A long-lived quasi-linear convective system moved into northwest Alabama between 6 and 9 AM, and gradually tracked east across the remainder of north Alabama through the midday and early afternoon hours. In advance of the line, strong southerly winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 45 mph were reported.
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.
A long-lived quasi-linear convective system moved into northwest Alabama between 6 and 9 AM, and gradually tracked east across the remainder of north Alabama through the midday and early afternoon hours. In advance of the line, strong southerly winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 45 mph were reported. In some cases, trees and power lines were knocked down with these non-thunderstorm winds. The line of thunderstorms yielded numerous reports of thunderstorm wind damage, including trees and power lines being knocked down, along with some structural damage. A few weather stations measured wind gusts of 58 mph or higher as well. Storm surveys revealed 3 separate tornadoes: 1 EF0 and 1 EF1 in Cullman County, and 1 EF2 in Marshall County. Intense rainfall in a short period of time resulted in a few reports of brief flash flooding in northwest 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 Huntsville, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 11, 6:37 AM CST, 1 hour 13 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 637 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020 .UPDATE... For 12Z TAFS. && .NEAR TERM...(Today) Issued at 510 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020 A mid-level shortwave trough currently across west TX will continue to lift slowly northeastward into the Red River Valley this morning, while partially phasing with a northern stream wave over the upper- MS Valley. Latest guidance continues to indicate that the trough will deepen and assume a slight negative tilt today, as it advances northeastward into the mid-MS Valley, with mid/high-level south- southwesterly flow strengthening throughout the day across our region. At the surface, a low initially located across northeastern TX will also deepen as it lifts northeastward into southwestern KY/northwestern TN by 18Z and into central IN by 12/00Z. A strongly forced linear MCS along a prefrontal surface trough will shift steadily eastward through the morning hours, likely maintaining its current intensity or perhaps intensifying a bit as it encounters a plume of dewpoints in the mid 60s advecting northward beneath a 65-70 knot southerly low-level jet. Consensus model guidance incorporating both the global models and higher-resolution CAMs suggests that the initial MCS will cross the MS-AL border around 16Z (if not a bit sooner), with a secondary MCS likely to evolve and shift eastward across the remainder of the region during the afternoon hours as a mesolow forms along the surface trough. We still feel that damaging winds (perhaps as high as 70-80 MPH) will be the most common threat with the strongest convection today, although extremely high low-level shear and resultant SRH will support a threat for tornadoes both associated with mesovortices within the line and in any discrete convection that manages to develop ahead of it. Although the overall severe thunderstorm threat may be a bit higher across our southwestern zones, where dewpoints will likely reach the mid 60s, we will continue to advertise all hazards for the entire CWFA. It appears as if the threat for severe storms will rapidly end across northeast AL between 11/21Z-12/00Z as the linear system advances further eastward, but a few lingering showers will be possible in its wake through early this evening. One final note, we will make no changes to the current Wind Advisory, with all guidance indicating that the pressure gradient will diminish sufficiently by mid-evening to allow the NPW to expire at 12/03Z. .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Monday) Issued at 510 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020 The primary synoptic trough to our northwest early this evening will eject rapidly into southern Ontario overnight, with deep-layer flow veering to the west-southwest and diminishing considerably. There is some indication that a low stratus deck may persist across the TN Valley for much of the night, as a weak surface ridge moving eastward from the southern Plains will result in light/variable flow and little (if any) boundary layer mixing. Fortunately the arctic airmass associated with this ridge (currently building into the southern Plains) will modify quite a bit upon reaching our CWFA, with lows only falling into the lower 40s. Stratus clouds should mix out after sunrise Sunday morning, with pleasantly mild temps in the u50s- l60s anticipated as low-level flow returns to the south- southeast downstream from another shortwave trough lifting northeastward from the southern Rockies into the central Plains. Both high and low-level cloud cover will begin to increase once again Sunday night to the north of a pronounced warm front poised to the immediate southeast of the local area. Although some light stratiform rain to the north/west of this boundary may impact the southeastern portion of the CWFA prior to 12Z Monday, rainfall is expected to expand across the region more rapidly during the late afternoon as yet another 500-mb shortwave trough emerging from the western CONUS longwave leads to lee cyclogenesis across western KS, and forces the warm front to accelerate northwestward. .LONG TERM...(Monday night through Friday) Issued at 510 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020 Global models are in fairly good agreement (especially at this time range) in predicting the warm front to lift further northward and away from the region Monday evening, with a broad warm/moist sector airmass anticipated to be in place across the entire forecast area during the mid-week period. In a pattern more characteristic of Spring than Winter, weak synoptic scale forcing for ascent provided by subtle disturbances in the subtropical jet will result in periods of showers and thunderstorms, as the boundary layer should be sufficiently buoyant to maintain stronger convective updrafts. Consensus guidance suggests that MLCAPE on the order of 500-1000 J/kg will be common from Monday night-Wednesday evening, when the passage of a stronger arctic cold front related to a deepening trough over the northern Great Lakes will bring a brief intrusion of colder/drier and more stable air to the region. Although vertical wind profiles will be much weaker compared to today, bulk shear will be strong enough to support some storm organization, with perhaps a marginal threat for severe convection during this period. Otherwise, flooding will become an increasing concern due to multiple episodes of convection in the uncharacteristically moist airmass for mid- January. A drier and noticeably colder airmass more typical of the season will persist on Thursday/Friday, with highs in the m-u 50s and lows in the u30s-l40s. However, it appears as if flow aloft will back to the west-southwest once again by Friday afternoon, as another pronounced shortwave trough lifts northeastward across the Four Corners and into central CO. At the minimum, this will lead to an increase in mid/high-level cloud cover, with some light rain possible by late afternoon. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Sunday morning) Issued at 637 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020 Overcast stratus deck based arnd 2500 ft AGL will persist at the terminals this morning, ahead of a frontal squall line of TSRA approaching the region from the W. Additionally, SSE flow of 15G25 knots at the surface beneath an intense low-level jet of 65-70 knots has forced the inclusion of LLWS for both airports. Although scattered lgt SHRA in advance of the squall line warrants VCSH, we have reserved VCTS and tempo groups for +TSRA/IFR conds for the arrival of the squall line (14Z/MSL and 16Z/HSV) as well as activity in the immediate wake of the line. Cloud ceilings will lift substantially and low-level flow will veer to WSW by early/mid aftn, but a few lgt SHRA will still be possible through sunset. Low MVFR stratus will likely redevelop across the region as sfc winds diminish overnight, with cigs arnd 1500 ft AGL expected through the end of the TAF period. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...Wind Advisory until 9 PM CST this evening for ALZ001>010-016. TN...Wind Advisory until 9 PM CST this evening for TNZ076-096-097. && NEAR TERM...70/DD SHORT TERM...70/DD LONG TERM...70/DD AVIATION...70/DD For more information please visit our website at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Huntsville AL 731 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-121130- Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan- Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN- 731 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north Alabama and portions of southern middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight... A line of strong to severe thunderstorms will progress eastward across the outlook area this morning and early this afternoon. Although damaging winds in excess of 60 MPH will be the primary threat, a few tornadoes will also be possible. A Tornado Watch is in effect until 1 PM CST for locations generally along and west of a line from Lynchburg to Huntsville and Cullman. In addition to the threat for severe thunderstorms, strong environmental winds of 25 to 30 MPH with gusts of 35 to 45 MPH will occur both ahead of and behind the squall line. A Wind Advisory remains in effect for all counties in the outlook area until 9 PM CST this evening. Locally heavy rainfall, with storm total amounts in 1 to 1.5 inch range, may also result in ponding of water on roads and in low lying areas, as well as rises on area rivers and streams. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday... Scattered thunderstorms will be possible for much of the period from Monday afternoon through Wednesday evening, as a warm, moist and unstable airmass will be in place to the south of a warm front. Conditions appear marginally favorable for a few strong to locally severe thunderstorms during this period. However, the main impact will come from an additional 1 to 2 inches of rainfall, which will aggravate ongoing flooding across the region. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is requested for all counties covered by Tornado Watch 12. Spotter activation is possible for the remainder of the region later this afternoon. 70/DD
The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 115 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:49 UTC.
26 thunderstorm wind, 4 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was knocked down along CR 45 with live wires across the road.
Trees were knocked down onto a row of telephone poles, pushing them down to the ground.
Trees were knocked down on Alabama Highway 33 at CR 9 in the Bankhead National Forest.
Trees and power poles were knocked down at Miller Street SW and Cockrell Avenue SW in Decatur.
A roof was blown off of the Liberty Baptist Church on Lane Road.
A storage building was blown off its foundation at this location.
Several trees were knocked down, some on top of homes at the intersection of Bolte Road and CR 702.
A storage building was damage and siding was damaged at a home along Tabscott Road.
A large tree was knocked down onto an ambulance, injuring 3 occupants. The injuries were thankfully minor. The event occurred on Balch Road just north of U.S. Highway 72.
A tornado touched down in the Holly Pond community near the center of town. The tornado caused minimal tree and roof damage as it quickly moved through the city. Minor roof damage was caused to the old WaterBrook restaurant, also blowing off siding at this location, and wrapping it around a cell phone tower northeast of the restaurant. From there, the tornado skipped northeast, causing minimal roof damage to the southwest corner of Holly Pond High School, where less than 20% of the roof was damaged, and portions of the awning were also damaged.
Structures damaged near CR 1691.
Numerous reports of damage along Highway 69 near Joppa.
Measured at the Huntsville International Airport.
A large wooden power pole was partially snapped at it's base and leaned over requiring replacement. The event occurred just north of Old Madison Pike along Hughes Road. Time estimated.
The tornado caused damage to structures, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted along Highway 69, landing on a few homes. Tornado damage was rated up to EF-1 in the city of Joppa, with wind speeds of 100 mph. Trees were snapped and |uprooted along Highway 69, causing minor structural damage.
The tornado continued rapidly moving north east into Marshall County along Highway 69. The tornado lifted in Hog Jaw in Marshall County at a farm across from the Westside veterinary Hospital where the roof of an outbuilding was taken off.
The tornado initially touched down just south west of Brindlee Mountain Primary School. At this location, the school gymnasium, 10 classrooms, and the cafeteria were destroyed. Numerous beams in the roof of the gym were also twisted and bent, and large bolts used to attach it to the foundation were ripped from the structure. EF2 tornado damage was determined at this location, with wind speeds 120 mph. In addition to damage to the school, several trees were snapped or uprooted at this location near the ballfield. A set of bleachers was hurled over 150 yards from one side of the school to the other. Several dumpsters were displaced as well, along with three or four power poles snapped at their |bases. This lead to additional damage at the school property when the poles fell on the school awning and roof. Little to no additional tornado damage was noted to the northeast of the school, aside from roofing materials strewn from the damage at the primary school itself. The tornado ended as it crossed Union Grove Road west of the Union Grove Fire Station.
Damage to awning and roof at the high school at this location. Time estimated by radar.
Thunderstorm winds bent and snapped at least 15 wooden power poles along Highway 227 along the causeway east of downtown Guntersville. Time estimated by radar.
Measured at the Albertville Regional Airport.
Damage was reported to a storage building/shed on CR 152 near Bucks Pocket.
Power lines were knocked down along Davistown Road.
A tree was knocked down and a roof was blown off a house along CR 144.
A tree was knocked down at this location. Time estimated by radar.
Damage was done to a structure on CR 66 and CR 43.
Power lines were knocked down on Highway 79 near Goose Pond Drive.
Thunderstorms winds damaged the Section Highs School score board.
A tree was knocked down at the intersection of CR 151 and CR 88. Time estimated by radar.
A building was damaged at Buttram Crossroads near Sylvania.
Thunderstorm winds produced minor non-specified damage to a mobile home.
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, January 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: 870417, 870418, 870419, 870420, 870421, 870422, 870423, 870424, 870425, 870479, 870426, 870427, 870428, 870429, 870481, 870483, 941645, 870430, 870492, 870443, 870431, 870432, 870433, 870434, 870435, 870436, 870437, 870438, 870439, 870440.