Showers and thunderstorms repeated dropped heavy rainfall across far northwest Alabama and adjacent sections of southwest Tennessee. 5-3 inches fell in these areas during the early morning hours of the 23rd.
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.
Showers and thunderstorms repeated dropped heavy rainfall across far northwest Alabama and adjacent sections of southwest Tennessee. Rainfall amounts of 1.5-3 inches fell in these areas during the early morning hours of the 23rd. This all fell on already saturated ground, and caused several small creeks and streams to flood. Lauderdale County EMA relayed several reports of flash flooding in their county, which prompted the closure of several roads and a few bridges.
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 Mar 23, 4:30 AM CST, 0 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 530 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020 .NEAR TERM...(Today) Issued at 525 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020 A mid-level shortwave trough (currently tracking eastward across IL/IN) will advance further east-northeastward into New England today, in the flow to the north of a subtropical ridge centered across the western Gulf of Mexico. A smaller scale disturbance to the south of this feature likely enhanced the coverage of nocturnal convection in the vicinity of an inverted surface trough extending from northern LA northeastward into western KY. Near term guidance is in good agreement in predicting the inverted surface trough to drift southward across the region this morning, as the mid-level wave to our north advances further northeastward and away from the region. Widespread showers thunderstorms will persist to the south/east of the trough, followed by a brief period of lighter showers in the immediate wake of the wind shift axis. Forecast soundings suggest that elevated CAPE will be diminishing with time, but a low probability for hail up to the size of pennies and brief wind gusts of 30-40 MPH will still be possible with the most intense convection. Although flooding has not been an issue thus far, locally heavy rainfall and minor flooding could still become a concern, especially across the southeastern portion of the forecast area where an additional 0.5-1 inch of rainfall is expected before precipitation comes to an end early this afternoon. Based on the amount of rain- cooled air in the region and expected coverage of low clouds today, highs today should only reach the l-m 60s for most of the region. .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Wednesday) Issued at 525 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020 It still appears as if another low-amplitude shortwave trough will lift out of the southern Rockies late this evening, and should deepen at a steady rate as it tracks northeastward through the southern Plains/mid-MS Valley and into southern IL/IN by 00Z Wednesday. In the lower-levels, light northerly flow in the wake of the trough axis this afternoon/evening will quickly veer to the east-southeast by sunrise as the deepening surface cyclone related to this feature shifts eastward across northern OK. A strong warm front extending southeastward from the low is expected to lift northeastward through the TN Valley in the 10-15Z timeframe, accompanied by an increasingly widespread band of elevated convection. Forecast soundings depict steepening lapse rates aloft during this same period, and with elevated CAPE rising into the 500-1000 J/kg range in the presence of effective bulk shear in the 40-50 knot range, supercells capable of producing severe hail will be possible. Although showers and thunderstorms related to the warm front will lift slowly northward into TN during the late morning/early afternoon, scattered warm sector convection is expected to redevelop in the vicinity of a prefrontal surface trough as it moves eastward across southern AR/northern LA during the same period. This convection will likely grow in both coverage and intensity as it crosses the MS River early Tuesday afternoon and intercepts an increasingly unstable warm sector, with this trend continuing as the activity builds east-northeastward into the TN Valley during the 4 PM-7 PM period. Given the combination of 0-6 km bulk shear in the 60-65 knot range, a 40-50 knot southwesterly low-level jet and MLCAPE perhaps as high as 1500-2000 J/kg, the environment appears very favorable for storms evolve into supercells during the afternoon as they move swiftly eastward off the initiating boundary. Although the potential certainly exists for a couple of more significant wind/hail and tornado events with this activity, it does appear as if there will be a sharp southern gradient in the coverage of storms, as mid- level capping appears to increase further southwestward into central MS. Lingering clouds and precipitation associated with the slow- moving warm front to our northeast may also create a limit on the severe weather risk across our TN counties, so the bottom line is that there are still lingering uncertainties regarding exactly how this event will unfold. Regardless, it appears as if the axis of convection will continue to shift slowly southeastward during the evening, before coming to an end early Wednesday morning with the passage of a cold front. A cooler/drier and more stable airmass will reside across the region on Wednesday, with highs in the u60s-l70s. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday night through Sunday) Issued at 525 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020 Heading into the latter half of the week, a ridge will build in the Gulf, keeping conditions dry and increasing temps. We have yet to reach 80 degrees this year but we could finally see a few spots reach it on Thursday and see widespread lower 80s on Friday. This will be 10-15 degrees above normal for this time of year. Dry conditions won't last long though. A sfc low in the Southern Plains will lift into the Great Lakes and pull a cold front into the region. Will see cloud cover increase ahead of the approaching front and return isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms Friday night into Saturday. The overcast skies and rainfall during the day will keep daytime highs on Saturday a little lower, only reaching the upper 70s. CAA behind the passing front Saturday evening will help overnight lows reach the 50s. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Monday night) Issued at 1239 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020 No changes to previous aviation forecast reasoning, as ceilings will continue to drop to around 1.5 to 2 kft as -SHRA overspread the region ahead of an upper-level disturbance. Expect -SHRA to become more widespread and intensify through the early morning hours as a front approaches the region. Some scattered TSRA will also accompany this boundary, and have maintained a PROB-30 to highlight this potential between 12-18z. Additionally, expect ceilings to lower to near or just below 1 kft, creating IFR conditions through the early morning hours. After 18z, precipitation will come to an end, but low clouds will linger with ceilings around 1 to 2 kft through the end of the period. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. TN...NONE. && NEAR TERM...70/DD SHORT TERM...70/DD LONG TERM...30 AVIATION...AMP.24 For more information please visit our website at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Huntsville AL 1210 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-232015- Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan- Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN- 1210 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north Alabama and portions of southern middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight... Isolated thunderstorms will be possible across the Tennessee Valley tonight, with an increasing coverage of thunderstorms expected by early Monday morning as a cold front pushes southeastward into the region. Locally heavy rainfall and flooding will be the greatest threat with this activity, but some small hail cannot be ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday... The threat for thunderstorms will continue across the southeastern portion of the outlook area through early Monday afternoon, along with a risk of locally heavy rainfall and flooding. Thunderstorms will return to the region Tuesday morning, as a strong warm front lifts northward ahead of a developing surface low across the southern Plains. Small hail and frequent lightning will be possible with this activity. A second and more significant round of thunderstorms is expected to develop near the Mississippi River early Tuesday afternoon and track rapidly eastward into the northwestern half of outlook area before sunset. Conditions appear very favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes. Storms will shift eastward across the remainder of the Tennessee Valley during the evening, with a continued threat for severe weather. Additional thunderstorms are possible across the region on Friday and Saturday, although coverage and intensity is expected to be lower at this time. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is possible on Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
1159 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2020
ALZ001-TNZ096-230515-
Lauderdale AL-Lincoln TN-
1159 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN LAUDERDALE AND
NORTHWESTERN LINCOLN COUNTIES UNTIL 1215 AM CDT...
At 1159 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Lexington, or 19 miles northeast of Florence, moving northeast at 55
mph.
Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Lexington, Anderson, Lester, Green Hill, Good Springs, Kingtown,
Mcburg, Dellrose, Harms and Boonshill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3516 8660 3486 8741 3498 8752 3501 8747
3499 8721 3508 8684 3526 8683 3525 8675
3530 8669
TIME...MOT...LOC 0459Z 239DEG 46KT 3495 8739
AMPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
144 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020
ALZ002>004-230730-
Lawrence AL-Franklin AL-Colbert AL-
144 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN COLBERT...FRANKLIN AND
SOUTHWESTERN LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 230 AM CDT...
At 144 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Red Bay, moving east at 35 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Muscle Shoals, Russellville, Tuscumbia, Red Bay, Littleville,
Leighton, Belgreen, Vina, Posey Loop and Mt Hope.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3459 8814 3480 8752 3438 8742 3437 8814
3445 8816
TIME...MOT...LOC 0644Z 255DEG 31KT 3450 8805
AMPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
235 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020
ALZ004-007-230815-
Lawrence AL-Morgan AL-
235 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN MORGAN AND CENTRAL
LAWRENCE COUNTIES UNTIL 315 AM CDT...
At 234 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Moulton, moving east at 45 mph.
Pea size hail and occasional wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph will be
possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Decatur, Hartselle, Moulton, Trinity, Mt Hope, Chalybeate Springs,
Speake, Caddo, Basham and Wren.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3457 8753 3457 8752 3464 8701 3459 8692
3439 8693 3438 8753
TIME...MOT...LOC 0734Z 264DEG 40KT 3449 8742
70/DDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
236 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020
ALZ009-TNZ097-230815-
Jackson AL-Franklin TN-
236 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN JACKSON AND SOUTHERN
FRANKLIN COUNTIES UNTIL 315 AM CDT...
At 235 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles north of Skyline, or 17 miles south of Winchester, moving east
at 40 mph.
Penny size hail and occasional wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph will be
possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Bridgeport, Stevenson, Skyline, Anderson, Hytop, Bass, Princeton,
Jericho, Long Island and Russell Cave National Monument.
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 3482 8627 3494 8630 3495 8629 3492 8627
3493 8626 3494 8626 3498 8631 3501 8632
3511 8586 3499 8586 3499 8561 3490 8559
TIME...MOT...LOC 0735Z 258DEG 35KT 3494 8616
70/DDSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
316 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020
ALZ005>008-230900-
Marshall AL-Madison AL-Morgan AL-Limestone AL-
316 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN MARSHALL...SOUTHERN
MADISON...SOUTHEASTERN LIMESTONE AND CENTRAL MORGAN COUNTIES UNTIL
400 AM CDT...
At 316 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Priceville, or near Decatur, moving east at 45 mph.
Pea size hail and occasional wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph will be
possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, Hartselle, Redstone Arsenal,
Priceville, Trinity, Owens Cross Roads, Falkville and Gurley.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3439 8706 3463 8708 3480 8634 3475 8634
3473 8636 3463 8636 3460 8632 3445 8631
TIME...MOT...LOC 0816Z 258DEG 40KT 3453 8694
70/DDSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Huntsville AL 359 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020 ALZ006-008>010-230945- Marshall AL-Madison AL-DeKalb AL-Jackson AL- 359 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN JACKSON...NORTHERN MARSHALL...SOUTHEASTERN MADISON AND WEST CENTRAL DEKALB COUNTIES UNTIL 445 AM CDT... At 358 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Owens Cross Roads, or 11 miles northwest of Guntersville, moving east at 40 mph. Penny size hail and occasional wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Scottsboro, Guntersville, Rainsville, Owens Cross Roads, Fyffe, Powell, Grant, Geraldine, Section and Woodville. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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. && LAT...LON 3438 8650 3466 8649 3465 8587 3436 8588 TIME...MOT...LOC 0858Z 272DEG 35KT 3451 8640 70/DD
The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 129 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 10:30 UTC.
10 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Flooding near CR 403 at CR 73 from Six Mile Creek.
Water over the road at 1701 Mars Hill Road. Depth of water unknown.
Water over the road at Deerlick Branch on CR 155.
Flash flooding along Anderson Creek on CR 50 and CR 52. Depth of water unknown.
Flash flooding closed the bridge on CR 49 over East Fork of Anderson Creek. Depth of water unknown.
Flash flooding closed CR 156 at Anderson Creek. Depth of water unknown.
Flash flooding closed CR 130 at Military Road. Depth of water unknown.
CR 520 and CR 522 closed due to flash flooding along Anderson Creek. Depth of water unknown.
CR 31 closed due to flash flooding in Killen. Depth of water unknown.
Flooding reported around the intersection of Mount Hester Road and Rickard Cutoff Road. Depth of water unknown.
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, March 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: 883272, 883273, 883275, 883276, 883279, 883280, 883281, 883282, 883283, 883285.