Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2020

Tornado Warning 2, NWS Birmingham, AL

January 11, 2020Pickens County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Jan 11, 2020, 11:01 AM CST for Pickens County, Alabama. It was in force for 42 min. 5 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 11, 2020, 11:01 AM CST (17:01 UTC)
Expired
Jan 11, 2020, 11:43 AM CST
In force
42 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

County Pickens County, AL

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:01 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 11, 11:10 AM CSTTORNADO3 Wnw Carrollton, AL*** 3 FATAL, 7 INJ *** 22 HOMES SUFFERED VARYING DEGREES OF DAMAGE NEAR SETTLEMENT RD. MANY TREES WERE DOWNED. 3 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES IN AT LEAST 2 DIFFERENT HOMES. 7 RELATED INJURIES ALSO OCCURRED ON SETTLEMENT RD.
Jan 11, 11:18 AM CSTTORNADO3 Wnw Carrollton, AL*** 1 INJ *** HOUSE DAMAGED ON SETTLEMENT ROAD.
Jan 11, 11:18 AM CSTTORNADO3 Wnw Carrollton, AL*** 3 FATAL *** CORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM 3 WNW CARROLLTON. *** 3 FATALITIES REPORTED *** HOUSE DAMAGED ON SETTLEMENT ROAD. TDS SIGNATURE.
Jan 11, 11:18 AM CSTTORNADO3 Wnw Carrollton, AL*** 3 FATAL *** SEVERAL HOMES WERE DESTROYED NEAR SETTLEMENT. MANY TREES WERE DOWNED. 3 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES IN AT LEAST 2 DIFFERENT HOMES.
Jan 11, 11:18 AM CSTTORNADO3 Wnw Carrollton, ALCORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM 3 WNW CARROLLTON. HOUSE DAMAGED ON SETTLEMENT ROAD. 3 REPORTED FATALITIES. TDS SIGNATURE.

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 11, 7:57 AM CSTTornado WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 5.0 hours before the alert went out and 125 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 2020-01-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 53 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 2020-01-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 364 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
53 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-32 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
729 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
55 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
364 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
587 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

854 
WFUS54 KBMX 111701
TORBMX
ALC107-111800-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0002.200111T1701Z-200111T1800Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1101 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Pickens County in west central Alabama...

* Until noon CST.
    
* At 1101 AM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
  tornado was located 7 miles southwest of McMullen, or 7 miles west
  of Aliceville, moving northeast at 50 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...
  Aliceville, Gordo, Reform, Carrollton, Pickensville, Ethelsville,
  McMullen, Garden, Ashcraft Corner, Johnston Lake, Bevill Lock And
  Dam, Gainesville Lake Campground, Dillburg, North Pickens Airport,
  McShan, Shaw, George Downer Airport, Owens, Kirk and Cochrane.

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 3337 8829 3353 8807 3353 8787 3350 8784
      3322 8784 3299 8824 3299 8829 3303 8834
TIME...MOT...LOC 1701Z 225DEG 44KT 3309 8828 

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

$$

87/GRANTHAM
6 follow-up statements
158 
WWUS54 KBMX 111711
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1111 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020

ALC107-111800-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200111T1800Z/
Pickens AL-
1111 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST FOR PICKENS
COUNTY...
    
At 1111 AM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Carrollton, moving northeast 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...
Aliceville, Gordo, Reform, Carrollton, Pickensville, McMullen,
Garden, Ashcraft Corner, Bevill Lock And Dam, Dillburg, North Pickens
Airport, McShan, Shaw, Owens and Lubbub.

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 3310 8814 3316 8832 3331 8830 3353 8807
      3353 8787 3350 8784 3333 8784
TIME...MOT...LOC 1711Z 220DEG 48KT 3324 8816 

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

$$

87/GRANTHAM
137 
WWUS54 KBMX 111716
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1116 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020

ALC107-111800-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200111T1800Z/
Pickens AL-
1116 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST FOR NORTHERN
PICKENS COUNTY...
        
At 1116 AM CST, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located over Carrollton, moving northeast at 65 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Gordo, Reform, Carrollton, Ashcraft Corner, Owens, Dillburg, North
Pickens Airport, McShan and Lubbub.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, 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 3317 8809 3330 8830 3331 8830 3353 8806
      3353 8787 3350 8784 3335 8784
TIME...MOT...LOC 1716Z 216DEG 55KT 3330 8811 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

87/GRANTHAM
266 
WWUS54 KBMX 111721
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1121 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020

ALC107-111800-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200111T1800Z/
Pickens AL-
1121 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST FOR NORTHERN
PICKENS COUNTY...
        
At 1121 AM CST, a confirmed tornado was located near Reform, moving
northeast at 50 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...
Gordo, Reform, Carrollton, Ashcraft Corner, Owens, North Pickens
Airport, McShan and Lubbub.

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 3323 8804 3337 8824 3353 8806 3353 8787
      3350 8784 3338 8784
TIME...MOT...LOC 1721Z 221DEG 42KT 3335 8810 

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

$$

87/GRANTHAM
737 
WWUS54 KBMX 111729
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1129 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020

ALC107-111800-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200111T1800Z/
Pickens AL-
1129 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN PICKENS COUNTY...
    
At 1129 AM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Reform, moving northeast at 40 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...
Reform, Ashcraft Corner, Lubbub and North Pickens Airport. 

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 3329 8803 3339 8810 3353 8794 3353 8787
      3350 8784 3338 8784 3331 8797
TIME...MOT...LOC 1729Z 238DEG 36KT 3337 8802 

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

$$

87/GRANTHAM
468 
WWUS54 KBMX 111736
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1136 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020

ALC107-111800-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200111T1800Z/
Pickens AL-
1136 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN PICKENS COUNTY...
    
At 1136 AM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Ashcraft Corner, or 8 miles northeast of Reform,
moving northeast at 45 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...
Ashcraft Corner and Lubbub. 

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 3338 8789 3346 8799 3351 8797 3353 8794
      3353 8787 3350 8784 3342 8784
TIME...MOT...LOC 1736Z 211DEG 39KT 3346 8790 

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

$$

87/GRANTHAM
426 
WWUS54 KBMX 111743
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1143 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020

ALC107-111753-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-200111T1800Z/
Pickens AL-
1143 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN PICKENS COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
        
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning has
been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 PM CST for west central
Alabama. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until 400 PM CST for
west central Alabama.

LAT...LON 3338 8789 3346 8799 3351 8797 3353 8794
      3353 8787 3350 8784 3342 8784
TIME...MOT...LOC 1743Z 225DEG 44KT 3353 8782 

$$

87/GRANTHAM

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 10, 7:50 PM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter8 days
Jan 11, 7:39 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar, Marion66 min
Jan 11, 9:40 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMarion65 min
Jan 11, 10:07 AM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXMarion3 hr
Jan 11, 10:36 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Pickens, Sumter54 min
Jan 11, 10:47 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion43 min
Jan 11, 11:00 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Sumter30 min
Jan 11, 11:27 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens and 2 more63 min
Jan 11, 11:33 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Pickens, Tuscaloosa27 min
Jan 11, 11:50 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXFayette16 min
Jan 11, 12:01 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Fayette, Jefferson, Shelby, Tuscaloosa, Walker59 min
Jan 11, 12:04 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXWinston56 min
Jan 11, 12:08 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa24 min
Jan 11, 12:09 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Perry66 min
Jan 11, 12:24 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXWinston36 min
Jan 11, 12:35 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXBibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Marion and 4 more115 min
Jan 11, 12:38 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson, St. Clair67 min
Jan 11, 12:38 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXJefferson18 min
Jan 11, 12:47 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXDallas, Marengo58 min
Jan 11, 12:52 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChilton, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby68 min
Jan 11, 1:09 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXEtowah81 min
Jan 11, 1:19 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXBibb, Blount, Chilton, Etowah, Jefferson, St. Clair and 1 more116 min
Jan 11, 1:27 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Chilton, Lowndes65 min
Jan 11, 1:29 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXAutauga, Calhoun, Cleburne, Coosa, Elmore, Etowah and 3 more2 hr
Jan 11, 1:40 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Coosa, Talladega80 min
Jan 11, 1:41 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCherokee79 min
Jan 11, 1:47 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXSt. Clair28 min
Jan 11, 1:50 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXDallas12 min
Jan 11, 2:00 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXCherokee2 hr
Jan 11, 2:02 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXSt. Clair, Shelby14 min
Jan 11, 2:09 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXElmore, Montgomery62 min
Jan 11, 2:11 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXClay61 min
Jan 11, 2:18 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXClay, Cleburne, Tallapoosa117 min
Jan 11, 2:21 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXMontgomery114 min
Jan 11, 2:23 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCleburne63 min
Jan 11, 2:27 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXTallapoosa66 min
Jan 11, 2:40 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBullock, Macon, Pike80 min
Jan 11, 2:44 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXRandolph2 hr
Jan 11, 2:48 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXRandolph72 min
Jan 11, 2:53 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXBullock, Macon, Pike2 hr
Jan 11, 3:07 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXChambers, Lee113 min
Jan 11, 3:07 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChambers, Lee, Russell73 min
Jan 11, 3:27 PM CSTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXBarbour, Russell2 hr
Jan 11, 3:27 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXChambers, Tallapoosa18 min
Jan 11, 3:42 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBarbour, Russell78 min
Jan 11, 4:37 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXBarbour23 min
Jan 11, 5:24 PM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter8 days
Jan 11, 5:24 PM CSTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter10 days

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.