Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 1997

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 59, NWS Birmingham, AL

January 24, 1997Lamar County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jan 24, 1997, 5:48 PM CST for Lamar County, Alabama. It was in force for 42 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Jan 24, 1997, 5:48 PM CST (23:48 UTC)
Expired: Jan 24, 1997, 6:30 PM CST
In force: 42 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Whole counties

County Lamar County, AL

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Jan 24, 5:55 PM CST	Hail 0.75	Millport, AL

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in.

The watch it was issued in

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

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Jan 24, 3:30 PM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 11.8 hours before the alert went out and 139 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 379 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -22 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 510 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 50 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 316 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 348 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 2.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KBHM 242348 RRA
SVRBHM
ALC075-250030-
 
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
548 PM CST FRI JAN 24 1997
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  630 PM CST
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION...
 
IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA
 
   ...LAMAR COUNTY
 
A COUPLE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE
HAIL...WILL MOVE ACROSS LAMAR COUNTY THROUGH 630 PM. THE SOUTHERN STORM 
NEAR MILLPORT...AND THE NORTHERN STORM WAS JUST NORTHWEST OF SULLIGENT.
MOVEMENT WAS TO THE NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.
 
 
 
A TORNADO WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA.  REMEMBER
SEVERE THUNDERSTORFMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE TORNADOES
WITH LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE WARNING.  REMAIN CALM BUT BE ALERT TO
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

Local storm report, Jan 24, 2:52 PM CST, 2 hours 56 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA
251 PM CST FRI JAN 24 1997

TIME(CST)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0205 PM                              AL   2 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   MARION                         2 INCH DIAMETER HAIL
                                          REPORTED 9 MILES EAST OF
                                          HAMILTON THAT COMPLETELY
                                          COVERED THE GROUND

0225 PM    BEAR CREEK                AL   1 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   MARION                         QUARTER SIZE HAIL REPORTED
                                          IN BEAR CREEK BY STORM
                                          SPOTTER

0235 PM    HALEYVILLE                AL   .75 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   WINSTON                        DIME SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN
                                          HALEYVILLE BY EMA

Local storm report, Jan 24, 3:14 PM CST, 2 hours 34 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA
314 PM CST FRI JAN 24 1997

TIME(CST)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0250 PM                              AL   2 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   WINSTON                        2 INCH DIAMETER SIZE HAIL
                                          JUST WEST OF DOUBLE
                                          SPRINGS

0307 PM                              AL   2 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   WINSTON                        2 INCH DIAMETER HAIL
                                          REPORTED NEAR ADDISON

0310 PM                              AL   2 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   WINSTON                        EMA REPORTS 2 INCH
                                          DIAMETER HAIL ALONG THE
                                          ENTIRE STORM PATH IN
                                          EASTERN WINSTON COUNTY

Local storm report, Jan 24, 3:15 PM CST, 2 hours 33 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA
314 PM CST FRI JAN 24 1997

TIME(CST)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0250 PM                              AL   2 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   WINSTON                        2 INCH DIAMETER SIZE HAIL
                                          JUST WEST OF DOUBLE
                                          SPRINGS

0307 PM                              AL   2 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   WINSTON                        2 INCH DIAMETER HAIL
                                          REPORTED NEAR ADDISON

0310 PM                              AL   2 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   WINSTON      &                  EMA REPORTS 2 INCH
                                          DIAMETER HAIL ALONG THE
                                          ENTIRE STORM PATH IN
                                          EASTERN WINSTON COUNTY

Local storm report, Jan 24, 4:30 PM CST, 1 hour 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA
430 PM CST FRI JAN 24 1997

TIME(CST)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0215 PM    DELMAR                    AL   2 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   WINSTON                        2 INCH DIAMETER HAIL NEAR
                                          DELMAR

0327 PM                              AL   1.75 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   CULLMAN                        GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL
                                          REPORTED NEAR JONES CHAPEL

0327 PM                              AL   TORNADO
01/24/97   CULLMAN                        TORNADO NEAR JONES CHAPEL
                                          NO DAMAGE REPORTS

0335 PM                              AL   TORNADO
01/24/97   WINSTON                        NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER
                                          LINES DOWN NEAR MORELAND
                                          WITH 2 INCH DIAMETER HAIL
                                          COVERING THE GROUND

0417 PM                              AL   .75 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   MARION                         DIME SIZE HAIL REPORTED SW
                                          OF HALEYVILLE IN MARION
                                          CO.

Local storm report, Jan 24, 5:35 PM CST, 13 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA
535 PM CST FRI JAN 24 1997

TIME(CST)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0335 PM                              AL   TORNADO
01/24/97   CULLMAN                        UNCONFIRMED TORNADO IN
                                          WESTERN CULLMAN CO...AT
                                          LEAST 7 HOMES DAMAGED

0423 PM    MIDFIELD                  AL   .75 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   JEFFERSON                      DIME SIZED HAIL IN
                                          MIDFIELD...REPORTED BY
                                          SHERIFF
0444 PM    VESTAVIA HILLS            AL   .75 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   JEFFERSON                      DIME SIZE HAIL IN VESTAVIA
                                          HILLS REPORTED BY NWS
                                          EMPLOYEE

0453 PM                              AL   2 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   JEFFERSON                      50 CENT PIECE SIZED HAIL
                                          REPORTED NEAR LIBERTY PARK
                                          AND HIGHWAY 459

0455 PM                              AL   1.75 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   JEFFERSON                      GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL
                                          REPORTED NEAR HOMEWOOD

0500 PM                              AL   1 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   SHELBY                         QUARTER SIZED HAIL
                                          REPORTED IN MEADOWBROOK

0518 PM                              AL   TORNADO
01/24/97   TUSCALOOSA                     UNCONFIRMED TORNADO NEAR
                                          THE COTTONDALE
                                          AREA...BROOKWOOD AREA AT
                                          LEAST 3 HOMES DAMAGED

0518 PM                              AL   .75 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   JEFFERSON                      DIME SIZE HAIL REPORTED
                                          NEAR LEEDS

Local storm report, Jan 24, 5:37 PM CST, 11 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA
535 PM CST FRI JAN 24 1997

TIME(CST)  .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE  ...EVENT/REMARKS...
           ....COUNTY LOCATION....

0335 PM                              AL   TORNADO
01/24/97   CULLMAN                        UNCONFIRMED TORNADO IN
                                          WESTERN CULLMAN CO...AT
                                          LEAST 7 HOMES DAMAGED

0423 PM    MIDFIELD                  AL   .75 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   JEFFERSON                      DIME SIZED HAIL IN
                                          MIDFIELD...REPORTED BY
                                          SHERIFF
0444 PM    VESTAVIA HILLS            AL   .75 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   JEFFERSON                      DIME SIZE HAIL IN VESTAVIA
                                          HILLS REPORTED BY NWS
                                          EMPLOYEE

0453 PM                              AL   2 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   JEFFERSON                      50 CENT PIECE SIZED HAIL
                                          REPORTED NEAR LIBERTY PARK
                                          AND HIGHWAY 459

0455 PM                              AL   1.75 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   JEFFERSON                      GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL
                                          REPORTED NEAR HOMEWOOD

0500 PM                              AL   1 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   SHELBY                         QUARTER SIZED HAIL
                                          REPORTED IN MEADOWBROOK

0518 PM                              AL   TORNADO
01/24/97   TUSCALOOSA                     UNCONFIRMED TORNADO NEAR
                                          THE COTTONDALE
                                          AREA...BROOKWOOD AREA AT
                                          LEAST 3 HOMES DAMAGED

0518 PM                              AL   .75 INCH HAIL
01/24/97   JEFFERSON                      DIME SIZE HAIL REPORTED
                                          NEAR LEEDS

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jan 24, 6:37 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Dallas	38 min
Jan 24, 6:52 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Autauga, Lowndes	53 min
Jan 24, 7:10 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Autauga	35 min
Jan 24, 7:24 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Elmore, Montgomery	51 min
Jan 24, 7:43 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Coosa	47 min
Jan 24, 8:00 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Tallapoosa	60 min
Jan 24, 8:02 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Macon	58 min
Jan 24, 8:15 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Montgomery	30 min
Jan 24, 8:18 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bullock	57 min
Jan 24, 8:26 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Pike	64 min
Jan 24, 8:29 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lee	61 min
Jan 24, 8:35 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Chambers	55 min
Jan 24, 8:41 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Randolph	49 min
Jan 24, 8:58 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Macon	17 min
Jan 24, 9:01 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Barbour	59 min
Jan 24, 9:04 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Russell	56 min
Jan 24, 1:39 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marion	51 min
Jan 24, 1:46 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Franklin	59 min
Jan 24, 2:01 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Winston	44 min
Jan 24, 2:11 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lawrence	64 min
Jan 24, 2:32 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Winston	43 min
Jan 24, 2:42 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Winston	33 min
Jan 24, 2:59 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Cullman	61 min
Jan 24, 3:18 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Tuscaloosa	42 min
Jan 24, 3:27 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Morgan	63 min
Jan 24, 3:30 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Colbert, Lauderdale	60 min
Jan 24, 3:42 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Limestone	63 min
Jan 24, 3:47 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Jefferson	58 min
Jan 24, 3:49 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marion	41 min
Jan 24, 3:54 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Franklin	66 min
Jan 24, 3:57 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount	33 min
Jan 24, 4:03 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Cullman	12 min
Jan 24, 4:05 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Marshall	55 min
Jan 24, 4:14 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lawrence	61 min
Jan 24, 4:18 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Winston	42 min
Jan 24, 4:23 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Tuscaloosa	52 min
Jan 24, 4:27 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marion	48 min
Jan 24, 4:31 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Lawrence	59 min
Jan 24, 4:38 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Limestone, Morgan	67 min
Jan 24, 4:42 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Jefferson	48 min
Jan 24, 4:48 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Madison, Marshall	72 min
Jan 24, 4:54 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Shelby	51 min
Jan 24, 5:04 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	DeKalb, Marshall	56 min
Jan 24, 5:11 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Tuscaloosa	49 min
Jan 24, 5:12 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Madison	63 min
Jan 24, 5:16 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	St. Clair	44 min
Jan 24, 5:26 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Jackson	64 min
Jan 24, 5:28 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lawrence	62 min
Jan 24, 5:32 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Morgan	43 min
Jan 24, 5:34 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Jefferson	41 min
Jan 24, 5:34 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Morgan	41 min
Jan 24, 5:37 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Talladega	38 min
Jan 24, 5:43 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Sumter	32 min
Jan 24, 5:45 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Limestone	60 min
Jan 24, 5:45 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marshall	60 min
Jan 24, 5:52 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun	53 min
Jan 24, 5:57 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette	48 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 1997 Every 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; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.