Clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms dropped southeast into southern middle Tennessee and north Alabama during the afternoon and early evening hours. Damaging winds were reported in northwest Alabama including the Shoals metro area.
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 HUN wrote it up.
Clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms dropped southeast into southern middle Tennessee and north Alabama during the afternoon and early evening hours. Damaging winds were reported in northwest Alabama including the Shoals metro 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 Huntsville, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 31, 12:50 PM CST, 1 hour 10 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 150 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 ...New NEAR TERM... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 1022 AM CDT Sun May 31 2026 - Medium to high chances (40-70%) of showers and thunderstorms continue today and Monday. - Low chances for strong to severe storms late Monday morning into the early afternoon. Main threats are damaging winds and hail. - Dry weather finally returns Tuesday. && .NEAR TERM... (Tonight) Issued at 150 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 There have been no significant changes in the forecast since the previous update. Showers and storms have been slower to develop today compared to yesterday, but we have begun to start seeing an uptick in convection. Based on current trends, heavy rainfall appears to be the main concern this afternoon. Storms that have formed are nearly stationary. However, with 2000-3000 J/kg of CAPE based on the SPC mesoanalysis page and pwats over 1.8 inches, wet microbursts are another hazard we are keeping an eye on. As the current storms decay, outflow boundaries that get kicked out will likely develop new storms. Previous Discussion Another hot and humid day is underway across the Tennessee Valley. Upper level ridging remains in place across most of the southern CONUS with troughing along both the East and West Coasts. Showers have already begun to develop across NW GA this morning. Any outflow boundaries these produce may initiate additional showers later today across NE AL. This afternoon, a shortwave is forecast to push through TN. This should provide additional forcing to develop more widespread showers and thunderstorms. Based on some of the hires model guidance this morning, it appears the better coverage of precip will be for areas along and east of I-65. The good news is that severe storms are not expected given weak deep layer shear. Cannot rule out gusty winds as SBCAPE increases between 1000-2000 J/kg later today. However, the main concern is flooding as pwats once again are between 1.6-1.8 inches. High rain rates (1-2 in/hr) could cause some flash flooding if storms train over the same location. Showers and storms will gradually fizzle out this evening with the loss of daytime heating. Overnight temperatures will remain mild with lows in the mid to upper 60s forecast. One thing to watch will be for dense fog early tomorrow morning. Dewpoint depressions near zero combined with a very saturated ground make conditions favorable. The biggest uncertainty is will we clear out overnight or will low clouds remain in place. This will be monitored in future forecast updates. && .SHORT TERM... (Monday through Tuesday) Issued at 1022 AM CDT Sun May 31 2026 As we start the new work week, northwest flow aloft remains dominant over the Southeast. Active weather is typical in this flow regime, especially given the very moist and unstable airmass already in place. On Monday morning, sfc dewpoints will be in the lower 70s with temperatures quickly rising into the mid to upper 80s. This will increase CAPE values over 3000 J/kg and unlike previous days, deep layer shear increases to 30 knots by the late morning/early afternoon. This sets up the potential for severe storms if a lifting mechanism can initiate convection. The feature we will be watching is a MCS that develops late Sunday night/early Monday morning across MO and then rapidly moves SSE towards the local forecast area. The morning CAMs suggest that the MCS will arrive into NW AL by 16-18z and quickly push SSE into central AL by 20-22Z. Confidence in timing is still low as models are having a difficult time in the exact placement the MCS develops to our NW. The main threats with this system are damaging winds (medium confidence) and large hail (low confidence) as mid level lapse rates are around 7 C/km. Tornadoes do not appear likely given a unidirectional shear profile. Something we will be keeping an eye on is a secondary MCS that is forecast to develop along a remnant outflow boundary across W TN/E AR. Latest guidance suggests this activity will push southward and remain west of the forecast area. However, if the first MCS moves a bit further east there is at least a low chance of strong to severe storms redeveloping in NW AL. A pattern change begins starting Tuesday as a drier airmass advects in from the north. For the first time in over a week a dry forecast is expected on Tuesday. Temperatures will rise into the lower 80s by the afternoon. But dewpoints are forecast to fall into the lower 60s Tuesday afternoon and then the upper 50s Tuesday night. A much welcomed change from the 70 degree dewpoints over the last several days. && .LONG TERM... (Tuesday night through Saturday) Issued at 926 PM CDT Sat May 30 2026 A strong area of high pressure will build into the Tennessee Valley mid to late week, promoting plenty of sunshine each day and dry, tranquil weather. As a result of ample sunshine each day, highs will reach the 80s, but lows will drop into the upper 50s to low/mid 60s in this drier air mass. The ridge will remain in place largely through the remainder of the week, with the next chance of rain likely arriving late next weekend. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1206 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 High end MVFR to low end VFR clouds are present across northern AL and are expected to remain through the evening. Pop up showers and storms are forecast through the afternoon. Any storm would briefly reduce both visibility and ceilings. VFR conditions should return early tomorrow morning. If clouds fully clear out then fog may occur near the terminal. Too low of confidence to include in this forecast update. Another round of thunderstorms is expected to move through the area late tomorrow morning into the afternoon. Given timing uncertainty left as a prob 30 group. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...None. TN...None. && NEAR TERM...GH SHORT TERM....GH LONG TERM....AMP AVIATION...GH
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
148 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026
ALZ016-311930-
Cullman AL-
148 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL CULLMAN COUNTY THROUGH
230 PM CDT...
At 148 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles northeast of Cullman, moving south at 5 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...
Cullman, Hanceville, Good Hope, Holly Pond, Vinemont, Garden City,
Phelan, and Walter.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3424 8687 3429 8670 3418 8655 3412 8661
3412 8663 3409 8666 3408 8669 3409 8669
3408 8670 3405 8668 3406 8671 3403 8670
3403 8672 3395 8679 3396 8682 3394 8682
TIME...MOT...LOC 1848Z 352DEG 5KT 3425 8673
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
218 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026
ALZ001-312000-
Lauderdale AL-
218 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN LAUDERDALE COUNTY
THROUGH 300 PM CDT...
At 217 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Loretto, or 17 miles southwest of Lawrenceburg, moving southeast at
10 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...
Killen, Lexington, Anderson, Green Hill, Center Star, Kingtown,
Whitehead, and Elgin.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3500 8727 3489 8721 3487 8721 3487 8722
3481 8748 3483 8752 3482 8758 3500 8760
TIME...MOT...LOC 1917Z 331DEG 9KT 3502 8747
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
228 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026
ALZ016-312015-
Cullman AL-
228 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL CULLMAN COUNTY THROUGH
315 PM CDT...
At 228 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Holly Pond, or 7 miles east of Cullman, moving southeast at 10 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...
Cullman, Hanceville, Good Hope, Holly Pond, Garden City, Phelan, and
Walter.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3416 8686 3424 8667 3417 8657 3412 8660
3412 8663 3409 8666 3408 8670 3405 8668
3406 8670 3403 8670 3399 8676 3398 8676
3396 8679 3395 8679 3396 8682 3395 8682
TIME...MOT...LOC 1928Z 318DEG 8KT 3414 8671
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
26The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 113 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:01 UTC.
14 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Two trees were down where Felker Drive intersects highway 72. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree and a powerline were reported down at the intersection of Rose Street and CR 26. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down on CR 165 near 18275 highway 72. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down blocking both lanes at the intersection of CR 91 and CR 631. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down over the road near 2460 CR 261. Time was estimated from radar.
A tree was reported down at 200 CR 37. Time was estimated from radar.
Multiple trees own along CR 24 near St. Florian near the railroad tracks.
Trees/phone lines and a power pole were knocked down at intersection of CR 47 and CR 61. Time was estimated from radar.
A 63 mph gust was reported at the tower at the Renaissance Shoals Resort.
A tree was reported down along CR 457 in Pisgah. Time was estimated by radar.
A tree was knocked down at the intersection of CR 4 and AL Hwy 65 in the Holly Tree community.
Multiple trees were reported down along CR 8. Time was estimated from radar.
Multiple trees were reported down along AL Hwy 35 in Scottsboro. Time was estimated by radar.
A tree was reported down across the road near 26463 CR 460.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Alabama, May 2026
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: 1339730, 1339731, 1339733, 1339748, 1339761, 1339747, 1339103, 1339104, 1339102, 1339109, 1339108, 1339106, 1339107, 1339889.