Hurricane Francine made landfall along the Louisiana coast during the afternoon of September 11. Downgraded to a tropical depression as it moved northward through Mississippi the next day, Francine brought gradient wind gusts of 30-40 mph to Central Alabama.
Every event with a place to put it; 16 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
Hurricane Francine made landfall along the Louisiana coast during the afternoon of September 11. Downgraded to a tropical depression as it moved northward through Mississippi the next day, Francine brought gradient wind gusts of 30-40 mph to Central Alabama. Numerous trees were downed across several counties, with some falling on power lines and across roadways. One minor injury occurred in Jefferson County when a tree fell onto a passing pickup truck.
The next couple days brought bands of heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the area as activity became increasing associated with a nearly stationary surface boundary. One storm in Blount County on the 13th produced hail over quarter-size, with another storm shortly after causing an area of tree and minor structural damage near Locust Fork. Heavy rainfall caused flooding issues in Birmingham the morning of the 14th, in Eufaula around midday on the 14th, and in Birmingham again just after midnight on the 15th.
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 Sep 12, 2:39 AM CST, 3 hours 21 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 339 AM CDT Thu Sep 12 2024 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .SHORT TERM... (Today through Friday) Issued at 336 AM CDT THU SEP 12 2024 Francine continues northward through interior portions of Mississippi this morning, and most of Central Alabama is covered in light to moderate rain at this time. Intensity of rain should increase as PWs and instability increase throughout the morning hours, and this will be associated with an area of convection east of the circulation that is now spreading north from the Alabama Coastline. This particular area will be the primary concern today as the system moves north, dragging a warm front with it that will create a narrow NW-SE oriented warm sector characterized by 500- 1,000 J/kg SBCAPE. Low-level convergence should continue to foster thunderstorm updrafts that will pose both a tornado and flooding threat through the evening/overnight hours with presence of the LLJ. We'll also continue to deal with non-thunderstorm wind gusts up to ~40 mph throughout the day. Impact Summary: * Flooding: Locally heavy rainfall is becoming more likely per the last few runs of hi-resolution guidance, and there's relatively good clustering in the HREF for higher rainfall totals now outlined in the collaborated WPC MDT risk area. This is associated with a stalling band of convection predicted along and near the I- 65 corridor this afternoon and evening, potentially spreading east into the I-59 and I-20 corridors as well. Should this in fact occur, local rainfall amounts of 6-9" would be possible, and this would create urban and flash flooding regardless of antecedent hydrologic conditions. As such, a Flood Watch is in effect through Friday and we are generally expecting 2-4" across all of Central Alabama, with these locally higher amounts that could impact areas across the northern 2/3 of the forecast area including the BHM metro. Given the high upper bound of rainfall in some isolated cases, significant flash flooding cannot be ruled out. We could also see a second wave of convection and flooding risks tomorrow as the boundary stalls across the area and taps into lingering moisture/instability. * Tornado: Not much change in thinking here, though the threat may re-emerge on Friday as well. Low-level kinematics surrounding the eastern portion of Francine's circulation will support modest hodograph curvature characterized by 200-400 m2/s2 0-3 km SRH today. These values have an overlap with the depicted axis of instability on the latest guidance, where 500-1,000 J/kg SBCAPE is progged south of the advancing warm front. Any robust convection in this area would have rotation and tornado potential given favorable parameters, especially this afternoon during peak instability. Furthermore, the warm sector is forecast to linger across portions of the area tomorrow as the occluding system stalls to our northwest. We'll likely see 1,000-2,000 J/kg SBCAPE tomorrow afternoon, though low-level shear and forcing will be less. Thus, a lower probability wind gust/tornado threat is advertised tomorrow. * Wind: Non-thunderstorm wind gusts up to ~40 mph are forecast today. These windy conditions will cover much of Central Alabama through this evening. A Wind Advisory remains in effect. The remnant low from Francine is expected to stall to our northwest and will continue to impact weather conditions into the long-term forecast period. 40/Sizemore && .LONG TERM... (Friday night through next Wednesday) Issued at 336 AM CDT THU SEP 12 2024 With the remnant low pressure system in the region this weekend and lingering moisture throughout the boundary layer, we'll continue to see high chances for showers and storms. This will last through Monday and Tuesday. Coverage should decrease some on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday any shower activity should generally be in the eastern areas. High temperatures will generally be in the 80s each afternoon outside of some cooler spots in the northeast counties. 16 && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFS) Issued at 109 AM CDT THU SEP 12 2024 Tropical Storm Francine will continue moving northward through Louisiana and Mississippi overnight, and is expected to be centered north of Hattiesburg, MS by 12Z. Central Alabama will experience widespread rain, windy conditions, and possibly some tornadoes, through the forecast period, as the storm center remains west of the area. Widespread light rain covers much of the area, with MVFR cigs. Easterly winds are increasing, with winds at 10-13kts and gusts up to 25kts. Through the morning hours, cigs will gradually lower as light rain continues. Winds will increase with sustained easterly to southeasterly winds at 18-22kts and gusts up to 35-38kts. Periods of heavier rain, in the form of rain bands, could bring VIS/CIGs down to IFR, and will become more likely during the afternoon. Brief tornadoes are possible within these rain bands. With stronger winds at/below 2kft, included LLWS at most locations, as this could occur outside of stronger rain bands/convection. NOTE: NIL TAF continues for KANB until further notice due to large comms issue and missing obs. 14 && .FIRE WEATHER... Widespread soaking rains with embedded thunderstorms and flooding potential are forecast across the area today. 20-foot winds will be highest today, east-southeasterly as high as 15-20 mph sustained with gusts upwards of 40 mph. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 73 67 77 66 / 80 90 90 80 Anniston 74 69 77 67 / 80 90 90 80 Birmingham 74 69 79 67 / 90 90 80 60 Tuscaloosa 77 68 77 66 / 100 60 70 40 Calera 75 69 80 67 / 90 80 80 60 Auburn 74 70 79 68 / 80 80 80 70 Montgomery 79 72 84 69 / 90 60 60 50 Troy 79 71 83 67 / 90 60 70 40 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Friday evening for the following counties: Autauga-Barbour-Bibb-Blount-Bullock-Calhoun-Chambers-Cherokee- Chilton-Clay-Cleburne-Coosa-Dallas-Elmore-Etowah-Fayette-Greene- Hale-Jefferson-Lamar-Lee-Lowndes-Macon-Marengo-Marion-Montgomery- Perry-Pickens-Pike-Randolph-Russell-Shelby-St. Clair-Sumter- Talladega-Tallapoosa-Tuscaloosa-Walker-Winston. Wind Advisory until midnight CDT tonight for the following counties: Autauga-Bibb-Blount-Bullock-Calhoun-Cherokee-Chilton- Clay-Cleburne-Coosa-Dallas-Elmore-Etowah-Fayette-Greene-Hale- Jefferson-Lamar-Lowndes-Macon-Marengo-Marion-Montgomery-Perry- Pickens-Pike-Shelby-St. Clair-Sumter-Talladega-Tallapoosa- Tuscaloosa-Walker-Winston. && SHORT TERM...40/Sizemore LONG TERM....16 AVIATION...14
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Birmingham AL 443 AM CDT Thu Sep 12 2024 ALZ011>015-017>050-131245- 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- 443 AM CDT Thu Sep 12 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the National Weather Service office in Birmingham. .DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight. Francine is moving northward through Mississippi today, bringing impacts across Central Alabama. Shower and thunderstorm activity will pose threats for locally heavy rainfall and flooding through tonight. Strongest storms will also pose a threat for tornadoes. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Additional showers and thunderstorms are forecast across Central Alabama on Friday, posing continued threats for locally heavy rainfall and flooding, as well as isolated damaging wind gusts and tornadoes. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management may be needed through Friday.
The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 146 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:43 UTC.
16 strong wind, 3 flash flood, 1 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine blew trees down in Sumter County, including near Cuba.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in numerous trees being downed around the county, mainly during the morning hours.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in multiple trees being downed around the county, mainly during the morning hours.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in numerous trees being downed around the county. Some trees landed on homes or vehicles or blocked roadways.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in numerous trees being downed around the county.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in numerous trees being downed around the county. Several trees and power lines were downed along Highway 278 in the eastern part of the county.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in several trees being downed around the county.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in several trees being downed, some of which blocked roadways.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine downed several trees around the county.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in several trees being downed around the county. One tree landed on a mobile home.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in numerous trees being downed around the county, with some blocking roadways.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in several trees being downed around the county, some of which fell on power lines.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in several trees being downed around the county, some of which blocked roadways.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in several trees being downed around the county, mainly during the afternoon.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in several trees being downed around the county.
Wind gusts from Tropical Depression Francine resulted in a tree falling onto the cab of a pickup truck along Highway 78 in Graysville during the afternoon hours. One occupant sustained minor injuries.
Hail up to 1.25 inches in diameter was reported near the I-65/U.S. 31 interchange near Smoke Rise.
National Weather Service Birmingham meteorologists surveyed storm damage in and near the Locust Fork area of Blount County on Saturday, September 14. The survey team found a broad area impacted by damaging winds generally across portions of Blount County west of Locust Fork. Damage surveyors found widespread small tree limb damage with a few large tree limbs down and a couple of uprooted trees sporadically through the wind damage area. There was no signature of convergence or divergence observed in the wind damage pattern, indicative of straight line winds. The majority of the area appeared to experience damaging winds from 40-50 mph with a pocket of higher winds from 50-60 mph. Much of the structural damage observed in the area appeared to be the result of falling tree limbs or tree limbs falling onto power lines, although some smaller sheds were flipped or demolished.
Heavy rainfall caused flooding in Birmingham, with a few roadways becoming temporarily impassable. Calls were received of vehicles stuck in floodwater along Green Springs Highway, Messer Airport Highway, and at the intersection of 31st St N and Rev Abraham Woods Jr Blvd.
Heavy rainfall flooded portions of Eufaula, including North Randolph Avenue, West Broad Street, Cherry Street, Colmont Drive, and South Eufaula Avenue. Areas near the intersection of North Orange Street and Britt Place and along Gammage Road were washed out by high water, creating large holes.
Multiple water rescues in vehicles occurred overnight in Birmingham following heavy rainfall that led to flash flooding. Several roadways in neighborhoods on the west side of downtown Birmingham were flooded, resulting in several calls concerning vehicles stranded in water. Interstate 59/20 was briefly flooded near Arkadelphia Rd. Village Creek and Valley Creek also quickly rose into Flood Stage between midnight and 2 am. A couple reports were received on the east side of downtown near the airport as well, notably along Appalachee St and Messer Airport Highway.
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, September 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: 1207203, 1207204, 1207205, 1207206, 1207207, 1207208, 1207209, 1207210, 1207211, 1207212, 1207214, 1207215, 1207216, 1207217, 1207218, 1207219, 1203054, 1203055, 1203056, 1203058, 1203059.