Alert archive / Alabama / Special Weather Statements in 2018

Special Weather Statement, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 3, 2018Etowah County, St. Clair County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this special weather statement at Apr 3, 2018, 11:29 PM CDT for Etowah County, St. Clair County, Alabama. It was in force for 61 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Apr 3, 2018, 11:29 PM CDT (04:29 UTC)
Expired
Apr 4, 2018, 12:30 AM CDT
In force
61 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL

Counties Etowah County, AL, St. Clair County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 83 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:28 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.

The text

As transmitted.

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this special weather statement 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 special weather statement went out at Apr 3, 9:49 PM CDT, 1 hour 40 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 3, 9:49 PM CDT, 1 hour 40 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
949 PM CDT Tue Apr 3 2018

.UPDATE...
MESOSCALE UPDATE.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

A QLCS with a history of damaging winds is making its way across NW
Alabama but appears to be losing a little bit of intensity. This is
likely due to a pocket of lower quality moisture as a result of
mixing this afternoon. However, greater surface to 925mb dewpoints
are advecting from the southwest across SE Mississippi and SW
Alabama. There may be enough time for a tongue of MLCAPE up to
1200 J/kg to surge northward ahead of the line as it reaches the
I-59 corridor and areas to the east. This would likely result in
some reintensification of the QLCS with a damaging wind threat
continuing all the way to the AL/GA state line and as far south as
Interstate 85. The increase in moisture quality would suggest a
better chance for tornadoes, but surface winds are expected to
become more veered with time. This should limit the tornado threat,
though a couple of brief tornadoes cannot be completely ruled out.

87/Grantham

&&

.AVIATION...
00Z TAF Discussion.

A potent storm system will sweep across the Central Gulf Coast
region tonight. South winds 12-22 kts with higher gusts will prevail
this evening ahead of a fast-moving squall line. Made minor changes
to adjust for arrival timing of the squall line; near a KTCL-KBHM
line by 04z, near KEET by 05z, and near KASN-KANB by 06Z. Portions
of the line will contain large hail and wind gusts in excess of 50
mph. A gradual weakening trend is expected after 06Z. Widespread
MVFR cigs expected behind the squall line, but rapid drying in the
low levels will bring clearing skies to the northern TAFS between
09z and 12z.

Winds behind the squall line become westerly, then northwesterly
just before sunrise, with sustained wind up to 12kts with higher
gusts.

14

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Scattered showers are possible this afternoon before wetting
rains will be possible for tonight into Wednesday with the
arrival of the next frontal system. Much colder weather expected
Wednesday into Thursday. There are no fire weather concerns at
this time.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Gadsden     47  58  32  67  45 /  90  10   0   0  10
Anniston    49  59  34  68  46 /  90  20   0   0  10
Birmingham  48  60  35  70  48 /  90  10   0   0  10
Tuscaloosa  49  62  36  70  48 /  90  10   0   0  10
Calera      49  60  36  70  48 /  90  20   0   0  10
Auburn      57  62  38  69  46 /  90  40   0   0  10
Montgomery  56  65  37  72  46 /  90  30   0   0   0
Troy        59  64  37  71  45 /  80  50   0   0   0

&&

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

&&
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 3, 10:00 PM CDT, 1 hour 29 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1000 PM CDT Tue Apr 3 2018

ALZ011>015-017>050-050600-
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-
1000 PM CDT Tue Apr 3 2018

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Severe storms are possible through 4 AM Wednesday generally along
and north of Interstate 85, with a higher threat for areas north of
Interstate 20. Damaging winds up to 70 mph will be the main threat,
but a couple of brief tornadoes cannot be completely ruled out.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Cold weather expected Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Areas
in the North Central Alabama could drop to near or below freezing.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of storm spotters and emergency management will likely be
needed tonight.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 3, 10:45 PM CDT, 44 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1045 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018

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

0954 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 WNW LAKE BUTTAHATCHEE 34.13N 87.74W
04/03/2018                   MARION             AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EM REPORTS TREES DOWN IN WHITEHOUSE
            COMMUNITY NEAR STATE HWY 241 AND 278. TIME
            ESTIMATED ON RADAR.

&&
Local storm report, Apr 3, 10:48 PM CDT, 41 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1048 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018

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

0947 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 SSE GU-WIN            33.95N 87.87W
04/03/2018                   MARION             AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EM REPORTS TREES DOWN ON CR 27 SOUTH OF HWY
            43 IN GUIN. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

&&
Special weather statement, Apr 3, 10:49 PM CDT, 40 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1049 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018

ALZ022-030-031-040445-
Greene AL-Pickens AL-Sumter AL-
1049 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR PICKENS...GREENE AND SUMTER
COUNTIES UNTIL 1145 PM CDT...

At 1048 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms
along a line extending from near Gordo to Toomsuba. Movement was
east at 55 mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Demopolis, Livingston, Eutaw, York, Aliceville, Gordo, Reform,
Carrollton, Pickensville, Cuba, Forkland, Boligee, Union,
Gainesville, Epes, Ethelsville, Emelle, McMullen, Panola and West
Greene.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 3353 8827 3352 8784 3302 8783 3302 8771
      3299 8771 3286 8783 3280 8782 3276 8787
      3275 8781 3271 8783 3265 8774 3262 8781
      3259 8774 3252 8782 3254 8782 3243 8804
      3238 8804 3231 8793 3231 8842
TIME...MOT...LOC 0348Z 267DEG 32KT 3339 8786 3240 8853

17/KLAWS
Local storm report, Apr 3, 10:52 PM CDT, 37 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1052 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018

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

0940 PM     TSTM WND DMG     6 E SHOTTSVILLE         34.26N 88.03W
04/03/2018                   MARION             AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            EM REPORTS TREES DOWN IN SHOTTSVILLE
            COMMUNITY NEAR CR 126 AND COLBURN ROAD. TIME
            ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

&&
Local storm report, Apr 3, 11:21 PM CDT, 8 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1121 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018

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

0954 PM     TSTM WND DMG     HALEYVILLE              34.24N 87.62W
04/03/2018                   WINSTON            AL   PUBLIC

            REPORTS OF TREES DOWN ON NEWBURG RD IN
            HALEYVILLE. TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

&&
Special weather statement, Apr 3, 11:29 PM CDT, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1129 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018

ALZ018-026-040530-
Etowah AL-St. Clair AL-
1129 PM CDT TUE APR 3 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR ETOWAH AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES
UNTIL 1230 AM CDT...

At 1129 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Boaz to Clay. Movement was east at 55 mph.

Dime size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Gadsden, Pell City, Leeds, Moody, Rainbow City, Attalla, Hokes Bluff,
Springville, Odenville, Lincoln, Glencoe, Margaret, Argo, Ashville,
Sardis City, Ragland, Steele, Altoona, Walnut Grove and Reece City.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 3394 8574 3395 8588 3384 8607 3377 8605
      3367 8615 3369 8620 3354 8619 3351 8628
      3340 8638 3350 8638 3350 8648 3355 8648
      3356 8655 3372 8653 3380 8658 3382 8643
      3389 8634 3405 8633 3418 8619 3420 8584
TIME...MOT...LOC 0429Z 277DEG 47KT 3418 8621 3371 8663

17/KLAWS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 3, 9:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar, Marion80 min
Apr 3, 9:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette61 min
Apr 3, 9:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXWalker, Winston54 min
Apr 3, 9:55 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXPickens65 min
Apr 3, 10:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXTuscaloosa, Walker59 min
Apr 3, 10:49 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXGreene, Pickens, Sumter56 min
Apr 3, 10:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson53 min
Apr 3, 11:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCherokee, Etowah56 min
Apr 4, 12:03 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXBibb, Calhoun, Perry, Shelby, Talladega57 min
Apr 4, 12:21 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph, Talladega54 min
Apr 4, 12:42 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXAutauga, Chilton, Coosa, Dallas, Lowndes63 min
Apr 4, 1:34 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCoosa, Elmore45 min
Apr 4, 3:14 AM CDTFreeze WarningBMXBlount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah and 10 more29 hr

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in Alabama, 2018Every special weather statement 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.