Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 86, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 19, 20094 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 19, 2009, 6:52 PM CDT for 4 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 53 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
Apr 19, 2009, 6:52 PM CDT (23:52 UTC)
Expired
Apr 19, 2009, 7:45 PM CDT
In force
53 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Bibb County, AL, Chilton County, AL, Dallas County, AL, Perry County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 33 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:53 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 19, 7:18 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG1 S Maplesville, ALFEW TREES UPROOTED ALONG THE HWY 22 TRUCK ROUTE.

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 19, 2:19 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 34 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 12:00Z on 2009-04-19Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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 12:00Z on 2009-04-19The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 109 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2056 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
109 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
136 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KBMX 192352
TORBMX
ALC007-021-047-105-200045-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0086.090419T2352Z-090420T0045Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
652 PM CDT SUN APR 19 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN BIBB COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  CHILTON COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...JEMISON...CLANTON...
  NORTHEASTERN PERRY COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  EXTREME NORTH CENTRAL DALLAS COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 745 PM CDT

* AT 650 PM CDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO 11 MILES
  WEST OF PARNELL...OR 14 MILES NORTHEAST OF MARION...MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  LAWLEY BY 710 PM CDT...
  MAPLESVILLE BY 715 PM CDT...
  CHILTON COUNTY MOTOR SPORTS PARK BY 720 PM CDT...
  THORSBY...CLANTON AND 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF JEMISON BY 735 PM CDT...
  GAP OF THE MOUNTAIN AND UNION GROVE BY 740 PM CDT...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST
DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

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 SUNDAY EVENING FOR
ALABAMA.

&&

LAT...LON 3274 8723 3277 8723 3306 8661 3303 8656
      3303 8652 3302 8653 3298 8651 3294 8652
      3288 8649 3286 8645 3283 8646 3278 8641
      3263 8718
TIME...MOT...LOC 2351Z 244DEG 31KT 3273 8709

$$

12/SIRMON
4 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 200006
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
706 PM CDT SUN APR 19 2009

ALC007-021-047-105-200045-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0086.000000T0000Z-090420T0045Z/
DALLAS AL-PERRY AL-CHILTON AL-BIBB AL-
706 PM CDT SUN APR 19 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN BIBB...CHILTON...NORTHEASTERN PERRY AND EXTREME NORTH
CENTRAL DALLAS COUNTIES...

AT 704 PM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS STILL DETECTING A TORNADO WITH 
THIS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR 
PARNELL...OR 14 MILES NORTH OF VALLEY GRANDE...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  STANTON AND PARNELL BY 715 PM CDT...
  MAPLESVILLE BY 720 PM CDT...
  ISABELLA BY 735 PM CDT...
  POOLES CROSSROADS BY 740 PM CDT...
  6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CLANTON BY 745 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.

&&

LAT...LON 3266 8704 3279 8709 3306 8661 3303 8656
      3303 8652 3302 8653 3298 8651 3294 8652
      3288 8649 3286 8646 3283 8646 3278 8641
TIME...MOT...LOC 0005Z 261DEG 23KT 3273 8698

$$
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 200014
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
714 PM CDT SUN APR 19 2009

ALC021-200045-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0086.000000T0000Z-090420T0045Z/
CHILTON AL-
714 PM CDT SUN APR 19 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR CHILTON
COUNTY...

AT 713 PM CDT...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR STANTON...OR 16 MILES NORTH OF VALLEY GRANDE...MOVING EAST AT 25
MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  MAPLESVILLE BY 720 PM CDT...
  ISABELLA BY 730 PM CDT...
  POOLES CROSSROADS BY 740 PM CDT...
  CLANTON...8 MILES SOUTH OF LOMAX AND 8 MILES WEST OF COOPER BY 745
  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 SUNDAY EVENING FOR
ALABAMA.

&&

LAT...LON 3278 8702 3299 8656 3296 8652 3294 8652
      3287 8648 3278 8644 3267 8698
TIME...MOT...LOC 0014Z 261DEG 23KT 3274 8691

$$

12/SIRMON
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 200030
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
730 PM CDT SUN APR 19 2009

ALC021-200045-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0086.000000T0000Z-090420T0045Z/
CHILTON AL-
730 PM CDT SUN APR 19 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR EASTERN
CHILTON COUNTY...

AT 730 PM CDT...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR POOLES CROSSROADS...OR 11 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CLANTON...MOVING
EAST AT 25 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  POOLES CROSSROADS BY 740 PM CDT...
  CLANTON...7 MILES SOUTH OF LOMAX AND 8 MILES WEST OF COOPER BY 745
  PM CDT...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST
DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

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 SUNDAY EVENING FOR
ALABAMA.

&&

LAT...LON 3280 8685 3299 8656 3296 8652 3294 8652
      3279 8644 3277 8649 3271 8678
TIME...MOT...LOC 0031Z 261DEG 23KT 3276 8679

$$

12/SIRMON
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 200041
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
741 PM CDT SUN APR 19 2009

ALC021-200045-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0086.000000T0000Z-090420T0045Z/
CHILTON AL-
741 PM CDT SUN APR 19 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR EASTERN
CHILTON COUNTY...

AT 741 PM CDT...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR POOLES CROSSROADS...OR 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CLANTON...MOVING
EAST AT 25 MPH.

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 SUNDAY EVENING FOR
ALABAMA.

&&

LAT...LON 3284 8678 3299 8656 3296 8652 3294 8652
      3279 8645 3277 8649 3272 8674
TIME...MOT...LOC 0041Z 249DEG 21KT 3276 8670

$$

03

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 19, 4:36 AM CDTLake Wind AdvisoryBMXAutauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more13 hr
Apr 19, 2:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Lamar38 min
Apr 19, 2:41 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXFayette26 min
Apr 19, 3:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Pickens, Tuscaloosa39 min
Apr 19, 3:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa39 min
Apr 19, 4:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Jefferson, Shelby, Tuscaloosa28 min
Apr 19, 4:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Sumter46 min
Apr 19, 4:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar, Marion60 min
Apr 19, 4:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa38 min
Apr 19, 5:04 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBibb, Jefferson, Shelby, Tuscaloosa24 min
Apr 19, 5:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston63 min
Apr 19, 5:39 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Perry51 min
Apr 19, 6:12 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBibb, Perry63 min
Apr 19, 6:17 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXShelby43 min
Apr 19, 6:24 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBibb, Shelby, Talladega51 min
Apr 19, 6:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXWinston26 min
Apr 19, 6:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston48 min
Apr 19, 6:56 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXShelby3 hr
Apr 19, 6:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLowndes, Montgomery48 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.