An upper level disturbance moving east into northern Alabama and southern middle Tennessee (north of a slow moving frontal boundary edge north from central Alabama) interacted with an unstable atmosphere during the early to mid afternoon hours to produce a line of strong to severe thunderstorms that exited in Georgia between 6 and 7 PM. This line of storms produced damaging winds in portions of…
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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.
An upper level disturbance moving east into northern Alabama and southern middle Tennessee (north of a slow moving frontal boundary edge north from central Alabama) interacted with an unstable atmosphere during the early to mid afternoon hours to produce a line of strong to severe thunderstorms that exited in Georgia between 6 and 7 PM. This line of storms produced damaging winds in portions of northern Alabama and a tornado in the Cave Springs area of Jackson county.
An additional line of strong to severe thunderstorms developed as the frontal boundary moved north into northern Alabama later in the evening before exiting the area after midnight. This line of storms produced sporadic damaging winds, particularly in Lawrence county and a few instances of large hail. Some aerial flooding occurred as well in portions of DeKalb county.
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 May 25, 1:37 PM CST, 34 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 237 PM CDT Sun May 25 2025 ...New NEAR TERM... .NEAR TERM... (Tonight) Issued at 237 PM CDT Sun May 25 2025 Western portions of the Tennessee Valley have been upgraded to an Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) for strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. A low end tornado threat now exists with soundings showing relatively weak but enough shear/helicity to support a low end tornado threat. We still believe the primary threat with these storms will be damaging winds followed by the threat for hail and localized flooding and a lower threat for tornadoes. Daytime heating has led to a strongly unstable environment over northern AL with SBCAPE values nearing or exceeding 2000 J/kg over north central and north western AL. A few isolated showers/storms have formed ahead of the MCS currently moving through western TN/northern MS but these have not been able to maintain organization so far and have been weak and short lived. Behind this first MCS, we continue to monitor an additional line of storms over north/central AR that will likely move into the area later this evening. The same threats will be present with this round, although the most likely threat will be damaging winds along any bowing segments of the line. At least western portions of the forecast area may be placed in a Watch within the next few hours. The remainder of the TN Valley remains in a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) today for strong to severe storms. Models continue to struggle with initializing what is happening currently, so it will be a day where we rely heavily on real time observations and trends. Expect the first round/MCS to enter NW AL between 3-4pm with a second round as late as 8-10pm. Be sure to have multiple ways to receive warnings as this threat could extend into the early overnight hours. && .SHORT TERM... (Monday through Tuesday) Issued at 1055 AM CDT Sun May 25 2025 We will remain in a warm sectored airmass through the short term period, with high chances for thunderstorms both on Memorial Day and on Tuesday. The upper level pattern will transition from northwest flow to southwest as a sfc frontal boundary lingers across the lower OH River Valley and into the TN Valley. A series of upper waves will be embedded within the upper ridge and will lead to multiple rounds of thunderstorms, with the greatest chances during peak heating hours in the afternoon and evening. There is a marginal risk for severe storms each day with the main threats being damaging winds along bowing segments and large hail, especially with the more discrete thunderstorms. Cloudy skies will limit highs to the upper 70s/low 80s each day. Overnight lows will be on the warm side in the mid to upper 60s. Be sure to monitor the forecast for updates, especially when considering outdoor plans for the holiday tomorrow. && .LONG TERM... (Tuesday night through Saturday) Issued at 931 PM CDT Sat May 24 2025 A stronger mid/upper trough will finally help nudge the aforementioned frontal boundary further to the southeast Tuesday night into Wednesday, but not before bringing at least one more round of showers/storms to the region during this timeframe. Notably lower rain chances are forecast for Thursday, but they will ramp up quickly Friday into Saturday as another shortwave drops SE through the region, bringing yet another period of showers and thunderstorms. Below normal temperatures will be favored during the mid/late week period, with highs in the mid/upper 70s each day. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 104 PM CDT Sun May 25 2025 VFR conditions are prevailing across much of the region although conditions are forecast to deteriorate this afternoon as several rounds of showers and thunderstorms move through the area. This activity is forecast to begin between 19-21z and will likely persist through the evening. Damaging winds and large hail are the primary concerns, but a low end tornado threat has been added to the forecast this afternoon. AWWs for convective lightning and wind gusts will likely be needed this afternoon and evening. Reductions to IFR or LIFR could occur during heavier thunderstorm activity as well. At least low chances for showers/storms will persist through the remainder of the TAF period. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...None. TN...None. && NEAR TERM...25 SHORT TERM....25 LONG TERM....AMP AVIATION...25
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
218 PM CDT Sun May 25 2025
ALZ001-002-252000-
Lauderdale AL-Colbert AL-
218 PM CDT Sun May 25 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT LAUDERDALE AND COLBERT COUNTIES
THROUGH 300 PM CDT...
At 218 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles northeast of Olive Hill, or 8 miles west of Waynesboro, moving
southeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Malone, Posey Loop, Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, Littleville,
Florence, Allsboro, Riverton, Wright, Oakland, and Waterloo.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3500 8735 3457 8766 3468 8813 3489 8810
3492 8816 3501 8820
TIME...MOT...LOC 1918Z 296DEG 39KT 3531 8790
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
KTWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
257 PM CDT Sun May 25 2025
ALZ001>005-252045-
Lawrence AL-Lauderdale AL-Franklin AL-Limestone AL-Colbert AL-
257 PM CDT Sun May 25 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN LIMESTONE...
LAUDERDALE...COLBERT...NORTHERN FRANKLIN AND NORTHERN LAWRENCE
COUNTIES THROUGH 345 PM CDT...
At 257 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Lawrenceburg to near Underwood-Petersville
to 7 miles southeast of J P Coleman State Park. Movement was
southeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Posey Loop, Cartwright, Florence, Ne Smith, Oakland, North Courtland,
Lexington, Tuscumbia, Hatton, and Lester.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3490 8811 3497 8772 3501 8769 3499 8692
3497 8685 3457 8722 3440 8816
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 312DEG 35KT 3521 8742 3494 8769 3488 8805
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
KTWThe Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 117 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:09 UTC.
21 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was reported down at near the intersection of Countyline road and Crockett Lane. Time was estimated from radar data.
A power pole was reported leaning by 991 center for Colbert county at at 1457 Wallace Mill Road.
A tree was reported down at 1300 S Montgomery Avenue.
A tree was reported blocking both lanes at 33041 Highway 99.
The initial damage was observed in the Cave Springs area near County Road (CR) 54, where large tree branches were downed as the tornado tracked east-southeast. Additional indicators of tree damage were found near the intersection of CR 53 and CR 147. The tornado then progressed along Highway 117 into Stevenson, where trees were observed to be uprooted or had large branches broken. As the primary damage indicators were related to trees, and considering the above-average rainfall experienced in May, the estimated wind speeds were slightly reduced to account for highly saturated ground conditions.
A tree was reported down at the intersection of highway 79 and highway 35.
A tree was reported down across the road at 45539 highway 277.
A tree was reported down across the road at 7000 Highway 35.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of highway 72 and Allsboro road. Time was estimated from radar data.
A tree was reported down near 1255 Riverton Rose Trail. Time was estimated from radar data.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of Whitaker Road and Riverton Rose Trail. Time was estimated from radar data.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of Riverton Rose Trail and Buchannan Peninsula road. Time was estimated from radar data.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of New Bethel road and Frankfort road. Time was estimated from radar data.
A tree was reported down along CR 39 in the Mount Hope area. Time was adjusted from radar data.
A tree was reported down off of County Line road near Lowry Loop road. Time was adjusted from radar data.
A tree was reported down at the intersection of Spangler Lane and County Line road. Time was estimated from radar data.
A tree was reported down near the intersection of C Lowery road and highway 157. Time was estimated from radar data.
A tree was reported down at the intersection of Foster Mill road and River road. Time was adjusted from radar data.
A tree was reported down at 10255 River Road.
A tree was reported down along Barely Bridge road and Perry Anders road.
Quarter sized hail was reported at this location via the MPING observing network.
Three quarter of an inch in diameter fell just north of Eva.
A tree was reported down at the intersection of CR 109 and CR 222. Time was adjusted from radar data.
A tree was reported down at the intersection of Spangler Lane and County Line road. Time was estimated from radar data.
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: 1277034, 1276956, 1277030, 1276951, 1276634, 1276953, 1276954, 1276955, 1277040, 1277045, 1277048, 1277046, 1277089, 1276958, 1276961, 1277103, 1277104, 1276960, 1277093, 1276957, 1276949, 1276950, 1276959, 1277101.