Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2018

Tornado Warning 19, NWS Birmingham, AL

July 21, 2018Lee County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Jul 21, 2018, 5:58 PM CDT for Lee County, Alabama. It was in force for 16 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: Jul 21, 2018, 5:58 PM CDT (22:58 UTC)
Expired: Jul 21, 2018, 6:14 PM CDT
In force: 16 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Observed
Hail: 1.5 in

County Lee County, AL

The radar

The Maxwell AFB radar (KMXX), 53 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:03 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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
Jul 21, 4:42 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 11.0 hours before the alert went out and 162 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: 2831 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -66 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 906 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 37 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 245 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 283 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 3.6
Supercell composite: 24.7

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

538 
WFUS54 KBMX 212258
TORBMX
ALC081-212345-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0019.180721T2258Z-180721T2345Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
558 PM CDT SAT JUL 21 2018

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Lee County in east central Alabama...

* Until 645 PM CDT.
    
* At 558 PM CDT, a tornado producing storm was located near
  Beauregard, or near Opelika, moving southeast at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

  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.

* Locations impacted include...
  Opelika and Griffen Mill. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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 3252 8510 3247 8518 3247 8529 3261 8541
      3263 8529
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 334DEG 22KT 3257 8533 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.50IN

$$

89^GSatterwhite

1 follow-up statement

251 
WWUS54 KBMX 212314
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
614 PM CDT SAT JUL 21 2018

ALC081-212323-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0019.000000T0000Z-180721T2345Z/
Lee AL-
614 PM CDT SAT JUL 21 2018

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL LEE COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
    
The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. 

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for
southeastern and east central Alabama.

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

LAT...LON 3252 8510 3247 8518 3247 8529 3261 8541
      3263 8529
TIME...MOT...LOC 2313Z 334DEG 22KT 3248 8528 

$$

89^GSatterwhite

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Jul 21, 2:56 PM CDT, 3 hours 2 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 2:56 PM CDT, 3 hours 2 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
256 PM CDT Sat Jul 21 2018

.UPDATE...
Near Term and Fire Weather Discussion.

&&

Near Term...
Through Early Evening.

A couple storms have developed over the last hour across east
Alabama, and seeing a more developed cu field across portions of the
northeast. Expect this to be the primary area of development. The
mesoscale discussion issued earlier today remains valid (below).
Although storm coverage will be low, any storm that develops could
be strong to severe through early evening.

14

&&

MESOSCALE UPDATE.

--Low-confidence severe weather threat this afternoon--

As of 16:25Z/11:25AM, an outflow boundary from an earlier
thunderstorm complex that moved through GA (and clipping east
Alabama) was oriented along a northwest-to-southeast axis from
north-central Alabama to southeast Alabama, quite close to the
I-65 corridor. I doubt this boundary will move any farther west
due to low-level westerly flow to its west. Surface observations
show ~southerly surface winds near and east of the outflow
boundary. High-res guidance moves the outflow boundary eastward
during the afternoon, and this is the only area across central
Alabama where surface winds will have an opportunity to feature a
backed flow (westerly elsewhere). Winds aloft will remain veered,
with speeds/shear on the high end for this time of year,
alongside a moderate-to-strongly unstable air mass.

The big question is if storms will form this afternoon, and how
many. As has been the trend with this event, forecast guidance has
a wide range of solutions. The current thinking is that a few
afternoon storms could form near the position of the outflow
boundary/east Alabama where surface convergence will exist, with
some threat of severe weather: damaging winds and hail up to
quarter size. Within the slight risk area only/east Alabama,
there is a conditional threat for storm rotation/an isolated
tornado, but is on the (very) low end as low-level flow isn't all
that strong, with relatively weak SRH even along the boundary.
This may end up being within a fairly short window as the feature
moves eastward across the state line/out of our forecast area. For
the Marginal Risk area/west Alabama, there is an even lower
confidence of any thunderstorm formation. The general time frame
for storms is 2PM-8PM.

We will continue to monitor the setup for any amendments through
the afternoon.

89^GSatterwhite

.LONG TERM...
Sunday through Friday.

The cold front will slowly slide southward through the area on
Sunday and should be near the I-85 corridor by sunset. Look for
the front to actually clear the area by Sunday night, but then we
shift our attention to the north and the path of the upper low.
Models have come into a little bit more of a consensus on the path
of the upper low swinging through northern GA and into Central AL
on Monday and then setting up shop for several days. This scenario
would place the highest rain chances in the eastern half each
afternoon through Wednesday. By Thursday the upper low opens up
and begins to elongate across the Southeast, before the energy
slides east ahead of the next front that will likely hold of until
the beginning of next week. Highest rain chances for Friday and
Saturday will be across the north, while the southern areas could
dry out some. Temperatures will be in the upper 80s with the cloud
cover through midweek and then rise back into the low 90s by the
weekend.

16

&&

.AVIATION...
18Z TAF Discussion.

Somewhat complicated forecast in terms of convective potential for
this afternoon and evening across central Alabama. For the bulk of
the time period, expect VFR conditions at all the TAF sites.
Scattered to broken cumulus will remain in the 4-5 kft range
through this evening with a general west/northwest wind at 10-12
knots to prevail through sunset.

Conditions will become somewhat unstable again this
afternoon/evening in the wake of morning scattered storms. The
best chance of redevelopment will be across eastern Alabama into
southern sections and that is where VCTS will be carried from
roughly 22z through late evening.

Winds will be light and perhaps variable overnight into early
Sunday.

15/CBD

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Isolated to scattered showers/storms are possible through tonight as
a front moves slowly through the area. Tomorrow through early next
week, an upper low will move over the region, leading to higher rain
chances, especially across the east. This will also bring slightly
cooler temperatures. Localized fog will be possible each morning
over the next couple of days where rainfall occurs during the
previous afternoon and evening. There are no fire weather concerns.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Gadsden     70  88  68  85  68 /  30  40  20  60  20
Anniston    70  88  68  85  68 /  30  30  30  60  30
Birmingham  74  90  71  87  70 /  30  20  10  50  10
Tuscaloosa  73  92  72  89  71 /  40  10  10  30  10
Calera      74  90  70  87  69 /  40  20  10  40  10
Auburn      72  89  70  86  70 /  40  30  30  50  30
Montgomery  73  93  72  90  70 /  40  30  10  50  20
Troy        73  92  72  89  70 /  40  30  20  50  20

&&

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

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 21, 3:18 PM CDT, 2 hours 40 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
318 PM CDT Sat Jul 21 2018

ALZ011>015-017>050-222330-
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-
318 PM CDT Sat Jul 21 2018

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Severe storms are possible from now through 8 PM roughly from
counties along and east of the Interstate 65 corridor in Central
Alabama. These storms may be isolated to scattered in nature and
capable of producing damaging winds along with quarter size hail.
Forecast confidence remains low.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Hazardous weather is not anticipated at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of storm spotters and emergency management may be needed
This Afternoon and Tonight.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 21, 4:59 PM CDT, 59 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
459 PM CDT SAT JUL 21 2018

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

0448 PM     HAIL             WEDOWEE                 33.31N 85.49W
07/21/2018  E1.75 INCH       RANDOLPH           AL   PUBLIC

            GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL REPORTED NEAR WEDOWEE.

&&

05

Local storm report, Jul 21, 5:02 PM CDT, 56 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
502 PM CDT SAT JUL 21 2018

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

0430 PM     HAIL             1 WSW EDWARDSVILLE      33.70N 85.52W
07/21/2018  E2.00 INCH       CLEBURNE           AL   PUBLIC

            ESTIMATED 2 INCH DIAMETER HAIL REPORTED
            NORTHEAST OF HEFLIN.

&&

05

Local storm report, Jul 21, 5:04 PM CDT, 54 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
504 PM CDT SAT JUL 21 2018

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

0458 PM     HAIL             WEDOWEE                 33.31N 85.49W
07/21/2018  E1.00 INCH       RANDOLPH           AL   BROADCAST MEDIA

            REPORT OF HAIL LARGE ENOUGH TO CRACK CAR
            WINDSHIELDS NEAR WEDOWEE.

&&

05

Local storm report, Jul 21, 5:07 PM CDT, 51 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
507 PM CDT SAT JUL 21 2018

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

0427 PM     HAIL             2 SSW HOLLIS CROSSROADS 33.49N 85.65W
07/21/2018  E2.50 INCH       CLAY               AL   PUBLIC

            ESTIMATED TENNIS BALL SIZED HAIL REPORTED IN
            FAR NORTHEAST CLAY COUNTY. TIME ESTIMATED BY
            RADAR.

&&

05

Local storm report, Jul 21, 5:14 PM CDT, 44 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
514 PM CDT SAT JUL 21 2018

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

0458 PM     HAIL             WEDOWEE                 33.31N 85.49W
07/21/2018  E1.00 INCH       RANDOLPH           AL   BROADCAST MEDIA

            REPORT OF HAIL LARGE ENOUGH TO CRACK CAR
            WINDSHIELDS NEAR WEDOWEE.

0448 PM     HAIL             WOODLAND                33.37N 85.40W
07/21/2018  E1.00 INCH       RANDOLPH           AL   PUBLIC

            QUARTER SIZED HAIL NOW REPORTED NEAR
            WOODLAND IN RANDOLPH COUNTY.

0448 PM     HAIL             WEDOWEE                 33.31N 85.49W
07/21/2018  E1.75 INCH       RANDOLPH           AL   PUBLIC

            GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL REPORTED NEAR WEDOWEE.

0445 PM     HAIL             WOODLAND                33.37N 85.40W
07/21/2018  E0.75 INCH       RANDOLPH           AL   PUBLIC

            DIME SIZE HAIL REPORTED NEAR WOODLAND IN
            RANDOLPH COUNTY.

0445 PM     HAIL             HEFLIN                  33.65N 85.59W
07/21/2018  E0.50 INCH       CLEBURNE           AL   PUBLIC

            DIME TO PENNY SIZED HAIL REPORTED IN THE OLD
            HOPEWELL AREA NEAR HEFLIN.

0434 PM     HAIL             CHALAFINNEE             33.54N 85.65W
07/21/2018  E0.75 INCH       CLEBURNE           AL   BROADCAST MEDIA

            DIME TO PENNY SIZED HAIL CAPTURED IN VIDEO
            NEAR CHALAFINNEE IN CLEBURNE COUNTY.

0430 PM     HAIL             1 WSW EDWARDSVILLE      33.70N 85.52W
07/21/2018  E2.00 INCH       CLEBURNE           AL   PUBLIC

            ESTIMATED 2 INCH DIAMETER HAIL REPORTED
            NORTHEAST OF HEFLIN.

0427 PM     HAIL             2 SSW HOLLIS CROSSROADS 33.49N 85.65W
07/21/2018  E2.50 INCH       CLAY               AL   PUBLIC

            ESTIMATED TENNIS BALL SIZED HAIL REPORTED IN
            FAR NORTHEAST CLAY COUNTY. TIME ESTIMATED BY
            RADAR.

0427 PM     HAIL             HOLLIS CROSSROADS       33.52N 85.64W
07/21/2018  E3.00 INCH       CLEBURNE           AL   PUBLIC

            3 INCH DIAMETER HAIL NOW REPORTED NEAR
            HOLLIS CROSSROADS COMMUNITY.

0415 PM     HAIL             HOLLIS CROSSROADS       33.52N 85.64W
07/21/2018  M1.50 INCH       CLEBURNE           AL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED PING PONG SIZED
            HAIL IN THE HOLLIS CROSSROADS COMMUNITY.

0410 PM     HAIL             OXFORD                  33.61N 85.84W
07/21/2018  E0.75 INCH       CALHOUN            AL   PUBLIC

            DINE SIZED HAIL REPORTED IN OXFORD.

0410 PM     HAIL             5 W LIBERTY HILL        33.85N 85.66W
07/21/2018  E0.75 INCH       CALHOUN            AL   PUBLIC

            DIME SIZED HAIL REPORTED IN THE NANCES CREEK
            COMMUNITY.

0700 AM     TSTM WND DMG     1 WSW BIG WILLS CREEK   33.98N 86.02W
07/21/2018                   ETOWAH             AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN AT SUNNYDALE ROAD AT ALPINE VIEW.

0600 AM     TSTM WND DMG     2 SSE GAYLESVILLE       34.24N 85.54W
07/21/2018                   CHEROKEE           AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN IN ROADWAY AT AL HWY 35 & CR 710.

&&

Local storm report, Jul 21, 5:29 PM CDT, 29 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
529 PM CDT SAT JUL 21 2018

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

0525 PM     HAIL             4 E FOSTERS CROSSROADS  33.43N 85.49W
07/21/2018  E2.75 INCH       RANDOLPH           AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            BASEBALL SIZED HAIL REPORTED NEAR MORRISON
            CROSSROADS COMMUNITY.

&&

05

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 21, 4:36 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Cherokee	54 min
Jul 21, 5:23 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Cherokee	37 min
Jul 21, 6:03 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Cherokee	42 min
Jul 21, 6:41 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Cleburne, Randolph	49 min
Jul 21, 7:01 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Greene	44 min
Jul 21, 8:00 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Hale	30 min
Jul 21, 8:16 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Dallas	44 min
Jul 21, 1:49 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Russell	41 min
Jul 21, 3:49 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Cleburne	26 min
Jul 21, 3:57 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Calhoun	33 min
Jul 21, 4:01 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph	44 min
Jul 21, 4:18 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Cleburne	42 min
Jul 21, 4:23 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Clay	37 min
Jul 21, 4:26 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Cleburne	34 min
Jul 21, 4:31 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Cleburne	29 min
Jul 21, 4:34 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Chambers	41 min
Jul 21, 4:41 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Randolph	49 min
Jul 21, 4:44 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Chambers, Clay, Randolph, Tallapoosa	46 min
Jul 21, 4:54 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	BMX	Cleburne	36 min
Jul 21, 5:00 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Cleburne, Randolph	60 min
Jul 21, 5:28 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Chambers, Lee, Randolph	62 min
Jul 21, 5:47 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Lee	27 min
Jul 21, 6:11 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lee, Russell	64 min
Jul 21, 6:33 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lee, Russell	54 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 2018 Every tornado warning in 2018 Tornadoes 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.