Clusters of thunderstorms, a couple of which were strong to severe, developed during the mid afternoon hours and lingered into the early evening hours across north central Alabama. A few reports of wind damage were received in Colbert, Lawrence and Madison 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.
Clusters of thunderstorms, a couple of which were strong to severe, developed during the mid afternoon hours and lingered into the early evening hours across north central Alabama. A few reports of wind damage were received in Colbert, Lawrence and Madison Counties.
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 Jul 6, 1:43 PM CST, 1 minute earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 243 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2023 ...New NEAR TERM, SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .NEAR TERM... (Remainder of today and tonight) Issued at 243 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2023 There have been no significant changes to forecast reasoning for the remainder of the afternoon since the update earlier this morning. Although current radar/satellite data confirm that convection which impacted portions of northeast AL earlier this morning has now spread eastward and out of the CWFA, additional thunderstorms across northeastern MS/northwestern AL will continue to track eastward in conjunction with a mid-level disturbance. Convection has also recently developed across northern portions of western/middle TN in the vicinity of a subtle wind shift axis/cold front, which will progress southeastward and through the TN Valley this evening. Based on a consensus of guidance from the 12Z CAMs, we will maintain a high chance (50-60%) POP for the rest of the afternoon and a medium chance (30-40%) early this evening, as storms may not entirely dissipate with sunset, especially given weak lift along the wind shift axis. As we mentioned earlier, sufficient CAPE is analyzed to support a risk of strong storms capable of producing winds in the 40-50 MPH range, small hail and frequent lighting. It does appear as if lingering storms should spread south- southeastward and out of the CWFA between 3-6Z, with clearing skies and a moist boundary layer supporting the development of patchy haze and mist during the early morning hours Friday. However, with a slightly drier airmass (dewpoints in the u60s-l70s) expected to be advected into the region from the north, we do not anticipate a widespread coverage of dense fog. Lows will range from the m-u 60s in outlying areas to lower 70s in urban locations and near large bodies of water. && .SHORT TERM... (Friday through Saturday night) Issued at 243 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2023 The subtle wind shift axis/cool front discussed above will likely have an impact on the distribution of convection tomorrow afternoon, as another mid-level shortwave trough approaches the region from the northwest. Present indications are that this boundary will increasingly take on the configuration of a backdoor cold front, perhaps keeping the greatest coverage of showers and thunderstorms across the southwestern portion of the CWFA and near the AL-MS border. We will adjust the Friday afternoon POP grid to reflect this, but cannot completely discount the possibility of an isolated shower or storm to the north/east of the front. Highs are predicted to be comparable to values from today (u80-l90s), with storm threats/impacts similar, as well. Lingering convection will dissipate quickly after sunset Friday evening, with patchy fog possible early Saturday morning as temps fall into the u60s-l70s. Global models still suggest that westerly winds aloft will begin to strengthen across the region on Saturday, as synoptic conditions will become more influenced by an upper low dropping southward to the west of Hudson Bay, and less influenced by the broad subtropical ridge to our south. It still appears as if clusters of thunderstorms originating in two separate zones (south-central KS to central AR, and eastern MO/western IL) early Saturday morning will grow upscale into a large MCS that should reach the western half of our CWFA late Saturday afternoon and spread eastward during the evening hours, in conjunction with a mid-level wave. Although instability will not be much different compared to previous days, mid-level flow in the 20-30 knot range will provide sufficient shear for storm organization, and this could result in some severe wind/hail. Highs will be a couple of degrees cooler (85-90F range) Saturday due to an increase in clouds during the afternoon, with lows in the 65-70F range Sunday morning. && .LONG TERM... (Sunday through Thursday) Issued at 243 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2023 The upper low across southern Canada will gradually weaken and drift southeastward across Ontario during the period from Sunday- Monday, with another well-defined mid-level wave within its peripheral circulation predicted to shift southeastward across the Ozarks on Sunday. Although this system will likely contribute to development of additional thunderstorm clusters on Sunday afternoon and evening (some of which could produce severe wind/hail), there is some uncertainty on precisely where these will track, and we have kept POPs generally in the 60-70% range for our CWFA. Regardless, it appears as if showers and storms should be spreading east-southeastward and out of our region around daybreak on Monday, with a slightly drier airmass expected to once again be advected southward in the wake of the MCS as winds veer to NW. With dewpoints perhaps falling into the 65-70F range Monday night-Tuesday night, we expect generally dry conditions to prevail, with pleasantly cool overnight lows (perhaps in the mid 60s across the northeastern corner of the CWFA). Low-level flow will shift to the southwest on Wednesday, with increasing moisture fueling redevelopment of mainly afternoon/evening convection late in the period. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1219 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2023 VFR conditions are currently observed at the HSV/MSL terminals, featuring sct-bkn Cu btwn 2.5-4 kft beneath a layer of Ac. Although convection this morning has thus far been confined to locations along the AL-GA border, additional SHRA/TSRA (currently developing across northeastern MS) should expand eastward into the region this aftn, aided by a weak upper-lvl disturbance embedded in light NW flow aloft. Based on a consensus of high-res model data, we have included TEMPO groups for TSRA at both airports btwn 21-01Z, which represents the most likely time for storm impacts, MVFR cig/vsby restrictions and the potential need for AWWs. Convection should quickly diminish within a few hours of sunset this evening, with clearing skies setting the stage for fog development early Friday morning. However, a weak surge of northerly flow and intrusion of slightly drier air may offset this to some degree, and we have not included vsby reductions attm. Sct SHRA/TSRA may develop once again toward the end of this TAF period, but may be confined to the location of a weak cool front draped across the western portion of the CWFA. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...None. TN...None. && NEAR TERM...70/DD SHORT TERM...70/DD LONG TERM...70/DD AVIATION...70/DD
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
130 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2023
ALZ002-003-061915-
Franklin AL-Colbert AL-
130 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Colbert
and central Franklin Counties through 215 PM CDT...
At 130 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Red Bay, moving east at 35 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...
Russellville, Phil Campbell, Belgreen, Vina, Pogo, Cedar Creek
Reservoir, Atwood, Srygley Church, New Bethel and Duketon.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3435 8807 3458 8814 3467 8771 3435 8765
TIME...MOT...LOC 1830Z 248DEG 31KT 3446 8805
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BarronSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
208 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2023
ALZ001-002-062000-
Lauderdale AL-Colbert AL-
208 PM CDT Thu Jul 6 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Lauderdale and Colbert Counties through 300 PM CDT...
At 207 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of Cherokee, or 14 miles east of Tishomingo State Park,
moving east at 30 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...
Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Killen, Cherokee,
Littleville, Leighton, St. Florian and Posey Loop.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3487 8747 3471 8743 3470 8745 3465 8745
3465 8748 3463 8748 3460 8752 3457 8786
3458 8802 3478 8808
TIME...MOT...LOC 1907Z 256DEG 26KT 3464 8794
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BarronThe Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 105 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:44 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A telephone pole and lines were knocked down at the intersection of Locust Lane and Carter Drive. Time estimated by radar.
Power lines and trees were knocked down in the 1700 block of CR 87. Time estimated by radar.
Minor roof damage was reported at Five Points Grocery. Some small trees were knocked down in the immediate vicinity. Time estimated based on radar.
Power lines were knocked down. Time estimated by radar.
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, July 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: 1117594, 1117600, 1117598, 1117596.