Alabama, 2023

Excessive Heat and Heat in Alabama, August 12 to 14, 2023

August 12 to 14, 2023 · NWS HUN · 19 events in 10 counties and zones

Temperatures climbing to between 88 and 95 degrees along with dewpoints in the 78 to 82 degree range allowed heat index values to climb above 105 degrees during the late morning or early afternoon hours the 12th through the 14th. These heat index values continued through much of the afternoon before dropping below 105 degrees.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 19 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
19

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS HUN wrote it up.

Temperatures climbing to between 88 and 95 degrees along with dewpoints in the 78 to 82 degree range allowed heat index values to climb above 105 degrees during the late morning or early afternoon hours the 12th through the 14th. These heat index values continued through much of the afternoon before dropping below 105 degrees. Heat index values peaked between 110 and 120 degrees in the afternoon on the 13th and 14th.

What forecasters said that day

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 12, 4:33 AM CST, 3 hours 57 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 12, 4:33 AM CST, 3 hours 57 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
533 AM CDT Sat Aug 12 2023

...New AVIATION...

.NEAR TERM...
(Today)
Issued at 117 AM CDT Sat Aug 12 2023

Patchy river valley fog should dissipate by 14Z this morning. The
region remains in a very moist airmass today, and ample heating
will push heat index values into the 105-109 range over most areas
along and west of U.S. Highway 231. Given new forecast dew points
today, lower heat index values are forecast for Cullman County, so
will scale the warning back to an advisory there. But that's
mainly a formality in that it will remain quite sultry again
today. The thermodynamic profile appears uncapped and favorable
for wet downbursts. Also, CAMS indicate that there is potential
for the MCS activity in the MO valley to drop southeast into the
TN valley later today, if not as early as midday. This is still
somewhat uncertain, but outflow from this activity could trigger
deep convection in our forecast area as well. Thus, SPC has
upgraded our area into a Slight Risk for severe, and cannot argue
that much given the environment.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Tonight through Tuesday)
Issued at 117 AM CDT Sat Aug 12 2023

The good news is that the CAMS indicate that convection will
likely have or will quickly shift southeast of our forecast area
this evening. However, deterministic models indicate varying
options of lingering convection tonight, which I can't argue with,
so will maintain low PoPs suggested by the blended guidance.

Another hot and humid day is expected Sunday. The question will be
how much MCS activity to our north will be able to sink and clip
S TN and N AL. The 5h westerlies will be mainly just to our north,
but our thermo profile will be sufficient if any outflow boundary
were to drop southeast and trigger additional convection. PoPs
will remain low chance south and a bit higher in TN. We may also
need another Heat Advisory, but will hold off on that at this
point, given today's headline and severe potential.

A more potent upper low drops from the northern Plains into the
Great Lakes on Monday, with a shortwave digging into the lower MO
Valley and Ozarks. This trough and associated cold front arrive
here on Monday night or early Tuesday. This may bring one last
bout of strong to severe thunderstorms, but timing is still in
question which could play a role in coverage and severity.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Tuesday night through Friday)
Issued at 117 AM CDT Sat Aug 12 2023

A welcome airmass change arrives during the middle of this week
with dew points dropping into the 60s (perhaps a few upper 50s) as
high pressure drops into the MO and TN valleys. Highs will be in
the 80s Tue-Thu (even a few lower 80s Tue), along with lows in the
lower 60s Wed and Thu mornings. It will be short-lived as
southerly flow returns late this week and moisture advects
northward again. However, shower and thunderstorm chances on
Friday remain low and in our southeast counties.

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 533 AM CDT Sat Aug 12 2023

Patchy BR/FG and low clouds below 010agl (IFR) will lift by
14-15Z. At this time, the KHSV and KMSL terminals should remain
VFR, but amendments are possible. Isolated to scattered TSRA are
expected after 17Z, but timing and coverage remain quite
uncertain, so have left out of both KHSV and MSL at this time
until this can be more certain. However, the TSRA that develop may
produce gusty downburst winds and frequent lightning.

&&

.HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
     ALZ001>008-016.

TN...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
     TNZ096.

&&

NEAR TERM...17
SHORT TERM....17
LONG TERM....17
AVIATION...17

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 heat, 9 excessive heat. Local standard time, as filed.

Heat, Morgan

When
August 12, 8:30 AM CST to August 14, 6:30 PM CST
Where
Morgan forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.454, -86.853 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 96 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours. This combined with very moist boundary layer conditions (surface dewpoints in the 78 to 82 degree range) to produce heat index values of 105 degrees or above. These heat index values continued until around 6:30 PM before dropping below 105 degrees in most locations.

Excessive Heat, Morgan

When
August 12, 9:00 AM CST to August 14, 6:00 PM CST
Where
Morgan forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.454, -86.853 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 96 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours as dewpoints remained in the 78 to 83 degree range. These heat index values peaked between 110 and 120 degrees on the 13th and 14th.

Heat, Limestone

When
August 12, 9:30 AM CST to August 14, 6:00 PM CST
Where
Limestone forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.810, -86.981 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 86 to 90 degree range during the late morning hours. This combined with very moist boundary layer conditions (surface dewpoints in the 78 to 83 degree range) to produce heat index values that climbed above 105 degrees. These heat index values continued until around 7 PM before dropping below 105 degrees in most locations.

Heat, Lawrence

When
August 12, 9:30 AM CST to August 14, 6:00 PM CST
Where
Lawrence forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.522, -87.311 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 97 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours. This combined with very moist boundary layer conditions (surface dewpoints in the 78 to 82 degree range) to produce heat index values of 105 degrees or above. These heat index values continued until around 7 PM before dropping below 105 degrees in most locations.

Heat, Madison

When
August 12, 9:30 AM CST to August 14, 6:00 PM CST
Where
Madison forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.763, -86.550 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 94 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours. This combined with very moist boundary layer conditions (surface dewpoints in the 78 to 82 degree range) to produce heat index values of 105 degrees or above. These heat index values continued until around 7 PM before dropping below 105 degrees in most locations.

Heat, Cullman

When
August 12, 10:00 AM CST to August 14, 6:00 PM CST
Where
Cullman forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.132, -86.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 95 degree range as dewpoints remained in the 78 to 83 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours. This pushed heat index values to climb above 105 degrees as early as the late morning hour before dropping below these values after 7 PM.

Excessive Heat, Cullman

When
August 12, 10:30 AM CST to August 14, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Cullman forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.132, -86.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 91 to 96 degree range during the late morning hours into the early afternoon hours. This combined with very moist boundary layer conditions (surface dewpoints in the 76 to 82 degree range) to produce heat index values that peaked between 113 and 120 degrees on the 13th and 14th.

Heat, Marshall

When
August 12, 10:40 AM CST to August 14, 6:00 PM CST
Where
Marshall forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.367, -86.307 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 97 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours. This combined with very moist boundary layer conditions (surface dewpoints in the 78 to 82 degree range) to produce heat index values of 105 degrees or above. These heat index values continued until around 7 PM before dropping below 105 degrees in most locations.

Heat, Franklin

When
August 13, 9:00 AM CST to August 14, 4:30 PM CST
Where
Franklin forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.442, -87.844 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 96 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours. This combined with very moist boundary layer conditions (surface dewpoints in the 78 to 82 degree range) to produce heat index values of 105 degrees or above. These heat index values continued into the late afternoon hours before dropping below 105 degrees in most locations.

Heat, Colbert

When
August 13, 9:00 AM CST to August 14, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Colbert forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.700, -87.805 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 95 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours. This combined with very moist boundary layer conditions (surface dewpoints in the 78 to 82 degree range) to produce heat index values of 105 degrees or above. These heat index values continued into the afternoon hours before dropping below 105 degrees in most locations.

Heat, Lauderdale

When
August 13, 9:30 AM CST to August 14, 6:00 PM CST
Where
Lauderdale forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.901, -87.654 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 95 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours. This combined with very moist boundary layer conditions (surface dewpoints in the 78 to 82 degree range) to produce heat index values of 105 degrees or above. These heat index values continued until around 7 PM before dropping below 105 degrees in most locations.

Excessive Heat, Franklin

When
August 13, 10:00 AM CST to August 14, 3:45 PM CST
Where
Franklin forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.442, -87.844 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 96 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours as dewpoints remained in the 78 to 83 degree range. These heat index values peaked between 110 and 120 degrees on the 13th and 14th.

Excessive Heat, Jackson

When
August 13, 10:00 AM CST to August 14, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Jackson forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.779, -85.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 96 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours as dewpoints remained in the 78 to 83 degree range. These heat index values peaked between 110 and 120 degrees on the 13th and 14th.

Excessive Heat, Lawrence

When
August 13, 10:30 AM CST to August 14, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Lawrence forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.522, -87.311 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 96 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours as dewpoints remained in the 78 to 83 degree range. These heat index values peaked between 110 and 120 degrees on the 13th and 14th.

Excessive Heat, Lauderdale

When
August 13, 11:00 AM CST to August 14, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Lauderdale forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.901, -87.654 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 95 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours as dewpoints remained in the 78 to 83 degree range. These heat index values peaked between 110 and 120 degrees on the 13th and 14th.

Excessive Heat, Colbert

When
August 13, 11:00 AM CST to August 14, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Colbert forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.700, -87.805 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 95 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours as dewpoints remained in the 78 to 83 degree range. These heat index values peaked between 110 and 120 degrees on the 13th and 14th.

Excessive Heat, Madison

When
August 13, 11:00 AM CST to August 14, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Madison forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.763, -86.550 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 94 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours as dewpoints remained in the 78 to 83 degree range. These heat index values peaked between 110 and 115 degrees on the 13th and 14th.

Heat, Jackson

When
August 13, 11:00 AM CST to August 14, 6:00 PM CST
Where
Jackson forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.779, -85.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 96 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours. This combined with very moist boundary layer conditions (surface dewpoints in the 78 to 82 degree range) to produce heat index values of 105 degrees or above. These heat index values continued until around 6 PM before dropping below 105 degrees in most locations.

Excessive Heat, Marshall

When
August 13, 12:00 PM CST to August 14, 6:10 PM CST
Where
Marshall forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
34.367, -86.307 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Through mesonet and official NWS observations, it was determined that temperatures climbed into the 88 to 97 degree range during the late morning into the afternoon hours as dewpoints remained in the 78 to 83 degree range. These heat index values peaked between 110 and 120 degrees on the 13th and 14th.

What these are

Heat
Heat below excessive heat criteria that still caused deaths, injuries or significant impacts.
Excessive Heat
Heat at or above the local excessive heat warning criteria, or heat that caused deaths.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Alabama in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, August 2023

Sources

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: 1135991, 1136098, 1136099, 1136139, 1136167, 1135950, 1135957, 1138385, 1136142, 1136149, 1136144, 1136143, 1138579, 1136140, 1136145, 1136150, 1136169, 1138577, 1138389.