A line of strong to severe thunderstorms raced east-southeast from the Ozarks through the mid South during the evening hours of the 9th and into the Tennessee Valley during the early morning hours of the 10th. The line produced several reports of wind damage and one EF-0 tornado in Limestone County.
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.
A line of strong to severe thunderstorms raced east-southeast from the Ozarks through the mid South during the evening hours of the 9th and into the Tennessee Valley during the early morning hours of the 10th. The line produced several reports of wind damage and one EF-0 tornado in Limestone County.
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 9, 11:56 PM CST, 57 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 1256 AM CDT Thu Aug 10 2023 ...New AVIATION... .NEAR TERM... (Tonight) Issued at 901 PM CDT Wed Aug 9 2023 The first round of severe weather is done for the TN Valley this evening, however another round will move through overnight. The warm front now stretches from north MS down into Central AL just south of the CWA and into GA. We will see if the approaching shortwave is able to lift it northward at all overnight. Where it ends up is important. The cluster of storms currently up along the MO/AR border will slip southeast overnight and dive into the TN Valley as an MCS. It will then track along the warm front. These storms will be able to produce strong to damaging winds, heavy rainfall, hail and a tornado. The greatest threat for a tornado will be along and south of the warm front. Our timing for the overnight/Thursday morning severe weather across the TN Valley is: Northwest AL: 1-3am North Central AL: 2-4am Northeast AL: 3-5am && .SHORT TERM... (Thursday through Saturday Night) Issued at 215 PM CDT Wed Aug 9 2023 As the aforementioned upper shortwave progresses over the region, a surface low will continue to scoot eastward over the Mississippi and lower Ohio Valley. The cold front associated with this low is then slated to move over the local area through the day on Thursday. Models indicate that the bulk of the shear will decrease through the day, although instability will persist. As stated above, timing with the second system has not changed, with the majority of the severe weather forecast to decrease through mid- morning (8-9 AM). Although, thunderstorm activity will likely persist through the rest of the day but remain sub-severe. The main concern for the afternoon will therefore be flooding, as showers and storms will continue to be efficient rainfall producers due to persistent elevated moisture. A series of upper shortwaves along with a lingering surface boundary will keep at least low to medium (15-40%) chances of showers and storms in the forecast through Saturday. However, these are expected to be sub-severe. High temperatures will hover around the mid 80s to lower 90s, with lows in the upper 60s to mid 70s through the period. && .LONG TERM... (Saturday through Wednesday) Issued at 215 PM CDT Wed Aug 9 2023 The unsettled pattern is likely to continue into early next week as a surface low develops over the Mississippi Valley and northeastward up into the Ohio Valley. Low to medium (20-50%) chances of showers and storms are forecast, especially during the day both Sunday and Monday. High temperatures will remain in the upper 80s to lower 90s, with lows in the upper 60s to mid 70s during this time. Precipitation chances then look to decrease into midweek as surface high pressure builds into the region after frontal passage. At this time, guidance indicates that slightly cooler temperatures (mid to upper 80s) could take hold by this time as well. && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFS) Issued at 1256 AM CDT Thu Aug 10 2023 A convective complex will move in from the WNW, with impacts at KMSL after 06Z. Have VCTS to cover a broad convection potential, with an TEMP with CIG/VSBY reductions to IFR, briefly lower from very heavy rains, fog and erratic gusty winds. This activity should reach KHSV 1-2 hours later. Convection should continue into the predawn as the storms progress eastward. Most models were showing drier air filtering across the area in the late morning and early afternoon, so have ended rain chances and returned minimums to VFR before noon. SE-S winds early in the TAF, should slowly veer to the SW-W after daybreak, and westerly in the afternoon at 5-10kt. Winds should become light after sunset this evening. There is a risk of fog forming late in the TAF, however not enough confidence to add it at this time. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...None. TN...None. && NEAR TERM...JMS SHORT TERM....26 LONG TERM....26 AVIATION...RSB
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
928 PM CDT Wed Aug 9 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0306 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSW Florence 34.81N 87.68W
08/09/2023 Lauderdale AL Broadcast Media
Large tree snapped.
&&
JMSPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
931 PM CDT Wed Aug 9 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0537 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNW Mentone 34.58N 85.59W
08/09/2023 DeKalb AL Emergency Mngr
Tree blown down across CR 89 near Mentone.
&&
DGDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
933 PM CDT Wed Aug 9 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0542 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Sylvania 34.56N 85.81W
08/09/2023 DeKalb AL Emergency Mngr
Tree blown down at 281 Industrial Lane in
Sylvania.
&&
DGDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
938 PM CDT Wed Aug 9 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0521 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WSW Section 34.58N 86.00W
08/09/2023 Jackson AL Emergency Mngr
Tree blown down in the 3500 block of CR 265
in Section.
&&
DGDPreliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
940 PM CDT Wed Aug 9 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0306 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSW Florence 34.81N 87.68W
08/09/2023 Lauderdale AL Broadcast Media
Large tree snapped.
0342 PM Flood 2 ESE Florence 34.82N 87.63W
08/09/2023 Lauderdale AL Broadcast Media
3-4 inches of water across East Huntsville
Road in Florence.
0359 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 ESE Rogersville 34.81N 87.24W
08/09/2023 Lauderdale AL Broadcast Media
Tree blown down across U.S. 72 west of the
Elk River Bridge.
0406 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 S Athens 34.73N 86.96W
08/09/2023 Limestone AL Emergency Mngr
Powerlines and transformer down.
0521 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WSW Section 34.58N 86.00W
08/09/2023 Jackson AL Emergency Mngr
Tree blown down in the 3500 block of CR 265
in Section.
0522 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNW Dutton 34.62N 85.92W
08/09/2023 Jackson AL Emergency Mngr
Tree blown down across CR 380 in Dutton.
0537 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNW Mentone 34.58N 85.59W
08/09/2023 DeKalb AL Emergency Mngr
Tree blown down across CR 89 near Mentone.
0542 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Sylvania 34.56N 85.81W
08/09/2023 DeKalb AL Emergency Mngr
Tree blown down at 281 Industrial Lane in
Sylvania.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
102 AM CDT Thu Aug 10 2023
ALZ001>003-100700-
Lauderdale AL-Franklin AL-Colbert AL-
102 AM CDT Thu Aug 10 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Lauderdale, Colbert
and northwestern Franklin Counties through 200 AM CDT...
At 102 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Olive Hill to near Blue Mountain. Movement
was east at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Red Bay, Killen,
Cherokee, Lexington, St. Florian and Underwood-Petersville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3500 8721 3496 8721 3438 8816 3489 8810
3492 8816 3501 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 0602Z 281DEG 46KT 3527 8797 3460 8909
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
GHThe Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 125 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:55 UTC.
37 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was knocked down blocking the road near the CR 7 and CR 290 intersection. Time estimated by radar.
Trees and wires were knocked down on Hermitage near Royal Avenue. Time estimated by radar.
Large tree limbs were snapped northwest of Rogersville.
A tree was knocked down blocking the a lank of Lee Street near Don Hatch Circle. Time estimated by radar.
Damage was consistent with a high-end EF-0 tornado with maximum winds of 85 mph. The tornado was on the ground for approximately 7 minutes and had a maximum width of 225 yards. Damage indicators were a mix of softwood and hardwood trees, uprooted or partially snapped along the path. The tornado formed on the northern shore of Wheeler Lake on Little Elk Road, downing softwood trees at this location. The tornado crossed Snake Road to the southeast, downing and uprooting additional softwood trees along Bay Hill and Bay Shore Drives. Several homes at this location sustained significant damage to docks as trees fell on them, with uprooted trees causing damage as well to retaining walls and sprinkler systems in this area. At this point, the tornado crossed the open waters along the north shore of Wheeler Lake before coming ashore again just before Davis Road. Several trees were uprooted along with very large, snapped branches here. One home sustained damage in this area as a tree fell on the back side of the structure. While the tree looked snapped, the health of the tree looked to be in question which likely led to its quick failure. The tornado then crossed an inlet and uprooted several more trees along Beechwood Road, before continuing to the Brigadoon neighborhood. Significant and more widespread tree damage was noted in this neighborhood as trees were uprooted, power poles knocked down, and large branches snapped. The tornado continued to follow the northern shore of Wheeler Lake but began weakening. Damage, much less widespread compared to areas further west, was observed along Beech Fork Lane and sporadic tree damage through Shaw Road. The tornado dissipated just east of Shaw Road.
Reported at the Huntsville International Airport.
Several trees were uprooted and snapped on Redstone Arsenal at Vincent Drive at Phoenix Road. Time estimated by radar.
A tree was knocked down at Indigo at Grissom Apartments near Meadowbrook Drive. Time estimated by radar.
A tree was knocked down on powerlines on Todd Mill Road.
Several tree limbs were knocked down and siding was damaged at a home at this location.
Trees were knocked down on CR 77 near Highway 79.
Trees were knocked down at Fry Gap Road near Arab.
Multiple trees were knocked down on Tupelo Drive.
Multiple trees were knocked down along CR 67 near the post office.
Damage was reported to farm buildings and trees. Roofing and siding debris was scattered. A horse trailer was flipped.
A tree was knocked down onto the roadway.
A tree was knocked down and blocked the roadway near 1059 CR 43.
A tree was knocked down onto a residence, damaging a carport and two vehicles.
A tree was knocked down at Highway 205 at Summerville Road.
Powerlines were knocked down at 328 CR 53.
A tree was knocked down at 642 CR 295.
A tree was knocked down on powerlines on CR 396.
A large tree was knocked down at the 300 block of CR 16 in Dutton.
A tree was knocked down near the intersection of CR 395 and CR 51.
A tree was knocked down on Alabama Highway 68 at Justice Street.
A tree was knocked down near Dawson at the intersection of CR 199 and CR 196.
Trees were knocked down on the roadway at the intersection of CR 57 and CR 62.
Trees were knocked down over the roadway at the 200 block of CR 59 near Dutton.
A tree was knocked down onto a power line and onto the roadway at the intersection of CR 20 and CR 843.
A tree was knocked down at the intersection of CR 326 and CR 709.
Trees and powerlines were knocked down near downtown Collinsville along U.S. Highway 11.
A tree was knocked down along Parker Avenue.
A tree was knocked down at 961 CR 30.
A tree was knocked down at the intersection of CR 326 and CR 709.
A tree was knocked down at Cornerstone Drive near CR 732.
Powerlines were knocked down at 4542 CR 83.
A tree was knocked down along CR 140 between CR 788 and Alabama Highway 75.
Tree limbs were knocked down into the roadway.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Alabama, 2023Warnings in Alabama, August 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: 1130467, 1130470, 1129855, 1130469, 1117355, 1129859, 1129857, 1129858, 1129856, 1129860, 1130436, 1130444, 1130434, 1130443, 1129861, 1130431, 1130446, 1130430, 1130439, 1130448, 1130432, 1130433, 1130438, 1130459, 1130437, 1130441, 1130447, 1130450, 1130454, 1130435, 1130440, 1130449, 1130453, 1130460, 1130442, 1130445, 1130452, 1130451.