A large, negatively-tilted trough over the central Plains ushered a cold front through the Central Alabama region late on May 20. Clusters of showers and thunderstorms developed into a broken line, moving across northern and eastern areas from Marion County to Cleburne 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 large, negatively-tilted trough over the central Plains ushered a cold front through the Central Alabama region late on May 20. Clusters of showers and thunderstorms developed into a broken line, moving across northern and eastern areas from Marion County to Cleburne County. A more concentrated area of wind damage occurred from eastern St. Clair to eastern Calhoun County, with numerous trees and power lines downed. An EF1 tornado was confirmed in the Saks area as well. Another EF1 tornado occurred in southeastern Cleburne County near Macedonia, near the Georgia state line. Early the next morning, a lone cell formed near the city of Montgomery and moved southeastward, producing another EF1 tornado in Bullock County around 4 AM CDT.
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 20, 5:31 PM CST, 1 hour 53 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 631 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 630 PM CDT TUE MAY 20 2025 - There is a risk (Level 3 out of 5) of severe storms this evening for the northern half of Central Alabama. There is a risk (Level 1 to 2 out of 5) of severe storms this evening for most of the remainder of Central Alabama except for the far southeastern counties. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes, some strong, are all possible. && .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Wednesday) Issued at 1106 AM CDT TUE MAY 20 2025 Warm and moist southwest flow continues across Central Alabama today as it has for a few days now. Temperatures have risen into the 80s and this warm, moisture advection will continue to be amplified as deep troughing over the Central Plains begins to take a negative orientation with the axis extending southeast into the Tennessee Valley. A large zone of severe weather potential is expected today across the Ohio and Tennessee Valley and into the Midsouth region where there will be more than ample overlap of large instability and strong dynamics. The severe risk will extend into Central Alabama late this afternoon into the overnight hours as a cold front advances across the Lower MS River Valley. Thunderstorms may initially develop into discrete or multi- cellular clusters over northern MS, moving into northwestern parts of the forecast area as early as 5 PM and reaching the Birmingham metro around 7 PM, then potentially evolving into a more linear orientation to the south of the I-20 corridor. As such, discrete cells would initially favor a higher risk of tornadoes, with strong tornadoes possible early in the event generally along and north of I-20 where curved forecast hodographs and MLCAPE ~2500 J/kg indicate conditions more than ideal for supercellular development. With the activity expected to become linear with time and southern extent amidst 50-60 kts of eff. bulk shear, damaging straight-line winds could become the primary threat overnight. Embedded tornadoes will still be possible, but less of a threat as the line moves towards the southern portions of the area. The stronger, more robust updrafts will also be capable of producing large hail up to golf ball size, especially if we see any left- movers. Most of the latest model solutions depict the storms either weakening and dissipating or moving east of the area shortly before sunrise tomorrow morning as the cold front passes through. Northwest flow will develop behind the front tomorrow which will finally bring a drier, and a touch cooler, airmass back to the region. 86/Martin && .LONG TERM... (Wednesday night through next Monday) Issued at 1245 PM CDT TUE MAY 20 2025 Very little change with this long term forecast update. We remain dry and slightly cooler in the wake of a cold front. Our "coolest" day looks to be Friday with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s for those across our northern counties. Our unsettled pattern returns over the weekend as a series of upper level waves move through the region. This will bring low to moderate chances for showers and storms through the holiday weekend and into next week. 95/Castillo && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 630 PM CDT TUE MAY 20 2025 VFR right now across the area. A front will be approaching the area, with isolated cells ahead of the line of showers and storms. For this set of TAFs went with the best timing for the line of showers and storms at each location with tempo wording. Once the front clears then conditions improve 2 to 4 hours later. Winds will increase after sunrise with gusty conditions Wednesday afternoon. 16 && .FIRE WEATHER... Moisture will continue to increase across the region this afternoon. This will keep Min RH values near or above 50 percent today. 20 ft winds will be from the south or southwest around 10 mph during the afternoon. Increasing thunderstorms chances begin this afternoon/evening across the area as a cold front moves through. Dry conditions return Wednesday through Friday with min RH values dropping to the 30 to 45 percent range each afternoon. Rain chances return as we head through the weekend. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 65 82 57 82 / 80 0 0 10 Anniston 66 83 59 84 / 80 0 0 0 Birmingham 67 83 61 84 / 80 0 0 0 Tuscaloosa 66 86 60 87 / 80 0 0 0 Calera 67 84 61 86 / 80 0 0 0 Auburn 70 85 62 87 / 60 0 0 0 Montgomery 70 87 61 89 / 60 0 0 0 Troy 70 87 61 89 / 50 10 0 0 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...86 LONG TERM....95 AVIATION...16
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Birmingham AL Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 104 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025 ALZ011>015-017>050-212115- 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- 104 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the National Weather Service office in Birmingham. .DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight. There is a risk (Level 3 out of 5) of severe storms this evening for the northern half of Central Alabama. There is a risk (Level 1 to 2 out of 5) of severe storms Tuesday evening for most of the remainder of Central Alabama except for the far southeastern counties. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes, some strong, are all possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management may be needed from early this evening through early Wednesday morning.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
647 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
ALZ011-210015-
Marion AL-
647 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Marion
County through 715 PM CDT
...
At 646 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Tremont, or 11 miles southeast of Fulton, moving northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch 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...
Hamilton, Hackleburg, Weston, Bear Creek, Bexar, Pigeye, Shottsville,
and Upper Bear Creek Reservoir.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for northwestern
Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3431 8766 3409 8820 3431 8818 3432 8816
TIME...MOT...LOC 2346Z 245DEG 50KT 3417 8824
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
711 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
ALZ011-210045-
Marion AL-
711 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Marion
County through 745 PM CDT...
At 711 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Weston, or near Hamilton, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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...
Hamilton, Hackleburg, Weston, Brinn, Bear Creek, Tessner, and Upper
Bear Creek Reservoir.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for northwestern
Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3431 8770 3430 8763 3417 8764 3414 8805
3423 8808 3431 8788
TIME...MOT...LOC 0011Z 254DEG 39KT 3421 8799
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
737 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
ALZ014-210115-
Winston AL-
737 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Winston
County through 815 PM CDT
...
At 737 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Needmore, or over Haleyville, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch 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...
Haleyville, Brushy Lake, Needmore, Moreland, Ashridge, Posey Field
Airport, Sipsey River Rec Area, Grayson, and Pebble.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for northwestern
Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3430 8724 3426 8722 3419 8763 3431 8763
TIME...MOT...LOC 0037Z 257DEG 41KT 3427 8763
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
32/JDavisSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
739 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
ALZ011-210115-
Marion AL-
739 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Marion
County through 815 PM CDT
...
At 739 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles south of Red Bay to near Tremont.
Movement was east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Hamilton, Weston, Pigeye, Shottsville, and Bexar.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for northwestern
Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3431 8785 3412 8795 3413 8820 3432 8817
TIME...MOT...LOC 0039Z 266DEG 34KT 3435 8815 3419 8826
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
32/JDavisSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
817 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
ALZ012-210145-
Lamar AL-
817 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Lamar County
through 845 PM CDT
...
At 817 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Vernon, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch 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...
Vernon, Blooming Grove, Crossville, Cody, Hightogy, and Star.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for west central
Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3382 8819 3386 8795 3365 8795 3363 8821
TIME...MOT...LOC 0117Z 252DEG 40KT 3378 8808
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
32/JDavisThe Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 33 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:22 UTC.
9 thunderstorm wind, 3 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Social media report of trees and power lines blocking Highway 17 near Luster Place Rd.
Several trees were downed in the Townley area.
Several trees were downed in the McCollum area along Highway 124.
Several trees were downed in the Sipsey area.
Several trees and power lines were downed in the Sand Rock and Little River areas, including CR 43, CR 53, CR 361, CR 275 at Highway 273, CR 137, CR 58, and CR 75.
Trees and power lines were downed on CR 41 and CR 114, with CR 41 being completely blocked.
Several trees were uprooted and several tree limbs were snapped along County Road 26 just west of Ragland, with much of town losing power.
Numerous trees and power lines were downed across Calhoun County from the Boiling Springs area south of Ohatchee eastward to near Saks and Fort McClellan. Some trees fell on homes or blocked roads. Several trees were downed in neighborhoods north of U.S. Highway 431 in Saks, while a tornado occurred in the area south of U.S. 431.
This tornado appears to have touched down somewhere in the|restricted area of the Pelham Range based on radar. The first|accessible damage occurred along Calhoun County Road (CR)|109 (Bynum Leatherwood Rd) just north of the Lloyds Chapel|Cemetery, where several large trees were uprooted. The tornado|continued to the east-southeast crossing Reaves Road and Gardendale Drive,|where swaths of trees were snapped or uprooted, with trees|falling on a manufactured home and a site built home in the area. Several pine trees were still blocking traffic across CR|46 (Parkwood Rd) near the intersection with McCulley Ln. The|tornado continued east-southeast roughly along CR 46, before crossing|Alexandria Rd, where several streets were blocked with uprooted|hardwood trees. As the tornado approached US Highway 431,|significant damage continued but became more sparse and sporadic|as the tornado appeared to end and transition to a thunderstorm|wind event.
Multiple trees were downed on Bains Gap Road and other areas in the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge.
The tornado first touched down in a field just south of Cleburne|County Road (CR) 67 about 0.3 miles east of CR 49. The tornado|proceeded to destroy a half of an old barn, lofting and tossing|debris both upstream and downstream, as well as laterally. A|large portion of the barn roof landed on a home about 30 yards|downstream, with several missiles embedded in the roof as well as|the surrounding yard. There was notable splatter on the right|side of the house not facing the direction of the damaged barn. Direct wind damage to the home was minor, with a facia damage and|a partially collapsed garage door. Debris from the barn was also|found hundreds of yards away in an adjoining pasture. From|there, the tornado proceeded to the ESE snapping and uprooting|hardwood trees as it crossed CR 67, CR 611, and CR 95. From|there, the tornado weakened and caused only a few tree branches|to be damaged along CR 672 before it dissipated before reaching|CR 34.
A brief tornado touched down in an open pasture east of County|Road 37, where a few large branches were snapped along a tree line|and one tree was uprooted in the field. The tornado tracked to|the east where it crossed through a small hunting club and|uprooted more trees. Most of this area was inaccessible due to|trees across the roadway, but no structural damage was noted. The|tornado then intensified as it crossed County Road 185, where|there was about a 800 to 900 yard wide zone of snapped and|uprooted hardwoods and softwoods. The tornado continued to track|east through various inaccessible pastures and wooded areas|before dissipating near County Road 7 to the south of Fitzpatrick,|where a couple branches were snapped.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Alabama, 2025Warnings 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: 1254048, 1254049, 1254050, 1254051, 1254075, 1254076, 1254052, 1254053, 1254041, 1254054, 1254044, 1254046.