Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 1997
Tornado Warning 77, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at May 2, 1997, 5:56 PM CDT for Marion County, Alabama. It was in force for 34 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
- May 2, 1997, 5:56 PM CDT (22:56 UTC)
- Expired
- May 2, 1997, 6:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 34 min
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Whole counties
County Marion County, AL
The radar
The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 49 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:57 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2, 6:05 PM CDT | Thunderstorm Wind 50 | Guin, AL | Trees were down near Guin in the southwest part of the county, in the southern part of the county, reported by the EMA. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2, 3:00 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 148 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.
368 WFUS1 KBHM 022256 RRA TORBHM ALC093-022330- BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 556 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 1997 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM AL HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION... IN NORTHERN ALABAMA ...EASTERN MARION AT 55 PM CDT...WEATHER RADAR SHOWED A POSSIBLE TORNADO JUST WEST OF BRILLIANT MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH. THIS POSSIBLE TORNADO WILL ALSO MOVE THROUGH THE WHITEHOUSE AND HALEYS AREA OF EAST-CENTRAL MARION COUNTY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM SITUATION. ACT QUICKLY. IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY BELOW GROUND IF AVAILABLE. OTHERWISE...GO TO A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR POSSIBLE. AVOID WINDOWS. ABANDON CARS AND MOBILE HOMES FOR A REINFORCED BUILDING OR GET INTO A DITCH OR CULVERT.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado 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, 5 hours 17 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, 5 hours 16 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.Local storm report, May 2, 5:32 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA
532 PM CDT FRI MAY 02 1997
TIME(CDT) .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE ...EVENT/REMARKS...
....COUNTY LOCATION....
0437 PM AL .5 INCH HAIL
05/02/97 WINSTON PEA-SIZED HAIL REPORTED IN
THE HALEYVILLE AND BEAR
CREEK AREAS. TIME ESTIMATED
0445 PM AL WIND DAMAGE
05/02/97 LAMAR TREES DOWN AND A FEW POWER
LINES DOWN BETWEEN
SULLIGENT AND VERNON TIME
ESTIMATED
0453 PM HAMILTON AL WIND DAMAGE
05/02/97 MARION TREES DOWN IN
HAMILTON...ALSO PEA-SIZED
HAIL REPORTED IN VARIOUS
LOCATIONS AROUND THE CO.
0505 PM AL WIND DAMAGE
05/02/97 WINSTON TREES DOWN IN DOUBLE
SPRINGS AREA...ALSO DIME
SIZED HAIL REPORTED IN
VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE
WESTERN PARTS OF THE CO.Local storm report, May 2, 5:33 PM CDT, 23 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA
532 PM CDT FRI MAY 02 1997
TIME(CDT) .....CITY LOCATION..... STATE ...EVENT/REMARKS...
....COUNTY LOCATION....
0437 PM AL .5 INCH HAIL
05/02/97 WINSTON PEA-SIZED HAIL REPORTED IN
THE HALEYVILLE AND BEAR
CREEK AREAS. TIME ESTIMATED
0445 PM AL WIND DAMAGE
05/02/97 LAMAR TREES DOWN AND A FEW POWER
LINES DOWN BETWEEN
SULLIGENT AND VERNON TIME
ESTIMATED
0453 PM HAMILTON AL WIND DAMAGE
05/02/97 MARION TREES DOWN IN
HAMILTON...ALSO PEA-SIZED
HAIL REPORTED IN VARIOUS
LOCATIONS AROUND THE CO.
0505 PM AL WIND DAMAGE
05/02/97 WINSTON TREES DOWN IN DOUBLE
SPRINGS AREA...ALSO DIME
SIZED HAIL REPORTED IN
VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE
WESTTERN PARTS OF THE CO.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, 4:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Lamar, Marion | 35 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, 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
Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 1997Every tornado warning in 1997Tornadoes 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.