Strong Wind — Madison, Alabama

2022-03-30 · Madison, Alabama

Event narrative

Sustained winds of 25 to 40 mph with some gusts between 50 and 55 mph occurred. The highest sustained wind of 38 mph (7:25 PM) and gust up to of 53 mph (7:53 PM) were measured at the Huntsville International Airport. Two people were injured by flying debris, one in the Five Points area (fallen branch) and another at Hays Nature Preserve (hit by a 2 by 4). Some trees and numerous power lines were knocked down. Four utility poles were also blown down. Some fence damage was reported.

Wider weather episode

A powerful low pressure system moved northeast from the central Plains into the Great Lakes, bringing a strong cold front through the Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys. Very windy conditions developed during the morning and extended into the early evening hours of the 30th, producing sustained speeds of 25-35 mph and gusts of 45 to 55 mph. These winds knocked down numerous tree limbs and trees, some power lines and some power poles This resulted in power outages in portions of northern Alabama. Significant roof damage also occurred.

A squall line which originated during the early morning of the 30th over Arkansas reached northwest Alabama around 5-7 PM, and tracked east across the remainder of north Alabama during the evening hours. The line of thunderstorms also produced sporadic wind damage, the most severe being in western and central Lauderdale County, where a narrow swath of damage included homes being destroyed and a church experiencing heavy damage. Several trees were snapped or toppled in the path.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1012502. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.