Thunderstorms developed across portions of south central Alabama and produced damaging wind gusts.
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 MOB wrote it up.
Thunderstorms developed across portions of south central Alabama and produced damaging wind gusts.
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 Mobile, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 26, 3:10 PM CST, 35 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Mobile AL 410 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023 ...New NEAR TERM, SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, MARINE... .NEAR TERM... (Now through Tonight) Issued at 210 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023 Warm, tranquil day on tap for most of the area with temperatures soaring into the upper 70s to low 80s at this hour. A few storms have developed across northwest Florida as of 18z as the warm front lifts north out of the Gulf and across the panhandle. Expect an increasing trend in convective coverage throughout the afternoon with the scattered storms predominantly impacting northwest Florida (north of the beaches) first before sliding into south-central Alabama as the warm front lifts north. Steering flow remains weak, so minor/nuisance flooding is somewhat of a concern this afternoon as storms move slow and continue to back build and repeatedly move over the same locations. Given a subtle shortwave moving across the region, warm front sliding overhead, ample instability, and a rather straight/unidirectional hodograph, we can't rule out a few strong to severe storms over the next few hours with hail and gusty winds being the main threats. Convection should lift out of the area early this evening with a brief dry period expected overnight. Given the increasing moisture levels overnight, patchy fog will be a concern after midnight along the coast. Fog will spread further inland and become fairly widespread in the pre-dawn hours before the next batch of storms enter the area from the west in the short term. 07/mb && .SHORT TERM... (Thursday through Friday night) Issued at 210 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023 An active weather day is expected for Thursday with the potential of severe weather across the area. An upper low currently moving across the TX Panhandle, will move east into the Lower MS Valley on Thursday. Forcing will begin to overspread the region tomorrow morning as favorable upper level jet dynamics move into the area. The best forcing appears to move into the western parts of the area between 7-10am and spreads east through the morning into the afternoon hours. A consensus of the CAM guidance suggests that a complex of storms will approach from the west and enter southeast MS by mid morning. In addition, a marine warm front will be draped close to the coast and this will also serve as a focus for thunderstorm development as the forcing increases. How this convection evolves as it moves east across the region is a bit uncertain. However, deep layer shear will be favorable at 40-50 kt with MLCAPES rising to 1000-2000 J/kg along and south of the marine front (highest along the I-10 corridor). Instability will be generally less than 1000 J/kg further inland any may not even reach 500 J/kg north of Hwy 84. This all suggests the potential for severe thunderstorms, especially across the southern half of the area with the greatest threat along and south of I-10. In addition, forecast soundings reveal that the best instability and shear will be present in the mid levels with mid level lapse rates near 7 C/km. This favors robust updrafts and the potential for developing significant cold pools that could enhance the damaging wind threat (potentially resulting as a longer lasting squall line.) Given the favorable shear in the -10 to -30C layer, we will also have to watch for the potential of large hail, although that is more uncertain. The tornado potential is also uncertain. The mere fact that we will have a marine boundary draped across the area is of concern as that alone will enhance low level shear. However, the uncertainty comes in what the strength of the 925-850mb flow will be. Model consensus currently suggests the 850mb flow will struggle to reach 30 kt and if that is the case, then low level shear will be marginal to support a more substantial tornado threat. However, if a slightly stronger low level flow develops, then the tornado concern increases. Again, the vicinity of the I-10 corridor will the be area to watch for the greatest tornado potential. The best window for severe timing will generally start around 9am across SE MS and end across the eastern zones by 5pm. The greatest overall threat will be from late morning to mid afternoon as the storm complex moves east to west across the area. We will also have to monitor for the threat of flash flooding, especially across the urban I-10 corridor. Given the presence of the marine front, we will likely see a widespread 1-3" of rain, with isolated areas of 4-6" possible. This will fall in a rather short duration, which will enhance the potential for areas of flash flooding. As this complex moves east of our area by early Thursday evening, we will likely see an overall break in significant precip given airmass stabilization. However, we have to keep a mention of isolated to scattered precip for the night given the cold front will still be to our west and the possibility of weak perturbations moving through the base of a broad trough. The threat of isolated to scattered storms will persist generally along and east of I-65 on Friday with chances gradually diminishing in the afternoon. 34/JFB && .LONG TERM... (Saturday through Wednesday) Issued at 210 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023 An active weather pattern will continue into this weekend as a potent shortwave dives southeast out of the intermountain west and pivots east across the Gulf Coast. There are still discrepancies on the timing of this shortwave, however, guidance has started to get a little closer based off the 12z runs. As the main shortwave moves east across TX on Saturday, we may see a lead shortwave eject northeast ahead of it. The GFS is the most robust with this, but the ECMWF is now beginning to show a similar setup. If this occurs, forcing will quickly overspread the area by Saturday afternoon. The main shortwave quickly moves east by Saturday night, further enhancing deep layer atmospheric lift across the region. There will be a warm front located either over our coastal waters or close to the coast. Given the upper level support, a surface low will likely develop along the frontal zone and quickly move east. The precise location of this low and the proximity of the warm front to land areas will be a main factor in determining our severe threat. At this point, it appears that the best overlay of instability and deep layer shear will be just to the east of the area as the 850mb low level jet quickly ramps up to our east Saturday night into Sunday morning. However, any northward and westward shift in these features would favor a greater severe weather threat over our local area. Regardless, numerous to widespread showers and thunderstorms are likely to develop across the area, especially by Saturday afternoon and Saturday night. Rain chances have been increased on this forecast and additional increases are likely in subsequent forecasts. Just how long the greater storm coverage will persist into Sunday is more questionable. The ECMWF would support storms developing under the cold core of the upper low moving across us while other guidance is quicker to shift precip east of us. For now, we will maintain 40-50% rain chances for Sunday morning with chances diminishing from west to east in the afternoon. A drier and cooler pattern is expected for early next week in the wake of the aforementioned system. A large scale trough will become anchored over the eastern states, resulting in a dry northwesterly flow across our region. Slightly below to near normal temperatures are expected Mon-Wed with pleasant humidity values. 34/JFB && .MARINE... Issued at 210 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023 Winds will continue to turn southeasterly in the wake of a warm front that lifted north and out of the Gulf earlier today. Expect an increasing trend in the winds on Thursday as the wind turns southerly ahead of the next round of storms. Exercise Caution headlines may be required Thursday night for the offshore Gulf waters. A light to moderate onshore flow will continue through Saturday, shifting westerly to northwesterly on Sunday and Monday. 07/mb && .MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...None. FL...None. MS...None. GM...None. && This product is also available on the web at: www.weather.gov/mob
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
206 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023
ALZ059-261930-
Escambia AL-
206 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Escambia County through 230 PM CDT...
At 206 PM CDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm 9 miles east of Riverview, or 11 miles southeast
of Brewton, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern
Escambia County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3100 8705 3108 8703 3113 8671 3106 8670
3100 8670
TIME...MOT...LOC 1906Z 241DEG 12KT 3104 8690
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JLHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
236 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023
ALZ059-060-FLZ205-262015-
Covington AL-Escambia AL-Okaloosa Inland FL-
236 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of eastern Escambia,
southern Covington and northeastern Okaloosa Counties through 315 PM
CDT...
At 235 PM CDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles east of
Florala to 16 miles northwest of Laurel Hill to 7 miles east of East
Brewton. Movement was east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and dime to nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Florala, East Brewton, Laurel Hill and Lockhart.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3099 8639 3089 8639 3103 8678 3108 8708
3126 8687 3126 8677 3120 8677 3119 8676
3120 8674 3118 8673 3119 8670 3126 8670
3123 8619 3100 8619
TIME...MOT...LOC 1935Z 260DEG 22KT 3099 8621 3111 8669 3111 8694
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JLHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
300 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023
ALZ056-060-262115-
Conecuh AL-Covington AL-
300 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Conecuh
and central Covington Counties through 415 PM CDT...
At 300 PM CDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm 14 miles southwest of Red Level, or 16 miles west
of Andalusia, moving northeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Andalusia, Opp and River Falls.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3117 8670 3119 8670 3118 8673 3120 8674
3118 8677 3126 8677 3126 8687 3136 8675
3135 8620 3123 8620
TIME...MOT...LOC 2000Z 239DEG 10KT 3123 8674
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JLHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
341 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023
ALZ056>058-060-262145-
Conecuh AL-Butler AL-Covington AL-Crenshaw AL-
341 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Butler,
southern Crenshaw, east central Conecuh and northwestern Covington
Counties through 445 PM CDT...
At 340 PM CDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over River Falls, or 7 miles northwest of
Andalusia, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Andalusia, Luverne, Brantley, River Falls, Red Level, Rutledge,
Dozier, Heath, Gantt and Glenwood.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3153 8617 3153 8619 3151 8620 3129 8647
3135 8677 3171 8652 3178 8632 3170 8616
3167 8615 3163 8618 3162 8618 3162 8615
3155 8614
TIME...MOT...LOC 2040Z 222DEG 27KT 3138 8656
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BlackSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
433 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023
ALZ057-058-262230-
Butler AL-Crenshaw AL-
433 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Butler and
northwestern Crenshaw Counties through 530 PM CDT...
At 432 PM CDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Georgiana, or 13 miles south of Greenville,
moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Greenville and Georgiana.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3155 8666 3164 8685 3195 8660 3194 8641
3185 8629 3174 8631
TIME...MOT...LOC 2132Z 228DEG 23KT 3164 8669
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BlackThe Ft Rucker radar (KEOX), 76 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:44 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
High winds downed trees in Brantly causing damage to a house.
High winds downed numerous trees and power lines.
High winds downed numerous trees with one on a house.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, April 2023
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: 1097788, 1097789, 1097790.