Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2018

Tornado Warning 13, NWS Huntsville, AL

March 19, 2018Cullman County, Alabama

NWS Huntsville, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 19, 2018, 6:57 PM CDT for Cullman County, Alabama. It was in force for 33 min. 7 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, 6:57 PM CDT (23:57 UTC)
Expired: Mar 19, 2018, 7:30 PM CDT
In force: 33 min
Issued by: NWS Huntsville, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 1.5 in

County Cullman County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 104 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:55 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, 7:10 PM CDT	HAIL 2.5	Cullman, AL	TENNIS BALL HAIL IN CULLMAN.
Mar 19, 7:10 PM CDT	HAIL 2.75	2 Sw Cullman, AL	BASEBALL HAIL REPORTED JUST SW OF CULLMAN.
Mar 19, 7:10 PM CDT	HAIL 5	1 Sw Cullman, AL	REPORT OF HAILSTONE ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND 5.25 INCHES WIDE. HAILSTONE WAS SAVED AND NWS WILL TRY AND CONFIRM MEASUREMENT ON 3-21.
Mar 19, 7:16 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Sse Cullman, AL	ROOF DAMAGE IN SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE CITY OF CULLMAN.
Mar 19, 7:22 PM CDT	HAIL 5	5 Sw Holly Pond, AL	CORRECTS PREVIOUS HAIL REPORT FROM 5 SW HOLLY POND. THE NWS IN HUNTSVILLE SURVEYED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE FROM A HAIL SWATH FROM CULLMAN TO THE WALTER COMMUNITY. THE LARGEST STONE THUS FAR WAS MEASURED AT A RESIDENCE IN WALTER NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF CR 703 AND CR
Mar 19, 7:23 PM CDT	HAIL 1.75	2 S Holly Pond, AL	GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN THE HOLLY POND AREA BY CULLMAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
Mar 19, 7:30 PM CDT	HAIL 1.75	2 W Cullman, AL	GOLF BALL HAIL REPORTED AT EXIT 308 OF I-65.

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 12:00Z, 12.0 hours before the alert went out and 103 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.

807 
WFUS54 KHUN 192357
TORHUN
ALC043-200030-
/O.NEW.KHUN.TO.W.0013.180319T2357Z-180320T0030Z/

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

The National Weather Service in Huntsville Alabama has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central Cullman County in north central Alabama...

* Until 730 PM CDT
    
* At 657 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Nesmith, or 10 miles west of Cullman, moving east
  at 35 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail. 

  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...
  Dodge City around 710 PM CDT. 
  Good Hope around 715 PM CDT. 
  Cullman and Hanceville around 720 PM CDT. 
  Holly Pond around 730 PM CDT. 

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Phelan, Walter, Logan, Baldwin and Crane Hill.

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 3408 8708 3424 8708 3423 8661 3411 8661
      3412 8663 3409 8666 3408 8669 3409 8669
      3408 8670 3405 8668 3406 8670 3403 8671
TIME...MOT...LOC 2357Z 270DEG 31KT 3415 8703 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.50IN

$$

Stumpf

3 follow-up statements

683 
WWUS54 KHUN 200005 RRA
SVSHUN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
705 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

ALC043-200030-
/O.CON.KHUN.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-180320T0030Z/
Cullman AL-
705 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
CULLMAN COUNTY...
    
At 705 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Good Hope, or near Cullman, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail. 

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...
  Good Hope around 715 PM CDT. 
  Cullman and Hanceville around 720 PM CDT. 
  Holly Pond around 730 PM CDT. 

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Phelan, Walter, West Point, Baldwin and Vinemont.

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 3410 8698 3424 8697 3423 8661 3411 8661
      3412 8663 3409 8666 3408 8669 3409 8669
      3408 8670 3405 8668 3406 8670 3403 8671
TIME...MOT...LOC 0005Z 270DEG 31KT 3415 8694 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.50IN

$$

Stumpf

611 
WWUS54 KHUN 200009
SVSHUN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
709 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

ALC043-200030-
/O.CON.KHUN.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-180320T0030Z/
Cullman AL-
709 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
CULLMAN COUNTY...
    
At 709 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Good Hope, or near Cullman, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and tennis ball size hail. 

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...
  Hanceville around 720 PM CDT. 
  Holly Pond around 730 PM CDT. 

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Phelan, Walter, West Point, Baldwin and Vinemont.

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 3410 8698 3424 8697 3423 8661 3411 8661
      3412 8663 3409 8666 3408 8669 3409 8669
      3408 8670 3405 8668 3406 8670 3403 8671
TIME...MOT...LOC 0009Z 270DEG 31KT 3415 8689 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...2.50IN

$$

Stumpf

565 
WWUS54 KHUN 200017
SVSHUN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
717 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

ALC043-200030-
/O.CON.KHUN.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-180320T0030Z/
Cullman AL-
717 PM CDT MON MAR 19 2018

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
CULLMAN COUNTY...
    
At 717 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Cullman, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and baseball size hail. 

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...
  Hanceville around 720 PM CDT. 
  Holly Pond around 730 PM CDT. 

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Walter.

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 3406 8682 3421 8681 3419 8661 3411 8661
      3412 8663 3409 8666 3408 8669 3409 8669
      3408 8670 3405 8668 3406 8670 3403 8671
TIME...MOT...LOC 0017Z 270DEG 31KT 3415 8681 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...2.75IN

$$

Stumpf

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Mar 19, 4:00 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Lawrence	30 min
Mar 19, 8:59 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Jackson	31 min
Mar 19, 11:55 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Lauderdale	35 min
Mar 19, 12:23 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Colbert	37 min
Mar 19, 12:31 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	HUN	Colbert, Lauderdale	29 min
Mar 19, 12:58 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Colbert	47 min
Mar 19, 1:20 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	HUN	Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence	40 min
Mar 19, 1:38 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	HUN	Colbert	23 min
Mar 19, 2:13 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Jackson	32 min
Mar 19, 2:21 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Limestone	39 min
Mar 19, 2:41 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	HUN	Limestone, Madison	34 min
Mar 19, 3:13 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	HUN	Jackson, Madison	47 min
Mar 19, 3:55 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	HUN	Jackson	35 min
Mar 19, 4:01 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Cullman	44 min
Mar 19, 4:48 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	HUN	Colbert, Franklin	42 min
Mar 19, 4:58 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	HUN	Colbert, Franklin	32 min
Mar 19, 5:13 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	HUN	Colbert	15 min
Mar 19, 5:20 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	HUN	Franklin, Lawrence	40 min
Mar 19, 5:21 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	HUN	DeKalb	39 min
Mar 19, 5:27 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	HUN	Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence	33 min
Mar 19, 5:38 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	HUN	Lauderdale	52 min
Mar 19, 5:54 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	HUN	Franklin, Lawrence	40 min
Mar 19, 5:57 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	HUN	Franklin, Lawrence	48 min
Mar 19, 6:02 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	HUN	Lauderdale, Limestone	28 min
Mar 19, 6:04 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	HUN	Lauderdale, Limestone	26 min
Mar 19, 6:25 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	HUN	Limestone, Madison	35 min
Mar 19, 6:25 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	HUN	Cullman, Lawrence, Morgan	35 min
Mar 19, 6:48 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	HUN	Cullman, Marshall, Morgan	27 min
Mar 19, 6:50 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	HUN	Cullman	25 min
Mar 19, 6:55 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	HUN	Madison	35 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.