Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2012

Tornado Warning 4, NWS Mobile, AL

January 26, 2012Choctaw County, Alabama

NWS Mobile, AL issued this tornado warning at Jan 26, 2012, 9:33 AM CST for Choctaw County, Alabama. It was in force for 57 min. 3 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 26, 2012, 9:33 AM CST (15:33 UTC)
Expired
Jan 26, 2012, 10:30 AM CST
In force
57 min
Issued by
NWS Mobile, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Choctaw County, AL

The radar

The Mobile radar (KMOB), 154 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:33 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
Jan 26, 9:33 AM CSTTSTM WND DMGSilas, ALPUBLIC REPORTS NUMEROUS TREES DOWN ON COUNTY ROAD 45 IN SILAS.
Jan 26, 9:43 AM CSTTSTM WND DMGGilbertown, ALPUBLIC REPORTS WINDOWS OUT AND TREE DOWN ON PARAGON RD. IN GILBERTOWN. PUBLIC ALSO REPORTS DAMAGE TO A SHED BEHIND MM HARDWARE IN GILBERTOWN.
Jan 26, 9:52 AM CSTTSTM WND DMG5 Nne Toxey, ALPUBLIC REPORTS NUMEROUS LIMBS DOWN IN LUSK, AL.

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
Jan 26, 4:18 AM CSTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 3.6 hours before the alert went out and 177 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 2012-01-26Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 274 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 12:00Z on 2012-01-26The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 126 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
274 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-8 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
478 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
58 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
126 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
127 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
1.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

293 
WFUS54 KMOB 261533
TORMOB
ALC023-261630-
/O.NEW.KMOB.TO.W.0004.120126T1533Z-120126T1630Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
933 AM CST THU JAN 26 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  CHOCTAW COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 1030 AM CST

* AT 929 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 17 MILES
  NORTHEAST OF WAYNESBORO...OR 4 MILES WEST OF SILAS...MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  TOXEY...              SILAS...              PENNINGTON...
  NEEDHAM...            LISMAN...             GILBERTOWN...
  BUTLER...

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 MANUFACTURED 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 NOON CST THURSDAY FOR
SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI.

&&

LAT...LON 3231 8793 3228 8794 3230 8795 3228 8801
      3215 8801 3214 8804 3208 8804 3205 8811
      3201 8811 3199 8807 3195 8812 3194 8811
      3170 8832 3170 8836 3176 8847 3186 8847
      3231 8825
TIME...MOT...LOC 1533Z 213DEG 35KT 3182 8836

$$
3 follow-up statements
698 
WWUS54 KMOB 261555
SVSMOB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
955 AM CST THU JAN 26 2012

ALC023-261630-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120126T1630Z/
CHOCTAW AL-
955 AM CST THU JAN 26 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1030 AM CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN CHOCTAW COUNTY...

AT 952 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR LUSK...OR 8 MILES
SOUTH OF BUTLER...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO MORGAN
CHAPEL...SLATER...MOUNT STERLING...LITTLE WALKER...CROMWELL...
MOLLIE...LAVACA...LISMAN...CHAPEL HILL...JACHIN...ROBJOHN...CHOCTAW
CITY...DEAS...PENNINGTON...TOMPKINSVILLE...INDIAN SPRINGS...
NAHEOLA...PELHAM...EDNA AND OAKCHIA

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 NOON CST THURSDAY FOR
SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI.
A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM CST THURSDAY
AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA.

&&

LAT...LON 3231 8793 3228 8794 3230 8795 3230 8798
      3228 8801 3215 8801 3214 8804 3208 8804
      3205 8811 3201 8811 3199 8807 3194 8812
      3191 8817 3192 8824 3196 8832 3202 8836
      3231 8825
TIME...MOT...LOC 1555Z 213DEG 35KT 3200 8822

$$
377 
WWUS54 KMOB 261619
SVSMOB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1019 AM CST THU JAN 26 2012

ALC023-261630-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120126T1630Z/
CHOCTAW AL-
1019 AM CST THU JAN 26 2012

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1030 AM CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN CHOCTAW COUNTY...

AT 1015 AM CST...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR CHOCTAW CITY...OR 11 MILES NORTHEAST OF BUTLER...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO EDNA
AND OAKCHIA

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 NOON CST THURSDAY FOR
SOUTHWEST ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500
PM CST THURSDAY AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST
FLORIDA.

&&

LAT...LON 3231 8793 3228 8794 3230 8795 3230 8798
      3228 8801 3215 8802 3213 8806 3214 8811
      3213 8809 3212 8811 3213 8811 3213 8809
      3217 8817 3222 8818 3230 8818
TIME...MOT...LOC 1619Z 213DEG 35KT 3224 8806

$$
549 
WWUS54 KMOB 261624 CCA
SVSMOB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT...CORRECTED...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1024 AM CST THU JAN 26 2012

ALC023-261633-
/O.EXP.KMOB.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120126T1630Z/
CHOCTAW AL-
1024 AM CST THU JAN 26 2012

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CHOCTAW COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT
1030 AM CST...

NO TORNADO HAS REPORTED. 

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST THURSDAY FOR
SOUTHWEST ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500
PM CST THURSDAY AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST
FLORIDA.

LAT...LON 3231 8793 3228 8794 3230 8795 3230 8798
      3228 8801 3215 8802 3213 8806 3214 8811
      3213 8809 3212 8811 3213 8811 3213 8809
      3217 8817 3222 8818 3230 8818
TIME...MOT...LOC 1623Z 213DEG 35KT 3227 8803

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 26, 8:56 AM CSTTornado WarningMOBChoctaw, Washington49 min
Jan 26, 9:15 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBWashington38 min
Jan 26, 9:20 AM CSTTornado WarningMOBWashington40 min
Jan 26, 9:41 AM CSTSpecial Marine WarningMOB2 hr
Jan 26, 9:49 AM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryMOBBaldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and 2 more116 min
Jan 26, 9:50 AM CSTSmall Craft AdvisoryMOB23 hr
Jan 26, 11:03 AM CSTSpecial Marine WarningMOB117 min
Jan 26, 11:11 AM CSTTornado WarningMOBBaldwin, Mobile21 min
Jan 26, 11:57 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBMonroe, Wilcox27 min
Jan 26, 12:05 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryMOBBaldwin, Butler, Clarke, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw and 3 more4 hr
Jan 26, 12:49 PM CSTSpecial Marine WarningMOB56 min
Jan 26, 1:36 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBCovington39 min
Jan 26, 1:38 PM CSTRiver Flood WarningMOBChoctaw, Clarke, Washington6 days
Jan 26, 1:38 PM CSTRiver Flood WarningMOBChoctaw, Clarke, Washington6 days
Jan 26, 1:44 PM CSTSpecial Marine WarningMOB46 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 2012Every tornado warning in 2012Tornadoes 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.