Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 59, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 25, 2021Jefferson County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 25, 2021, 4:45 PM CDT for Jefferson County, Alabama. It was in force for 18 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 25, 2021, 4:45 PM CDT (21:45 UTC)
Expired
Mar 25, 2021, 5:03 PM CDT
In force
18 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

County Jefferson County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 54 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:48 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, 4:48 PM CDTTORNADO1 Nw Ruffner Mountain, ALAN EF1 TORNADO FORMED IN THE SOUTH EASTLAKE AND SOUTH HIGHLANDS NEIGHBORHOODS OF NORTHEAST BIRMINGHAM. IT CONTINUED NORTHEAST INTO THE SOUTH ROEBUCK AND ROEBUCK PLAZA NEIGHBORHOODS, SNAPPING AND UPROOTING NUMEROUS TREES BEFORE DISSIPATING IN SOUTHWEST TRUSSVIL
Mar 25, 4:48 PM CDTTORNADO1 Wnw Birmingham Race C, AL10-20 HOMES HEAVILY DAMAGED NEAR WILLOW LANE AND ROEBUCK FOREST DRIVE.
Mar 25, 4:54 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG1 Sse Cloverdale, ALTRESS UPROOTED IN THE CITY OF ROEBUCK. 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 25, 11:26 AM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 9.8 hours before the alert went out and 53 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 2021-03-25Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 54 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 2021-03-25The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 613 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
54 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-239 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
507 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
65 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
613 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
713 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
5.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

919 
WFUS54 KBMX 252145
TORBMX
ALC073-252230-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0059.210325T2145Z-210325T2230Z/

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

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

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

* Until 530 PM CDT.
    
* At 445 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over northeastern Birmingham, moving northeast at 55
  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...
  Birmingham, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Trussville,
  Gardendale, Irondale, Leeds, Moody, Fultondale, Center Point, Clay,
  Pinson, Tarrant, Argo, Ketona Lakes, B.j.c.c., Chalkville, Shops of
  Grand River and Kingston.

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 3373 8654 3372 8653 3366 8653 3363 8654
      3362 8655 3356 8655 3355 8654 3355 8652
      3354 8653 3343 8678 3359 8689 3371 8663
      3373 8658 3374 8654
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 239DEG 48KT 3355 8676 

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

$$

25/Owen
2 follow-up statements
390 
WWUS54 KBMX 252150
SVSBMX

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

ALC073-252230-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0059.000000T0000Z-210325T2230Z/
Jefferson AL-
450 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY...
        
At 450 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over northeastern
Birmingham, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

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...
Northeastern Birmingham, Mountain Brook, Trussville, Gardendale,
Irondale, Leeds, Moody, Fultondale, Center Point, Clay, Pinson,
Tarrant, Argo, Ketona Lakes, Chalkville, Shops of Grand River, Alton,
Grayson Valley, Barber Motorsports Park and Birmingham Airport.

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 3373 8654 3372 8653 3366 8653 3363 8654
      3362 8655 3356 8655 3355 8654 3355 8652
      3354 8653 3350 8673 3362 8682 3371 8663
      3373 8658 3374 8654
TIME...MOT...LOC 2150Z 239DEG 48KT 3358 8670 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

25/Owen
574 
WWUS54 KBMX 252203
SVSBMX

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

ALC073-252211-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0059.000000T0000Z-210325T2230Z/
Jefferson AL-
503 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL JEFFERSON 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 central
Alabama.

LAT...LON 3373 8654 3372 8653 3366 8653 3363 8654
      3362 8655 3356 8655 3355 8654 3355 8652
      3354 8653 3350 8673 3362 8682 3371 8663
      3373 8658 3374 8654
TIME...MOT...LOC 2200Z 239DEG 48KT 3366 8654 

$$

25/Owen

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, 2:58 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedBMXCherokee, Etowah45 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, 4:48 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.