Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2020
Tornado Warning 9, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 6, 2020, 1:59 AM CST for Shelby County, Alabama. It was in force for 20 min. 3 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
- Feb 6, 2020, 1:59 AM CST (07:59 UTC)
- Expired
- Feb 6, 2020, 2:19 AM CST
- In force
- 20 min
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
County Shelby County, AL
The radar
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 18 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 6, 2:05 AM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 2 W Joe Tucker Park, AL | A FEW TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES WERE BLOWN DOWN OUTSIDE THE TORNADO PATH IN HELENA. |
| Feb 6, 2:05 AM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Sse Bessemer Airport, AL | TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN IN THE MOSS BENDS SUBDIVISION, SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 13. |
| Feb 6, 2:06 AM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Wsw Joe Tucker Park, AL | TREES DOWN IN THE OLD CAHABA SUBDIVISION, OFF OF HILLSBORO PARKWAY. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 5, 11:48 PM CST | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 17 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
- 117 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -125 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 712 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 78 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 370 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 402 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.1
- Supercell composite
- 1.4
The text
As transmitted.
023
WFUS54 KBMX 060759
TORBMX
ALC117-060830-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0009.200206T0759Z-200206T0830Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
159 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020
The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
West central Shelby County in central Alabama...
* Until 230 AM CST.
* At 159 AM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Maylene, or 7 miles southwest of Helena, 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...
Hoover, Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Indian Springs Village,
Riverchase, Oak Mountain Amphitheater, Oak Mountain State Park,
Meadowbrook, Joe Tucker Park and Hoover Veterans Park.
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 3331 8665 3318 8699 3322 8702 3327 8697
3327 8695 3328 8693 3330 8693 3331 8690
3333 8689 3333 8683 3336 8683 3337 8678
3339 8678 3340 8675 3342 8675 3342 8673
TIME...MOT...LOC 0759Z 240DEG 34KT 3322 8696
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
17/KLAWS4 follow-up statements
956
WWUS54 KBMX 060801
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
201 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020
ALC117-060830-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-200206T0830Z/
Shelby AL-
201 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 AM CST FOR WEST
CENTRAL SHELBY COUNTY...
At 201 AM CST, a confirmed tornado was located near Helena, moving
northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado.
SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Hoover, Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Chelsea, Indian Springs Village,
Riverchase, Oak Mountain Amphitheater, Oak Mountain State Park,
Meadowbrook, Joe Tucker Park and Hoover Veterans Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3333 8666 3321 8695 3325 8697 3327 8697
3327 8695 3328 8693 3330 8693 3331 8690
3333 8689 3333 8683 3336 8683 3337 8678
3339 8678 3340 8675 3342 8675 3342 8673
TIME...MOT...LOC 0801Z 224DEG 43KT 3326 8693
TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
17/KLAWS596
WWUS54 KBMX 060805
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
205 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020
ALC117-060830-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-200206T0830Z/
Shelby AL-
205 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 AM CST FOR WEST
CENTRAL SHELBY COUNTY...
At 205 AM CST, a confirmed tornado was located over Helena, 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...
Hoover, Pelham, Helena, Chelsea, Indian Springs Village, Riverchase,
Oak Mountain Amphitheater, Oak Mountain State Park, Meadowbrook, Joe
Tucker Park and Hoover Veterans Park.
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 3333 8666 3325 8691 3327 8693 3330 8693
3331 8690 3333 8689 3333 8683 3336 8683
3337 8678 3339 8678 3340 8675 3342 8675
3342 8673
TIME...MOT...LOC 0805Z 221DEG 44KT 3328 8690
TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
17/KLAWS002
WWUS54 KBMX 060810
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
210 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020
ALC117-060830-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-200206T0830Z/
Shelby AL-
210 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 AM CST FOR CENTRAL
SHELBY COUNTY...
At 210 AM CST, a confirmed tornado was located over Helena, moving
northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado.
SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Hoover, Pelham, Helena, Chelsea, Indian Springs Village, Riverchase,
Oak Mountain Amphitheater, Oak Mountain State Park, Meadowbrook, Joe
Tucker Park and Hoover Veterans Park.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3333 8666 3328 8685 3329 8687 3331 8688
3333 8683 3336 8683 3337 8678 3339 8678
3340 8675 3342 8675 3342 8673
TIME...MOT...LOC 0810Z 229DEG 42KT 3331 8683
TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
17/KLAWS385
WWUS54 KBMX 060819
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
219 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020
ALC117-060829-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-200206T0830Z/
Shelby AL-
219 AM CST Thu Feb 6 2020
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL SHELBY COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 500 AM CST for central
Alabama.
LAT...LON 3333 8666 3328 8685 3329 8687 3331 8688
3333 8683 3336 8683 3337 8678 3339 8678
3340 8675 3342 8675 3342 8673
TIME...MOT...LOC 0817Z 240DEG 34KT 3335 8674
$$
17/KLAWSThe office that day
Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 5, 6:05 PM CST | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Marion | 3 hr |
| Feb 5, 6:10 PM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Lamar | 50 min |
| Feb 5, 6:26 PM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Marion | 49 min |
| Feb 5, 6:30 PM CST | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Lamar | 3 hr |
| Feb 5, 7:02 PM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Pickens | 28 min |
| Feb 5, 7:09 PM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Walker | 51 min |
| Feb 5, 7:24 PM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Fayette | 36 min |
| Feb 5, 10:25 PM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Hale | 35 min |
| Feb 5, 10:27 PM CST | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Pickens | 5 hr |
| Feb 5, 10:30 PM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Greene | 30 min |
| Feb 5, 10:37 PM CST | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Fayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker | 4 hr |
| Feb 5, 10:57 PM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Tuscaloosa | 33 min |
| Feb 5, 11:21 PM CST | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Greene, Sumter | 5 hr |
| Feb 5, 11:44 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Sumter | 46 min |
| Feb 5, 11:51 PM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Tuscaloosa | 24 min |
| Feb 5, 11:58 PM CST | Areal Flood Warning | BMX | Greene, Sumter, Tuscaloosa | 6 hr |
| Feb 6, 12:05 AM CST | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Blount, Etowah, St. Clair | 5 hr |
| Feb 6, 12:08 AM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Jefferson | 52 min |
| Feb 6, 12:14 AM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Greene | 46 min |
| Feb 6, 12:27 AM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Hale | 33 min |
| Feb 6, 12:46 AM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Etowah, St. Clair | 44 min |
| Feb 6, 12:47 AM CST | Areal Flood Warning | BMX | Blount, Jefferson, Walker | 6 hr |
| Feb 6, 12:47 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Bibb, Hale, Perry | 42 min |
| Feb 6, 12:54 AM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne | 96 min |
| Feb 6, 1:19 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Marengo, Sumter | 56 min |
| Feb 6, 1:33 AM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Jefferson, Shelby | 57 min |
| Feb 6, 1:56 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Greene, Hale | 64 min |
| Feb 6, 1:57 AM CST | Areal Flood Warning | BMX | Cherokee, Etowah, St. Clair | 9 hr |
| Feb 6, 2:23 AM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby | 52 min |
| Feb 6, 2:35 AM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Bibb, Hale, Perry | 40 min |
| Feb 6, 2:50 AM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Dallas | 25 min |
| Feb 6, 2:53 AM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Calhoun, Etowah, St. Clair | 39 min |
| Feb 6, 2:58 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Greene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter | 47 min |
| Feb 6, 3:12 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Bibb, Jefferson, Shelby | 51 min |
| Feb 6, 3:22 AM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Cherokee | 26 min |
| Feb 6, 3:31 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Bibb, Perry | 42 min |
| Feb 6, 3:35 AM CST | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby | 3 hr |
| Feb 6, 4:06 AM CST | River Flood Warning | BMX | Jefferson | 17 hr |
| Feb 6, 4:12 AM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Shelby | 48 min |
| Feb 6, 4:41 AM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Clay, Cleburne, Randolph | 12 min |
| Feb 6, 5:38 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Clay, Coosa, Talladega | 32 min |
| Feb 6, 6:19 AM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Clay, Cleburne | 26 min |
| Feb 6, 6:32 AM CST | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Calhoun, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Randolph and 3 more | 3 hr |
| Feb 6, 6:39 AM CST | River Flood Warning | BMX | Bibb, Jefferson, Shelby | 37 hr |
| Feb 6, 6:52 AM CST | Areal Flood Warning | BMX | Blount, Jefferson, Shelby | 6 hr |
| Feb 6, 7:05 AM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Coosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa | 25 min |
| Feb 6, 7:31 AM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Tallapoosa | 44 min |
| Feb 6, 7:43 AM CST | River Flood Warning | BMX | Greene, Hale, Marengo, Tuscaloosa | 44 hr |
| Feb 6, 7:43 AM CST | River Flood Warning | BMX | Greene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter, Tuscaloosa | 60 hr |
| Feb 6, 7:46 AM CST | River Flood Warning | BMX | Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker | 3 days |
| Feb 6, 7:50 AM CST | River Flood Warning | BMX | Greene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter | 19 days |
| Feb 6, 7:53 AM CST | River Flood Warning | BMX | Sumter | 10 days |
| Feb 6, 8:14 AM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Chambers, Randolph, Tallapoosa | 46 min |
| Feb 6, 8:32 AM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Montgomery | 43 min |
| Feb 6, 8:41 AM CST | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Chambers, Clay, Coosa, Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery and 2 more | 3 hr |
| Feb 6, 8:49 AM CST | River Flood Warning | BMX | Bibb, Dallas, Perry | 48 hr |
| Feb 6, 9:27 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Lowndes, Montgomery | 40 min |
| Feb 6, 9:28 AM CST | Areal Flood Warning | BMX | Calhoun, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Randolph and 4 more | 3 hr |
| Feb 6, 9:54 AM CST | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Bullock, Lee, Macon, Montgomery, Russell | 3 hr |
| Feb 6, 9:58 AM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Macon | 47 min |
| Feb 6, 10:06 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Bullock, Macon | 33 min |
| Feb 6, 10:27 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Lee, Russell | 34 min |
| Feb 6, 1:41 PM CST | River Flood Warning | BMX | Chambers, Elmore, Macon, Randolph, Tallapoosa | 19 hr |
| Feb 6, 1:46 PM CST | River Flood Warning | BMX | Dallas, Perry | 10 days |
| Feb 6, 1:46 PM CST | River Flood Warning | BMX | Dallas, Perry | 43 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.