A cluster of severe thunderstorms developed over south central Arkansas late on May 17 and moved east-southeastward into Central Alabama, arriving shortly after 5 AM CDT. A small MCS feature intensified quickly as it crossed the Mississippi state line into Pickens County.
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.
A cluster of severe thunderstorms developed over south central Arkansas late on May 17 and moved east-southeastward into Central Alabama, arriving shortly after 5 AM CDT. A small MCS feature intensified quickly as it crossed the Mississippi state line into Pickens County. The system moved through Tuscaloosa County, just north of the city of Tuscaloosa, where up to 90 to 100 mph winds resulted in widespread wind damage and power outages. Simultaneously, several severe thunderstorms began forming around and just southeast of the Birmingham metro area, with half dollar-size hail and wind damage across parts of Jefferson, Shelby, and Talladega counties. More wind damage was associated with the main MCS as it moved through Talladega, Clay, Tallapoosa, and Randolph counties before 7:45 AM CDT. Heavy rainfall over the southern Birmingham metro resulted in some flooding issues as well. Additionally, a storm that afternoon in Chilton County produced nickel-size hail in the Lomax area.
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 May 18, 1:56 AM CST, 2 hours 38 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 256 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025 ...New KEY MESSAGES, SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 251 AM CDT SUN MAY 18 2025 - There is a (Level 1 to 3 out of 5) risk of severe storms on Tuesday evening for portions of Central Alabama. The best chances will be generally along and northwest of the Interstate 85 corridor. && .SHORT TERM... (Today through Monday) Issued at 251 AM CDT SUN MAY 18 2025 Middle May weather continues, with nightly MCS showers and storms. Current IR indicates some rapid cooling tops as the MCS moves into northern MS. Right now just a few showers and storms, but consensus and guidance is that this will increase over the next few hours. This correlates with the actual trends on going this hour. Went ahead and increased PoPs toward daybreak and the first part of the day. Questions for today will be two fold. Will the activity this morning be strong/severe? And if the MCS does move through, will we recover for any severe this afternoon? As mentioned, given the expansive cooling cloud tops would expected some increase in overall coverage over the next few hours. That would put an increase in rain chances into the likely and categorical stages this morning. We did get worked over nicely 24 hours ago, but there is still plenty of instability to support at least a few stronger storms this morning with the activity. Will not mention any severe this morning, but will definitely monitor the radar trends. So if the activity moves through this morning as expected now, will severe weather be possible this afternoon. Well I can say that while it can not be ruled out, the probabilities appear too low after 1 pm to mention severe weather. Again this is a very conditional threat across the area. If the MCS does not develop or spread across the area with widespread coverage then yes a few afternoon storms could develop, especially in the south. Tonight we could see a shower or storm early in the south, but then activity focuses west and north of the ares. We will likely see another MCS develop overnight. Model trends right now keep the majority of the rain north of the area, so I have limited rain chances in the forecast. The showers and storms should be limited to the north on Tuesday closer to the MCS north of the area. Best chances of rain Monday will be in the northeast. 16 && .LONG TERM... (Monday night through next Saturday) Issued at 251 AM CDT SUN MAY 18 2025 A cold front will approach Central Alabama on Tuesday evening, with a threat of severe thunderstorms across the region. With dew points in the low 70s, supercell formation is likely during the afternoon across parts of Mississippi and Tennessee. This is likely to grow upscale into a more linear storm mode as it passes through Central Alabama, posing a damaging wind threat. Hail and an isolated tornado will be possible as well, with a bigger threat of hail initially with more cellular activity. Current timing is still broad but is potentially late evening to overnight Tuesday night for much of the area. Behind the cold front, the rest of the week will be dry, with surface high pressure in place. Temperatures will be cooler, with most areas in the 70s to near 80 Thursday and Friday. Rain chances will return across the north by the weekend. 12 && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFS) Issued at 1255 AM CDT SUN MAY 18 2025 Made some adjustments to the TAFs for this cycle. Going to concentrate more on the showers and storms developing this morning and less this afternoon. Conditions should be very similar to last night but a few hours later and most likely not as strong. Added in tempo TSRA at the northern sites but not at MGM. Added only SHRA there. Looks like the afternoon will not be as widespread so removed the Prob30 from all sites but MGM for now. So morning flights will need to be monitored for thunderstorms before and after sunrise. NOTE: There is a communication issue at ANB, so will include AMD NOT SKED here until we see any resolve. 16 && .FIRE WEATHER... Another batch showers and thunderstorms will move through this morning, with isolated to scattered this afternoon. Minimum RH values on this afternoon and Monday will be in mid to upper 40 percent range across portions of the southeast and far southern counties. Dry conditions return Wednesday after a strong system moves through on Tuesday, with showers and thunderstorms. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 83 66 88 67 / 70 20 30 10 Anniston 83 66 88 69 / 80 20 20 0 Birmingham 84 69 88 70 / 80 20 10 0 Tuscaloosa 87 70 89 72 / 60 20 0 0 Calera 86 69 89 70 / 70 20 0 0 Auburn 84 69 88 69 / 60 10 0 0 Montgomery 88 68 91 69 / 30 10 0 0 Troy 89 68 91 69 / 20 10 0 0 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...16 LONG TERM....12 AVIATION...16
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Birmingham AL 342 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025 ALZ011>015-017>050-191145- 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- 342 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the National Weather Service office in Birmingham. .DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight. A few marginally severe (level 1 out of 5) risk that storms may move across central portions of Central Alabama through 9 AM. Large hail and damaging winds will be the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. There is a marginal to enhanced (level 1 to 3 out of 5) risk of severe thunderstorms on Tuesday for areas of Central Alabama northwest of the Interstate 85 corridor, with the highest risk across the northwestern counties. The main threats will be damaging winds and hail. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management may be needed on early this morning and on Tuesday.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
500 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
ALZ012-022-031-181045-
Greene AL-Pickens AL-Lamar AL-
500 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PICKENS...NORTH CENTRAL GREENE
AND LAMAR COUNTIES THROUGH 545 AM CDT...
At 500 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Bedford to near Bent Oak. Movement was
east at 50 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...
Aliceville, Cody, Ethelsville, Carrollton, Dillburg, Shaw, George
Downer Airport, Kennedy, Kirk, Star, Benevola, Johnston Lake,
Hightogy, Memphis, Bevill Lock And Dam, Crossville, Garden, Blooming
Grove, North Pickens Airport, and Lamar 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.
&&
LAT...LON 3390 8823 3391 8795 3353 8795 3352 8784
3304 8783 3310 8833
TIME...MOT...LOC 1000Z 274DEG 41KT 3382 8831 3340 8858
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
12/RobinsonSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
503 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
ALZ014-015-181045-
Walker AL-Winston AL-
503 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN WALKER AND SOUTHERN
WINSTON COUNTIES THROUGH 545 AM CDT...
At 502 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Nauvoo, or near Carbon Hill, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Curry, Camp McDowell, Mill Branch, Maple Branch, Hullett Branch,
Clear Creek, Smith Dam, Nesmith, Ashbank, Smith Lake, Little Dismal
Creek, Yellow Creek, Coon Creek, Poplar Springs, Helicon, Rockhouse
Creek, Lupton, Battle Branch, Hidden Cove Campground, and Black Pond.
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 3399 8711 3399 8715 3397 8714 3396 8711
3394 8710 3393 8709 3390 8759 3394 8764
3401 8763 3420 8711
TIME...MOT...LOC 1002Z 260DEG 33KT 3397 8753
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
12/RobinsonSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
519 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
ALZ013-015-023-181115-
Fayette AL-Walker AL-Tuscaloosa AL-
519 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL WALKER...NORTHWESTERN
TUSCALOOSA AND FAYETTE COUNTIES THROUGH 615 AM CDT...
At 519 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Bluff to near Millport. Movement was east
at 60 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...
Stone Wall, Whitson, Bankston, Moores Bridge, Richard Arthur Field,
Windham Springs, Samantha, West Corona, Fayette County Public Lake,
Fayette, Wiley, Holly Grove, Gorgas, Oakman, Corona, Townley, Bluff,
Ashcraft Corner, Goodsprings, and Boley Springs.
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 3388 8795 3382 8709 3339 8742 3344 8784
3352 8784 3353 8795
TIME...MOT...LOC 1019Z 273DEG 50KT 3386 8791 3354 8817
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
12/RobinsonSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
529 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
ALZ023>025-181100-
Jefferson AL-Shelby AL-Tuscaloosa AL-
529 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA...WEST
CENTRAL SHELBY AND SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTIES THROUGH 600 AM
CDT...
At 529 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Abernant, or 15 miles east of Holt, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch 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...
Joe Tucker Park, Birmingham Fairgounds, Promenade Tannehill,
Dolomite, Abernant, Lipscomb, East Brookwood, Shannon, Bent Brook
Golf Club, Midfield, Pleasant Grove, Ensley, Bluff Park, Hoover,
Helena, Legion Field, Oak Mountain Amphitheater, North Johns,
McCalla, and Splash Adventure.
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 3325 8728 3335 8740 3355 8683 3327 8677
TIME...MOT...LOC 1029Z 264DEG 40KT 3331 8724
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
12/RobinsonThe Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 70 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 10:32 UTC.
26 thunderstorm wind, 5 hail, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple trees were downed along U.S. Highway 82 near mile marker 23 west of Gordo.
Trees and power lines were downed in the area of Parker Rd, with one tree on a home.
NWS Meteorologists surveyed extensive damage in Tuscaloosa County north of the city of Northport|and found damage consistent with high-end straight line winds. The communities of Clearwater |Estates, Four Winds, Vista Granda, east to Searles and Bull City were particularly hard hit.|The bulk of the damage likely occurred roughly between 550 AM CDT and 612 AM CDT.
The damage was very widespread from north to south starting west of U.S. Highway 43 extending|over to near Alabama Highway 59 in Bull City. The survey crew estimated a nearly solid 4-mile|swath north to south of extensive high end tree damage with embedded minor to moderate structural|damage. Extensive power line and infrastructure impacts were also observed. More sporadic damage|was observed up to 2 miles on either side of the primary swath of damage. The survey crew noted|a slightly more concentrated area of damage in the Tierce Patton Road area just south of where|a tornado tracked on 3/15 of this year. A large swath of trees was mowed down in this area and|some more notable structural damage was observed. The survey crew noted that all of the damage|was pointing generally in an east to east-northeast direction with limited debris lofting |or westward (upstream) facing debris. The extensive tree blowdown appeared to have been aided|by rain soaked and saturated soils, as a majority of the trees were uprooted.
Based on the widespread nature of the damage and the overall characteristics of the debris|observed, survey crews made the determination that straight-line winds likely caused the damage.|Maximum wind speeds based on the damage observed were estimated between 90 and 100 mph which matches|radar velocity estimates from KBMX radar.
Quarter-size hail along Southview Dr.
Reports of up to half dollar-size hail in Hoover.
A tree was downed at the National Water Center on the UA campus, while another tree fell on a home in Holt.
Several trees were downed in the Vestavia Hills area, with one falling on a house.
Off duty NWS employee reported up to half dollar-size hail.
A tree fell on a home and vehicle near Burchfield Rd.
Antioch Fire Department reported numerous trees were downed along Lock 17 Rd. Relayed by a trained spotter.
Multiple trees and power lines were downed around the Bull City community.
Power lines were downed near the intersection of Old Leeds Rd and Cherokee Rd.
Trees and power lines were downed across Hepzibah Church Rd.
A tree fell on a house along Dogwood Circle.
Several trees were downed in the Bessemer and Hueytown areas, including near Greenridge Rd and a tree on a mobile home at West Crest Estates.
Photos of up to half dollar-size hail from social media.
A tree fell blocking Grande View Parkway and power lines were downed near Benjamin Dr and Smokey Rd.
A tree fell on a home in Vestavia Hills, damaging the front porch.
Trees were down across Highway 36 near Willow Branch Ln and Highway 11 near Sports Highland Pkwy.
Trees and power lines were downed blocking Pump House Road near Caldwell Mill Road.
Trees were downed along Brook Highland Pkwy at Brook Highland Dr and along Kinross Dr at Brook Highland Trace.
Several trees were downed across Bear Creek Rd near County Road 491 and Crystal Lake Dr.
Power lines were downed along Indian Shoals Rd and along Highway 28 at Four H Rd.
Trees and power lines were downed along Old Sylacauga Highway.
Several trees were downed around Sylacauga, including 4th St, Cherokee St, and Oldfield Rd. Trees and power lines fell on a vehicle in town as well.
Trees were downed along Main St in Sycamore.
Westwood Hills Dr and Dolly Ridge Rd were flooded.
Water covered Valleydale Rd near Providence Park.
Trees fell on County Road 5 between Owens Rd and Clay Rd and on County Road 79.
A tree and power lines were downed, blocking Germany's Ferry Rd near County Road 79. Another tree fell blocking Hamlet Mill Rd. Another tree and power lines were downed, blocking Highway 63 near Sandford Rd.
Several trees were downed around Randolph County, including County Road 329, County Road 51, County Road 87, Louina Rd, and Highway 431. One tree fell on power lines, causing a small fire.
Six to eight trees were downed near the intersection of County Road 1 and Lane Branch Rd.
Social media video of nickel-size hail in the Lomax area of Clanton.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, May 2025
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: 1253826, 1253828, 1253830, 1253841, 1253840, 1253834, 1253842, 1253843, 1253824, 1253837, 1253838, 1253844, 1253839, 1253845, 1253846, 1253856, 1253849, 1253847, 1253850, 1253852, 1253854, 1253855, 1253857, 1253858, 1253859, 1253860, 1254030, 1254031, 1254016, 1254018, 1254026, 1254021, 1245846.