Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2012

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 37, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 2, 2012Blount County, Jefferson County, St. Clair County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Mar 2, 2012, 5:16 PM CST for Blount County, Jefferson County, St. Clair County, Alabama. It was in force for 44 min. 2 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: Mar 2, 2012, 5:16 PM CST (23:16 UTC)
Expired: Mar 2, 2012, 6:00 PM CST
In force: 44 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Blount County, AL, Jefferson County, AL, St. Clair County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 92 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:18 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
Mar 2, 5:28 PM CST	HAIL 0.5	Palmerdale, AL
Mar 2, 5:39 PM CST	HAIL 1	Springville, AL	FIRE DEPT REPORTING QUARTER SIZE HAIL IN SPRINGVILLE.

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
Mar 2, 1:20 PM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	9 hr
Mar 2, 4:37 PM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 11.3 hours before the alert went out and 91 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: 544 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -15 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 530 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 59 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 180 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 204 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.6
Supercell composite: 2.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

666 
WUUS54 KBMX 022316
SVRBMX
ALC009-073-115-030000-
/O.NEW.KBMX.SV.W.0037.120302T2316Z-120303T0000Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
516 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN BLOUNT COUNTY IN ALABAMA...
  NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY IN ALABAMA...
  NORTHERN ST. CLAIR COUNTY IN ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 600 PM CST

* AT 511 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING
  WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR MORRIS...OR
  5 MILES NORTHEAST OF GARDENDALE...AND MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  SPRINGVILLE...ODENVILLE...CLAY...ARGO...MARGARET...ASHVILLE...
  RAGLAND AND STEELE.

THIS INCLUDES...
INTERSTATE 59 EXIT NUMBERS 148 THROUGH 174...

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.

THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING LARGE HAIL. SEEK SHELTER NOW
INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

&&

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST SATURDAY MORNING
FOR ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CST
FRIDAY EVENING FOR NORTHWESTERN ALABAMA.

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

LAT...LON 3390 8614 3391 8611 3387 8610 3385 8605
      3384 8607 3376 8605 3369 8615 3367 8669
      3382 8673 3395 8636 3394 8637 3394 8633
      3398 8627 3397 8625 3399 8619
TIME...MOT...LOC 2316Z 252DEG 41KT 3375 8669

$$

27

2 follow-up statements

372 
WWUS54 KBMX 022333
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
533 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

ALC009-073-022343-
/O.CAN.KBMX.SV.W.0037.000000T0000Z-120303T0000Z/
BLOUNT AL-JEFFERSON AL-
533 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON AND
SOUTHEASTERN BLOUNT 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 3390 8614 3391 8611 3386 8610 3385 8605
      3384 8607 3376 8605 3371 8612 3372 8614
      3369 8615 3370 8619 3369 8620 3367 8652
      3376 8654 3379 8658 3382 8643 3399 8620
TIME...MOT...LOC 2333Z 262DEG 43KT 3375 8645

$$

ALC115-030000-
/O.CON.KBMX.SV.W.0037.000000T0000Z-120303T0000Z/
ST. CLAIR AL-
533 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHERN ST.
CLAIR COUNTY UNTIL 600 PM CST...

AT 530 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND
DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR
SPRINGVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  ODENVILLE...ASHVILLE...STEELE...RAGLAND...ST. CLAIR SPRINGS...
  CALDWELL...I 59 REST AREAS AT ONEONTA...WHITNEY JUNCTION...NEELY
  HENRY DAM AND WILLIAMS.

THIS INCLUDES...
INTERSTATE 59 EXIT NUMBERS 148 THROUGH 174...

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.

THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING LARGE HAIL. SEEK SHELTER NOW
INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

&&

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

LAT...LON 3390 8614 3391 8611 3386 8610 3385 8605
      3384 8607 3376 8605 3371 8612 3372 8614
      3369 8615 3370 8619 3369 8620 3367 8652
      3376 8654 3379 8658 3382 8643 3399 8620
TIME...MOT...LOC 2333Z 262DEG 43KT 3375 8645

$$

27

499 
WWUS54 KBMX 022353
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
553 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

ALC115-030000-
/O.CON.KBMX.SV.W.0037.000000T0000Z-120303T0000Z/
ST. CLAIR AL-
553 PM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHEASTERN
ST. CLAIR COUNTY UNTIL 600 PM CST...

AT 548 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND
DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR
ASHVILLE...OR 11 MILES NORTHEAST OF ODENVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 50
MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  RAGLAND...NEELY HENRY DAM AND WILLIAMS.

THIS INCLUDES...
INTERSTATE 59 EXIT NUMBERS 166 THROUGH 174...

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.

THIS STORM HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING LARGE HAIL. SEEK SHELTER NOW
INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

&&

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

LAT...LON 3390 8614 3390 8611 3386 8610 3385 8605
      3384 8607 3376 8605 3374 8610 3371 8612
      3372 8614 3369 8615 3370 8619 3368 8634
      3383 8638 3399 8620
TIME...MOT...LOC 2353Z 262DEG 43KT 3378 8616

$$

27

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Mar 2, 4:53 AM CST	Wind Advisory	BMX	Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more	13 hr
Mar 2, 2:46 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marion	44 min
Mar 2, 2:59 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lamar, Pickens	46 min
Mar 2, 3:26 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa	49 min
Mar 2, 3:38 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lamar, Marion	52 min
Mar 2, 3:47 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Winston	43 min
Mar 2, 4:05 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker	40 min
Mar 2, 4:16 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Walker	44 min
Mar 2, 4:23 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marion, Winston	31 min
Mar 2, 4:39 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Walker	53 min
Mar 2, 4:46 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount	48 min
Mar 2, 4:53 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marengo	52 min
Mar 2, 5:43 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Lowndes	47 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2012 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2012

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.