A research meteorologist and storm chaser documented a funnel cloud that developed from a thunderstorm during the afternoon hours over Redstone Arsenal. Photos indicated that this did not touch the ground and no damage was reported.
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The episode as NWS HUN wrote it up.
A research meteorologist and storm chaser documented a funnel cloud that developed from a thunderstorm during the afternoon hours over Redstone Arsenal. Photos indicated that this did not touch the ground and no damage was reported.
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 Aug 15, 11:53 AM CST, 2 hours 39 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 1253 PM CDT Sun Aug 15 2021 .UPDATE... For 18Z TAFS. && .NEAR TERM...(Remainder of today) Issued at 1221 PM CDT Sun Aug 15 2021 Overall, the current near term forecast is in good shape this morning, with a fairly widespread coverage of showers and embedded thunderstorms anticipated across the region this afternoon. At this point, both global and regional scale convection-allowing models suggest that the highest concentration of thunderstorms will likely occur in the vicinity of a subtle surface trough/wind-shift axis currently positioned across northwest AL. Although various point forecast soundings around the region depict MLCAPE in the 1500-2500 J/KG range, low stratus clouds have thus far inhibited boundary layer warming, and the threat for strong wind gusts (in the 40-50 MPH range) will likely be confined to localized areas where sufficient diabatic warming can occur to steepen low-level lapse rates. Otherwise, we expect the primary impact from convection today to be locally heavy rainfall and flooding, given weak flow through the vertical column. Aside from minor adjustments to POP/weather grids, we did lower predicted high temperatures into the m-u 80s based on trends in satellite data and surface observations. .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Tuesday) Issued at 317 AM CDT Sun Aug 15 2021 The coverage of showers and storms will diminish this evening into tonight, but expect at least scattered storms to linger for most of the overnight hours along residual outflow boundaries. The wet pattern will continue into Monday and Tuesday as much of Alabama deals with the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred. Model guidance continues to show the center of Fred making landfall along the western Florida panhandle Monday afternoon/evening and then moving up the I-65/I-59 corridors Monday night into Tuesday. Ahead of this system, deep tropical moisture will advect into the area, with the outer bands of Fred expected to create numerous to widespread showers and storms during this window. Our storm total rainfall amounts will be highly dependent on the final track of Fred. An eastward shift would keep much of the heaviest rainfall (along with any severe impacts) further east into Georgia and the Carolinas. Regardless, over the next 2-3 days, think we're primed to receive 2-3" of rain across the region, with locally higher amount of 4"+ possible across portions of northeast Alabama. This will result in some localized flash flooding issues and most certainly rises on rivers, creeks, and streams. Temperatures during this window will run 5-10 degrees below normal given the dense cloud cover and high rain chances. .LONG TERM...(Tuesday night through Saturday) Issued at 317 AM CDT Sun Aug 15 2021 The remnant center of Fred will depart the region Tuesday night, but expect scattered to numerous showers and storms for the remainder of the week given the tropical air mass in place and a slow-moving upper-trough over the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. High pressure at the surface will attempt to build into the area late in the week and for this reason do expect less cloud cover and a gradual warming trend as highs approach the 90 degree mark. Interestingly, late in the period we'll have to watch the future track of Tropical Storm Grace that is progged to move into the Gulf of Mexico by this weekend. Depending on where this system goes, the wet pattern may continue into early next week. Still a lot of uncertainty here so stay tuned to future updates. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Monday afternoon) Issued at 1253 PM CDT Sun Aug 15 2021 Trends in visible satellite data and sfc observations suggest that a deck of low stratus clouds will persist across northern AL for much of the aftn, with cigs in the 2500-3500 ft range. Attm, it appears as if the greatest concentration of showers/thunderstorms today will occur invof a subtle surface trough extending from northern MS northeastward into Middle TN. With this in mind, we have only included VCSH in each TAF thru the early evening hours, as there is a considerable amount of uncertainty regarding the coverage of TSRA to the south of the sfc trough. Otherwise, a very moist boundary layer and light SE flow will be conducive for the development of patchy BR/FG between 06/07Z and 13Z, but we will refrain from introducing vsby reductions in the forecast at this point. A broken low stratus layer will redevelop by 16Z, with additional SHRA/TSRA possible late in the TAF period. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. TN...NONE. && NEAR TERM...70/DD SHORT TERM...AMP.24 LONG TERM...AMP.24 AVIATION...70/DD For more information please visit our website at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Huntsville AL 312 AM CDT Sun Aug 15 2021 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-152315- Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan- Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN- 312 AM CDT Sun Aug 15 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north Alabama and portions of southern middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight... Widespread thunderstorms are expected to develop across the region today, before becoming more scattered in nature after sunset. A few stronger storms may produce gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday... Widespread showers and storms are expected across the region Monday and Tuesday as the remnants of Tropical Depression Fred approach the Tennessee Valley. Heavy rainfall from these storms could result in localized flash flooding as well as rises on area rivers, creeks, and streams. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms will remain possible Wednesday through Saturday. A few stronger storms may produce gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is not anticipated at this time.
The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 65 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:30 UTC.
1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
A research meteorologist and storm chaser documented a funnel cloud that developed from a thunderstorm during the afternoon hours over Redstone Arsenal, about 1.5 miles east of Zierdt Road and 1 mile south of Martin Road. Photos indicated that this did not touch the ground and no damage was reported.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, August 2021
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: 978843.