659 3046 8660 3043 8660 3042 8659
3040 8661
TIME...MOT...LOC 1857Z 292DEG 2KT 3051 8668Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
206 PM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019
FLZ203-204-151945-
Santa Rosa Coastal FL-Santa Rosa Inland FL-
206 PM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...CENTRAL
SANTA ROSA COUNTY UNTIL 245 PM CDT...
At 205 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorm was located over Roeville, or
near Milton. This storm was nearly stationary.
Wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Milton, Bagdad, Point Baker and Roeville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3070 8712 3077 8692 3060 8685 3055 8699
3056 8700 3058 8698 3058 8699 3060 8702
3059 8703 3057 8700 3055 8701 3053 8706
TIME...MOT...LOC 1905Z 326DEG 3KT 3067 8699Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Mobile AL 239 PM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019 ALZ264-152030- Baldwin Central AL- 239 PM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...WEST CENTRAL BALDWIN COUNTY UNTIL 330 PM CDT... At 239 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorm was located 4 miles northeast of Loxley, moving south at 20 mph. Wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Fairhope, Robertsdale, Loxley, Stapleton and Silverhill. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 3077 8784 3077 8764 3051 8757 3050 8791 TIME...MOT...LOC 1939Z 358DEG 18KT 3068 8772
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
252 PM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019
FLZ203>206-152030-
Okaloosa Inland FL-Okaloosa Coastal FL-Santa Rosa Coastal FL-
Santa Rosa Inland FL-
252 PM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES...SOUTHERN OKALOOSA AND SOUTHEASTERN SANTA ROSA COUNTIES
UNTIL 330 PM CDT...
At 251 PM CDT, the strong thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Bagdad to 4 miles northwest of Wright to near
Eglin Air Force Base, and moving southeast at 20 mph.
Wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Wright, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Destin, Eglin AFB, Pace,
Valparaiso, Mary Esther, Ocean City, Lake Lorraine, Navarre,
Shalimar, Cinco Bayou and Pea Ridge.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3037 8692 3041 8666 3041 8672 3038 8702
3040 8703 3045 8694 3044 8688 3051 8705
3046 8707 3063 8718 3059 8702 3060 8702
3055 8672 3061 8639 3045 8639 3044 8642
3038 8640 3040 8667 3039 8676
TIME...MOT...LOC 1951Z 322DEG 16KT 3057 8706 3051 8668 3057 8630The Mobile radar (KMOB), 69 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:00 UTC.
1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
A 28 year old male was struck by lightning while working on a construction site in craft farms. he was rushed to the hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning, Baldwin | 2019-08-15 | 28 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, August 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: 837669.