Saturday, May 31, 2025

Too many technical as well as personal difficulties going on right now to give this site the attention it deserves for the foreseeable future. The deal-breaker is that I've lost my one fully functional laptop. I think lightning may have run in on it while I was asleep, but I am not sure. Another device, a DVD player, stopped working in a similar way the same evening, but a television and radio plugged into the same power strip are just fine. 

The good news is that the weather is turning calmer, summer pattern. So if there was a good time to walk away from this after a very busy severe weather season (at least late in it, in May), this is the time. 

This one computer I have worked has a limited scope. If I try to post weather stuff every day with lots of graphics, I'm pretty sure it will bite the dust before the summer is over. Anyway . . . here's a quick overview of the forecast just because it's a habit, I guess. 

Tomorrow looks good, a mix of sun and clouds, High near 80, Low about 58. 

Sunny on Monday with a High near 85, Low near 60. So the humidity is staying low for this time of year. 

Tuesday also looks sunny with a High in the upper 80's and a Low in the lower 60's. 

Still mostly sunny on Wednesday with a High in the upper 80's and Low in the upper 60's. So by then, temperatures and humidity levels are getting more to where they "should" be this time of year as we get into the month of June and early summer. I know the solstice isn't until later in the month, but meteorologists consider it summer as soon as we get into June. Or I consider it summer once we get into this pattern we're about to. 

Thursday we'll see a mix of sun and clouds with really widely scattered showers and thunderstorms possible. 

Friday and Saturday we do have a cold front coming our way, but it's questionable how far it makes it versus the high pressure ridge we will have in place. We'll have more clouds around, and rain chances will be about 40-50%. We can always have random stronger storms in the summer months that cook up in the heat and humidity, but our core severe weather season is over. Until November, we're basically dealing with summer weather and any tropical mischief that might get going in the waters. And most of that stuff doesn't end up affecting us much (if at all) in North Alabama. 

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Forecast Summary

So here's an idea what to expect, just hitting the high points without a super-detailed forecast discussion. 




Tomorrow, Memorial Day, mostly cloudy skies, rain chance of about 50%. A few isolated thunderstorms could reach severe limits, but if that happens, the coverage is expected to be less than today's. This is just a low risk for isolated damaging winds or large hail in thunderstorms. The High should be about 81, the Low about 64. 



Monday night into Tuesday, rain and thunderstorms are likely. This looks like a soaker of a day more than tomorrow does. And again on Tuesday, a few isolated storms could become severe, producing damaging wind gusts or some severe hail. Look for a High near 80, a Low near 65. 

Wednesday the rain chance drops back to about 50%, about a 50/50 chance of any one spot getting a shower or thunderstorm during the day. The High should again be near 80, the Low in the mid-60's. 

Then Thursday calls for partly cloudy skies and only a 30% chance of rain, widely scattered showers and thunderstorms across the map by then. High staying near 80, the Low in the lower 60's. 


Then Friday with the passage of a cold front, rain chances go back to 40%, which means scattered across the map, but a little more numerous than on Thursday. High in the upper 70's, Low near 60. 


Then for next weekend, we've got high pressure centered over the Plains, and we turn sunny here again. Saturday should feature a High near 80, Low in the upper 50's. And Sunday the Low might be closer to 60 again, maybe some clouds coming back but probably no rain. 

That will be June 1st though, next Sunday. And in the summer months, you can get a stray rain shower or thunderstorm just about any day. Even when it's cooking at 100 degrees or more and dry most places, somebody can get one. And the temperatures look quite comfortable for this time of year for the foreseeable future. 


We did have a lot of trees and power lines come down in North Alabama and Southern Middle Tennessee today, even though it was from straight-line thunderstorm winds. Also a lot in Mississippi and Northwest Georgia. Looks like the tornadoes stayed out in Texas and Oklahoma today, mainly Northern Texas. As they were expected to. 

We are transitioning into a summer pattern soon where wind damage or large hail events will be a lot more isolated for the next few months. Our season for organized severe weather ends with the month of May as a rule. Which we're nearly through with. 

Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Includes Huntsville)


And now I can confirm, Live 95 Cullman is broadcasting these warnings as they are originally issued by the National Weather Service. That's probably the best policy for tonight since it's not a big severe weather outbreak. Let people hear the good music but let them know something is going on too. 

Brad Travis went on a bit of a rant about how we were overwarned and he doesn't think these storms are all that bad. I like to find the humor in such things as always. James Spann says this a lot too, and has for more than the past 15 years. 

My personal opinion is that in a situation like tonight, you're probably going to be okay, but I'd play it safe and take some level of shelter (at least get away from windows) because why tempt fate? We've had a rough severe weather season, and it's nearly over. We're nearly into June. 

There were trees down earlier in Haleyville. 

9:45 - Morgan County EMA also reporting trees down. 

So whether you think we get too many warnings or not, best thing to do is take these storms seriously and get to a relatively safe place until they finish blowing through. If nothing happens, hey, no harm done. But I'd hate for somebody to blow off the threat and then have a tree come down on 'em or some other kind of misfortune . . . I believe in respecting warnings most of the time. 

And this squall line is moving through the city of Cullman now. 

9:49 - The whole county is technically included in this warning. Usually you don't see whole counties included in this polygon era. 

9:54 - Mainly just concerned with damaging wind gusts here, as far as a direct threat to any life or property. 

9:57 - And here's a wider view, you can see where the squall line is and how it's moving. 

10 PM - Squall line moving into Hanceville and Huntsville now. The warning technically goes all the way East to Rainsville. They did have trees down in Haleyville, Hackleburg, and Bear Creek earlier. Some power outages around Hackleburg and Bear Creek. 

10:08 - The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a Special Weather Statement for Blount County, for winds up to 50 mph, which is under severe criteria but still pretty strong. 

10:15 - And the watch is slowly being cancelled out behind the squall line. 

10:23 - Okay, now a report from Colony in Cullman County, EMA reports a tree down at County Roads 109 and 222. So that's why I tell people to play it safe with these situations. If that tree came down on your home or your car . . . that's bad news. Fortunately not hearing any reports of injuries with these storms tonight, just a few trees down and some power outages. 

10:24 - Also in Mount Hope in Lawrence County, EMA reports a tree down along CR-39. So these warnings did verify. 

10:26 - And the squall line is moving from Arab to Guntersville, also moving from Cullman more into Blount County, as well as moving through Eastern Madison County. Most of the storms are past Huntsville now. 

10:31 - Just a bit of trivia for anyone interested, here's a really old podcast where James Spann, Tim Coleman, and Jim Stefkovich discussed the False Alarm Ratio, even before the 2011 tornado outbreak. After that outbreak, the Birmingham NWS office took simple but effective steps to cut their false alarm rate in half. 

Tonight I think these warnings were justified since several have verified with damage. Even if it's only a few trees or some power knocked out from damaging winds, that is a significant event for the people it happens to. I lean toward thinking I'd rather see too many warnings than too few. But it really is a fine line sometimes. Because if people hear too many where nothing verifies, then they get complacent. Somehow it seems worse to me if somebody gets totally caught off guard with a severe storm. But the rest of the country could take a lesson from the Birmingham office. Spann made some noise about this, and they paid attention and actually did something about it. They have the best statistics now of any office in the country. 

10:36 - Having said that, as the storms continue to push into Northeast Alabama, this warning has now been replaced by a Special Weather Statement for wind gusts only up to 40 mph, which is under severe limits. 

10:38 - Also just got a report of a tree down near Addison along US-278 there in Winston County earlier. 

We do need severe thunderstorm warnings for situations like this. Glad we had them tonight so people knew this was coming. 

That storm moving through Tuscaloosa is estimated to have wind gusts up to 60 mph, and there is a warning down there. But that's really not in North Alabama. That's considered West Central Alabama. 

10:40 - The watch was already cancelled for Northwest Alabama and Tennessee counties. And will be allowed to expire on time at 11 PM CDT. The severe weather threat is basically over even in Northeast Alabama now. 

 Severe Thunderstorm Warning

ALC043-049-071-079-083-089-095-103-260330-

/O.NEW.KHUN.SV.W.0150.250526T0237Z-250526T0330Z/


BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

National Weather Service Huntsville AL

937 PM CDT Sun May 25 2025


The National Weather Service in Huntsville Alabama has issued a


* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

  Marshall County in northeastern Alabama...

  Southwestern Jackson County in northeastern Alabama...

  Southern Madison County in north central Alabama...

  Southern Limestone County in north central Alabama...

  Southwestern DeKalb County in northeastern Alabama...

  Cullman County in north central Alabama...

  Morgan County in north central Alabama...

  Eastern Lawrence County in northwestern Alabama...


* Until 1030 PM CDT.


* At 937 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

  extending from near Tanner to Falkville to near Dodge City, moving

  east at 50 mph.


  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.


  SOURCE...Radar indicated.


  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.


* Locations impacted include...

  Wilburn, Lim Rock, Valhermoso Springs, Crane Hill, Speake, Basham,

  Priceville, Painter, Union Grove, and Rabbit Town.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...


For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.


Large hail, damaging wind, and continuous cloud to ground lightning

are occurring with these storms. Move indoors immediately. Lightning

is one of nature`s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear

thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.


Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.


&&


LAT...LON 3390 8710 3399 8715 3399 8711 3430 8711

      3430 8732 3476 8716 3472 8595 3441 8581

      3420 8587 3418 8619 3410 8630 3426 8644

      3425 8652 3412 8660 3408 8670 3405 8668

      3395 8679 3394 8688 3386 8696

TIME...MOT...LOC 0237Z 267DEG 42KT 3470 8692 3439 8691 3401 8695


HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED

MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED

MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH


$$


KTW



Severe T-Storm Warning (Includes Cullman)


 


This is a pretty standard warning where winds could gust to 60 miles per hour. But it's still a good idea to move into that safer part of your home, like a hallway on the lowest floor or a room without windows. Especially if you have trees around that could fall in the winds. 

9:26 PM - And here's a zoom-in on the county. We've got good lead-time for people to get to a safer place. 

I wouldn't be up on a top floor close to some windows while these blow through. And if you're in a mobile home and can go a short distance to a friend or relative's who has a sturdier house, I'd go see them for a while tonight. Sometimes it's a good idea to play it safe. 

9:34 - The line of storms is getting ready to cross I-65. 

And I'm not hearing any coverage from 101.5 FM in Jasper. They do post that stuff on Twitter (or X), but they have not commented on the storms that affected Walker and Winston Counties. 

And crazy enough, Live 95 in Cullman is playing music too. They probably did cut in and broadcast the warning though. They used to always, cut in with that tone and broadcast it from the Weather Service. But I didn't even hear that on the Jasper station. 

So I'm making mental notes. These days I wonder if your best bet if you don't have a weather radio is tuning to the classical stations. 

New post since Huntsville is under a warning now, new large polygon covering several counties. 

954 

WUUS54 KHUN 260220

SVRHUN

ALC043-260245-

/O.NEW.KHUN.SV.W.0149.250526T0220Z-250526T0245Z/


BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

National Weather Service Huntsville AL

920 PM CDT Sun May 25 2025


The National Weather Service in Huntsville Alabama has issued a


* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

  Western Cullman County in north central Alabama...


* Until 945 PM CDT.


* At 920 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

  extending from near Brushy Lake to near Corinth Rec Area to near

  Camp McDowell, moving east at 40 mph.


  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.


  SOURCE...Radar indicated.


  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.


* Locations impacted include...

  Phelan, Wilburn, Good Hope, Cullman, Black Bottom, Baldwin, Crane

  Hill, Smith Lake, Logan, and Bremen.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...


For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.


&&


LAT...LON 3389 8701 3390 8710 3392 8708 3399 8715

      3399 8711 3422 8711 3421 8677 3409 8677

      3394 8682 3395 8685 3393 8686 3394 8688

      3392 8689 3391 8692 3387 8692 3386 8696

      3386 8699

TIME...MOT...LOC 0220Z 267DEG 33KT 3426 8726 3412 8728 3395 8738 


HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN

WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED

MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH


$$


KTW

Severe T-Storm Warning

They're specifically mentioning damage to roofing and mobile homes as well as trees with this now. So the best place to be is a small room or hallway on the lowest floor of a sturdy house without any windows. 

9:09 PM - WAFF-48 is doing streaming coverage. Some other sources probably still are too. 

While this is not part of what makes a storm severe (technically), be aware that a lot of cloud-to-ground lightning is happening with these storms. In some places it looks about like a strobe light, which can be a clue that you need to take a storm seriously. When there's that much lightning, usually the winds are going to mean business too. And we already know these winds could mean business. 

Storms are moving into Moulton. 

9:15 - And boy, look at this line of storms bowing out, that bow echo as this part of the squall line approaches Hartselle, Priceville, Falkville. These winds look fierce on radar. 

9:18 - Here's a zoom on our active warning. This damaging wind/hail threat from these storms does extend all the way down South to Vinemont. To be on the safe side, I would take some level of shelter from these. Even if it's not quite your tornado precautions, get into a place that is safe enough from damaging winds. 

Guess it's also worth mentioning that the warning includes West Point, in case locals can't see that from the map. It can be tough to remember all the towns within a county. The only thing that drives me crazy is when people don't have a clue where they are, like the general vicinity. Like one time somebody said to me, "The county that's got Huntsville in it." And I felt like screaming, "That's Madison County!" You do need to know approximately where you live, how to find it on a map. 

New warning includes the city of Cullman. Going to make a new post for that. 

 Severe Thunderstorm Warning

ALC033-043-059-079-083-103-260245-

/O.NEW.KHUN.SV.W.0148.250526T0158Z-250526T0245Z/


BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

National Weather Service Huntsville AL

858 PM CDT Sun May 25 2025


The National Weather Service in Huntsville Alabama has issued a


* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

  Southwestern Limestone County in north central Alabama...

  Southeastern Colbert County in northwestern Alabama...

  Northwestern Cullman County in north central Alabama...

  Eastern Franklin County in northwestern Alabama...

  Western Morgan County in north central Alabama...

  Lawrence County in northwestern Alabama...


* Until 945 PM CDT.


* At 858 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

  extending from near Littleville to near Ashridge, moving east at 35

  mph.


  HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts.


  SOURCE...Radar indicated.


  IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to

           mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.


* Locations impacted include...

  Mt Hope, Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, Trinity, Littleville,

  La Grange, Falkville, Speake, Tharptown, Ne Smith, and Basham.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...


For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.


&&


LAT...LON 3421 8711 3430 8711 3431 8768 3454 8769

      3474 8775 3477 8771 3480 8762 3478 8732

      3475 8729 3476 8726 3477 8728 3477 8727

      3475 8695 3420 8684

TIME...MOT...LOC 0158Z 269DEG 32KT 3456 8758 3431 8750


THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED

MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED

MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH


$$


KTW

Severe T'Storm Warning

And this one actually does include parts of Northern Walker County, places like Nauvoo and Curry. It includes nearly all of Winston County - places like Haleyville down to Lynn and Natural Bridge over to Double Springs, and in the Eastern parts of the county, Addison and Arley. 

People down in Eldridge also need to be in a good safe place while these damaging winds in these storms blow through. 

8:40 - And here's the broader view. You can actually see where there are some thunderstorms moving through Cullman County that are below severe limits - affecting places like Dodge City and Hanceville mainly. 

8:44 - Here's a radar shot for folks in Cullman County who want to get ready for these storms. Can see where they are. In relation to where you are on the map. If you don't know what county or town you are in on the map, then definitely put that on the list of things to learn. It's amazing how many people don't know. I actually had a guy (in Marshall County, Arab) tell me one time: Why would you want to know what county you're in? And that is dead wrong. You need to know that and at least one or two surrounding counties. At least know the county directly to your West. Which if you're in Cullman County, is Winston County. 

8:56 - Just a reminder that from The Shoals to Phil Campbell to Town Creek, that northern end of the storms, 70 mph wind gusts are expected. 

9 PM - And we just got a new warning that includes Decatur . . . well you know what . . . it includes Vinemont in Cullman County so going to start a new post for it. 

 121 

WUUS54 KBMX 260133

SVRBMX

ALC127-133-260230-

/O.NEW.KBMX.SV.W.0165.250526T0133Z-250526T0230Z/


BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

National Weather Service Birmingham AL

833 PM CDT Sun May 25 2025


The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a


* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

  Northwestern Walker County in central Alabama...

  Winston County in northwestern Alabama...


* Until 930 PM CDT.


* At 832 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

  extending from near Hackleburg to near Eldridge, moving east at 20

  mph.


  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.


  SOURCE...Radar indicated.


  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage 

           to roofs, siding, and trees.


* Locations impacted include...

  Haleyville, Lynn, Arley, Double Springs, Addison, Nauvoo, Eldridge,

  Curry, Houston Recreational Area, Camp McDowell, Ashbank, Nesmith,

  Poplar Springs, Ashridge, Falls City, Moreland, Smith Lake,

  Helicon, Inmanfield, and Sardis.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...


For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.


&&


LAT...LON 3429 8711 3420 8711 3399 8713 3399 8715

      3397 8714 3396 8713 3394 8713 3391 8764

      3430 8763

TIME...MOT...LOC 0132Z 248DEG 18KT 3431 8777 3392 8767 


HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED

MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED

MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH


$$


61

Severe Thunderstorm Warning



This is for wind gusts to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail, with a note that weak rotation is showing up in this line of storms from time to time. 

8:17 - Here's a more detailed look at the new warning polygon that includes Western Lawrence County. 

People from Tuscumbia down to Russellville, Phil Campbell, Mount Hope need to be in a good safe place while these storms pass - at least staying inside and away from windows. 

It's really better if you can get to a small interior room (or at least a hallway - room without windows) on the lowest floor of a sturdy house rather than a mobile home. Especially if you've got trees around, if one falls, it usually won't come all the way through a sturdy-built house, and especially in a room where the walls are closer together, like a hallway. 

8:23 - While there is a very low risk of an isolated tornado somewhere with these storms, this atmospheric setup strongly favors damaging straight-line winds and large hail instead of low-level rotation. That doesn't mean it doesn't need to be taken seriously. But trying to give you an idea of what to expect. 

These are most likely "only" the kinds of storms that can damage or completely take down some trees and power lines and put down some large hail while they come through. We're probably not going to see much in the way of structural damage tonight except if a tree comes down on a home. 

Then again, never say never. Once in a while a window does blow out from these kinds of winds. And sometimes a mobile home can sustain damage from 60-70 mph gusts even without trees around. So this is not as serious as what we had the other day, May 20, or back on March 15 earlier this season. But just a reminder that any severe weather threat is worth treating with some respect. 

8:28 I'm tuned in to 101.5 FM WJLX in Jasper, since Coyote J. Calhoun is doing his weekly "Cemetery of Rock" show. It's too bad he can only play stuff before the year 2000, since he used to be known for mixing in some cutting-edge new stuff too. But he still picks great music and does hilarious commentary every hour or so. Curious to see what severe weather coverage they offer, if any, once the storms get to Walker County. I sure do miss the guy who managed that station, Brett Elmore, whenever I think about him. Seemed like a really cool dude. His friends called him "Big Sexy Elmo". Takes a special kinda' guy to get a nickname like that. 

The best I've got for my pudginess these days is "dirty fat boy".

Coyote J. actually said Jerry Tracey told him one time not to mix humor with weather. Maybe that's what is holding this blog back from success. I crack too many jokes along with telling people about the serious stuff. 

8:32 - On a serious note again, the storms are getting pretty close to Haleyville there over the Winston County line. 

Used to know a guy whose mother lived there, we'd go up there and do laundry sometimes and all have some good chats. I didn't know until then that it was where the 911 system started. Anyway always keep them in mind when the weather turns rowdy. 

And they just went under a warning, which once again, my weather radio did NOT tone for. It is probably time to invest in a new device, before this summer is over. I'd had this same one for over 15 years, and it has taken some really hard knocks. I certainly hope it's my device and not a problem with the communications network tonight. 

Going to start a new post for the Winston County warning. 

 Severe Thunderstorm Warning

ALC033-059-077-079-260215-

/O.NEW.KHUN.SV.W.0147.250526T0112Z-250526T0215Z/


BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

National Weather Service Huntsville AL

812 PM CDT Sun May 25 2025


The National Weather Service in Huntsville Alabama has issued a


* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

  Lauderdale County in northwestern Alabama...

  Colbert County in northwestern Alabama...

  Franklin County in northwestern Alabama...

  Western Lawrence County in northwestern Alabama...


* Until 915 PM CDT.


* At 812 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

  extending from 9 miles southeast of Walnut Grove to 8 miles east of

  Tishomingo State Park to near Fulton, moving southeast at 35 mph.


  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.


  SOURCE...Radar indicated.


  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

           to roofs, siding, and trees.


* Locations impacted include...

  Posey Loop, Mt Hope, Atwood, Florence, Ne Smith, Oakland, Waterloo,

  North Courtland, Lexington, and Tuscumbia.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...


Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly

from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the

basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.


For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.


&&


LAT...LON 3489 8810 3501 8807 3500 8741 3499 8722

      3479 8725 3478 8728 3476 8726 3430 8733

      3432 8817

TIME...MOT...LOC 0112Z 296DEG 30KT 3493 8796 3461 8803 3426 8833


TORNADO...POSSIBLE

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED

MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED

MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH


$$


KTW


Severe Thunderstorm Watch



Playing catch up with this one as my weather radio did not go off for it. Think the device must be just about done for. Anyway the timing of seeing it is pretty good since the storms are getting ready to cross the MS/AL state line into Northwest Alabama. 

7:10 PM - Folks in Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion, Lamar Counties, be getting ready to take cover from storms with potential for damaging winds and large hail. 

7:12 - And now we have a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Lamar County. Also includes Northern Pickens County in West Central Alabama, down to Reform, clips the Northern part of that town. 

7:18 - This is actually round two of this system. I can see that earlier some severe thunderstorms moved through and even prompted a Tornado Warning for Jackson and Dekalb County. My weather radio alerts for Cullman, Walker, and Winston Counties and never went off for this Watch. The reception is excellent if I push the button to listen to the weather, and it is on alert. But the light is not even on. So I didn't doze through the watch alert tone (which is hard to do anyway but has happened a few times over the years). This device did not tone for it this time. The problem could be on my end, or there could be a problem with the communications at the moment, a technical glitch. I sort of hope it is not the latter since we have an organized bunch of severe thunderstorms coming into the area as we get into the evening hours here. 

7:22 - Interesting situation for Lauderdale, Colbert, and Franklin Counties. This new warning does include Muscle Shoals. But the wind is actually estimated below severe limits, 50 mph gusts. The hail is what makes this storm severe, estimated at one inch in diameter, quarter size. 

7:36 - There is plenty of lead time as these storms move out of North/Central Mississippi over into West/Northwest Alabama. 

Ideally you want to be in a small interior room (or hallway) on the lowest floor of a sturdy house (much better than a mobile home, especially if there are trees around, less vulnerable to winds) while these storms pass. 

If the best you can do is get away from windows, I'd at least do that. And other things that make good sense, like not using electrical stuff while these storms are coming through with a good bit of cloud-to-ground lightning. 

But the wind gusts and hail are what make them severe. 

7:41 - Some of the hail/wind impacts from these storms could be fairly significant, new note from NWS Huntsville. 

7:53 - Just got the new outlook from SPC in Norman, Oklahoma, only going to post the local version of it here since we've got local issues already. 


They've got a 30% chance of damaging winds along and West of I-65, a more basic 15% risk for Eastern Counties. 

For severe hail, the basic 15% risk is generally along and West of the Interstate, and then East of there, the threat of severe hail drops to about 5%. 

And there is actually a chance of an isolated tornado outlooked with this, it's just very low, about 2%. 

People in mobile homes might consider going to visit a friend or relative with a sturdier house ahead of these storms just in case something really fires up. That's a close judgement call with this system tonight.   

We just got a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the Shoals warning of golfball-or-larger hail. Going to post that warning separately and sort of ride with things from there as it moves across the state. 

Well actually no, it is not a new warning, just a statement on the existing warning. 

And the new warning for Marion County only warns of quarter-sized hail. This includes the city of Hamilton. So I guess I'll hold it here in this post for a while. 


8:01 PM - But here's a look at the radar with these storms. There is obviously a threat for severe hail here along with the damaging wind gusts. 

Newest warning stretches all the way down to Guin and Winfield, also Detroit and Sulligent back in Lamar County. 

WVTA from Mississippi has been covering this activity, even though tonight is more of a hail/damaging thunderstorm wind than a tornado threat. 

8:05 - Looks like Ryan Hall is on it too. 

And so is Max Velocity. Only discovered him recently. 

But he's focused back on Texas where the weather is worse this evening. 

And Brad Travis has a live stream going out of Huntsville. 

So does Jeff Castle

These guys are working for the weekend this time. Props to them for working a holiday weekend for a lower-end threat like this. 

And actually WHNT-19 has gone live for this one as well. I don't recognize the meteorologist yet, but she seems to be doing a good job. Things have changed over the years. When Dan Satterfield was in charge at that station, they were my first choice for live coverage. Now they're my third in Huntsville. And that's mainly because their online stream is not always available when I see the other two stations doing a stream. And their newscasts run on a delay for computer users, which is the only way I can watch them, online. I can't pick up local TV channels where I live. I've tried three different antennas over the past few years. Anyway I'm not familiar with this young lady's work yet, but I know Ben Smith and Danielle Dozier do good work on this station these days. Ben Smith has been around forever. 

Going to start a new post for the new warning that includes Moulton. It is even showing a little rotation, concerning. 

 URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

   Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 324

   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK

   325 PM CDT Sun May 25 2025


   The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a


   * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of 

     Northern Alabama

     Northwest Georgia

     Southern Middle Tennessee


   * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 325 PM until

     1100 PM CDT.


   * Primary threats include...

     Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

     Isolated large hail events to 1 inch in diameter possible

     A tornado or two possible


   SUMMARY...A line of storms will move southeastward this afternoon

   and pose mainly a damaging wind risk. Additional storms, perhaps as

   a well-organized line, are expected to move into the region,

   particularly northern Alabama, by evening, posing an additional

   round of severe storms.


   The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 45

   statute miles north and south of a line from 25 miles west southwest

   of Muscle Shoals AL to 20 miles south southeast of Chattanooga TN.

   For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch

   outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU4).


   PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...


   REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are

   favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.

   Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening

   weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible

   warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce

   tornadoes.


   &&


   OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 322...WW 323...


   AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to

   1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few

   cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 550. Mean storm motion vector

   29045.


   ...Guyer


WOUS64 KWNS 252022

   WOU4


   BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 324

   NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK

   325 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2025


   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 324 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM CDT

   FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS


   ALC009-019-033-043-049-055-059-071-077-079-083-089-095-103-

   260400-

   /O.NEW.KWNS.SV.A.0324.250525T2025Z-250526T0400Z/


   AL 

   .    ALABAMA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE


   BLOUNT               CHEROKEE            COLBERT             

   CULLMAN              DEKALB              ETOWAH              

   FRANKLIN             JACKSON             LAUDERDALE          

   LAWRENCE             LIMESTONE           MADISON             

   MARSHALL             MORGAN              



   GAC047-055-083-115-295-313-260400-

   /O.NEW.KWNS.SV.A.0324.250525T2025Z-250526T0400Z/


   GA 

   .    GEORGIA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE


   CATOOSA              CHATTOOGA           DADE                

   FLOYD                WALKER              WHITFIELD           



   TNC031-051-061-065-103-115-127-153-260400-

   /O.NEW.KWNS.SV.A.0324.250525T2025Z-250526T0400Z/


   TN 

   .    TENNESSEE COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE


   COFFEE               FRANKLIN            GRUNDY              

   HAMILTON             LINCOLN             MARION              

   MOORE                SEQUATCHIE          



   ATTN...WFO...BMX...MRX...HUN...OHX...FFC...

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Unsettled/Wet Pattern

FORECAST:

Sunday (High 80, Low 62): Mostly cloudy with numerous rounds of showers and thunderstorms possible throughout the day. Some storms may produce damaging wind gusts or large hail. 

Memorial Day (High 80, Low 64): Rain and thunderstorms likely. A few storms could become strong. 

Tuesday (High 79, Low 66): Rain showers likely. Thunderstorms possible. 

EXTENDED OUTLOOK:

Wednesday (High 80, Low 65): Mostly cloudy with a 50% chance of showers/thunderstorms. 

Thursday (High 81, Low 64): Partly to mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of showers/thunderstorms. 

Friday (High 78, Low 63): Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of showers/thunderstorms. 

Saturday (High 79, Low 58): Partly to mostly sunny with a 20% chance of showers. 

BEACH FORECAST:

Sunday (High 88, Low 75): Mostly sunny with an isolated shower or thunderstorm possible. 

Memorial Day (High 88, Low 75): Mostly sunny. 

Tuesday (High 88, Low 75): Partly cloudy with widely scattered showers and thunderstorms possible. 

Wednesday through Saturday (Highs in the mid-to-upper-80's, Lows in the lower 70's): Partly cloudy with a 40% chance of showers/thunderstorms. 

PRONÓSTICO:

Domingo (Máxima 80, Mínima 62): Mayormente nublado con numerosas lluvias y tormentas posibles durante el día. Algunas tormentas podrían producir ráfagas de viento dañinas o granizo grande.

Día de los Caídos (Máxima 80, Mínima 64): Probabilidad de lluvia y tormentas. Algunas tormentas podrían intensificarse.

Martes (Máxima 79, Mínima 66): Probabilidad de lluvias y tormentas. Posibles tormentas.

PERSPECTIVA EXTENDIDA:

Miércoles (Máxima 80, Mínima 65): Mayormente nublado con un 50% de probabilidad de lluvias/tormentas.

Jueves (Máxima 81, Mínima 64): Parcialmente nublado con un 40% de probabilidad de lluvias/tormentas.

Viernes (Máxima 78, Mínima 63): Mayormente nublado con un 40% de probabilidad de lluvias/tormentas.

Sábado (Máxima 79, Mínima 58): Parcialmente a mayormente soleado con un 20 % de probabilidad de lluvias.

PRONÓSTICO DE LA PLAYA:

Domingo (Máxima 88, Mínima 75): Mayormente soleado con posibilidad de lluvias o tormentas aisladas.

Día de los Caídos (Máxima 88, Mínima 75): Mayormente soleado.

Martes (Máxima 88, Mínima 75): Parcialmente nublado con posibilidad de lluvias y tormentas aisladas.

Miércoles a Sábado (Máximas entre 85 y 88, Mínimas entre 70 y 73): Parcialmente nublado con un 40 % de probabilidad de lluvias o tormentas.

NOTE:

Here are the latest storm surveys by the National Weather Service in Huntsville for the May 20 event, which includes 13 tornado tracks so far across the 14 counties they serve. 

DISCUSSION:


We've got some strong thunderstorms moving through Lawrence and Morgan Counties at 4:30 PM CDT, affecting places like Mt. Hope and Trinity. Wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour and hail up to about penny size are possible with these storms as they move through, which is a little under severe criteria. 

It has been a mostly overcast day in Cullman, and we have had periods of thunderstorms as well as just periods of light rain. I was going to give the Highs and Lows for today, but it's one of those messy setups where those are hard to ascertain at this time of evening. So right now we are overcast. The temperature is 68 degrees. The dewpoint is 66 degrees, which makes the relative humidity 94%. Winds are out of the Southeast at 6 miles per hour. The pressure is 30.11 inches and falling slowly. The visibilit is 10 miles. The Low this morning was 57. 

By contrast, it is sunny and 73 degrees in Jasper. The dewpoint is 64, making the relative humidity 74%. Winds are East at 7 mph. The pressure is 30.10 inches and steady for the moment. Visibility is 10 miles. The Low this morning was 59. 

Haleyville has a thunderstorm just to their East. The temperature is 69 degrees. The dewpoint is 66, making the relative humidity 90%. Winds are Southeast at 7 mph. The pressure is 30.11 inches/995.5 millibars and falling. (Always glad they provide the reading in millibars at the home of the 911 system.) Visibility is 10 miles. The Low was 58. 

It is overcast in Huntsville with a temperature of 67 degrees. The dewpoint is 63, making the relative humidity 87%. Winds are Southeast at 5 mph. The pressure is 30.10 inches/1018.9 millibars and falling slowly. The visibility is 10 miles. The Low this morning was 60. 

It is mostly cloudy and 70 degrees in Nashville. The dewpoint is 58, making the relative humidity 66%. Winds are out of the South, blowing the flies in the fishes' mouth at 6 miles per hour. The pressure is 30.11 inches/1019.3 millibars and falling. Visibility is 10 miles. The Low this morning was 59. 

I noticed a discrepancy above, where both Haleyville and Nashville had a pressure reading of 30.11 inches, but Haleyville had 995.5 millibars reported, which sounds too low, and Nashville had 1019.3 millibars reported. Using the National Weather Service's handy conversion tool, it looks like 30.11 inches of mercury would actually be equivalent to 1019.64 millibars. So take that for what it's worth. 

 

Just a quick note, as these thunderstorms are moving into Cullman County, they may still produce small hail and wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour. 

The severe stuff is widely scattered and back in Mississippi or far Southern Alabama, nothing like that in our neck of the woods. And these are closer to being those "pulse" type storms we get in summer but with a little bit of the dynamics of spring, with that warm front lifting northward and trying to stall out down around Montgomery. That pattern of storm clusters moving from Northwest to Southeast like we've had today, stuff coming our way from out West, is what's called an MCS setup - Mesoscale Convective System. We see those fairly often in the summer months, at least some years we do. 


The morning sounding from Birmingham showed stable air and pretty strong wind shear. 


Then if you look at Nashville, at 7 AM CDT they had really stable air and only marginal wind shear to support any stronger storms that might develop. 



Tomorrow looks pretty similar, that classic MCS setup. 



And the Storm Prediction has outlooked all of us in North Alabama/Southern Middle Tennessee (at least the bordering counties) for a Level 2/5 Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms capable of damaging wind gusts and some severe hail. 

But it's going to be a lot like today, only difference is it may get warmer, likely will. The High should get up to about 80 degrees, morning Low about 60 or so. And the chance of rain is 50%. 



Then rain and thunderstorms are likely for Monday, which is Memorial Day, when I remember a guy I had Driver's Ed with named Richard who never came back from the Middle East alive. 


By then, the threat of stronger storms is looking marginal and generally confined to along and South of of the TN River. Should see a High of 80 or 81, Low in the mid-60's. 

The GFS graphics are coming in slowly beyond this point, so I'll illustrate with standard weather maps from the Weather Prediction Center. This forecast package is not exactly rocket science, just has its nuances. 


Rain and thunderstorms are likely again on Tuesday as the low pressure system and associated front lift North of Memphis. And that will spell another rainy day with some thunder in the mix, a High near 80 (maybe about 79 due to so much rain), Low in the mid-60's. 


The front does get moving on Wednesday, but our weather remains basically the same, a High near 80, Low near 65, will trim the rain chance back to 50%. But  a lot of us are still in for a decent soaking for at least part of the day. 


And as the front is still moving slowly, will continue to trim the rain chance back for Thursday, 40%, which means scattered showers and thunderstorms. Temperature should stay about the same, High near 80 or so, Low in the lower 60's instead of mid-60's since the air looks a little less humid. 


Friday looks like when we get our frontal passage finally. We should see a High in the upper 70's, a Low in the lower 60's. And the rain chance will hold at 40%. 


Then for next Saturday, we are likely to finally see more sunshine than clouds again, rain chance dropping back to 20% as the moisture behind this front starts to ease out of the region. The High should be in the upper 70's or near 80, the Low in the upper 50's. 

And by the way, that will be the last day of May. 



The risk of flash flooding continues to look on the low end, but many of us could see up to 3-4 inches of rainfall totals for this forecast period, over this next week. 

Too many technical as well as personal difficulties going on right now to give this site the attention it deserves for the foreseeable futur...