Several disturbances moved SSE through NNW flow and affect locations near and west of the I-65 corridor with training strong thunderstorms producing torrential rainfall producing both nuisance and flash flooding.
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.
Several disturbances moved SSE through NNW flow and affect locations near and west of the I-65 corridor with training strong thunderstorms producing torrential rainfall producing both nuisance and flash flooding.
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 4, 1:25 AM CST, 2 hours 5 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 225 AM CDT Fri Aug 4 2023 ...New NEAR TERM, SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .NEAR TERM... (Today) Issued at 230 AM CDT Fri Aug 4 2023 NW/SE orientation of tstms continues to expand across portions of west TN this early Fri morning. Latest hi-res model suites have this activity continuing to expand to the SE and into parts of north AL heading more into the early morning hrs. This activity is developing along remnant outflow boundaries and is being aided by weak upper disturbances embedded within a NW flow regime. This convection is also occurring just north of a stalled frontal boundary located from NE AR into east central MS/west central AL. With the mean flow also out of the NW, these storms will likely continue to back build/train as the develop more into the area this morning and will be efficient rain producers. With PW's around 2 inches, Flash Flooding will certainly be a concern thru the late morning hrs and a Flash Flood Watch remains in effect thru 1PM. In addition to the heavy rainfall/flooding threat, gusty winds are possible with a few of the stronger embedded tstms. Latest model runs/blended guidance have much of the convective activity diminishing this afternoon, which hopefully should end the threat for additional Flash Flooding. Lingering cloud cover coupled with a worked over air mass also looks to keep afternoon temps mainly in the mid/perhaps upper 80s for most spots. && .SHORT TERM... (Tonight through Sunday) Issued at 230 AM CDT Fri Aug 4 2023 The flow pattern looks to become less active tonight into Sat, with the weak frontal boundary remaining invof the central TN Valley. The upper flow regime also looks to become more WNW into the weekend period, as the upper ridge pattern over the SW states drifts to the east. PW amounts though look to remain near 2 inches into the weekend period. With buoyant energy increasing due to daytime heating, iso/sct showers/tstms still look possible later on Sat. Convective coverage may increase a bit more during the day Sun, as another upper wave begins to traverse ESE across the region. Afternoon highs may also be able to climb a bit more into the upper 80s/near 90F on Sat, before afternoon temps trend more in the lower 90s/near 90F Sun. Max heat indices may also approach 105F in a few spots Sun afternoon where less rainfall develops. Lows tonight/Sat night look to trend predom in the upper 60s/lower 70s. && .LONG TERM... (Sunday night through Thursday) Issued at 230 AM CDT Fri Aug 4 2023 An unsettled and slightly cooler weather pattern is forecast as we go into a new week. This Sunday evening, a very moist atmosphere will be in place over the Tennessee Valley. Precipitable water amounts ranging in the 1.5 to 2 inch range Sunday night will allow for a potential for locally heavy rainfall over parts of the area. The NAM, GFS and Canadian were showing this precip maximum Sun evening, with ECMWF much drier, and the NBM not as dry. Leaned more towards the wetter solution given the high amounts of moisture present. One more muggy night is expected with lows Sun night in the lower 70s. One more very warm day on Monday with highs rising to around 90. Things should begin drying out somewhat Mon evening, as frontal boundary moves in a NW-SE manner across the area. Precip water amounts should fall closer to around 1 inch as drier air filters in from the NW. Lows also should be a tad cooler Mon night, ranging in the mid and upper 60s. The front however will become stationary not too far south of the area. Passing weak lows along the front, and its proximity will keep some chance of mainly afternoon showers and thunderstorms in the forecast through the middle of the week. However, the slightly cooler trend will continue, with highs from Tue-Thu in the mid/upper 80s and lows mostly in the mid 60s. && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFS) Issued at 1123 PM CDT Thu Aug 3 2023 TSRA/SHRA are expected to redevelop late tonight into early Friday morning, resulting in MVFR to localized IFR conditions at both terminals due to reductions in ceilings and visibilities. Amendments and AWWs may be needed, especially during a 09-15z timeframe. Drier air will move in after 18z as precipitation comes to an end and the VFR conditions return by the afternoon and into the evening/overnight hours on Friday night. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...Flood Watch until 1 PM CDT this afternoon for ALZ001>010-016. TN...Flood Watch until 1 PM CDT this afternoon for TNZ076-096-097. && NEAR TERM...09 SHORT TERM....09 LONG TERM....RSB AVIATION...AMP
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
315 AM CDT Fri Aug 4 2023
ALZ001-002-040900-
Lauderdale AL-Colbert AL-
315 AM CDT Fri Aug 4 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Lauderdale
and western Colbert Counties through 400 AM CDT...
At 314 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Walnut Grove, or 8 miles east of Pickwick Landing State Park, 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...
Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Cherokee, Waterloo,
Posey Loop, Mt Hester, Srygley Church and New Bethel.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3500 8787 3467 8760 3457 8791 3457 8792
3483 8811 3489 8810 3492 8816 3500 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 0814Z 330DEG 36KT 3509 8808
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
RSBThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
4 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Lee Street blocked due to flooding. Depth of water unknown.
Flooding across Pattillo Street in Hartselle. Depth of water unknown.
Flooding on Country Club Road just past Fairway Drive. Depth of water unknown.
Flooding along East Piney Grove Road and East Lacon Road. Depth of water unknown.
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: 1137305, 1137291, 1137292, 1137296.