Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 151, NWS Birmingham, AL

October 9, 2009Lamar County, Marion County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Oct 9, 2009, 3:07 PM CDT for Lamar County, Marion County, Alabama. It was in force for 38 min. 2 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: Oct 9, 2009, 3:07 PM CDT (20:07 UTC)
Expired: Oct 9, 2009, 3:45 PM CDT
In force: 38 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Lamar County, AL, Marion County, AL

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 27 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:08 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Oct 9, 3:32 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Henson Springs, AL	TREES DOWN ON RIVER ROAD. POSSIBLE TORNADO.
Oct 9, 3:39 PM CDT	HAIL 0.75	4 Wsw Sulligent, AL	PENNY SIZED HAIL REPORTED ON SHAKE RAG ROAD NEAR HIGHWAY 278 WEST OF SULLIGENT.

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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Oct 9, 2:39 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	4 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 8.1 hours before the alert went out and 146 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 614 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -32 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 537 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 42 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 145 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 193 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.4
Supercell composite: 4.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KBMX 092007
TORBMX
ALC075-093-092045-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0151.091009T2007Z-091009T2045Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
307 PM CDT FRI OCT 9 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHWESTERN MARION COUNTY IN NORTHWEST ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF HAMILTON...
  NORTHERN LAMAR COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF SULLIGENT...

* UNTIL 345 PM CDT

* AT 305 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETECTED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 21 MILES WEST OF
  DETROIT...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  CREWS...GU-WIN...GUIN AND BEAVERTON

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT USE YOUR CAR TO TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO. CARS ARE EASILY
TOSSED AROUND BY TORNADO WINDS. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN THE PATH OF A
TORNADO...LEAVE THE CAR AND GO TO A STRONG BUILDING. IF NO SAFE
STRUCTURE IS NEARBY...SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR LOW SPOT AND COVER
YOUR HEAD.

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.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FRIDAY
EVENING FOR NORTHERN ALABAMA.

&&

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

LAT...LON 3394 8822 3409 8821 3416 8793 3392 8786
      3392 8790 3393 8790 3393 8795 3391 8795
      3390 8798 3387 8823 3390 8824
TIME...MOT...LOC 2007Z 257DEG 32KT 3393 8849

$$

27

2 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 092012
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
312 PM CDT FRI OCT 9 2009

ALC075-093-092045-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0151.000000T0000Z-091009T2045Z/
LAMAR AL-MARION AL-
312 PM CDT FRI OCT 9 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN MARION AND NORTHERN LAMAR COUNTIES...

AT 310 PM CDT...A TORNADO WAS SPOTTED IN MONROE COUNTY IN 
MISSISSIPPI AND DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED.  THIS POSSIBLE TORNADO WAS 
LOCATED 18 MILES WEST OF PINE SPRINGS...OR NEAR AMORY...MOVING EAST 
AT 35 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
DETROIT...SULLIGENT...BYRD...CREWS...RANKIN FITE AIRPORT...
PIKEVILLE...HENSON SPRINGS...HAMILTON...GU-WIN...GUIN AND BEAVERTON

THIS INCLUDES...
US 78 EXIT NUMBERS 11 THROUGH 16

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT USE YOUR CAR TO TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO. CARS ARE EASILY
TOSSED AROUND BY TORNADO WINDS. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN THE PATH OF A
TORNADO...LEAVE THE CAR AND GO TO A STRONG BUILDING. IF NO SAFE
STRUCTURE IS NEARBY...SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR LOW SPOT AND COVER
YOUR HEAD.

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.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FRIDAY
EVENING FOR NORTHERN ALABAMA.

&&

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

LAT...LON 3394 8822 3409 8821 3416 8793 3392 8786
      3392 8790 3393 8790 3393 8795 3391 8795
      3390 8798 3387 8823 3390 8824
TIME...MOT...LOC 2011Z 257DEG 32KT 3394 8845

$$

27

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 092032
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
332 PM CDT FRI OCT 9 2009

ALC075-093-092045-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0151.000000T0000Z-091009T2045Z/
LAMAR AL-MARION AL-
332 PM CDT FRI OCT 9 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN MARION AND NORTHERN LAMAR COUNTIES...

AT 330 PM CDT...TORNADO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED IN MISSISSIPPI WITH THIS 
STORM.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR DETROIT...OR 9 MILES NORTHWEST 
OF SULLIGENT...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PINE
SPRINGS...BYRD...CREWS...RANKIN FITE AIRPORT...PIKEVILLE...HENSON
SPRINGS...HAMILTON...GU-WIN...GUIN AND BEAVERTON

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FRIDAY
EVENING FOR NORTHERN ALABAMA.

&&

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

LAT...LON 3394 8822 3409 8821 3416 8793 3392 8786
      3392 8790 3393 8790 3393 8795 3391 8795
      3390 8798 3387 8823 3390 8824
TIME...MOT...LOC 2031Z 257DEG 32KT 3398 8824

$$

27

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Oct 9, 2:22 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	BMX	Lamar	4 hr
Oct 9, 2:38 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marion, Winston	52 min
Oct 9, 3:37 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston	38 min
Oct 9, 3:51 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount, Etowah, St. Clair	23 min
Oct 9, 3:56 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Chilton, Coosa, Tallapoosa	27 min
Oct 9, 5:05 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount, Walker	25 min
Oct 9, 5:12 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Tuscaloosa	34 min
Oct 9, 5:14 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marengo	46 min
Oct 9, 5:28 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount	47 min
Oct 9, 6:05 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount, Etowah	25 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 2009 Every tornado warning in 2009 Tornadoes in 2009

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.