Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 28, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 17, 2021Jefferson County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 17, 2021, 4:36 PM CDT for Jefferson County, Alabama. It was in force for 54 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, 4:36 PM CDT (21:36 UTC)
Expired
Mar 17, 2021, 5:30 PM CDT
In force
54 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), 64 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:35 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, 4:56 PM CDTTORNADO1 Sse Mount Olive, AL*** 1 INJ *** CORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM 1 SSE MOUNT OLIVE. A NWS SURVEY TEAM CONFIRMED EF-0 TORNADO DAMAGE IN THE MOUNT OLIVE AREA OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. DAMAGE CONSISTED OF DOWNED TREES WITH RELATIVELY MINOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE CAUSED DIRECTLY BY WIND
Mar 17, 4:58 PM CDTTORNADO1 E Mount Olive, ALPOWER LINES/POLES DOWN IN THE 2400 BLOCK OF MT. OLIVE RD.
Mar 17, 5:05 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG2 N Gardendale, ALDAMAGE REPORTED ALONG HWY 31. POSSIBLE TORNADO.

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, 9.6 hours before the alert went out and 63 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.

409 
WFUS54 KBMX 172136
TORBMX
ALC073-172230-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0028.210317T2136Z-210317T2230Z/

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

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

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

* Until 530 PM CDT.
    
* At 435 PM CDT, a tornado producing storm was located over Maytown,
  or 7 miles northwest of Fairfield, moving northeast at 25 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...
  Northwestern Birmingham, Gardendale, Fultondale, Center Point,
  Pleasant Grove, Clay, Pinson, Tarrant, Adamsville, Warrior,
  Kimberly, Graysville, Morris, Sylvan Springs, Brookside, Mulga,
  Trafford, Maytown, County Line and Cardiff.

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 3384 8676 3378 8665 3377 8665 3377 8663
      3372 8656 3349 8697 3357 8710 3383 8691
      3384 8688
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 224DEG 22KT 3356 8700 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

86/Martin
3 follow-up statements
878 
WWUS54 KBMX 172155
SVSBMX

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

ALC073-172230-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0028.000000T0000Z-210317T2230Z/
Jefferson AL-
455 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY...
        
At 454 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Brookside, or
near Gardendale, moving northeast at 25 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, Gardendale, Fultondale, Center Point, Clay,
Pinson, Tarrant, Adamsville, Warrior, Kimberly, Graysville, Morris,
Brookside, Trafford, County Line, Cardiff, Chalkville, Sayre,
Palmerdale and Village Springs.

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 3384 8676 3378 8665 3377 8665 3377 8663
      3372 8656 3357 8682 3366 8703 3383 8691
      3384 8688
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 224DEG 22KT 3364 8690 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

86/Martin
228 
WWUS54 KBMX 172218
SVSBMX

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

ALC073-172230-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0028.000000T0000Z-210317T2230Z/
Jefferson AL-
518 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY...
    
At 518 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Morris, or near
Gardendale, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter 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...
Warrior, Kimberly, Morris, Trafford and County Line. 

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 3384 8676 3378 8665 3377 8665 3377 8663
      3374 8666 3371 8670 3378 8686 3381 8684
      3384 8681
TIME...MOT...LOC 2218Z 224DEG 22KT 3375 8678 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$

86/Martin
681 
WWUS54 KBMX 172227
SVSBMX

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

ALC073-172237-
/O.EXP.KBMX.TO.W.0028.000000T0000Z-210317T2230Z/
Jefferson AL-
527 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 530 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
Alabama.

LAT...LON 3384 8676 3378 8665 3377 8665 3377 8663
      3374 8666 3371 8670 3378 8686 3381 8684
      3384 8681
TIME...MOT...LOC 2227Z 224DEG 22KT 3378 8674 

$$

86/Martin

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, 2:14 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXJefferson, Walker61 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, 4:40 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.