Multiple trough axes moved across northern Alabama during the morning into the afternoon hours on the 16th producing multiple rounds of at least scattered strong thunderstorms. A few of the thunderstorms that developed ahead of one of these boundaries in the afternoon hours produced some damaging winds.
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.
Multiple trough axes moved across northern Alabama during the morning into the afternoon hours on the 16th producing multiple rounds of at least scattered strong thunderstorms. A few of the thunderstorms that developed ahead of one of these boundaries in the afternoon hours produced some damaging winds.
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 16, 1:22 PM CST, 1 hour 8 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 222 PM CDT Tue Jul 16 2024 ...New NEAR TERM, SHORT TERM... .NEAR TERM... (Tonight) Issued at 222 PM CDT Tue Jul 16 2024 Shower and thunderstorm activity is beginning to really pick up over the last 30 minutes in southern middle Tennessee. A decaying outflow boundary moving southeast into this moderately unstable air is likely producing this uptick in activity. Looking at current meso-analysis, DCAPE values have increased to between 900 and 1300 J/KG near this boundary. 3000 to 3500 J/KG of SBCAPE is shown as well ahead of it. With low level lapse rates between 7 and 8 degrees/km in place as well, an isolated stronger thunderstorm producing wind gusts to around 50 mph is possible. Very heavy downpours and frequent lighting will also be possible with any thunderstorms with PWAT values around 1.8 inches. Not expecting this convergence boundary to move much as the outflow boundary falls apart this afternoon over northern Alabama. However, it should provide enough of a focus mechanism given the moderately unstable environment for scattered showers and thunderstorms until this evening, when we lose daytime heating and they should dissipate. Given the morning rain/storms in NE Alabama, not sure now much convection we will see there this afternoon. Based on current dewpoints and expected cloud cover/convection, not sure we will quite get to 105 in many locations. However, there may be some locations west of the I-65 corridor that could briefly get there before the sun goes down. Thus, leaving the Heat Advisory in place until 8 PM. && .SHORT TERM... (Wednesday through Friday) Issued at 222 PM CDT Tue Jul 16 2024 A cold front currently stretching from the western Great Lakes SW into Kansas will be the next major player in our forecast over the next few days. This front will take some time to sink southeast. However, disturbances ahead of the front will likely push far enough south late tomorrow morning into the afternoon hours, to produce more widespread shower and thunderstorm activity across northern Alabama. During the morning hours, there should be some sunshine though. This will likely allow highs to climb into the upper 80s to lower 90s later in the day, despite increasing cloud cover and shower/storm chances. Shear will again be very weak. Again though high PWAT values, decent low level lapse rates, and moderate instability will likely allow for some strong thunderstorms producing gusty winds to around 50 mph, frequent lightning, and maybe pea size hail in strongest storms. The bulk of the activity should develop during the afternoon and early evening hours. Not looking like much of a break in rainfall and storms Wednesday night. Some isolated flash flooding is not out of the question. Despite some humid conditions (Dewpoints in the 72 to 76 degree range), the lower temperatures should keep heat index concerns at bay. The front seems to slow down a bit late Wednesday night into Thursday, before pushing more quickly southeast Thursday night. Given the high PWAT values and strong forcing, this could extend a flash flooding/minor flooding threat into the day on Thursday. At this time, shear remains weak. So mainly strong storms are expected to develop. This will keep high temperatures quite a bit cooler, in the mid to upper 80s both Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday night, rainfall chances drop significantly. In later updates, these rain chances may be able to be taken out. For now though, there is some disagreement how far south the front moves. Therefore kept low chance in the forecast into Friday morning. Shower and thunderstorm chances will likely increase again, as the front moves northward Friday afternoon into Friday night. && .LONG TERM... (Friday night through Monday) Issued at 405 AM CDT Tue Jul 16 2024 Medium-high shower/storm chances continue through the weekend as the aforementioned front is forecast to stall to our southeast, allowing higher rain chances in our southeastern counties (Cullman, Marshall, Dekalb, Jackson) Friday before lifting back northward due to high pressure off the east coast of Florida. High temperatures in the 80s continue during this time and the need for any Heat Products is not expected. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1242 PM CDT Tue Jul 16 2024 VFR conditions continue at both TAF sites currently. However, at least isolated to scattered -TSRA are expect to develop over the next 4-6 hours near the TAF sites. Thus, a tempo group was included between 18Z and 22Z at both terminals. This activity may not last as long at KMSL. With around 40 percent PoP, confidence is not high that MVFR CIGS or VSBYS will impact either terminal, but a possibility during that window. VFR conditions should return after 00Z. However, winds should keep any fog from forming overnight despite some clearing. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for ALZ001>007-016. TN...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for TNZ096. && NEAR TERM...KTW SHORT TERM....KTW LONG TERM....HC AVIATION...KTW
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
119 PM CDT Tue Jul 16 2024
ALZ006-009-TNZ096-097-161900-
Madison AL-Jackson AL-Franklin TN-Lincoln TN-
119 PM CDT Tue Jul 16 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN JACKSON...
NORTHEASTERN MADISON...SOUTHEASTERN LINCOLN AND SOUTHWESTERN FRANKLIN
COUNTIES THROUGH 200 PM CDT...
At 119 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Huntland, or 14 miles northeast of Moores Mill, moving east at 15
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts in excess of 30 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Huntland, New Market, Smithland, Francisco, Beans Creek, Plevna,
Flintville, Elora, Estillfork, and Maxwell.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3513 8637 3512 8636 3513 8636 3512 8609
3483 8617 3493 8648 3513 8641
TIME...MOT...LOC 1819Z 283DEG 12KT 3501 8637
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
JMSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
134 PM CDT Tue Jul 16 2024
ALZ006-009-TNZ096-161900-
Madison AL-Jackson AL-Lincoln TN-
134 PM CDT Tue Jul 16 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL JACKSON...
NORTHEASTERN MADISON AND SOUTHEASTERN LINCOLN COUNTIES THROUGH 200 PM
CDT...
At 134 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hazel Green, or 9 miles northeast of Meridianville, moving east at 15
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Moores Mill, Meridianville, Hazel Green, New Market, Lincoln, Molino,
Princeton, Fisk, Crystal Springs, and Hollytree.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3489 8662 3521 8651 3518 8638 3493 8647
3483 8616 3474 8633
TIME...MOT...LOC 1834Z 283DEG 12KT 3500 8650
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
30Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
202 PM CDT Tue Jul 16 2024
ALZ006-009-TNZ096-097-161945-
Madison AL-Jackson AL-Franklin TN-Lincoln TN-
202 PM CDT Tue Jul 16 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN JACKSON...
NORTHEASTERN MADISON...SOUTHEASTERN LINCOLN AND SOUTHERN FRANKLIN
COUNTIES THROUGH 245 PM CDT...
At 201 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms 7 miles southeast of Huntland, or 17 miles south of
Winchester, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Meridianville, Moores Mill, Hazel Green, Huntland, Skyline, New
Market, Lincoln, Hytop, Princeton, and Plevna.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3489 8665 3498 8668 3511 8640 3508 8593
3482 8612
TIME...MOT...LOC 1901Z 282DEG 49KT 3496 8621
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KgSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
309 PM CDT Tue Jul 16 2024
ALZ006-162100-
Madison AL-
309 PM CDT Tue Jul 16 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL MADISON COUNTY THROUGH
400 PM CDT...
At 308 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
northwestern Huntsville, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Huntsville, Madison, Moores Mill, Redstone Arsenal, Meridianville,
Owens Cross Roads, Gurley, Alabama A And M University, Marshall Space
Flight Center, and University Of Alabama In Huntsville.
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 3494 8634 3489 8634 3487 8635 3483 8633
3481 8635 3479 8633 3479 8634 3476 8634
3473 8636 3463 8636 3461 8633 3462 8679
3485 8678
TIME...MOT...LOC 2008Z 261DEG 12KT 3476 8662
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
AMPThe Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 50 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:12 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Railroad crossing bar was bent by the wind over a railroad crossing lighted signal structure.
A decaying outflow boundary from strong storms moved north and knocked down a tree at the intersection of Indian Springs Circle and Underwood Mountain Road.
A decaying outflow boundary from strong storms moved north and knocked down a tree at the intersection Allsboro road and highway 72.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, July 2024
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: 1208364, 1208365, 1208366.