Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 22, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 17, 2021Jefferson County, Walker County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 17, 2021, 3:34 PM CDT for Jefferson County, Walker County, Alabama. It was in force for 56 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, 3:34 PM CDT (20:34 UTC)
Expired: Mar 17, 2021, 4:30 PM CDT
In force: 56 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Observed
Hail: 1.5 in

Counties Jefferson County, AL, Walker County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 51 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:36 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, 4:07 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 Se Bull City, AL	REPORTED BY SPOTTER WHO WAS SE OF THIS LOCATION, LOOKING NW.
Mar 17, 4:30 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 W Maytown, AL	CORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM 1 W MAYTOWN. A NWS SURVEY TEAM CONFIRMED EF-1 TORNADO DAMAGE IN THE MAYTOWN AREA OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. TREES WERE SNAPPED AND UPROOTED, WITH RELATIVELY MINOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. THE DAMAGE PATH STARTED ALONG CROCKER ROAD AND

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 PDS	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 8.6 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.

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: 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.

729 
WFUS54 KBMX 172034
TORBMX
ALC073-127-172130-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0022.210317T2034Z-210317T2130Z/

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

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

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

* Until 430 PM CDT.

* At 334 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 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...
  Hueytown, Pleasant Grove, Adamsville, Graysville, Sylvan Springs,
  Brookside, Mulga, Maytown, West Jefferson, Gorgas Steam Plant,
  Edgewater, Concord, Quinton, Forestdale, Minor, McDonald Chapel,
  Weller, Birmingport, Docena and Miller Steam Plant.

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 3361 8684 3332 8716 3332 8718 3334 8718
      3334 8720 3336 8720 3337 8723 3339 8723
      3340 8725 3342 8725 3344 8729 3344 8731
      3348 8730 3348 8729 3350 8729 3350 8726
      3351 8727 3351 8729 3372 8720
TIME...MOT...LOC 2034Z 203DEG 25KT 3335 8728 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.50IN

$$

86/Martin

2 follow-up statements

082 
WWUS54 KBMX 172046
SVSBMX

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

ALC073-127-172130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0022.000000T0000Z-210317T2130Z/
Walker AL-Jefferson AL-
346 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN WALKER AND SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTIES...
    
At 346 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Bull City, or 14 miles west of Hueytown, moving
northeast at 30 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...
Hueytown, Pleasant Grove, Adamsville, Graysville, Sylvan Springs,
Brookside, Mulga, Maytown, West Jefferson, Gorgas Steam Plant,
Edgewater, Concord, Quinton, Forestdale, Minor, McDonald Chapel,
Weller, Birmingport, Docena and Miller Steam Plant.

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 3361 8684 3332 8716 3332 8718 3334 8718
      3334 8720 3336 8720 3337 8723 3339 8723
      3340 8725 3342 8725 3344 8729 3344 8731
      3348 8730 3348 8729 3350 8729 3350 8726
      3351 8727 3351 8729 3372 8720
TIME...MOT...LOC 2046Z 203DEG 25KT 3343 8724 

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

$$

86/Martin

274 
WWUS54 KBMX 172122
SVSBMX

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

ALC127-172132-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0022.000000T0000Z-210317T2130Z/
Walker AL-
422 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN 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 3361 8684 3344 8703 3344 8709 3347 8717
      3353 8723 3354 8722 3355 8719 3357 8720
      3361 8717 3361 8715 3363 8714 3363 8710
      3366 8709 3366 8706 3367 8706
TIME...MOT...LOC 2122Z 203DEG 25KT 3366 8712 

$$

ALC073-172130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0022.000000T0000Z-210317T2130Z/
Jefferson AL-
422 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM CDT FOR WEST
CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY...
    
At 422 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Quinton, or near Dora, moving northeast at 30 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...
Hueytown, Pleasant Grove, Adamsville, Graysville, Sylvan Springs,
Brookside, Mulga, Maytown, West Jefferson, Edgewater, Concord,
Forestdale, Minor, McDonald Chapel, Birmingport, Docena and Miller
Steam Plant.

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 3361 8684 3344 8703 3344 8709 3347 8717
      3353 8723 3354 8722 3355 8719 3357 8720
      3361 8717 3361 8715 3363 8714 3363 8710
      3366 8709 3366 8706 3367 8706
TIME...MOT...LOC 2122Z 203DEG 25KT 3366 8712 

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

$$

86/Martin

The 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 Tornado observed	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 Tornado observed	BMX	Tuscaloosa	40 min
Mar 17, 2:33 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	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 Tornado observed	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, 3:21 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, 3:37 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Marengo	38 min
Mar 17, 3:58 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	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 Tornado observed	BMX	Marengo	62 min
Mar 17, 4:36 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	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 Tornado observed	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, 2021 Every tornado warning in 2021 Tornadoes 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.