High Wind — Lauderdale, Alabama

2023-03-03 · Lauderdale, Alabama

Event narrative

Very windy conditions developed ahead of and immediately behind a line of severe thunderstorms. Sustained wind speeds of 30-40 mph gusted frequently from 45-60 mph at times, peaking at 63 mph at the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport in nearby Muscle Shoals. One individual was killed while picking up debris in their yard after the line of thunderstorms. Numerous trees and power poles and lines were knocked down.

Wider weather episode

A prolonged damaging gradient wind event combined with an intense squall line during the daylight hours of the 3rd to produce widespread wind damage and impacts to the region. Numerous power outages resulted from power poles being snapped and power lines being brought down. All told, thousands were without power in north Alabama for at least for a couple of hours, and in some cases lasting into the next two to three days. Hundreds of reports of trees or limbs being knocked down were received, in many cases on homes, vehicles and other structures. Sadly, two people were killed outside their homes from fallen trees while picking up debris after the line of thunderstorms went through and additional high winds developed. Other minor injuries were also reported including one utility worker who was working to restore power.

A powerful low pressure system intensified rapidly as it moved northeast from Texas through Arkansas, southeast Missouri into western Kentucky. In doing so, very windy conditions developed across the Tennessee Valley ahead of an associated cold front and squall line. South winds increased to 35-45 mph, with gusts of 55-60 mph at times. An intense squall line moved in from Mississippi during the mid morning hours, sweeping east across the rest of the area through the midday hours. Peak wind gusts of 50-60 mph were reported frequently, with one gust up to 77 mph at Pryor Field in Decatur (Morgan County) and 69 mph at the Huntsville International Airport (Madison County). Also, at least two tornadoes were spawned by the line in Jackson County. Behind the line of thunderstorms, the sky cleared out rapidly, but southwest winds intensified as well, with 35-45 mph sustained winds, gusting at 55-65 mph. The winds finally subsided quickly near sunset, but not after additional damage occurred.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1090839. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.