Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2020

Tornado Warning 13, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 6, 2020Calhoun County, Etowah County, St. Clair County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 6, 2020, 2:53 AM CST for Calhoun County, Etowah County, St. Clair County, Alabama. It was in force for 39 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
Feb 6, 2020, 2:53 AM CST (08:53 UTC)
Expired
Feb 6, 2020, 3:32 AM CST
In force
39 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Calhoun County, AL, Etowah County, AL, St. Clair County, AL

The radar

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 101 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:55 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
Feb 6, 2:56 AM CSTTSTM WND DMGRagland, ALA FEW TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN AROUND RAGLAND.

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
Feb 5, 11:48 PM CSTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 128 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 2020-02-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 117 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 00:00Z on 2020-02-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 370 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
117 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-125 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
712 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
78 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
370 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
402 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
1.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

250 
WFUS54 KBMX 060853
TORBMX
ALC015-055-115-060945-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0013.200206T0853Z-200206T0945Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
253 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Calhoun County in east central Alabama...
  Etowah County in northeastern Alabama...
  Northeastern St. Clair County in central Alabama...

* Until 345 AM CST.
    
* At 252 AM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Ragland, or 10 miles northeast of Odenville,
  moving northeast at 60 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
  Gadsden, Rainbow City, Attalla, Hokes Bluff, Glencoe, Ashville,
  Ragland, Ohatchee, Steele, Reece City, Tabor Road, Ballplay,
  Gadsden Mall, Noccalula Falls, Neely Henry Lake, Southside, Alabama
  International Dragway, Gadsden Steam Plant, Cobb City and Gadsden
  Water Works.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3411 8584 3411 8583 3413 8580 3412 8579
      3410 8580 3399 8574 3397 8574 3396 8566
      3370 8615 3385 8629 3420 8596 3420 8584
TIME...MOT...LOC 0852Z 220DEG 70KT 3375 8624 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

17/KLAWS
4 follow-up statements
154 
WWUS54 KBMX 060908
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
308 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020

ALC015-055-115-060945-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-200206T0945Z/
Calhoun AL-Etowah AL-St. Clair AL-
308 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 AM CST FOR
NORTHWESTERN CALHOUN...EASTERN ETOWAH AND NORTHEASTERN ST. CLAIR
COUNTIES...
    
At 307 AM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Gadsden Mall, or over Rainbow City, moving northeast
at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Gadsden, Rainbow City, Attalla, Hokes Bluff, Glencoe, Ragland,
Ohatchee, Reece City, Tabor Road, Ballplay, Gadsden Mall, Noccalula
Falls, Neely Henry Lake, Southside, Gadsden Steam Plant, Cobb City,
Gadsden Water Works, Reaves, Big Wills Creek and Crudup.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3411 8584 3411 8583 3413 8580 3412 8579
      3410 8580 3399 8574 3397 8574 3396 8566
      3373 8610 3389 8618 3420 8596 3420 8584
TIME...MOT...LOC 0907Z 220DEG 70KT 3398 8601 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

17/KLAWS
646 
WWUS54 KBMX 060911
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
311 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020

ALC115-060920-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-200206T0945Z/
St. Clair AL-
311 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN ST. CLAIR COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 500 AM CST for central,
northeastern and east central Alabama.

LAT...LON 3411 8584 3413 8580 3412 8579 3410 8580
      3399 8574 3397 8574 3396 8566 3373 8610
      3377 8604 3381 8607 3382 8605 3384 8607
      3385 8605 3387 8607 3386 8610 3390 8611
      3390 8614 3392 8616 3420 8596 3420 8584
TIME...MOT...LOC 0910Z 220DEG 70KT 3403 8596 

$$

ALC015-055-060945-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-200206T0945Z/
Calhoun AL-Etowah AL-
311 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 AM CST FOR
NORTHWESTERN CALHOUN AND EASTERN ETOWAH COUNTIES...
    
At 310 AM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Gadsden, moving northeast at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Gadsden, Rainbow City, Attalla, Hokes Bluff, Glencoe, Ohatchee, Reece
City, Ballplay, Tabor Road, Gadsden Mall, Noccalula Falls, Neely
Henry Lake, Southside, Gadsden Steam Plant, Big Wills Creek, Crudup,
Gadsden Municipal Airport, Keener, Cobb City and Knightens
Crossroads.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3411 8584 3413 8580 3412 8579 3410 8580
      3399 8574 3397 8574 3396 8566 3373 8610
      3377 8604 3381 8607 3382 8605 3384 8607
      3385 8605 3387 8607 3386 8610 3390 8611
      3390 8614 3392 8616 3420 8596 3420 8584
TIME...MOT...LOC 0910Z 220DEG 70KT 3403 8596 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

17/KLAWS
862 
WWUS54 KBMX 060924 RRA
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
324 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020

ALC015-055-060945-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-200206T0945Z/
Calhoun AL-Etowah AL-
324 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 AM CST FOR NORTH
CENTRAL CALHOUN AND SOUTHEASTERN ETOWAH COUNTIES...
    
At 324 AM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Sand Rock, or 7 miles northwest of Centre, moving
northeast at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations impacted include...
Gadsden, Hokes Bluff, Glencoe, Ballplay, Knightens Crossroads and
Reaves.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3411 8584 3413 8580 3412 8579 3410 8580
      3399 8574 3397 8574 3396 8566 3386 8584
      3400 8598
TIME...MOT...LOC 0924Z 220DEG 70KT 3425 8574 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

17/KLAWS
902 
WWUS54 KBMX 060932
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
332 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020

ALC015-055-060942-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-200206T0945Z/
Calhoun AL-Etowah AL-
332 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL CALHOUN AND SOUTHEASTERN
ETOWAH COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
        
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 500 AM CST for northeastern
and east central Alabama.

LAT...LON 3411 8584 3413 8580 3412 8579 3410 8580
      3399 8574 3397 8574 3396 8566 3386 8584
      3400 8598
TIME...MOT...LOC 0931Z 220DEG 70KT 3438 8561 

$$

17/KLAWS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 5, 6:05 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXMarion3 hr
Feb 5, 6:10 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLamar50 min
Feb 5, 6:26 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMarion49 min
Feb 5, 6:30 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXLamar3 hr
Feb 5, 7:02 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXPickens28 min
Feb 5, 7:09 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXWalker51 min
Feb 5, 7:24 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXFayette36 min
Feb 5, 10:25 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXHale35 min
Feb 5, 10:27 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXPickens5 hr
Feb 5, 10:30 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXGreene30 min
Feb 5, 10:37 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXFayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker4 hr
Feb 5, 10:57 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXTuscaloosa33 min
Feb 5, 11:21 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXGreene, Sumter5 hr
Feb 5, 11:44 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXSumter46 min
Feb 5, 11:51 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXTuscaloosa24 min
Feb 5, 11:58 PM CSTAreal Flood WarningBMXGreene, Sumter, Tuscaloosa6 hr
Feb 6, 12:05 AM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXBlount, Etowah, St. Clair5 hr
Feb 6, 12:08 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXJefferson52 min
Feb 6, 12:14 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXGreene46 min
Feb 6, 12:27 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXHale33 min
Feb 6, 12:46 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXEtowah, St. Clair44 min
Feb 6, 12:47 AM CSTAreal Flood WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson, Walker6 hr
Feb 6, 12:47 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Hale, Perry42 min
Feb 6, 12:54 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXCalhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne96 min
Feb 6, 1:19 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXMarengo, Sumter56 min
Feb 6, 1:33 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXJefferson, Shelby57 min
Feb 6, 1:56 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Hale64 min
Feb 6, 1:57 AM CSTAreal Flood WarningBMXCherokee, Etowah, St. Clair9 hr
Feb 6, 1:59 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXShelby20 min
Feb 6, 2:23 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXJefferson, St. Clair, Shelby52 min
Feb 6, 2:35 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXBibb, Hale, Perry40 min
Feb 6, 2:50 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXDallas25 min
Feb 6, 2:58 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter47 min
Feb 6, 3:12 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Jefferson, Shelby51 min
Feb 6, 3:22 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXCherokee26 min
Feb 6, 3:31 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Perry42 min
Feb 6, 3:35 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXJefferson, St. Clair, Shelby3 hr
Feb 6, 4:06 AM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXJefferson17 hr
Feb 6, 4:12 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXShelby48 min
Feb 6, 4:41 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXClay, Cleburne, Randolph12 min
Feb 6, 5:38 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXClay, Coosa, Talladega32 min
Feb 6, 6:19 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXClay, Cleburne26 min
Feb 6, 6:32 AM CSTFlash Flood WarningBMXCalhoun, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Randolph and 3 more3 hr
Feb 6, 6:39 AM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXBibb, Jefferson, Shelby37 hr
Feb 6, 6:52 AM CSTAreal Flood WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson, Shelby6 hr
Feb 6, 7:05 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXCoosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa25 min
Feb 6, 7:31 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXTallapoosa44 min
Feb 6, 7:43 AM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Tuscaloosa44 hr
Feb 6, 7:43 AM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter, Tuscaloosa60 hr
Feb 6, 7:46 AM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker3 days
Feb 6, 7:50 AM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter19 days
Feb 6, 7:53 AM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXSumter10 days
Feb 6, 8:14 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXChambers, Randolph, Tallapoosa46 min
Feb 6, 8:32 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMontgomery43 min
Feb 6, 8:41 AM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXChambers, Clay, Coosa, Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery and 2 more3 hr
Feb 6, 8:49 AM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXBibb, Dallas, Perry48 hr
Feb 6, 9:27 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLowndes, Montgomery40 min
Feb 6, 9:28 AM CSTAreal Flood WarningBMXCalhoun, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Randolph and 4 more3 hr
Feb 6, 9:54 AM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXBullock, Lee, Macon, Montgomery, Russell3 hr
Feb 6, 9:58 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMacon47 min
Feb 6, 10:06 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBullock, Macon33 min
Feb 6, 10:27 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLee, Russell34 min
Feb 6, 1:41 PM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXChambers, Elmore, Macon, Randolph, Tallapoosa19 hr
Feb 6, 1:46 PM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXDallas, Perry10 days
Feb 6, 1:46 PM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXDallas, Perry43 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 2020Every tornado warning in 2020Tornadoes in 2020

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.