Two waves of severe weather occurred on April 23rd, one during the early morning hours and another in the afternoon. The first event was characterized by a stable low level air mass, with strong shear and moderate instability aloft.
Every event with a place to put it; 10 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 BMX wrote it up.
Two waves of severe weather occurred on April 23rd, one during the early morning hours and another in the afternoon. The first event was characterized by a stable low level air mass, with strong shear and moderate instability aloft. A wake low or gravity wave developed within or near the back edge of a rain shield, and produced wind damage. Clearing across west Alabama allowed for destabilization of the air mass and a line of severe storms developed across southwest Alabama.
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 Birmingham, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 23, 2:28 AM CST, 1 hour 8 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 328 AM CDT Thu Apr 23 2020 .SHORT TERM... /Updated at 0327 AM CDT Thu Apr 23 2020/ Well here we are, the event is upon us and there are still some uncertainties in place. The good news is that most of the model solutions have a good handle on the timing through the afternoon. Provides a little more confidence on the system moving through and exiting later this evening. Could still see some wrap around rain and perhaps a thunderstorm through Midnight in the east. Questions for the forecast that still have not really been resolved is the severe potential. There is still quite a bit of concern on how much of the instability can actually be realized and how far north will the actual potential be. Some of the more robust and convective enhanced models are placing much of the south and east in a very high range for CAPE and overall instability. Other solutions, which have handled the last several events quite well, continue to keep the best dynamics well in our southeast through the afternoon. So let's take a look at the overall evolution of the pattern. We are currently seeing round one moving into the area. A few stronger storms have already impacted far southwestern counties with additional storms moving in shortly. This first wave will slide east through the morning and should in our eastern counties by late morning. Right now we only have elevated storms associated with the activity as the warm front is still to our sw. Right now we are concerned with any activity that may move into or develop near the US 80/ I-85 corridor through the morning for damaging straight line winds and hail through 10 AM. The chance for a tornado remains low until the front get closer to the region, so later this morning. As this wave moves out, there will be somewhat of a lull in activity as the warm front continues to lift northward and the cold front approaches the area. This is where the forecast begins to get a little a tricky. There should be some clearing in the southwest and temperatures will try to climb into the upper 70s as a strong southwesterly wind increases over the area. The problem here will be how far north will the richest airmass work before the cold front moves through. That is where the models begin to differ and thus a very wide range of available CAPE for instability. At this time the threats will be from Noon to 7 PM with the front, while the potential increases the further east you get. The highest potential for severe weather will be generally along and south of the I-20 corridor through the afternoon. As we move through the day several meso-scale updates will be done as the information becomes available and will adjust the timing as needed. Once the front works through, we will see the upper level feature work through across the north. This will generate some lighter rain into the evening hours across the north. Any precipitation should be done and out of the area by 4 AM. Lows overnight will drop into the 50s. 16 .LONG TERM... /Updated at 0327 AM CDT Thu Apr 23 2020/ Friday through Thursday. Dry conditions will be in place on Friday and then a quick moving cold front will move through on through Friday night into Saturday. A few thunderstorms will be possible overnight in the north, but severe weather is not anticipated with this system. Dry weather returns on Sunday and last through Tuesday. Another system will then work into the area late Tuesday into Wednesday. Will need to keep an eye on this system as the time frame get closer for strong to severe storms as we will see an increase in moisture and instability with it. 16 && .AVIATION... 06Z TAF Discussion. A low pressure system will move from near KS/OK/AR/MO to the Virginias today. It will drag a front across C AL this afternoon/ evening. Ahead of it, showers and thunderstorms will move across the area now through early this evening. Showers have become more widespread with cigs lowering, but they are still VFR. We have a few thunderstorms embedded, but most of the TS is still in MS. That should increase from the west over the next few hours. The TS will mainly be in the NW 1/2 of state in the pre-dawn hours. The activity will spread southeast during the morning and afternoon. MVFR conditions develop as it does so, first in W AL and spread across the whole area. Some IFR is possible but more MVFR is expected. During the afternoon, VFR cigs should work their way in from SW to NE across the state as storms continues SE. The activity will come to an end from west to east during the evening. Winds will be gusty in and out of convection. AMD NOT SKED is mentioned at ASN for continued comms issues. 08 && .FIRE WEATHER... Heavy rain and thunderstorms will be possible through this afternoon, with lighter rain tonight. Dry conditions return for Friday, but rain chances will return to start the weekend as a quick moving front slides across the north. Dry conditions and sub 35 percent RH will return for the first of the week. Another strong storm system is expected Tuesday night through Wednesday with more heavy rains and thunderstorms. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 73 54 75 54 75 / 100 50 0 20 40 Anniston 73 55 76 55 76 / 100 50 0 20 30 Birmingham 75 55 77 58 76 / 100 50 0 30 30 Tuscaloosa 78 54 78 59 78 / 100 40 0 30 20 Calera 75 54 76 58 77 / 100 50 0 20 20 Auburn 75 56 76 56 78 / 100 50 0 0 10 Montgomery 77 57 79 58 81 / 100 40 0 0 10 Troy 76 59 80 59 83 / 100 40 0 0 10 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/... Flash Flood Watch through this evening for the following counties: Autauga...Bibb...Chilton...Dallas...Elmore...Greene... Hale...Lowndes...Marengo...Montgomery...Perry...Pickens... Sumter...Tuscaloosa. Wind Advisory until noon CDT today for the following counties: Autauga...Barbour...Bibb...Blount...Bullock...Calhoun... Chambers...Cherokee...Chilton...Clay...Cleburne...Coosa... Dallas...Elmore...Etowah...Fayette...Greene...Hale...Jefferson... Lamar...Lee...Lowndes...Macon...Marengo...Marion...Montgomery... Perry...Pickens...Pike...Randolph...Russell...Shelby...St. Clair...Sumter...Talladega...Tallapoosa...Tuscaloosa...Walker... Winston. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Birmingham AL 400 AM CDT Thu Apr 23 2020 ALZ011>015-017>050-241200- Marion-Lamar-Fayette-Winston-Walker-Blount-Etowah-Calhoun-Cherokee- Cleburne-Pickens-Tuscaloosa-Jefferson-Shelby-St. Clair-Talladega- Clay-Randolph-Sumter-Greene-Hale-Perry-Bibb-Chilton-Coosa-Tallapoosa- Chambers-Marengo-Dallas-Autauga-Lowndes-Elmore-Montgomery-Macon- Bullock-Lee-Russell-Pike-Barbour- 400 AM CDT Thu Apr 23 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the National Weather Service office in Birmingham. .DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight. There is a chance of severe storms this morning through 10 AM CDT, mainly south of a line from Demopolis to Auburn. Additional severe storms are possible this afternoon, mainly along and south of I-20. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes are possible. Winds outside of storms could gust to near 35 mph this morning. Heavy rain and localized flash flooding will also be possible, especially south and west of a Tuscaloosa to Montgomery line. Minor river flooding will continue across the southern half of Central Alabama. Please see flood statements for specific details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Minor to moderate river flooding will continue through the week. Please see flood statements for specific details. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management may be needed today. Please follow all local, state, and CDC guidelines in regards to travel.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
145 AM CDT Thu Apr 23 2020
ALZ023-030>032-230730-
Greene AL-Hale AL-Sumter AL-Tuscaloosa AL-
145 AM CDT Thu Apr 23 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN TUSCALOOSA...
GREENE...NORTHERN HALE AND CENTRAL SUMTER COUNTIES UNTIL 230 AM
CDT...
At 145 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Boligee, or 12 miles northeast of Livingston, moving northeast at 45
mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Eutaw, Moundville, Forkland, Akron, Boligee, Union, Gainesville,
Epes, Walden Quarters, West Greene, Thornhill, Wedgeworth, Mantua,
Allison, Jena, Sawyerville, Knoxville, Evansville, Snoddy and Ralph.
LAT...LON 3307 8800 3312 8793 3315 8784 3317 8783
3304 8737 3301 8739 3300 8742 3297 8742
3262 8790 3271 8828
TIME...MOT...LOC 0645Z 232DEG 41KT 3275 8808
86/MartinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
327 AM CDT Thu Apr 23 2020
ALZ030-230915-
Sumter AL-
327 AM CDT Thu Apr 23 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN SUMTER COUNTY UNTIL 415
AM CDT...
At 324 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Zero, or near Meridian, moving east at 60 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Livingston, York, Cuba, Coatopa, Dug Hill, Kinterbish, Old Mallard
Airport, Belmont, Demopolis Lock And Dam, Lilita, McDowell, Bellamy,
I 20 Welcome Center At Cuba, Ward and Whitfield.
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.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Birmingham.
&&
LAT...LON 3252 8839 3263 8791 3262 8791 3262 8789
3259 8790 3258 8788 3254 8787 3252 8784
3252 8791 3246 8796 3244 8803 3242 8804
3238 8804 3237 8802 3234 8799 3235 8797
3231 8794 3231 8842
TIME...MOT...LOC 0824Z 262DEG 51KT 3235 8863
40/SizemoreThe Birmingham radar (KBMX), 92 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:06 UTC.
10 high wind, 4 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous trees uprooted across southern Hale County between Gallion and Newbern due to a gravity wave event.
Numerous trees uprooted across Perry County due to a gravity wave event.
Several trees uprooted in the city of Vestavia Hills due to a wake low event.
Numerous trees uprooted across Shelby County due to a wake low event.
Several trees uprooted near the intersection of County Road 45 and Knight Place Road. Gravity wave event.
Several trees uprooted near Hokes Bluff due to wake low event.
Numerous trees uprooted across Cherokee County due to a wake low event.
Several trees uprooted at the intersection of Highway 331 and Pleasant Grove Road due to gravity wave event.
Numerous trees uprooted between Dadeville and New Site due to a wake low event.
Numerous trees uprooted across eastern Calhoun County due to a wake low event.
Numerous trees uprooted between Linden and Providence.
Several trees uprooted along Highway 219.
Several trees uprooted and power lines downed.
Several trees uprooted along County Road 163.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings 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: 890065, 890071, 890074, 890098, 890106, 890105, 890112, 890111, 890110, 890109, 890115, 890116, 890123, 890124, 890119, 890120.