Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1987

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 76, NWS Birmingham, AL

December 15, 1987Bibb County, Jefferson County, Shelby County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Dec 15, 1987, 2:04 AM CST for Bibb County, Jefferson County, Shelby County, Alabama. It was in force for 56 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Dec 15, 1987, 2:04 AM CST (08:04 UTC)
Expired
Dec 15, 1987, 3:00 AM CST
In force
56 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Whole counties

Counties Bibb County, AL, Jefferson County, AL, Shelby County, AL

The radar

The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Dec 15, 3:08 AM CSTThunderstorm Wind 75Jefferson, AL

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in. Storm Data before 1996 records only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail.

The nearest sounding before it

Centreville/Bibb, AL (KCKL), launched 00:00Z, 8.1 hours before the alert went out and 50 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Centreville/Bibb, AL at 00:00Z on 1987-12-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Centreville/Bibb, AL at 00:00Z on 1987-12-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 115 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
618 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
50 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
115 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
348 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KBHM 150804
SVRBHM
ALC007-073-117-150900-
 
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
204 AM CST TUE DEC 15 1987
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
EFFECTIVE UNTIL  300 AM CST FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...
 
IN NORTH ALABAMA
          ...BIBB...JEFFERSON...SHELBY
 
AT 205 AM CST RADAR INDICATED A CLUSTER OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
IN NORTHERN BIBB COUNTY MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.
 
A TORNADO WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA.  REMEMBER
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE TORNADOES
WITH LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE WARNING.  REMAIN CALM BUT BE ALERT TO
RAPIDLY CHANGINuG WEATHER CONDITIONS.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Dec 14, 10:29 PM CST, 3 hours 35 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM, AL
1030 PM CST MON DEC 14 1987

A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM CENTERED NEAR MEMPHIS TENNESSEE MAY BRING
THE POSSIBILITY FOR SEVERE WEATHER TO ALABAMA LATER TONIGHT.  AT THIS
TIME...NO PART OF ALABAMA WAS UNDER A WATCH OR WARNING.  MOST OF
MISSISSIPPI AND WESTERN TENNESSEE WERE HOWEVER UNDER A TORNADO WATCH.

AT 1030 PM...MOSTLY LIGHT RAIN WAS OCCURRING IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA.
HOWEVER THUNDERSTORMS HAVE INTENSIFIED OVER WESTERN MISSISSIPPI.  THE
THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD REACH THE MISSISSIPPI-ALABAMA BORDER AROUND
MIDNIGHT.

PERSONS IN ALABAMA...PARTICULARLY IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL ALABAMA SHOULD
CONTINUE TO MONITOR YOUR LOCAL TV...RADIO OR NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR
FURTHER UPDATES AND POSSIBLE WATCHES AND WARNINGS.
Special weather statement, Dec 14, 11:58 PM CST, 2 hours 6 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM, AL
1200 AM CST TUE DEC 15 1987

A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM CENTERED OVER THE MISSOURI BOOTHEEL MAY
BRING THE POSSIBILITY FOR SEVERE WEATHER TO ALABAMA LATER TONIGHT. AT
THIS TIME...NO PART OF ALABAMA WAS UNDER A WATCH OR WARNING.  MOST OF
MISSISSIPPI AND WESTERN TENNESSEE REMAIN UNDER A TORNADO WATCH FOR THE
NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS.

AT MIDNIGHT...ONLY SOME SCATTERED SHOWERS WERE LOCATED THROUGH CENTRAL
ALABAMA.

AT THIS TIME...SEVERE WEATHER WAS LOCATED IN EASTERN MISSISSIPPI.
THESE THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDED IN A LINE FROM THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF
MISSISSIPPI...SOUTHWEST INTO SOUTH CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...AND SHOULD
MOVE INTO WESTERN ALABAMA WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS.

PERSONS IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL ALABAMA SHOULD MONITOR YOUR LOCAL
TV...RADIO OR NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE
WATCHES OR WARNINGS.
Special weather statement, Dec 15, 12:33 AM CST, 1 hour 31 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MONTGOMERY AL
1235 AM CST TUE DEC 15 1987

...SERIOUS SEVERE WEATHER MOVING RAPIDLY TOWARD CENTRAL ALABAMA...
               ...TORNADO WATCH NOW IN EFFECT...
AN INTENSE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM NOW CENTERED NEAR MEMPHIS TENNESSEE
HAS BROUGHT SEVERE WEATHER TO MISSISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE. DAMAGE
REPORTS ARE BEGINNING TO COME IN FROM MANY COUNTIES THERE.

MARBLE SIZED HALE WAS REPORTED WEST OF OCEOLA IN MISSISSIPPI AND
MAJOR DAMAGE WAS REPORTED IN A SUBDIVIDION OF NORTH MEMPHIS
WHERE A TORNADO STRUCK AT 955 PM...THIS SAME STORM WAS
RESPONSIBLE FOR MAJOR DAMAGE AND ONE FATALITY IN WEST MEMPHIS...
ARKANSAS...ACCORDING TO MEMPHIS CIVIL DEFENSE.

THE SYSTEM WITH SEVERE WEATHER IS NOW ONLY ABOUT 128 MILES WEST OF
MONTGOMERY ALABAMA AND SEVERE WEATHER MAY BE EXPECTED TO ENTER THE
STATE WITHIN THE HOUR AND IN MONTGOMERY WITHIN 4 HOURS. IT IS
MOVING EAST AT ABOUT 35 MPH. WINDS IN HUNTSVILLE HAVE GUSTED AS HIGH
AS 44 MPH AND WINDS IN MONTGOMERY ARE BEGINNING TO REACH THE 20S.

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THIS SEVERE WEATHER? DO YOU REMEMBER THE
SAFETY RULES FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OR TORNADOES IF A WATCH SHOULD
BE POSTED?  NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO REVIEW SO THEY WILL BE
FRESH IN YOUR MIND.

MOST IMPORTANTLY REMEMBER THAT ALL LIGHTNING IS DANGEROUS...AVOID THE
USE OF APPLIANCES AND THE TELEPHONE DURING ELECTICAL STORMS. AVOID
WINDOWS AND METAL PIPES AND DOORS. IF YOU HEAR A TORNADO APPROACHING
GO IMMEDIATELY TO THE LOWEST FLOOR OF YOUR HOME... PREFERABLY A
BASEMENT. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. NEVER REMAIN IN A MOBILE HOME.

OTHER SAFETY TIPS WILL BE HEARD ON NOAA WEATHER RADIO. STAY TUNED
FOR CONTINUOUS UPDATES ON THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION.

SNELL
Special weather statement, Dec 15, 12:36 AM CST, 1 hour 28 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM, AL
1235 AM CST TUE DEC 15 1987

...TORNADO WATCH FOR MUCH OF ALABAMA...

TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 566 CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR A LARGE PART
OF ALABAMA UNTIL 6 AM CST TODAY.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSHOWERS WERE SCATTERED ACROSS ALABAMA
EARLY THIS MORNING...BUT AT 1235 AM...THE MOST POWERFUL
THUNDERSTORMS WERE STILL IN EAST MISSISSIPPI.

IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO ISSUE ACTUAL WARNINGS FOR PART OF
WEST CENTTAL ALABAMA SOON...ESPECIALLY PICKENS...LAMAR...MARION...
AND FAYETTE COUNTIES.

PERSONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO KEEP IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH THE LATEST
WEATHER INFORMATION.
Special weather statement, Dec 15, 12:38 AM CST, 1 hour 26 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MONTGOMERY AL
1235 AM CST TUE DEC 15 1987

...SERIOUS SEVERE WEATHER MOVING RAPIDLY TOWARD CENTRAL ALABAMA...
               ...TORNADO WATCH NOW IN EFFECT...
AN INTENSE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM NOW CENTERED NEAR MEMPHIS TENNESSEE
HAS BROUGHT SEVERE WEATHER TO MISSISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE. DAMAGE
REPORTS ARE BEGINNING TO COME IN FROM MANY COUNTIES THERE.

MARBLE SIZED HAIL WAS REPORTED WEST OF OCEOLA IN MISSISSIPPI AND
MAJOR DAMAGE WAS REPORTED IN A SUBDIVIDION OF NORTH MEMPHIS
WHERE A TORNADO STRUCK AT 955 PM...THIS SAME STORM WAS
RESPONSIBLE FOR MAJOR DAMAGE AND ONE FATALITY IN WEST MEMPHIS...
ARKANSAS...ACCORDING TO MEMPHIS CIVIL DEFENSE.

THE SYSTEM WITH SEVERE WEATHER IS NOW ONLY ABOUT 128 MILES WEST OF
MONTGOMERY ALABAMA AND SEVERE WEATHER MAY BE EXPECTED TO ENTER THE
STATE WITHIN THE HOUR AND IN MONTGOMERY WITHIN 4 HOURS. IT IS
MOVING EAST AT ABOUT 35 MPH. WINDS IN HUNTSVILLE HAVE GUSTED AS HIGH
AS 44 MPH AND WINDS IN MONTGOMERY ARE BEGINNING TO REACH THE 20S.

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THIS SEVERE WEATHER? DO YOU REMEMBER THE
SAFETY RULES FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OR TORNADOES IF A WARNING SHOULD
BE POSTED?  NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO REVIEW SO THEY WILL BE
FRESH IN YOUR MIND.

MOST IMPORTANTLY REMEMBER THAT ALL LIGHTNING IS DANGEROUS...AVOID THE
USE OF APPLIANCES AND THE TELEPHONE DURING ELECTICAL STORMS. AVOID
WINDOWS AND METAL PIPES AND DOORS. IF YOU HEAR A TORNADO APPROACHING
GO IMMEDIATELY TO THE LOWEST FLOOR OF YOUR HOME... PREFERABLY A
BASEMENT. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. NEVER REMAIN IN A MOBILE HOME.

OTHER SAFETY TIPS WILL BE HEARD ON NOAA WEATHER RADIO. STAY TUNED
FOR CONTINUOUS UPDATES ON THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION.

SNELL
Special weather statement, Dec 15, 1:50 AM CST, 14 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MONTGOMERY AL
145 AM CST TUE DEC 15 1987

.....TORNADO WATCH IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF ALABAMA.....

A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF ALABAMA UNTIL 600 AM CST THIS
TUESDAY MORNING.  AT 140 AM CST...MONTGOMERY RADAR INDICATED SCATTERED
THUNDERSTORMS OVER MUCH OF ALABAMA.  THE HEAVIER THUNDERSTORMS WERE
OVER WEST ALABAMA MOVING INTO THE CENTRAL PORTIONS OF THE STATE.

HIGH WINDS...DANGEROUbS LIGHTNING...HEAVY DOWNPOURS...AND POSSIBLE
LARGE HAIL AND TORNADOES WILL ACCOMPANY THESE STORMS AS THEY MOVE
INTO CENTRAL ALABAMA WITHIN THE NEXT FEW HOURS.

The office that day

Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 15, 12:46 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXPickens59 min
Dec 15, 1:39 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Tuscaloosa66 min
Dec 15, 2:12 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCullman63 min
Dec 15, 3:00 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXSt. Clair, Shelby, Talladega60 min
Dec 15, 3:00 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Etowah60 min
Dec 15, 3:00 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson60 min
Dec 15, 3:29 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChilton61 min
Dec 15, 3:32 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne58 min
Dec 15, 3:32 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXClay58 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 1987Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1987

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.