Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 39, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 17, 2021Dallas County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 17, 2021, 6:48 PM CDT for Dallas County, Alabama. It was in force for 42 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Mar 17, 2021, 6:48 PM CDT (23:48 UTC)
Expired
Mar 17, 2021, 7:30 PM CDT
In force
42 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

County Dallas County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 86 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:50 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.

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
Mar 17, 6:48 PM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 11.8 hours before the alert went out and 87 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.

566 
WFUS54 KBMX 172348
TORBMX
ALC047-180030-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0039.210317T2348Z-210318T0030Z/

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

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Dallas County in south central Alabama...

* Until 730 PM CDT.
    
* At 648 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Old Cahaba Park, or 11 miles southwest of
  Selmont-West Selmont, 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...
  Selma, Valley Grande, Selmont-West Selmont, Orrville, Gardner
  Island, Tyler, Dallas Lake, Old Cahaba Park, Memorial Stadium,
  Burnsville, Dallas County Horse Arena, Dannelly Reservoir,
  Skyharbor Airport, Whites Bluff, Hazen, Craig Field Aiport, Selma
  Drag Strip, Edmund Pettus Bridge and Selma University.

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 3228 8729 3259 8690 3257 8690 3254 8691
      3249 8688 3248 8689 3246 8686 3244 8687
      3243 8683 3242 8685 3241 8685 3237 8681
      3235 8681 3233 8685 3232 8685 3214 8715
TIME...MOT...LOC 2348Z 230DEG 27KT 3226 8716 

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

$$

17/KLAWS
3 follow-up statements
338 
WWUS54 KBMX 172354
SVSBMX

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

ALC047-180030-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-210318T0030Z/
Dallas AL-
654 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL DALLAS COUNTY...
    
At 653 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Old Cahaba Park, or 9 miles southwest of
Selmont-West Selmont, 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...
Selma, Valley Grande, Selmont-West Selmont, Gardner Island, Old
Cahaba Park, Memorial Stadium, Burnsville, Dallas County Horse Arena,
Skyharbor Airport, Hazen, Craig Field Aiport, Selma Drag Strip,
Edmund Pettus Bridge and Selma University.

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 3233 8722 3259 8690 3257 8690 3254 8691
      3249 8688 3248 8689 3246 8686 3244 8687
      3243 8683 3242 8685 3241 8685 3239 8683
      3223 8713
TIME...MOT...LOC 2353Z 230DEG 27KT 3229 8712 

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

$$

17/KLAWS
136 
WWUS54 KBMX 180003
SVSBMX

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

ALC047-180030-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-210318T0030Z/
Dallas AL-
703 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL DALLAS COUNTY...
    
At 702 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Dallas County Horse Arena, or near Selmont-West
Selmont, 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...
Selma, Valley Grande, Selmont-West Selmont, Memorial Stadium, Gardner
Island, Burnsville, Dallas County Horse Arena, Selma Drag Strip,
Skyharbor Airport, Edmund Pettus Bridge and Selma University.

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 3259 8690 3257 8690 3254 8691 3249 8688
      3248 8689 3246 8686 3244 8687 3243 8683
      3242 8685 3230 8707 3238 8716
TIME...MOT...LOC 0002Z 224DEG 29KT 3237 8706 

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

$$

17/KLAWS
954 
WWUS54 KBMX 180014
SVSBMX

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

ALC047-180030-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-210318T0030Z/
Dallas AL-
714 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL DALLAS COUNTY...
    
At 713 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Selma, 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...
Selma, Selmont-West Selmont, Memorial Stadium, Gardner Island,
Burnsville, Edmund Pettus Bridge and Selma University.

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 3259 8690 3257 8690 3254 8691 3249 8688
      3248 8689 3246 8686 3244 8687 3243 8683
      3242 8685 3239 8702 3242 8709
TIME...MOT...LOC 0013Z 218DEG 31KT 3245 8700 

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

$$

17/KLAWS

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, 4:36 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXJefferson54 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

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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.