Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2020

Tornado Warning 23, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 12, 2020Fayette County, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 12, 2020, 4:10 PM CDT for Fayette County, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was in force for 50 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: Apr 12, 2020, 4:10 PM CDT (21:10 UTC)
Expired: Apr 12, 2020, 5:00 PM CDT
In force: 50 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 0.75 in

Counties Fayette County, AL, Tuscaloosa County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 76 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:10 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
Apr 12, 4:34 PM CDT	TORNADO	2 Se Stone Wall, AL	A SHORT-LIVED TORNADO MOVED NORTHWARD ALONG COUNTY ROAD 89, CAUSING MINOR TREE DAMAGE CONSISTING OF BROKEN BRANCHES AND UPROOTED TRUNKS, BETWEEN MT. PLEASANT/BURROW ROAD AND COUNTY ROAD 35. THIS IS LOCATED SOUTHEAST OF THE TOWN OF FAYETTE.
Apr 12, 4:35 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	5 Nw Samantha, AL	AT LEAST 30 MATURE HARDWOOD TREES WERE UPROOTED.
Apr 12, 4:37 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	4 Nw Samantha, AL	PEA SIZE HAIL AND UNKNOWN WIND GUSTS NEAR SAMANTHA.
Apr 12, 4:41 PM CDT	TORNADO	3 Sse Berry, AL	JUST EAST OF THE TOWN OF BERRY, AN EF-1 TORNADO MOVED NORTHEASTWARD FROM CHRISTIAN ROAD TO HIGHWAY 18. THIS TRACK STARTED IN FAYETTE COUNTY AND ENDED JUST INSIDE THE WALKER COUNTY LINE. DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO BROKEN AND UPROOTED TREES, ASIDE FROM MINOR SHINGLE
Apr 12, 4:43 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Windham Springs, AL	A LARGE TUSCALOOSA SHERIFF COMMUNICATIONS TOWER WAS DESTROYED.
Apr 12, 4:48 PM CDT	TORNADO	2 Ene Ashcraft Corner, AL	WEAK TORNADO CONTINUED INTO FAYETTE COUNTY FROM PICKENS COUNTY.
Apr 12, 4:58 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 W Little Shoal, AL	TREE DOWN ON A HOUSE, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL DAMAGE ON JACKSONS CAMP RD ALONG THE WARRIOR RIVER. IN ADDITION, THE CHIEF OF THE WARRIOR RIVER VFD ALSO REPORTED NUMEROUS TREES DOWN IN THE VICINITY.

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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Apr 12, 3:20 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 75 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: 1885 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 61 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 336 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 578 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

336 
WFUS54 KBMX 122110
TORBMX
ALC057-125-122215-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0023.200412T2110Z-200412T2215Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
410 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama...
  Southern Fayette County in west central Alabama...

* Until 515 PM CDT.
    
* At 410 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Reform, 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...
  Berry, Ashcraft Corner, Bankston, Boley Springs, Samantha, Bankhead
  Lock And Dam, Binion Creek Landing, Stone Wall, Whitson, Moores
  Bridge, Windham Springs, Fayette County Public Lake, New Lexington,
  Wiley, Echola and Lake Tuscaloosa.

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 3375 8753 3369 8753 3369 8743 3360 8742
      3359 8737 3359 8732 3352 8732 3352 8727
      3350 8726 3350 8729 3348 8729 3349 8733
      3347 8734 3345 8731 3344 8728 3343 8731
      3331 8784 3352 8784 3353 8794 3357 8795
TIME...MOT...LOC 2110Z 246DEG 53KT 3338 8795 

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

$$

87/GRANTHAM

5 follow-up statements

566 
WWUS54 KBMX 122122
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
422 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

ALC057-125-122215-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0023.000000T0000Z-200412T2215Z/
Tuscaloosa AL-Fayette AL-
422 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN TUSCALOOSA AND SOUTHERN FAYETTE COUNTIES...
        
At 422 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Ashcraft Corner,
or 13 miles northeast of Gordo, moving northeast at 60 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...
Berry, Ashcraft Corner, Bankston, Boley Springs, Samantha, Bankhead
Lock And Dam, Binion Creek Landing, Stone Wall, Whitson, Moores
Bridge, Windham Springs, Fayette County Public Lake, New Lexington,
Wiley, Echola and Lake Tuscaloosa.

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 3375 8753 3369 8753 3369 8743 3360 8742
      3359 8737 3359 8732 3352 8732 3352 8727
      3350 8726 3350 8729 3348 8729 3349 8733
      3347 8734 3345 8731 3344 8728 3343 8731
      3331 8784 3352 8784 3353 8794 3357 8795
TIME...MOT...LOC 2122Z 242DEG 52KT 3349 8780 

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

$$

87/GRANTHAM

045 
WWUS54 KBMX 122130
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
430 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

ALC057-125-122215-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0023.000000T0000Z-200412T2215Z/
Tuscaloosa AL-Fayette AL-
430 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN TUSCALOOSA AND SOUTHERN FAYETTE COUNTIES...
    
At 430 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles south of Bankston, or 14 miles southeast of
Fayette, 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...
Berry, Bankston, Boley Springs, Samantha, Bankhead Lock And Dam,
Binion Creek Landing, Stone Wall, Whitson, Windham Springs, Fayette
County Public Lake, New Lexington, Wiley, Echola and Lake Tuscaloosa.

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 3375 8753 3369 8753 3369 8743 3360 8742
      3359 8732 3352 8732 3352 8727 3350 8726
      3350 8729 3348 8729 3349 8733 3346 8734
      3344 8728 3343 8731 3331 8784 3349 8774
      3351 8784 3353 8784 3353 8794 3356 8795
TIME...MOT...LOC 2130Z 246DEG 53KT 3354 8766 

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

$$

87/GRANTHAM

096 
WWUS54 KBMX 122142
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
442 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

ALC057-125-122215-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0023.000000T0000Z-200412T2215Z/
Tuscaloosa AL-Fayette AL-
442 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA AND SOUTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTIES...
    
At 442 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Boley Springs, or 18 miles southwest of Cordova,
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...
Berry, Bankston, Boley Springs, Samantha, Bankhead Lock And Dam,
Binion Creek Landing, Stone Wall, Whitson, Windham Springs, Fayette
County Public Lake, New Lexington, Wiley and Lake Tuscaloosa.

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 3375 8753 3369 8753 3369 8743 3360 8742
      3359 8732 3352 8732 3352 8727 3350 8726
      3350 8729 3348 8729 3349 8733 3346 8734
      3344 8728 3343 8731 3336 8763 3351 8766
      3353 8769 3355 8774 3360 8779 3363 8779
TIME...MOT...LOC 2142Z 246DEG 53KT 3361 8747 

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

$$

87/GRANTHAM

184 
WWUS54 KBMX 122144
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
444 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

ALC057-125-122215-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0023.000000T0000Z-200412T2215Z/
Tuscaloosa AL-Fayette AL-
444 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA AND SOUTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTIES...
        
At 443 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Boley Springs, or
16 miles south of Carbon Hill, 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...
Berry, Bankston, Boley Springs, Samantha, Bankhead Lock And Dam,
Binion Creek Landing, Stone Wall, Whitson, Windham Springs, Fayette
County Public Lake, New Lexington, Wiley and Lake Tuscaloosa.

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 3375 8753 3369 8753 3369 8743 3360 8742
      3359 8732 3352 8732 3352 8727 3350 8726
      3350 8729 3348 8729 3349 8733 3346 8734
      3344 8728 3343 8731 3336 8763 3351 8766
      3353 8769 3355 8774 3360 8779 3363 8779
TIME...MOT...LOC 2143Z 239DEG 41KT 3366 8754 

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

$$

87/GRANTHAM

292 
WWUS54 KBMX 122200
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
500 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

ALC057-125-122209-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0023.000000T0000Z-200412T2215Z/
Tuscaloosa AL-Fayette AL-
500 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA AND SOUTHEASTERN
FAYETTE 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 1000 PM CDT for central and
west central Alabama. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until
midnight CDT for central and west central Alabama.

LAT...LON 3375 8753 3369 8753 3369 8743 3360 8742
      3359 8732 3352 8732 3352 8727 3350 8726
      3350 8729 3348 8729 3349 8733 3346 8734
      3344 8728 3343 8731 3336 8763 3351 8766
      3353 8769 3355 8774 3360 8779 3363 8779
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 246DEG 53KT 3376 8727 

$$

87/GRANTHAM

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 12, 3:07 AM CDT	Flash Flood Watch	BMX	Blount, Cherokee, Etowah, Fayette, Lamar, Marion and 2 more	21 hr
Apr 12, 8:12 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter	16 days
Apr 12, 12:23 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Marion	37 min
Apr 12, 3:26 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Pickens	64 min
Apr 12, 3:33 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lamar, Marion	40 min
Apr 12, 4:40 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Walker	49 min
Apr 12, 4:50 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Jefferson	55 min
Apr 12, 5:07 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Jefferson	53 min
Apr 12, 5:28 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount, St. Clair	46 min
Apr 12, 5:31 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount	44 min
Apr 12, 5:50 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Etowah	55 min
Apr 12, 5:59 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Etowah	35 min
Apr 12, 6:13 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Blount, Jefferson, Walker	6 hr
Apr 12, 6:19 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Cherokee	56 min
Apr 12, 6:20 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Pickens, Tuscaloosa	6 hr
Apr 12, 6:41 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	BMX	Blount	6 hr

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.