National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Regional Outbreaks of Severe Weather Through Early Next Week; Early Season Heat Wave across the South

Active spring pattern across the center of our nation with several episodes of severe weather and heavy rainfall expected into next week. The potential for very large hail, long track tornadoes, severe wind gusts, frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes and flash flooding are in the outlook. Furthermore, dangerous early season heat wave continues for the Gulf Coast states into early next week. Read More >

Forming from a tropical wave on the west African coast late on August 27th, there was little to distinguish this storm from any other. But by the morning of August 30th, Frederic gained hurricane strength and began barrelling for the Carribean Sea. Frederic made landfall in Alabama on the evening of September 12th over Dauphin Island, affecting southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and the western Florida panhandle with the worst conditions (including 8 to 12 inches of rainfall. Wind gusts of 135 mph was measured on the bridge from Dauphin Island.

Below are visible satellite images of Hurricane Frederick from NOAA archives.

Visible Satellite (NOAA) September 12, 1979 Visible Satellite (NOAA) September 13, 1979 Visible Satellite (NOAA) September 13, 1979

Although less significant, portions of northern Alabama also experienced tropical storm force wind gusts and heavy rainfall between 2 to 6 inches of rainfall.  2-4 inches fell along the track all the way to New England, but there were no reported cases of flooding with Frederick anywhere in the United States.