Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 87, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 19, 2009Shelby County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 19, 2009, 7:00 PM CDT for Shelby County, Alabama. It was in force for 60 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
Apr 19, 2009, 7:00 PM CDT (00:00 UTC)
Expired
Apr 19, 2009, 8:00 PM CDT
In force
60 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Shelby County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 25 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:02 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, 7:02 PM CDTTORNADO 0S Alabaster, ALNUMEROUS TREES WERE SNAPPED OFF AND UPROOTED NEAR PUBLIX GROCERY AND COUNTY ROAD 11.
Apr 19, 7:02 PM CDTTORNADOAlabaster, ALREPORTED ON THE GROUND NEAR THE SHOPPING CENTER AT EXIT NUMBER 238 OFF INTERSTATE 65.

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 00:00Z, 0.0 hours before the alert went out and 26 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 2009-04-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 225 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2009-04-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 466 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
225 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
490 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
466 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
529 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.6
Supercell composite
2.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KBMX 200000
TORBMX
ALC117-200100-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0087.090420T0000Z-090420T0100Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SHELBY COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...WILSONVILLE...PELHAM...HELENA...
  CHELSEA...ALABASTER...

* UNTIL 800 PM CDT

* AT 659 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD
  NEAR ALABASTER...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  PELHAM BY 715 PM CDT...
  VERIZON MUSIC CENTER AT OAK MOUNTAIN BY 720 PM CDT...
  OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK BY 730 PM CDT...
  CHELSEA BY 740 PM CDT...
  HIGHLAND LAKES BY 745 PM CDT...
  WESTOVER 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 SUNDAY EVENING FOR
ALABAMA.

&&

LAT...LON 3328 8640 3328 8644 3326 8643 3325 8644
      3324 8646 3323 8646 3316 8686 3327 8690
      3349 8647
TIME...MOT...LOC 0001Z 244DEG 16KT 3323 8683

$$

12/SIRMON
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 200005
SVSBMX

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

ALC117-200100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0087.000000T0000Z-090420T0100Z/
SHELBY AL-
705 PM CDT SUN APR 19 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
SHELBY COUNTY...

AT 704 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD. 
THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR ALABASTER...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  PELHAM AND CAMP BRANCH BY 710 PM CDT...
  OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK BY 730 PM CDT...
  CHELSEA BY 740 PM CDT...
  HIGHLAND LAKES BY 745 PM CDT...
  WESTOVER...9 MILES NORTHWEST OF WILSONVILLE AND 9 MILES NORTHWEST
  OF GASTON STEAM PLANT BY 755 PM CDT...
  6 MILES WEST OF HARPERSVILLE AND 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF STERRETT BY
  800 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 3349 8647 3329 8641 3328 8644 3326 8643
      3325 8644 3325 8645 3323 8647 3320 8683
      3327 8688
TIME...MOT...LOC 0005Z 243DEG 17KT 3325 8680

$$
12/SIRMON
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 200017
SVSBMX

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

ALC117-200100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0087.000000T0000Z-090420T0100Z/
SHELBY AL-
717 PM CDT SUN APR 19 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
SHELBY COUNTY...

AT 717 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD. 
THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR CHELSEA...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  CHELSEA AND 6 MILES SOUTH OF HIGHLAND LAKES BY 725 PM CDT...
  WESTOVER...7 MILES NORTH OF WILSONVILLE AND 7 MILES NORTH OF GASTON
  STEAM PLANT BY 740 PM CDT...
  7 MILES SOUTH OF STERRETT BY 750 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 3349 8647 3331 8643 3328 8643 3328 8644
      3326 8643 3325 8644 3325 8646 3323 8647
      3322 8669 3335 8674
TIME...MOT...LOC 0017Z 249DEG 23KT 3328 8668

$$
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 200035
SVSBMX

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

ALC117-200100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0087.000000T0000Z-090420T0100Z/
SHELBY AL-
735 PM CDT SUN APR 19 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL SHELBY COUNTY...

AT 734 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD. 
THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR WESTOVER...OR NEAR CHELSEA...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  STERRETT BY 750 PM CDT...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3326 8656 3339 8660 3349 8647 3331 8643
      3328 8643 3328 8644 3326 8643 3325 8644
      3325 8646 3323 8647
TIME...MOT...LOC 0035Z 245DEG 25KT 3334 8654

$$

03

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 19, 7:05 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXSt. Clair, Shelby, Talladega55 min
Apr 19, 7:28 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Hale47 min
Apr 19, 7:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXClay, Cleburne, Randolph42 min
Apr 19, 7:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker52 min
Apr 19, 7:44 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXAutauga, Chilton, Coosa, Elmore46 min
Apr 19, 7:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph, Talladega43 min
Apr 19, 7:47 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXJefferson, Walker17 min
Apr 19, 7:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Etowah, Jefferson, Walker38 min
Apr 19, 8:10 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBibb, Hale, Perry65 min
Apr 19, 8:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Cleburne, Talladega47 min
Apr 19, 8:21 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCoosa, Tallapoosa37 min
Apr 19, 8:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Cherokee, Etowah, Jefferson, St. Clair, Tuscaloosa and 1 more52 min
Apr 19, 8:48 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBullock, Macon42 min
Apr 19, 9:01 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBlount, Calhoun, Etowah, St. Clair29 min
Apr 19, 9:12 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXAutauga, Bibb, Chilton, Dallas, Perry48 min
Apr 19, 9:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCherokee32 min
Apr 19, 9:21 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXLee, Macon, Russell54 min
Apr 19, 9:28 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCalhoun, Cherokee, Etowah, St. Clair47 min
Apr 19, 9:51 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCalhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph, Talladega54 min
Apr 19, 9:51 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXLee, Russell54 min
Apr 19, 10:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah39 min
Apr 19, 10:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Chilton, Coosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa44 min
Apr 19, 11:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXElmore, Tallapoosa47 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.