Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 72, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 10, 20095 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 10, 2009, 7:05 PM CDT for 5 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 55 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 10, 2009, 7:05 PM CDT (00:05 UTC)
Expired
Apr 10, 2009, 8:00 PM CDT
In force
55 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Chambers County, AL, Elmore County, AL, Lee County, AL, Macon County, AL, Tallapoosa County, AL

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 10, 7:12 PM CDTTORNADO3 Ese Martin Dam, ALEF-1 TORNADO. PATH LENGTH 10.15 AND 250 YARDS WIDE. AFFECTED RURAL SOUTHERN TALLAPOOSA COUNTY AND A SMALL AREA OF WESTERN LEE COUNTY. NUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED OFF OR UPROOTED ALONG THE PATH.
Apr 10, 7:22 PM CDTHAIL 11 S Roxana, ALQUARTER SIZE HAIL REPORTED JUST SOUTH OF ROXANA.
Apr 10, 7:22 PM CDTHAIL 2.755 Nw Martin Dam, ALBASEBALL SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN THE WINDEMERE COMMUNITY JUST NORTHEAST OF KOWALIGA BRIDGE ON ALABAMA HIGHWAY 63.
Apr 10, 7:30 PM CDTHAIL 2.7510 Sw Dadeville, ALGOLF BALL TO BASEBALL SIZE HAIL FELL NEAR MARTIN DAM. THE HAIL WAS UP TO 2 FEET DEEP IN SPOTS AND WAS STILL ON THE GROUND THE NEXT MORNING.
Apr 10, 7:30 PM CDTTORNADO4 Ne Notasulga, ALEF-1 TORNADO. DAMAGE PATH WAS 5.5 MILES LONG AND 300 YARDS WIDE. NUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED OFF OR UPROOTED ALONG THE PATH. SEVERAL STRUCTURES WERE DAMAGED IN LOACHAPOKA.
Apr 10, 7:51 PM CDTTORNADO5 Se Auburn Water Board, ALEF-1 TORNADO. DAMAGE PATH 2.25 MILES AND 100 YARDS WIDE. SEVERAL TREES WERE SNAPPED OFF OR UPROOTED ALONG THE PATH. A MOBILE HOME AND A FEW OTHER STRUCTURES WERE DAMAGED IN BEAUREGARD.

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 10, 2:39 PM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 0.1 hours before the alert went out and 147 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 00:00Z on 2009-04-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1068 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2009-04-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 348 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
1068 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-44 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1433 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
67 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
348 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
390 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.5
Supercell composite
9.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KBMX 110005
TORBMX
ALC017-051-081-087-123-110100-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0072.090411T0005Z-090411T0100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
705 PM CDT FRI APR 10 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHWESTERN CHAMBERS COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  NORTHEASTERN ELMORE COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  LEE COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...OPELIKA...AUBURN...
  SOUTHERN TALLAPOOSA COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  NORTHEASTERN MACON COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF NOTASULGA...

* UNTIL 800 PM CDT

* AT 705 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR MARTIN
  DAM...OR 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DADEVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  6 MILES SOUTH OF WAVERLY BY 730 PM CDT...
  AUBURN UNIVERSITY BY 740 PM CDT...
  AUBURN BY 745 PM CDT...
  OPELIKA BY 750 PM CDT...
  BEAUREGARD BY 755 PM CDT...
  GRIFFEN MILL BY 800 PM CDT...

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 TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR
EASTERN ALABAMA.

&&

LAT...LON 3248 8509 3247 8533 3242 8534 3241 8543
      3267 8603 3284 8597 3273 8512 3258 8504
TIME...MOT...LOC 0006Z 287DEG 36KT 3272 8588

$$

27
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 110016
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
716 PM CDT FRI APR 10 2009

ALC017-051-081-087-123-110100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-090411T0100Z/
MACON AL-LEE AL-ELMORE AL-TALLAPOOSA AL-CHAMBERS AL-
716 PM CDT FRI APR 10 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CHAMBERS...SOUTHERN TALLAPOOSA...NORTHEASTERN ELMORE...
LEE AND NORTHEASTERN MACON COUNTIES...

AT 715 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 6
MILES WEST OF ROXANA...OR 10 MILES SOUTH OF DADEVILLE...MOVING EAST
AT 40 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  ROXANA BY 725 PM CDT...
  LOACHAPOKA BY 730 PM CDT...
  AUBURN UNIVERSITY AND AUBURN BY 740 PM CDT...
  ROBERT G. PITTS AIRPORT AND CHEWACLA STATE PARK BY 745 PM CDT...
  BEAUREGARD AND OPELIKA BY 750 PM CDT...
  GRIFFEN MILL AND 6 MILES WEST OF BLEECKER BY 800 PM CDT...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR
EASTERN ALABAMA.

&&

LAT...LON 3248 8509 3247 8533 3243 8536 3241 8543
      3262 8592 3283 8587 3273 8512 3258 8504
TIME...MOT...LOC 0015Z 287DEG 36KT 3269 8577

$$

JD/02
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 110030
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
730 PM CDT FRI APR 10 2009

ALC051-110041-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-090411T0100Z/
ELMORE AL-
730 PM CDT FRI APR 10 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EXTREME NORTHEASTERN ELMORE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3248 8509 3247 8533 3244 8537 3241 8543
      3254 8573 3280 8561 3273 8512 3266 8508
      3265 8509 3263 8507 3260 8506 3258 8504
TIME...MOT...LOC 0031Z 287DEG 36KT 3264 8559

$$

ALC017-081-087-123-110100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-090411T0100Z/
MACON AL-LEE AL-TALLAPOOSA AL-CHAMBERS AL-
730 PM CDT FRI APR 10 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN CHAMBERS...SOUTHEASTERN TALLAPOOSA...LEE AND
NORTHEASTERN MACON COUNTIES...

AT 729 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR LOACHAPOKA...OR 7 MILES NORTHEAST OF NOTASULGA...MOVING EAST AT
40 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  AUBURN UNIVERSITY AND AUBURN BY 740 PM CDT...
  ROBERT G. PITTS AIRPORT...CHEWACLA STATE PARK AND 8 MILES SOUTH OF
  MOUNT JEFFERSON BY 745 PM CDT...
  BEAUREGARD AND OPELIKA BY 750 PM CDT...
  9 MILES SOUTH OF BEANS MILL BY 755 PM CDT...
  GRIFFEN MILL AND 6 MILES WEST OF BLEECKER BY 800 PM CDT...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

&&

LAT...LON 3248 8509 3247 8533 3244 8537 3241 8543
      3254 8573 3280 8561 3273 8512 3266 8508
      3265 8509 3263 8507 3260 8506 3258 8504
TIME...MOT...LOC 0031Z 287DEG 36KT 3264 8559

$$

JD/02
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 110045
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
745 PM CDT FRI APR 10 2009

ALC123-110056-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-090411T0100Z/
TALLAPOOSA AL-
745 PM CDT FRI APR 10 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN TALLAPOOSA COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3249 8508 3247 8533 3244 8537 3241 8543
      3248 8560 3278 8545 3273 8512 3266 8508
      3265 8509 3263 8507 3258 8504
TIME...MOT...LOC 0046Z 287DEG 36KT 3260 8542

$$

ALC017-081-087-110100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-090411T0100Z/
MACON AL-LEE AL-CHAMBERS AL-
745 PM CDT FRI APR 10 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL CHAMBERS...LEE AND NORTHEASTERN MACON COUNTIES...

AT 745 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR ROBERT G. PITTS AIRPORT...OR NEAR AUBURN...MOVING EAST AT 40
MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  9 MILES SOUTH OF BEANS MILL BY 755 PM CDT...
  GRIFFEN MILL AND 6 MILES WEST OF BLEECKER BY 800 PM CDT...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

&&

LAT...LON 3249 8508 3247 8533 3244 8537 3241 8543
      3248 8560 3278 8545 3273 8512 3266 8508
      3265 8509 3263 8507 3258 8504
TIME...MOT...LOC 0046Z 287DEG 36KT 3260 8542

$$

JD/02

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 10, 7:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChambers, Lee, Tallapoosa38 min
Apr 10, 7:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Dallas, Lowndes, Montgomery, Perry57 min
Apr 10, 7:41 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXLee, Macon, Russell49 min
Apr 10, 7:45 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXElmore, Lee, Macon, Tallapoosa60 min
Apr 10, 7:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Bullock, Elmore, Macon, Montgomery62 min
Apr 10, 8:24 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXLee, Russell21 min
Apr 10, 8:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Dallas, Lowndes, Montgomery64 min
Apr 10, 8:37 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXLee, Macon, Russell68 min
Apr 10, 8:47 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBullock, Macon, Montgomery58 min
Apr 10, 9:33 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBarbour, Bullock, Macon, Russell57 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.