Alabama, 2023

Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Alabama, June 15 to 16, 2023

June 15 to 16, 2023 · NWS MOB · 34 events in 10 counties and zones

Strong thunderstorms tracked across the area and became severe in a very moist and unstable airmass. The thunderstorms produced damaging winds, large hail and a couple of weak tornadoes.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
34

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS MOB wrote it up.

Strong thunderstorms tracked across the area and became severe in a very moist and unstable airmass. The thunderstorms produced damaging winds, large hail and a couple of weak tornadoes.

What forecasters said that day

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 Mobile, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 15, 6:52 PM CST, 4 hours 29 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 15, 6:52 PM CST, 4 hours 29 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mobile AL
752 PM CDT Thu Jun 15 2023

...New AVIATION...

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 633 PM CDT Thu Jun 15 2023

Forecast uncertainty is rather high with regard to the
potential for thunderstorms during the next 12 to 24 hours.
Clusters of thunderstorms are currently moving
southeastward, impacting MOB, BFM, PNS. These should move
south of the terminals in the next couple of hours, with a break
in the activity expected to continue through the overnight hours.
Additional thunderstorm development is possible after sunrise and
another round of storms possible during the afternoon. Given the
uncertainly, will maintain the PROB30 group for TSRA in the TAFs.
Amendments to the TAFs may be necessary. Outside of
thunderstorms, VFR conditions are expected through the period,
with southwesterly winds and cigs above 3000 feet.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 420 PM CDT Thu Jun 15 2023/

..New NEAR TERM, SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, MARINE...

NEAR TERM...
(Now through Friday)
Issued at 415 PM CDT Thu Jun 15 2023

Severe storms continue across portions of south central AL late this
afternoon, and a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is currently in effect for
Escambia and Covington counties of south central AL, Mobile and
Baldwin counties of coastal AL and all of the western FL panhandle
through 9 PM this evening. These storms have produced widespread
wind damage and hail up to at least tennis ball size. CAMS,
specifically the HRRR, seems  to have a decent handle on this (for a
change) and it appears that the current cluster of severe storms
should continue sagging slowly southward and into the FL panhandle
counties late this afternoon and early evening. The airmass
downstream of this activity remains moderately to strongly unstable,
with MLCAPE generally ranging 2500-3000 J/KG. Strong deep layer
shear will allow for continued updraft organization, including
supercells, so damaging winds and large hail will continue to be
possible with the storms. By around 8-9 PM we think that this
cluster of storms will be moving offshore and the severe threat will
be ending, hopefully for the remainder of the night.

Another shortwave will be approaching the area from the west by
early Friday morning, and another cluster of strong to severe storms
will likely move east across our forecast area on Friday morning.
The potential for severe weather will also be there with this
cluster of storms as well, with damaging wind and large hail again
being the primary threat. There is some indication that Friday
afternoon may not be as busy weather-wise as the past several days,
but CAMs have had trouble with the timing of these systems and we
will have to monitor to see if that changes.

Lows tonight in the upper 60s well inland and the low to mid 70s
coast. Highs on Friday mainly in the upper 80s. /12

SHORT TERM...
(Friday night through Sunday night)
Issued at 415 PM CDT Thu Jun 15 2023

The active weather pattern we have been dealing with over the past
several days appears to continue right on through the weekend.
Several mid-level impulses, embedded in a persistent and
unseasonably strong mid and upper level northwesterly flow, will
continue to bring episodes of enhanced ascent across the area.
Energy aloft will overspread/interact with a moderately to
strongly unstable airmass in place. Clusters of showers and
thunderstorms appear likely to form along the Interstate 10
corridor on Saturday near a remnant quasi-stationary front with
other clusters of storms forming on old convective outflows and
over the interior in response to the passage of high level energy
maximums. Storm motion from the northwest to the southeast remains
favored. The severe weather risk remains possible Saturday given
the expectation that more than sufficient instability will be in
place as well as 0-6 km bulk shear magnitudes 35 to 45 kts.

The latest 15.12Z physical solutions suggest a more significant
upper level impulse will be riding east southeast from the Lower
MS River Valley to across central/southern sections of MS/AL
through the day Sunday. This may bring yet another increased
severe weather threat.

In addition to weekend storms, other concerns will be first =>
heat with highest heat indices (102 to 107) appearing in the
forecast by Sunday and more focused along and south of a line from
Crestview FL to New Augusta MS. Secondly, a HIGH risk of
dangerous to potentially deadly rip currents exists along area
beaches through the weekend. /10

LONG TERM...
(Monday through Thursday)
Issued at 415 PM CDT Thu Jun 15 2023

It doesn't appear there will be much reprieve next week too as the
southern stream remains in a persistently active state. An upper
level ridge centered over Mexico noses northward into the
southern Plains while there is some indication of an upper level
low pressure system to form over the TN Valley/southern Appalachians.
The position of these two systems maintains a flow supporting an
extended period where spokes of mid-level energy will drop southward
bringing the potential of multiple rounds of storms over the
central Gulf coast. Appears there will be potential for severe
storms and heavy rain with each round.

Additionally, a HIGH risk for rip currents persists at local
beaches through at least Monday. Hot and humid conditions could
also lead to heat stress related concerns as we head into early
next week. /10

MARINE...
Issued at 415 PM CDT Thu Jun 15 2023

Moderate to occasionally strong southwesterly winds prevail into
tonight and then weaken slightly Friday and into the weekend. A
Small Craft Advisory is in effect until 10 pm tonight. A brief
period of light to moderate offshore flow may develop on Friday as
a cold front may drift just off the coast, but this should be
short lived as a lighter onshore flow is generally expected as we
move into the weekend. /12

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Mobile      73  91  71  91  73  90  76  91 /  60  70  60  60  20  70  30  70
Pensacola   75  89  74  88  75  88  78  89 /  70  70  70  70  30  70  50  70
Destin      78  89  76  88  77  88  78  88 /  70  70  70  70  30  60  40  70
Evergreen   69  90  69  90  69  89  70  88 /  50  70  70  60  20  70  50  80
Waynesboro  69  88  68  90  70  89  71  89 /  30  70  60  50  20  70  50  70
Camden      67  87  66  88  67  86  68  86 /  30  70  60  40  20  70  60  80
Crestview   70  91  69  91  70  91  71  89 /  60  70  70  70  20  70  40  80

&&

.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...Flood Watch until 10 PM CDT this evening for ALZ051>060-261>266.

     High Rip Current Risk through Saturday evening for ALZ265-266.

FL...Flood Watch until 10 PM CDT this evening for FLZ201>206.

     High Rip Current Risk through Saturday evening for FLZ202-204-
     206.

MS...Flood Watch until 10 PM CDT this evening for MSZ067.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM CDT this evening for GMZ630>632-
     650-670.

&&

This product is also available on the web at:
www.weather.gov/mob

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 15, 10:45 PM CST, 36 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1145 PM CDT Thu Jun 15 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1144 PM     Flash Flood      Pensacola Beach         30.33N 87.14W
06/15/2023                   Escambia           FL   Emergency Mngr

            Significant flooding on Fort Pickens Rd, one
            stranded flooded out vehicle.

&&

JEH
Local storm report, Jun 15, 10:49 PM CST, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1149 PM CDT Thu Jun 15 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1148 PM     Flash Flood      1 WNW Warrington        30.39N 87.29W
06/15/2023                   Escambia           FL   911 Call Center

            Water rising near Jones Swamp apartment
            complex. Evacuation of vehicles is underway.

&&

JEH
Local storm report, Jun 15, 11:06 PM CST, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1206 AM CDT Fri Jun 16 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1149 PM     Rain             1 W Gulf Breeze         30.36N 87.19W
06/15/2023  M9.04 inch       Santa Rosa         FL   Mesonet

            Mesonet station FW9380 Gulf Breeze recorded
            9 inches in 3 hours.

&&

JEH
Local storm report, Jun 15, 11:07 PM CST, 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1207 AM CDT Fri Jun 16 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1155 PM     Rain             1 W Warrington          30.39N 87.29W
06/15/2023  M11.26 inch      Escambia           FL   Mesonet

            Mesonet station PNESC 1 W Warrington
            recorded almost one foot of rainfall in 3
            hours.

&&

JEH
Local storm report, Jun 15, 11:17 PM CST, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1217 AM CDT Fri Jun 16 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1122 PM     Rain             2 ENE Gulf Breeze       30.37N 87.14W
06/15/2023  M3.70 inch       Santa Rosa         FL   Mesonet

            Mesonet station NLOF1 Naval Live Oak
            recorded over last 3 hours.

&&

JEH
Local storm report, Jun 15, 11:18 PM CST, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1218 AM CDT Fri Jun 16 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1153 PM     Rain             1 NNE Pensacola Interna 30.48N 87.18W
06/15/2023  M3.42 inch       Escambia           FL   ASOS

            ASOS station KPNS Pensacola recorded over
            the last 3 hours.

&&

JEH

The radar

The Mobile radar (KMOB), 43 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:17 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

25 thunderstorm wind, 5 hail, 2 tornado, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Baldwin

When
June 15, 11:21 PM CST to 11:22 PM CST
Where
Baldwin County, 2.65 mi W of Loxley to 2.38 mi W of Loxley
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.29 mi
Path width
75 yd
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
30.618, -87.794

A brief EF-0 tornado touched down on the south side of County|Road 64, just west of the County Road 66 intersection. The|tornado moved southeast and stayed to the south of County Road|64. The end point is estimated. Spotty tree damage was noted|along the path, including two large hardwood trees that were|uprooted and facing back toward the west.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wilcox

When
June 16, 12:49 AM CST to 12:52 AM CST
Where
Wilcox County, Pine Hill
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.980, -87.580

High winds downed trees on CR 18.

Flash Flood, Baldwin

When
June 16, 3:00 AM CST to 4:00 AM CST
Where
Baldwin County, 1 mi E of Loxley to 2.44 mi SSE of Silverhill
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
30.620, -87.733

Heavy rain caused flooding on CR 64.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When
June 16, 6:23 AM CST to 6:25 AM CST
Where
Washington County, Chatom
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.470, -88.250

High winds caused damage to a roof in Chatom.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clarke

When
June 16, 6:50 AM CST to 6:52 AM CST
Where
Clarke County, 1 mi ENE of Peacock
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.756, -87.764

Clarke County EMA estimates 60-70 mph winds.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clarke

When
June 16, 6:52 AM CST to 6:54 AM CST
Where
Clarke County, Whatley
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.650, -87.700

High winds downed trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mobile

When
June 16, 6:55 AM CST to 6:57 AM CST
Where
Mobile County, 28.39 mi SW of Carlton
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
31.090, -88.240

High winds downed trees and flipped empty storage buildings.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mobile

When
June 16, 6:55 AM CST to 6:57 AM CST
Where
Mobile County, Citronelle
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
31.080, -88.230

High winds downed a tree on a residence.

Tornado, Mobile

When
June 16, 7:00 AM CST to 7:07 AM CST
Where
Mobile County, 4.33 mi NE of Salco to 9.06 mi E of Salco
Rating
EF1
Path length
7 mi
Path width
30 yd
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
31.013, -87.967

An unusual anticyclonic tornado began just west of the Middle River associated with the anticyclonic bookend vortex of a powerful Mesoscale Convective System moving across the area. The tornado likely began just west of the Mobile River based on a radar debris signature and continued to the southwest of Stockton near the Tensaw River. After completion of the storm survey, it was determined the tornado continued as an EF1 cutting across the Tensaw river where a narrow path of trees snapped exists. The tornado turned to the east moving across Live Oak Road snapping and uprooting multiple pines and oaks. Past this, a lack of convergent damage suggests the tornado likely lifted somewhere on Live Oak Road prior to reaching State Highway 225. Additional intense straight line wind damage was surveyed near the path associated with the bookends RFD just to the north where straight line wind speed estimates were upwards of 90mph. The tornado track and intensity has been updated on 6/28/2023 to reflect hi-resolution satellite imagery from Digital Globe Worldview. Winds are estimated upwards of 100mph peaking along the Bottle Creek where many trees were uprooted with a few snaps.

Thunderstorm Wind, Baldwin

When
June 16, 7:00 AM CST to 7:02 AM CST
Where
Baldwin County, 3 mi WNW of Silverhill
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
30.567, -87.797

High winds damaged vehicles with windows blown out and rolled a small camper.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clarke

When
June 16, 7:00 AM CST to 7:02 AM CST
Where
Clarke County, 12.78 mi SSW of Carlton
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.150, -87.900

High winds capsized a tugboat on the Mobile River.

Thunderstorm Wind, Escambia

When
June 16, 7:15 AM CST to 7:17 AM CST
Where
Escambia County, 1 mi WSW of Poarch
Measured
83 kt (96 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
31.114, -87.546

Measured by an Alabama A&M mesonet site near Perdido River farms. Caused extensive damage on the farm.

Thunderstorm Wind, Baldwin

When
June 16, 7:16 AM CST to 7:18 AM CST
Where
Baldwin County, Perdido
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
31.020, -87.630

High winds downed trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Baldwin

When
June 16, 7:17 AM CST to 7:19 AM CST
Where
Baldwin County, Bay Minette
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
30.880, -87.780

High winds downed trees and damaged structures.

Thunderstorm Wind, Escambia

When
June 16, 7:38 AM CST to 7:40 AM CST
Where
Escambia County, Appleton
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.120, -87.070

High winds downed trees on Appleton Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Conecuh

When
June 16, 7:40 AM CST to 7:42 AM CST
Where
Conecuh County, 1 mi ENE of Evergreen
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.436, -86.954

High winds downed trees and powerlines throughout the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Escambia

When
June 16, 7:40 AM CST to 7:42 AM CST
Where
Escambia County, Brewton
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.120, -87.070

High winds downed trees and powerlines throughout the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Escambia

When
June 16, 7:41 AM CST to 7:43 AM CST
Where
Escambia County, 2 mi N of Brewton
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.149, -87.070

High winds downed trees and powerlines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Escambia

When
June 16, 7:45 AM CST to 7:47 AM CST
Where
Escambia County, 2 mi NNE of Brewton
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.147, -87.057

High winds downed a large tree on a church on Sowell Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Covington

When
June 16, 8:11 AM CST to 8:13 AM CST
Where
Covington County, 1 mi W of Andalusia
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.300, -86.497

High winds downed a large tree on a couple of cars.

Thunderstorm Wind, Covington

When
June 16, 8:16 AM CST to 8:18 AM CST
Where
Covington County, 1 mi E of Sanford
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.300, -86.383

High winds downed trees on Highway 84.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crenshaw

When
June 16, 8:17 AM CST to 8:19 AM CST
Where
Crenshaw County, Luverne
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.720, -86.270

High winds caused widespread tree and power line damage across the county.

Flash Flood, Mobile

When
June 16, 8:30 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST
Where
Mobile County, 1.5 mi SSW of Chickasaw to 1.15 mi S of Chickasaw
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
30.750, -88.090

Heavy rain caused flooding with vehicles stranded.

Thunderstorm Wind, Choctaw

When
June 16, 5:18 PM CST to 5:20 PM CST
Where
Choctaw County, 1 mi S of Bladon Spgs
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.715, -88.200

High winds downed trees on Bladon Springs Road.

Hail, Clarke

When
June 16, 5:58 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where
Clarke County, Grove Hill
Measured
2 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.700, -87.780

Hail, Clarke

When
June 16, 6:01 PM CST to 6:03 PM CST
Where
Clarke County, Grove Hill
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.700, -87.780

Hail, Wilcox

When
June 16, 6:56 PM CST to 6:58 PM CST
Where
Wilcox County, Camden
Measured
1.25 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
31.980, -87.280

Thunderstorm Wind, Clarke

When
June 16, 8:15 PM CST to 8:17 PM CST
Where
Clarke County, 2 mi E of West Bend
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.830, -88.096

High winds downed trees blocking road on Highway 69 at Bethel Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clarke

When
June 16, 8:28 PM CST to 8:30 PM CST
Where
Clarke County, 1 mi ENE of Peacock
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.756, -87.764

High winds downed a large tree and blocked Highway 43 at Bear Fork Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Crenshaw

When
June 16, 8:56 PM CST to 8:58 PM CST
Where
Crenshaw County, 3 mi W of Petrey
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.850, -86.251

High winds downed 3 large power poles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Baldwin

When
June 16, 9:55 PM CST to 9:57 PM CST
Where
Baldwin County, 3.51 mi S of Stockton
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
30.950, -87.860

High winds downed trees along I-65N near MM 31.

Hail, Mobile

When
June 16, 11:14 PM CST to 11:16 PM CST
Where
Mobile County, 1.19 mi E of (Mob)mobile Bates Fl
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
30.680, -88.210

Hail, Mobile

When
June 16, 11:21 PM CST to 11:23 PM CST
Where
Mobile County, 0.91 mi SW of Orchard
Measured
1.25 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
30.710, -88.210

Thunderstorm Wind, Baldwin

When
June 16, 11:55 PM CST to 11:57 PM CST
Where
Baldwin County, 1.09 mi NE of Battles Wharf
Measured
53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
30.512, -87.918

What these are

Tornado
A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Alabama in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Alabama, 2023Warnings in Alabama, June 2023

Sources

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: 1114695, 1116126, 1116146, 1116158, 1116159, 1116160, 1116161, 1116162, 1113726, 1116163, 1116164, 1116165, 1116166, 1116172, 1116197, 1116189, 1116190, 1116191, 1116200, 1116319, 1116321, 1116322, 1116353, 1116425, 1116430, 1116431, 1116432, 1116438, 1116441, 1116444, 1116446, 1116471, 1116472, 1117022.