Tornadoes in Alabama, May 22, 2026

Name: Tornadoes in Alabama, May 22, 2026
Start: 2026-05-22T09:43
End: 2026-05-22T11:18
Location: Alabama

May 22, 2026 · NWS BMX · 4 events in 3 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 4

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS BMX wrote it up.

Numerous showers and thunderstorms occurred across Central Alabama during the late morning to early afternoon of May 22. Enough shear and instability were present to promote the development of small, low-topped supercells within a tropical environment. A few of these cells produced brief rotation, and three brief tornadoes occurred in Marengo and Tuscaloosa counties.

What forecasters said that day

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 22, 5:53 AM CST, 3 hours 50 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Issued at 653 AM CDT FRI MAY 22 2026
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected each day through next week.
There is a level 1 out of 5 risk for severe weather on Friday, May 22nd from late morning to early evening. Threats include a brief tornado and damaging wind gusts.

Area forecast discussion, May 22, 5:53 AM CST, 3 hours 50 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
653 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 653 AM CDT FRI MAY 22 2026

- Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected each day
  through next week.

- There is a level 1 out of 5 risk for severe weather on Friday,
  May 22nd from late morning to early evening. Threats include a
  brief tornado and damaging wind gusts.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(Friday through next Thursday)
Issued at 1152 PM CDT THU MAY 21 2026

A pattern of unsettled weather will continue over the next
several days, with chances for showers and thunderstorms each day
into next week. Deep-layer southerly to southwesterly flow will
remain in place adjacent to a stalled front, pumping Gulf
moisture across Alabama to keep conditions warm and humid.

For today, a Level 1 of 5 Marginal risk is in place for the
potential of damaging winds or a brief, low-end tornado. Bulk
shear of 25-35 kts will promote organized storms capable of
briefly sustaining weak updrafts, along with 1200-2000 J/kg
surface-based CAPE and 0-3 km SRH in the 100-200 m2/s2 range.
These numbers support the notion that cells may become strong and
briefly rotate. While tornadoes are not necessarily expected,
potential for a brief tornado or two exists and should be watched
closely. Meager mid-level lapse rates of 5.5-6.0 C/km should make
updrafts hard to maintain over time and limit any hail threat.
The main corridor of concern looks to be from late morning to
early evening for most areas of Central Alabama northwest of I-
85. Latest CAMs indicate activity waning after 7 or 8 pm this
evening before more showers and storms return Saturday morning
into the evening.

An upper low looks to build in briefly early next week over East
Texas, reinforcing southerly flow and keeping elevated rain and
storm chances going into mid next week. Beneficial rainfall will
begin to add up over the next 5-7 days as showers and storms
continue to work through the region.

12

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 653 AM CDT FRI MAY 22 2026

Scattered convection will move through the state this morning
ahead of a line of storms moving west to east. Behind this line,
more scattered convection will continue through the afternoon and
evening. Have gone with MVFR conditions prevailing by mid morning
in each TAF, due to the persistent coverage expected. The
moisture content in the air is so high, any thunderstorm over a
TAF site will cause visibilities to drop to IFR or LIFR due to
heavy rain. Later this evening, low level moisture should remain
high with another night of showers sporadically over central AL.
Ceilings should likely drop, though confidence is low on how
much. Left MVFR ceilings in for now through the early morning on
Friday.

24

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

A persistent weather pattern will produce a daily scattering of
showers and thunderstorms through next week. Bouts of
precipitation and lack of low RH will keep fire weather
conditions at bay.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Gadsden     78  65  82  64 /  90  70  90  60
Anniston    78  66  81  65 /  80  60  90  60
Birmingham  77  67  82  67 /  90  70  90  60
Tuscaloosa  78  69  83  68 /  90  60  80  50
Calera      78  67  82  67 /  90  60  90  60
Auburn      82  69  82  68 /  60  50 100  50
Montgomery  80  69  82  68 /  90  50 100  40
Troy        82  69  83  68 /  60  50  90  40

&&

.BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

DISCUSSION...12
AVIATION...24

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 22, 8:31 AM CST, 1 hour 12 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
931 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

ALZ023-221500-
Tuscaloosa AL-
931 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA COUNTY
THROUGH 1000 AM CDT...

At 931 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Northport, moving northeast at 30 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...
Tuscaloosa, Northport, Holt, University Mall, Deerlick Creek
Campgrounds, Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, Bryant Denny Stadium,
Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, Lake Tuscaloosa, Lake Tuscaloosa Dam,
Flatwoods, Sexton Bend, University Of Alabama Quad, Lake Harris,
Stillman College, Lake Nicol, Highway 69 Bridge, Lake Nicol Park,
Holt Lock And Dam, and Oliver Lock And Dam.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3316 8756 3322 8767 3348 8753 3336 8728
TIME...MOT...LOC 1431Z 215DEG 25KT 3325 8756

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

86/Martin

Special weather statement, May 22, 9:14 AM CST, 29 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1014 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

ALZ039-221545-
Marengo AL-
1014 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL MARENGO COUNTY
THROUGH 1045 AM CDT...

At 1014 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Putnam, or 15 miles northwest of Thomasville, moving northeast at 25
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...
Sweet Water, Putnam, Wayne, Miller, Dixons Mill, Clayhill, and
Nicholsville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3225 8786 3208 8770 3199 8783 3199 8807
TIME...MOT...LOC 1514Z 225DEG 21KT 3200 8797

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

86/Martin

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 118 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:45 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Marengo

When: May 22, 9:43 AM CST to 9:48 AM CST
Where: Marengo County, 1.38 mi E of Alfalfa to 2.83 mi ENE of Alfalfa
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.85 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Continued into: Hale, Al (BMX)
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.500, -87.746

A tornado developed along Sparks Road, east of Demopolis, near the Marengo County/Hale County line, where several hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted, and a residence had siding damage either from wind or fallen trees. The tornado then moved northeast and impacted homes just off Highway 80 near Yellow Creek Road. Shingles and siding were removed from a couple of homes, a shed was destroyed, and general yard items were strewn. Perhaps the most eye-catching item was the displacement and flipping of a box truck and a pontoon boat. The tornado then crossed Highway 80 with minimal signs of damage and came to an end just past the Hale County line, along Mount Olive Road, where tree branches were broken. Maximum winds were estimated at 95 mph.

Tornado, Marengo

When: May 22, 9:47 AM CST to 9:48 AM CST
Where: Marengo County, 0.52 mi ENE of Exmoor to 0.72 mi NE of Exmoor
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.23 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.054, -87.862

A brief tornado occurred in the Exmoor community along County Road 6, between County Road 7 and Lewis Road. The tornado began along the back tree line of a property then moved northeast where it shifted a camper northward a few feet off of its cinder block supports. A manufactured home suffered damage to its porch and awning. Some trees were snapped and uprooted as the tornado crossed County Road 6 before dissipating as it downed trees across the road. Maximum winds were estimated at 65 mph.

Tornado, Hale

When: May 22, 9:48 AM CST to 9:50 AM CST
Where: Hale County, 1.66 mi W of Prairieville to 1.45 mi WNW of Prairieville
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.42 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.521, -87.728

An EF1 tornado entered Hale County from Marengo County came to an end just past the Hale County line, along Mount Olive Road, where tree branches were broken. Damage in Hale County was of EF0 intensity.

Tornado, Tuscaloosa

When: May 22, 11:13 AM CST to 11:18 AM CST
Where: Tuscaloosa County, 2.15 mi SE of Brookwood Arpt to 2.38 mi SSW of Abernant
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.65 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 33.211, -87.221

The tornado touched down just north of Interstate 20/59 nearly 2 miles east of exit 89 in a largely open field with a few trees here and there, one of which was uprooted. Numerous video recordings on social media showed a lowering cloudbase and nebulous funnel cloud crossing the interstate, with what looked like a very narrow drill bit tornado finally touching down. From there, the tornado moved north, crossing Union Road, where minor damage occurred to a double wide manufactured home and the first hint of a debris signature appeared. The tornado then traversed inaccessible forests and fields and intensified before reaching K and R Road, where several hardwood and softwood trees were snapped or uprooted. Only minor damage occurred to any homes on the street. The tornado then turned more northeasterly, crossed Bama Rock Garden Road where a carport was tossed and a home sustained other minor damage and crossed Charles Brook Rd, snapping and uprooting several trees. The tornado dissipated over inaccessible forest somewhere beyond Charles Brook Rd. Maximum winds were estimated at 95 mph.

What these are

Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alabama in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Alabama, 2026 Warnings in Alabama, May 2026

Sources

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: 1329072, 1329074, 1329073, 1329075.