Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1997
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 286, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 2, 1997, 4:50 PM CDT for Lamar County, Marion County, Alabama. It was in force for 35 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- May 2, 1997, 4:50 PM CDT (21:50 UTC)
- Expired
- May 2, 1997, 5:25 PM CDT
- In force
- 35 min
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Whole counties
Counties Lamar County, AL, Marion County, AL
The radar
The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 32 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:49 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2, 3:00 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 9.8 hours before the alert went out and 142 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
- 1681 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 45 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 176 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 229 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
000 TTAA00 KBHM 022150 RRA SVRBHM ALC075-093-022225- BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 450 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 1997 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM AL HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 525 PM CDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS... IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA ...LAMAR IN NORTHERN ALABAMA ...SOUTHERN MARION AT 450 PM CDT...WEATHER RADAR SHOWED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUING FROM EAST-CENTRAL MARION COUNTY INTO LAMAR COUNTY. THUS, THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING HAS BEEN EXTENDED. DAMAGING WIND AND LARGE HAIL ARE LIKELY WITH THESE STORMS AS THEY CONTINUE MOVING EAST-NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH. A TORNA8DO WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. REMEMBER... SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE TORNADOES WITH LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE WARNING. REMAIN CALM BUT BE ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 2, 12:39 PM CDT, 4 hours 11 minutes before
ALZ001>050-GAZ089-090-102-120-022200-
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1240 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 1997
... SEVERE WEATHER LIKELY ACROSS PARTS OF ALABAMA ...
... AND WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING ...
A STRONG STORM SYSTEM OVER THE CENTRAL PART OF THE UNITED
STATES IS EXPECTED TO BRING SEVERE WEATHER TO ALABAMA AND WEST
CENTRAL GEORGIA BEGINNING THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUING INTO
SATURDAY MORNING. ALREADY ACROSS ALABAMA, STRONG SOUTHERLY WIND
WAS BLOWING AT 15 TO 25 MPH WITH STRONGER GUSTS . THIS STRONG
SOUTHERLY WIND WILL SPREAD WARM, MOIST AIR ACROSS THE AREA
HELPING TO ENHANCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF SEVERE WEATHER.
THE MAIN CULPRIT IS A STRONG AND DEVELOPING STORM SYSTEM IN
THE CENTRAL UNITED STATES THAT IS EXPECTED TO MOVE EAST-NORTHEAST
TODAY. JUST SHORTLY AFTER 12 NOON, THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER
IN NORMAN, OK, HAD ISSUED THE FIRST OF WHAT WILL BE A NUMBER OF
TORNADO WATCHES THAT INCLUDED MOST OF MISSISSIPPI. SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS WERE ALREADY DEVELOPING WITH NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE OFFICES TO ALABAMA'S WEST ISSUING WARNINGS.
FOR ALABAMA AND WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA, PEOPLE CAN EXPECT
SEVERE WEATHER FROM THIS AFTERNOON MAINLY ALONG THE WESTERN
BOUNDARY OF ALABAMA AND CONTINUING THROUGH THE EVENING INTO THE
EARLY MORNING HOURS OF SATURDAY. THE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING LARGE HAIL, DAMAGING WIND IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH, DEADLY
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING, AND TORNADOES.
PEOPLE ACROSS ALL OF ALABAMA AND WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA ARE
URGED TO STAY INFORMED ABOUT THE WEATHER. WHEN A TORNADO WATCH
IS ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA, REVIEW SAFETY RULES SO THAT YOU'LL KNOW
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE FACED WITH AN APPROACHING TORNADO OR SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM. ONCE A WATCH IS ISSUED, STAY ALERT FOR RAPIDLY
CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND BE PREPARED TO SEEK SHELTER AS
QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
STORM SPOTTER ACTIVATIONS WILL BE MADE LATER THIS AFTERNOON
AND INTO THE EVENING. LAW ENFORCEMENT, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT,
NEWS MEDIA OUTLETS, AND OTHERS INVOLVED IN THE WARNING PROCESS
ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSIDER EXTRA STAFFING FOR THE HOURS FROM
ABOUT 3 PM TO AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.
THIS IS A ^POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WEATHER EVENT. PLEASE KEEP
INFORMED ABOUT THE LATEST WEATHER CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION VIA
NOAA WEATHER RADIO BROADCASTS OR THROUGH COMMERCIAL TELEVISION
AND RADIO OUTLETS.Special weather statement, May 2, 12:40 PM CDT, 4 hours 10 minutes before
ALZ001>050-GAZ089-090-102-120-022200-
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1240 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 1997
... SEVERE WEATHER LIKELY ACROSS PARTS OF ALABAMA ...
... AND WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING ...
A STRONG STORM SYSTEM OVER THE CENTRAL PART OF THE UNITED
STATES IS EXPECTED TO BRING SEVERE WEATHER TO ALABAMA AND WEST
CENTRAL GEORGIA BEGINNING THIS AFTERNOON AND CONTINUING INTO
SATURDAY MORNING. ALREADY ACROSS ALABAMA, STRONG SOUTHERLY WIND
WAS BLOWING AT 15 TO 25 MPH WITH STRONGER GUSTS . THIS STRONG
SOUTHERLY WIND WILL SPREAD WARM, MOIST AIR ACROSS THE AREA
HELPING TO ENHANCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF SEVERE WEATHER.
THE MAIN CULPRIT IS A STRONG AND DEVELOPING STORM SYSTEM IN
THE CENTRAL UNITED STATES THAT IS EXPECTED TO MOVE EAST-NORTHEAST
TODAY. JUST SHORTLY AFTER 12 NOON, THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER
IN NORMAN, OK, HAD ISSUED THE FIRST OF WHAT WILL BE A NUMBER OF
TORNADO WATCHES THAT INCLUDED MOST OF MISSISSIPPI. SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS WERE ALREADY DEVELOPING WITH NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE OFFICES TO ALABAMAS WEST ISSUING WARNINGS.
FOR ALABAMA AND WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA, PEOPLE CAN EXPECT
SEVERE WEATHER FROM THIS AFTERNOON MAINLY ALONG THE WESTERN
BOUNDARY OF ALABAMA AND CONTINUING THROUGH THE EVENING INTO THE
EARLY MORNING HOURS OF SATURDAY. THE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING LARGE HAIL, DAMAGING WIND IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH, DEADLY
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING, AND TORNADOES.
PEOPLE ACROSS ALL OF ALABAMA AND WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA ARE
URGED TO STAY INFORMED ABOUT THE WEATHER. WHEN A TORNADO WATCH
IS ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA, REVIEW SAFETY RULES SO THAT YOULL KNOW
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE FACED WITH AN APPROACHING TORNADO OR SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM. ONCE A WATCH IS ISSUED, STAY ALERT FOR RAPIDLY
CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND BE PREPARED TO SEEK SHELTER AS
QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
STORM SPOTTER ACTIVATIONS WILL BE MADE LATER THIS AFTERNOON
AND INTO THE EVENING. LAW ENFORCEMENT, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT,
NEWS MEDIA OUTLETS, AND OTHERS INVOLVED IN THE WARNING PROCESS
ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSIDER EXTRA STAFFING FOR THE HOURS FROM
ABOUT 3 PM TO AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.
THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WEATHER EVENT. PLEASE KEEP
INFORMED ABOUT THE LATEST WEATHER CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION VIA
NOAA WEATHER RADIO BROADCASTS OR THROUGH COMMERCIAL TELEVISION
AND RADIO OUTLETS.The office that day
Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2, 3:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Colbert, Lauderdale | 62 min |
| May 2, 3:34 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Franklin | 56 min |
| May 2, 3:52 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Lamar, Marion | 63 min |
| May 2, 4:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Fayette | 64 min |
| May 2, 4:26 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence | 64 min |
| May 2, 4:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Winston | 64 min |
| May 2, 4:38 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Lauderdale | 52 min |
| May 2, 4:39 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Walker | 81 min |
| May 2, 4:47 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Limestone | 58 min |
| May 2, 4:54 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Morgan | 66 min |
| May 2, 5:09 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Madison | 66 min |
| May 2, 5:15 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Winston | 35 min |
| May 2, 5:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Fayette | 31 min |
| May 2, 5:22 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Lamar | 48 min |
| May 2, 5:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Cullman | 61 min |
| May 2, 5:36 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Marshall | 69 min |
| May 2, 5:39 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Jackson | 66 min |
| May 2, 5:46 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Marion | 49 min |
| May 2, 5:50 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Marion | 50 min |
| May 2, 5:56 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Marion | 34 min |
| May 2, 6:06 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | DeKalb | 69 min |
| May 2, 6:09 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Winston | 51 min |
| May 2, 6:20 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Franklin, Lawrence | 55 min |
| May 2, 6:20 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Morgan | 55 min |
| May 2, 6:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Marion | 47 min |
| May 2, 6:40 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Lamar, Marion | 45 min |
| May 2, 6:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Jackson, Marshall | 67 min |
| May 2, 6:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Cherokee | 23 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 1997Every severe thunderstorm warning in 1997
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.