Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2006

Tornado Warning 45, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 20, 2006Jefferson County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 20, 2006, 3:29 PM CDT for Jefferson County, Alabama. It was in force for 27 min. 6 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Apr 20, 2006, 3:29 PM CDT (20:29 UTC)
Expired
Apr 20, 2006, 3:56 PM CDT
In force
27 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Counties, with a storm outline in the text

County Jefferson County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 46 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:29 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 20, 3:36 PM CDTHAIL 0.75Graysville, ALPENNY SIZE HAIL WAS REPORTED IN GRAYSVILLE.
Apr 20, 3:36 PM CDTHAIL 0.75Graysville, AL
Apr 20, 3:50 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Birmingham, ALFINLEY AND 29TH
Apr 20, 3:50 PM CDTHAIL 1.75Birmingham, ALGOLFBALL SIZE HAIL WAS OBSERVED NEAR FINLEY BLVD. AND 29TH STREET.
Apr 20, 4:05 PM CDTHAIL 0.5Birmingham, ALJEFFERSON COUNTY CIVIC CENTER AT FINLEY
Apr 20, 4:05 PM CDTHAIL 0.5Birmingham, ALSMALL HAIL FELL AT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY CIVIC CENTER AT FINLEY BLVD.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 20, 11:38 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 44 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, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2006-04-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 488 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, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2006-04-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -119 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
488 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-279 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1148 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
22 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-119 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-98 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KBMX 202029
TORBMX
ALC073-202130-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0045.060420T2029Z-060420T2130Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
329 PM CDT THU APR 20 2006

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  JEFFERSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA
  THIS INCLUDES THE AREAS OF...VESTAVIA HILLS...TARRANT...PLEASANT
  GROVE...MOUNTAIN BROOK...MINOR...MIDFIELD...IRONDALE...HOMEWOOD...
  GARDENDALE...FULTONDALE...FORESTDALE...FAIRFIELD...CAHABA
  HEIGHTS...BRIGHTON...BIRMINGHAM...ADAMSVILLE

* UNTIL 430 PM CDT

* AT 329 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR MAYTOWN...
  OR ABOUT NEAR MINOR...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

* THE TORNADO IS EXPECTED TO BE NEAR...
  MINOR...ADAMSVILLE AND GRAYSVILLE BY 335 PM CDT
  FAIRFIELD BY 340 PM CDT
  FORESTDALE AND BROOKSIDE BY 345 PM CDT
  BIRMINGHAM AND FULTONDALE BY 405 PM CDT
  TARRANT BY 410 PM CDT
  MOUNTAIN BROOK BY 415 PM CDT

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...
CALL 1-800-856-0758.

LAT...LON 3363 8711 3345 8710 3342 8675 3355 8666
      3371 8673

$$

10/ARM
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 202038
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
335 PM CDT THU APR 20 2006

ALC073-202130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-060420T2130Z/
JEFFERSON AL-
335 PM CDT THU APR 20 2006

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
JEFFERSON COUNTY...

AT 332 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MULGA...OR ABOUT
NEAR MINOR...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  GRAYSVILLE BY 340 PM CDT
  FORESTDALE...BROOKSIDE AND 6 MILES SOUTH OF CARDIFF BY 350 PM CDT
  BIRMINGHAM BY 410 PM CDT
  FULTONDALE BY 415 PM CDT
  TARRANT AND 6 MILES SOUTH OF GARDENDALE BY 420 PM CDT
  IRONDALE BY 430 PM CDT

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM WILL LIKELY PRODUCE HAIL TO 
THE SIZE OF BASEBALLS.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

DO NOT TRAVEL IN A VEHICLE.  STAY IN A SAFE LOCATION UNTIL THE STORM 
HAS PASSED.  IF AT ALL POSSIBLE...REMAIN OFF OF HIGHLY TRAVELED 
ROADS SUCH AS INTERSTATES 65...59 AND 20.

LAT...LON 3363 8706 3349 8699 3345 8672 3355 8666
      3371 8673

$$

STEFKOVICH
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 202048
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
348 PM CDT THU APR 20 2006

ALC073-202130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-060420T2130Z/
JEFFERSON AL-
348 PM CDT THU APR 20 2006

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
JEFFERSON COUNTY...

AT 340 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD. 
THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MINOR...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  BIRMINGHAM AND 7 MILES SOUTH OF FULTONDALE BY 415 PM CDT
  TARRANT BY 420 PM CDT
  MOUNTAIN BROOK...CAHABA HEIGHTS AND IRONDALE BY 430 PM CDT

DO NOT USE YOUR CAR TO TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO. DO NOT DRIVE 
ANYWHERE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY UNTIL AFTER THE WARNING EXPIRES...AND 
ESPECIALLY STAY OFF THE INTERSTATES.  IN ADDITION TO A POSSIBLE 
TORNADO...EXTREMELY LARGE HAIL WILL OCCUR.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

LAT...LON 3359 8700 3349 8699 3345 8672 3355 8666
      3371 8673

$$
STEFKOVICH
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 202056
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
355 PM CDT THU APR 20 2006

ALC073-202105-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-060420T2130Z/
JEFFERSON AL-
355 PM CDT THU APR 20 2006

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

AT 355 PM CDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT 
THE THUNDERSTORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAD WEAKENED.  THUS...THE 
TORNADO WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.  HOWEVER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 
IS STILL IN EFFECT...AS THE STORM IS STILL CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
LARGE HAIL.

LAT...LON 3359 8700 3349 8699 3345 8672 3355 8666
      3371 8673

$$

STEFKOVICH

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 19, 7:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXSt. Clair34 min
Apr 19, 7:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCoosa66 min
Apr 19, 7:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXShelby60 min
Apr 19, 7:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount60 min
Apr 19, 7:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXWalker57 min
Apr 19, 7:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXTallapoosa53 min
Apr 19, 7:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXTalladega41 min
Apr 19, 7:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson38 min
Apr 19, 8:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCoosa62 min
Apr 19, 8:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXShelby61 min
Apr 19, 8:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXWalker49 min
Apr 19, 8:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson60 min
Apr 19, 9:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChilton59 min
Apr 19, 9:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXElmore50 min
Apr 19, 9:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXWalker61 min
Apr 19, 9:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCoosa29 min
Apr 19, 9:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga52 min
Apr 19, 9:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCoosa45 min
Apr 19, 10:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChilton, Elmore45 min
Apr 19, 10:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXMontgomery68 min
Apr 19, 11:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChilton45 min
Apr 19, 11:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXMontgomery20 min
Apr 20, 2:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXWinston35 min
Apr 20, 2:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson41 min
Apr 20, 2:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount47 min
Apr 20, 3:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson65 min
Apr 20, 3:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount63 min
Apr 20, 3:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXSt. Clair62 min
Apr 20, 3:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXEtowah65 min
Apr 20, 4:26 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXJefferson3 hr
Apr 20, 4:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson49 min
Apr 20, 4:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun60 min
Apr 20, 4:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXSt. Clair51 min
Apr 20, 5:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXShelby58 min
Apr 20, 5:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCherokee, Cleburne25 min
Apr 20, 5:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson66 min
Apr 20, 5:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar78 min
Apr 20, 5:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXSt. Clair40 min
Apr 20, 6:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar31 min
Apr 20, 6:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette30 min
Apr 20, 6:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson53 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 2006Every tornado warning in 2006Tornadoes in 2006

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.