2020 will go down as a wet year in Central Alabama, with above to much above normal rainfall and a considerable amount of both river flooding and flash flooding. Rainfall for the year averaged from sixty to seventy five inches, with locally greater amounts. Central Alabama was also directly impacted by two tropical systems in 2020, Hurricane Sally in September and Hurricane Zeta in October.

The year began on a very wet note, as above normal rainfall of six to eight inches, and locally up to ten, produced two episodes of minor flooding on the Tombigbee and lower Black Warrior Rivers. Flooding first developed on these rivers following heavy rainfall from the 2nd to the 3rd, and the second after two to five inches of rain fell from the 11th to the 15th.

A wet pattern continued into February, with much above normal rainfall observed. Early in the month, from the 4th to the 6th, three to five inches of rain fell and sent many area rivers into flood. The Cahaba River reached Moderate Flood Stage near Cahaba Heights on the 6th when it crested at 22.08 feet. Elsewhere, minor flooding occurred on the Cahaba, Black Warrior, Tombigbee, Sucarnoochee, Alabama, Coosa, and Tallapoosa Rivers, as well as along Village Creek and Catoma Creek. With some forecast points still in flood, a second wave of two to four inches of rain occurred from the 10th to the 13th, and was followed by another one to three inches from the 18th to the 20th. This only exacerbated flooding already in progress, producing more widespread and significant rises on area rivers and streams. The worst flooding occurred on the Tombigbee, Black Warrior and Alabama Rivers. Bevill Lock and Dam reached Major Flood Stage on the Upper Tombigbee, while Moderate Flood Stages were reached at Gainesville Lock and Dam, Demopolis Lock and Dam, Selden Lock and Dam, Selma, and the Tallapoosa Water Plant. Flooding first began on the 6th day of the month, and was still in progress at some forecast points as the month ended. Listed below are consecutive days in flood for some of the forecast points in our area:

And if February wasn't enough, above to much above normal rainfall continued through March, with an additional six to twelve inches across much of Central Alabama. Rainfall of three to six inches, with locally higher amounts, fell from the 3rd to the 6th. This produced additional, mostly minor, river flooding from the 4th to the 11th, although Moderate Flooding occurred at Selma and the Tallapoosa Water Plant.

True to form for the year so far, April brought more heavy rainfall, averaging six to twelve inches across Central Alabama. Three to six inches fell on the 12th and 13th from the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham areas east-northeast to Cherokee and Cleburne Counties. This produced minor flooding on the Tombigbee and Black Warrior Rivers, as well as flash flooding of numerous roads and streets in portions of Tuscaloosa, Walker, Jefferson, Cherokee and Etowah Counties. Then, from the 18th to the 20th, another four to eight inches of rain fell from Pickens and Sumter Counties east to Chambers, Lee, and Russell Counties. Widespread minor flooding followed on the Tombigbee, Black Warrior, Cahaba, Tallapoosa and Alabama Rivers, with Moderate Flooding at Selma and the Tallapoosa Water Plant. Flash flooding of some streets and roadways also occurred in portions of Shelby, Chilton, and Coosa Counties on the 19th.

A respite from the wet pattern finally arrived in May, with only three to six inches of rain for the month. This was followed by a fairly normal June, with three to six inches of rain from typical summer time convection. Similarly, two to five inches with localized higher totals were reported in July. However, on the evening of the 8th, three to five inches of rain in south-central Tuscaloosa County produced multiple reports of street flooding with some roads impassable. The ground floor of the Best Western University Inn was also flooded, but there were no reports of injuries.

In August, above normal rainfall of four to eight inches, and locally ten to twelve, were observed. During the early morning hours of the 20th, locally heavy rain produced flash flooding of some streets and roadways in portions of Elmore, Chambers, and Sumter Counties.

The big weather story in September was the passage of "Sally" through Southeast Alabama. This produced five to ten inches of rain in the southeast counties of Central Alabama, with numerous reports of flash flooding in Montgomery, Macon, Pike, Bullock, Russell, and Barbour Counties during the evening hours of the 16th and morning hours of the 17th, with many flooded streets and roadways across these areas.

Data supplied by the NWS BMX. Additional information can be found at the following links:

• Alabama Daily Rainfall Plots
• Current Central Alabama Streamflows
• Central Alabama Climate

The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season was a historically significant year. The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season featured record breaking activity. There were 30 named storms, of which 13 became hurricanes and 6 that became major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5) The 30 named storms is the most ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin. The previous record was 28 back in 2005. In an average season, there are 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.

2020 marks the fifth consecutive above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. The only other period on record that produced four consecutive above-normal seasons was 1998-2001. The Atlantic Hurricane Basin has recorded 18 above-normal seasons out of the past 26 years.

Based on the Accumulated Cyclone Energy Index (ACE), which measures the combined intensity and duration of the storms during the season and is used to classify the strength of the entire hurricane season, activity in the Atlantic basin in 2019 was well above the long-term mean.

Central Alabama was directly impacted by Hurricane Sally and Hurricane Zeta.

NOAA Press Release

Data provided by the NWS BMX and NHC.

Preliminary Severe Weather Numbers for Alabama & Central Alabama in 2020:

• Alabama Storm Data
• Alabama Tornado Database