Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021
Tornado Warning 18, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 17, 2021, 2:53 PM CDT for Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was in force for 52 min. 3 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, 2:53 PM CDT (19:53 UTC)
- Expired
- Mar 17, 2021, 3:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 52 min
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Observed
- Hail
- 1.5 in
County Tuscaloosa County, AL
The radar
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 45 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:56 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 17, 3:09 PM CDT | TORNADO | Lake Wildwood, AL | AN EF1 TORNADO PRODUCED DAMAGE FOR 0.53 MILES AND WAS 150 YARDS WIDE AT ITS WIDEST POINT. MINOR STRUCTURE AND TIMBER DAMAGE OCCURRED ALONG THE PATH. |
| Mar 17, 3:10 PM CDT | TORNADO | Lake Wildwood, AL | DAMAGE REPORTED IN THE WILDWOOD COMMUNITY. DETAILS UNKNOWN. |
| Mar 17, 3:25 PM CDT | TORNADO | 1 Nw East Brookwood, AL | THE TORNADO PRODUCED DAMAGE FOR 3.51 MILES AND WAS 650 YARDS WIDE AT ITS WIDEST POINT. THE TORNADO PRODUCED SIGNIFICANT TIMBER DAMAGE , SOME STRUCTURE DAMAGE AND DAMAGE TO A COMMUNICATIONS TOWER. |
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 17, 11:36 AM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 7.9 hours before the alert went out and 44 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.
- 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
The text
As transmitted.
755
WFUS54 KBMX 171953
TORBMX
ALC125-172045-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0018.210317T1953Z-210317T2045Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
253 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Central Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama...
* Until 345 PM CDT.
* At 253 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near McFarland Mall,
or 7 miles southeast of Tuscaloosa, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and ping pong ball size hail.
SOURCE...Public 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...
Tuscaloosa, Holt, Lake View, Brookwood, Coaling, Vance, Abernant,
McFarland Mall, Lake Wildwood, University Mall, Deerlick Creek
Campgrounds, Mercedes Benz Of Alabama, Shelton State Community
College, North Bibb, Cottondale, East Brookwood, Peterson, Lake
Harris, Caffee Junction and Fleetwood.
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 3345 8735 3338 8723 3337 8723 3336 8720
3334 8720 3334 8718 3332 8718 3332 8716
3331 8716 3331 8713 3329 8712 3329 8709
3328 8709 3327 8706 3307 8746 3314 8760
TIME...MOT...LOC 1953Z 222DEG 27KT 3313 8748
TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.50IN
$$
86/Martin2 follow-up statements
656
WWUS54 KBMX 172013
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
313 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
ALC125-172045-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-210317T2045Z/
Tuscaloosa AL-
313 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA COUNTY...
At 313 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Brookwood, or 8
miles east of Holt, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and half dollar size hail.
SOURCE...Public confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Holt, Lake View, Brookwood, Coaling, Vance, Lake Wildwood, Abernant,
Deerlick Creek Campgrounds, Mercedes Benz Of Alabama, North Bibb,
Fleetwood, Bucksville, East Brookwood, Camp Horne B.S.A., Peterson,
Lake Harris, Caffee Junction, I 20 Rest Area Near Tuscaloosa, Cedar
Cove and Holt Lock And Dam.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3345 8735 3338 8723 3337 8723 3336 8720
3334 8720 3334 8718 3332 8718 3332 8716
3331 8716 3331 8713 3329 8712 3329 8709
3328 8709 3327 8706 3314 8732 3325 8751
TIME...MOT...LOC 2013Z 222DEG 27KT 3324 8736
TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.25IN
$$
86/Martin631
WWUS54 KBMX 172031
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
331 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
ALC125-172045-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-210317T2045Z/
Tuscaloosa AL-
331 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA COUNTY...
At 331 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located near Brookwood, or 13 miles east of Holt, moving northeast at
20 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...
Brookwood, Abernant and East Brookwood.
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 3338 8723 3337 8723 3336 8720 3334 8720
3334 8718 3332 8718 3332 8716 3331 8716
3331 8713 3324 8728 3331 8739 3342 8730
TIME...MOT...LOC 2031Z 220DEG 19KT 3331 8729
TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...1.25IN
$$
40/SizemoreThe office that day
Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16, 9:59 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Sumter | 46 min |
| Mar 16, 10:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Sumter | 24 min |
| Mar 16, 10:38 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Hale | 37 min |
| Mar 17, 1:27 AM CDT | Dense Fog Advisory | BMX | Autauga, Barbour, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun, Chambers and 22 more | 6 hr |
| Mar 17, 11:18 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Jefferson | 27 min |
| Mar 17, 12:13 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Dallas | 47 min |
| Mar 17, 12:19 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Jefferson, Tuscaloosa | 2 hr |
| Mar 17, 12:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Fayette, Lamar, Marion | 25 min |
| Mar 17, 12:41 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Autauga | 64 min |
| Mar 17, 12:59 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Greene, Sumter | 61 min |
| Mar 17, 1:18 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Autauga, Chilton, Elmore | 57 min |
| Mar 17, 1:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Pickens, Tuscaloosa | 28 min |
| Mar 17, 1:52 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Greene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter | 41 min |
| Mar 17, 1:58 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Marengo | 62 min |
| Mar 17, 1:59 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Greene, Hale | 46 min |
| Mar 17, 2:02 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Chilton, Coosa | 58 min |
| Mar 17, 2:09 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Marengo | 66 min |
| Mar 17, 2:14 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Jefferson, Walker | 61 min |
| Mar 17, 2:20 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Tuscaloosa | 40 min |
| Mar 17, 2:33 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Clay, Coosa, Talladega | 42 min |
| Mar 17, 2:44 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Hale, Marengo, Perry | 2 hr |
| Mar 17, 2:47 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Greene, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa | 2 hr |
| Mar 17, 2:48 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Blount, Jefferson, Walker | 2 hr |
| Mar 17, 2:48 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston | 2 hr |
| Mar 17, 2:51 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Jefferson | 2 hr |
| Mar 17, 2:54 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Dallas, Marengo, Perry | 66 min |
| Mar 17, 2:58 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Blount, Jefferson | 34 min |
| Mar 17, 3:21 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Tuscaloosa | 54 min |
| Mar 17, 3:25 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Tuscaloosa | 2 hr |
| Mar 17, 3:28 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Dallas, Perry | 2 hr |
| Mar 17, 3:34 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Jefferson, Walker | 56 min |
| Mar 17, 3:37 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Marengo | 38 min |
| Mar 17, 3:58 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Jefferson | 47 min |
| Mar 17, 3:58 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Dallas, Perry | 47 min |
| Mar 17, 4:12 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Dallas | 48 min |
| Mar 17, 4:28 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Marengo | 62 min |
| Mar 17, 4:36 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Jefferson | 54 min |
| Mar 17, 4:40 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Autauga | 50 min |
| Mar 17, 4:43 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Dallas, Perry | 47 min |
| Mar 17, 5:00 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Chilton | 60 min |
| Mar 17, 5:09 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Jefferson | 111 min |
| Mar 17, 5:15 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Chilton | 60 min |
| Mar 17, 5:16 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Blount | 44 min |
| Mar 17, 5:23 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Dallas, Marengo, Perry | 67 min |
| Mar 17, 5:26 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Autauga, Chilton, Dallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry and 1 more | 3 hr |
| Mar 17, 5:41 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Marengo | 23 min |
| Mar 17, 5:42 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Chilton, Coosa, Shelby, Talladega | 48 min |
| Mar 17, 5:48 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Blount | 42 min |
| Mar 17, 5:56 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Walker, Winston | 44 min |
| Mar 17, 6:09 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Chilton, Coosa, Shelby, Talladega | 13 min |
| Mar 17, 6:40 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | BMX | Walker, Winston | 3 hr |
| Mar 17, 6:48 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Dallas | 42 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.