Blizzard of 1993

Updated to include videos of coverage by James Spann, Kevin Collins, and Dan Satterfield on WBRC 6 in Birmingham. Scroll down to the bottom of the post.



None of us who are old enough to remember the blizzard of March 12-15, 1993 will soon forget it. This storm shattered snow records and caused amazing weather events from Canada to Central America.

I will focus mainly on the extreme weather Alabamians witnessed. According to the NWS Birmingham, all time Birmingham snow records include:
MAXIMUM in 24 hours 13.0 inches March 1993
MAXIMUM in a single storm 13.0 inches March 1993
MAXIMUM in a single month 13.0 inches March 1993
MAXIMUM in a single season 13.0 inches 1992-93

Below is a clip of the home video I made of the snow that fell in Huntsville, Alabama March 12 & 13, 1993. Huntsville "only" received seven inches from the storm. However snowfall amounts of greater than one foot were common, especially from Birmingham to the east and northeast. The town of Walnut Grove, Alabama, actually received 20" of snow!



All of Alabama was covered in snow. Mobile received 3". The highest total reported in Alabama was at Walnut Grove near the Blount-Etowah county line. Red Mountain in Birmingham recorded hurricane force winds according to meteorologist James Spann. Thundersnow was reported all across the state, from Huntsville to Mobile.

Here is a list of Alabama snow totals posted originally by J.B. Elliott:

20 inches at Walnut Grove
17 inches in Valley Head
16 inches in Oneonta and Bessemer
13 inches at Anniston, Talladega, Pinson and Birmingham Airport
12 inches at Thomasville, Childersburg and Scottsboro
11 inches at Sylacauga
10 inches at Cullman, Clanton and Heflin
9 inches at Thorsby
8 inches at Ashland, Centreville, Moulton and Guntersville
7 inches at Alexander City, Huntsville and Whatley
6 inches at Camden, Evergreen, Jasper, Livingston, Andalusia, Haleyville and Highland Home
5 inches at Auburn, Winfield, Muscle Shoals and Chatham
4 inches at Montgomery, Union Springs, Vernon, Tuscaloosa, Demopolis, Frisco City, Greenville, Troy
3 inches at Brewton, Hamilton, Bay Minette and Mobile Airport
2 inches at Atmore and Robertsdale
Trace at Coden and Fairhope

Here are some great links:

A Storm to Always Remember J.B. Elliott 2008 post New

Pictures from the 1993 Blizzard James Spann 2008 post New

Anyone Remember the Blizzard of 1993 James Spann 2008 post New

15th Anniversary of the "Blizzard of '93" Thread on Talkweather.com 2008 New

"Remember the Blizzard of 1993?" Thread on Tidesports.com 2008 New

Meteorologist James Spann's account of the storm.

James Spann posted some really cool viewer photos and stories from the storm.

Remembering the "Blizzard of 1993" NWS Birmingham

The Blizzard of 1993 WBHM FM 90.3 Birmingham

Photos WBHM FM 90.3 Birmingham

Listen to the feature story commemorating the Blizzard of 1993 WBHM FM 90.3 Birmingham

Steve Chiotakis remembers forecast and broadcast challenges WBHM FM 90.3 Birmingham

Superstorm 1993 - A Case Study

Wikipedia Storm of the Century (1993)

The Historic American Engineering Record was surveying Birmingham historic sites when the storm occurred. They took the following pictures in downtown Birmingham and in Southside. Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3

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This first video, below, is an excerpt from a WBRC Channel 6 special that originally aired in late March, 1993. James Spann, Scott Richards, and Janet Hall discuss the impact of Alabama's "Blizzard of 1993".




The video below is part one of the historic "Storm of the Century" or "Blizzard of 1993" in Alabama. These clips are in chronological order.

This clip begins on Friday morning March 12, 1993 with meteorologist Dan Satterfield as the precipitation was entering Alabama.

This clip ends just after 10 p.m. when Kevin Collins says that several inches have accumulated on secondary roads.

It includes updates that were provided throughout the evening by meteorologist James Spann, Kevin Collins, and news updates at the end of the clip by Brenda Ladun.



Below is part two of the historic "Storm of the Century" or "Blizzard of 1993" in Alabama.

During this clip, which was recorded between 10:15 p.m. and midnight, wind gusts were 37 and increased to 41 just before midnight as the storm officially became a blizzard. Thundersnow was reported for the first time around 11 p.m. Thundersnow was also reported in Huntsville and Mobile at the same time. Kevin Collins reported 4-6" of snow just before midnight.

Meteorologist James Spann and Kevin Collins of WBRC 6 report on this historic storm along with news anchors Scott Richards and Brenda Ladun.



The next video, below, is part three of the historic "Storm of the Century" or "Blizzard of 1993" in Alabama.

These clips are in chronological order. This one begins at 12 a.m. on March 13, 1993 and ends just before 1 a.m. Notice how the power is flickering at the station during the past few minutes of the clip.

The blizzard was really cranking up in Birmingham by this time. Spann reported 6-8" on the ground and winds gusted to 51 mph on Red Mountain at approximately 12:50.

Meteorologist James Spann and Kevin Collins of WBRC 6 report on this historic storm.



This is part four of the historic coverage of the "Storm of the Century" or "Blizzard of 1993" in Alabama.

These clips are in chronological order. This one begins at approximately 1:50 a.m. on March 13, 1993 and ends at 3:15 a.m. By this time snow accumulations across Central Alabama were over 8" and wind gusts atop Red Mountain at Channel 6 were recorded at 58 miles per hour. Many, if not most of the people tuned in at the time were listening on portable radios as the power was out in many areas.

Snow was accumulating as far south as the beach at Gulf Shores in Baldwin County, Alabama.

The most fascinating part of this video was during the final five minutes as photographer Jeff Thorn describes the video he made, which includes thunder and lightning.

Meteorologist James Spann and Kevin Collins of WBRC 6 report on this historic storm.



This is the fifth and final part of James Spann's and Kevin Collins' historic live coverage of the "Storm of the Century" or "Blizzard of 1993" in Alabama.

This clip begins at approximately 3:15 a.m. on March 13, 1993 and ends at 8:44 a.m. By this time snow accumulations across Central Alabama were over one foot and wind gusts atop Red Mountain at Channel 6 were continued to exceed 40 miles per hour. Many, if not most of the people tuned in at the time were listening on portable radios as the power was out in many areas.

In addition to James and Kevin, WBRC 6 anchors Scott Richards, Janet Hall, photographer Jeff Thorn, and reporter Art Franklin contributed to this coverage.

Snowfall Totals - NWS Huntsville

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
952 AM CST WED MAR 3 2010

...SNOWFALL TOTALS FROM THE MARCH 2 SNOW EVENT...

A WINTER STORM BROUGHT SNOW TO A LARGE PORTION OF NORTH ALABAMA
AND SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE ON TUESDAY MARCH 2ND. SNOWFALL
AMOUNTS WITHIN THE HUNTSVILLE COUNTY WARNING AREA WERE
GENERALLY HIGHEST IN THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHEAST ALABAMA...WHERE
UP TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW FELL. ELSEWHERE...AMOUNTS WERE GENERALLY
ONE TO TWO INCHES. BELOW IS A LIST OF SNOWFALL REPORTS RECEIVED
FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES.

...CULLMAN COUNTY...
WEST POINT          2.5      COOP

...DEKALB COUNTY...
CROSSVILLE          1.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
FORT PAYNE          2.0      PUBLIC
FYFFE               2.5      PUBLIC
GERALDINE           2.5      EMERGENCY MGMT
SYLVANIA            3.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
1 S COLLINSVILLE    5.0      PUBLIC
VALLEY HEAD         5.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
IDER                5.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
MENTONE             5.5      EMERGENCY MGMT
MENTONE             6.0      PUBLIC/MEDIA

...FRANKLIN COUNTY TENNESSEE...
COWAN               1.0      TRAINED SPOTTER
ESTILL SPRINGS      1.0      PUBLIC
HUNTLAND            1.3      PUBLIC
WINCHESTER          1.7      COOP

...JACKSON COUNTY...
HOLLYTREE           0.5      COOP
WOODVILLE           0.7      TRAINED SPOTTER
1 NE LANGSTON       1.0      COCORAHS
PLEASANT GROVES     4.5      COCORAHS

...LAUDERDALE COUNTY...
ROGERSVILLE         0.7      BROADCAST MEDIA
ANDERSON            2.0      COOP

...LAWRENCE COUNTY...
MOULTON             1.5      EMERGENCY MGMT

...LIMESTONE COUNTY...
EAST ATHENS         1.0      NWS EMPLOYEE
EAST LIMESTONE      2.0      PUBLIC
5 E ATHENS          2.0      COCORAHS

...LINCOLN COUNTY...
FAYETTEVILLE        2.0      COOP

...MADISON COUNTY...
MADISON             1.0      NWS EMPLOYEE
5 SSW HARVEST       1.1      COCORAHS
1 NNE MADISON       1.2      COCORAHS
4 E HARVEST         1.3      PUBLIC
4 ENE HUNTSVILLE    1.5      COCORAHS
3 NE HARVEST        2.0      PUBLIC
4 SE TONEY          2.8      COCORAHS
HSV MOUNTAIN        3.0      PUBLIC

...MARSHALL COUNTY...
GUNTERSVILLE        0.9      COOP
5 WNW ALBERTVILLE   1.5      COCORAHS
UNION GROVE         2.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
2 ENE GUNTERSVILLE  2.0      COCORAHS
2 SW GUNTERSVILLE   2.8      COCORAHS
GRANT               3.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
ALBERTVILLE         3.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
ARAB                3.0      EMERGENCY MGMT

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BCC

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Snowy Morning in North Alabama

7:40 West Point School, Cullman County. (By Joe Wilhelm)


6:57 NW Cullman County (By Lisa Brock).


7 a.m. Meridianville, AL (By Sharon Saunders).

A few snowfall reports from the NWS:

6 inches of snow measured on Lookout Mountain - Mentone (Dekalb). Pics
3 inches of snow measured over Huntsville Mountain on Hwy 431 (Madison).
3 inches of snow measured at Arab (Marshall).
3 inches of snow measured at Grant (Marshall).
3 inches of snow measured at Albertville (Marshall).
2.5 inches of snow measured in Scrougeout (Etowah).
2.5 inches of snow measured in Noccalula Falls (Etowah).
2.2 inches of snow measured in Wynnville (Blount).
2 inches of snow measured at Union Grove (Marshall).
2 inches of snow measured in Little River Canyon (Dekalb).
2 inches of snow measured on Mount Cheaha (Cleburne).
2 inches of snow measured in Fort Payne (Dekalb).
2 inches of snow measured in Toney (Madison).
2 inches of snow measured in East Limestone - Capshaw Rd (Limestone).
2 inches of snow measured in Rogersville (Lauderdale).
1.5 inches of snow measured in Moulton (Lawrence).
1 inch of snow measured in Weaver (Calhoun).
1 inch of snow measured in Athens (Limestone).

Here are a few pictures that I took between 7 and 7:15 am in Huntsville:










More pics from James Spann's viewers at ABC 33/40
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Winter Storm Warning - Marshall/Dekalb

Pink-WS Warning / Purple Winter Wx Advisory

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
247 PM CST MON MAR 1 2010

...SNOW EXPECTED OVERNIGHT INTO TUESDAY...

.A STORM SYSTEM PASSING TO THE SOUTH OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY WILL COMBINE WITH COLD AIR MOVING IN FROM THE NORTH. THIS WILL ALLOW A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW TO MOVE IN AFTER MIDNIGHT...CHANGING TO ALL SNOW BY DAYBREAK ON TUESDAY.

MARSHALL-DEKALB-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...GUNTERSVILLE...FORT PAYNE
247 PM CST MON MAR 1 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 6 PM CST TUESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 6PM CST TUESDAY.

SNOW IS EXPECTED...ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING HOURS...ON TUESDAY. WITH TEMPERATURES VERY CLOSE TO FREEZING...ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED ESPECIALLY ON ELEVATED SURFACES AND GRASSY AREAS. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION OF TWO TO THREE INCHES IS POSSIBLE IN MARSHALL AND DEKALB COUNTIES...ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS. SOME LOCATIONS AT LOWER ELEVATIONS MAY SEE LESS THAN TWO INCHES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

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NOAA Weather Radio

Friday concludes Severe Weather Awareness Week in Alabama. Friday's topic is NOAA Weather Radio.

NOAA Weather Radio is the voice of the National Weather Service, and is your fastest way to receive warnings in case of severe weather. During hazardous weather, normal broadcasts are interrupted for watches, warnings, and other important information, and many warnings are tone-alerted.

Please purchase and use a NOAA Weather Radio.

From the NWS Birmingham:

"...NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards and the Emergency Alert System...

Severe Weather Awareness Week concludes today with a closer look at NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards and the Emergency Alert System. NOAA weather radio is also known as the voice of the National Weather Service. NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards provides continuously updated weather information, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
National Weather Service personnel prepare weather information that is normally broadcast in three to five minute cycles. This information includes forecasts, warnings, current conditions, climate data, and other important information.

To receive broadcasts from the National Weather Service, a special radio capable of receiving signals in the very high frequency, also known as VHF, public service band is required. Nationally, frequencies from 162.400 to 162.550 megahertz are used for NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards broadcasts. Alabama is served by 29 transmitters which cover approximately 95 percent of the citizens in Alabama.

NOAA weather radio is useful anytime, but it is most important during severe weather. When threatening weather develops, normal broadcasts are interrupted by important severe weather information. Watches, warnings, and statements are given the highest priority and are updated frequently.

In an emergency, each NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards station will transmit a warning alarm tone signal followed by information on the emergency situation. This signal is capable of activating specially designed receivers by increasing the volume or producing a visual or audible alarm. Not all weather band receivers have this capability, but all radios that receive NOAA weather radio all hazards can receive emergency broadcasts. The warning alarm device is tested each Wednesday, usually between 11 am and noon, weather permitting.

A feature available in newer Weather Radio All-Hazards receivers is called "SAME" which stands for specific area message encoding. "SAME" technology allows radios to be programmed for the reception of watch and warning messages for certain counties in your area, without disturbing users for warnings outside of the programmed counties.
Local media outlets are urged to use NOAA weather radio for up to date weather information and may freely rebroadcast the NOAA weather radio all hazards transmission.

Another source of weather information is the Emergency Alert System, also known as EAS, which replaced the emergency broadcast system. The EAS is a system of communication links that utilize data in a digital form. It is a reliable means of linking the National Weather Service, emergency management agencies, and various broadcast media together. The EAS will help participating radio and television stations receive and relay weather warnings and other emergency information in a timely manner."

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Flooding Safety

January 6, 2009, Decatur, AL

Severe Weather Awareness Week continues. Thursday's topic is flooding, which is the number one weather killer in the United States. Please see the above link from the NWS.

Always remember, "Turn around, don't drown".

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Tornado Safety

1/21/10 Huntsville tornado, by LeAnn Shady Reid

Severe Weather Awareness Week Continues...

Florence Times Daily

Clanton Advertiser

From Birmingham NWS:

...Tornado Awareness Day....
...Special Weekly Radio test message today at 9:00 am...

This week has been proclaimed Severe Weather Awareness Week in Alabama by Governor Bob Riley. During this special week, Alabamians are encouraged to learn and or review the proper safety precautions necessary for protecting their lives during severe weather.

The National Weather Service Office in Birmingham will conduct the weekly NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards test at the special time of 9:00 am today, Wednesday, February 24th. This time will replace the weekly radio test normally performed between 11 am and noon each Wednesday. The information message going along with this weekly radio test will highlight appropriate preparedness and safety precautions concerning tornadoes. If inclement weather develops today, this special weekly radio test will be postponed until Friday, February 26th, at 9:00 am.

Severe Weather Awareness Week continues today with a closer look at tornadoes and tornado safety. The months of March through May are known as the Spring Severe Weather Season. A Fall Severe Weather Season also exists from November through mid December. Alabama is one of the few locations in the world that has two distinct severe weather seasons.

A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with the ground. if the circulation is not on the
ground, then it is defined as a funnel cloud. Tornadoes usually descend from thunderstorms. Wind speeds in tornadoes can range from 65 miles per hour to 318 miles per hour, the highest tornado wind speed ever recorded. Your safety depends on being constantly aware of the possibility of severe weather.

A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in and close to the watch area. A watch is normally issued for a large area covering numerous counties. The watch is intended to give you time to review your safety rules. The sky may be sunny, but weather changes can take place quite rapidly.

A Tornado Warning means that a developing tornado has been detected by National Weather Service Doppler Radar or has been reported on the ground by reliable sources. A Tornado Warning is typically issued for a portion of counties at a time and usually lasts no more than 45 minutes. If a Tornado Warning is issued for your county, you should seek shelter immediately. If you see a tornado or feel threatened, move to a safe place immediately, as precious seconds can save your life.

Here is some important information regarding Tornado Safety...

If you are in a home or small business, go to the basement or to a small interior room such as a closet, bathroom or interior
hallway without windows on the lowest level. Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible. If possible, get
under something sturdy, such as a heavy table, or use a mattress to protect yourself from flying debris. Most injuries associated with high winds are from flying debris, so remember to protect your head. If available, put on a bicycle or motorcycle helmet to protect yourself from head injuries.

If you are in a large business, school, hospital, shopping center or factory, go to the designated shelter area. If a shelter area is not available, the best place to go is an interior hallway on the lowest level. stay away from the structurally weaker
portions of buildings, such as windows and rooms with expansive roofs, which are more likely to collapse when tornadoes strike. Do not waste time opening windows in an attempt to prevent damage to a building. The old belief that damage could result from rapid pressure changes during a tornado is not true. It will not make any difference in a tornado if the window is open or not. Your safest course of action is to take shelter immediately when a tornado warning is issued for your area.

If you are in a mobile home or vehicle, get out and take shelter in a sturdy building or storm shelter. If there is not an adequate building nearby, get to a low spot and cover your head from flying debris. Do not take cover under an overpass as this does not provide adequate shelter during a tornado and can actually cause increased wind speeds due to a tunneling effect.

Severe Weather Awareness - Lightning!

Summer 2009 - Huntsville, Alabama

According to the National Weather Service, 129 people have been injured and 23 have been killed in Alabama due to lightning since 1995. This illustrates why lightning is known as the "underrated killer".

The best safety measure to take with lightning is to stay indoors. For more safety information, please visit the NWS Lightning Safety page. Remember the motto, "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors".

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