Alert archive / Alabama / Special Weather Statements in 2012

Special Weather Statement, NWS Birmingham, AL

October 14, 2012Jefferson County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this special weather statement at Oct 14, 2012, 10:29 PM CDT for Jefferson County, Alabama. It was in force for 31 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued: Oct 14, 2012, 10:29 PM CDT (03:29 UTC)
Expired: Oct 14, 2012, 11:00 PM CDT
In force: 31 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL

County Jefferson County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 56 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:30 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 3.5 hours before the alert went out and 54 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: 425 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -33 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 930 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 203 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 235 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.5
Supercell composite: 2.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

578 
WWUS84 KBMX 150329
SPSBMX

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1029 PM CDT SUN OCT 14 2012

ALZ023-024-150400-
JEFFERSON AL-TUSCALOOSA AL-
1029 PM CDT SUN OCT 14 2012

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN TUSCALOOSA AND WESTERN
JEFFERSON COUNTIES UNTIL 1100 PM CDT...

AT 1025 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAS TRACKING STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF OAK
GROVE TO 7 MILES SOUTH OF BANKHEAD LOCK AND DAM...AND MOVING EAST AT
30 MPH.

WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS...ALONG WITH
HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.

LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THESE STORMS INCLUDE...
  HUEYTOWN...
  BULL CITY...
  OAK GROVE...
  MAYTOWN...
  SYLVAN SPRINGS...

TORRENTIAL RAIN...WHICH MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND
UNDERPASSES...IS ALSO LIKELY. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON A FLOODED
ROADWAY.

&&

LAT...LON 3352 8729 3351 8727 3353 8727 3352 8725
      3354 8724 3354 8721 3355 8719 3357 8720
      3358 8720 3359 8685 3334 8702 3335 8743
TIME...MOT...LOC 0329Z 262DEG 28KT 3353 8719 3337 8735

$$

56

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this special weather statement went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Birmingham, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this special weather statement went out at Oct 14, 10:29 PM CDT, 0 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 14, 10:29 PM CDT, 0 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1029 PM CDT SUN OCT 14 2012

.UPDATE...
FOR EVENING DISCUSSION.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

AS EXPECTED THE THREAT FOR AN ISOLATED TORNADO APPEARS TO HAVE
DECREASED AS TEMPERATURES HAVE COOLED NEAR THE SURFACE LEADING
TO SLIGHTLY ELEVATED CONVECTION. THE BEST SHEAR IS ALSO SLIDING
NORTHEASTWARD AND OUT OF THE NORTHERN PART OF THE CWA. STILL
ANTICIPATING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT FOR MUCH OF THE
AREA AND HAVE UPDATED POPS ACCORDINGLY. THE FRONT WILL SLOWLY PUSH
THROUGH WITH MOST OF THE ACTIVITY EXPECTED TO END BY DAYBREAK
EXCEPT ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST COUNTIES.

87/GRANTHAM

&&

.AVIATION...
00Z TAF DISCUSSION.

THE PREVIOUS BAND OF SHOWERS HAS DISSIPATED THIS EVENING...BUT MORE
SHOWERS AND STORMS HAVE DEVELOPED ALONG AND OUT AHEAD OF THE COLD
FRONT MOVING THROUGH MISSISSIPPI. WE WILL WATCH THESE STORMS AS THEY
MOVE INTO CENTRAL ALABAMA THIS EVENING FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF
AFFECTING A FEW OF THE TERMINALS. HAVE GONE AHEAD AND ADDED IN VCTS
FOR KTCL...AS THE BEST CHANCE OF STORMS WILL BE ACROSS WESTERN AND
NORTHWESTERN PORTIONS OF THE STATE IN THE NEAR TERM. WE WILL HAVE TO
MONITOR DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT FOR POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF
VCTS FOR KBHM AND KEET AS WELL...BUT STORMS ARE ANTICIPATED TO
WEAKEN THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. FOR NOW...HAVE NOT INCLUDED ANY WEATHER
AT KANB...KMGM...AND KTOI...BUT WILL MONITOR FOR POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS.

LOW CLOUDS WILL BE THE STORY AFTER MIDNIGHT ONCE AGAIN FOLLOWING THE
FRONTAL PASSAGE. LOW-END MVFR CIGS ARE ANTICIPATED FOR ALL TERMINALS
AT THIS TIME THROUGH AT LEAST 12-14Z...THEN GRADUALLY BREAK UP
THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS ON MONDAY. WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE
NORTHWEST FOLLOWING THE FRONTAL PASSAGE DURING THE NIGHT AND WILL BE
SUSTAINED AROUND 10 KNOTS THROUGH THE AFTERNOON ON MONDAY.

56/GDG

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
GADSDEN     60  73  44  74  48 /  50  10   0   0   0
ANNISTON    61  75  44  74  49 /  40  10   0   0   0
BIRMINGHAM  61  75  48  76  52 /  50  10   0   0   0
TUSCALOOSA  60  78  48  78  50 /  50  10   0   0   0
CALERA      63  76  48  76  52 /  50  10   0   0   0
AUBURN      65  77  49  76  52 /  30  20   0   0   0
MONTGOMERY  66  80  51  78  53 /  30  10   0   0   0
TROY        65  80  46  77  51 /  30  20   0   0   0

&&

.BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.

&&

87/56

Hazardous weather outlook, Oct 14, 10:11 PM CDT, 18 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1011 PM CDT SUN OCT 14 2012

ALZ011>015-017>050-160315-
MARION-LAMAR-FAYETTE-WINSTON-WALKER-BLOUNT-ETOWAH-CALHOUN-CHEROKEE-
CLEBURNE-PICKENS-TUSCALOOSA-JEFFERSON-SHELBY-ST. CLAIR-TALLADEGA-
CLAY-RANDOLPH-SUMTER-GREENE-HALE-PERRY-BIBB-CHILTON-COOSA-TALLAPOOSA-
CHAMBERS-MARENGO-DALLAS-AUTAUGA-LOWNDES-ELMORE-MONTGOMERY-MACON-
BULLOCK-LEE-RUSSELL-PIKE-BARBOUR-
1011 PM CDT SUN OCT 14 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE COUNTIES SERVED BY THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN BIRMINGHAM.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS NOT
EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Oct 14, 8:16 PM CDT, 2 hours 13 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
816 PM CDT SUN OCT 14 2012

ALZ012-150200-
LAMAR AL-
816 PM CDT SUN OCT 14 2012

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN LAMAR COUNTY UNTIL 900
PM CDT...

AT 814 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAS TRACKING A STRONG
THUNDERSTORM NEAR SULLIGENT...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM...ALONG WITH
HEAVY RAIN.

LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE...
  CREWS...
  BEAVERTON...
  HENSON SPRINGS...

THIS STORM MAY INTENSIFY...SO BE CERTAIN TO MONITOR LOCAL RADIO AND
TV STATIONS...AS WELL AS LOCAL CABLE TV OUTLETS... FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

TORRENTIAL RAIN...WHICH MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND
UNDERPASSES...IS ALSO LIKELY. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON A FLOODED
ROADWAY.

&&

LAT...LON 3400 8822 3405 8799 3402 8799 3402 8795
      3389 8795 3389 8796 3385 8796 3385 8824
TIME...MOT...LOC 0116Z 260DEG 13KT 3391 8814

56

Special weather statement, Oct 14, 9:39 PM CDT, 50 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
939 PM CDT SUN OCT 14 2012

ALZ013-015-150315-
FAYETTE AL-WALKER AL-
939 PM CDT SUN OCT 14 2012

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN WALKER AND NORTHEASTERN
FAYETTE COUNTIES UNTIL 1015 PM CDT...

AT 937 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAS TRACKING A STRONG
THUNDERSTORM NEAR CARBON HILL...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM...ALONG WITH
HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.

LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE...
  CURRY...
  CEDRUM AREA...
  TOWNLEY...
  HOLLY GROVE...

TORRENTIAL RAIN...WHICH MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND
UNDERPASSES...IS ALSO LIKELY. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON A FLOODED
ROADWAY.

&&

LAT...LON 3389 8707 3378 8759 3391 8762 3400 8732
      3400 8722 3399 8720 3400 8719 3401 8717
TIME...MOT...LOC 0239Z 256DEG 26KT 3387 8752

56

Special weather statement, Oct 14, 10:29 PM CDT, 0 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1029 PM CDT SUN OCT 14 2012

ALZ023-024-150400-
JEFFERSON AL-TUSCALOOSA AL-
1029 PM CDT SUN OCT 14 2012

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN TUSCALOOSA AND WESTERN
JEFFERSON COUNTIES UNTIL 1100 PM CDT...

AT 1025 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAS TRACKING STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF OAK
GROVE TO 7 MILES SOUTH OF BANKHEAD LOCK AND DAM...AND MOVING EAST AT
30 MPH.

WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS...ALONG WITH
HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.

LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THESE STORMS INCLUDE...
  HUEYTOWN...
  BULL CITY...
  OAK GROVE...
  MAYTOWN...
  SYLVAN SPRINGS...

TORRENTIAL RAIN...WHICH MAY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS DITCHES AND
UNDERPASSES...IS ALSO LIKELY. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON A FLOODED
ROADWAY.

&&

LAT...LON 3352 8729 3351 8727 3353 8727 3352 8725
      3354 8724 3354 8721 3355 8719 3357 8720
      3358 8720 3359 8685 3334 8702 3335 8743
TIME...MOT...LOC 0329Z 262DEG 28KT 3353 8719 3337 8735

56

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Oct 14, 7:59 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Lamar	18 min
Oct 14, 8:16 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Lamar	44 min
Oct 14, 9:39 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Walker	36 min
Oct 14, 10:54 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Jefferson	36 min
Oct 14, 11:39 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Tuscaloosa	36 min
Oct 15, 4:10 AM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Autauga, Elmore, Montgomery	2 hr

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in Alabama, 2012 Every special weather statement in 2012

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.