Special Weather Statement

So we mostly lucked out as far as a severe weather threat today, but this gust front along the squall line may still cause a few problems, mainly tree damage where it does anything. 

Technically it is an outflow boundary ahead of the storms that has been causing the problems. So for something like this they'll issue a Special Weather Statement or a High Wind Warning like we saw on March 3 I guess, not a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. Because it isn't exactly thunderstorm winds, plus they are estimated just under criteria for severe. 

Just as a passing comment, I am nonplussed by how much severe weather has happened, so widespread, lately. I don't think the surveys are even complete from the last two events, much less yesterday's. Hats off to the people working so hard to sort it out and put it in the database so that maybe we can learn from what all has happened lately and improve future forecasts, watches, warnings. And there are issues about public safety too. People can care about them or not, but a lot of people living in poverty or otherwise in vulnerable communities really do not have access to the shelter they need from a big tornado outbreak. 

7:06 - The Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Monrovia had its steeple blown off by the high winds. Brad Travis passed on a picture of that from Renee Renner.

So especially if you've got trees outside, might want to head inside to a good safe place until these storms pass. Could at least break a few limbs here and there. 

7:18 PM - And that's the only place that really looks concerning at all now, as the line of showers/storms pushes into Northeast Alabama. The outflow boundary ahead of the line is the main focus for any damaging wind gusts. 

7:20 - Better radar image, shows that the Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been completely cleared now. 

7:22 - Remember that we will have a risk for flooding as this front stalls out though. If you see water covering a roadway - turn around, don't drown.

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WWUS84 KHUN 052356

SPSHUN

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Huntsville AL

656 PM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023

 

ALZ006>010-016-TNZ097-060100-

Marshall AL-Madison AL-Morgan AL-DeKalb AL-Cullman AL-Jackson AL-

Franklin TN-

656 PM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023

...Strong winds ahead of any rain or storms will impact portions of 

Marshall, Jackson, southeastern Madison, DeKalb, northeastern 

Cullman, southeastern Morgan and southeastern Franklin Counties 

through 800 PM CDT...

At 655 PM CDT, broadcast media reported wind damage associated with 

an outflow boundary, or line of strong gusty winds, not located with 

any thunderstorms. This outflow boundary was extending from 6 miles 

south of Monteagle to near Good Hope. Movement was east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Broadcast media.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around 

         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...

Albertville, Cullman, Scottsboro, Fort Payne, Boaz, Guntersville,

Arab, Rainsville, Bridgeport and Hanceville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. 

&&

LAT...LON 3448 8558 3437 8563 3426 8577 3424 8584

      3420 8585 3418 8619 3410 8630 3426 8644

      3426 8649 3425 8652 3412 8660 3408 8670

      3405 8668 3398 8676 3405 8695 3519 8587

      3499 8586 3498 8561 3453 8551

TIME...MOT...LOC 2355Z 286DEG 25KT 3515 8581 3409 8681 

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

$$

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