Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 8, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 25, 2011Cherokee County, Etowah County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 25, 2011, 12:29 AM CST for Cherokee County, Etowah County, Alabama. It was in force for 46 min. 1 report 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 25, 2011, 12:29 AM CST (06:29 UTC)
Expired: Feb 25, 2011, 1:15 AM CST
In force: 46 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Cherokee County, AL, Etowah County, AL

The radar

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 108 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 06:31 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Feb 25, 12:40 AM CST	FUNNEL CLOUD	5 Wsw Tennala, AL

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

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 00:00Z, 6.5 hours before the alert went out and 133 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: 2 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -38 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1511 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 50 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 137 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 274 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

700 
WFUS54 KBMX 250629
TORBMX
ALC019-055-250715-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0008.110225T0629Z-110225T0715Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1229 AM CST FRI FEB 25 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHERN CHEROKEE COUNTY IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA...
  EASTERN ETOWAH COUNTY IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 115 AM CST

* AT 1225 AM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THIS DANGEROUS STORM
  WAS LOCATED NEAR NOCCALULA FALLS...OR NEAR GADSDEN...AND MOVING
  EAST AT 60 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  HOKES BLUFF...CENTRE...SLACKLAND...TENNALA...MOSHAT...REAVES...
  ELLISVILLE AND SPRING GARDEN.

THIS INCLUDES...
INTERSTATE 59 EXIT NUMBER 188...

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 3418 8543 3396 8539 3395 8562 3396 8563
      3397 8573 3395 8574 3395 8582 3396 8584
      3395 8589 3396 8605 3411 8604
TIME...MOT...LOC 0630Z 266DEG 51KT 3404 8590

$$

27

3 follow-up statements

902 
WWUS54 KBMX 250640
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1240 AM CST FRI FEB 25 2011

ALC019-055-250715-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-110225T0715Z/
ETOWAH AL-CHEROKEE AL-
1240 AM CST FRI FEB 25 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHERN CHEROKEE AND EAST
CENTRAL ETOWAH COUNTIES UNTIL 115 AM CST...

AT 1236 AM CST...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD.  A
TORNADO MAY DEVELOP AT ANY TIME. THIS DANGEROUS STORM WAS LOCATED
NEAR HOKES BLUFF...MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  TENNALA...MOSHAT...ELLISVILLE AND SPRING GARDEN.

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 8539 3395 8559 3395 8562 3396 8563
      3397 8573 3395 8574 3395 8582 3396 8584
      3410 8582 3418 8543
TIME...MOT...LOC 0641Z 266DEG 51KT 3405 8571

$$

27

203 
WWUS54 KBMX 250654
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1254 AM CST FRI FEB 25 2011

ALC055-250704-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-110225T0715Z/
ETOWAH AL-
1254 AM CST FRI FEB 25 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL ETOWAH 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 3396 8539 3395 8557 3395 8562 3396 8563
      3397 8570 3397 8572 3411 8567 3418 8543
TIME...MOT...LOC 0654Z 266DEG 51KT 3406 8549

$$

ALC019-250715-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-110225T0715Z/
CHEROKEE AL-
1254 AM CST FRI FEB 25 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEASTERN CHEROKEE
COUNTY UNTIL 115 AM CST...

AT 1249 AM CST...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD.  A
TORNADO MAY DEVELOP AT ANY TIME. THIS DANGEROUS STORM WAS LOCATED 5
MILES SOUTHEAST OF MOSHAT...OR 9 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CENTRE...MOVING
EAST AT 60 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF SOUTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY.

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 3396 8539 3395 8557 3395 8562 3396 8563
      3397 8570 3397 8572 3411 8567 3418 8543
TIME...MOT...LOC 0654Z 266DEG 51KT 3406 8549

$$

27

317 
WWUS54 KBMX 250708
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
108 AM CST FRI FEB 25 2011

ALC019-250718-
/O.EXP.KBMX.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-110225T0715Z/
CHEROKEE AL-
108 AM CST FRI FEB 25 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 115 AM CST...

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

ADDITIONAL STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ARE STILL POSSIBLE...AND A TORNADO 
WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM CST.

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

LAT...LON 3396 8539 3395 8557 3395 8562 3396 8563
      3397 8570 3397 8572 3411 8567 3418 8543
TIME...MOT...LOC 0708Z 266DEG 51KT 3407 8525

$$

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, 11:16 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount, Walker	44 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, 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.