Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 6, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 24, 2011Blount County, Walker County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 24, 2011, 11:16 PM CST for Blount County, Walker County, Alabama. It was in force for 44 min. 3 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 24, 2011, 11:16 PM CST (05:16 UTC)
Expired: Feb 25, 2011, 12:00 AM CST
In force: 44 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Blount County, AL, Walker County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 81 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 05:18 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
Feb 24, 11:18 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	1 Sse Smith Dam, AL	TREES DOWN ON SMITH LAKE DAM ROAD NEAR AL 69.
Feb 24, 11:47 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	2 N Dallas, AL	TREE DOWN BLOCKING HWY 79 AT DALLAS SELFVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Feb 24, 11:47 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	5 Wsw Cleveland, AL	POWERLINES DOWN ON MOUNT VIEW TRAIL AND CO HWY 11.

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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Feb 24, 8:30 PM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 5.3 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-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: 52 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -7 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1096 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 55 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 162 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 199 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

025 
WFUS54 KBMX 250516
TORBMX
ALC009-127-250600-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0006.110225T0516Z-110225T0600Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1116 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHWESTERN BLOUNT COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  EAST CENTRAL WALKER COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST

* AT 1116 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THIS DANGEROUS STORM
  WAS LOCATED NEAR JASPER...AND MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CLEVELAND...SIPSEY...ARKADELPHIA...BLOUNT SPRINGS...HAYDEN...
  BANGOR...DALLAS...NECTAR...LOCUST FORK AND FAIRVIEW.

THIS INCLUDES...
US 78 EXIT NUMBER 65...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TORNADOES AND
WIDESPREAD SIGNIFICANT WIND DAMAGE. DO NOT WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR THE
TORNADO. FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST
FLOOR OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.

&&

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

LAT...LON 3385 8653 3383 8674 3384 8676 3384 8688
      3381 8696 3378 8727 3395 8730 3399 8711
      3389 8708 3389 8700 3387 8698 3387 8695
      3392 8692 3396 8680 3405 8670 3407 8657
TIME...MOT...LOC 0516Z 261DEG 49KT 3388 8716

$$

27

3 follow-up statements

288 
WWUS54 KBMX 250528
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1128 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

ALC009-127-250600-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-110225T0600Z/
WALKER AL-BLOUNT AL-
1128 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHWESTERN BLOUNT AND
EAST CENTRAL WALKER COUNTIES UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST...

AT 1126 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS DANGEROUS
STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR ARKADELPHIA...OR 10 MILES NORTH OF SUMITON...
MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CLEVELAND...ARKADELPHIA...BLOUNT SPRINGS...HAYDEN...BANGOR...
  DALLAS...NECTAR...LOCUST FORK...FAIRVIEW AND RICKWOOD CAVERNS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TORNADOES AND
WIDESPREAD SIGNIFICANT WIND DAMAGE. DO NOT WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR THE
TORNADO. FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST
FLOOR OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.

&&

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

LAT...LON 3407 8657 3385 8653 3383 8674 3384 8688
      3381 8696 3379 8715 3396 8711 3389 8708
      3389 8700 3387 8698 3387 8695 3388 8693
      3392 8692 3396 8679 3405 8670
TIME...MOT...LOC 0528Z 261DEG 49KT 3390 8696

$$

27

466 
WWUS54 KBMX 250539
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1139 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

ALC127-250549-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-110225T0600Z/
WALKER AL-
1139 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL WALKER COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT OF THE WARNED 
AREA.

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

LAT...LON 3407 8657 3385 8653 3383 8674 3384 8676
      3384 8687 3382 8696 3387 8696 3388 8693
      3390 8693 3392 8692 3396 8679 3405 8670
TIME...MOT...LOC 0539Z 261DEG 49KT 3392 8678

$$

ALC009-250600-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-110225T0600Z/
BLOUNT AL-
1139 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR CENTRAL BLOUNT COUNTY
UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST...

AT 1135 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS DANGEROUS
STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR BLOUNT SPRINGS...OR 16 MILES NORTHEAST OF
SUMITON...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CLEVELAND...HAYDEN...BANGOR...DALLAS...NECTAR...LOCUST FORK...
  FAIRVIEW...MOUNT OLIVE...CLEAR SPRINGS AND FOWLER SPRING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TORNADOES AND
WIDESPREAD SIGNIFICANT WIND DAMAGE. DO NOT WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR THE
TORNADO. FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST
FLOOR OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.

&&

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

LAT...LON 3407 8657 3385 8653 3383 8674 3384 8676
      3384 8687 3382 8696 3387 8696 3388 8693
      3390 8693 3392 8692 3396 8679 3405 8670
TIME...MOT...LOC 0539Z 261DEG 49KT 3392 8678

$$

27

559 
WWUS54 KBMX 250549
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1149 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

ALC009-250600-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-110225T0600Z/
BLOUNT AL-
1149 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR CENTRAL BLOUNT COUNTY
UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST...

AT 1149 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS DANGEROUS
STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR LOCUST FORK...OR NEAR CLEVELAND...MOVING EAST
AT 55 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CLEVELAND...FAIRVIEW AND FOWLER SPRING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW.

THIS LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TORNADOES AND
WIDESPREAD SIGNIFICANT WIND DAMAGE. DO NOT WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR THE
TORNADO. FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST
FLOOR OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.

&&

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

LAT...LON 3396 8673 3405 8670 3407 8657 3385 8653
      3383 8674 3384 8676 3384 8678
TIME...MOT...LOC 0550Z 261DEG 49KT 3394 8660

$$

27

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Feb 24, 9:35 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Marion	40 min
Feb 24, 9:57 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Marion	33 min
Feb 24, 10:04 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Greene, Pickens	41 min
Feb 24, 10:10 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston	50 min
Feb 24, 10:30 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Walker	45 min
Feb 24, 10:41 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Greene, Jefferson, Lamar, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and 1 more	49 min
Feb 24, 10:44 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Walker, Winston	46 min
Feb 24, 11:21 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount, Jefferson, Walker	39 min
Feb 24, 11:24 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby and 3 more	66 min
Feb 24, 11:25 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount, Etowah, Jefferson, St. Clair, Walker	50 min
Feb 24, 11:26 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount, Etowah, Jefferson, St. Clair	49 min
Feb 24, 11:38 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Dallas, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Sumter	67 min
Feb 25, 12:09 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, St. Clair	57 min
Feb 25, 12:12 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Shelby, Talladega	63 min
Feb 25, 12:29 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Cherokee, Etowah	46 min
Feb 25, 1:17 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph, Talladega	43 min
Feb 25, 2:06 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Bullock, Chambers, Elmore, Lee, Lowndes, Macon and 3 more	39 min
Feb 25, 2:45 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Barbour, Bullock, Lee, Macon, Russell	45 min
Feb 25, 3:35 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Barbour, Pike, Russell	40 min

Nearby

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