Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2009
Tornado Warning 4, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Jan 6, 2009, 3:14 PM CST for Cherokee County, Etowah County, Alabama. It was in force for 31 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
- Jan 6, 2009, 3:14 PM CST (21:14 UTC)
- Expired
- Jan 6, 2009, 3:45 PM CST
- In force
- 31 min
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
Counties Cherokee County, AL, Etowah County, AL
The radar
The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 81 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:14 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, 3:45 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | Centre, AL | TREES REPORTED DOWN ALL ACROSS THE COUNTY...TIME ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN 330PM AND 4PM. |
| Jan 6, 3:51 PM CST | TORNADO | Weiss Lake, AL | WATERSPOUT ON WEISS LAKE. WATERSPOUT LIFTED ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE LAKE. NO REPORTS OF DAMAGE. |
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, 9.2 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.
- 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
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
000
WFUS54 KBMX 062114
TORBMX
ALC019-055-062145-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0004.090106T2114Z-090106T2145Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
314 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
WEST CENTRAL CHEROKEE COUNTY IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA...
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...CENTRE...CEDAR BLUFF...
NORTHEASTERN ETOWAH COUNTY IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA...
* UNTIL 345 PM CST
* AT 314 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR REECE CITY...OR 7
MILES NORTHWEST OF GADSDEN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.
* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
TABOR ROAD...CHEROKEE ROCK VILLAGE AND SLACKLAND BY 325 PM CST...
LEESBURG BY 330 PM CST...
SAND ROCK AND 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF CENTRE BY 335 PM CST...
6 MILES NORTHWEST OF WEISS LAKE BY 340 PM CST...
6 MILES NORTHWEST OF CEDAR BLUFF BY 345 PM CST...
THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 59 EXIT NUMBER 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 3438 8563 3416 8557 3404 8607 3411 8611
3418 8603 3422 8586 3426 8583 3428 8580
3428 8577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2114Z 239DEG 43KT 3413 8601
$$
10/ARM2 follow-up statements
000
WWUS54 KBMX 062122
SVSBMX
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
322 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009
ALC019-055-062145-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-090106T2145Z/
ETOWAH AL-CHEROKEE AL-
322 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CST FOR WEST
CENTRAL CHEROKEE AND NORTHEASTERN ETOWAH COUNTIES...
AT 322 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR TABOR ROAD...OR ABOUT 12
MILES NORTH OF GADSDEN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.
THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
SAND ROCK...LEESBURG AND 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF WEISS DAM BY 330 PM
CST...
9 MILES NORTHWEST OF CENTRE BY 335 PM CST...
7 MILES NORTHWEST OF WEISS LAKE AND 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF CEDAR
BLUFF BY 340 PM CST...
HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CST TUESDAY EVENING
FOR ALABAMA.
LAT...LON 3438 8563 3416 8557 3409 8595 3418 8601
3422 8586 3426 8583 3428 8580 3428 8577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2122Z 238DEG 44KT 3419 8590
$$
10/ARM000
WWUS54 KBMX 062134
SVSBMX
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
334 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009
ALC055-062144-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-090106T2145Z/
ETOWAH AL-
334 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN ETOWAH COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CST TUESDAY EVENING
FOR ALABAMA.
LAT...LON 3438 8563 3416 8557 3415 8582 3422 8583
3426 8583 3428 8580 3428 8577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2134Z 240DEG 43KT 3425 8575
$$
ALC019-062145-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-090106T2145Z/
CHEROKEE AL-
334 PM CST TUE JAN 6 2009
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CST FOR CENTRAL
CHEROKEE COUNTY...
AT 334 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR SAND ROCK...OR ABOUT 8 MILES
NORTHWEST OF CENTRE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.
THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
WEISS LAKE AND 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF CEDAR BLUFF BY 340 PM CST...
HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CST TUESDAY EVENING
FOR ALABAMA.
LAT...LON 3438 8563 3416 8557 3415 8582 3422 8583
3426 8583 3428 8580 3428 8577
TIME...MOT...LOC 2134Z 240DEG 43KT 3425 8575
$$
10/ARMThe 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, 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, 3:40 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, 2009Every tornado warning in 2009Tornadoes 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.