Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2020

Tornado Warning 19, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 31, 2020Pike County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 31, 2020, 10:32 AM CDT for Pike County, Alabama. It was in force for 23 min. 7 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: Mar 31, 2020, 10:32 AM CDT (15:32 UTC)
Expired: Mar 31, 2020, 10:55 AM CDT
In force: 23 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 0.75 in

County Pike County, AL

The radar

The Maxwell AFB radar (KMXX), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:32 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Mar 31, 10:33 AM CDT	TORNADO	4 Wsw Orion, AL	NWS METEOROLOGISTS ASSESSED DAMAGE IN NORTHWEST PIKE COUNTY, SOUTHWEST OF THE TOWN OF ORION, AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN EF0 TORNADO, WITH ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS NEAR 70 MPH. DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO A FEW SNAPPED AND UPROOTED PINE TREES ALONG ITS BRIEF
Mar 31, 10:34 AM CDT	TORNADO	1 Wsw Troy Muni Airport, AL	NWS METEOROLOGISTS ASSESSED DAMAGE NEAR THE TROY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN EF0 TORNADO, WITH ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS NEAR 80 MPH. THE TORNADO FORMED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF LAKE ROAD AND OAK GROVE ROAD JUST SOUTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT
Mar 31, 10:36 AM CDT	TORNADO	1 Ne Troy Muni Airport, AL	CORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM 1 NE TROY MUNI AIRPORT. RADAR CONFIRMED TORNADO COLLOCATED WITH PICTURE OF TORNADO NEAR TROY AIRPORT. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AND TREES UPROOTED ON CTY RD 1177N.
Mar 31, 10:36 AM CDT	TORNADO	1 Ne Troy Muni Airport, AL	RADAR CONFIRMED TORNADO COLLOCATED WITH PICTURE OF TORNADO NEAR TROY AIRPORT.
Mar 31, 10:37 AM CDT	TSTM WND GST 47	Troy Muni Airport, AL	PEAK GUST 41 KTS.
Mar 31, 10:51 AM CDT	TORNADO	Sandfield, AL	NWS METEOROLOGISTS ASSESSED DAMAGE NEAR THE TOWN OF SANDFIELD AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN EF0 TORNADO, WITH ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS NEAR 75 MPH. THE TORNADO FORMED IN A WOODED RURAL AREA SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 223 AND THE SANDFIELD COMMUNITY. SEVERAL TREES W
Mar 31, 10:52 AM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Sandfield, AL	TREE DOWN IN THE SANDFIELD AREA. POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE. THIS WAS NEAR A BRIEF TDS.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 5 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 1 minutes after it went out.

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
Mar 31, 8:51 AM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 3.5 hours before the alert went out and 160 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: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL: 1788 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 69 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 734 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 929 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

292 
WFUS54 KBMX 311532
TORBMX
ALC109-311615-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0019.200331T1532Z-200331T1615Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1032 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2020

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Pike County in southeastern Alabama...

* Until 1115 AM CDT.
    
* At 1032 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
  tornado was located over Troy Municipal Airport, or near Troy,
  moving east at 55 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...
  Troy, Linwood, Ansley, Troy Municipal Airport, Sandfield, Orion and
  Josie.

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 3196 8616 3197 8611 3197 8600 3198 8600
      3200 8589 3197 8588 3197 8579 3188 8579
      3188 8566 3186 8568 3179 8609
TIME...MOT...LOC 1532Z 256DEG 46KT 3186 8604 

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

$$

25/Owen

2 follow-up statements

827 
WWUS54 KBMX 311540
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1040 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2020

ALC109-311615-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0019.000000T0000Z-200331T1615Z/
Pike AL-
1040 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 AM CDT FOR CENTRAL
PIKE COUNTY...
        
At 1039 AM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Troy Municipal
Airport, or near Troy, moving east at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

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...
Troy, Linwood, Orion, Sandfield and Josie. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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 3191 8603 3195 8604 3197 8600 3198 8600
      3200 8589 3197 8588 3197 8579 3188 8579
      3188 8566 3186 8568 3182 8598
TIME...MOT...LOC 1539Z 256DEG 46KT 3188 8594 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

25/Owen

020 
WWUS54 KBMX 311555
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1055 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2020

ALC109-311605-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0019.000000T0000Z-200331T1615Z/
Pike AL-
1055 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2020

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL PIKE COUNTY 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 300 PM CDT for south central
and southeastern Alabama.

LAT...LON 3191 8603 3195 8604 3197 8600 3198 8600
      3200 8589 3197 8588 3197 8579 3188 8579
      3188 8566 3186 8568 3182 8598
TIME...MOT...LOC 1553Z 256DEG 46KT 3193 8570 

$$

25/Owen

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Mar 31, 9:37 AM CDT, 55 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 31, 9:37 AM CDT, 55 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
937 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2020

.UPDATE...
MESOSCALE UPDATE.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
/Updated at 0923 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2020/

QLCS currently extends from Randolph County southwestward to
Lowndes County to southeast Mississippi. This is associated with a
potent low-amplitude shortwave trough and associated speed max
moving through. A 1006mb surface low is centered northwest of
Montgomery with a warm front extending southeastward to near
Eufaula, and a cold front extending southwestward behind the QLCS.
A northern line segment moving through our east-central counties
is elevated but damaging wind gusts have still been able to reach
the surface. Note that there is no tornado threat that far north
as it is north of the front, but was included in a tornado watch
to avoid having two different watches out. Further south, activity
is weaker until you reach a bowing segment/commahead structure
approaching southern Lowndes County. This will be the main feature
of interest as it moves eastward across our southeast counties.
Instability is surging ahead of this feature as the warm front
lifts northward, with 6-7F dewpoint increases at Montgomery and
Troy in the past hour. This suggests that SBCAPE is likely higher
ahead of the line than indicated by SPC mesoanalysis. 45-50kts of
0-3km shear oriented perpendicular to the line and 0-1km SRH of
300-400 m2/s2 will support threats of both damaging winds and
embedded tornadoes as the QLCS moves eastward across our southeast
counties though midday. Also will need to watch the potential for
low confidence semi-discrete supercell ahead of the line as cells
are developing west of Dothan.

32/Davis

Previous short-term discussion:
/Updated at 0339 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2020/

Through Wednesday night.

A strong short-wave trough will progress from the lower MS Valley
this morning through the Southeast and then slide off the Atlantic
Coast by late evening. Latest guidance suggest that severe weather
is still probable across the southern portions of the forecast area.
Looking at specific numbers, look for the system to be capable of
~500-1,200 J/kg MLCAPE and 50-60 kts eff. bulk shear. However, the
system still remains a touch separated with the best shear and best
instability. Through the morning hours, the wind shear near the
boundary lifts quickly eastward ahead of more favorable warm sector
instability. Despite this notion, many forecast soundings do suggest
enough (300 to 400 m2/s2) 0-1 km SRH to foster tornadoes in the
event a stronger updraft can establish in proximity to the shear
maxima near the front. All things considered, tornadoes, damaging
winds, and 1 inch hail all appear likely if ingredients come
together at the right time. Highest forecast confidence in severe
weather resides in the southeast portions of Central Alabama, this
morning into the early afternoon. Nonetheless, the severe forecast
remains on track and no major changes were made over previously
advertised.

Once the system moves out this afternoon, CAA will blast the region
and temperatures will fall into the 40s areawide with even a few
upper 30s in the far northern counties. Last time we were in the 40s
across the region was back on March 8th, so it will feel as quite
shock to the body if you get out and about early Wednesday morning.
Temperatures will warm up into the 60s pretty much area-wide with
a few near 70 degrees in the far south. With generally clear
skies, lows will drop into the 40s again Wednesday night into
Thursday morning.

16

.LONG TERM...
/Updated at 0339 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2020/

Thursday through Monday.

On Thursday, a combination of mid-level ridging across the Southeast
and mean 1000-500mb RH's ~35 percent will continue to favor
stable conditions with afternoon highs in the 70s and periodic
sunshine. Upstream of the ridge, a weak 700mb shortwave will
propagate across the area on Friday. Negative omegas over Central
AL suggest there may be enough lift to produce a few light
showers, but a pocket of dry low-level air may prevent much of it
from reaching the ground, so I kept PoPs around 15 percent across
our west. Meanwhile, an upper-level jet will rotate through the
Northern Rockies and produce an elongated area of surface low
pressure across the Midwest with a weak trailing cold front
extending southward into eastern Texas. A widespread area of high
pressure will develop over the northern Plains and force the front
towards the Lower Mississippi Valley while the surface low
flattens across Ontario and Manitoba. The surface boundary will
provide weak support for isolated showers and partly cloudy skies
throughout the weekend. However, the overall coverage will be
limited by weak forcing due to a lack of upper-level support and a
building ridge across the Deep South. Guidance indicates the
aforementioned ridge will once again develop over the Gulf of
Mexico. Our temperatures will largely be influenced by the
aforementioned ridge and associated height rises. Expect to see
highs in the upper 70s to near 80F as we start the new week.
Towards the end of this period, a shortwave embedded in the ridge
will rotate across the area and may provide better chances for
additional rainfall given the return of moist southerly flow.
Trended PoPs upward, but kept chances around 50% since there are
still some timing difference between models.

86

&&

.AVIATION...
12Z TAF Discussion.

Conditions will continue to deteriorate this morning. Rain has
begun to overspread TCL and will be moving in BHM, EET, ANB, ASN
over the next few hours. Looks like the more convective activity
will be across the south (MGM and TOI) late morning into the
afternoon. Look for VFR through the 13 to 14z, then a lowering to
generally MVFR with IFR with the heavier bands of rain. Winds will
be gusty at times as well through 00 to 03z from the north.

16

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Rain will become widespread this morning as a low pressure system
moves into the area with some thunderstorms across the south. By
midweek, high pressure will produce cooler and drier conditions
across Central Alabama with afternoon RH's ranging from 35 to 45
percent and northerly winds around 5 to 10 mph.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Gadsden     61  38  63  40  70 / 100  10   0   0   0
Anniston    64  41  64  41  72 / 100  20   0   0   0
Birmingham  64  42  66  44  72 / 100  10   0   0   0
Tuscaloosa  67  43  68  44  74 /  70   0   0   0   0
Calera      67  42  66  43  72 / 100  10   0   0   0
Auburn      72  43  66  43  72 / 100  20   0   0   0
Montgomery  76  45  70  45  75 / 100  10   0   0   0
Troy        79  46  70  44  75 / 100  10   0   0   0

&&

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

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 31, 7:51 AM CDT, 2 hours 41 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
751 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2020

ALZ011>015-017>050-011600-
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-
751 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2020

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

.DAY ONE...Outlook Through Tonight.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible today across the
southern half of Central Alabama. The main threat area will be
generally along and south of a line from Linden to Alexander City.
The threats will be damaging winds up to 60 mph, quarter size hail,
and a tornado. The threats will have entered the west and will end
by 1 pm in the east.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of storm spotters and emergency management may be needed
today. Please follow all local, state, and CDC guidelines in regards
to travel.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 31, 9:39 AM CDT, 53 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
939 AM CDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

0912 AM     TSTM WND DMG     3 N MELLOW VALLEY       33.23N 85.75W
03/31/2020                   CLAY               AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            NUMEROUS TREES DOWN ACROSS SOUTHEASTERN CLAY
            COUNTY, INCLUDING AROUND ASHLAND AND
            LINEVILLE.

&&

AS

Local storm report, Mar 31, 9:54 AM CDT, 38 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
954 AM CDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

0932 AM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NNW TENNANT           33.29N 85.47W
03/31/2020                   RANDOLPH           AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN NEAR AND SOUTH OF
            WEDOWEE. AT LEAST ONE TREE HAS FALLEN ON A
            BUILDING CAUSING STRUCTURAL DAMAGE.

&&

AS

Local storm report, Mar 31, 9:55 AM CDT, 37 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
955 AM CDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

0934 AM     TSTM WND DMG     WOODLAND                33.37N 85.40W
03/31/2020                   RANDOLPH           AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN IN AND AROUND WOODLAND.

&&

AS

Local storm report, Mar 31, 10:07 AM CDT, 25 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1007 AM CDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

0944 AM     TSTM WND DMG     ROANOKE                 33.15N 85.38W
03/31/2020                   RANDOLPH           AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN IN AND AROUND
            ROANOKE.

&&

AS

Local storm report, Mar 31, 10:10 AM CDT, 22 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1010 AM CDT TUE MAR 31 2020

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

0934 AM     TSTM WND DMG     WOODLAND                33.37N 85.40W
03/31/2020                   RANDOLPH           AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM
            WOODLAND. TREES DOWN IN AND AROUND WOODLAND.
            A BARN WAS ALSO DESTROYED.

&&

AS

Special weather statement, Mar 31, 10:22 AM CDT, 10 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1022 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2020

ALZ044-046-049-311545-
Pike AL-Montgomery AL-Bullock AL-
1022 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN PIKE...SOUTHWESTERN
BULLOCK AND SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTIES UNTIL 1045 AM CDT...

At 1022 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Meadville, moving east at 40 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Meadville, Pine Level, Shopton, Grady, Dublin, Ramer, Beans
Crossroads, China Grove, Currys and High Ridge.

LAT...LON 3197 8620 3211 8627 3224 8595 3198 8578
      3196 8619
TIME...MOT...LOC 1522Z 255DEG 33KT 3206 8613

25/Owen

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Mar 31, 7:36 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Bibb, Jefferson	24 min
Mar 31, 7:47 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Marengo	43 min
Mar 31, 7:59 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Bibb, Jefferson, Shelby	31 min
Mar 31, 8:05 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby	40 min
Mar 31, 8:13 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marengo	32 min
Mar 31, 8:18 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Chilton, Coosa, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega	42 min
Mar 31, 8:38 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Clay, Coosa, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega, Tallapoosa	52 min
Mar 31, 9:06 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Chambers, Randolph, Tallapoosa	54 min
Mar 31, 9:22 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lowndes	38 min
Mar 31, 10:03 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bullock, Pike	57 min
Mar 31, 10:22 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Montgomery	23 min
Mar 31, 10:47 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Barbour, Bullock	43 min
Mar 31, 10:50 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Barbour	40 min
Mar 31, 11:27 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Barbour	33 min
Mar 31, 11:33 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Barbour	17 min
Mar 31, 11:50 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Russell	25 min

Nearby

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