What should you know about Tuscaloosa's weather?
- NWS office
- Birmingham (BMX)
- Climate
- Humid subtropical
- Time zone
- CST/CDT
- Elevation
- 336 ft
- Coordinates
- 33.28° N, 87.47° W
- Nearest radar
- KBMX · Birmingham NEXRAD · 41 mi
- County
- Tuscaloosa County, AL
- Yearly rain
- 57.3 in
- Warmest month
- July · 81.7°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 45.6°F average
- Severe storm peak
- Mar to May
How much rain does Tuscaloosa get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 56.0 | 60.8 | 68.3 | 75.7 | 83.6 | 89.6 | 92.2 | 91.8 | 87.4 | 77.7 | 66.5 | 58.3 |
| Low °F | 35.2 | 38.3 | 44.6 | 51.7 | 60.1 | 68.1 | 71.2 | 70.6 | 64.5 | 52.7 | 42.1 | 37.2 |
| Rain (in) | 5.13 | 5.61 | 5.49 | 5.43 | 4.04 | 5.31 | 4.88 | 4.23 | 3.55 | 3.60 | 4.80 | 5.24 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56.0 | 35.2 | 5.13 |
| Feb | 60.8 | 38.3 | 5.61 |
| Mar | 68.3 | 44.6 | 5.49 |
| Apr | 75.7 | 51.7 | 5.43 |
| May | 83.6 | 60.1 | 4.04 |
| Jun | 89.6 | 68.1 | 5.31 |
| Jul | 92.2 | 71.2 | 4.88 |
| Aug | 91.8 | 70.6 | 4.23 |
| Sep | 87.4 | 64.5 | 3.55 |
| Oct | 77.7 | 52.7 | 3.60 |
| Nov | 66.5 | 42.1 | 4.80 |
| Dec | 58.3 | 37.2 | 5.24 |
NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US · 8 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What happened when the April 27, 2011 tornado hit Tuscaloosa?
An EF-4 tornado with peak winds of 190 mph cut through the city on an 80.68-mile track that ran from rural Greene County to northeast of downtown Birmingham. It strengthened to a violent EF-4 as it crossed the Black Warrior River and destroyed the Tuscaloosa County Emergency Operations Center near Interstate 359. The Cedar Crest neighborhood off 15th Street East and the Alberta City community along University Boulevard took some of the worst damage. NWS Birmingham lists 65 deaths and 1,500 injuries along the full track.
What was the December 2000 Tuscaloosa tornado?
It was an F4 tornado that hit Tuscaloosa at midday on December 16, 2000. It stayed on the ground for 18 miles, all within Tuscaloosa County. It crossed SR 69 near Shelton State Community College, destroyed mobile homes along US 82 and damaged hotels and truck stops at exit 77 on I-20/59. Tuscaloosa EMA reported 11 deaths and 144 injuries, and nine of the deaths were in mobile homes. At the time, it was the strongest December tornado recorded in Alabama since 1950.
How much time do you have once a storm on the Tuscaloosa weather radar is warned?
Often only minutes, so take shelter as soon as a tornado warning is issued. On December 16, 2000, the warning for Tuscaloosa County went out at 12:40 PM, and the F4 touched down at 12:54 PM moving northeast at about 60 mph. On April 8, 1998, lead times for three tornadoes from one storm ranged from 4 to 34 minutes and averaged 13 minutes. Use the loop to see where a storm is heading, but do not wait for it to look close.
Does the Black Warrior River flood Tuscaloosa?
Yes, in the worst cases. In April 1979, rain totals reached 10 to 15 inches in western counties, and record or near record crests on the Tombigbee, Black Warrior and Sucarnoochee Rivers brought severe residential and commercial flooding to Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 inches of precipitation a year, and February is the wettest month at 5.61 inches. Radar shows rain, not river levels, so check river forecasts after a multi-day soaking.
When should you check the Tuscaloosa radar?
Severe storm peak
March to MayAbout half of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall in these months. When a watch is posted, students near Bryant-Denny Stadium and drivers on McFarland Boulevard keep the loop open.
Hurricane season
June 1 to November 30Tropical remnants can still spin up tornadoes in west Alabama. When Harvey's remnants passed through on August 31, feeder bands produced four tornadoes across west central Alabama, including one that began near Reform.
What else do people ask about the Tuscaloosa radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Tuscaloosa?
NWS Birmingham (BMX) issues forecasts and warnings for Tuscaloosa. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KBMX, about 41 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Birmingham and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KBMX (Birmingham NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Birmingham (BMX)
- Severe storms peak from March to May (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: CST/CDT
- Radar: KBMX, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Birmingham (BMX)
- Severe storms: March to May
- Local time: CST/CDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Birmingham office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS Birmingham: Tuscaloosa-Birmingham EF-4 tornado, April 27, 2011
- NWS Birmingham: Tuscaloosa tornado, December 16, 2000
- NWS Birmingham: April 8, 1998 tornado
- NWS Birmingham: Historical overview of flooding in central Alabama
- NWS Birmingham: Tropical Depression Harvey
- National Hurricane Center: Tropical cyclone climatology