Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 3, NWS Birmingham, AL

January 6, 2009Blount County, Etowah County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Jan 6, 2009, 2:52 PM CST for Blount County, Etowah County, Alabama. It was in force for 23 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, 2:52 PM CST (20:52 UTC)
Expired: Jan 6, 2009, 3:15 PM CST
In force: 23 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Blount County, AL, Etowah County, AL

The radar

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 101 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:53 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, 3:10 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	Gallant, AL	DEBRIS AND TREE LIMBS DOWN IN ROADWAYS.

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
Jan 6, 2:03 PM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 110 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 062052
TORBMX
ALC009-055-062115-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0003.090106T2052Z-090106T2115Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  EXTREME EAST CENTRAL BLOUNT COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  ETOWAH COUNTY IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF GADSDEN...

* UNTIL 315 PM CST

* AT 252 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR ALTOONA...OR 7
  MILES EAST OF ONEONTA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  WALNUT GROVE BY 300 PM CST...
  6 MILES NORTHWEST OF ATTALLA BY 305 PM CST...
  SARDIS CITY...REECE CITY AND 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF NOCCALULA FALLS
  BY 310 PM CST...

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 59 EXIT NUMBERS 181 THROUGH 188.

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.

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

LAT...LON 3406 8582 3395 8617 3398 8620 3396 8626
      3398 8629 3396 8630 3395 8632 3401 8638
      3420 8620 3419 8601
TIME...MOT...LOC 2052Z 231DEG 47KT 3398 8633

$$

10/ARM

2 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 062100
SVSBMX

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

ALC009-062110-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-090106T2115Z/
BLOUNT AL-
300 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EXTREME EAST CENTRAL BLOUNT COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

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

LAT...LON 3406 8582 3398 8616 3398 8620 3399 8627
      3404 8628 3420 8620 3419 8601
TIME...MOT...LOC 2100Z 235DEG 49KT 3405 8619

$$

ALC055-062115-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-090106T2115Z/
ETOWAH AL-
300 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM CST FOR NORTHERN
ETOWAH COUNTY...

AT 300 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR GALLANT...OR ABOUT 12 MILES
NORTHWEST OF RAINBOW CITY...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  ROCKLEDGE...RIDGEVILLE...MOUNTAINBORO AND ATTALLA BY 305 PM CST...
  CRUDUP...REECE CITY...SARDIS CITY AND 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF
  NORTHSIDE BY 310 PM CST...
  7 MILES NORTHWEST OF WILSONIA AND 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF ANDERSON BY
  315 PM CST...

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 59 EXIT NUMBERS 182 THROUGH 188.

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 3406 8582 3398 8616 3398 8620 3399 8627
      3404 8628 3420 8620 3419 8601
TIME...MOT...LOC 2100Z 235DEG 49KT 3405 8619

$$

10/ARM

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 062106
SVSBMX

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

ALC055-062115-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-090106T2115Z/
ETOWAH AL-
306 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM CST FOR NORTHERN
ETOWAH COUNTY...

AT 306 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR HOWELTON...OR ABOUT 10 MILES
WEST OF GADSDEN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  6 MILES NORTHWEST OF WILSONIA AND 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF ANDERSON BY
  315 PM CST...

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 59 EXIT NUMBERS 183 THROUGH 188.

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 3400 8616 3405 8622 3418 8618 3419 8601
      3406 8582
TIME...MOT...LOC 2106Z 235DEG 49KT 3409 8611

$$

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, 1:59 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Walker	31 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.