2010 Weather Year in Review

Preliminary severe weather numbers for Central Alabama in 2010:

Data supplied by the NWS BMX. Additional information on severe weather and storm surveys can be found at the following links; 

• Tornado Outbreak November 30
• Tornado Event October 25-26
• Tornado Outbreak April 24
• Blountsville EF0 April 8
• Tornado Event March 25
• Alabama Storm Data
• Central Alabama Local Research
• Alabama Tornado Database

Tropical Cyclone Activity in the Atlantic Basin was well above average during  the 2010 season. A total of 19 named storms formed, of which 12 became hurricanes and 5 became major hurricanes. The long term averages are 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes. There were also two tropical depressions that did not reach tropical storm strength. In terms of accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) which measures the combined strength and duration of tropical storms and hurricanes, 2010 was much above average, at 190 percent of the long-term median value. 

The number of named storms and hurricanes during 2010 was the highest since the record-setting 2005 season.  The number of storms also tied with 1887 and 1995 for third highest on record. Of those, 12 became hurricanes. Therefore, 2010 tied with 1969 for second highest on record. Five of those reached major hurricane status of Category 3 or higher. The ACE value for 2010 was also the highest since 2005 and the eleventh highest in the basin since 1944. 

Tropical Depression #5 formed on August 10 in the eastern Gulf of America. The system weakened and the remnants moved onshore in Louisiana on Aug 12. The remnants of TD #5 then moved slowly northeastward across Central Alabama over the next several days. The system brought 1-3 inches of rainfall to much of Central Alabama, with locally higher amounts reported. Here is a map of rainfall totals with the remnants of TD #5. This was the only tropical system having any effect Central Alabama in 2010.

Data provided by the NWS BMX and NHC.

The end of the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season
National Hurricane Center 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Seasonal Summary

A surface low in the northern Gulf of America along with an upper level disturbance moving southeastward from the Great Plains contributed to an observation of heavy snowfall on Christmas Day, 2010.  The snowfall blanketed much of northern and central Alabama.  Some locations saw the first white Christmas on record, while others just missed out on a White Christmas. A band of 2 to 4 inches of snow fell near and north of a line from Hamilton, to Oneonta, to Talladega to Wedowee. 

Some light freezing rain, sleet and snow occurred across Central Alabama on December 15. A light glaze of ice developed on many elevated and exposed surfaces. Numerous morning rush hour accidents occurred. The icing only lasted for a few hours as surface temperatures warmed above freezing during the day. The light freezing rain was reported from Hamilton and Tuscaloosa, to Birmingham and even Troy.

A low pressure system moving across the northern Gulf of America brought a swath of snow to a large portion of Central Alabama on February 12 . The highest snowfall amounts were in the eastern and southern sections of Central Alabama, with 3 to as much as 7 inches of snow reported in these areas. The snow caused numerous businesses and schools to close, and created hazardous travel across a large portion of the area.

A light mixture of snow, sleet, and freezing rain also occurred on January 7 and on March 2.

The first 15 days of January were the coldest beginning of the year on record for Central Alabama.

Data provided by the NWS BMX and NCDC.

Birmingham Cold Weather Facts...Here.
Montgomery Cold Weather Facts...Here.
Cold Beginning of 2010...Here.

Coldest Average Temperatures Jan 1- Jan 15

High pressure and high moisture values dominated the weather pattern here in Central Alabama for much of the summer.  This lead to above normal temperatures both during the day and at night, along with very high heat index values.  The heat wave began in June and then intensified in late July and early August when afternoon highs climbed above 100 degrees in most locations.  It was so warm in fact, that numerous climatological top ten measurements occurred.

Data provided by the NWS BMX and NCDC.

Maximum Heat Indices This Summer

Consecutive Days where the High Temperature was 90 degrees or higher.

Here is a list of 'Calendar Day' temperature records that were broken for selected sites in Central Alabama (* indicates new record)...

Record High Temperatures measured in August 2010

Record Highest Low Temperatures measured in August 2010

Record Highest Low Temperatures measured in July 2010

Record Highest Low Temperatures measured in June 2010

Here are some climatological standings for monthly temperatures in June, July, and August (* indicates new record)...

The Average Temperature for August 2010 

The Average Temperature for July 2010

The Average Temperature for June through August 2010

The Average High Temperature for August 2010

The Average High Temperature for July 2010

The Average High Temperature for June 2010

The Average High Temperature for June thorugh August 2010

The Average Low Temperature for August 2010

The Average Low Temperature for July 2010

The Average Low Temperature for June 2010

The Average Low Temperature for June through August 2010

Birmingham
Records since 1930

67.0

58.4