A powerful storm system swept across the southeast states through the day and into the evening on the 19th. Ahead of this system a warm front brought a very warm, moist and unstable air mass northward across the area.
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.
A powerful storm system swept across the southeast states through the day and into the evening on the 19th. Ahead of this system a warm front brought a very warm, moist and unstable air mass northward across the area. Numerous thunderstorms develop along and south of the warm front and became severe, producing wind damage tornadoes and large hail.
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 Apr 19, 12:25 PM CST, 3 hours earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Mobile AL
125 PM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020
.AVIATION...
18Z issuance...Strong south to southwest winds will occur across
the North Central Gulf Coast region today and tonight. Sustained
winds between 16 to 21 knots with frequent gusts to between 25 to
30 knots will impact all of our TAF sites until the passage of a
cold front late tonight. A Wind Advisory is in effect for the
area. A mix of VFR and MVFR ceilings will prevail through this
afternoon, followed by prevailing MVFR ceilings across the entire
region tonight ahead of the approaching cold front. Occasional IFR
ceilings and IFR/MVFR visibilities will be likely in an near
showers and thunderstorms as they expand in coverage this
afternoon through the evening hours. Strong and erratic damaging
wind gusts along with large hail will also occur with many of the
severe thunderstorms. Tornadoes are also possible, and a Tornado
Watch will likely be issued later today. /22
&&
.NEAR TERM /Now Through Monday/...The forecast for this afternoon
through the overnight hours required only minor changes at this
time. The only changes to the hazards expected across the forecast
area were to increase sustained winds and wind gusts an additional
5 mph. So the Wind Advisory, updated this morning, now mentions
south to southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 35 mph
until 1 AM CDT Monday. This advisory may need to be expanded in
time. Also updated the Small Craft Advisory to now include
northern Mobile Bay, Perdido Bay, Pensacola Bay System, and
Choctawhatchee Bay for tonight. Overall expect south to southwest
winds 18 to 25 kt with gusts to 30 to 35 knots, along with seas
building to 5 to 9 feet and waves 2 to 3 feet. There is currently
a Tornado Watch to our west bordering the northwest portion of our
forecast area. A Tornado Watch will likely be issued later today.
Showers and thunderstorms will expand in coverage this afternoon
and evening as a shortwave trough exiting the central/southern
Plains moves over the Lower Missouri Valley/ArkLaTex region by
early this evening, then eastward across the Tennessee Valley and
adjacent central Gulf Coast states late tonight into early Monday
morning. The models have the associated surface low pressure
system forming across northeast Texas advancing eastward across
the Lower Mississippi Valley by early this evening, then eastward
into the central portions of MS/AL by late this evening. Surface
dewpoints are already in the upper 60s to lower 70s along and
south of U.S. Highway 84, with surface temperatures in the warm
sector already in the upper 70s to mid 80s. Temperatures north of
the warm front are still mainly in the 60s. We still expect a
significant severe weather event to impact our area starting mid
to late afternoon as large scale ascent overspreads our region
ahead of the approaching shortwave trough and surface low, and as
deep-layer flow strengthens in the moist and unstable airmass.
MLCAPE values along and south of U.S. Highway are already in the
2500-3000 J/kg range. A southwesterly 925 mb jet will increase to
40-55 knots later this afternoon into this evening, favorable for
supercells and bowing segments and an associated threat of
damaging winds over 70 mph. In addition, 0-3 km SRH values will
continue to increase to between 300-500 m2/s2 in the highly
unstable airmass, creating an environment favorable for tornadoes.
A couple of strong (EF2+) tornadoes will be possible this
afternoon into mid evening, especially over interior southeast MS
and southwest/south central AL within the SPC Moderate Risk area.
Large hail will also be possible with strong updrafts courtesy of
the steep mid-level lapse rates. Eventually, thunderstorms are
expected to grow upscale into a squall line or QLCS structure and
push through the area tonight. Damaging straight line winds over
70 mph will be the biggest threat, though tornadoes associated
with mesovortices embedded within the line will remain possible.
The severe threat diminishes west of I-65 by 1 AM, and east of
I-65 around 4 to 5 AM CDT as the squall line departs to the east.
Heavy rainfall will also be a concern over our far northern zones
where the potential for 2-3" of rain with locally higher amounts
as multiple rounds of storms move across this part of the region.
A Flash Flood Watch continues for Choctaw, Clarke, Wilcox, Monroe,
Conecuh, Butler, and Crenshaw counties where confidence in heavy
rainfall and a potential flash flood threat remains highest. A
high risk of rip currents along the beaches has been extended
through Monday night. /22/49/21
&&
.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Monday for ALZ051>060-261>266.
Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for ALZ051-053>058.
High Rip Current Risk through late Monday night for ALZ265-266.
FL...Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Monday for FLZ201>206.
High Rip Current Risk through late Monday night for FLZ202-204-
206.
MS...Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Monday for MSZ067-075-076-078-079.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM CDT Monday for GMZ670-675.
Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM CDT Monday for GMZ631-632-650-
655.
Small Craft Advisory from 7 PM this evening to 6 AM CDT Monday
for GMZ630-633>636.
&&
This product is also available on the web at:
http://weather.gov/mobHazardous Weather Outlook...Corrected National Weather Service Mobile AL 607 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020 ALZ265-266-FLZ202-204-206-201115- Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal-Escambia Coastal-Santa Rosa Coastal- Okaloosa Coastal- 607 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020 ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE MONDAY NIGHT... ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 1 AM CDT MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Alabama and northwest Florida. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/mob (see Fast Access Product Section) for more information about the following hazards. High Rip Current Risk. Wind Advisory. Numerous showers and thunderstorms will spread over the region today and tonight. Some storms are expected to become severe. All modes of severe weather including damaging winds, tornadoes, and quarter size or larger hail will be possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/mob (see Fast Access Product Section) for more information about the following hazards. High Rip Current Risk. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed today and tonight. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. ALZ052-059-060-261>264-FLZ201-203-205-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-201115- Washington-Escambia-Covington-Mobile Inland-Baldwin Inland- Mobile Central-Baldwin Central-Escambia Inland-Santa Rosa Inland- Okaloosa Inland-Wayne-Perry-Greene-Stone-George- 607 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 1 AM CDT MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Alabama, southwest Alabama, northwest Florida and southeast Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/mob (see Fast Access Product Section) for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. Numerous showers and thunderstorms will spread over the region today and tonight. Some storms are expected to become severe. All modes of severe weather including damaging winds, tornadoes, and quarter size or larger hail will be possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed today into tonight. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. ALZ051-053>058-201115- Choctaw-Clarke-Wilcox-Monroe-Conecuh-Butler-Crenshaw- 607 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 1 AM CDT MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Alabama and southwest Alabama. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/mob (see Fast Access Product Section) for more information about the following hazards. Flash Flood Watch. Wind Advisory. Numerous showers and thunderstorms will spread over the region today and tonight. Some storms are expected to become severe. All modes of severe weather including damaging winds, tornadoes, and quarter size or larger hail will be possible. Locally heavy rainfall may result in instances of flooding over lower lying areas subject to poor drainage. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed today into tonight. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. GMZ630-633>636-201115- Northern Mobile Bay-Perdido Bay-Pensacola Bay System- Western Choctawhatchee Bay-Eastern Choctawhatchee Bay- 607 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the coastal waters of Alabama and northwest Florida. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Small craft should exercise caution due to moderate to strong southerly winds through tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. GMZ631-632-650-655-670-675-201115- Southern Mobile Bay-Mississippi Sound- 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- 607 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2020 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 AM CDT MONDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the coastal waters of Alabama and northwest Florida. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/mob (see Fast Access Product Section) for more information about the following hazards. Small Craft Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov/mob (see Fast Access Product Section) for more information about the following hazards. Small Craft Advisory.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
317 PM CDT SUN APR 19 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0235 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 70 S PALMETTO BEACH 29.23N 87.78W
04/19/2020 M58 MPH GMZ670 AL AWOS
AWOS STATION KVOA VIOSCA KNOLL768. SEVERAL
WIND GUSTS OVER 50 MPH FROM A CLUSTER OF
SHOWERS. STATION IS ELEVATED AND HAS AN
ELEVATION OF 160 METERS (525 FEET). ALSO
SUSTAINED WINDS NEAR 50 MPH.
&&
BBThe Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 157 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:21 UTC.
22 thunderstorm wind, 5 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees on Ruffintown Road.
Numerous trees were downed all across the northern part of Butler County due to a severe thunderstorm.
Trees were downed near Highland Home and Lapine.
Thunderstorm wind gusts downed trees on Tanglewood Road.
Severe thunderstorm wind gusts downed trees on Highway 17 just south of Tibbie.
A severe thunderstorm wind gust caused damage to a roof of a local restaurant.
Severe thunderstorm wind gusts downed tress on I-65 near the Owassa community.
A severe thunderstorm downed numerous trees west and southwest of Rutledge.
A storm survey identified a one mile area of significant straight line wind damage near the Gantt and Heath areas. Winds were estimated to be between 80 to 90 mph. These winds rolled over a single wide manufactured home, injuring 2 occupants. Numerous trees were downed or snapped and several power lines were downed as well.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees across Luverne and Rutledge.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed multiple trees near Andalusia.
Numerous trees were downed in the Petrey and Patsburg communities due to a severe thunderstorm.
Multiple trees were downed by a severe thunderstorm just north of Dozier.
Numerous trees were downed by a severe thunderstorm between Brantley and Luverne.
A tornado touched down just to the northwest of County Road 70|and traveled approximately one and a quarter of a mile towards|the southeast. The tornado rapidly intensified after touchdown|and produced EF-2 damage. A stand of pine trees were snapped|near the bases with no tree left undamaged. The tornado then|widened and severely damaged a duplex, sweeping it from its|foundation with portions of the debris lofted across C.R. 70|approximately 75 yards away. The duplex did not have proper|anchoring to the slab. A nearby concrete block workshop was|also destroyed with the roof removed and 26 foot high concrete|block walls toppled. A storage unit to the south was also|completely destroyed. This damage was assessed as EF-2 tornado|intensity.
Across C.R. 70, another single family home was significantly|damaged. Large portions of the roof were removed along with|partial wall failure. Doors and windows were blown in at the|home. This damage was assessed as EF-1 intensity.
The tornado continued southeastward and heavily damaged|another stand of mixed softwood and hardwood trees, with many|of them snapped either near the base or one quarter of the|way up. This damage was assessed as EF-2 tornado intensity.|Immediately beyond the tree damage was a metal garage building|where the roof was partially removed and a complete wall was|ripped off.
The tornado traveled farther southeast through a wooded area|and came out into a pasture where it severely damaged and|destroyed 4 large chicken houses. The chicken house walls were|bolted into the foundation and were completely removed in|several locations. This tornado damage was assessed at EF-2|intensity.
The tornado began to weaken as it crossed Harmony Church Road|and dissipated just to the southeast where trees were snapped|and uprooted just prior to the end of the tornado track. EF-1|damage was assessed prior to tornado dissipation.
ASOS K79J measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph.
The tornado touched down just west of North Grand Bay Wilmer|Road and continued east-southeast to Eliza Jordan Road South,|then turned toward the southeast crossing over Airport Boulevard.|The most significant damage occurred after the tornado crossed|Airport Blvd. in the Wakefield and Dominion Subdivisions where|many homes suffered damage to roofs, siding, gutters, chimneys,|and porches. Numerous fences were brought down as well. The|tornado continued southeast before finally lifting just south|of Cottage Hill Road. Numerous trees were either snapped or|uprooted along the entire path.
The tornado touched down just east of the Alabama/Mississippi state|line and tracked eastward before quickly lifting after it crossed|Tom Gaston Road. The tornado first toppled an irrigation watering|system, and then passed through two private residential properties|where it destroyed a barn, along with numerous broken branches and|a few snapped trees. The most significant damage occurred shortly|after to a private industrial property where three silos and a barn|were destroyed, three empty semi trailers were tipped over, and one|door of a large metal building was blown in and the other blown out.
The tornado touched down just south of Hitt Road in the Smithfield|Subdivision and tracked southeast, crossing over the intersection of|Cody and Grelot Roads. It continued to move toward the southeast|across Hillcrest Road and Cottage Hill Road, and then finally lifted|just before reaching Knollwood Drive. Mostly tree damage occurred|with this tornado with numerous branches broken, with the most damage|occurring from Hillcrest Road until the tornado lifted where several|trees were snapped or uprooted. Some houses suffered structural damage|that were impacted by falling limbs or trees, and many fences were|brought down as well. Sporadic wind damage occurred from Knollwood|Drive to Government Boulevard after the tornado lifted.
NWS storm survey found the damage in the Spanish Fort area along and just north of Highway 31 was from straight line winds of 70-80 mph. Several trees were downed in the area, including one large tree on an apartment complex building on Stagecoach Road. Fence damage was also noted along with some minor roof damage to a few buildings.
A line of severe thunderstorms downed several trees in the Irvington area. A gazebo was also destroyed.
A line of severe thunderstorms downed numerous trees in the area. One tree landed on a residence.
USA CHILI mesonet site in Loxley measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 74 mph.
A NWS storm survey found straight line wind damage in in the Point Clear and Fairhope areas. Several trees were downed in the Battles Rd and Old Battles Road areas with sporadic tree damage noted further east along County Road 32, east of US Highway 98.
A line of severe thunderstorms downed numerous trees across Huxford.
The tornado touched down just west of Cowpen Creek Road and|continued east-southeast across the road. Numerous large|pines were snapped along the path. A couple of mobile homes|suffered damage to roofs, siding, and skirting. An RV camper|was picked up by the tornado and destroyed. One individual|suffered minor injuries. The tornado lifted just west of|Burgett Lane. Straight line wind damage continued farther|east-southeast across Burgett Lane and County Road 87.
Amateur radio operated reported 60 mph winds in Coden.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Alabama, 2020Warnings in Alabama, April 2020
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: 887954, 887957, 887962, 887966, 887968, 887973, 887980, 887983, 887986, 887987, 887988, 887989, 887990, 887991, 886640, 886951, 886645, 886641, 886644, 888052, 888054, 888058, 888063, 888069, 888072, 886646, 888210.