A line of strong to severe thunderstorms erupted during the midday into mid afternoon hours along and south of the Tennessee River. These thunderstorms pushed south-southeast, producing wind damage in Morgan, Cullman and Marshall Counties.
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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 erupted during the midday into mid afternoon hours along and south of the Tennessee River. These thunderstorms pushed south-southeast, producing wind damage in Morgan, Cullman and Marshall Counties. Numerous trees were knocked down, and some structural damage was reported.
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 3, 11:11 AM CST, 56 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 1211 PM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023 ...New AVIATION... .NEAR TERM... (Rest of Today) Issued at 929 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023 All eyes are currently on an MCS tracking southeast approaching the I-65 corridor in southern TN, but warming cloud tops and a general decrease in lightning indicates that storms are struggling to maintain intensity. With that said, will keep an eye on these storms as they move into northern AL as some clearing has occurred this morning which has allowed for better heating. Hi-res guidance supports a general weakening trend as these storms move across northern AL, keeping gusty winds and heavy rainfall as the primary threats. As a frontal boundary sits just to our north, this will serve as a forcing mechanism to keep rounds of showers and thunderstorms tracking southeast through the area into the afternoon hours. Because of this and PWATs between 2-2.25", a Flood Watch continues across the entire forecast area today. Confidence in the timing and intensity of each round of storms continues to be low, but the general consensus is that the activity currently moving through western TN and KY will continue to make its way into the area through the early afternoon hours, and we may see a break in activity by later this evening. One thing we will have to watch for is more isolated convection along outflow boundaries, especially across areas that are able to heat up more and become more unstable. Will also mention that in addition to a damaging wind and flooding threat, appreciable low level curvature will support the risk for a tornado through the afternoon hours. Will rely heavily on the mesoscale environment and watching upstream storms evolve today. With the earlier arrival of storms, have kept temps a few degrees lower than blended guidance and thus afternoon heat indices are not expected to reach Heat Advisory criteria. Expect afternoon highs to reach the mid 80s to lower 90s. && .SHORT TERM... (Tonight through Saturday night) Issued at 452 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023 After a brief respite in shower and thunderstorm activity early this evening, nearly all of the high-resolution models suggest that additional clusters of thunderstorms will develop from central MO into western TN and spread southeastward into our forecast area beginning later this evening. At this point, we have indicated a fairly widespread coverage of showers and thunderstorms beginning after Midnight and continuing for much of the morning period on Friday, and with PWAT values remaining in the 2-2.25 inch range, a boundary positioned to our immediate north/east and a high likelihood for echo training, we have maintained the Flood Watch through 18Z Friday. Fortunately, it appears as if vertical wind shear will begin to slowly diminish during the same timeframe, and this coupled with persistent convective overturning should reduce the risk for strong-severe storms as we move forward in time. Although details and timing are unclear at this point, it appears as if a reinforcing dome of high pressure will spread southward into the Great Lakes on Friday afternoon/evening in the wake of an amplifying northern stream trough. This should force the frontal boundary to drift southwestward, focusing the highest coverage of showers and thunderstorms across the southwestern portion of the CWFA on Friday afternoon/evening and again on Saturday afternoon/evening. However, it must be emphasized the precise location and orientation of the boundary are still uncertain, and POPs may need to be increased during these periods, which could potentially warrant an extension of the Flood Watch for a portion of the region. Highs will be in the u80s-l90s on Friday and perhaps a few degrees warmer on Saturday (if convection materializes as we currently think it will). Although a few locations across the southwestern portion of the region may briefly achieve a heat index of 105F, this does not appear to warrant a Heat Advisory at this time. && .LONG TERM... (Sunday through Wednesday) Issued at 452 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023 If the front indeed spreads southwestward on Saturday (as mentioned above) it is predicted to return northeastward quickly on Saturday night, in response to the eastward motion of a mid- level shortwave trough and related surface low across the northern Plains. With the entire forecast area expected to be well within the warm sector on Sunday, we will need to watch heat index values closely for a potential Heat Advisory, as shower and storm coverage should remain scattered (40-50%) during the afternoon. The deepening mid-level wave is predicted to eject northeastward into Ontario by Tuesday afternoon, with the cold front trailing southwestward from the systems surface low expected to initiate a more widespread coverage of showers and thunderstorms as it slowly drifts into our region from Sunday night-Monday night. Increasing mid-level flow and shear will raise some concern for severe thunderstorms once again during this period, but details are very unclear at this range. There is also quite a bit of uncertainty regarding how far south the front will push and where it will eventually stall on Tuesday/Wednesday, and for this reason we have maintained a medium (30-40%) POP in the forecast, mainly focused during the afternoon hours. Temperatures will be determined by the outcome of the front, but at this point we have indicated slightly cooler highs (m-u 80s) and lows (m-u 60s) at the end of the period. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1211 PM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023 Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are possible through the TAF period at both terminals, and have begun to impact the terminals early this afternoon. Lightning will be the immediate threat with these, but reductions to MVFR/IFR conditions will also be possible during heavier showers/storms. Additional redevelopment is possible overnight, and amendments may be needed to account for the latest trends. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for ALZ001>010-016. TN...Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for TNZ076-096-097. && NEAR TERM...25 SHORT TERM....70 LONG TERM....70 AVIATION...25
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
947 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
ALZ006-009-TNZ076-096-097-031530-
Madison AL-Jackson AL-Franklin TN-Moore TN-Lincoln TN-
947 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Jackson,
northeastern Madison, Moore, Lincoln and Franklin Counties through
1030 AM CDT...
At 947 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles southwest of Murfreesboro to 7 miles
north of Petersburg to 6 miles northwest of Pulaski. Movement was
east 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...
Winchester, Fayetteville, Lynchburg, Decherd, Estill Springs, Cowan,
Huntland, Petersburg, Tims Ford Lake and Sewanee.
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3539 8628 3534 8624 3533 8620 3536 8616
3534 8603 3529 8592 3522 8586 3511 8586
3489 8615 3507 8683 3526 8683 3525 8675
3531 8668 3533 8660 3537 8659 3536 8649
3532 8642 3535 8641 3536 8633 3541 8626
TIME...MOT...LOC 1447Z 287DEG 49KT 3576 8646 3542 8666 3525 8713
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
1039 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
ALZ009-TNZ097-031630-
Jackson AL-Franklin TN-
1039 AM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Jackson and southwestern Franklin Counties through 1130 AM CDT...
At 1039 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Huntland, or 12 miles southwest of Winchester, moving southeast at 40
mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Huntland, Anderson, Hytop, Bass, Francisco, Beans Creek, Jericho,
Estillfork and Maxwell.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3475 8600 3503 8632 3507 8632 3514 8624
3496 8580
TIME...MOT...LOC 1539Z 305DEG 34KT 3507 8627
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
1234 PM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
ALZ007-016-031815-
Morgan AL-Cullman AL-
1234 PM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Cullman and southwestern Morgan Counties through 115 PM CDT...
At 1233 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Decatur, moving southeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Decatur, Cullman, Hartselle, Priceville, Falkville, Vinemont,
Somerville, Eva, Basham and Cole Springs.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3421 8687 3452 8711 3453 8710 3462 8698
3458 8691 3437 8659
TIME...MOT...LOC 1733Z 320DEG 26KT 3453 8700
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
1259 PM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
ALZ004-007-008-016-031845-
Marshall AL-Lawrence AL-Morgan AL-Cullman AL-
1259 PM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southwestern
Marshall, Cullman, Morgan and southeastern Lawrence Counties through
145 PM CDT...
At 1258 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles southeast of Priceville to near Brushy
Lake. Movement was southeast at 35 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...
Cullman, Hartselle, Arab, Hanceville, Priceville, Good Hope,
Falkville, Holly Pond, Dodge City and Baldwin.
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3389 8701 3390 8710 3392 8708 3399 8715
3399 8711 3430 8711 3430 8735 3437 8739
3457 8672 3415 8624 3410 8630 3426 8644
3425 8652 3412 8660 3408 8670 3405 8668
3398 8676 3394 8688 3386 8699
TIME...MOT...LOC 1758Z 308DEG 26KT 3447 8678 3433 8725
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
26The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 106 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:07 UTC.
13 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
An unspecified number of trees were reported down in locations from north central through southeast Cullman County.
Trees were reported down and blocking road in the Eva community.
Trees down at the Apple Grove road auction house. Roadway is blocked by trees.
Several trees were reported down near the Densmore road and Apple Grove Road intersection.
Trees were knocked down and blocking the road at 6280 Apple Grove Road.
Significant damage to a house and barn was reported off of Densmore road near Hog Jaw road.
Trees were reported down at the intersection of Midfield road and May Morrow road.
An unspecified number of trees were reported down in locations from west central through southeast Cullman County.
Trees were reported down on Bethleham road.
Trees were knocked down on Bethleham Road.
Trees were reported down at the intersection of Concord road and highway 75.
Trees were knocked down at the intersection of Concord Road and Highway 75.
Several trees were reported down int he Mount Hebron area near Douglas. Some trees fell on houses.
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, 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: 1117970, 1117978, 1117971, 1117972, 1127492, 1117973, 1117974, 1127547, 1117979, 1127494, 1117976, 1127497, 1117977.