Several clusters of thunderstorms developed during peak afternoon heating across southern middle Tennessee. These formed in an environment favorable for downbursts capable of damaging winds.
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.
Several clusters of thunderstorms developed during peak afternoon heating across southern middle Tennessee. These formed in an environment favorable for downbursts capable of damaging winds.
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 Sep 10, 1:50 PM CST, 1 hour 35 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 250 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019 .NEAR TERM...(Tonight) Issued at 230 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019 Temperatures have reached the lower to mid 90s in many locations near and east of I-65. This and dewpoints in the upper 60s to lower 70s have setup quite an unstable atmosphere this afternoon. SBCAPE values between 3000 and 4000 J/KG are showing up in meso-analysis at this time. With a weak boundary and convergence over northern Alabama, isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms have developed this afternoon. Expect this activity to continue into the early evening hours. With DCAPE values between 800 and 1000 J/KG and decent mid/low level lapse rates, strong storms look like a good bet this afternoon. The main threats with these storms will be locally heavy rainfall, wind gusts around 55 mph, and small hail. Cannot rule out a severe thunderstorm or two, but these should be the overall exception rather than the rule. By midnight, believe that this activity should dissipated as we lose daytime heating and the atmosphere is stabilized by ongoing convection. Clear skies after midnight should allow temperatures to drop into the upper 60s/lower 70s. However, the cloud cover in the evening should keep fog from forming, despite some light winds. .SHORT TERM...(Wednesday through Thursday) Issued at 230 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019 This weak convergence boundary moves north into Kentucky and Tennessee on Wednesday, so left out precipitation chances on Wednesday. Overall, high temperatures should remain in the mid 90s, with some afternoon cumulus development expected. However, it still looks very humid with afternoon dewpoints values remaining in the lower 70s primarily. So heat index values look to remain between 100 and 104 degrees. Could see a few 105 values, but not enough to warrant a heat advisory at this time. Not much change in the overnight conditions Wednesday night, with a humid airmass still in place and lows only drop into the upper 60s/lower 70s. Several models forecast the upper ridge to strengthen more right over the Tennessee Valley on Thursday. 925 mb temperatures also climb a bit higher to between 25 and 27 degrees again. Believe that a return to highs in the mid to upper 90s will be the result over northern Alabama. It looks as though enough mixing of drier air will occur to keep dewpoints a bit lower and keep heat index values between 100 and 104 degrees on Thursday. .LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Monday) Issued at 230 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019 Lows around 70 degrees are expected Thursday night. Friday looks very similar and may be a tad hotter but drier. Wouldn't be surprised to see a 99 high or two. Again heat index values in the afternoon will be close to advisory criteria but likely still between 100 and 104. Friday night into the weekend, a frontal boundary and boundary ahead of it push southeast and into northern Alabama. How much moisture that ends up along the front is a bit uncertain, but kept a 20 to 30 percent pop in Friday night into Saturday. The cloud cover and any precipitation should keep highs a bit lower in the lower to mid 90s. Drier and cooler air is expected to move into the area behind the front Saturday night into Sunday. Lows in the mid 60s to lower 70s are expected. A return to a wetter pattern may occur next week, but models are very divergent. For now went with low scattered chances of showers and precipitation. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday afternoon) Issued at 1238 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019 Though VFR conditions will prevail at both TAF sites through the period, a few showers or storms may directly impact the sites through 00Z this evening. Aside from that, clouds will clear out after sunset this evening, with SKC likely after midnight. Some patchy fog is possible at the terminals Wednesday morning, though it shouldn't be dense enough to warrant conditions below VFR. Will monitor this trend and formally include fog should rain impact the terminals this aftn. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. TN...NONE. && NEAR TERM...KTW SHORT TERM...KTW LONG TERM...KTW AVIATION...12 For more information please visit our website at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Huntsville AL 152 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-111000- Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan- Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN- 152 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north Alabama and portions of southern middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Tonight... Scattered thunderstorms are possible across the Tennessee Valley this afternoon and evening. A few of these storms may be capable of producing brief heavy rainfall, gusty winds around 55 mph, and small hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday... Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible on Friday and into the weekend, mainly during the afternoon and early evening periods. A few of these storms may again be capable of producing brief heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Additional scattered thunderstorms are possible next week. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is not anticipated at this time. 20
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
238 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019
ALZ002-102015-
Colbert AL-
238 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL COLBERT COUNTY UNTIL
315 PM CDT...
At 238 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Leighton, or 8 miles east of Muscle Shoals, moving northeast at 10
mph.
Penny size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Muscle Shoals, Leighton, Whiteoak, Ford City and Northwest Alabama
Regional Airport.
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 3481 8759 3482 8759 3483 8753 3481 8748
3480 8743 3478 8743 3477 8742 3474 8742
3474 8743 3471 8743 3464 8752 3479 8764
TIME...MOT...LOC 1938Z 235DEG 9KT 3476 8751
12Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Huntsville AL 308 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019 ALZ001-004-005-007-102045- Lawrence AL-Lauderdale AL-Morgan AL-Limestone AL- 308 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN LAUDERDALE...WESTERN LIMESTONE...NORTHWESTERN MORGAN AND NORTHEASTERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 345 PM CDT... At 306 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9 miles northeast of Courtland, or 11 miles southwest of Athens, moving north at 15 mph. Penny size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Decatur, Athens, Moulton, Trinity, Rogersville, Lexington, Courtland, North Courtland, Hillsboro and Elkmont. 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. 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. If on or near the Elk or Tennessee River, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm. && LAT...LON 3440 8708 3450 8736 3500 8739 3499 8689 TIME...MOT...LOC 2006Z 197DEG 14KT 3473 8716 25
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
342 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019
ALZ004-005-007-102130-
Lawrence AL-Morgan AL-Limestone AL-
342 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN LIMESTONE...MORGAN
AND SOUTHEASTERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM CDT...
At 341 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Decatur, moving north at 10 mph.
Penny size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Decatur, Madison, Athens, Hartselle, Priceville, Trinity, Falkville,
Tanner, Somerville and Hillsboro.
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.
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.
If on or near the Tennessee River, get out of the water and move
indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to
10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter
now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 3430 8729 3478 8715 3476 8679 3431 8680
3431 8711 3430 8711
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 199DEG 10KT 3453 8704
25Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
349 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019
ALZ009-010-102130-
DeKalb AL-Jackson AL-
349 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR JACKSON AND NORTHEASTERN DEKALB
COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM CDT...
At 348 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near and around Ider and between Scottsboro and Hytop,
moving north at 15 mph.
Penny size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Scottsboro, Fort Payne, Rainsville, Bridgeport, Henagar, Stevenson,
Sylvania, Hollywood, Powell and Skyline.
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 3449 8557 3459 8615 3460 8616 3461 8627
3495 8630 3492 8627 3493 8626 3497 8630
3499 8630 3498 8560 3453 8551
TIME...MOT...LOC 2048Z 162DEG 12KT 3469 8567
KulaSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Huntsville AL 406 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019 ALZ005>009-102145- Marshall AL-Madison AL-Morgan AL-Limestone AL-Jackson AL- 406 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN JACKSON... NORTHWESTERN MARSHALL...MADISON...EASTERN LIMESTONE AND EAST CENTRAL MORGAN COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM CDT... At 404 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms in Madison and northern Marshall Counties. These storms are slowly drifting north. Penny size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Huntsville, Madison, Moores Mill, Redstone Arsenal, Meridianville, Hazel Green, Owens Cross Roads, Grant, Gurley and Woodville. 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. 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. If on or near the Tennessee River, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm. && LAT...LON 3442 8625 3441 8680 3499 8682 3499 8631 TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 190DEG 2KT 3481 8669 25
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
419 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019
TNZ097-102200-
Franklin TN-
419 PM CDT Tue Sep 10 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY UNTIL 500 PM
CDT...
At 419 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Winchester. This storm was nearly stationary.
Penny size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Winchester, Decherd, Estill Springs, Cowan, Huntland, Sewanee, Tims
Ford Lake, Anderson, Lexie Crossroads and Harmony.
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.
If on or near Tims Ford Lake, get out of the water and move indoors
or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles
from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not
be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 3535 8608 3534 8603 3531 8600 3532 8598
3528 8591 3523 8587 3499 8587 3499 8632
3509 8632 3530 8627 3532 8624 3534 8626
3535 8622 3533 8620 3536 8617 3535 8616
3536 8616
TIME...MOT...LOC 2119Z 179DEG 2KT 3512 8611
KulaThe Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 22 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:26 UTC.
12 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A hay barn was demolished and trees were knocked down. This occurred along Farris Road just west of Rowe Gap Road/Highway 16. Time estimated by radar.
Trees were knocked down on Sullenger Bend Road. A power pole was broken on Edde Bend Road. Time estimated by radar.
Trees were knocked down on Harry Hill Road, Pleasant Hill Road, and Griffin Road. Time estimated by radar.
Trees were knocked down on Preston Ridge Road and Wet Prong Road. Time estimated by radar.
Several reports were received of trees being knocked down throughout Moore County. some of these were blocking roads. Time estimated by radar.
A tree was knocked down on Wiggins Road. Time estimated by radar.
Trees were knocked down on Spankhem Road. Time estimated by radar.
Trees were knocked down on Finney and County Line Roads. Time estimated by radar.
A ltree was knocked down on Wiggins Avenue.
Trees were knocked down on Cumberland Springs Road. Time estimated by radar.
A power pole was broken on Blackburn Hollow Road. Trees were knocked down on Rutledge Road. Time estimated by radar.
Trees were knocked down on Riddle Road. Time estimated by radar.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Tennessee in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Tennessee, September 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: 851607, 851608, 851609, 851610, 851611, 851612, 851613, 851614, 851615, 851616, 851617, 851618.