Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 6, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 17, 2021Dallas County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 17, 2021, 12:13 PM CDT for Dallas County, Alabama. It was in force for 47 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, 12:13 PM CDT (17:13 UTC)
Expired: Mar 17, 2021, 1:00 PM CDT
In force: 47 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), 87 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:13 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, 12:32 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 Nnw Burnsville, AL	* 2 INJ * EF2 TORNADO DAMAGE PATH WAS 5.08 MILES LONG AND 1000 YARDS WIDE AT ITS WIDEST POINT. TWO MINOR INJURIES WERE SUFFERED AS HOME WAS DESTROYED NEAR SR 14. DAMAGE WAS OBSERVED FROM JUST EAST OF SELMA TO THE BURNSVILLE COMMUNITY.
Mar 17, 12:32 PM CDT	TORNADO	4 Ene Selma, AL	* 2 INJ * AN EF2 TORNADO PRODUCED DAMAGE FOR 5.08 MILES AND WAS 1000 YARDS WIDE AT ITS WIDEST POINT. TWO PEOPLE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE TORNADO BEGAN JUST EAST OF SELMA AND LIFTED NEAR BURNSVILLE. MANY STRUCTURES WERE DAMAGED AND NUMEROUS TREES WERE B
Mar 17, 12:44 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Nnw Burnsville, AL	SEVERAL TREES AND POWER LINES WERE BLOWN DOWN ALONG HIGHWAY 83, HIGHWAY 84, HIGHWAY 528, AND HIGHWAY 26. AT LEAST ONE STRUCTURE WAS DAMAGED. 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.

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, 5.2 hours before the alert went out and 88 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.

673 
WFUS54 KBMX 171713
TORBMX
ALC047-171800-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0006.210317T1713Z-210317T1800Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1213 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

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

* Until 100 PM CDT.
    
* At 1212 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
  tornado was located over Old Cahaba Park, 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, Selmont-West Selmont, Gardner Island, Tyler, Old Cahaba
  Park, Memorial Stadium, Burnsville, Dallas County Horse Arena,
  Skyharbor Airport, 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 3234 8718 3254 8691 3249 8688 3248 8689
      3246 8686 3244 8687 3243 8683 3242 8685
      3241 8685 3236 8681 3235 8681 3234 8682
      3233 8685 3232 8685 3227 8710
TIME...MOT...LOC 1712Z 231DEG 30KT 3234 8707 

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

$$

40/Sizemore

4 follow-up statements

285 
WWUS54 KBMX 171722
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1222 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

ALC047-171800-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-210317T1800Z/
Dallas AL-
1222 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL DALLAS COUNTY...
    
At 1221 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over 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, Selmont-West Selmont, Memorial Stadium, Gardner Island,
Burnsville, Dallas County Horse Arena, Selma Drag Strip, Skyharbor
Airport, Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selma University and Craig Field
Aiport.

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 3254 8691 3249 8688 3248 8689 3246 8686
      3244 8687 3243 8683 3242 8685 3241 8685
      3236 8681 3231 8707 3239 8712
TIME...MOT...LOC 1721Z 232DEG 27KT 3238 8701 

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

$$

40/Sizemore

118 
WWUS54 KBMX 171731 RRA
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1231 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

ALC047-171800-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-210317T1800Z/
Dallas AL-
1231 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL DALLAS COUNTY...
    
At 1231 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Selma, 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, 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 3254 8691 3249 8688 3248 8689 3246 8686
      3244 8687 3243 8683 3242 8685 3241 8685
      3240 8684 3237 8702 3243 8707
TIME...MOT...LOC 1731Z 232DEG 24KT 3242 8698 

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

$$

40/Sizemore

598 
WWUS54 KBMX 171743
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1243 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

ALC047-171800-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-210317T1800Z/
Dallas AL-
1243 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL DALLAS COUNTY...
    
At 1243 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Burnsville, or near Valley Grande, 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...
Gardner Island and Burnsville. 

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 3254 8691 3249 8688 3248 8689 3246 8686
      3244 8687 3243 8683 3242 8685 3241 8685
      3240 8684 3240 8694 3247 8701
TIME...MOT...LOC 1743Z 233DEG 29KT 3248 8688 

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

$$

40/Sizemore

853 
WWUS54 KBMX 171746 RRA
SVSBMX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1246 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

ALC047-171800-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0006.000000T0000Z-210317T1800Z/
Dallas AL-
1246 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL DALLAS COUNTY...
        
At 1246 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Burnsville, or 7
miles east of Valley Grande, moving northeast at 35 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...
Gardner Island and Burnsville. 

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 3254 8691 3249 8688 3248 8689 3246 8686
      3244 8687 3243 8683 3242 8685 3241 8685
      3240 8684 3240 8694 3247 8701
TIME...MOT...LOC 1746Z 231DEG 30KT 3250 8685 

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

$$

40/Sizemore

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, 12:19 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 Tornado observed	BMX	Jefferson	47 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.