Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 24, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 17, 2021Jefferson County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 17, 2021, 3:58 PM CDT for Jefferson County, Alabama. It was in force for 47 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, 3:58 PM CDT (20:58 UTC)
Expired: Mar 17, 2021, 4:45 PM CDT
In force: 47 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Observed
Hail: 1.0 in

County Jefferson County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 53 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:03 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, 4:30 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, 9.0 hours before the alert went out and 51 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.

970 
WFUS54 KBMX 172058
TORBMX
ALC073-172145-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0024.210317T2058Z-210317T2145Z/

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

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Western Jefferson County in central Alabama...

* Until 445 PM CDT.
    
* At 358 PM CDT, a tornado producing storm was located near Bull
  City, or 14 miles northeast of Holt, moving northeast at 35 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...
  Birmingham, Bessemer, Hueytown, Fairfield, Fultondale, Pleasant
  Grove, Midfield, Adamsville, Brighton, Graysville, Sylvan Springs,
  Brookside, Mulga, Maytown, West Jefferson, North Johns, Cardiff,
  Birmingham Fairgounds, B.j.c.c. and Edgewater.

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 8675 3332 8716 3336 8720 3337 8723
      3339 8723 3342 8725 3346 8733 3348 8729
      3350 8728 3350 8726 3352 8726 3352 8725
      3354 8723 3355 8719 3358 8720 3361 8717
      3363 8710 3366 8709 3366 8706 3373 8704
TIME...MOT...LOC 2058Z 227DEG 30KT 3336 8729 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

86/Martin

2 follow-up statements

535 
WWUS54 KBMX 172113
SVSBMX

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

ALC073-172145-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0024.000000T0000Z-210317T2145Z/
Jefferson AL-
413 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY...
        
At 412 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Oak Grove, or 10
miles west of Hueytown, moving northeast at 35 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...
Northern Birmingham, Hueytown, Fairfield, Fultondale, Pleasant Grove,
Adamsville, Graysville, Sylvan Springs, Brookside, Mulga, Maytown,
West Jefferson, Cardiff, Birmingham Fairgounds, B.j.c.c., Edgewater,
Kingston, Ensley, Legion Field and Forestdale.

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 8675 3339 8715 3339 8723 3342 8725
      3346 8733 3348 8729 3350 8728 3350 8726
      3352 8726 3352 8725 3354 8723 3355 8719
      3358 8720 3361 8717 3363 8710 3366 8709
      3366 8706 3373 8704
TIME...MOT...LOC 2112Z 227DEG 30KT 3344 8718 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

86/Martin

143 
WWUS54 KBMX 172132
SVSBMX

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

ALC073-172145-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0024.000000T0000Z-210317T2145Z/
Jefferson AL-
432 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
JEFFERSON COUNTY...
    
At 431 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Maytown, or 8 miles north of Hueytown, moving
northeast at 35 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...
Northern Birmingham, Hueytown, Fairfield, Fultondale, Pleasant Grove,
Adamsville, Graysville, Sylvan Springs, Brookside, Mulga, Maytown,
West Jefferson, Cardiff, Birmingham Fairgounds, B.j.c.c., Edgewater,
Kingston, Ensley, Legion Field and Forestdale.

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 3344 8701 3351 8709 3356 8715 3360 8713
      3363 8710 3366 8706 3371 8702 3354 8675
TIME...MOT...LOC 2131Z 227DEG 30KT 3355 8704 

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

$$

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, 3:34 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	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	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.