Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 2, NWS Birmingham, AL

January 6, 2009Jefferson County, Walker County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Jan 6, 2009, 1:59 PM CST for Jefferson County, Walker County, Alabama. It was in force for 31 min. 1 report 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: Jan 6, 2009, 1:59 PM CST (19:59 UTC)
Expired: Jan 6, 2009, 2:30 PM CST
In force: 31 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Jefferson County, AL, Walker County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 64 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:59 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
Jan 6, 2:30 PM CST	FUNNEL CLOUD	Morris, AL	A FUNNEL CLOUD WAS REPORTED AT THE GLENWOOD FIRE AND RESCUE STATION NEAR MORRIS.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 63 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: 163 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -7 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 560 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 75 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 240 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 258 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.3
Supercell composite: 0.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KBMX 061959
TORBMX
ALC073-127-062030-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0002.090106T1959Z-090106T2030Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
159 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN JEFFERSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF GARDENDALE...
  SOUTHEASTERN WALKER COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF SUMITON...

* UNTIL 230 PM CST

* AT 159 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR WEST JEFFERSON...
  OR 8 MILES SOUTH OF DORA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  GRAYSVILLE...SUMITON AND 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF ADAMSVILLE BY 205 PM
  CST...
  CARDIFF AND BROOKSIDE BY 210 PM CST...
  KIMBERLY...MORRIS AND 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF GARDENDALE BY 220 PM
  CST...
  WARRIOR BY 225 PM CST...
  TRAFFORD BY 230 PM CST...

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 65 EXIT NUMBERS 271 THROUGH 282...
AND US 78 EXIT NUMBERS 78 THROUGH 87.

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.

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 8719 3382 8696 3381 8694 3384 8689
      3384 8676 3377 8665 3377 8659 3376 8659
      3374 8658 3352 8712
TIME...MOT...LOC 1959Z 240DEG 40KT 3364 8708

$$

10/ARM

3 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 062008
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
208 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009

ALC073-127-062030-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090106T2030Z/
JEFFERSON AL-WALKER AL-
206 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 PM CST FOR EAST
CENTRAL WALKER AND NORTHERN JEFFERSON COUNTIES...

AT 206 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR GRAYSVILLE...OR ABOUT 8 MILES
SOUTHEAST OF DORA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF PARTRIDGE CROSSROADS BY 215 PM CST...
  MORRIS...KIMBERLY...GARDENDALE AND 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF WARRIOR BY
  220 PM CST...
  PALMERDALE AND TRAFFORD BY 225 PM CST...
  VILLAGE SPRINGS BY 230 PM CST...

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 65 EXIT NUMBERS 271 THROUGH 282...
AND US 78 EXIT NUMBERS 81 THROUGH 87.

ALSO...A SECOND CIRCULATION IS BEING DETECTED BY THE RADAR. THIS 
CIRCULATION WAS LOCATED NORTH OF SAYRE AND WAS MOVING ALSO TO THE 
NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH AND WAS MOVING TOWARDS PARTRIDGE CROSSROADS.

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.

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 TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CST TUESDAY EVENING
FOR ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3381 8697 3381 8694 3384 8689 3384 8676
      3377 8665 3377 8661 3374 8658 3357 8700
      3357 8702 3365 8710
TIME...MOT...LOC 2006Z 244DEG 43KT 3365 8697

$$

10/ARM

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 062017
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
217 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009

ALC127-062027-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090106T2030Z/
WALKER AL-
217 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL WALKER COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CST TUESDAY EVENING
FOR ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3379 8669 3377 8665 3377 8662 3374 8659
      3358 8698 3369 8701 3381 8693 3384 8689
      3384 8676
TIME...MOT...LOC 2017Z 241DEG 46KT 3376 8680

$$

ALC073-062030-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090106T2030Z/
JEFFERSON AL-
217 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 PM CST FOR NORTH
CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY...

AT 217 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MORRIS...OR ABOUT NEAR
GARDENDALE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  VILLAGE SPRINGS AND PALMERDALE BY 225 PM CST...

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 65 EXIT NUMBERS 271 THROUGH 282...
AND US 78 EXIT NUMBERS 85 THROUGH 87.

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.

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 TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CST TUESDAY EVENING
FOR ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3379 8669 3377 8665 3377 8662 3374 8659
      3358 8698 3369 8701 3381 8693 3384 8689
      3384 8676
TIME...MOT...LOC 2017Z 241DEG 46KT 3376 8680

$$

10/ARM

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 062028
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
228 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009

ALC073-062037-
/O.EXP.KBMX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090106T2030Z/
JEFFERSON AL-
227 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY EXPIRES AT
230 PM CST...

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 65 EXIT NUMBERS 271 THROUGH 282...
AND US 78 EXIT NUMBERS 85 THROUGH 87.

THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER HAS ENDED. THE STORMS THAT PROMPTED THE
WARNING HAVE WEAKENED.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CST TUESDAY EVENING
FOR ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3379 8669 3377 8665 3377 8662 3374 8659
      3358 8698 3369 8701 3381 8693 3384 8689
      3384 8676
TIME...MOT...LOC 2027Z 241DEG 46KT 3382 8666

$$

10/ARM

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jan 5, 8:50 PM CST	River Flood Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter	6 days
Jan 6, 7:22 AM CST	Flash Flood Warning	BMX	Blount	4 hr
Jan 6, 7:34 AM CST	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston	4 hr
Jan 6, 7:43 AM CST	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Cherokee, Etowah	3 hr
Jan 6, 9:36 AM CST	River Flood Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter	6 days
Jan 6, 9:36 AM CST	River Flood Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter	9 days
Jan 6, 9:51 AM CST	River Flood Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker	4 days
Jan 6, 9:56 AM CST	River Flood Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Marengo	9 days
Jan 6, 11:04 AM CST	Flash Flood Warning	BMX	Blount, Cherokee, Etowah	4 hr
Jan 6, 11:12 AM CST	Lake Wind Advisory	BMX	Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton and 15 more	10 hr
Jan 6, 11:58 AM CST	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and 2 more	4 hr
Jan 6, 1:06 PM CST	Flash Flood Warning	BMX	Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and 2 more	4 hr
Jan 6, 1:37 PM CST	River Flood Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter, Tuscaloosa	4 days
Jan 6, 1:37 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker	23 min
Jan 6, 2:52 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount, Etowah	23 min
Jan 6, 3:09 PM CST	Flash Flood Warning	BMX	Blount, Etowah, St. Clair	4 hr
Jan 6, 3:14 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Cherokee, Etowah	31 min
Jan 6, 3:40 PM CST	Flash Flood Warning	BMX	Cherokee	4 hr
Jan 6, 3:45 PM CST	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Bibb, Shelby	3 hr
Jan 6, 3:53 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Cherokee	16 min
Jan 6, 5:09 PM CST	Flash Flood Warning	BMX	Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and 2 more	3 hr
Jan 6, 5:27 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne	33 min
Jan 6, 5:49 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Clay	26 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.