A narrow line of showers and thunderstorms tracked eastward across east Alabama during the afternoon hours. A mid level velocity couplet formed on a cell on the southern end of the convective line and produced localized strong winds.
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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 BMX wrote it up.
A narrow line of showers and thunderstorms tracked eastward across east Alabama during the afternoon hours. A mid level velocity couplet formed on a cell on the southern end of the convective line and produced localized strong winds.
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 May 27, 5:42 PM CST, 8 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 642 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020 .UPDATE... For 00Z Aviation. && .SHORT TERM... /Updated at 0210 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020/ Today through Thursday. Features: An expansive upper low is positioned near Fort Smith, Arkansas with a mid level disturbance swinging into the region from the southwest. Tropical Storm Bertha developed earlier this morning off the South Carolina Coastline and has since moved inland. A stationary front extended from Western Wisconsin south into Eastern Arkansas and through Western Louisiana. A surface low was analyzed along the Mississippi Gulf Coast along a dissipating stationary front that extended south across the Western Gulf of Mexico. Forecast: A line of showers and thunderstorm activity was positioned from near Jasper in Walker County south through Tuscaloosa and extended southwest to near Selma in Dallas County and stretched further south toward the Northern Gulf Coast. Expect this activity to continue to move northeast this afternoon and evening. Persistent cloud cover along with residual wedging across our Eastern Counties will result in the convection gradually decreasing in intensity as this activity moves into our Eastern Counties this evening. A few showers and storms may develop behind the line of storms later this afternoon and through the evening, but the activity will be more sparce in nature. We have trimmed back the marginal risk area out of portions of our northeast area. Otherwise, a few strong storms remain possible with best potential across portions of our Southern and Central Counties through this evening. The heaviest activity today will be capable of producing strong winds, frequent lightning strikes and torrential downpours. Localized ponding of water will be possible in urban and poor-drainage areas. Expect this activity to push northeast across the rest of the forecast area this evening with gradual weakening in intensity with time. Lows will be in the 60s tonight with winds out of the south becoming light after sunset. Showers overnight will become increasingly confined to our eastern and northeast areas while there will remain potential for some showers to affect our northwest and western counties early Thursday morning. We are maintaining a risk for a few strong to severe storms on Thursday as another disturbance will move across the area. Drier air aloft is expected to slide into the area which could help support more of a microburst risk with damaging winds in the stronger convection. There looks to be more of a risk for small hail in addition to damaging winds with the storms tomorrow. Highs are forecast to be in the 80s areawide with more of a southwest wind 5-10 mph. 05 .LONG TERM... /Updated at 210 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020/ Thursday night through Tuesday. The longer term forecast only needed some minor adjustments with PoP timing as this pesky upper low finally decides to open up and build further east. This will leave lingering showers areawide on Friday and perhaps further southeast on Saturday. For the remainder of the period, a dry high pressure will dominate the Southeast with little in the way of rain chances and temperatures slowly building towards the low 90s by Wednesday afternoon. KL We will continue to have elevated pops for Friday (best across the east part of Central Alabama) as the trough continues to weaken and exit to the northeast. At the same time, upper ridging will be building across Western Conus. This will set up northwest upper flow across the Central U.S. on Friday and into Alabama on Saturday. As a result, a surface front should work across Conus and into Central Alabama on Saturday. Isolated to scattered storms are possible along and ahead of the front, but coverage should be less than much of this week so far. Drier air and clearing skies are expected behind the front thanks to a 1024mb ridge that will build over the Upper Plains, Great Lakes, and into the Mississippi River Valley by early Sunday. We should see cooler overnight readings with lower dew points. Readings should still warm sufficiently during the day into the 80s during the days for Sunday through the beginning of next week. However, humidity values will be lower. The ridge will move east- southeast across Eastern Conus for the first part of next week toward the Atlantic Seaboard by Tuesday allowing for a rain-free Sunday through Tuesday to end our forecast. 08 && .AVIATION... 00Z TAF Discussion. An broad closed upper low over the AR-LA-Tex region was producing bands of showers and tstms over the Central Gulf States. One band over east MS was tracking northeast, but will likely weaken once it enters west Alabama due to loss of daytime heating. Another band over east Alabama should exit Alabama by 02z. Showers with VCTS will impact KASN and KANB thru 01z, producing MVFR conds due low cigs. Another cluster of MVFR cigs has developed on back side of exiting rain shield, impacting KMGM and possibly KEET for a few hours early in the period. Widespread MVFR cigs will develop by 06z, with IFR cigs likely by 09z. With clearing skies and light winds overnight, fog will likely form, but confidence is low in which areas will see fog and how low vsbys will fall. Overall, expect widespread IFR conds either due to cigs or fog. Mid level dry air will overspread the area on Thursday, and hinder convective development. After low clouds and fog erode, VFR conds expected after 16z. An impulse from the upper low will likely bring an increase in tstm activity over far west Alabama after 21z. 58/rose && .FIRE WEATHER... Moisture remains elevated through late week with higher chances of wetting rains including thunderstorms through Friday. Some storms may be strong today on Thursday. Minimum relative humidity values are forecast to remain above 50 percent through Friday. On Saturday, a surface front may bring a few showers and storms but then some drier weather and lower humidity values for the second half of the weekend and into the first part of next week. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 64 82 61 83 60 / 80 20 30 50 10 Anniston 65 83 63 84 61 / 80 20 30 50 20 Birmingham 65 83 65 84 63 / 40 20 40 40 10 Tuscaloosa 65 85 64 84 63 / 40 30 30 30 10 Calera 65 83 64 84 63 / 40 20 30 40 10 Auburn 66 83 65 84 64 / 50 20 20 50 20 Montgomery 67 86 66 86 65 / 30 20 30 40 20 Troy 67 88 66 86 65 / 40 20 20 60 20 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/... None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Birmingham AL 530 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020 ALZ011>015-017>050-290130- 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- 530 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the National Weather Service office in Birmingham. .DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight. Strong to a few severe thunderstorms may occur across Central Alabama Through 8 PM this evening, mainly south of a Demopolis, to Clanton, to Roanoke line. The main threat will be damaging winds up to 60 MPH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Strong to a few severe thunderstorms may occur across Central Alabama again on Thursday afternoon and evening from 1 PM to 9 PM. The main threats will be damaging winds up to 60 MPH and hail up to the size of quarters. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management may be needed today and again on Thursday. Please follow all local, state, and CDC guidelines in regards to travel.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
128 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020
ALZ023-032>034-271915-
Hale AL-Bibb AL-Perry AL-Tuscaloosa AL-
128 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN TUSCALOOSA...
NORTHWESTERN PERRY...HALE AND WEST CENTRAL BIBB COUNTIES UNTIL 215 PM
CDT...
At 127 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Tuscaloosa Regional Airport to near
Greensboro. Movement was northeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Tuscaloosa, Northport, Marion, Greensboro, Holt, Moundville, Coker,
Akron, Newbern, McFarland Mall, Lake Lurleen State Park, Tuscaloosa
Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, Mertz, Shelton State
Community College, Bryant Denny Stadium, University Mall, Greensboro
Municipal Airport, Lake Tuscaloosa and Englewood.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3342 8750 3261 8730 3253 8765 3293 8776
3295 8773 3295 8775 3298 8775 3300 8771
3302 8771 3302 8778 3323 8784
TIME...MOT...LOC 1827Z 205DEG 22KT 3318 8764 3268 8757
25/OwenSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
209 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020
ALZ015-023>025-033-034-272000-
Walker AL-Bibb AL-Jefferson AL-Shelby AL-Perry AL-Tuscaloosa AL-
209 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN WALKER...CENTRAL
TUSCALOOSA...SOUTHWESTERN SHELBY...NORTHEASTERN PERRY...BIBB AND
SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTIES UNTIL 300 PM CDT...
At 209 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Bankhead Lock And Dam to near Harrisburg.
Movement was northeast at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Bessemer, Hueytown, Brent, Centreville, Dora, Pleasant Grove, Lake
View, Brookwood, Coaling, Sylvan Springs, Vance, Woodstock, West
Blocton, Maytown, West Jefferson, North Johns, Gorgas Steam Plant,
Bull City, Lake Wildwood and Low Gap.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3372 8705 3285 8688 3284 8693 3284 8702
3281 8702 3272 8734 3355 8753
TIME...MOT...LOC 1909Z 244DEG 25KT 3352 8738 3284 8725
25/OwenSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
238 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020
ALZ024-025-034-035-041-272045-
Chilton AL-Autauga AL-Bibb AL-Jefferson AL-Shelby AL-
238 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN AUTAUGA...CHILTON...
WESTERN SHELBY...EASTERN BIBB AND SOUTHERN JEFFERSON COUNTIES UNTIL
345 PM CDT...
At 237 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Oak Grove to near Parnell. Movement was east at
25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Alabaster, Bessemer, Homewood,
Pelham, Mountain Brook, Helena, Hueytown, Gardendale, Irondale,
Calera, Fairfield, Chelsea, Clanton, Fultondale, Montevallo,
Columbiana and Jemison.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3270 8647 3262 8691 3266 8692 3266 8700
3284 8702 3284 8705 3323 8715 3324 8712
3322 8710 3325 8707 3328 8707 3332 8717
3350 8722 3369 8670
TIME...MOT...LOC 1937Z 249DEG 22KT 3345 8715 3270 8697
25/OwenSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
353 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020
ALZ025-027-272130-
Shelby AL-Talladega AL-
353 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN TALLADEGA AND
SOUTHEASTERN SHELBY COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM CDT...
At 352 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Columbiana. This storm was nearly stationary.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Columbiana, Wilsonville, Talladega Springs, Harpersville,
Fayetteville, Lay Lake, Shelby, Beeswax Creek Park, Alabama 4H
Center, Shelby Shores, Cedar Creek, Highway 145 and CR 46, Kelley
Branch, Varnons, Spring Creek and Gaston Steam Plant.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3334 8644 3310 8635 3310 8649 3309 8651
3307 8651 3306 8662 3307 8661 3307 8662
3323 8668
TIME...MOT...LOC 2052Z 252DEG 4KT 3317 8657
25/OwenSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
356 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020
ALZ039-272145-
Marengo AL-
356 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN MARENGO COUNTY UNTIL 445
PM CDT...
At 355 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Putnam, or 12 miles west of Thomasville, moving northeast at 35 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Linden, Sweet Water, Myrtlewood, Putnam, Nanafalia, Magnolia, Wayne,
Surginer, Miller, Dixons Mill, Vineland, Half Acre, Octagon,
Clayhill, Nicholsville, Calvary and Slater.
LAT...LON 3206 8812 3208 8804 3214 8804 3217 8801
3228 8802 3231 8798 3230 8794 3228 8794
3229 8793 3233 8796 3222 8752 3213 8752
3213 8762 3200 8763 3199 8799 3199 8807
3201 8809 3199 8810 3201 8812
TIME...MOT...LOC 2055Z 205DEG 31KT 3197 8794
25/OwenSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
618 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020
ALZ038-047-280000-
Lee AL-Chambers AL-
618 PM CDT Wed May 27 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN LEE AND SOUTHEASTERN
CHAMBERS COUNTIES UNTIL 700 PM CDT...
At 618 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Auburn, moving northeast at 20 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Auburn, Opelika, Cusseta, Beulah, Beauregard, Beans Mill, Huguley,
Auburn University, Robert G. Pitts Airport, Chewacla State Park,
Lanett Municipal Airport and Mount Jefferson.
LAT...LON 3250 8545 3263 8555 3285 8524 3265 8509
3265 8511 3263 8509 3263 8508 3262 8508
TIME...MOT...LOC 2318Z 237DEG 19KT 3260 8542
25/OwenThe Maxwell AFB radar (KMXX), 54 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:51 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees uprooted and power lines downed along Lee Road 252.
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, May 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: 896083.