An active northwest upper flow pattern continued across the Central Gulf Coast region, producing severe weather mainly across the northern and eastern portions of Central Alabama.
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 BMX wrote it up.
An active northwest upper flow pattern continued across the Central Gulf Coast region, producing severe weather mainly across the northern and eastern portions of Central Alabama.
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 Birmingham, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 8, 11:30 AM CST, 1 hour 29 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 1230 PM CDT Tue Aug 8 2023 ...New AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (Today through Wednesday) Issued at 320 AM CDT TUE AUG 8 2023 Regional mesoanalysis and water vapor imagery depict a broad mid- to upper-level trough across the eastern CONUS, with a low-amplitude ridge still situated from the Desert Southwest through the Gulf of Mexico. An axis of 925-850 mb confluence is stretched west to east across the area, generally along an associated stalling surface front exists. This boundary stretches from near the ArkLaTex, along/near our midpoint, through east-central Georgia. We're dealing with locally dense fog, mainly in valleys, north of this boundary this morning. A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect trough 8 AM to account for locally dense fog including the northern/rural areas of Jefferson County despite the metro area being clear. With the aforementioned configuration aloft, ~40 kts of WNW 500 mb flow is established across Central Alabama this morning. This will provide necessary bulk shear for thunderstorm organization this morning & afternoon as a convective perturbation moves in from the west. Thunderstorms are already initiating across the boundary in southern Arkansas moving east. Most recent HREF members are relatively clustered and depict this area of convection moving into western Central Alabama as early as ~10 AM, either as an MCS or a loosely organized batch of multicells. Either way, SBCAPE has been near HREF ensemble max values the past few weeks, and this paints 4,000-5,000 J/kg along & south of the boundary later this morning. This will provide ample buoyancy for thunderstorms advancing west to east this morning into the mid afternoon, with additional development and/or strengthening possible as a result. Damaging wind gusts are the main threats, with an outside chance of quarter size hail. The latest severe threat graphic can be seen at (weather.gov/bmx). Otherwise, our northern half should see a break from the heat today owing to cloud cover and rain on the north side of the convection. Areas south, however, could see heat indices at or above 105 degrees. A Heat Advisory is in effect for these areas, though cold pooling later this afternoon should bring an early end to that situation. The disturbance responsible for today's weather will pass to our east tonight. Soupy boundary layer conditions will be in its wake, with the potential for showers & thunderstorms to fire along the lingering front Wednesday morning, now oriented more NW to SE. Meanwhile, a potent disturbance aloft is progged to move east from the Plains into the Ohio & Tennessee Valleys. This will provide sufficient forcing & wind shear for another broad area (centered near the Missouri Bootheel into the Tennessee Valley) of at least scattered severe thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening. However, morning convection across Central Alabama could persist into the afternoon, limiting our overall severe weather chances as compared to areas to our north & west. There's also indication that a subsequent MCS could move SE out of Arkansas into the Tennessee Valley Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. All things considered, the forecast scenario is somewhat complex and conditional, so the threat for Wednesday remains a "marginal" until mesoscale details become a little more clear. We'll also reassess the need for a Heat Advisory across our southern counties in future forecast updates. 40/Sizemore && .LONG TERM... (Wednesday through Monday) Issued at 320 AM CDT TUE AUG 8 2023 The forecast area will remain in a general northwest flow pattern aloft through Friday, followed by some reamplification in the H500 heights just to our west and southwest over the weekend and persisting into Monday. Chances for shower and thunderstorm activity will continue to be maximized during the daytime hours through the extended forecast period. Shower and thunderstorm activity will be higher on Thursday and Friday due to the approach of a mid-level shortwave from the northwest that will move over much of the Tennessee Valley Region towards midday. A few more mid-level impulses look to move over portions of the forecast area Friday before the mid-level ridging rebuilds over the weekend. Toward the surface, a weak surface front will again move south into the area Thursday before likely stalling near the Interstate 20 corridor on Friday before returning northward on Saturday. With the persistent pattern continuing, I went a degree or so above guidance for daytime highs while remaining near guidance for low temperatures. The combination of high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s with dew points in the mid to upper 70s will continue to create heat index values over 105 degrees across much of the forecast area with the most oppressive values to be found across the southern and southwest portions of the forecast area through the entire extended forecast time frame. 05 && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1222 PM CDT TUE AUG 8 2023 Large mass of rain and thunderstorms was moving through central Alabama just before 18z TAF issuance time. Stronger cells within the big rain mass briefly take visibilities below 1SM, but outside of those heavier cells it looks like conditions remain 3-6SM. Rain will continue to affect TCL, BHM, and EET for several more hours, will arrive at ASN and ANB before 18z, and will take a couple/few more hours to get to MGM and TOI. Computer models continue to indicate improved conditions once the rain mass moves out later this afternoon/this evening. Question then becomes that of potential for fog formation overnight. I've indicated the possibility for fog by including 3-5SM visibilities overnight. Would not be surprised if one or more locations stayed unrestricted, nor if one or more locations dropped below 1SM. Trying to pick out which sites go which way, at this point, is problematic, and best left to later forecasts. Once any fog clears up after sunrise, conditions should be VFR through the remainder of the TAF valid time. /61/ && .FIRE WEATHER... Chances for shower and thunderstorm activity will be greatest today and again Wednesday before becoming more isolated in coverage later in the work week. Expect light winds at the surface and aloft outside of convection with minimum RH values through late week ranging from 50 to 60 percent. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 67 88 71 92 / 10 60 30 70 Anniston 70 88 73 93 / 10 60 20 60 Birmingham 71 89 75 93 / 10 60 30 50 Tuscaloosa 71 89 76 94 / 30 60 20 30 Calera 72 88 75 93 / 20 60 20 30 Auburn 72 88 74 93 / 20 60 10 30 Montgomery 73 91 75 97 / 20 60 10 20 Troy 73 92 75 98 / 20 60 10 20 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory until 9 PM CDT this evening for the following counties: Barbour-Bullock-Lowndes-Macon-Montgomery-Pike-Russell. && SHORT TERM...40 LONG TERM....05 AVIATION.../61/
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Birmingham AL 822 AM CDT Tue Aug 8 2023 ALZ011>015-017>050-091630- Marion-Lamar-Fayette-Winston-Walker-Blount-Etowah-Calhoun-Cherokee- Cleburne-Pickens-Tuscaloosa-Jefferson-Shelby-St. Clair-Talladega- Clay-Randolph-Sumter-Greene-Hale-Perry-Bibb-Chilton-Coosa-Tallapoosa- Chambers-Marengo-Dallas-Autauga-Lowndes-Elmore-Montgomery-Macon- Bullock-Lee-Russell-Pike-Barbour- 822 AM CDT Tue Aug 8 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the National Weather Service office in Birmingham. .DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight. Severe thunderstorms are possible across much of Central Alabama today, generally 10 AM through 5 PM. Storms will pose a threat of damaging wind gusts and perhaps hail up to quarter size. Heat indices at or above 105 degrees are forecast across southern portions of Central Alabama today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Severe thunderstorms are possible across Central Alabama on Wednesday. Storms will pose a threat of damaging wind gusts. Heat indices could approach 105 degrees across southern portions of Central Alabama Wednesday through Monday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management may be needed today and tomorrow.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1020 AM CDT Tue Aug 8 2023
ALZ022-023-030-031-081600-
Greene AL-Pickens AL-Sumter AL-Tuscaloosa AL-
1020 AM CDT Tue Aug 8 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of west central
Tuscaloosa, Pickens, northwestern Greene and northwestern Sumter
Counties through 1100 AM CDT...
At 1020 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Garden to near Electric Mills. Movement
was east 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...
Aliceville, Gordo, Carrollton, Pickensville, Boligee, Union,
Gainesville, Emelle, Memphis, McMullen, Panola, West Greene,
Benevola, Johnston Lake, Bevill Lock And Dam, Garden, New West
Greene, Mantua, Allison and Jena.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3334 8830 3333 8770 3273 8798 3273 8837
TIME...MOT...LOC 1520Z 270DEG 31KT 3321 8820 3285 8849
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
86/MartinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1151 AM CDT Tue Aug 8 2023
ALZ023>026-034-035-081730-
Chilton AL-Bibb AL-Jefferson AL-Shelby AL-Tuscaloosa AL-St. Clair AL-
1151 AM CDT Tue Aug 8 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of north central
Chilton, east central Tuscaloosa, Shelby, eastern Bibb, central
Jefferson and west central St. Clair Counties through 1230 PM CDT...
At 1150 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Pleasant Grove to near Ashby. 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...
Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Alabaster, Bessemer, Homewood,
Pelham, Mountain Brook, Trussville, Helena, Hueytown, Irondale,
Leeds, Moody, Calera, Fairfield, Chelsea, Fultondale, Montevallo and
Columbiana.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3320 8649 3317 8650 3317 8649 3310 8649
3309 8651 3306 8651 3306 8652 3300 8652
3292 8712 3324 8722 3351 8719 3372 8651
TIME...MOT...LOC 1650Z 253DEG 42KT 3350 8698 3302 8698
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
86/MartinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1253 PM CDT Tue Aug 8 2023
ALZ040-042-081830-
Lowndes AL-Dallas AL-
1253 PM CDT Tue Aug 8 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Lowndes
and southeastern Dallas Counties through 130 PM CDT...
At 1253 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles north of Pine Apple, or 18 miles southwest of Mosses, moving
east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Fort Deposit, Mosses, Gordonville, Lowndes County Airport, Mount
Willing, Collirene, Clover Hill, Carlowville, Minter, Farmersville
and Fostoria.
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.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3205 8686 3205 8712 3212 8717 3229 8677
3197 8656 3196 8659 3196 8686
TIME...MOT...LOC 1753Z 253DEG 19KT 3204 8695
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
86/MartinPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1254 PM CDT Tue Aug 8 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0355 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Oxford 33.61N 85.83W
08/07/2023 Calhoun AL Emergency Mngr
Multiple trees and power lines down in
Oxford.
&&
DavisPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1257 PM CDT Tue Aug 8 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0350 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SE Blue Mountain 33.68N 85.83W
08/07/2023 Calhoun AL Emergency Mngr
Multiple trees and powerlines down across
Anniston.
&&
DavisSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
121 PM CDT Tue Aug 8 2023
ALZ040>042-044-081900-
Autauga AL-Lowndes AL-Montgomery AL-Dallas AL-
121 PM CDT Tue Aug 8 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southern Autauga,
Lowndes, southeastern Dallas and southwestern Montgomery Counties
through 200 PM CDT...
At 120 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Tyler to near Lowndes County Airport. Movement
was east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Southwestern Montgomery, Selma, Fort Deposit, Mosses, Hayneville,
Selmont-West Selmont, Autaugaville, White Hall, Gordonville,
Lowndesboro, Benton, Beechwood, Gardner Island, Tyler, Autauga County
Airport, Sellers, Davenport, Pintlala, Mulberry and Lowndes County
Airport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3205 8686 3205 8696 3245 8706 3249 8652
3197 8619 3197 8630 3205 8631 3205 8641
3204 8640 3196 8641 3196 8686
TIME...MOT...LOC 1820Z 262DEG 30KT 3233 8688 3196 8665
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
86/MartinThe Maxwell AFB radar (KMXX), 69 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:01 UTC.
8 thunderstorm wind, 7 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous trees uprooted across the southern portions of Montgomery County, including Ramer Grady Road.
Multiple trees uprooted along Orion Road.
Multiple trees uprooted between County Road 223 and Highway 29.
Numerous trees uprooted between Pittsview and Hurtsboro.
Multiple trees uprooted around the city of Eufaula.
Two inch hail reported in Smoke Rise.
Golf ball size hail reported in Hayden.
Several trees uprooted on Pine Mountain Road.
Half-dollar size hail reported in Curry.
Multiple trees reported uprooted across the northwest portions of Randolph County.
Quarter size hail reported in Chelsea.
Multiple trees uprooted and power lines downed near McGowan's Ferry and Heasletts Road.
Ping pong size hail reported near Fayetteville.
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: 1133765, 1133766, 1133770, 1133771, 1133772, 1133777, 1133779, 1133778, 1133781, 1133786, 1133782, 1133783, 1133788, 1133787, 1133789.