Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 98, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 27, 2011Jefferson County, Tuscaloosa County, Walker County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 27, 2011, 5:14 AM CDT for Jefferson County, Tuscaloosa County, Walker County, Alabama. It was in force for 31 min. 4 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 27, 2011, 5:14 AM CDT (10:14 UTC)
Expired
Apr 27, 2011, 5:45 AM CDT
In force
31 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Jefferson County, AL, Tuscaloosa County, AL, Walker County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 78 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:17 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 27, 5:20 AM CDTTORNADO 33 Ese The Wye, ALAN EF-3...POSSIBLY HIGHER...TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN RURAL SOUTHWESTERN WALKER COUNTY AND RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED AS IT MOVED NNE THROUGH THE ALDRIDGE AND CORDOVA COMMUNITIES...DISSIPATING 2.5 MILES WSW OF SIPSEY. THE TORNADO DAMAGED AT LEAST 4 HOMES AND DESTROYED
Apr 27, 5:28 AM CDTTSTM WND DMGCordova, ALROAD SIGNS BLOWN DOWN AND A TRUCK BLOWN INTO THE DITCH ALONG INTERSTATE 22 AND EXIT 70.
Apr 27, 5:28 AM CDTTORNADOCordova, AL*** 2 INJ *** ROAD SIGNS BLOWN DOWN AND A TRUCK BLOWN INTO THE DITCH ALONG INTERSTATE 22 AND EXIT 70. NUMEROUS TREES AND STRUCTURES DAMAGED. AT LEAST ONE MOBILE DESTROYED.
Apr 27, 5:35 AM CDTTSTM WND DMGSipsey, ALOUTBUILDINGS DAMAGED NEAR SIPSEY.

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 27, 2:26 AM CDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 10.2 hours before the alert went out and 76 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 00:00Z on 2011-04-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1044 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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 00:00Z on 2011-04-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 111 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
1044 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-10 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1119 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
29 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
111 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
181 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.6
Supercell composite
5.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

403 
WFUS54 KBMX 271014
TORBMX
ALC073-125-127-271045-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0098.110427T1014Z-110427T1045Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
514 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  NORTH CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  EASTERN WALKER COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 545 AM CDT

* AT 515 AM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THIS DANGEROUS STORM
  WAS LOCATED 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF BANKHEAD LOCK AND DAM...OR 20
  MILES SOUTHWEST OF CORDOVA...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 70 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CORDOVA...DORA...SUMITON...OAKMAN...GORGAS...PARRISH...GORGAS STEAM
  PLANT...BELOIT...QUINTON AND BURNWELL.

THIS INCLUDES...
US 78 EXIT NUMBERS 63 THROUGH 78...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT TAKE SHELTER UNDER HIGHWAY OVERPASSES. AS A LAST
RESORT...EITHER PARK YOUR VEHICLE AND STAY PUT...OR ABANDON YOUR
VEHICLE AND LIE DOWN IN A LOW LYING AREA.

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 3392 8708 3390 8709 3390 8703 3376 8691
      3344 8741 3358 8753 3361 8750 3361 8742
      3369 8742 3396 8711
TIME...MOT...LOC 1015Z 234DEG 61KT 3357 8737

$$

75
2 follow-up statements
237 
WWUS54 KBMX 271025
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
525 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

ALC073-125-271036-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0098.000000T0000Z-110427T1045Z/
TUSCALOOSA AL-JEFFERSON AL-
525 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON AND NORTH CENTRAL
TUSCALOOSA COUNTIES 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 3393 8710 3392 8708 3390 8709 3389 8702
      3381 8696 3379 8698 3379 8700 3376 8701
      3358 8723 3371 8740 3396 8711
TIME...MOT...LOC 1026Z 224DEG 63KT 3372 8722

$$

ALC127-271045-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0098.000000T0000Z-110427T1045Z/
WALKER AL-
525 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR EASTERN WALKER COUNTY
UNTIL 545 AM CDT...

AT 521 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS DANGEROUS
STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR GORGAS...OR 9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CORDOVA...
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 70 MPH.

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
  SIPSEY...ROCKY HOLLOW AND SUMITON AROUND 535 AM CDT.

OTHER LOCATIONS IMPACTED BY THIS DANGEROUS STORM INCLUDE EMPIRE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. DO NOT WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR
THE TORNADO. 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 3393 8710 3392 8708 3390 8709 3389 8702
      3381 8696 3379 8698 3379 8700 3376 8701
      3358 8723 3371 8740 3396 8711
TIME...MOT...LOC 1026Z 224DEG 63KT 3372 8722

$$

75
911 
WWUS54 KBMX 271033
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
533 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

ALC127-271045-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0098.000000T0000Z-110427T1045Z/
WALKER AL-
533 AM CDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR EASTERN WALKER COUNTY
UNTIL 545 AM CDT...

AT 533 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.  THIS DANGEROUS
STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR CORDOVA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 65 MPH.

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL AFFECT MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF EASTERN WALKER
COUNTY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT TAKE SHELTER UNDER HIGHWAY OVERPASSES. AS A LAST
RESORT... EITHER PARK YOUR VEHICLE AND STAY PUT...OR ABANDON YOUR
VEHICLE AND LIE DOWN IN A LOW LYING AREA.

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 3393 8710 3392 8708 3390 8709 3389 8702
      3382 8697 3365 8715 3378 8732 3396 8711
TIME...MOT...LOC 1033Z 221DEG 56KT 3378 8716

$$

75

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 27, 3:37 AM CDTTornado WarningBMXLamar, Pickens38 min
Apr 27, 3:45 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar, Marion45 min
Apr 27, 3:59 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Lamar, Pickens, Sumter46 min
Apr 27, 4:13 AM CDTTornado WarningBMXPickens32 min
Apr 27, 4:14 AM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Pickens, Sumter31 min
Apr 27, 4:19 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar, Marion41 min
Apr 27, 4:26 AM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarion34 min
Apr 27, 4:28 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Marengo, Sumter47 min
Apr 27, 4:33 AM CDTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa27 min
Apr 27, 4:40 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens, Tuscaloosa50 min
Apr 27, 4:44 AM CDTTornado WarningBMXPickens, Tuscaloosa31 min
Apr 27, 5:07 AM CDTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Walker38 min
Apr 27, 5:11 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Blount, Fayette, Hale, Jefferson, Shelby and 2 more49 min
Apr 27, 5:29 AM CDTTornado WarningBMXBibb, Jefferson, Shelby, Tuscaloosa31 min
Apr 27, 5:44 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Chilton, Dallas, Perry, Shelby46 min
Apr 27, 5:52 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Chilton, Etowah, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby and 1 more53 min
Apr 27, 6:02 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXAutauga, Chilton, Dallas43 min
Apr 27, 6:21 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa and 3 more39 min
Apr 27, 6:49 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Randolph and 1 more56 min
Apr 27, 8:05 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar, Marion25 min
Apr 27, 8:20 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXMarion25 min
Apr 27, 10:04 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar, Marion41 min
Apr 27, 10:42 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLamar, Marion, Winston48 min
Apr 27, 10:51 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXMarion54 min
Apr 27, 12:08 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXMarion, Winston112 min
Apr 27, 2:09 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXWalker, Winston31 min
Apr 27, 2:17 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXMarion, Winston118 min
Apr 27, 2:51 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter19 hr
Apr 27, 2:51 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter6 hr
Apr 27, 2:59 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXLamar, Marion46 min
Apr 27, 3:15 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXPickens, Tuscaloosa60 min
Apr 27, 3:21 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXLamar, Marion54 min
Apr 27, 3:38 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXGreene, Hale, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa67 min
Apr 27, 3:56 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarion34 min
Apr 27, 3:57 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXMarion, Winston3 hr
Apr 27, 4:00 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXFayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Walker60 min
Apr 27, 4:31 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXPickens, Tuscaloosa20 min
Apr 27, 4:44 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion61 min
Apr 27, 4:47 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXGreene, Pickens, Tuscaloosa58 min
Apr 27, 4:50 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Sumter55 min
Apr 27, 4:55 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXBlount, Jefferson, Walker65 min
Apr 27, 5:22 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Lamar68 min
Apr 27, 5:28 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarion, Winston30 min
Apr 27, 5:31 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXJefferson, Shelby, Tuscaloosa59 min
Apr 27, 5:38 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXBibb, Greene, Hale, Perry, Tuscaloosa67 min
Apr 27, 5:39 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBlount21 min
Apr 27, 6:06 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Marengo, Sumter16 min
Apr 27, 6:14 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Marion, Walker, Winston61 min
Apr 27, 6:17 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXJefferson118 min
Apr 27, 6:18 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson, St. Clair57 min
Apr 27, 6:20 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBibb, Chilton, Greene, Hale, Perry55 min
Apr 27, 6:33 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningBMXMarion, Winston3 hr
Apr 27, 6:35 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston40 min
Apr 27, 6:39 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson, St. Clair3 hr
Apr 27, 6:39 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXBibb, Chilton, Shelby, Talladega66 min
Apr 27, 6:49 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXBlount, Calhoun, Etowah, St. Clair56 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.