A potent thunderstorm complex developed in southwestern Tennessee and northeast Mississippi during the mid to late afternoon hours and raced east across northwestern Alabama during the late afternoon to early evening hours. This complex of strong to severe storms produced widespread wind damage and winds of 60 to 70 mph and isolated quarter inch hail.
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 potent thunderstorm complex developed in southwestern Tennessee and northeast Mississippi during the mid to late afternoon hours and raced east across northwestern Alabama during the late afternoon to early evening hours. This complex of strong to severe storms produced widespread wind damage and winds of 60 to 70 mph and isolated quarter inch hail. Especially hard hit was Colbert and Lauderdale counties. At least 4,000 people were without power in Florence. This complex weakened significantly as it moved towards and east of the I-65 corridor. However, another pocket of stronger wind damage was seen in the Berlin area of Cullman county as well.
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 5, 4:16 PM CST, 1 hour 32 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 516 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023 ...New AVIATION... .NEAR TERM... (Tonight) Issued at 300 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023 The MCS noted in the previous discussion this morning has all but dissipated over the I-40 corridor in TN, and the resulting outflow boundary has since pushed south of the forecast area. Afternoon heating and steep low level lapse rates have led to appreciable instability across the local area with SBCAPE nearing or exceeding 3000 J/kg over northwest AL. Aside from the risk of a few diurnally driven thunderstorms this afternoon, our focus will be on an outflow boundary currently moving east through central AR. This will be the focus for additional showers and thunderstorms later this evening and overnight, mainly the 6pm-8am timeframe. This is tied to an upper shortwave that will continue to shift east into the Tennessee Valley overnight. Mid to upper level flow will increase later this evening and overnight, and any thunderstorms that track into the area will be capable of producing frequent lightning and gusty to damaging winds. SPC has maintained a Marginal Risk for damaging winds through the overnight hours for this reason, as there is still a bit of uncertainty regarding the convective evolution of these thunderstorms as they shift east this afternoon. Will continue to monitor the mesoscale evolution and hopefully have a better idea on timing by the evening forecast update. Otherwise, overnight lows will fall into the upper 60s in the east and lower 70s to the west. Did not include fog in the forecast overnight due to the uncertainty for storms and cloud cover. && .SHORT TERM... (Sunday through Monday night) Issued at 300 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023 Another shortwave disturbance will traverse around the eastern edge of an upper low over the northern Plains on Sunday, and will bring yet another chance for strong to severe storms Sunday afternoon. The combination of steep lapse rates, relatively strong shear, and high moisture content will bring the risk for damaging winds, hail, and localized flooding with any stronger storms that develop. For now, there is fairly good agreement that the timing will be confined to the afternoon and early evening hours, although there is disagreement on coverage and intensity. The NAM is a bit more aggressive with developing thunderstorms as the shortwave progresses east across the area, while the GFS and ECMWF favor drier conditions. Have stuck pretty close to blended guidance with this in mind, but do want to highlight the risk given the expected environment. As the aforementioned upper low continues to move into the eastern CONUS on Monday, yet another round of storms will be possible late Monday into Tuesday ahead of a cold front, especially across northeast AL where the forcing/vorticity advection appears to be strongest. This will carry the same risks as Sunday, but stronger wind shear may make these storms more of a concern. Localized flooding will be a concern with this event as well, as PWATS climb into the 2-2.3" range. In addition to the risk for strong/severe storms, dangerous heat will also be a threat. Due to the uncertainty with storms and cloud cover, favored slightly cooler temps and lower dewpoints than the NBM, but if more clearing occurs could see the need for a Heat Advisory for one or both days. Afternoon highs will range from the upper 80s/lower 90s each day with afternoon dewpoints in the mid to perhaps upper 70s. Overnight lows in the low to mid 70s will provide little relief from the heat. && .LONG TERM... (Tuesday through Saturday) Issued at 300 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023 Will begin the long term period on the northern side of a cold front, which will lower thunderstorm chances on Tuesday, highest south of the TN River (30-40% chance). An upper wave will move across the area toward the mid-week period, and the warm front will lift back north resulting in increasing chances (50-60%) for showers and thunderstorms. Additional waves of storms will be possible through the remainder of the long term forecast, so will have to monitor for flooding concerns across areas that receive multiple rounds of heavy rain. The good news is that heat should be less of a factor next week with the cold front during the first half of the week and increased storm activity during the later half. Look for highs in the mid to upper 80s each day with overnight lows in the upper 60s/lower 70s. && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 516 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023 A loosely organized complex of SHRA and TSRA over west TN and far north MS will spread east through this evening into north AL and southern middle TN. A few stronger TSRA are possible with gusty winds, but confidence in either KMSL or KHSV experiencing strong TSRA remains too uncertain to include. Thus, amendments may be necessary. Otherwise, VFR conditions are expected through the period. Additional TSRA are possible after 17Z/06 but again, confidence in location and timing are still too uncertain to include. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...None. TN...None. && NEAR TERM...25 SHORT TERM....25 LONG TERM....25 AVIATION...17
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
616 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023
ALZ003-052345-
Franklin AL-
616 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Franklin County through 645 PM CDT...
At 616 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Tremont, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Vina and Atwood.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3438 8816 3441 8801 3432 8798 3432 8817
TIME...MOT...LOC 2316Z 259DEG 18KT 3432 8820
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
KTWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
627 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023
ALZ001-002-060015-
Lauderdale AL-Colbert AL-
627 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Lauderdale and northwestern Colbert Counties through 715 PM CDT...
At 627 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Burnsville, or 9 miles northwest of Iuka, moving east at 20 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...
Waterloo, Riverton and Wright.
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 3501 8797 3479 8800 3480 8811 3489 8810
3492 8816 3496 8817 3497 8819 3500 8820
3501 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 2327Z 274DEG 17KT 3489 8832
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KTWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
642 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023
ALZ003-060015-
Franklin AL-
642 PM CDT Sat Aug 5 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Franklin County through 715 PM CDT...
At 641 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southeast of Red Bay, moving east at 20 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...
Vina, Hodges, Duketon, Atwood and Little Bear Creek Reservoir.
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 3441 8812 3445 8781 3431 8777 3431 8805
3432 8814
TIME...MOT...LOC 2341Z 259DEG 18KT 3435 8805
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KTWThe Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 116 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:48 UTC.
38 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was reported down at the intersection of CR 1 and CR 14. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down a this location on CR 1. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down near the 100 block of Old Natchez Trace Road. Time was estimated from radar.
A power pole was reported down or leaning near the 4000 block of Cross Lane. Time was estimated by radar.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of CR 2 and Sunset Beach Road. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down at the intersection of CR 15 and CR 6. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down on CR 158 at this location. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down on Natchez Trace Parkway at this location. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down at the intersection of CR 6 and Highway 20. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down near Mt. Mills road and Highway 247. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down at the intersection of CR 2 and CR 189. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down onto powerlines at the intersection of CR 2 and Lakebend Shores Drive. Time was estimated from radar.
Emergency manager reported numerous trees down as well as power lines from Russellville to Phil Campbell. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down on CR 12. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down at the intersection of CR 200 and CR 220. Time was estimated from radar.
Storm spotter reported trees snapped or uprooted near the Forest Hill subdivision in Florence.
Power lines were reported down on Byron Drive at this location. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down at the intersection of CR 7 and CR 118. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down onto a truck in downtown Florence.
A tree was reported down near the 500 block of 17th street SE. Time was estimated from radar.
A power pole was reported leaning or down near the 400 block of Annapolis Avenue. |Time was estimated from radar.
Powerlines were reported down on Gilbert Court. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down on powerlines at this location on North Chestnut Road. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down on North Hook street at this location. Time was estimated from radar.
Powerlines were reported down on North Royal Street. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down on Southern Blvd. at this location. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down at this location on North Atlanta Avenue. Time was estimated from radar.
A power pole was reported leaning or down at this location on Jackson Highway. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down on near the intersection of Meadow Street and Circle Drive. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of Gnat Pond Road and 2nd Street. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down near Ridge Pointe.
A tree was reported down at this location on Hike Drive. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down on the 1600 block of Southern Boulevard. Time was estimated from radar.
Power lines were reported down at this location on CR 8. Time was estimated from radar.
A report of quarter size hail was received at this location. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of River Road and Point Road. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of Spout Springs Road and River Road. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down at this location on CR 450. Time was estimated from radar.
Trees were reported down in Berlin.
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: 1120118, 1120123, 1118059, 1118060, 1120115, 1120116, 1120114, 1120117, 1120119, 1118062, 1120124, 1120128, 1118079, 1120120, 1120121, 1118076, 1120084, 1120122, 1118067, 1118068, 1118074, 1120112, 1120129, 1118065, 1120113, 1120465, 1120478, 1120483, 1120485, 1120487, 1118064, 1120126, 1118061, 1120127, 1118077, 1120480, 1120481, 1120125, 1118083.