A quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) developed across Mississippi and tracked eastward across Central Alabama on the evening of April 13th. Numerous trees were uprooted as surface winds gusted to 60-70 mph in some locations.
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 BMX wrote it up.
A quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) developed across Mississippi and tracked eastward across Central Alabama on the evening of April 13th. Numerous trees were uprooted as surface winds gusted to 60-70 mph in some locations. A few tornadoes also formed within the line and impacted portions of Greene, Hale, and Tuscaloosa Counties.
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 Apr 13, 6:03 PM CST, 2 hours 27 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 703 PM CDT Wed Apr 13 2022 .UPDATE... For 00Z Aviation. && .SHORT TERM... /Updated at 0624 PM CDT Wed Apr 13 2022/ Mesoscale Update. Latest RAP/LAPS data shows a warm sector established across the Deep South with a 30-45 kt southerly low-level jet. Dewpoints in the 60s reside across the area, along with modest mid-level lapse rates, generally 7-7.5 C/km (our 18z RAOB indicated a healthy EML). This has fostered MLCAPE of 500-1,000 J/kg, mainly along and west of I- 65, where we've seen mostly sunny skies and afternoon warmth. Instability further increases across MS where better BL moisture resides along and ahead of the incoming MCS, dewpoints here are in the mid to upper 60s, increasing MLCAPE to 1,500-2,000 J/kg. Deep convection is ongoing in this region with line-embedded bowing segments, and semi-discrete supercells ahead of the MCS which are near the I-55 corridor now. Satellite imagery depicts several embedded updrafts that periodically strengthen, with some recent overshooting tops approaching -80 C (~50,000 ft). These stronger storms are capable of all convective hazards. Furthermore, a more prominent bowing segment is moving quickly east across northern MS where recent ASOS measurements indicated 60 & 61 kt wind gusts. This bowing segment could enter northwest AL around 7 PM, but may stay just north of Marion and Winston Counties. However, additional thunderstorms reside farther south, and we expect this cluster of convection to enter our CWA in the 7 PM to 8 PM timeframe. Moisture and instability will build from the west, along and ahead of these storms. Kinematics support of our severe weather concerns - RAP mesoanalysis indicates eff. bulk shear approaching 40 kts near the AL/MS state line. Recent KDGX/KGWX derived hodographs show favorable low-level shear, with ~300 m2/s2 0-1 km SRH. However, these same hodographs also show some weakening in mid-level flow, which could explain some of the erratic convective behavior of the cells ahead of the MCS. Waning instability is expected after sunset, which could limit severe potential in our area. Thus, it's unclear if these storms will be able to maintain an organized and robust nature/behavior over the next few hours, especially as they approach I-65. Nonetheless, we'll be closely monitoring the thunderstorms as they continue to near the Central AL forecast area in the next couple of hours. Instability and wind shear suggest the MCS will be able to maintain decent strength as it enters AL. Damaging wind gusts and hail look the most likely, though tornadoes are also possible in strongest/most organized storms. Areas along and west of I-65 maintain the best overall chance of severe weather over the next several hours. 40/Sizemore Previous short-term discussion: /Updated at 0125 PM CDT Wed Apr 13 2022/ Tomorrow. With the severe threat ending early tomorrow morning, the cold front will move southeast of the area, and winds will become north- northwesterly. For the most part, this will set up comfortable conditions for a majority of the day with clouds clearing across our northwest half. Some light scattered showers may linger south of I-85 through the afternoon. Expect temperatures to warm into the mid 70s with decreasing humidity. 86 .LONG TERM... /Updated at 0207 PM CDT Wed Apr 13 2022/ Friday through Tuesday. A surface high will shift east of Alabama on Friday and surface winds will become southerly in the afternoon. This will allow temperatures to warm into the lower 80s in many locations. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop Friday night as a warm front lifts northward across Alabama. The storms are expected to remain below severe limits due to stable conditions in the low levels of the air mass. Unsettled weather expected over the weekend due to northwest upper flow. Several upper level impulses will track along the northwest flow and trigger scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms. Models indicate there may be enough instability south of I-20 Saturday afternoon for the possibility of some stronger storms. A drying trend Monday afternoon and Monday night as the main short wave trof pushes east of Alabama. 58/rose Previous long-term discussion: /Updated at 0347 AM CDT Wed Apr 13 2022/ Friday through Tuesday. The frontal boundary remains to our south through most of the day on Friday, but does slowly start lifting northward. This could lead to some isolated showers and thunderstorms across the southernmost counties by Friday afternoon. Rain/thunderstorm chances continue to increase Friday night into Saturday with several rounds of precip expected over Easter weekend and into Monday. This is due to the stalled frontal boundary remaining draped across the area under generally zonal flow aloft. A couple of shortwave impulses move along the boundary over the weekend. Timing remains a little uncertain with each wave, so overall rain chances remain capped around 40-50%. This will likely increase in coming days as we get a better handle on the timing for each impulse. As we begin next week, a slightly deeper shortwave trough is expected to slide through, developing a weak low pressure system somewhere along the Gulf States. This will push the stalled boundary south of our area by Monday evening into Tuesday, ending any significant rain/storm chances. Right now, this Monday system remains on the weaker side, which limits any northward progression of a quality warm sector, so we really don't see much instability across Central AL ahead of the low pressure system. Because of this, the severe potential appears to be limited at this time. 25/Owen && .AVIATION... 00Z TAF Discussion. A large area of showers and thunderstorms was located over central and eastern Mississippi and moving quickly our way. It appears that the storms will start affecting TCL/BHM/EET in the 1-4z time frame and the others between 3-7z. Will keep the mention of thunder in the forecast for around 6hrs as the area of lightning activity is rather broad. Ceilings generally go down to MVFR as this convective activity moves in. There will be a brief period of IFR just before the front moves in. Winds will start off southerly at 10-20kts , with a few higher gusts mainly north and west. The winds veer to the west and then northwest after the front and ceilings should rise to MVFR through the morning hours with decreasing cloudiness from west to east at least by afternoon. 75 && .FIRE WEATHER... 20ft winds will remain from the south at 7-12 mph this evening with gusts to 20 mph. Rain chances will increase later tonight as a line of strong thunderstorms moves from northwest to southeast across the area. The rain should exit the southeast counties early Thursday morning. 20ft winds will become north at 5-7 mph on Thursday behind the cold front. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 56 72 44 79 54 / 90 20 0 10 40 Anniston 59 74 47 79 57 / 90 30 10 10 40 Birmingham 56 73 48 80 59 / 90 20 0 10 40 Tuscaloosa 56 75 48 81 60 / 100 10 0 10 50 Calera 59 75 50 80 61 / 90 30 0 10 40 Auburn 62 74 53 79 59 / 80 70 10 10 40 Montgomery 63 77 52 82 61 / 90 60 10 20 40 Troy 63 76 53 81 60 / 80 70 10 20 30 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/... Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Thursday for the following counties: Fayette...Lamar...Marion...Pickens...Tuscaloosa... Walker...Winston. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Birmingham AL 1252 PM CDT Wed Apr 13 2022 ALZ011>015-017>050-142100- 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- 1252 PM CDT Wed Apr 13 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the National Weather Service office in Birmingham. .DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible tonight across all of Central Alabama. Threats include damaging wind gusts, tornadoes, and large hail. A wind advisory is in effect for the northwest counties through the evening hours. Brisk south winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management will likely be needed tonight.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
849 PM CDT Wed Apr 13 2022
ALZ011>013-140230-
Fayette AL-Marion AL-Lamar AL-
849 PM CDT Wed Apr 13 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Marion, western
Fayette and Lamar Counties through 930 PM CDT...
At 849 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 9 miles northeast of Tremont to Caledonia.
Movement was northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Hamilton, Winfield, Fayette, Vernon, Sulligent, Millport, Guin,
Hackleburg, Brilliant, Glen Allen, Kennedy, Detroit, Belk, Beaverton,
Gu-
Win, Weston, Bluff, Blooming Grove, Lamar County Airport and Brinn.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for
northwestern and west central Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3432 8817 3430 8763 3353 8784 3354 8827
TIME...MOT...LOC 0149Z 242DEG 43KT 3429 8810 3366 8833
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
40/SizemoreThe Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 110 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:27 UTC.
13 thunderstorm wind, 4 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees uprooted along County Road 191.
Numerous trees uprooted in city of Union.
National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in far eastern Greene County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 90 mph. The tornado touched down just southwest of the Branch Heights community on the south side of Eutaw. It tracked northeast across Joseph Wilder Circle causing minor roof and tree damage. It began to intensify as it moved northeastward, removing a portion of the roof of the housing authority building, and reached its maximum intensity as it moved along Levi Morrow Senior Court. At least 40 residences in the community suffered at least visible shingle damage, with a few residences suffering significant roof damage. The tornado continued northeast, causing roof damage to a business along Highway 43, and snapping and uprooting multiple trees in a park as it crossed Highway 14 and at the Finches Ferry Road. The tornado then crossed into Hale County near the dead end of Finches Ferry Road.
National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in western Hale County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 90 mph. This tornado originated in near Eutaw in Greene County and crossed into Hale County at the Black Warrior River near Finches Ferry Road. In Akron, several trees were uprooted and an apartment building suffered minor roof damage. The tornado continued to cause occasional tree damage as it moved just north of Highway 60. Multiple trees were then uprooted along Cedarwood Road. After this point, discerning the tornado path from sporadic tree damage caused by straight line winds in the bowing segment became difficult, but the tornado appears to have dissipated prior to crossing Highway 69.
Two large hardwood trees uprooted and blocked a roadway. Two vehicles drove into the downed trees and totaled the vehicles. No injuries.
Numerous trees uprooted in the city of Linden.
Several trees uprooted and power lines downed along County Roads 44 and 50.
Multiple tree uprooted and power lines downed across the city of Northport.
Numerous trees uprooted along County Roads 25 and 28.
National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northeast Hale County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum winds near 80 mph. The brief tornado touched down near County Road 50 about 500 yards east of County Road 49. Before dissipating, several trees were uprooted and snapped along its short path.
Numerous trees uprooted in and around the city of Marion.
National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northeast Tuscaloosa County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum winds near 80 mph. The tornado touched down east of the North River just west of Oregonia Road. It tracked northeast and uprooted several trees along Oregonia Road. |The tornado caused minor damage to the skirting, siding and shingles to a manufactured home. It continued northeastward across wooded uninhabited areas before lifting along Highway 69 near Blue Creek.
Several trees uprooted along South Scottsville Road in the city of Centreville.
Several trees uprooted in and around the town of Orrville.
Several trees uprooted along Highway 82 northwest of Maplesville.
Boat canopy blown off boat slips and damage to a pier at the Franklin Ferry Marina.
Several trees uprooted and power lines downed on Flat Top Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Alabama, 2022Warnings in Alabama, April 2022
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: 1021616, 1021618, 1021677, 1021689, 1021620, 1021621, 1021623, 1021624, 1021628, 1021694, 1021629, 1021695, 1021630, 1021633, 1021634, 1021660, 1021667.