Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 51, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 25, 2021Cherokee County, Etowah County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 25, 2021, 2:58 PM CDT for Cherokee County, Etowah County, Alabama. It was in force for 45 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 25, 2021, 2:58 PM CDT (19:58 UTC)
Expired
Mar 25, 2021, 3:43 PM CDT
In force
45 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Observed
Hail
1.25 in

Counties Cherokee County, AL, Etowah County, AL

The radar

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 114 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:00 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 25, 3:20 PM CDTTORNADO3 N Piedmont, ALAN EF0 TORNADO CAUSED MAINLY TREE DAMAGE IN FAR SOUTHERN CHEROKEE COUNTY NEAR PIEDMONT.
Mar 25, 3:25 PM CDTTORNADO4 N Piedmont, ALSTRUCTURAL DAMAGE AND TREES DOWN. REPORTED BY EMA.

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 25, 11:26 AM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 128 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, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2021-03-25Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2021-03-25The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 397 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1602 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
53 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
397 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
647 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

088 
WFUS54 KBMX 251958
TORBMX
ALC019-055-252100-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0051.210325T1958Z-210325T2100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
258 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Etowah County in northeastern Alabama...
  Southeastern Cherokee County in northeastern Alabama...

* Until 400 PM CDT.
    
* At 257 PM CDT, a tornado producing storm was located near
  Jacksonville State University, or near Jacksonville, moving
  northeast at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado and half dollar 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...
  Hokes Bluff, Forney, Glencoe, Pleasant Gap, Ball Flat, Eastern
  Weiss Lake, Coloma, Cobb City, Reaves and Spring Garden.

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 3396 8540 3396 8549 3394 8550 3394 8553
      3396 8554 3397 8574 3393 8574 3396 8584
      3394 8590 3391 8590 3391 8593 3392 8593
      3391 8596 3422 8545
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 237DEG 39KT 3387 8584 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.25IN

$$

17/KLAWS
4 follow-up statements
256 
WWUS54 KBMX 252013
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
313 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

ALC055-252023-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0051.000000T0000Z-210325T2100Z/
Etowah AL-
313 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN ETOWAH 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 800 PM CDT for northeastern
and east central Alabama.

LAT...LON 3396 8540 3396 8549 3394 8550 3394 8553
      3396 8553 3396 8554 3397 8574 3401 8574
      3422 8545
TIME...MOT...LOC 2013Z 238DEG 35KT 3395 8568 

$$

ALC019-252100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0051.000000T0000Z-210325T2100Z/
Cherokee AL-
313 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY...
        
At 313 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Piedmont, moving
northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and half dollar 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...
Forney, Pleasant Gap, Eastern Weiss Lake, Coloma and Spring Garden. 

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 3396 8540 3396 8549 3394 8550 3394 8553
      3396 8553 3396 8554 3397 8574 3401 8574
      3422 8545
TIME...MOT...LOC 2013Z 238DEG 35KT 3395 8568 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.25IN

$$

17/KLAWS
464 
WWUS54 KBMX 252029
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
329 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

ALC019-252100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0051.000000T0000Z-210325T2100Z/
Cherokee AL-
329 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY...
    
At 329 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Forney, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar 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...
Forney, Pleasant Gap, Eastern Weiss Lake and Coloma. 

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 3401 8541 3396 8552 3406 8562 3422 8545
TIME...MOT...LOC 2029Z 237DEG 39KT 3405 8550 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.25IN

$$

17/KLAWS
319 
WWUS54 KBMX 252035
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
335 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

ALC019-252100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0051.000000T0000Z-210325T2100Z/
Cherokee AL-
335 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY...
    
At 335 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Forney, moving
northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Law enforcement 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...
Forney, Pleasant Gap, Eastern Weiss Lake and Coloma. 

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 3401 8541 3396 8552 3406 8562 3422 8545
TIME...MOT...LOC 2035Z 237DEG 39KT 3408 8544 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.25IN

$$

17/KLAWS
768 
WWUS54 KBMX 252043
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
343 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

ALC019-252053-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0051.000000T0000Z-210325T2100Z/
Cherokee AL-
343 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
        
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for northeastern
Alabama.

LAT...LON 3401 8541 3396 8552 3406 8562 3422 8545
TIME...MOT...LOC 2043Z 237DEG 39KT 3413 8535 

$$

17/KLAWS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 24, 10:58 PM CDTWind AdvisoryBMXAutauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more24 hr
Mar 25, 1:43 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXPike47 min
Mar 25, 4:54 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXLee36 min
Mar 25, 7:45 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMarengo45 min
Mar 25, 7:48 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXTuscaloosa42 min
Mar 25, 8:46 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa44 min
Mar 25, 8:53 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXMarshall22 min
Mar 25, 9:19 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXBlount41 min
Mar 25, 9:24 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXFayette, Walker, Winston3 hr
Mar 25, 9:28 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXJefferson47 min
Mar 25, 9:58 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson, St. Clair32 min
Mar 25, 10:12 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXBlount, Jefferson3 hr
Mar 25, 10:18 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXSt. Clair13 min
Mar 25, 10:28 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXCalhoun, Etowah, St. Clair47 min
Mar 25, 10:53 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker37 min
Mar 25, 11:14 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson, St. Clair, Walker61 min
Mar 25, 11:19 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne15 min
Mar 25, 11:36 AM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene, Hale54 min
Mar 25, 12:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Calhoun, Etowah, Jefferson, St. Clair, Talladega72 min
Mar 25, 12:11 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBibb, Tuscaloosa64 min
Mar 25, 12:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXCherokee60 min
Mar 25, 12:47 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXCherokee, Etowah6 hr
Mar 25, 12:53 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXJefferson, Shelby67 min
Mar 25, 12:54 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXJefferson, St. Clair4 hr
Mar 25, 1:28 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXPickens43 min
Mar 25, 1:46 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatBMXSt. Clair, Shelby, Talladega59 min
Mar 25, 1:57 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson, St. Clair9 hr
Mar 25, 2:23 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXCalhoun67 min
Mar 25, 2:32 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXFayette, Jefferson, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and 2 more4 hr
Mar 25, 2:45 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Tuscaloosa, Walker15 min
Mar 25, 3:11 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXSumter37 min
Mar 25, 3:35 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXGreene55 min
Mar 25, 3:37 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXSumter53 min
Mar 25, 3:44 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson25 min
Mar 25, 3:59 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXGreene, Hale61 min
Mar 25, 4:10 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXHale, Tuscaloosa10 min
Mar 25, 4:27 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXJefferson33 min
Mar 25, 4:33 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyTornado observedConsiderable damage threatBMXBibb, Perry57 min
Mar 25, 4:45 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXJefferson18 min
Mar 25, 4:48 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXWalker27 min
Mar 25, 4:55 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXSt. Clair41 min
Mar 25, 5:05 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyTornado observedConsiderable damage threatBMXChilton, Shelby55 min
Mar 25, 5:16 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyTornado observedCatastrophic damage threatBMXBibb29 min
Mar 25, 5:24 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCalhoun, Etowah28 min
Mar 25, 5:29 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBMXChilton, Coosa, Shelby, Talladega21 min
Mar 25, 5:50 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningBMXChilton, Coosa, Shelby, Talladega100 min
Mar 25, 5:50 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyTornado observedCatastrophic damage threatBMXShelby, Talladega23 min
Mar 25, 6:03 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXGreene27 min
Mar 25, 6:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementBMXFayette30 min
Mar 25, 6:30 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningBMXCherokee3 days

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.