A cluster of thunderstorms developed in southern middle Tennessee during the late afternoon hours and dropped southeast into far northwest and north central Alabama. One of the thunderstorms produced wind damage in Lauderdale County.
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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.
A cluster of thunderstorms developed in southern middle Tennessee during the late afternoon hours and dropped southeast into far northwest and north central Alabama. One of the thunderstorms produced wind damage in Lauderdale County.
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 Apr 8, 2:14 PM CST, 3 hours 13 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 314 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020 .NEAR TERM...(Tonight) Issued at 314 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020 Current surface observations indicate that modest southwesterly flow and warm air advection in the boundary layer have forced temperatures to warm into the m-u 70s as of this writing. The combination of increasing temperatures and persistent moisture advection (with dewpoints now in the m-u 60s) will continue to destabilize the local atmosphere, especially as lapse rates steepen in the mid-levels, and this should support the development of scattered thunderstorms late this afternoon as a slightly more pronounced mid-level disturbance crosses the region in west- northwest flow aloft. Deep-layer bulk shear in the 55-65 knot range, coupled with moderate instability (characterized by MUCAPE in the 2000-3000 J/kg range) will remain supportive of organized/severe thunderstorms producing large hail and damaging winds through early this evening, before activity dissipates across the eastern portion of the CWFA shortly after sunset. Otherwise, our attention will turn to a deepening 500-mb vort max embedded within a broader northern stream trough currently digging southeastward into the northern Plains. As this feature tracks eastward across southern Ontario, the associated surface cyclone will intensify, sending a cold front southeastward into the TN Valley early Thursday morning. Given limited synoptic scale forcing for ascent across our region, it appears as if a broken line of convection forced by both the cold front and convective outflow will shift rapidly southeastward, likely entering the northwest portion of the CWFA between 05-06Z, and exiting the southeastern counties by 09-10Z. However, it is also important to note that several CAMs are also indicating potential impacts from convection that should develop across the Ozark Plateau later this afternoon, and this may result in storm impacts a bit earlier than currently anticipated (perhaps by mid-evening). Regardless of which scenario plays out, most of the forecast area will experience at least some measurable rainfall from this event, and we have increased POPs accordingly. Although forecast soundings depict the development of a nocturnal inversion and considerable amounts of CINH as the boundary layer begins to cool early this evening, very steep lapse rates aloft and strong bulk shear in the 55-65 knot range will remain supportive of severe thunderstorms overnight. The orientation and magnitude of the low-level wind profile suggests that the tornado threat will be fairly low, at least compared to the threat for large hail and damaging winds (both of which could be significant given long/straight hodographs and the potential for splitting supercells). The threat for thunderstorms will end for the southeastern zones by 10Z if not sooner, with broken low stratus clouds offsetting modest CAA, and temps falling into the mid 50s. .SHORT TERM...(Thursday through Friday night) Issued at 314 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020 Latest global model consensus indicates that deep-layer flow will continue to gradually veer to the northwest on Thursday and Thursday night, as a deepening vort max (initially over southern Ontario) pivots northeastward into northern New England and eventually carves out a broad longwave trough over the eastern CONUS. Although modest low-level CAA will occur during the day on Thursday, abundant insolation during the late morning/afternoon hours should allow temps to reach the u60s-l70s in valley locations and l-m 60s in elevated terrain. However, a reinforcing surge of colder/drier air will arrive early Friday morning, as the axis of the broader longwave trough crosses the region. A subtle increase in synoptic scale ascent related to this feature will provide an increase in mid/high-level cloud cover, but profiles remain too dry for the inclusion of any shower activity with the passage of the reinforcing cold front. With stronger CAA in the wake of the secondary front forcing lows into the u30s-l40s Friday morning, temperatures will have difficulty reaching the m-u 50s on Friday afternoon, and this could set the stage for frost across portions of the region Friday night/Saturday morning, as a surface ridge spreads eastward into the southern Appalachians and provides ideal conditions for radiational cooling. .LONG TERM...(Saturday through Tuesday) Issued at 314 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020 On Saturday, high pressure overhead will begin to shift eastward ahead of a deepening upper trough across the desert southwest. Under partly cloudy skies, afternoon temperatures rise up into the upper 60s to near 70. The upper trough will continue to move east throughout the day and by the evening a SFC low will develop across TX. Rain and thunderstorm chances increase starting late Saturday night as a warm front lifts northeastward through the Tennessee Valley. By Sunday, the aformentioned low pressure system ejects north and east through northern Alabama and southern Tennessee with a cold front swinging through by the late afternoon into the evening. While model guidance has generally honed in on the timing of this system, there are considerable differences in the position and track of the low pressure system. The GFS at the moment is an outlier with a more southern track compared to the Canadian and ECMWF based on the latest operational runs. A southern track would limit the severe potential to our south, whereas if it were to move farther to the north, greater instability would be able to filter into the region bringing an increased risk for all modes of severe weather. Given the differences in models, will only mention strong to severe storms in the HWO at this time. However, the biggest concern may be the heavy rain with the potential for 1-2" by Monday morning. Dry weather returns Monday and Tuesday with high pressure once again positioned overhead. Much cooler air advects into the region behind a secondary cold front Monday night. Highs on Tuesday and Wednesday will only be in the low to mid 60s with overnight lows in the lower 40s. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Thursday afternoon) Issued at 102 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020 Although morning BR/DZ has now ended at the terminals, low stratus clouds will be slower to lift/scatter, based on latest trends in visible satellite imagery and model guidance. However, we have indicated a return to VFR conditions by 20Z/MSL and 21Z/HSV, and also introduced VCTS as scattered convection should develop by late aftn as an upper-lvl disturbance approaches from the west and the local airmass destabilizes. It appears as if any afternoon SHRA/TSRA will end by 00Z/MSL and 01Z/HSV, although a second and more significant round of storms will occur early Thursday morning as a cold front shifts southeastward into the region. Latest model consensus suggests that this activity (likely in the form of a broken squall line) will impact MSL/05-08Z and HSV/06-09Z, and TEMPO groups have been added accordingly. It is worth noting that a brief period of enhanced LLWS may also occur late this evening/early Thursday morning, but conditions are too marginal to include LLWS in the TAFs attm. MVFR stratus will build southward in the wake of the front, but should lift/scatter by 14-15Z as low-level flow increases from the NNW. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. TN...NONE. && NEAR TERM...70/DD SHORT TERM...70/DD LONG TERM...GH AVIATION...70/DD For more information please visit our website at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Huntsville AL 331 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-091130- Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan- Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN- 331 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central Alabama, northeast Alabama, northwest Alabama and southern middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Remainder of this afternoon and tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop across the outlook area late this afternoon, before diminishing in coverage and intensity shortly after sunset. Another round of more widespread thunderstorm activity associated with a cold front is expected to impact region early Thursday morning. Conditions will be favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms with both events. Although a brief tornado may occur with any supercells that develop, the main threats with the storms will be hail stones up to 2 inches in diameter and damaging wind gusts of 60 to 70 MPH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. A strong upper-level trough will move across the Deep South region Sunday into Sunday night. Scattered thunderstorms will be possible, especially Sunday afternoon and evening when a few strong to severe storms may be possible. Heavy rainfall is also expected with this system and rises on area rivers may be possible early next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is possible late this afternoon, and again early Thursday morning. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. 70/DD
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
546 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020
ALZ005-006-082330-
Madison AL-Limestone AL-
546 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN MADISON AND
NORTHEASTERN LIMESTONE COUNTIES UNTIL 630 PM CDT...
At 545 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles south of Pulaski, moving southeast at 35 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Athens, Ardmore, Harvest, Elkmont, Lester, Toney, Holland Gin, Mt
Rozell and Leggtown.
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.
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 3499 8678 3494 8661 3477 8689 3498 8721
3500 8721
TIME...MOT...LOC 2245Z 303DEG 30KT 3501 8710
09The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 126 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:27 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was knocked down at 501 Spring Wood Court.
A tree was knocked down on CR 89 at CR 50.
A tree was knocked down on CR 89 at CR 76.
A tree was knocked down on CR 545 between CR 50 and CR 76.
Thunderstorm winds partially knocked down a wood fence. A few shingles were blown off of the roof of a home. A large tree was knocked down near Turner Lindsey Road. Time estimated from radar.
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: 888697, 888695, 888696, 888701, 888647.