Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2019

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 76, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 18, 2019Bullock County, Montgomery County, Pike County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 18, 2019, 9:20 PM CDT for Bullock County, Montgomery County, Pike County, Alabama. It was in force for 35 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: Apr 18, 2019, 9:20 PM CDT (02:20 UTC)
Expired: Apr 18, 2019, 9:55 PM CDT
In force: 35 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 0.75 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Bullock County, AL, Montgomery County, AL, Pike County, AL

The radar

The Maxwell AFB radar (KMXX), 59 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:22 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Apr 18, 3:49 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr
Apr 18, 7:22 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 2.3 hours before the alert went out and 142 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: 12 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -54 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1464 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 73 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 290 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 389 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

330 
WUUS54 KBMX 190220
SVRBMX
ALC011-101-109-190315-
/O.NEW.KBMX.SV.W.0076.190419T0220Z-190419T0315Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
920 PM CDT THU APR 18 2019

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Pike County in southeastern Alabama...
  Western Bullock County in southeastern Alabama...
  Southeastern Montgomery County in south central Alabama...

* Until 1015 PM CDT.

* At 920 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Pintlala to near Sellers to near Rutledge,
  moving northeast at 55 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Meadville, Pine Level, Dublin, Naftel, Shopton, Ansley, Grady,
  Ramer, Lapine, High Ridge, Orion, China Grove, Currys, Mitchell and
  Simsville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground
lightning is occurring with these storms. Move indoors immediately.
Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can
hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

&&

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for south central
and southeastern Alabama.

LAT...LON 3189 8617 3196 8618 3197 8620 3196 8630
      3201 8630 3229 8593 3227 8590 3230 8590
      3229 8588 3225 8588 3223 8586 3197 8585
      3179 8615 3179 8620
TIME...MOT...LOC 0220Z 234DEG 47KT 3221 8636 3204 8634 3169 8639 

HAIL...0.75IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

40/Sizemore

1 follow-up statement

585 
WWUS54 KBMX 190255
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
955 PM CDT THU APR 18 2019

ALC011-101-109-190305-
/O.CAN.KBMX.SV.W.0076.000000T0000Z-190419T0315Z/
Pike AL-Bullock AL-Montgomery AL-
955 PM CDT THU APR 18 2019

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN PIKE...WESTERN
BULLOCK AND SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
            
The storms which prompted the warning have weakened below severe
limits, and no longer pose an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However gusty winds are
still possible with these thunderstorms.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for south central
and southeastern Alabama.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 200 AM CDT for
southeastern Alabama.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Birmingham.

LAT...LON 3189 8617 3196 8618 3197 8620 3196 8630
      3201 8630 3229 8593 3227 8590 3230 8590
      3229 8588 3225 8588 3223 8586 3197 8585
      3179 8615 3179 8620
TIME...MOT...LOC 0254Z 234DEG 47KT 3248 8593 3231 8591 3196 8596 

$$

40/Sizemore

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at Apr 18, 6:27 PM CDT, 2 hours 53 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 18, 6:27 PM CDT, 2 hours 53 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
627 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2019

.UPDATE...
For 00Z Aviation.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

As of 5 PM, a well-defined bow echo and MCV located in eastern MS
will impact our western counties very soon. Radar velocities
indicate the presence of a 70-80 kt rear-inflow jet capable of
producing widespread damaging winds and short-lived tornadoes.
This feature appears to be tracking generally along the I-59
corridor and may impact the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham areas within
the next few hours. Storms are currently ahead of schedule with
respect to short range model guidance, and slightly less
instability may be realized near the northern end of the QLCS.
However, due to strong pressure falls and upper-level dynamics,
this well-organized activity will probably be maintained even with
SBCAPE of 500 J/kg.

Farther south, storms across far southeastern MS are a little less
organized and are showing signs of slower forward movement. This
may allow much higher dewpoints to advect northward tonight
across East Alabama. The Enhanced Risk has been expanded northward
to Interstate 20 in our eastern counties to account for this
potential.

Concern is growing for areas along and south of Interstate 85 from
Montgomery to the AL/GA state line. This is where SBCAPE values
have the best chance of reaching the 1000-1400 J/kg range before
storms arrive. If this amount of instability is realized,
effective storm relative helicity values of 400-500 m2/s2 will
support a potential for strong tornadoes (EF2 intensity). 0-6 km
shear vectors are supportive of a mixed mode of supercells and
bowing line segments as the event unfolds overnight. Due to low
confidence, we will refrain from messaging the potential for
strong tornadoes in our products at this time and continue to
monitor mesoscale trends.

87/Grantham

&&

.AVIATION...
00Z TAF Discussion.

Line of storms with strong winds is now at TCL and will affect
BHM/EET before 01Z then will affect ASN/ANB before 03Z.

TSRA will remain in the forecast through 08Z with SHRA persisting
through around 10Z followed by VCSH at most terminals.

Ceilings will become MVFR with the arrival of the convection this
evening with most sites remaining IFR through 15Z Friday as the
upper low moves across the area.

Winds will remain out of the south/southwest 10-20 kt with gusts
to 30 kt at times ahead and within the convective line. Winds will
become west/northwest 10-20 kt overnight behind the line and into
the morning hours on Friday.

05

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Rain and storms will spread from west to east across Central
Alabama this evening and overnight, as a cold front moves through
the area. Storms could be strong to severe tonight, with 1.5 to 2
inches of rainfall expected across the area. Strong southerly
winds tonight will become westerly and then northwesterly
tomorrow. Speeds gradually decrease, with 20ft winds remaining at
8-12 mph through Friday afternoon. Low clouds and possibly
localized fog is possible early Friday morning, with light rain
showers or drizzle possible through the day.

Drier air will spread into the area by the weekend, with RH values
falling into the 30 percent range Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Gadsden     55  56  42  60  42 / 100  70  50  20   0
Anniston    56  58  42  61  43 / 100  70  50  20   0
Birmingham  54  55  43  63  46 / 100  70  40  10   0
Tuscaloosa  53  58  43  67  45 / 100  60  30  10   0
Calera      54  56  43  64  45 / 100  70  40  10   0
Auburn      60  61  44  61  44 / 100  60  30  20   0
Montgomery  58  60  44  66  45 / 100  60  30  10   0
Troy        60  61  44  65  43 / 100  60  30  10   0

&&

.BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/...
None.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 18, 4:44 PM CDT, 4 hours 36 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
444 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2019

ALZ011>015-017>050-200045-
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-
444 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the
National Weather Service office in Birmingham.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Tornadoes and damaging winds up to 60 mph are possible through 5 am
for all of Central Alabama. Rainfall will be 1 to 3 inches overnight
and these rain amounts may lead to localized flooding. Ahead of the
line of thunderstorms, breezy conditions are expected with wind
speeds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Minor flooding is expected to continue along the Tombigbee River
basin through at least Monday. Please refer to river warnings and
statements for specific details.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of storm spotters and emergency management will be needed
tonight.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 18, 9:04 PM CDT, 16 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
904 PM CDT THU APR 18 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0810 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 ESE ONEONTA           33.94N 86.44W
04/18/2019                   BLOUNT             AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN ALONG US HWY 231 IN ONEONTA, AL.

&&

MW

Local storm report, Apr 18, 9:05 PM CDT, 15 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
905 PM CDT THU APR 18 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0744 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 SE WINSTON FREE STATE 34.16N 87.41W
04/18/2019                   WINSTON            AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES BLOWN DOWN IN A COUPLE LOCATIONS IN
            DOUBLE SPRINGS.

&&

MAL

Local storm report, Apr 18, 9:06 PM CDT, 14 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
906 PM CDT THU APR 18 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0825 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 ENE GALLANT           34.00N 86.23W
04/18/2019                   ETOWAH             AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN ON POWERLINES ALONG GALLANT RD.

&&

MW

Local storm report, Apr 18, 9:07 PM CDT, 13 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
907 PM CDT THU APR 18 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0719 PM     TSTM WND DMG     ELDRIDGE                33.92N 87.62W
04/18/2019                   WALKER             AL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES BLOWN DOWN. ONE TREE LANDED ON A HOME
            AND PEOPLE ARE TRAPPED.

&&

MAL

Local storm report, Apr 18, 9:09 PM CDT, 11 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
909 PM CDT THU APR 18 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0807 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 E HOLLY SPRINGS       33.83N 86.46W
04/18/2019                   BLOUNT             AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN ALONG COUNTY HWY 27 IN
            SPRINGVILLE, AL.

&&

MW

Local storm report, Apr 18, 9:12 PM CDT, 8 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
912 PM CDT THU APR 18 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0711 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 W ALABASTER           33.25N 86.84W
04/18/2019                   SHELBY             AL   NWS EMPLOYEE

            TREE DOWN AND POWER OUT AT THE INTERSECTION
            OF THOMPSON RD AND 1ST AVE. IN ALABASTER,
            AL.

&&

MW

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 18, 7:16 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marion, Winston	63 min
Apr 18, 7:32 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount, St. Clair	57 min
Apr 18, 7:41 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Lamar, Marion	3 hr
Apr 18, 7:52 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Coosa, Talladega	53 min
Apr 18, 8:02 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Etowah	60 min
Apr 18, 8:09 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun	66 min
Apr 18, 8:43 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lowndes, Montgomery	62 min
Apr 18, 8:54 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter	47 hr
Apr 18, 8:58 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Marengo	47 hr
Apr 19, 12:20 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery	55 min
Apr 19, 1:15 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Bullock, Elmore, Macon, Montgomery, Tallapoosa	60 min
Apr 19, 1:23 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Pike	67 min
Apr 19, 2:33 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Bullock, Chambers, Lee, Macon, Russell	57 min
Apr 19, 3:38 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	BMX	Sumter	7 hr
Apr 19, 4:05 AM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Lee, Macon	3 hr
Apr 19, 5:37 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Russell	23 min
Apr 19, 1:57 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	BMX	Chambers, Elmore, Macon, Randolph, Tallapoosa	6 hr
Apr 19, 3:45 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	BMX	Elmore, Montgomery	3 days

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2019 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2019

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.