Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 15, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 17, 2021Jefferson County, Walker County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 17, 2021, 2:14 PM CDT for Jefferson County, Walker County, Alabama. It was in force for 61 min. 1 report 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, 2:14 PM CDT (19:14 UTC)
Expired
Mar 17, 2021, 3:15 PM CDT
In force
61 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

Counties Jefferson County, AL, Walker County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 58 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:15 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Mar 17, 2:29 PM CDTTORNADO3 Wsw Miller Steam Plan, ALTORNADO REPORTED BY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT NEAR BIRMINGPORT.

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, 7.2 hours before the alert went out and 56 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.

796 
WFUS54 KBMX 171914
TORBMX
ALC073-127-172015-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0015.210317T1914Z-210317T2015Z/

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

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Walker County in central Alabama...
  Northwestern Jefferson County in central Alabama...

* Until 315 PM CDT.
    
* At 214 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Gorgas Steam Plant, or 13 miles southwest of Dora,
  moving northeast at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and quarter 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.

* Locations impacted include...
  Gardendale, Sumiton, Dora, Adamsville, Graysville, Brookside,
  Maytown, West Jefferson, Cardiff, Gorgas Steam Plant, Burnwell,
  Quinton, Forestdale, Sayre, Empire, Birmingport, Miller Steam Plant
  and Partridge Crossroads.

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 3349 8722 3357 8730 3384 8699 3365 8679
TIME...MOT...LOC 1914Z 230DEG 26KT 3356 8720 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

40/Sizemore
3 follow-up statements
711 
WWUS54 KBMX 171926
SVSBMX

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

ALC073-127-172015-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-210317T2015Z/
Walker AL-Jefferson AL-
226 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN WALKER AND NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTIES...
    
At 226 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near West Jefferson,
or 8 miles south of Dora, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Law enforcement 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...
Gardendale, Sumiton, Dora, Adamsville, Graysville, Brookside,
Maytown, West Jefferson, Cardiff, Burnwell, Quinton, Forestdale,
Sayre, Birmingport, Miller Steam Plant and Partridge Crossroads.

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 3354 8712 3362 8722 3383 8698 3382 8697
      3365 8679 3356 8702
TIME...MOT...LOC 1926Z 230DEG 26KT 3362 8712 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

40/Sizemore
018 
WWUS54 KBMX 171940
SVSBMX

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

ALC073-127-172015-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-210317T2015Z/
Walker AL-Jefferson AL-
240 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL WALKER AND NORTH CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTIES...
    
At 240 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Quinton, or near
Dora, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Emergency management 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...
Gardendale, Sumiton, Dora, Adamsville, Graysville, Brookside, West
Jefferson, Cardiff, Burnwell, Quinton, Sayre, Miller Steam Plant and
Partridge Crossroads.

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 3365 8715 3382 8697 3365 8679 3358 8705
TIME...MOT...LOC 1940Z 235DEG 25KT 3367 8702 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

40/Sizemore
743 
WWUS54 KBMX 171948
SVSBMX

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

ALC127-171957-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-210317T2015Z/
Walker AL-
248 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL WALKER 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 700 PM CDT for central
Alabama.

LAT...LON 3367 8681 3361 8701 3365 8707 3366 8706
      3368 8706 3369 8704 3373 8704 3373 8703
      3374 8702 3380 8694
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 234DEG 24KT 3369 8697 

$$

ALC073-172015-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0015.000000T0000Z-210317T2015Z/
Jefferson AL-
248 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY...
    
At 247 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Cardiff, or near
Sumiton, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Emergency management 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...
Gardendale, Adamsville, Graysville, Brookside, West Jefferson,
Cardiff, Sayre and Partridge Crossroads.

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 3367 8681 3361 8701 3365 8707 3366 8706
      3368 8706 3369 8704 3373 8704 3373 8703
      3374 8702 3380 8694
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 234DEG 24KT 3369 8697 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

40/Sizemore

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, 1:52 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter41 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, 2:20 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.