Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 10, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 17, 20214 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 17, 2021, 1:52 PM CDT for 4 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 41 min. 2 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 17, 2021, 1:52 PM CDT (18:52 UTC)
Expired
Mar 17, 2021, 2:33 PM CDT
In force
41 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Greene County, AL, Hale County, AL, Marengo County, AL, Sumter County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 110 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:56 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Mar 17, 2:03 PM CDTTORNADO2 Ese Mcdowell, ALA NWS SURVEY TEAM CONFIRMED A BRIEF EF0 TORNADO THAT CROSSED LOCK AND DAM ROAD JUST WEST OF FOSCUE PARK, OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF DEMOPOLIS. DAMAGE CONSISTED OF UPROOTED TREES, LARGE TREE BRANCHES BROKEN, AND SOME PANELING PULLED FROM A BUILDING ADJACENT TO FOSC
Mar 17, 2:05 PM CDTTORNADO2 Wnw Demopolis, ALTORNADO OBSERVED VIA TV STATION WEBCAM BROADCAST WITH POWER FLASH AND STORM CHASER DRONE VIDEO.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Mar 17, 11:36 AM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 6.9 hours before the alert went out and 110 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2021-03-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 658 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2021-03-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 169 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
658 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-112 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
759 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
59 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
169 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
301 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
2.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

370 
WFUS54 KBMX 171852
TORBMX
ALC063-065-091-119-172000-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0010.210317T1852Z-210317T2000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
152 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  North central Marengo County in southwestern Alabama...
  Southeastern Greene County in west central Alabama...
  Southern Hale County in west central Alabama...
  Southeastern Sumter County in west central Alabama...

* Until 300 PM CDT.
    
* At 152 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Jefferson, or near Demopolis, moving northeast at
  35 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...
  Demopolis, Greensboro, Forkland, Greensboro Municipal Airport,
  Duffys Bend, Sawyerville, Arcola, U.S. 80 and AL 28, Demopolis Lock
  And Dam, McDowell, Birdine, Cedarville and Demopolis Municipal
  Airport.

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 3280 8768 3271 8747 3238 8792 3247 8803
TIME...MOT...LOC 1852Z 226DEG 30KT 3246 8794 

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

$$

32/Davis
2 follow-up statements
224 
WWUS54 KBMX 171917
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
217 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

ALC091-119-171926-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-210317T2000Z/
Marengo AL-Sumter AL-
217 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL MARENGO AND SOUTHEASTERN
SUMTER COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. However, additional tornado warnings are in 
effect for Marengo County.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for central,
southwestern and west central Alabama.

LAT...LON 3261 8788 3260 8786 3259 8786 3260 8784
      3262 8787 3280 8768 3271 8747 3252 8773
      3252 8782 3254 8782 3255 8784 3253 8786
      3254 8787 3257 8787 3260 8790
TIME...MOT...LOC 1916Z 223DEG 23KT 3257 8782 

$$

ALC063-065-172000-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-210317T2000Z/
Greene AL-Hale AL-
217 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN GREENE AND SOUTHERN HALE COUNTIES...
    
At 216 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Arcola, or near Demopolis, moving northeast at 25
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...
Greensboro, Forkland, Duffys Bend, Sawyerville, Arcola, Greensboro
Municipal Airport, Birdine and Cedarville.

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 3261 8788 3260 8786 3259 8786 3260 8784
      3262 8787 3280 8768 3271 8747 3252 8773
      3252 8782 3254 8782 3255 8784 3253 8786
      3254 8787 3257 8787 3260 8790
TIME...MOT...LOC 1916Z 223DEG 23KT 3257 8782 

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

$$

32/Davis
643 
WWUS54 KBMX 171933
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
233 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

ALC063-065-171942-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0010.000000T0000Z-210317T2000Z/
Greene AL-Hale AL-
233 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN GREENE AND SOUTHERN HALE
COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
                
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for central,
southwestern and west central Alabama.

LAT...LON 3261 8788 3260 8786 3259 8786 3260 8784
      3262 8787 3280 8768 3271 8747 3252 8773
      3252 8782 3254 8782 3255 8784 3253 8786
      3254 8787 3257 8787 3260 8790
TIME...MOT...LOC 1930Z 226DEG 30KT 3267 8770 

$$

32/Davis

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 16, 9:59 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXSumter46 min
Mar 16, 10:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXSumter24 min
Mar 16, 10:38 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXHale37 min
Mar 17, 1:27 AM CDTDense Fog AdvisoryBMXAutauga, Barbour, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun, Chambers and 22 more6 hr
Mar 17, 11:18 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXJefferson27 min
Mar 17, 12:13 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXDallas47 min
Mar 17, 12:19 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa2 hr
Mar 17, 12:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion25 min
Mar 17, 12:41 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXAutauga64 min
Mar 17, 12:59 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Sumter61 min
Mar 17, 1:18 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXAutauga, Chilton, Elmore57 min
Mar 17, 1:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXPickens, Tuscaloosa28 min
Mar 17, 1:58 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarengo62 min
Mar 17, 1:59 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Hale46 min
Mar 17, 2:02 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXChilton, Coosa58 min
Mar 17, 2:09 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarengo66 min
Mar 17, 2:14 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXJefferson, Walker61 min
Mar 17, 2:20 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXTuscaloosa40 min
Mar 17, 2:33 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXClay, Coosa, Talladega42 min
Mar 17, 2:44 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXHale, Marengo, Perry2 hr
Mar 17, 2:47 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXGreene, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa2 hr
Mar 17, 2:48 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXBlount, Jefferson, Walker2 hr
Mar 17, 2:48 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston2 hr
Mar 17, 2:51 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXJefferson2 hr
Mar 17, 2:53 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXTuscaloosa52 min
Mar 17, 2:54 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXDallas, Marengo, Perry66 min
Mar 17, 2:58 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson34 min
Mar 17, 3:21 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXTuscaloosa54 min
Mar 17, 3:25 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXTuscaloosa2 hr
Mar 17, 3:28 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXDallas, Perry2 hr
Mar 17, 3:34 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXJefferson, Walker56 min
Mar 17, 3:37 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarengo38 min
Mar 17, 3:58 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXJefferson47 min
Mar 17, 3:58 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXDallas, Perry47 min
Mar 17, 4:12 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXDallas48 min
Mar 17, 4:28 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXMarengo62 min
Mar 17, 4:36 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXJefferson54 min
Mar 17, 4:40 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXAutauga50 min
Mar 17, 4:43 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXDallas, Perry47 min
Mar 17, 5:00 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXChilton60 min
Mar 17, 5:09 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXJefferson111 min
Mar 17, 5:15 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXChilton60 min
Mar 17, 5:16 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXBlount44 min
Mar 17, 5:23 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXDallas, Marengo, Perry67 min
Mar 17, 5:26 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXAutauga, Chilton, Dallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry and 1 more3 hr
Mar 17, 5:41 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXMarengo23 min
Mar 17, 5:42 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXChilton, Coosa, Shelby, Talladega48 min
Mar 17, 5:48 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBlount42 min
Mar 17, 5:56 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXWalker, Winston44 min
Mar 17, 6:09 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXChilton, Coosa, Shelby, Talladega13 min
Mar 17, 6:40 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXWalker, Winston3 hr
Mar 17, 6:48 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXDallas42 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 2021Every tornado warning in 2021Tornadoes in 2021

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.