Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 61, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 25, 2021Chilton County, Shelby County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 25, 2021, 5:05 PM CDT for Chilton County, Shelby County, Alabama. It was in force for 55 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, 5:05 PM CDT (22:05 UTC)
Expired
Mar 25, 2021, 6:00 PM CDT
In force
55 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Emergency
Tornado emergency
Tornado
Observed
Damage threat
Considerable
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Chilton County, AL, Shelby County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 16 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:09 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, 5:42 PM CDTTORNADO2 Se Calera, ALTREES DOWN ALONG THE INTERSTATE NEAR MM229. REPORTED BY OFF DUTY NWS EMPLOYEE.
Mar 25, 5:56 PM CDTTORNADOColumbiana, ALREPORT OF HOMES DAMAGED IN COLUMBIANA. RELAYED BY MEDIA.

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, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 17 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.

674 
WFUS54 KBMX 252205
TORBMX
ALC021-117-252300-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0061.210325T2205Z-210325T2300Z/

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

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  North central Chilton County in central Alabama...
  Southern Shelby County in central Alabama...

* Until 600 PM CDT.
    
* At 505 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado
  was located over Harrisburg, or near Brent, moving east at 50 mph.

  This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

  IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris 
           may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile 
           homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
           businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete 
           destruction is possible.

* Locations impacted include...
  Calera, Montevallo, Columbiana, Jemison, Wilsonville, Wilton,
  University Of Montevallo, Lay Lake, American Village, Shelby,
  Minooka Park, Beeswax Creek Park, Alabama 4H Center, Waxahatchee
  Creek, Highway 145 and CR 46, Kelley Branch, Spring Creek, Gaston
  Steam Plant and Shelby Shores.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, 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 3328 8641 3327 8640 3327 8643 3324 8644
      3324 8646 3320 8646 3320 8649 3318 8650
      3312 8646 3309 8651 3307 8651 3306 8652
      3300 8652 3291 8688 3305 8688 3306 8693
      3308 8693 3309 8695 3310 8694
TIME...MOT...LOC 2205Z 248DEG 45KT 3290 8720 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

32/Davis
4 follow-up statements
053 
WWUS54 KBMX 252221
SVSBMX

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

ALC021-117-252300-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-210325T2300Z/
Chilton AL-Shelby AL-
521 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...TORNADO EMERGENCY FOR MONTEVALLO, WILTON, AND CALERA...

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL CHILTON AND SOUTHERN SHELBY COUNTIES...
        
At 520 PM CDT, a confirmed large and destructive tornado was located
near Ashby, or 8 miles east of Centreville, moving east at 50 mph.

TORNADO EMERGENCY for MONTEVALLO, WILTON, and CALERA. This is a 
PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Deadly tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Calera, Montevallo, Columbiana, Jemison, Wilsonville, Wilton,
University Of Montevallo, Lay Lake, American Village, Shelby, Minooka
Park, Beeswax Creek Park, Alabama 4H Center, Waxahatchee Creek,
Highway 145 and CR 46, Kelley Branch, Spring Creek, Gaston Steam
Plant and Shelby Shores.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous, and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid
windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle or outdoors, move to the
closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3328 8641 3327 8640 3327 8643 3324 8644
      3324 8646 3320 8646 3320 8649 3318 8650
      3312 8646 3309 8651 3307 8651 3306 8652
      3300 8652 3293 8688 3305 8688 3306 8693
      3308 8693 3309 8695 3310 8694
TIME...MOT...LOC 2220Z 248DEG 45KT 3297 8698 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CATASTROPHIC
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

32/Davis
658 
WWUS54 KBMX 252232
SVSBMX

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

ALC021-117-252300-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-210325T2300Z/
Chilton AL-Shelby AL-
532 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...TORNADO EMERGENCY FOR MONTEVALLO, WILTON, and CALERA...

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL CHILTON AND SOUTHEASTERN SHELBY COUNTIES...
        
At 532 PM CDT, a confirmed large and destructive tornado was located
over Brierfield Ironworks Park, or near Montevallo, moving northeast
at 50 mph.

TORNADO EMERGENCY for MONTEVALLO, WILTON, and CALERA. This is a 
PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Deadly tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Calera, Montevallo, Columbiana, Wilsonville, Wilton, University Of
Montevallo, Lay Lake, Shelby, Minooka Park, Beeswax Creek Park,
Alabama 4H Center, Highway 145 and CR 46, Kelley Branch, Spring
Creek, Gaston Steam Plant and Shelby Shores.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous, and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid
windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle or outdoors, move to the
closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3328 8641 3327 8640 3327 8643 3324 8644
      3324 8646 3320 8646 3320 8649 3318 8650
      3312 8646 3309 8651 3307 8651 3306 8652
      3305 8654 3298 8688 3305 8688 3306 8691
      3308 8691 3310 8690
TIME...MOT...LOC 2232Z 246DEG 42KT 3303 8687 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CATASTROPHIC
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

32/Davis
262 
WWUS54 KBMX 252241
SVSBMX

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

ALC021-117-252300-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-210325T2300Z/
Chilton AL-Shelby AL-
541 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...TORNADO EMERGENCY FOR CALERA...

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL CHILTON AND SOUTHEASTERN SHELBY COUNTIES...
        
At 540 PM CDT, a confirmed large and destructive tornado was located
over Calera, moving east at 50 mph.

TORNADO EMERGENCY for CALERA. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS 
SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Deadly tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Calera, Montevallo, Columbiana, Wilsonville, Lay Lake, Shelby,
Minooka Park, Beeswax Creek Park, Alabama 4H Center, Highway 145 and
CR 46, Kelley Branch, Spring Creek, Gaston Steam Plant and Shelby
Shores.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous, and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid
windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle or outdoors, move to the
closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3328 8641 3327 8640 3327 8643 3324 8644
      3324 8646 3320 8646 3320 8649 3318 8650
      3312 8646 3309 8651 3307 8651 3306 8652
      3305 8654 3303 8678 3306 8685 3312 8685
TIME...MOT...LOC 2240Z 248DEG 45KT 3307 8675 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CATASTROPHIC
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

32/Davis
259 
WWUS54 KBMX 252248
SVSBMX

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

ALC021-252257-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-210325T2300Z/
Chilton AL-
548 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL CHILTON 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 central and
east central Alabama.

LAT...LON 3328 8641 3327 8640 3327 8643 3324 8644
      3324 8646 3320 8646 3320 8649 3318 8650
      3312 8646 3309 8651 3309 8654 3307 8673
      3311 8674 3316 8673
TIME...MOT...LOC 2247Z 245DEG 39KT 3310 8671 

$$

ALC117-252300-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0061.000000T0000Z-210325T2300Z/
Shelby AL-
548 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...TORNADO EMERGENCY FOR COLUMBIANA...

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN SHELBY COUNTY...
        
At 547 PM CDT, a confirmed large and destructive tornado was located
over Calera, moving northeast at 45 mph.

TORNADO EMERGENCY for COLUMBIANA and other locations in south-
central and southeastern Shelby County. This is a PARTICULARLY 
DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Deadly tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Calera, Columbiana, Wilsonville, Lay Lake, Shelby, Beeswax Creek
Park, Alabama 4H Center, Gaston Steam Plant, Kelley Branch and Shelby
Shores.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous, and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid
windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle or outdoors, move to the
closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3328 8641 3327 8640 3327 8643 3324 8644
      3324 8646 3320 8646 3320 8649 3318 8650
      3312 8646 3309 8651 3309 8654 3307 8673
      3311 8674 3316 8673
TIME...MOT...LOC 2247Z 245DEG 39KT 3310 8671 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CATASTROPHIC
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

32/Davis

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, 4:45 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, 5:16 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.