Showers and thunderstorms repeatedly moved across Northern Alabama and Southern Middle TN on the 19th and 20th. Numerous roads were closed in Lincoln County, with widespread rainfall amounts of 3-6 across much of the area.
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 repeatedly moved across Northern Alabama and Southern Middle TN on the 19th and 20th. Numerous roads were closed in Lincoln County, with widespread rainfall amounts of 3-6 across much of the area. Portions of NW Madison received 6-8 over a few hours, leading to flash flooding.
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 Sep 19, 11:48 AM CST, 57 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 1248 PM CDT Sun Sep 19 2021 .UPDATE... For 18Z TAFS. && .NEAR TERM...(Rest of Today) Issued at 1212 PM CDT Sun Sep 19 2021 A deep-layer of moderately strong south-southeast flow will persist across the region today, to the east of a mid/upper-low centered across the Arklatex. This regime will maintain an abnormally moist airmass characterized by precipitable water values in the 2-2.25 inch range, with the threat for both flash and areal flooding remaining very high across the entire region. Although recent ground truth observations indicate that hourly rainfall rates are generally in the 0.5-1 inch range, the slow northward motion of heavier precipitation cores and saturated soils suggest that any additional rainfall will be converted to runoff. Thus far, the most significant flooding of the day has occurred in a broad swath extending from eastern Morgan into western Jackson counties in AL, where this entire area has received between 2-4 inches of rain, with several locations likely receiving between 6-8 inches. Only minor changes were made to the current near term grids, which advertise categorical POPs with a slow decrease this afternoon across the southwestern portion of the CWFA based on radar trends. High temperatures were also lowered a bit, with locations in the east remaining in the l-m 70s while a bit of afternoon sun may allow temps to reach the m-u 70s in northwest AL. Given the reduction in temps, instability will also be limited to the 250-500 J/kg range, with only a very remote risk for an isolated thunderstorm. .SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Wednesday) Issued at 316 AM CDT Sun Sep 19 2021 The main change to the forecast during this window was an extension of the Flash Flood Watch through 7 PM Monday. Otherwise, the forecast remains on track for widespread showers and thunderstorms and a significant threat for flash flooding persisting into Monday and potentially Tuesday. For tonight, we expect a gradual diminishing of convection by the late evening hours as the initial shortwave trough lifts to the north. However, by early Monday morning and into the day, we'll see convection redevelop quickly as the center of the low begins to pivot to the northeast. Expect yet another shortwave to traverse the area and subsequently spark widespread showers and storms. Once again, the combination of the storm environment and the antecedent saturated soils will create a potentially dangerous setup for additional flash flooding as another 1 to 3 inches of rainfall will be possible. Our one saving grace may be another lull in the action Monday night into Tuesday morning as the initial area of low pressure shifts northeast into the Ohio Valley. However, our attention will quickly turn to an amplifying longwave trough over the Mid South that will push a cold front into the area Tuesday afternoon/evening into Tuesday night. This feature will generate one final round of showers and thunderstorms that will likely linger into the morning hours on Wednesday. Finally, a cooler and drier air mass will work its way into the region by Wednesday afternoon, bringing an end to our precipitation chances and the heavy rainfall/flooding threat. However, it should be noted that the multiple days of heavy rainfall will also create rises on area rivers, creeks, and streams -- and it seems plausible that river flooding issues may persist well into next week even after all the rain has tapered off. .LONG TERM...(Wednesday night through Saturday) Issued at 316 AM CDT Sun Sep 19 2021 Behind the cold front on Wednesday night, Autumn will be in full swing. A much-welcomed cold and dry air mass will filter in from the northwest and will drop our temperatures to lows in the upper 40s to low 50s. Thursday, persistent cold air advection will limit our warming potential, despite abundant sunshine. High temperatures will be in the low 70s, but some areas may struggle to break out of the 60s. The shortwave trough will remain in place over the Midwest through late this week and finally lift into the Northeast on Friday and Saturday. Gradually increasing thicknesses aloft will allow high temperatures to warm into the mid 70s by the weekend. All around a pleasant end to this forecast period as the TN Valley dries out after our super soaking earlier in the week. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Monday afternoon) Issued at 1248 PM CDT Sun Sep 19 2021 The axis of widespread mod-hvy rain currently impacting the terminals will continue to shift slowly northeastward over the course of the afternoon, and will likely become oriented in a NW-to-SE fashion overnight. With this in mind, we will maintain MVFR conditions in -RA as the prevailing condition through 22Z, with TEMPO groups for IFR conditions in +RA. Beyond this point, we are uncertain in timing/coverage of precipitation at both airports, and have only indicated VCSH, transitioning to VCTS after 20/15Z as the threat for TSRA begins to increase. Even after the widespread precip ends, we anticipate that cigs will remain MVFR this evening, before an IFR stratus layer redevelops around 5Z. Sfc winds will gradually veer from ESE to SSE over the course of the TAF period, with sustained speeds of 5-10 knots. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...Flash Flood Watch through Monday evening for ALZ001>010-016. TN...Flash Flood Watch through Monday evening for TNZ076-096-097. && NEAR TERM...70/DD SHORT TERM...AMP.24 LONG TERM...30 AVIATION...70/DD For more information please visit our website at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Huntsville AL 408 AM CDT Sun Sep 19 2021 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-200015- Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan- Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN- 408 AM CDT Sun Sep 19 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north Alabama and portions of southern middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight... A significant threat for flash flooding is expected to develop across the Tennessee Valley today as widespread showers and thunderstorms will produce multiple rounds of heavy rainfall across the region. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until 7 PM Monday. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday... Periods of heavy showers and storms are expected to develop across the region Monday and Tuesday and a threat for flash flooding will persist into early this week. Additionally, rises on rivers, creeks, and streams are expected and minor flooding will be possible. This activity will become more scattered in nature on Wednesday and taper off by Wednesday evening as a cold front sweeps through the area. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is not anticipated at this time.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
1245 PM CDT SUN SEP 19 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1244 PM FLOOD 3 NNE HUNTSVILLE 34.74N 86.60W
09/19/2021 MADISON AL LAW ENFORCEMENT
HSV POLICE REPORT WATER OVER THE ROAD NEAR
COSTCO/STARBUCKS ALONG SB MEMORIAL PARKWAY
NEAR UNIVERSITY DR.
&&
GHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
1255 PM CDT SUN SEP 19 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1255 PM FLOOD 3 SE TRINITY 34.57N 87.05W
09/19/2021 MORGAN AL LAW ENFORCEMENT
FLOODING ACROSS THE ROADWAY AT SHADY GROVE
LANE AND BUNNY LANE. PICTURES ON SOCIAL
MEDIA.
&&
GHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
1259 PM CDT SUN SEP 19 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1258 PM FLOOD 2 E HUNTSVILLE 34.71N 86.59W
09/19/2021 MADISON AL LAW ENFORCEMENT
WATER OVER ROAD AT BOB WALLACE/PARKWAY.
&&
GHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
100 PM CDT SUN SEP 19 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1259 PM FLOOD 3 SE MADISON 34.67N 86.72W
09/19/2021 MADISON AL LAW ENFORCEMENT
WATER OVER THE ROAD AT ZIERDT AND EDGEWATER.
&&
GHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
104 PM CDT SUN SEP 19 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0103 PM FLOOD 3 E HUNTSVILLE 34.71N 86.57W
09/19/2021 MADISON AL BROADCAST MEDIA
VIDEO SHOWS RIGHT LANE FLOODED ALONG
WHITESBURG BETWEEN DRAKE AND CALIFORNIA.
&&
GHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
126 PM CDT SUN SEP 19 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0125 PM FLOOD 3 ESE TRINITY 34.58N 87.04W
09/19/2021 MORGAN AL BROADCAST MEDIA
FLOODING IN THE SHERWOOD OAKS NEIGHBORHOOD
FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.
&&
GHThe Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 22 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:46 UTC.
13 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Elora Road was closed due to Flash Flooding between Greasy Cove Road and Stewart Road. Time estimated.
Beans Creek Road was closed due to flash flooding between Bumcombe Road and Collins Lane. Time estimated.
Himes Lane was closed due to flash flooding at the Bridge off Rock Creek Road.
Blue Creek Road was closed due to flash flooding from the Bridge to Shahan Road. Time estimated.
A water rescue was performed due to flash flooding at 7 M. Jones Road and Walker Ford Road. Time estimated.
A water rescue due to flash flooding occurred at 100 Old Lincoln Road and Shelton Road. Time estimated.
Smith Lane in Flintville was closed due to flash flooding. Time estimated.
A water rescue was performed due to flash flooding at 125 Highland Rim Road. Time estimated.
The road was closed at 76 Prospect Road due to flash flooding. Time estimated.
North Fishing Ford Road was closed due to flash flooding. Time estimated.
A water rescue occurred due to flash flooding at 40 Vanntown Road. Time estimated.
A water rescue was performed due to flash flooding on 7 M. Jones Road in Flintville.
Brown Teal Road closed due to flash flooding. Time estimated.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Tennessee in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Tennessee, September 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: 987257, 987258, 987263, 987264, 987265, 987267, 987270, 987272, 987273, 987274, 987276, 987278, 987279.