Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021
Tornado Warning 21, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 17, 2021, 3:21 PM CDT for Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. It was in force for 54 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, 3:21 PM CDT (20:21 UTC)
- Expired
- Mar 17, 2021, 4:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 54 min
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
County Tuscaloosa County, AL
The radar
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 51 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:23 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, 3:25 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, 8.4 hours before the alert went out and 50 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.
978
WFUS54 KBMX 172021
TORBMX
ALC125-172115-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0021.210317T2021Z-210317T2115Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
321 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 415 PM CDT.
* At 320 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over western Tuscaloosa, 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...
Tuscaloosa, Northport, Holt, Lake View, Brookwood, Bull City,
Abernant, McFarland Mall, Shelton State Community College,
Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, Bryant Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa Regional
Airport, University Mall, Deerlick Creek Campgrounds, Bankhead Lock
And Dam, Lake Wildwood, Lake Tuscaloosa, Cottondale, East Brookwood
and Peterson.
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 3350 8738 3345 8733 3344 8729 3343 8728
3342 8725 3340 8725 3339 8723 3337 8723
3336 8720 3334 8720 3334 8718 3332 8718
3332 8716 3331 8716 3330 8713 3329 8713
3310 8760 3319 8769
TIME...MOT...LOC 2020Z 230DEG 29KT 3319 8760
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
40/Sizemore3 follow-up statements
262
WWUS54 KBMX 172042
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
342 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
ALC125-172115-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-210317T2115Z/
Tuscaloosa AL-
342 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA COUNTY...
At 342 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Deerlick Creek Campgrounds, or near Holt, moving
northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Lake View, Brookwood, Bull City, Abernant, Deerlick Creek
Campgrounds, Lake Nicol, Fleetwood, East Brookwood, Peterson, Lake
Nicol Park, Holt Lock And Dam and Lake Harris.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3346 8734 3345 8733 3344 8729 3343 8728
3342 8725 3340 8725 3339 8723 3337 8723
3336 8720 3334 8720 3334 8718 3332 8718
3332 8716 3331 8716 3330 8713 3329 8713
3321 8743 3330 8750
TIME...MOT...LOC 2042Z 237DEG 31KT 3329 8741
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
40/Sizemore512
WWUS54 KBMX 172058
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
358 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
ALC125-172115-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-210317T2115Z/
Tuscaloosa AL-
358 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA COUNTY...
At 358 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Bull City, or 14
miles northeast of Holt, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.
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...
Bull City.
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 3344 8731 3342 8725 3340 8725 3339 8723
3337 8723 3336 8720 3334 8720 3334 8718
3332 8718 3327 8733 3334 8739 3345 8732
TIME...MOT...LOC 2058Z 237DEG 25KT 3335 8729
TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN
$$
40/Sizemore952
WWUS54 KBMX 172110
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
410 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
ALC125-172120-
/O.EXP.KBMX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-210317T2115Z/
Tuscaloosa AL-
410 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 415 PM CDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for central and
west central Alabama.
LAT...LON 3344 8731 3342 8725 3340 8725 3339 8723
3337 8723 3336 8720 3334 8720 3334 8718
3332 8718 3327 8733 3334 8739 3345 8732
TIME...MOT...LOC 2110Z 230DEG 29KT 3341 8720
$$
86/MartinThe 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, 2:53 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Tuscaloosa | 52 min |
| 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, 3:25 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.