Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2018

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 15, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 19, 2018Winston County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Mar 19, 2018, 6:56 PM CDT for Winston County, Alabama. It was in force for 64 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 19, 2018, 6:56 PM CDT (23:56 UTC)
Expired: Mar 19, 2018, 8:00 PM CDT
In force: 64 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 1.0 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

County Winston County, AL

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 100 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:54 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
Mar 19, 7:09 PM CDT	HAIL 1.25	1 Ese Ashridge, AL
Mar 19, 7:28 PM CDT	HAIL 1.5	3 Wnw Helicon, AL
Mar 19, 7:31 PM CDT	HAIL 1.75	1 Nnw Helicon, AL

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 3 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 13 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

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 19, 3:28 PM CDT	Tornado Watch PDS	SPC	9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 126 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: 563 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -65 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 505 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 58 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 84 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 98 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

727 
WUUS54 KBMX 192356
SVRBMX
ALC133-200100-
/O.NEW.KBMX.SV.W.0015.180319T2356Z-180320T0100Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
656 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Winston County in northwestern Alabama...

* Until 800 PM CDT

* At 656 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Brushy Lake to Haleyville, moving east at 40
  mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. 

  SOURCE...Radar indicated. 

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage 
           to roofs, siding, and trees. 

* Locations impacted include...
  Haleyville, Arley, Double Springs, Addison, Houston Recreational
  Area, Nesmith, Brushy Lake, Helicon, Inmanfield, Ashridge, Sardis,
  Corinth Rec Area, Needmore, Moreland, Winston Free State Barn,
  Smith Lake, Houston, Posey Field Airport, Mill Branch and Hullett
  Branch.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

A tornado watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for northwestern
Alabama.

LAT...LON 3430 8711 3407 8711 3411 8764 3431 8763
TIME...MOT...LOC 2356Z 272DEG 37KT 3427 8728 3422 8761 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

87/GRANTHAM

2 follow-up statements

348 
WWUS54 KBMX 200011
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
711 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

ALC133-200100-
/O.CON.KBMX.SV.W.0015.000000T0000Z-180320T0100Z/
Winston AL-
711 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT
FOR WINSTON COUNTY...

At 711 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Sardis to near Haleyville, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. 

SOURCE...Radar indicated. 

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees. 

Locations impacted include...
Haleyville, Arley, Double Springs, Addison, Houston Recreational
Area, Nesmith, Brushy Lake, Helicon, Inmanfield, Ashridge, Sardis,
Corinth Rec Area, Needmore, Moreland, Winston Free State Barn, Smith
Lake, Houston, Mill Branch, Hullett Branch and Winston County
Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

A tornado watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for northwestern
Alabama.

LAT...LON 3407 8711 3411 8764 3425 8763 3430 8732
      3430 8711
TIME...MOT...LOC 0011Z 279DEG 28KT 3426 8711 3416 8761 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

87/GRANTHAM

965 
WWUS54 KBMX 200033
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
733 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

ALC133-200100-
/O.CON.KBMX.SV.W.0015.000000T0000Z-180320T0100Z/
Winston AL-
733 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT
FOR NORTHERN WINSTON COUNTY...

At 733 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 6 miles east of Sardis to near Double Springs, moving
east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. 

SOURCE...Radar indicated. 

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees. 

Locations impacted include...
Arley, Double Springs, Addison, Houston Recreational Area, Nesmith,
Brushy Lake, Helicon, Inmanfield, Sardis, Corinth Rec Area, Moreland,
Winston Free State Barn, Smith Lake, Houston, Mill Branch, Hullett
Branch, Winston County Airport, Cane Creek, Bull Branch and Yellow
Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

A tornado watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for northwestern
Alabama.

LAT...LON 3410 8755 3430 8732 3430 8711 3407 8711
TIME...MOT...LOC 0033Z 281DEG 25KT 3423 8700 3410 8744 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

87/GRANTHAM

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Birmingham, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Mar 19, 6:49 PM CDT, 7 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 19, 6:49 PM CDT, 7 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
649 PM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018

.UPDATE...
For 00Z Aviation.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Confidence has increased in the potential for explosive supercell
thunderstorm development late this afternoon into tonight
especially along and north of a line from Tuscaloosa to Calera to
Wedowee. A dangerous environment will also be in place south of
this line, but initiation of storms and storm coverage is
questionable.

Currently, surface winds have veered to the southwest across most
of the area following the passage of a warm front. Normally this
would yield lower dewpoints and overall moisture quality, but this
does not appear to be the case. Dewpoints are holding in the mid
to upper 60s upstream across MS. Moisture quality should not be an
issue as this event progresses.

This event will hinge on evolution of the surface to 850mb wind
fields in response to the approaching upper-level trough. We are
already seeing this response across the northern half of MS where
winds are south to southeast near Tupelo and Columbus. Hi-res
models appear to be getting a better handle on the mesoscale
features and are slowly trending more aggressive with surface
pressure troughing and backing of winds in the 23-03z time frame.
HRRR guidance suggests the potential for 0-1km shear to exceed
40kts. This amount of shear combined with SBCAPE of 2000-3000 J/kg,
supports a risk for a few long-track tornadoes. A violent tornado
cannot be ruled out. The best chance of these enhanced ingredients
coming together for long-track tornadoes appears to be from I-65
eastward and as far south as Shelby, Talladega, Clay, and Randolph
counties.

Balloon launches are planned for 330 PM, 6 PM, and 730 PM to sample
critical changes in the low-level wind environment.

87/Grantham

&&

.AVIATION...
00Z TAF Discussion.

Trend with this set of TAFs will be in a bit more optimistic
direction, as the higher coverage of convection thus far has
remained well to the north of central Alabama terminals. Will
maintain a VCTS for a couple of hours at most locations, although
it did push this back an hour or two from the previous forecast
(based on radar trends). Still quite a bit of uncertainty on how
far south the convection will get overnight. If radar trends over
the next couple hours show the storms eventually expanding in
area, then we can update the TAFs where necessary.

Winds will shift around to a more westerly direction overnight,
and start to increase and be more gusty after sunrise on Tuesday.
The models were giving me mixed signals on the development of
lower clouds after the rain/storm threat ends overnight. Given the
lack of clouds back to the west, I am inclined to believe the more
optimistic of the model solutions. But once the winds kick up
Tuesday, the cumulus field should start to fill in as well.

/61/

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

After some storms tonight, light showers are possible Tuesday,
before dry conditions arrive by Wednesday. RH values will be
elevated the next couple days. There are no fire weather
concerns.

&&

.BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES/...
None.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 19, 4:03 PM CDT, 2 hours 53 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
403 PM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018

ALZ011>015-017>050-210015-
Marion-Lamar-Fayette-Winston-Walker-Blount-Etowah-Calhoun-Cherokee-
Cleburne-Pickens-Tuscaloosa-Jefferson-Shelby-St. Clair-Talladega-
Clay-Randolph-Sumter-Greene-Hale-Perry-Bibb-Chilton-Coosa-Tallapoosa-
Chambers-Marengo-Dallas-Autauga-Lowndes-Elmore-Montgomery-Macon-
Bullock-Lee-Russell-Pike-Barbour-
403 PM CDT Mon Mar 19 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the
National Weather Service office in Birmingham.

.DAY ONE...Outlook Through Tonight.

Severe storms are expected late this afternoon into tonight These
storms will move from west to east, entering northwest Central
Alabama as early as 4 PM and exiting southeast Central Alabama as
late as 2 AM Tuesday morning. The greatest potential for strong
tornadoes is north of a line from Tuscaloosa to Calera to Wedowee.
However, tornadoes, very large large hail, and damaging winds are
possible area wide.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

Cooler air moving in behind the system will result in the potential
for lows at or below freezing across parts of north central Alabama
Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of storm spotters and emergency management will be
needed through early Tuesday morning.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 19, 3:07 PM CDT, 3 hours 49 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
307 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0304 PM     HAIL             OXFORD                  33.61N 85.84W
03/19/2018  E1.00 INCH       CALHOUN            AL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            QUARTER SIZED HAIL REPORTED NEAR OXFORD.

&&

JH

Local storm report, Mar 19, 3:14 PM CDT, 3 hours 42 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
314 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0310 PM     HAIL             MOUNT CHEAHA            33.49N 85.81W
03/19/2018  E1.50 INCH       CLEBURNE           AL   PUBLIC

            ESTIMATED PING PONG BALL TO GOLF BALL SIZED
            HAIL.

&&

JH

Local storm report, Mar 19, 3:19 PM CDT, 3 hours 37 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
319 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0314 PM     HAIL             3 NNE MOUNT CHEAHA      33.53N 85.79W
03/19/2018  E1.50 INCH       CLEBURNE           AL   PUBLIC

            PING PONG BALL SIZED HAIL COVERING DRIVEWAY.

&&

JH

Special weather statement, Mar 19, 3:29 PM CDT, 3 hours 27 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
329 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

ALZ048-192100-
Russell AL-
329 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN RUSSELL COUNTY UNTIL 400
PM CDT...

At 329 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Russell County Sports Complex, or 8 miles southwest of Phenix City,
moving east at 40 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Phenix City, Ladonia, Russell County Sports Complex, Uchee, Seale,
Uchee Creek, Fort Mitchell, Ladonia Sports Complex, Fort Mitchell
Activity Center, Phenix Drag Strip and Parkmanville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Birmingham.

&&

LAT...LON 3229 8539 3241 8538 3241 8533 3245 8533
      3247 8521 3247 8506 3250 8506 3251 8500
      3246 8500 3244 8497 3242 8496 3241 8498
      3239 8497 3238 8499 3238 8497 3237 8499
      3233 8501 3229 8493
TIME...MOT...LOC 2029Z 261DEG 33KT 3237 8511

75

Local storm report, Mar 19, 4:10 PM CDT, 2 hours 46 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
410 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0359 PM     HAIL             FOSTERS CROSSROADS      33.42N 85.56W
03/19/2018  E1.50 INCH       RANDOLPH           AL   PUBLIC

&&

Local storm report, Mar 19, 6:45 PM CDT, 11 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
645 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0630 PM     HAIL             1 NE DOUBLE SPRINGS     34.15N 87.40W
03/19/2018  E0.50 INCH       WINSTON            AL   PUBLIC

            A FEW REPORTS OF DIME SIZE HAIL IN AND
            AROUND DOUBLE SPRINGS.

&&

MAL

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Mar 19, 5:07 AM CDT	Dense Fog Advisory	BMX	Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton and 22 more	4 hr
Mar 19, 1:22 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Jefferson	36 min
Mar 19, 2:21 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Talladega	39 min
Mar 19, 2:54 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Cleburne, Talladega	81 min
Mar 19, 3:21 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Clay, Randolph	54 min
Mar 19, 3:29 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Russell	31 min
Mar 19, 6:09 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marion	45 min
Mar 19, 6:34 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Winston	20 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2018 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2018

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.