Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1990

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 5, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 10, 1990Pickens County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Feb 10, 1990, 1:06 AM CST for Pickens County, Alabama. It was in force for 69 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
Feb 10, 1990, 1:06 AM CST (07:06 UTC)
Expired
Feb 10, 1990, 2:15 AM CST
In force
69 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Whole counties

County Pickens 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
Feb 10, 1:40 AM CSTThunderstorm Wind 0Pickens, 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, 7.1 hours before the alert went out and 93 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 1990-02-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 897 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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 1990-02-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 282 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
897 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-14 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
603 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
50 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
282 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
340 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.5
Supercell composite
7.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
TTAA00 KBHM 100707
SVRBHM
ALC107-100815-
 
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
106 AM CST SAT FEB 10 1990
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  215 AM CST
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
 
IN NORTH ALABAMA
 
   ...PICKENS COUNTY
 
AT 106 AT CST RADAR SHOWED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM MOVING INTO PICKENS
COUNTY IN WEST ALABAMA. THIS STORM WAS MOVING NORTHEST 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 CHA#NGING 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, Feb 9, 7:16 PM CST, 5 hours 50 minutes before
ALZ010-100300-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MONTGOMERY AL
715 PM CST FRI FEB 9 1990

AT 710 PM CST WEATHER RADAR SHOWED A FAST MOVING THUNDERSTORM 20
MILES WEST SOUTHWEST OF MONTGOMERY  MOVING NORTHEAST AT NEARLY
50 MPH.  THIS THUNDERSTORM SHOULD STAY WEST OF MONTGOMERY BUT
MOVE OVER PRATTVILLE BEFORE 8 PM AND NEAR WETUMPKA THIRTY MINUTES
LATER.

HEAVY RAIN...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND POSSIBLE
HAIL MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS THUNDERSTORM.
Special weather statement, Feb 9, 8:41 PM CST, 4 hours 25 minutes before
ALZ004-005-006-008-009-100400-
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
840 PM CST FRI FEB 9 1990

THUNDERSTORMS LOCATED IN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI WERE MOVING INTO
WESTERN ALABAMA.

AT 838 PM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR SHOWED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS
LOCATED IN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI MOVING RAPIDLY TO THE NORTHEAST.  THE
STORMS WILL MOVE INTO MARION...LAMAR...FAYETTE AND WINSTON COUNTIES IN
THE NEXT 30 TO 60 MINUTES.

THESE THUNDERSTORMS CONTAIN HEAVY RAIN...LIGHTNING...AND STRONG GUSTY
WINDS.  PERSONS IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA NEED TO BE READY TO SEEK SHELTER
IF WEATHER CONDITIONS TURNS THREATENING.
Special weather statement, Feb 9, 8:42 PM CST, 4 hours 24 minutes before
ALZ004-005-006-008-009-100400-
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
840 PM CST FRI FEB 9 1990

THUNDERSTORMS LOCATED IN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI WERE MOVING INTO
WESTERN ALABAMA.

AT 838 PM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR SHOWED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS
LOCATED IN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI MOVING RAPIDLY TO THE NORTHEAST.  THE
STORMS WILL MOVE INTO MARION...LAMAR...FAYETTE AND WINSTON COUNTIES IN
THE NEXT 30 TO 60 MINUTES.

THESE THUNDERSTORMS CONTAIN HEAVY RAIN...LIGHTNING...AND STRONG GUSTY
WINDS.  PERSONS IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA NEED TO BE READY TO SEEK SHELTER
IF WEATHER CONDITIONS TURNS THREATENING.
Special weather statement, Feb 9, 10:48 PM CST, 2 hours 18 minutes before
ALZ010-100600-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MONTGOMERY AL
1055 PM CST FRI FEB 9 1990

...TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4AM CST FOR COOSA AND
TALLAPOOSA COUNTIES...

...TORNADO WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 11PM UNTIL 6AM FOR PARTS OF
SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...
AT 10 55PM CST WEATHER RADAR AT MONTGOMERY SHOWED SCATTERED
LIGHT TO MODERATE SHOWERS OVER PARTS OF EAST CENTRAL THROUGH
SOUTH ALABAMA. STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE OCCURRING OVER NORTH
ALABAMA SOUTHWESTWARD INTO MISSISSIPPI.  THE SHOWERS AND THUNDER
STORMS WERE MOVING RAPIDLY TOWARD THE NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 50 MPH.

THE POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE WEATHER OVER ALABAMA FOR TONIGHT IS HIGH
AND PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREAS AS WELL A>S OTHER PARTS OF ALABAMA
SHOULD REMAIN ON THE ALERT.
PETTIT
Special weather statement, Feb 10, 12:13 AM CST, 53 minutes before
ALZ010-100800-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MONTGOMERY AL
1215 AM CST FRI FEB 10 1990

...TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4AM CST FOR COOSA AND
TALLAPOOSA COUNTIES...

...TORNADO WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 11PM UNTIL 6AM FOR PARTS OF
SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...
AT 1215 AM CST WEATHER RADAR AT MONTGOMERY SHOWED SCATTERED
LIGHT TO MODERATE THUNDERSHOWERS OVER PARTS OF EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA
EXTENDING SOUTHWARD INTO THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE. THE SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSHOWERS WERE MOVING RAPIDLY TOWARD THE NORTHEAST.
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE FROM NORTH ALABAMA SOUTHWESTWARD INTO
MISSISSIPPI.
THE POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE WEATHER OVER ALABAMA FOR TONIGHT IS HIGH.
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ARE LdIKELY TO SPREAD ACROSS SOUTH ALABAMA LATER
TONIGHT. PERSONS IN SOUTH ALABAMA SHOULD REMAIN ON THE ALERT.
PETTIT
Local storm report, Feb 10, 12:16 AM CST, 50 minutes before
STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1215 AM CST SAT FEB 10 1990

...AT 915 PM CST A HAM RADIO OPERATOR REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD 5 MILES
   EAST OF FAYETTE IN FAYETTE COUNTY.

...TREES WERE REPORTED DOWN ACROSS HIGHWAY 18 WEST IN LAMAR COUNTY
   AROUND 1045 PM CST...ALSO WINDS WERE ESTIMATED AT 50 TO 60 MPH.
   REPORT FROM LAMAR COUNTY EMA AT 1120 PM CST.

...AT 1120 PM CST WALKER COUNTY EMA REPORTS TREES DOWN ACROSS HIGHWAY
   78 IN THE CARBON HILL AND ELDRIDGE AREAS IN WALKER COUNTY.

...AT 1123 PM CST REPORT FROM CARBON HILL POLICE DEPARTMENT VIA HAM
   RADIO OPERATORS OF FUNNEL CLOUD OVER CARBON MILL MOVING NORTHEAST
   AROUND 55 MPH.

...AT 1124 PM CST BIRMINGHAM STATE RELAYS REPORT OF TREES DOWN IN
   JASPER.

...AT 1125 PM MARBLE SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN THE ARLEY AREA IN WINSTON
   COUNTY AND FUNNEL CLOUDS REPORTED OVER DUNCANS BRIDGE IN SOUTHEAST
   WINSTON COUNTY.

...AT 1132 PM CST REPORTS OF FUNNEL CLOUD 6 MILES EAST NORTHEAST OF
   ARLEY IN THE SMITH LAKE AREA OF WINSTON COUNTY...MOVING NORTHEAST.
   HOUSE ALSO REPORTED STRUCK BY LIGHTNING AND BURNED DOWN.

...AT 1135 PM CST HAM RADIO OPERATORS REPORT 45 MPH WINDS AND BLUE
   LIGHTNING 7 MILES NORTH ON MANCHESTER IN WALKER COUNTY.

...AT 1140 PM CST...FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED MOVING FROM PARISH TOWARD
   JASPER IN WALKER COUNTY BY WALKER COUNTY EMA.

...AT 1143 PM CST NUMEROUS REPORTS OF FUNNEL CLOUDS SIGHTED NEAR
   LEWIS SMILTH LAKE AND IN SOUTHERN CULLMAN COUNTY.

...AT 1146 PM CST PEA SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN VINEMONT IN CULLMAN
   COUNTY. TREES AND POWER LINES REPORTED DOWN AT SAME TIME IN THE
   HELICON AREA. REPORT RECEIVED FROM HAM RADIO OPERATORS.

...AT 1155 PM TREES REPORTEDg FALLING 5 MILES NORTHEAST OF BERRY ALONG
   THE WALKER...FAYETTE COUNTY LINE. REPORT RECEIVED FROM HAM
   RADIO OPERATORS.

...AT 1200 AM CST PEA SIZE HAIL AND 45 MPH GUSTS REPORTED 7 MILES
   NORTH OF MANCHESTER IN WALKER COUNTY.

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 9, 8:29 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLauderdale61 min
Feb 9, 8:45 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXLamar30 min
Feb 9, 8:56 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXFayette34 min
Feb 9, 9:23 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXLamar37 min
Feb 9, 9:30 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXFayette30 min
Feb 9, 9:43 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXWalker47 min
Feb 9, 10:08 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXLimestone27 min
Feb 9, 10:22 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXMadison68 min
Feb 9, 10:53 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXJackson, Madison37 min
Feb 9, 11:02 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXWalker28 min
Feb 9, 11:16 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXColbert, Lauderdale4 hr
Feb 9, 11:28 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXCullman, Winston47 min
Feb 9, 11:35 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXWalker40 min
Feb 9, 11:35 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXLamar40 min
Feb 10, 12:53 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXWalker22 min
Feb 10, 12:53 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXJefferson37 min
Feb 10, 1:22 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene68 min
Feb 10, 1:30 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXColbert, Franklin, Lawrence5 hr
Feb 10, 1:30 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXLimestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan5 hr
Feb 10, 1:30 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXLauderdale5 hr
Feb 10, 1:30 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXDeKalb, Jackson5 hr
Feb 10, 1:33 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXTuscaloosa57 min
Feb 10, 1:53 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXHale67 min
Feb 10, 2:00 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Hale35 min
Feb 10, 2:06 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXMarengo29 min
Feb 10, 2:19 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson56 min
Feb 10, 2:20 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb55 min
Feb 10, 2:32 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXShelby58 min
Feb 10, 2:39 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChilton51 min
Feb 10, 2:40 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXJefferson, Shelby30 min
Feb 10, 2:50 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXSt. Clair55 min
Feb 10, 2:54 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXTalladega66 min
Feb 10, 3:11 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXClay64 min
Feb 10, 3:11 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXCalhoun64 min
Feb 10, 3:33 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCleburne, Randolph37 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 1990Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1990

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.