Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2020

Tornado Warning 36, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 12, 2020Cherokee County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 12, 2020, 10:24 PM CDT for Cherokee County, Alabama. It was in force for 36 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Apr 12, 2020, 10:24 PM CDT (03:24 UTC)
Expired
Apr 12, 2020, 11:00 PM CDT
In force
36 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

County Cherokee County, AL

The radar

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 77 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:24 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.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 12, 3:20 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 00:00Z, 3.4 hours before the alert went out and 151 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, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 00:00Z on 2020-04-13Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 404 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 00:00Z on 2020-04-13The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 733 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 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
404 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-107 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
804 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
70 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
733 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
874 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.3
Supercell composite
10.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

799 
WFUS54 KBMX 130324
TORBMX
ALC019-130400-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0036.200413T0324Z-200413T0400Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1024 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Cherokee County in northeastern Alabama...

* Until 1100 PM CDT.
    
* At 1024 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
  tornado was located near Sand Rock, or 11 miles southwest of Little
  River Canyon National Preserve, moving east at 65 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...
  Little River Canyon National Preserve, Sand Rock, Gaylesville,
  Blanche, Little River Falls, Western Weiss Lake, Broomtown,
  Fullerton, New Moon, Chesterfield and Little River Canyon NP.

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 3427 8546 3421 8584 3424 8584 3424 8581
      3426 8581 3426 8577 3434 8568 3436 8566
      3437 8563 3439 8562 3440 8563 3440 8561
      3443 8558 3447 8550
TIME...MOT...LOC 0324Z 250DEG 55KT 3429 8581 

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

$$

17/KLAWS
3 follow-up statements
640 
WWUS54 KBMX 130336
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1036 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

ALC019-130400-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-200413T0400Z/
Cherokee AL-
1036 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY...
    
At 1035 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Little River Canyon National Preserve, 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...
Little River Canyon National Preserve, Blanche, Little River Falls,
Broomtown, New Moon, Chesterfield and Little River Canyon NP.

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 3431 8547 3429 8573 3436 8566 3437 8563
      3439 8562 3440 8563 3440 8561 3443 8558
      3447 8550
TIME...MOT...LOC 0335Z 252DEG 46KT 3433 8565 

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

$$

17/KLAWS
301 
WWUS54 KBMX 130341
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1041 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

ALC019-130400-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-200413T0400Z/
Cherokee AL-
1041 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY...
    
At 1041 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Blanche, or near Little River Canyon National
Preserve, 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...
Little River Canyon National Preserve, Blanche, Little River Falls,
Broomtown, New Moon, Chesterfield and Little River Canyon NP.

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 3436 8548 3434 8562 3435 8563 3437 8563
      3439 8562 3440 8563 3440 8561 3443 8558
      3447 8550
TIME...MOT...LOC 0341Z 252DEG 46KT 3435 8557 

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

$$

17/KLAWS
118 
WWUS54 KBMX 130356
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1056 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

ALC019-130406-
/O.EXP.KBMX.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-200413T0400Z/
Cherokee AL-
1056 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2020

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 1100 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 midnight CDT for northeastern
Alabama. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until 600 AM CDT for
northeastern Alabama.

LAT...LON 3436 8548 3434 8562 3435 8563 3437 8563
      3439 8562 3440 8563 3440 8561 3443 8558
      3447 8550
TIME...MOT...LOC 0356Z 250DEG 55KT 3442 8532 

$$

17/KLAWS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 12, 7:10 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene22 min
Apr 12, 7:14 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXSumter26 min
Apr 12, 7:16 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXCherokee, Etowah, St. Clair6 hr
Apr 12, 8:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Walker55 min
Apr 12, 8:14 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston5 hr
Apr 12, 8:15 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXWalker, Winston15 min
Apr 12, 8:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXTuscaloosa38 min
Apr 12, 8:29 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXFayette, Greene, Jefferson, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and 1 more5 hr
Apr 12, 8:32 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa21 min
Apr 12, 8:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson54 min
Apr 12, 8:36 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa17 min
Apr 12, 8:49 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter5 days
Apr 12, 8:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson39 min
Apr 12, 8:52 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker66 hr
Apr 12, 8:58 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Tuscaloosa52 hr
Apr 12, 8:58 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter, Tuscaloosa61 hr
Apr 12, 9:12 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBlount20 min
Apr 12, 9:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Etowah, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby71 min
Apr 12, 9:33 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarengo27 min
Apr 12, 10:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXDallas27 min
Apr 12, 10:22 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXBlount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Etowah, St. Clair4 hr
Apr 12, 10:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLowndes, Montgomery53 min
Apr 12, 10:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah58 min
Apr 12, 10:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Elmore43 min
Apr 12, 10:59 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChilton, Clay, Coosa, Shelby, Talladega, Tallapoosa43 min
Apr 12, 11:01 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXGreene, Hale, Pickens, Sumter3 hr
Apr 12, 11:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBullock, Macon, Montgomery, Tallapoosa60 min
Apr 12, 11:16 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion74 min
Apr 12, 11:24 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningBMXFayette, Tuscaloosa, Walker6 hr
Apr 12, 11:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLee, Russell75 min
Apr 13, 12:08 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXBarbour, Bullock, Pike82 min
Apr 13, 12:11 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXPike64 min
Apr 13, 12:13 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXLowndes, Montgomery3 hr
Apr 13, 12:18 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChambers16 min
Apr 13, 12:43 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBarbour, Bullock53 min
Apr 13, 1:04 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXBarbour, Bullock, Pike, Russell3 hr
Apr 13, 1:29 AM CDTHigh Wind WarningBMXAutauga, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay and 10 more3 hr
Apr 13, 1:29 AM CDTWind AdvisoryBMXAutauga, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay and 10 more7 hr
Apr 13, 2:25 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningBMXBibb, Jefferson, Shelby18 hr
Apr 13, 4:08 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningBMXCherokee12 hr
Apr 13, 7:43 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningBMXCherokee3 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.