Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 56, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 15, 2011Greene County, Hale County, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 15, 2011, 3:10 PM CDT for Greene County, Hale County, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was in force for 50 min. 7 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
Apr 15, 2011, 3:10 PM CDT (20:10 UTC)
Expired
Apr 15, 2011, 4:00 PM CDT
In force
50 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Greene County, AL, Hale County, AL, Tuscaloosa County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 81 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:10 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
Apr 15, 3:16 PM CDTTORNADO 33 Se Ralph, ALAN EF-3 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN NEAR RALPH IN NORTHEAST GREENE COUNTY AND MOVED NORTHEAST TO NEAR 1.5 MILES EAST OF UNIVERSITY MALL IN TUSCALOOSA. HUNDREDS OF TREES WERE SNAPPED OR UPROOTED AND A POWER TRANSMISSION TOWER WAS CRUSHED. MANY HOMES AND BUSINESSES WER
Apr 15, 3:36 PM CDTTORNADOTuscaloosa, ALTUSCALOOSA FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TORNADO ON THE GROUND ON HWY 69 SOUTH NEAR SHELTON STATE WITH DEBRIS ON ROADWAY.
Apr 15, 3:38 PM CDTTORNADOTuscaloosa, ALOLD DAYCARE CENTER ON HWY 69 SOUTH RECIEVED MAJOR STRUCTUAL DAMAGE. HILLCREST CENTER RECIEVED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO SIGNS.
Apr 15, 3:39 PM CDTTORNADOTuscaloosa, ALDAMAGE AT THE TOKYO RESTAURANT ON 69 SOUTH. SEVERAL TRAILER HOMES AT A DEALERSHIP TURNED OVER AND SPEEDY OIL CHANGE NORTH OF DEALERSHIP WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED. ON 82 SEVERAL TREES DOWN AND MOTEL 6 WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED.
Apr 15, 3:42 PM CDTTORNADOTuscaloosa, ALSTUCTURAL DAMAGE TO SEVERAL HOMES IN THE BEACH HILL AREA.
Apr 15, 4:03 PM CDTTORNADOTuscaloosa, ALSTRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO SKYLAND PARK AREA. TREES DOWN. HOUSES IMPACTED ON 10TH AVENUE EAST.
Apr 15, 4:05 PM CDTTORNADOTuscaloosa, ALSTUCTURAL DAMAGE TO SEVERAL HOMES IN THE BEACH HILL AREA.

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
Apr 15, 11:21 AM CDTTornado WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 8.2 hours before the alert went out and 80 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 2011-04-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2011-04-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 282 square meters per square second.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.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1553 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
46 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
282 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
365 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

131 
WFUS54 KBMX 152010
TORBMX
ALC063-065-125-152100-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0056.110415T2010Z-110415T2100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
310 PM CDT FRI APR 15 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHEASTERN GREENE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  NORTH CENTRAL HALE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  SOUTHERN TUSCALOOSA COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 400 PM CDT

* AT 306 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THIS DANGEROUS STORM
  WAS LOCATED NEAR UNION...OR 8 MILES NORTH OF EUTAW...AND MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  NORTHPORT...TUSCALOOSA...HOLT...KNOXVILLE...MOUNDVILLE...MCFARLAND
  MALL...BRYANT DENNY STADIUM...UNIVERSITY MALL...LAKE WILDWOOD AND
  COALING.

THIS INCLUDES...
INTERSTATE 20 EXIT NUMBERS 52 THROUGH 79...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW. FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE
LOWEST FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING.

&&

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

LAT...LON 3300 8791 3334 8749 3313 8729 3308 8732
      3290 8784
TIME...MOT...LOC 2010Z 232DEG 36KT 3298 8781

$$

03
2 follow-up statements
131 
WWUS54 KBMX 152033
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
333 PM CDT FRI APR 15 2011

ALC063-065-152042-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0056.000000T0000Z-110415T2100Z/
HALE AL-GREENE AL-
333 PM CDT FRI APR 15 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN GREENE AND NORTH CENTRAL HALE
COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT OF THE WARNED 
AREA...BUT ANOTHER TORNADO WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR A STORM IN 
NORTHERN GREEN HEADED TOWARD MOUNDVILLE.

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

LAT...LON 3301 8761 3313 8770 3334 8749 3313 8729
      3308 8732
TIME...MOT...LOC 2032Z 232DEG 36KT 3311 8760

$$

ALC125-152100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0056.000000T0000Z-110415T2100Z/
TUSCALOOSA AL-
333 PM CDT FRI APR 15 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTH CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA
COUNTY UNTIL 400 PM CDT...

AT 329 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS DANGEROUS
STORM WAS LOCATED 7 MILES NORTH OF MOUNDVILLE...OR 10 MILES SOUTH OF
NORTHPORT...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  TUSCALOOSA...HOLT...MCFARLAND MALL...BRYANT DENNY STADIUM...
  UNIVERSITY MALL...LAKE WILDWOOD...COALING...DEERLICK CREEK
  CAMPGROUNDS...LITTLE SANDY AND ENGLEWOOD.

THIS INCLUDES...
INTERSTATE 20 EXIT NUMBERS 68 THROUGH 79...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT
YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

&&

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

LAT...LON 3301 8761 3313 8770 3334 8749 3313 8729
      3308 8732
TIME...MOT...LOC 2032Z 232DEG 36KT 3311 8760

$$

03/08
057 
WWUS54 KBMX 152036
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
336 PM CDT FRI APR 15 2011

ALC125-152100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0056.000000T0000Z-110415T2100Z/
TUSCALOOSA AL-
336 PM CDT FRI APR 15 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA COUNTY
UNTIL 400 PM CDT...

AT 333 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A
CONFIRMED TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF 
MCFARLAND MALL...OR 9 MILES SOUTH OF NORTHPORT...NEAR HIGHWAY 69 
NEAR SHELTON STATE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  TUSCALOOSA...HOLT...MCFARLAND MALL...BRYANT DENNY STADIUM...
  UNIVERSITY MALL...LAKE WILDWOOD...COALING...DEERLICK CREEK
  CAMPGROUNDS...TAYLORVILLE AND STILLMAN COLLEGE.

THIS INCLUDES...
INTERSTATE 20 EXIT NUMBERS 68 THROUGH 79...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT
YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

&&

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

LAT...LON 3334 8749 3313 8729 3308 8732 3304 8756
      3315 8764
TIME...MOT...LOC 2036Z 232DEG 36KT 3313 8756

$$

03/08

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 15, 3:29 AM CDTWind AdvisoryBMXAutauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more22 hr
Apr 15, 8:49 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMarion41 min
Apr 15, 8:55 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLamar50 min
Apr 15, 9:49 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXLamar116 min
Apr 15, 9:53 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXFayette, Marion37 min
Apr 15, 10:11 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXLamar6 hr
Apr 15, 10:37 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXPickens38 min
Apr 15, 10:51 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXSt. Clair39 min
Apr 15, 10:59 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson, St. Clair46 min
Apr 15, 11:12 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXFayette, Walker, Winston2 hr
Apr 15, 11:52 AM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarengo38 min
Apr 15, 12:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar, Pickens34 min
Apr 15, 12:24 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarengo51 min
Apr 15, 12:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson, St. Clair27 min
Apr 15, 12:59 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXDallas, Marengo, Perry46 min
Apr 15, 1:10 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston3 hr
Apr 15, 1:22 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXBlount3 hr
Apr 15, 1:25 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXGreene, Sumter65 min
Apr 15, 1:43 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXPerry28 min
Apr 15, 2:14 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter4 days
Apr 15, 2:14 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter20 hr
Apr 15, 2:14 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter20 hr
Apr 15, 2:17 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo4 days
Apr 15, 2:24 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXGreene, Hale, Tuscaloosa51 min
Apr 15, 2:31 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarengo, Sumter29 min
Apr 15, 2:39 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXGreene, Pickens, Sumter3 hr
Apr 15, 2:41 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Tuscaloosa64 min
Apr 15, 2:49 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Sumter41 min
Apr 15, 2:56 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Sumter49 min
Apr 15, 3:25 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXTuscaloosa3 hr
Apr 15, 3:27 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Tuscaloosa48 min
Apr 15, 3:32 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXSumter58 min
Apr 15, 3:34 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXLowndes, Montgomery56 min
Apr 15, 3:39 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBibb, Hale, Perry, Tuscaloosa66 min
Apr 15, 3:44 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa37 min
Apr 15, 3:57 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningBMXLamar24 hr
Apr 15, 4:18 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Sumter57 min
Apr 15, 4:21 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXLamar39 min
Apr 15, 4:28 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBibb, Jefferson, Shelby62 min
Apr 15, 4:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Jefferson, Shelby, Tuscaloosa42 min
Apr 15, 4:41 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarengo, Sumter64 min
Apr 15, 4:42 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBibb, Tuscaloosa33 min
Apr 15, 4:45 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion26 min
Apr 15, 5:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar52 min
Apr 15, 5:09 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXJefferson, Shelby3 hr
Apr 15, 5:13 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBibb, Hale, Perry35 min
Apr 15, 5:18 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXLamar30 min
Apr 15, 5:26 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXSt. Clair, Shelby, Talladega49 min
Apr 15, 5:30 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXHale, Marengo, Perry, Sumter60 min
Apr 15, 5:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar22 min
Apr 15, 5:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChambers, Lee, Macon45 min
Apr 15, 5:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion45 min
Apr 15, 5:55 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXLowndes, Montgomery46 min
Apr 15, 6:08 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCalhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Talladega52 min
Apr 15, 6:11 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXDallas, Perry64 min
Apr 15, 6:12 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXLee21 min
Apr 15, 6:15 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXDallas, Lowndes60 min
Apr 15, 6:17 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Walker43 min
Apr 15, 6:19 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarengo56 min
Apr 15, 6:43 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXTalladega3 hr
Apr 15, 6:53 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCalhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Talladega31 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 2011Every tornado warning in 2011Tornadoes 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.