Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2020
Tornado Warning 25, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 12, 2020, 5:07 PM CDT for Jefferson County, Alabama. It was in force for 53 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, 5:07 PM CDT (22:07 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 12, 2020, 6:00 PM CDT
- In force
- 53 min
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
County Jefferson County, AL
The radar
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 62 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:10 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, 5:11 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | West Jefferson, AL | NUMEROUS TREES WERE UPROOTED WITH SOME SNAPPED IN WEST JEFFERSON, NEAR AND NORTH OF WEST JEFFERSON ROAD. |
| Apr 12, 5:17 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Wnw Sayre, AL | SEVERAL BUSINESS DESTROYED ALONG HIGHWAY 78 NEAR SAYRE. POSSIBLE TORNADO. |
| Apr 12, 5:18 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Nw Partridge Crossroa, AL | TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN AND A ROOF WAS BLOWN OFF A HOME IN BAGELY. |
| Apr 12, 5:18 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 65 | 2 N Graysville, AL | UAH MOBILE MESONET. |
| Apr 12, 5:19 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Sw Sayre, AL | NUMEROUS TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN AND SEVERAL ROADWAYS ARE IMPASSABLE. LAWLEY BAPTIST CHURCH WAS DAMAGED. POSSIBLE TORNADO. |
| Apr 12, 5:25 PM CDT | TORNADO | 1 Sw Partridge Crossroa, AL | NEAR HIGHWAY 78, A METAL BUILDING WAS DESTROYED. ONE HOME LOST LARGE SECTIONS OF ITS ROOF ALONG THE BANKHEAD HIGHWAY. SEVERAL OTHER HOMES SUFFERED VARYING DEGREES OF DAMAGE AND MANY STRUCTURES HAD TREES LAND ON THEM. AT LEAST A DOZEN HOMES WERE DAMAGED. |
| Apr 12, 5:25 PM CDT | TORNADO | 1 Sw Partridge Crossroa, AL | TORNADO MOVED IN FROM WALKER COUNTY. NEAR HIGHWAY 78, A METAL BUILDING WAS DESTROYED. ONE HOME LOST LARGE SECTIONS OF ITS ROOF ALONG THE BANKHEAD HIGHWAY. SEVERAL OTHER HOMES SUFFERED VARYING DEGREES OF DAMAGE AND MANY STRUCTURES HAD TREES LAND ON THEM. AT LEA |
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 |
| Apr 12, 4:38 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 61 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.
- 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
The text
As transmitted.
237
WFUS54 KBMX 122207
TORBMX
ALC073-122300-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0025.200412T2207Z-200412T2300Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
507 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020
The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northern Jefferson County in central Alabama...
* Until 600 PM CDT.
* At 506 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Gorgas Steam Plant, or 7 miles southwest of Dora,
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...
Gardendale, Sumiton, Clay, Pinson, Adamsville, Warrior, Kimberly,
Graysville, Morris, Brookside, Trafford, West Jefferson, County
Line, Cardiff, Sayre, Palmerdale, Village Springs, Birmingport,
Miller Steam Plant and Partridge 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 3377 8665 3376 8658 3371 8659 3354 8720
3355 8719 3357 8720 3360 8719 3361 8715
3363 8714 3363 8710 3366 8709 3366 8706
3377 8702 3377 8701 3379 8700 3379 8697
3382 8695 3384 8688 3384 8676
TIME...MOT...LOC 2206Z 239DEG 38KT 3364 8716
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
87/GRANTHAM4 follow-up statements
191
WWUS54 KBMX 122217
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
517 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020
ALC073-122300-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-200412T2300Z/
Jefferson AL-
517 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
JEFFERSON COUNTY...
At 517 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Quinton, or near
Dora, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado.
SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Gardendale, Sumiton, Clay, Pinson, Adamsville, Warrior, Kimberly,
Graysville, Morris, Brookside, Trafford, West Jefferson, County Line,
Cardiff, Sayre, Palmerdale, Village Springs, Birmingport, Miller
Steam Plant and Partridge Crossroads.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3377 8665 3376 8658 3371 8659 3354 8720
3355 8719 3357 8720 3360 8719 3361 8715
3363 8714 3363 8710 3366 8709 3366 8706
3377 8702 3377 8701 3379 8700 3379 8697
3382 8695 3384 8688 3384 8676
TIME...MOT...LOC 2217Z 239DEG 38KT 3370 8704
TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
87/GRANTHAM559
WWUS54 KBMX 122229 RRA
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
529 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020
ALC073-122300-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-200412T2300Z/
Jefferson AL-
529 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY...
At 529 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Warrior, or 9 miles north of Gardendale, 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...
Gardendale, Clay, Pinson, Warrior, Kimberly, Graysville, Morris,
Brookside, Trafford, County Line, Cardiff, Palmerdale, Village
Springs and Partridge 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 3361 8694 3379 8697 3380 8697 3382 8695
3384 8688 3384 8676 3377 8665 3376 8658
3371 8659
TIME...MOT...LOC 2229Z 240DEG 52KT 3379 8685
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
87/GRANTHAM992
WWUS54 KBMX 122238
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
538 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020
ALC073-122300-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-200412T2300Z/
Jefferson AL-
538 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY...
At 538 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Trafford, or 12 miles north of Gardendale, moving
northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Gardendale, Clay, Pinson, Warrior, Kimberly, Morris, Trafford, County
Line, Palmerdale and Village Springs.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3365 8680 3384 8687 3384 8676 3377 8665
3376 8658 3371 8659
TIME...MOT...LOC 2238Z 239DEG 38KT 3384 8675
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
87/GRANTHAM768
WWUS54 KBMX 122250
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
550 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020
ALC073-122300-
/O.EXP.KBMX.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-200412T2300Z/
Jefferson AL-
550 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 600 PM CDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for central
Alabama. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until midnight CDT
for central Alabama.
LAT...LON 3365 8680 3384 8687 3384 8676 3377 8665
3376 8658 3371 8659
TIME...MOT...LOC 2250Z 239DEG 38KT 3391 8662
$$
87/GRANTHAMThe 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, 4:10 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Fayette, Tuscaloosa | 50 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, 5:28 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, 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.