Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 1994

Tornado Warning 37, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 15, 1994Blount County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 15, 1994, 10:03 AM CDT for Blount County, Alabama. It was in force for 27 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Apr 15, 1994, 10:03 AM CDT (15:03 UTC)
Expired
Apr 15, 1994, 10:30 AM CDT
In force
27 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Whole counties

County Blount County, AL

The nearest sounding before it

Centreville/Bibb, AL (KCKL), launched 12:00Z, 3.1 hours before the alert went out and 134 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 12:00Z on 1994-04-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1524 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 12:00Z on 1994-04-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 234 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
1524 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-15 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
573 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
27 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
234 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
378 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.3
Supercell composite
8.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
TTAA00 KBHM 151503
TORBHM
ALC009-151530-
 
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1003 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1030 AM CDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION...
 
IN NORTH ALABAMA
 
   ...NORTHERN BLOUNT COUNTY
 
FUNNEL CLOUDS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THE HOLLY POND AREA OF CULLMAN
COUNTY WITH A THUNDERSTORM THAT IS MOVING NORTHEAST. THIS TRACK WILL
TAKE IT ACROSS THE NORTHERN PORTION OF BLOUNT COUNTY IN THE VICINITY OF
THE AREA NORTH OF SNEAD AND BLOUNTSVILLE.
 
IF YOU LIVE IN A HOME OR APARTMENT...SEEK SHELTER IN THE
INNERMOST PORTION OF THE BUILDING ON THE LOWEST FLOOR. ^ GET TO
A BASEMENT IF ONE IS AVAILABLE.  AVOID WINDOWS AND PROTECT YOUR
BODY FROM FLYING DEBRIS WITH CUSHIONS...BLANKETS...OR PILLOWS.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado 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, Apr 15, 7:09 AM CDT, 2 hours 54 minutes before
ALZ011>029-031>035-039-151230-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
705 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR CULLMAN COUNTY HAS EXPIRED...

AT 705 AM CDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADARS SHOWED STRONG THUNDER
STORMS OVER CULLMAN...LAMARR...WALKER...BIBB...TUSCALOOSA...COOSA...
PERRY...CHILTON...SHELBY...AND SOUTHERN TALLADEGA COUNTIES.  SMALL HAIL
HAS FALLEN FROM THE STORM OVER LAMAR COUNTY NEAR THE CITY OF SULLIGENT.
THIS STORM WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE INTO SOUTHERN MARION NEAR THE CITIES
OF GUIN AND BRILLIANT.  ALL THE STORMS WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.
IN ADDITION THUNDERSTORMS WERE BECOMING MORE INTENSE OVER EASTERN
MISSISSIPPI AND WILL MOVE INTO WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA DURING THE
NEXT FEW HOURS.

THESE STORMS WILL PRODUCE STRONG GUSTY WINDS...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...
VERY HEAVY RAIN AND POSSIBLY HAIL.  REMAIN ALERT THIS MORNING AND
BE READY TO MOVE TO A SAFE PLACE IF THREATENING WEATHER SHOULD
APPROACH YOU OR IF A WARNING IS ISSUED.

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS WILL FOLLOW THROUGHOUT THE MORNING FROM
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
Special weather statement, Apr 15, 7:13 AM CDT, 2 hours 50 minutes before
ALZ036>038-151415-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MONTGOMERY AL
712 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994

...THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH CENTRAL AND EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...

AT 700 AM CDT RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH VERY
HEAVY RAINFALL MOVING THROUGH COOSA...TALLAPOOSA...AND CHAMBERS COUNTIES
OF CENTRAL AND EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA.  THE HEAVIEST RAIN FALL WAS LOCATED
NEAR ROCKFORD...DADEVILLE...AND CAMP HILL.  THESE THUNDERSTORMS ARE
MOVING EAST AT 30 MILES AN HOUR AND CAN CAUSE TORRENTIAL RAINFALL AND
GUSTY WINDS IN THESE AREAS AS THEY MOVE THROUGH.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY.  THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO
CROSS SAFELY.  VEHICLES CAUGHT IN RISING WATER SHOULD BE ABANDONED
QUICKLY.  MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.
Special weather statement, Apr 15, 7:22 AM CDT, 2 hours 41 minutes before
ALZ011>029-031>035-039-151230-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
721 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994

AT 720 AM A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS MOVING NORTHEAST INTO MARION COUNTY
NEAR GUIN AND GU-WIN AND WILL BE MOVING THROUGH THE BRILLIANT AREA AND
INTO NORTHWEST WINSTON COUNTY NEAR HALEYVILLE DURING THE NEXT HALF HOUR.

THIS STORM HAS HAD A HISTORY OF PRODUCING HAIL.  IN ADDITION STRONG WIND
...VERY HEAVY RAIN...AND FREQUENT INTENSE LIGHTNING CAN BE EXPECTED WITH
THIS THUNDERSTORM.
Special weather statement, Apr 15, 7:48 AM CDT, 2 hours 15 minutes before
ALZ012-013-022-151345-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
747 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM MOVING
OUT OF EASTERN MISSISSIPPI INTO PICKENS COUNTY WITH AN ADDITIONAL
THUNDERSTORM ALONG THE FAYETTE/LAMAR COUNTY LINE. THESE THUNDERSTORMS
WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 TO 45 MPH. THESE THUNDERSTORMS ARE
ACCOMPANIED BY SMALL HAIL, HEAVY RAIN, AND CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTN0ING.

PEOPLE IN THESE COUNTIES SHOULD REMAIN INSIDE AWAY FROM WINDS AS THESE
THUNDERSTORMS MOVE OVER YOUR AREA.
Special weather statement, Apr 15, 8:13 AM CDT, 1 hour 50 minutes before
ALZALL-151415-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
812 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994

A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR A LARGE PORTION OF NORTHERN, CENTRAL,
AND WESTERN ALABAMA VALID UNTIL 300 PM CDT.

WEST CENTRAL AND NORTHERN ALABAMA HAS ALREADY EXPERIENCED SOME SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY THIS MORNING WHILE A LARGE AREA OF HEAVY RAIN HAS
BEEN MOVING ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA WHERE AROUND 2 INCHES OF RAIN HAS
FALLEN.

TODAY IS SHAPING UP TO BE ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER EVENT FOR
MUCH OF ALABAMA.  ALREADY THIS MORNING THE WIND FLOW IN THE LOWER
SECTIONS OF THE ATMOSPHERE HAVE BEGUN TO SWING AROUND TO THE SOUTHEAST
ALLOWING A WIND PROFILE MORE CONDUCIVE TO TORNADO FORMATION.  AS A
STRONG UPPER LEVEL STORM SYSTEM MOVES CLOSER TO THE STATE DURING THE
DAY, THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL INCREASE.

PEOPLE ALL ACROSS ALABAMA ARE URGED TO REVIEW SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY
RULES.  NOW IS THE TIME TO DO A LITTLE ADVANCE PREPARATION SO THAT YOU
WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE ACTION SHOULD YOU BECOME
THREATENED BY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OR TORNADOES.

TORNADO SAFETY RULES WILL FOLLOW SHORTLY.  LAW ENFORCEMENT, EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT, AND MEDIA OUTLETS SHOULD CONSIDER ADDITIONAL STAFFING FOR
WEATHER THIS MORNING AND AFTERNOON.  ADDITIONAL STAFF IS ALREADY ON DUTY
AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM IN PREPARATION FOR THE
DAY.
Special weather statement, Apr 15, 8:34 AM CDT, 1 hour 29 minutes before
ALZALL-151415-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
830 AM CDT FRI APR 15 1994

A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR A LARGE PORTION OF NORTHERN, CENTRAL,
AND WESTERN ALABAMA VALID UNTIL 300 PM CDT.

AT 830 AM CDT STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE INDICATED BY RADAR OVER
SOUTHERN LAMAR...NORTHERN FAYETTE...AND WALKER COUNTIES.  THE STRONGEST
STORM WAS LOCATED OVER FAYETTE COUNTY.  ALL THE STORMS WERE MOVING
NORTHEAST ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR.  ALREADY SMALL HAIL HAS FALLEN IN
LAMAR COUNTY.

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 15, 5:51 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCullman69 min
Apr 15, 7:28 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXMarion32 min
Apr 15, 8:49 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCullman41 min
Apr 15, 8:52 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene68 min
Apr 15, 8:58 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXMarshall62 min
Apr 15, 9:42 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCullman33 min
Apr 15, 9:59 AM CDTTornado WarningBMXCullman16 min
Apr 15, 10:56 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb34 min
Apr 15, 11:11 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXShelby49 min
Apr 15, 11:30 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb30 min
Apr 15, 12:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXPerry30 min
Apr 15, 12:45 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCalhoun15 min
Apr 15, 2:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXColbert, Lauderdale60 min
Apr 15, 3:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXMarshall59 min
Apr 15, 3:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXMarion35 min
Apr 15, 3:32 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar, Pickens43 min
Apr 15, 3:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChilton38 min
Apr 15, 3:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount33 min
Apr 15, 4:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXTalladega42 min
Apr 15, 4:17 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXPickens28 min
Apr 15, 4:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette49 min
Apr 15, 4:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXTuscaloosa41 min
Apr 15, 4:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXWalker61 min
Apr 15, 4:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXClay58 min
Apr 15, 5:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson62 min
Apr 15, 5:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXShelby49 min
Apr 15, 5:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXSt. Clair54 min
Apr 15, 5:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXDeKalb, Marshall57 min
Apr 15, 6:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun25 min
Apr 15, 6:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXMadison69 min
Apr 15, 6:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCherokee52 min
Apr 15, 6:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXEtowah26 min
Apr 15, 6:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJackson55 min
Apr 15, 6:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXTalladega35 min
Apr 15, 6:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun47 min
Apr 15, 6:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXClay38 min
Apr 15, 6:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCleburne, Randolph59 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 1994Every tornado warning in 1994Tornadoes in 1994

Sources

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