Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2018

Tornado Warning 4, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 19, 2018Calhoun County, Etowah County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 19, 2018, 8:15 PM CDT for Calhoun County, Etowah County, Alabama. It was in force for 45 min. 8 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, 8:15 PM CDT (01:15 UTC)
Expired: Mar 19, 2018, 9:00 PM CDT
In force: 45 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 0.75 in

Counties Calhoun County, AL, Etowah County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 116 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:15 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 19, 8:19 PM CDT	TORNADO	3 S Southside, AL	NUMEROUS TREES DOWN AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE NEAR HIGHWAY 77, GREEN VALLEY ROAD, SLASHAM ROAD, AND S VALLEY ROAD.
Mar 19, 8:23 PM CDT	TORNADO	3 Ssw Silver Lakes Golf, AL	* 4 INJ * CORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM 3 SSW SILVER LAKES GOLF COURSE. EF3 TORNADO WITH WINDS ESTIMATED AT 140 MPH. THE ENTIRE PATH HAS NOT BEEN SURVEYED YET. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Mar 19, 8:23 PM CDT	TORNADO	3 Ssw Silver Lakes Golf, AL	EF3 TORNADO WITH WINDS ESTIMATED AT 140 MPH. THE ENTIRE PATH HAS NOT BEEN SURVEYED YET. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Mar 19, 8:28 PM CDT	TORNADO	Sulphur Springs, AL	DAMAGE TO STRUCTURES REPORTED NEAR WELLINGTON AT THE TIME OF THE INITIAL TDS. LOCATION ESTIMATED.
Mar 19, 8:33 PM CDT	HAIL 1	5 Sse Knightens Crossro, AL	QUARTER SIZE REPORTED ALONG HIGHWAY 21 NORTHEAST OF JACKSONVILLE.
Mar 19, 8:34 PM CDT	TORNADO	2 Wnw Jacksonville Stat, AL	WEST POINT BAPTIST CHURCH HEAVILY DAMAGED.
Mar 19, 8:35 PM CDT	TORNADO	Jacksonville State Univ, AL	CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE REPORTED ON/NEAR THE CAMPUS OF JSU FROM A LIKELY TORNADO.
Mar 19, 8:35 PM CDT	TORNADO	Jacksonville State Univ, AL	UPDATED REPORT. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE REPORTED ON/NEAR THE CAMPUS OF JSU FROM A LIKELY TORNADO NEAR HIGHWAY 204. DAMAGED STRUCTURES INCLUDE PETE WILLIAMS COLISEUM, LOGAN HALL, GAMECOCK VILLAGE AND RESERVE AT JACKSONVILLE APARTMENTS, AND A DOLLAR GENERAL. REPORTS

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

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 1.3 hours before the alert went out and 116 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: 1154 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -50 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1046 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 61 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 334 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 409 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 2.6
Supercell composite: 17.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

541 
WFUS54 KBMX 200115
TORBMX
ALC015-055-200200-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0004.180320T0115Z-180320T0200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
815 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northern Calhoun County in east central Alabama...
  South central Etowah County in northeastern Alabama...

* Until 900 PM CDT
    
* At 815 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Neely Henry Lake, or near Rainbow City, moving
  east at 40 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. 

* Locations impacted include...
  Jacksonville, Rainbow City, Piedmont, Glencoe, Ohatchee, Neely
  Henry Lake, Jacksonville State University, Alexandria, Southside,
  Cobb City, Sulphur Springs and Wellington.

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 3389 8558 3388 8564 3385 8564 3384 8559
      3380 8559 3379 8562 3376 8564 3382 8605
      3384 8607 3385 8605 3387 8607 3386 8610
      3388 8611 3389 8611 3391 8609 3394 8557
TIME...MOT...LOC 0115Z 273DEG 36KT 3386 8607 

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

$$

87/GRANTHAM

4 follow-up statements

581 
WWUS54 KBMX 200128
SVSBMX

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

ALC055-200138-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-180320T0200Z/
Etowah AL-
828 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL ETOWAH 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 1100 PM CDT for central,
northeastern and east central Alabama.

LAT...LON 3389 8558 3388 8564 3385 8564 3384 8559
      3380 8559 3379 8562 3376 8564 3382 8605
      3384 8607 3385 8602 3387 8602 3386 8600
      3389 8599 3389 8597 3391 8597 3392 8595
      3391 8593 3391 8590 3392 8590 3394 8557
TIME...MOT...LOC 0128Z 273DEG 39KT 3385 8586 

$$

ALC015-200200-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-180320T0200Z/
Calhoun AL-
828 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
CALHOUN COUNTY...
    
At 828 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Alexandria, or near Jacksonville, moving east at 45
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. 

Locations impacted include...
Jacksonville, Piedmont, Glencoe, Ohatchee, Neely Henry Lake,
Jacksonville State University, Alexandria, Southside, Sulphur Springs
and Wellington.

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 3389 8558 3388 8564 3385 8564 3384 8559
      3380 8559 3379 8562 3376 8564 3382 8605
      3384 8607 3385 8602 3387 8602 3386 8600
      3389 8599 3389 8597 3391 8597 3392 8595
      3391 8593 3391 8590 3392 8590 3394 8557
TIME...MOT...LOC 0128Z 273DEG 39KT 3385 8586 

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

$$

87/GRANTHAM

299 
WWUS54 KBMX 200130
SVSBMX

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

ALC015-200200-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-180320T0200Z/
Calhoun AL-
830 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
CALHOUN COUNTY...
        
At 830 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Jacksonville
State University, or near Jacksonville, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado. 

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...
Jacksonville, Piedmont, Glencoe, Ohatchee, Neely Henry Lake,
Jacksonville State University, Alexandria, Southside, Sulphur Springs
and Wellington.

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 3389 8558 3388 8564 3385 8564 3384 8559
      3380 8559 3379 8562 3376 8564 3382 8605
      3384 8607 3385 8602 3387 8602 3386 8600
      3389 8599 3389 8597 3391 8597 3392 8595
      3391 8593 3391 8590 3392 8590 3394 8557
TIME...MOT...LOC 0130Z 273DEG 36KT 3385 8584 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

87/GRANTHAM

517 
WWUS54 KBMX 200136
SVSBMX

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

ALC015-200200-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-180320T0200Z/
Calhoun AL-
836 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
CALHOUN COUNTY...
        
At 836 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Jacksonville,
moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado. 

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...
Jacksonville, Piedmont, Glencoe, Ohatchee, Neely Henry Lake,
Jacksonville State University, Alexandria, Southside, Sulphur Springs
and Wellington.

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 3389 8558 3388 8564 3385 8564 3384 8559
      3380 8559 3379 8562 3376 8564 3382 8605
      3384 8607 3385 8602 3387 8602 3386 8600
      3389 8599 3389 8597 3391 8597 3392 8595
      3391 8593 3391 8590 3392 8590 3394 8557
TIME...MOT...LOC 0136Z 276DEG 37KT 3382 8575 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

87/GRANTHAM

055 
WWUS54 KBMX 200140
SVSBMX

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

ALC015-200200-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-180320T0200Z/
Calhoun AL-
840 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
CALHOUN COUNTY...
        
At 840 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located over Jacksonville State University, or over Jacksonville,
moving east at 40 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado. 

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado. 

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible. 

Locations impacted include...
Jacksonville, Piedmont, Glencoe, Ohatchee, Neely Henry Lake,
Jacksonville State University, Alexandria, Southside, Sulphur Springs
and Wellington.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, 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 3389 8558 3388 8564 3385 8564 3384 8559
      3380 8559 3379 8562 3376 8564 3382 8605
      3384 8607 3385 8602 3387 8602 3386 8600
      3389 8599 3389 8597 3391 8597 3392 8595
      3391 8593 3391 8590 3392 8590 3394 8557
TIME...MOT...LOC 0140Z 269DEG 33KT 3384 8572 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

87/GRANTHAM

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Mar 19, 7:03 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount	42 min
Mar 19, 7:18 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount	31 min
Mar 19, 7:29 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Etowah	61 min
Mar 19, 7:41 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount, St. Clair	34 min
Mar 19, 7:43 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Etowah	62 min
Mar 19, 7:49 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount	56 min
Mar 19, 8:02 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Cherokee	58 min
Mar 19, 8:09 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun	66 min
Mar 19, 8:33 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	St. Clair	42 min
Mar 19, 8:38 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Cleburne	46 min
Mar 19, 8:48 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Calhoun	42 min
Mar 19, 9:05 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Calhoun	21 min
Mar 19, 9:24 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Blount, Calhoun, Etowah, St. Clair	6 hr
Mar 19, 9:27 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Cleburne	34 min
Mar 19, 9:46 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, St. Clair, Talladega	59 min
Mar 19, 10:20 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Cleburne	40 min
Mar 19, 11:01 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Calhoun, Cleburne, Talladega	3 hr
Mar 20, 3:06 AM CDT	Wind Advisory	BMX	Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more	19 hr
Mar 20, 5:33 AM CDT	Dense Fog Advisory	BMX	Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah and 3 more	3 hr

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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.