An unseasonably warm and humid airmass flowed northward in advance of a front system on the 30th. This resulted in multiple clusters of showers and thunderstorms which repeatedly moved across northwest Alabama.
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 HUN wrote it up.
An unseasonably warm and humid airmass flowed northward in advance of a front system on the 30th. This resulted in multiple clusters of showers and thunderstorms which repeatedly moved across northwest Alabama. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches were reported, with much of it falling during a 2-3 hour period during the late afternoon and early evening hours. This resulted in several flash floods in northwest Alabama, followed by a period of areal 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 Huntsville, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 30, 2:35 PM CST, 2 hours 22 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 235 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 .NEAR TERM...(Tonight) Issued at 235 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 Strong southerly flow has filtered in a warm, moist airmass over the TN Valley this afternoon placing us well within the warm sector of an intense cyclone. Showers have increased in coverage over the last hour or two, with a few embedded thunderstorms moving quickly through the area. The mid level low associated with this activity was spinning over the north- central Plains and should continue to progress eastward tonight, reaching the Mississippi Valley by midnight. As this low moves eastward, its surface low will shift from the Central Plains and into the Great Lakes region, with a weakening front moving through the Lower Mississippi Valley. A line of showers and thunderstorms observed over the ArkLaTex and southeast Arkansas at the time of this writing will quickly move eastward over the next several hours, reaching Northwest Alabama by 8 pm. Uncertainty remains high regarding the severe threat associated with this activity. The low level jet is expected to strengthen further as it moves eastward with time later this afternoon, lending ample wind shear over the area. The limiting factor continues to be the instability. The strong WAA has allowed the area to rise into the upper 60s, with a few spots in the lower 70s. Meanwhile, surface dewpoints are steadily rising, with the lower 60 dewpoints edging into northern Mississippi and northwest Alabama. A mid level ridge was keeping mid level lapse rates fairly poor, however as the convective temps were reached over the last hour or two, we've seen the increase in showers and thunderstorms. Some of these have maintained some decent updrafts, suggesting that the inversion aloft was eroding. However, the better dynamics remain to our west at the current hour and the ongoing activity over the TN Valley may limit the destabilization later this evening. With temps dropping back into the mid 60s across locations that are receiving rainfall, it's tough to believe that we will be able to rise again into the lower 70s later this evening. Latest forecast soundings indicate some cooling aloft, leading to slightly higher elevated instability, but the surface based instability looks to be even less. There's still enough of a threat for an isolated strong updraft to tap into the better shear as the main front begins to inch closer to the area, but confidence is lower than with forecast update issued earlier. Threats remain the same, if we can realize enough instability for stronger updrafts, straight line winds and a weak tornado are possible, mainly over areas west of I-65. Given the steeper lapse rates aloft, the chance for some quarter-sized hail in the stronger storms is also higher. It's been a low confidence forecast and, unfortunately, confidence still is not very high. We'll maintain the mention for isolated severe thunderstorms, with the best chance west of I-65. Timing remains generally unchanged with the main showers and thunderstorms, reaching areas west of I-65 by 8 am and exiting the area by 3 am. .SHORT TERM...(Sunday through Monday) Issued at 235 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 The front will be well east of the area by daybreak on Sunday, with a strong surface high building in its wake. The pressure gradient will strengthen early Sunday morning, leading to breezy conditions over the TN Valley. Right now, winds are estimated to be between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 to 35 mph. We are still right on the edge of Wind Advisory criteria and it wouldn't surprise me if we were able to some observations gust around 35 mph Sunday morning. However, will hold off on issuing the advisory on this package. The stronger winds will bring in much cooler air, with highs on Sunday in the lower to mid 50s. Winds will remain somewhat elevated Sunday night, continuing CAA through the overnight hours. This will send lows into the lower to mid 30s. Monday looks to be a rather raw day as the upper low over the Ohio Valley amplifies and digs east of the Appalachians. This will bring and increase in cloud cover and strengthen the CAA even further, keeping temps on Monday in the lower 40s. Combined with winds remaining in the 10 to 15 mph range, wind chills will remain in the lower to mid 30s through the day. Winds will diminish Monday night, with skies becoming mostly clear after midnight. Overnight lows will drop into the upper 20s by daybreak on Tuesday. .LONG TERM...(Monday night through Friday) Issued at 235 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 Northwest flow will persist aloft through the long term period, keeping generally mild conditions over the TN Valley. With drier air in place, the area will remain rain free through at least Thursday. Temps will moderate each day, reaching into the lower 50s on Tuesday and then into the mid to upper 50s on Wednesday and Thursday. A weak shortwave will eject from the Desert Southwest and into the Mississippi Valley on Thursday night, spreading showers eastward and into the TN Valley. This will be a fairly quick moving system, with showers continuing into Friday before exiting Friday night. Not expecting many impacts at this point, as the airmass remains relatively stable. Temperatures on Friday will be in the mid to upper 50s. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday afternoon) Issued at 1130 AM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 A rather complex setup will lead to generally MVFR conditions at the KMSL and KHSV terminals through the first 12 to 18 hours of the forecast period. Lower cigs, ~3000 ft, will continue to stream eastward this afternoon, lowering further to ~1500 feet by the mid afternoon hours. A line of showers, with scattered thunderstorms, will then move through the terminals this evening with the greatest confidence on timing generally between 01Z and 04Z at KMSL and 02Z and 05Z at KHSV. Along with these showers, heavy rainfall will lead to visibilities lowering to 2SM and cigs lowering to 600 feet. This activity will push east of the area between 05Z and 06Z, with MVFR conditions persisting through 12Z. By 12Z, skies will become mostly clear, with VFR conditions expected through the remainder of the period. In addition to the MVFR conditions and potential for thunderstorms, winds will remain breezy for much of the period, with winds gusting up to 20 to 25 mph this afternoon through Sunday morning. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. TN...NONE. && NEAR TERM...73 SHORT TERM...73 LONG TERM...73 AVIATION...73 For more information please visit our website at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Huntsville AL 237 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-011145- Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan- Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN- 237 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north Alabama and portions of southern middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Tonight... Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible this afternoon into tonight as a cold front approaches and then moves across the region. A few strong to severe thunderstorms could produce wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph and large hail. A brief weak tornado cannot be ruled out, mainly in northwestern Alabama. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday... The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. Breezy conditions are expected to develop on Sunday behind the cold front. Winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 30 to 35 mph are expected. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is not anticipated at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
217 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019
ALZ002-003-302030-
Franklin AL-Colbert AL-
217 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN COLBERT AND
NORTHWESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM CST...
At 217 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Belmont, or near Red Bay, moving east at 60 mph.
Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Red Bay, Pleasant Site, Pogo, Mynot, Cedar Creek Reservoir and
Dempsey.
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 3450 8815 3461 8814 3468 8797 3448 8788
3445 8816
TIME...MOT...LOC 2017Z 249DEG 53KT 3450 8820
KTWSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Huntsville AL 359 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 ALZ005-006-009-TNZ096-097-302230- Madison AL-Limestone AL-Jackson AL-Franklin TN-Lincoln TN- 359 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN JACKSON...NORTHERN MADISON...NORTHEASTERN LIMESTONE...SOUTHEASTERN LINCOLN AND SOUTHWESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM CST... At 358 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Harvest, or 9 miles west of Meridianville, moving east at 60 mph. Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Northern Huntsville, Madison, Moores Mill, Meridianville, Hazel Green, Huntland, Skyline, Harvest, Alabama A And M University and New Market. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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 3483 8611 3470 8680 3491 8689 3517 8621 TIME...MOT...LOC 2158Z 250DEG 54KT 3485 8673 KDW
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Huntsville AL 400 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 ALZ001-002-005-302245- Lauderdale AL-Limestone AL-Colbert AL- 400 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR LAUDERDALE AND NORTHERN COLBERT COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM CST... At 400 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7 miles west of Underwood-Petersville, moving east at 75 mph. Pea to dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Killen, Lexington, St. Florian, Underwood-Petersville, Anderson and Waterloo. LAT...LON 3501 8809 3499 8702 3468 8779 3495 8817 TIME...MOT...LOC 2158Z 247DEG 64KT 3491 8782 KTW
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
427 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019
ALZ006-009-TNZ097-302300-
Madison AL-Jackson AL-Franklin TN-
427 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN JACKSON...NORTHEASTERN
MADISON AND SOUTHERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 500 PM CST...
At 427 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles east of New Market, moving east at 55 mph.
Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Winchester, Bridgeport, Cowan, Huntland, New Market, Anderson, Hytop,
Bass, Princeton and Plevna.
LAT...LON 3492 8566 3481 8632 3499 8648 3499 8632
3507 8632 3521 8600 3509 8586 3499 8586
3499 8574
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 259DEG 49KT 3490 8628
KTWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
451 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019
ALZ001-002-004-302315-
Lawrence AL-Lauderdale AL-Colbert AL-
451 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN LAUDERDALE...
SOUTHEASTERN COLBERT AND NORTHWESTERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM
CST...
At 450 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Tuscumbia, moving east at 45 mph.
Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Rogersville, Town
Creek, Littleville, Leighton, Courtland and North Courtland.
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.
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 3480 8779 3486 8724 3480 8723 3479 8726
3477 8728 3476 8726 3476 8723 3456 8721
3462 8782
TIME...MOT...LOC 2250Z 267DEG 41KT 3469 8775
KTWThe Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 110 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:57 UTC.
11 flash flood, 2 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Flooding was reported at the intersection of N Commons Street and N Cave Street. Depth of water unknown.
Flooding along Woodward Avenue in Muscle Shoals. Depth of water unknown.
Flooding near the intersection of Seville Street and Gresham Road.
Flooding was reported near the 700 block of 2nd Street.
Flooding was reported in the 100 block of Oak Drive.
Rose Street in Rogersville was flooded. Depth of water unknown.
Flooding along Chisholm Road near the intersection of Gresham Road.
Flooding at the intersection of Underwood Mountain Road and Frankfort Road.
Flooding reported at the intersection of Jarmon Road and Hatton School Road. Depth of water unknown.
Flooding at the corner of N. Jackson Highway and Martin Avenue. Depth of water unknown.
Report of a car stranded in floodwaters at Bethel Road and Oak Grove Road. Depth of water unknown.
Flooding reported at the intersection of 2nd Street and County Line Road. Depth of water unknown.
Flooding was reported at the intersection of Virginia and 9th Street. Depth of water unknown.
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, November 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: 867658, 867659, 867660, 867661, 867662, 867663, 867664, 867665, 867666, 867671, 867672, 867668, 867670.