Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2016

Tornado Warning 20, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 31, 2016Blount County, Jefferson County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 31, 2016, 9:17 PM CDT for Blount County, Jefferson County, Alabama. It was in force for 32 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
Mar 31, 2016, 9:17 PM CDT (02:17 UTC)
Expired
Mar 31, 2016, 9:49 PM CDT
In force
32 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Blount County, AL, Jefferson County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 73 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:19 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
Mar 31, 9:42 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG2 S Locust Fork, ALTREES DOWN BLOCKING PORTION OF SPUNKY HOLLOW ROAD BETWEEN FRED TERRY ROAD AND TUCKER MOUNTAIN ROAD. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.
Mar 31, 9:42 PM CDTTORNADO 12 Ssw Locust Fork, ALTORNADO START POINT. TORNADO BRIEFLY TOUCHED DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF SPUNKY HOLLOW ROAD AND SUNRISE LANE. A METAL STORAGE BARN WITH WOOD FRAMING WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED AND THE INTACT ROOF WAS LOFTED NEARLY 50 YARDS. A DOZEN SOFTWOOD TREES WERE UPROOTED AND/
Mar 31, 9:44 PM CDTTORNADO 12 S Locust Fork, ALTORNADO END POINT. A SINGLE FAMILY HOME SUFFERED THE LOSS OF SOME ROOFING MATERIALS AND WINDOWS BROKEN BY DEBRIS. ANOTHER DOZEN SOFTWOODS WERE UPROOTED AND/OR SNAPPED WITH SEVERAL HARDWOODS ALSO UPROOTED. THE TORNADO LIFTED JUST NORTHEAST OF SUNRISE LANE. ESTI

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
Mar 31, 5:58 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 2.3 hours before the alert went out and 73 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 2016-04-01Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 693 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 2016-04-01The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 294 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
693 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-22 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
764 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
46 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
294 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
366 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.2
Supercell composite
6.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

596 
WFUS54 KBMX 010217
TORBMX
ALC009-073-010300-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0020.160401T0217Z-160401T0300Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
917 PM CDT THU MAR 31 2016

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN BLOUNT COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 1000 PM CDT
    
* AT 917 PM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO
  WAS LOCATED NEAR MORRIS...OR 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF GARDENDALE...MOVING
  EAST AT 35 MPH.

  HAZARD...TORNADO. 

  SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION. 

  IMPACT...FLYING DEBRIS WILL BE DANGEROUS TO THOSE CAUGHT WITHOUT 
           SHELTER. MOBILE HOMES WILL BE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. 
           DAMAGE TO ROOFS...WINDOWS...AND VEHICLES WILL OCCUR.  TREE 
           DAMAGE IS LIKELY. 

* THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
  TRAFFORD AROUND 930 PM CDT. 
  COUNTY LINE AROUND 935 PM CDT. 
  DALLAS AROUND 940 PM CDT. 
  LOCUST FORK AROUND 945 PM CDT. 
  INLAND LAKE AROUND 950 PM CDT. 
  ALLGOOD AROUND 955 PM CDT. 
  ONEONTA AROUND 1000 PM CDT. 

OTHER LOCATIONS IMPACTED BY THIS TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM INCLUDE CLEAR
SPRINGS...HOLLY SPRINGS...REMLAP...VILLAGE SPRINGS AND MOUNT OLIVE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3382 8643 3382 8644 3383 8645 3381 8651
      3380 8652 3380 8657 3377 8658 3376 8656
      3371 8688 3380 8693 3397 8649
TIME...MOT...LOC 0217Z 250DEG 28KT 3376 8686 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

87/GRANTHAM
4 follow-up statements
502 
WWUS54 KBMX 010225
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
925 PM CDT THU MAR 31 2016

ALC009-073-010300-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-160401T0300Z/
BLOUNT AL-JEFFERSON AL-
925 PM CDT THU MAR 31 2016

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN BLOUNT AND NORTH CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTIES...
    
AT 925 PM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO
WAS LOCATED OVER WARRIOR...OR 9 MILES NORTH OF GARDENDALE...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

HAZARD...TORNADO. 

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION. 

IMPACT...FLYING DEBRIS WILL BE DANGEROUS TO THOSE CAUGHT WITHOUT 
         SHELTER. MOBILE HOMES WILL BE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. DAMAGE 
         TO ROOFS...WINDOWS...AND VEHICLES WILL OCCUR.  TREE DAMAGE IS 
         LIKELY. 

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
  TRAFFORD AROUND 930 PM CDT. 
  COUNTY LINE AROUND 935 PM CDT. 
  DALLAS AROUND 940 PM CDT. 
  LOCUST FORK AROUND 945 PM CDT. 
  INLAND LAKE AROUND 950 PM CDT. 
  ALLGOOD AROUND 955 PM CDT. 
  ONEONTA AROUND 1000 PM CDT. 

OTHER LOCATIONS IMPACTED BY THIS TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM INCLUDE CLEAR
SPRINGS...REMLAP AND HOLLY SPRINGS.

LAT...LON 3373 8682 3383 8686 3397 8649 3382 8643
      3382 8644 3383 8645 3381 8651 3380 8652
      3380 8657 3378 8658
TIME...MOT...LOC 0225Z 245DEG 29KT 3380 8679 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

87/GRANTHAM
289 
WWUS54 KBMX 010236
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
936 PM CDT THU MAR 31 2016

ALC073-010245-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-160401T0300Z/
JEFFERSON AL-
936 PM CDT THU MAR 31 2016

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
THE TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT
OF THE WARNED AREA. THEREFORE THE WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 AM CDT FOR CENTRAL
ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3382 8643 3382 8644 3383 8645 3381 8651
      3380 8652 3380 8657 3379 8658 3379 8667
      3383 8675 3387 8676 3397 8649
TIME...MOT...LOC 0235Z 248DEG 29KT 3384 8668 

$$

ALC009-010300-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-160401T0300Z/
BLOUNT AL-
936 PM CDT THU MAR 31 2016

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN BLOUNT COUNTY...
    
AT 935 PM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO
WAS LOCATED OVER DALLAS...OR 12 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CLEVELAND...MOVING
EAST AT 35 MPH.

HAZARD...TORNADO. 

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION. 

IMPACT...FLYING DEBRIS WILL BE DANGEROUS TO THOSE CAUGHT WITHOUT 
         SHELTER. MOBILE HOMES WILL BE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. DAMAGE 
         TO ROOFS...WINDOWS...AND VEHICLES WILL OCCUR.  TREE DAMAGE IS 
         LIKELY. 

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
  LOCUST FORK AROUND 945 PM CDT. 
  INLAND LAKE AROUND 950 PM CDT. 
  ALLGOOD AROUND 955 PM CDT. 
  ONEONTA AROUND 1000 PM CDT. 

OTHER LOCATIONS IMPACTED BY THIS TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM INCLUDE CLEAR
SPRINGS...REMLAP AND HOLLY SPRINGS.

LAT...LON 3382 8643 3382 8644 3383 8645 3381 8651
      3380 8652 3380 8657 3379 8658 3379 8667
      3383 8675 3387 8676 3397 8649
TIME...MOT...LOC 0235Z 248DEG 29KT 3384 8668 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

87/GRANTHAM
703 
WWUS54 KBMX 010242
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
942 PM CDT THU MAR 31 2016

ALC009-010300-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-160401T0300Z/
BLOUNT AL-
942 PM CDT THU MAR 31 2016

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN BLOUNT COUNTY...
    
AT 942 PM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO
WAS LOCATED OVER DALLAS...OR 9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CLEVELAND...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

HAZARD...TORNADO. 

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION. 

IMPACT...FLYING DEBRIS WILL BE DANGEROUS TO THOSE CAUGHT WITHOUT 
         SHELTER. MOBILE HOMES WILL BE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. DAMAGE 
         TO ROOFS...WINDOWS...AND VEHICLES WILL OCCUR.  TREE DAMAGE IS 
         LIKELY. 

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR...
  LOCUST FORK AROUND 945 PM CDT. 
  INLAND LAKE AROUND 950 PM CDT. 
  ALLGOOD AROUND 955 PM CDT. 
  ONEONTA AROUND 1000 PM CDT. 

OTHER LOCATIONS IMPACTED BY THIS TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM INCLUDE CLEAR
SPRINGS AND REMLAP.

LAT...LON 3382 8666 3389 8670 3397 8649 3387 8645
TIME...MOT...LOC 0242Z 243DEG 27KT 3387 8664 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

87/GRANTHAM
232 
WWUS54 KBMX 010249
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
949 PM CDT THU MAR 31 2016

ALC009-010259-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-160401T0300Z/
BLOUNT AL-
949 PM CDT THU MAR 31 2016

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN BLOUNT COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
                
THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS WEAKENED BELOW SEVERE
LIMITS...AND NO LONGER APPEARS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO.
THEREFORE THE WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 AM CDT FOR CENTRAL
ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3382 8666 3389 8670 3397 8649 3387 8645
TIME...MOT...LOC 0247Z 250DEG 28KT 3389 8658 

$$

87/GRANTHAM

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 31, 7:02 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXFayette43 min
Mar 31, 7:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXWinston9 min
Mar 31, 7:29 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarion, Walker46 min
Mar 31, 7:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXSumter41 min
Mar 31, 7:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Pickens49 min
Mar 31, 7:59 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Walker46 min
Mar 31, 8:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXTuscaloosa55 min
Mar 31, 8:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXHale51 min
Mar 31, 9:30 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXAutauga, Dallas, Lowndes3 hr
Mar 31, 10:42 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXAutauga, Dallas, Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery3 hr
Mar 31, 11:07 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningBMXMontgomery69 hr
Mar 31, 11:17 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXElmore, Macon, Montgomery, Tallapoosa43 min
Mar 31, 11:55 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLee, Macon65 min
Apr 1, 12:14 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXPickens46 min
Apr 1, 1:03 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXPerry42 min
Apr 1, 1:53 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXShelby37 min
Apr 1, 2:33 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLowndes27 min
Apr 1, 2:36 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXAutauga, Dallas, Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery3 hr
Apr 1, 3:06 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXJefferson39 min
Apr 1, 3:29 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLee, Macon, Tallapoosa46 min
Apr 1, 4:38 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXLee3 hr
Apr 1, 5:16 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningBMXSumter45 hr
Apr 1, 6:07 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXBarbour38 min
Apr 1, 6:22 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXBarbour38 min
Apr 1, 10:23 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMontgomery52 min
Apr 1, 10:24 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLowndes51 min
Apr 1, 10:52 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXAutauga, Barbour, Bullock, Dallas, Elmore, Lee and 7 more113 min
Apr 1, 10:57 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXAutauga48 min
Apr 1, 11:03 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMacon27 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 2016Every tornado warning in 2016Tornadoes in 2016

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.