Tornadoes · United States · Alabama · 2006

F1 tornado, Ohatchee, Alabama, April 8, 2006

This F1 tornado ran 0.8 miles across Calhoun County on April 8, 2006, touching down at 1:52 AM CDT and reaching 120 yards wide. It killed nobody, and did $10,000 of property damage.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

  1. F040 to 72 mph

    Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

  2. F173 to 112 mphthis tornado

    Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

  3. F2113 to 157 mph

    Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

  4. F3158 to 206 mph

    Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

  5. F4207 to 260 mph

    Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

  6. F5261 to 318 mph

    Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

  7. Unrated

    The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

The record

Rating
F1
Date
April 8, 2006
Touchdown
1:52 AM CDT (06:52 UTC)
Path length
0.8 miles (1.3 km)
Path width
120 yards (110 m)
Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$10,000
County
Calhoun County
Touchdown point
33.770, -86.000
Lift-off point
33.770, -86.000
Record number
340

What the Weather Service recorded

The tornado briefly touched down south of Ohatchee. It knocked down or snapped off several trees along the path. A few small out-buildings were also damaged along the path. One fallen tree landed on a home and produced damage. The tornado affected areas along Boiling Springs Road (County Road 73).

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

The warnings

No tornado warning for this county appears in the archive as in force at the moment the tornado touched down. One was issued for the county at another hour that day.

The county was under a tornado watch, issued at 00:30 UTC and running to 08:13 UTC.

Issued (UTC)ExpiredProductOffice
15:00 UTC09:00 UTCLake Wind AdvisoryBMX
00:30 UTC08:13 UTCTornado WatchBMX
06:52 UTC07:30 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMX
07:05 UTC07:25 UTCTornado WarningBMX

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The forecast that day

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a General Thunderstorms Risk. The outlook in force was issued at 05:58 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

The air that afternoon

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), 00:00Z

6.9 hours before the tornado, 98 km from the path. April 8, 2006.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2006-04-08Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 578 joules per kilogram, CIN -120, lifted condensation level 1683 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2006-04-08The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 156 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 59 knots.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. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
578 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-120 J/kg
Surface CAPE
649 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1683 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
59 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
18 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
156 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
269 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
0.9
0-3 km lapse rate
6.8 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), 12:00Z

5.1 hours after it, 98 km from the path. April 8, 2006.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2006-04-08Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 45 joules per kilogram, CIN -218, lifted condensation level 1050 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2006-04-08The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -123 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 58 knots.19395878Sfc1 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. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
45 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-218 J/kg
Surface CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1050 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
58 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
26 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-123 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
88 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0
0-3 km lapse rate
4.7 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 98 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 06:52 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

What was reported nearby

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

Time (UTC)ReportWhereCountyRemark
06:26 UTCHAIL 0.5Sand RockCherokee, ALPEA TO DIME SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN SAND ROCK.
06:26 UTCHAIL 0.75Sand RockCherokee, ALPEA TO PENNY SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN SAND ROCK.
06:32 UTCHAIL 0.752 E PinsonJefferson, ALPENNY SIZE HAIL WAS REPORTED IN CLAY.
06:33 UTCHAIL 0.75TrussvilleJefferson, ALPENNY SIZE HAIL WAS REPORTED IN TRUSSVILLE.
06:35 UTCDOWNBURST1 Nnw LeedsJefferson, ALHALF INCH HAIL ON I-20 ON JEFFERSON...ST. CLAIR COUNTY LINE
06:35 UTCDOWNBURST1 Nnw LeedsJefferson, ALHALF INCH HAIL ON I-20 ON JEFFERSON...ST. CLAIR COUNTY LINE.
06:35 UTCHAIL 0.51 Nnw LeedsJefferson, ALHALF INCH HAIL ON I-20 ON JEFFERSON...ST. CLAIR COUNTY LINE.
06:45 UTCTSTM WND DMG8 Nw VincentShelby, ALSTRAIGHT LINE WIND EVENT IN DUNAVANT. MULTIPLE TREES DOWN AND SHINGLES OFF OF SEVERAL HOMES. FRONT DOOR AND PORCH DAMAGED TO ONE HOME.
06:45 UTCHAIL 0.251 S LeedsJefferson, ALPEA TO DIME SIZE HAIL ON HIGHWAY 78 JUST SOUTH OF LEEDS.
06:48 UTCTSTM WND DMGOhatcheeCalhoun, ALDOLLAR GENERAL STORE TOTALLY DESTROYED. NUMEROUS TREES DOWN AND BLOCKING ROADS COUNTYWIDE.
06:48 UTCTSTM WND DMGOhatcheeCalhoun, ALPOSSIBLE TORNADO WITH A FEW STRUCTURES DAMAGED.
06:48 UTCTSTM WND DMGOhatcheeCalhoun, ALSTRAIGHT LINE WINDS. DOLLAR GENERAL STORE TOTALLY DESTROYED. ESTIMATED WINDS 70 MPH. WINDS PICKED UP ROCKS IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING AND BLASTED THEM INTO THE STORE FRONT WINDOWS. THE WINDS BLEW OUT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE
06:48 UTCTORNADO 13 Se OhatcheeCalhoun, ALF1 TORNADO ALONG BOILING SPRINGS ROAD. MANY TREES SNAPPED AND UPROOTED...ONE ON TO A HOUSE. ONE CAR WAS ROLLED ONE TIME DOWN A SMALL HILL. DAMAGE PATH WAS 3/4 MILE LONG AND ABOUT 120 YARDS WIDE.
06:50 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Nw VincentShelby, ALTREES WERE BLOWN DOWN IN STERRETT.
06:51 UTCTORNADO 13 Se OhatcheeCalhoun, ALF1 TORNADO ALONG BOILING SPRINGS ROAD. MANY TREES SNAPPED AND UPROOTED...ONE ON TO A HOUSE. ONE CAR WAS ROLLED ONE TIME DOWN A SMALL HILL. DAMAGE PATH WAS 3/4 MILE LONG AND ABOUT 120 YARDS WIDE.
06:55 UTCTSTM WND DMGOhatcheeCalhoun, ALSTRAIGHT LINE WINDS. DOLLAR GENERAL STORE TOTALLY DESTROYED. ESTIMATED WINDS 70 MPH. WINDS PICKED UP ROCKS IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING AND BLASTED THEM INTO THE STORE FRONT WINDOWS. THE WINDS BLEW OUT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE
06:58 UTCTSTM WND DMG5 N Pell CitySt. Clair, ALTREES DOWN ACROSS ARGO, NEW LONDON, AND WATTSVILLE.
06:58 UTCTORNADO 03 Se OhatcheeCalhoun, ALF0 TORNADO ALONG BOILING SPRINGS ROAD. MANY TREES SNAPPED AND UPROOTED...ONE ON TO A HOUSE. ONE CAR WAS ROLLED ONE TIME DOWN A SMALL HILL. DAMAGE PATH WAS 3/4 MILE LONG AND ABOUT 120 YARDS WIDE.
06:58 UTCTORNADO 13 Se OhatcheeCalhoun, ALF1 TORNADO ALONG BOILING SPRINGS ROAD. MANY TREES SNAPPED AND UPROOTED...ONE ON TO A HOUSE. ONE CAR WAS ROLLED ONE TIME DOWN A SMALL HILL. DAMAGE PATH WAS 3/4 MILE LONG AND ABOUT 120 YARDS WIDE.
07:03 UTCTSTM WND GST 606 E VincentTalladega, ALWIND GUSTS OF 50 TO 60 MPH REPORTED AT LOGAN MARTIN DAM.
07:10 UTCFUNNEL CLOUD3 S WinterboroTalladega, ALREPORTED IN SYCAMORE BY TRAINED SPOTTER VIA EMA.
07:24 UTCHAIL 0.751 E FruithurstCleburne, ALREPORTED IN MUSCADINE.
07:30 UTCTSTM WND DMG8 Nw VincentShelby, ALSTRAIGHT LINE WIND EVENT IN DUNAVANT. MULTIPLE TREES DOWN AND SHINGLES OFF OF SEVERAL HOMES. FRONT DOOR AND PORCH DAMAGED TO ONE HOME.
07:33 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Nw VincentShelby, ALTREES WERE BLOWN DOWN IN STERRETT.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

This ground now

The live radar over the trackEvery 2006 tornado in AlabamaEvery tornado in Alabama since 1950Warnings in force in Alabama nowThe forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of April 8, 2006

12 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
April 81:16 AM CDTF1Jefferson, AL2.31001$500,000
April 81:23 AM CDTF1Jefferson, AL3.2100$300,000
April 83:20 AM EDTF0Polk, GA5.01001$350,000
April 83:30 AM EDTF2Polk, GA3.01001$450,000
April 83:50 AM EDTF0Cobb, GA2.550$150,000
April 83:55 AM EDTF1Cobb, GA18.0200$7.5 million
April 83:03 AM CDTF0Talladega, AL0.6100$30,000
April 85:09 AM EDTF0Banks, GA0.2100$350,000
April 83:53 PM EDTF1Charleston, SC4.51001
April 84:20 PM EDTF0Charleston, SC2.650
April 84:23 PM EDTF0Berkeley, SC0.250
April 84:25 PM EDTF0Charleston, SC0.250

What this means

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

Sources

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.