Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2011

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 23, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 28, 2011Jefferson County, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Feb 28, 2011, 2:32 PM CST for Jefferson County, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was in force for 43 min. 6 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 28, 2011, 2:32 PM CST (20:32 UTC)
Expired
Feb 28, 2011, 3:15 PM CST
In force
43 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Jefferson County, AL, Tuscaloosa County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 40 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:31 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Feb 28, 2:41 PM CSTHAIL 1.75Morris, ALHAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF GOLF BALLS
Feb 28, 2:45 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGFultondale, ALTREES DOWN. WALKERS CHAPEL ROAD AND LACEYS CHAPEL RAOD.
Feb 28, 2:50 PM CSTTSTM WND GST 52Fairfield, ALWIND GUSTS WERE ESTIMATED JUST OVER 50 MPH. SMALL HAIL ALSO FELL AT THIS LOCATION.
Feb 28, 3:00 PM CSTHAIL 1E Birmingham, ALIN AVONDALE AREA.
Feb 28, 3:01 PM CSTHAIL 1.75Birmingham, ALHAIL AS LARGE AS GOLF BALLS ON RED MOUNTAIN.
Feb 28, 3:02 PM CSTHAIL 0.752 S Irondale, ALTHREE QUARTER INCH DIAMETER HAIL WAS REPORTED NEAR IRONDALE.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Feb 28, 12:29 PM CSTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 39 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2011-02-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 652 joules per kilogram.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.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2011-02-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 256 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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.
Mixed-layer CAPE
652 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-2 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
498 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
60 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
256 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
425 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.3
Supercell composite
5.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

546 
WUUS54 KBMX 282032
SVRBMX
ALC073-125-282115-
/O.NEW.KBMX.SV.W.0023.110228T2032Z-110228T2115Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
232 PM CST MON FEB 28 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  JEFFERSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  TUSCALOOSA COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 315 PM CST

* AT 231 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A LINE OF
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND
  DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED
  ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM WEST JEFFERSON TO 5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
  BRYANT DENNY STADIUM...AND MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  HUEYTOWN...GARDENDALE...FULTONDALE...FAIRFIELD...BIRMINGHAM...
  BESSEMER...PINSON-CLAY-CHALKVILLE AND HOMEWOOD.

THIS INCLUDES...
INTERSTATE 65 EXIT NUMBERS 250 THROUGH 282...
INTERSTATE 459 EXIT NUMBERS 1 THROUGH 33...
US 78 EXIT NUMBERS 81 THROUGH 91...
INTERSTATE 20 EXIT NUMBERS 62 THROUGH 140...
INTERSTATE 59 EXIT NUMBERS 130 THROUGH 143...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. TORNADOES CAN
DEVELOP QUICKLY FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. ALTHOUGH NOT IMMEDIATELY
LIKELY...IF A TORNADO IS SPOTTED...ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF
SAFETY INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL
INTERIOR ROOM.

&&

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...
CALL 1-800-856-0758.

LAT...LON 3310 8781 3334 8766 3352 8732 3355 8719
      3360 8720 3366 8706 3382 8695 3384 8676
      3376 8666 3376 8655 3372 8653 3356 8655
      3353 8652 3347 8662 3347 8668 3325 8698
      3324 8715 3314 8721 3314 8728 3304 8734
TIME...MOT...LOC 2032Z 273DEG 53KT 3359 8707 3315 8760

$$

GOGGINS
3 follow-up statements
516 
WWUS54 KBMX 282043
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
243 PM CST MON FEB 28 2011

ALC073-125-282115-
/O.CON.KBMX.SV.W.0023.000000T0000Z-110228T2115Z/
TUSCALOOSA AL-JEFFERSON AL-
243 PM CST MON FEB 28 2011

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR JEFFERSON AND
SOUTHEASTERN TUSCALOOSA COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM CST...

AT 240 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GOLF BALL SIZE
HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THESE STORMS WERE
LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM FORESTDALE TO MCFARLAND MALL...
MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH.

IN ADDITION...HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF GOLF BALLS WAS REPORTED IN 
MORRIS WITH THESE STORMS.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  HUEYTOWN...GARDENDALE...FULTONDALE...FAIRFIELD...BIRMINGHAM...
  BESSEMER...HOMEWOOD...IRONDALE...PINSON-CLAY-CHALKVILLE AND
  MOUNTAIN BROOK.

THIS INCLUDES...
INTERSTATE 65 EXIT NUMBERS 250 THROUGH 282...
INTERSTATE 459 EXIT NUMBERS 1 THROUGH 33...
US 78 EXIT NUMBERS 81 THROUGH 91...
INTERSTATE 20 EXIT NUMBERS 73 THROUGH 140...
INTERSTATE 59 EXIT NUMBERS 130 THROUGH 143...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. TORNADOES CAN
DEVELOP QUICKLY FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. ALTHOUGH NOT IMMEDIATELY
LIKELY...IF A TORNADO IS SPOTTED ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF
SAFETY INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL
INTERIOR ROOM.

&&

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...CALL 1-800-856-0758.

LAT...LON 3384 8676 3376 8666 3376 8655 3372 8653
      3358 8655 3352 8653 3347 8662 3346 8669
      3325 8698 3324 8715 3314 8721 3314 8728
      3304 8734 3311 8762 3334 8748 3347 8716
      3359 8712 3382 8695
TIME...MOT...LOC 2043Z 273DEG 53KT 3357 8688 3314 8743

$$

GOGGINS
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 282055
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
255 PM CST MON FEB 28 2011

ALC073-125-282115-
/O.CON.KBMX.SV.W.0023.000000T0000Z-110228T2115Z/
TUSCALOOSA AL-JEFFERSON AL-
255 PM CST MON FEB 28 2011

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR JEFFERSON AND
EAST CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM CST...

AT 250 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GOLF BALL SIZE
HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THESE STORMS WERE
LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM BIRMINGHAM TO COALING...MOVING
EAST AT 50 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  BESSEMER...HOMEWOOD...IRONDALE...PINSON-CLAY-CHALKVILLE...MOUNTAIN
  BROOK...VESTAVIA HILLS...TRUSSVILLE...HOOVER...LEEDS AND LIPSCOMB.

THIS INCLUDES...
INTERSTATE 65 EXIT NUMBERS 250 THROUGH 275...
INTERSTATE 459 EXIT NUMBERS 1 THROUGH 33...
US 78 EXIT NUMBERS 85 THROUGH 91...
INTERSTATE 20 EXIT NUMBERS 79 THROUGH 140...
INTERSTATE 59 EXIT NUMBERS 130 THROUGH 143...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. TORNADOES CAN
DEVELOP QUICKLY FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. ALTHOUGH NOT IMMEDIATELY
LIKELY...IF A TORNADO IS SPOTTED ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF
SAFETY INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL
INTERIOR ROOM.

IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS
IMMEDIATELY! LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURE'S LEADING KILLERS.
REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

&&

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...CALL 1-800-856-0758.

LAT...LON 3376 8666 3376 8655 3372 8653 3362 8655
      3353 8653 3347 8662 3347 8668 3325 8698
      3324 8715 3314 8721 3314 8728 3311 8730
      3307 8745 3330 8737 3346 8703 3361 8703
      3384 8676
TIME...MOT...LOC 2054Z 270DEG 45KT 3357 8676 3315 8732

$$

GOGGINS
334 
WWUS54 KBMX 282115
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
315 PM CST MON FEB 28 2011

ALC073-125-282125-
/O.EXP.KBMX.SV.W.0023.000000T0000Z-110228T2115Z/
TUSCALOOSA AL-JEFFERSON AL-
315 PM CST MON FEB 28 2011

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR JEFFERSON AND EAST CENTRAL
TUSCALOOSA COUNTIES HAS EXPIRED...

THE LINE OF STORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE
WARNED AREA.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...CALL 1-800-856-0758.

LAT...LON 3376 8666 3376 8655 3372 8653 3362 8655
      3353 8653 3347 8662 3347 8668 3325 8698
      3324 8715 3314 8721 3314 8728 3311 8730
      3307 8745 3330 8737 3346 8703 3361 8703
      3384 8676
TIME...MOT...LOC 2055Z 270DEG 45KT 3354 8674 3313 8731

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 28, 1:53 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMarshall37 min
Feb 28, 2:11 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCherokee34 min
Feb 28, 2:19 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa41 min
Feb 28, 2:21 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCherokee, Etowah24 min
Feb 28, 2:44 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCherokee19 min
Feb 28, 2:58 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXBarbour, Bullock, Pike15 min
Feb 28, 2:59 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Shelby61 min
Feb 28, 3:09 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, St. Clair, Talladega51 min
Feb 28, 3:15 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXCherokee15 min
Feb 28, 3:39 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXShelby, Talladega36 min
Feb 28, 3:53 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCleburne37 min
Feb 28, 4:00 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXClay, Coosa, Randolph, Talladega, Tallapoosa45 min
Feb 28, 4:16 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Chilton, Dallas44 min
Feb 28, 4:22 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Dallas, Perry38 min
Feb 28, 4:43 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXClay, Randolph17 min
Feb 28, 4:47 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Dallas, Lowndes43 min
Feb 28, 5:11 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementBMXChambers49 min
Feb 28, 5:15 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXDallas, Lowndes, Montgomery45 min
Feb 28, 5:29 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXChambers23 min
Feb 28, 5:56 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBullock, Montgomery49 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2011Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2011

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.