National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Rain and Wind Event of April 4th, 2011


 

On April 4th, 2011, an intense surface low pressure system over the Great Lakes created a cold front that swept through the eastern half of the United States.  Ahead of the cold front, environmental temperatures in the 80s and dew points in the middle 60s from Louisiana to Virginia, created very unstable atmospheric conditions.  As the cold front swept through, a solid line of severe thunderstorms developed.  This line caused widespread straight line wind damage from Texas to Florida to Maryland (see the storm reports graphic below). A few tornadoes were sprinkled in, some as strong as EF-2 in Mississippi, Kentucky, Louisiana and Georgia, where one person lost their life in a mobile home.  Central Alabama was spared from tornadoes but saw its share of damage.  Trees and power line fell all over the county warning area.  There were] also isolated reports of structural damage.  Rainfall ranged from 0.50 to 3.00 inches around the area, as well, which will no doubt help to alleviate any ongoing drought conditions around Central Alabama.

 

Local Storm Reports from Central Alabama

 

surface analysis

surface analysis

Surface Analysis at 4 pm on April 4th, 2011 

Surface Analysis at 7 pm on April 5th, 2011 

storm reports

day 1 outloook

Storm Reports for April 4th, 2011 

Day One Outlook issued at 20z.  Click for more. 

 

Rainfall totals for April 4th, 2011