Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 64, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 25, 2021Shelby County, Talladega County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 25, 2021, 5:50 PM CDT for Shelby County, Talladega County, Alabama. It was in force for 23 min. 1 report 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, 5:50 PM CDT (22:50 UTC)
Expired
Mar 25, 2021, 6:13 PM CDT
In force
23 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Emergency
Tornado emergency
Tornado
Observed
Damage threat
Catastrophic
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Shelby County, AL, Talladega County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 31 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:55 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, 5:56 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, 10.8 hours before the alert went out and 32 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.

235 
WFUS54 KBMX 252250
TORBMX
ALC117-121-252330-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0064.210325T2250Z-210325T2330Z/

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

...TORNADO EMERGENCY FOR COLUMBIANA...

The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southwestern Talladega County in east central Alabama...
  Southeastern Shelby County in central Alabama...

* Until 630 PM CDT.
    
* At 549 PM CDT, a confirmed large and destructive tornado was
  observed near Columbiana, moving northeast at 50 mph.

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

  HAZARD...Deadly tornado.

  SOURCE...Weather spotters 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...
  Sylacauga, Childersburg, Columbiana, Wilsonville, Talladega
  Springs, Harpersville, Fayetteville, Sycamore, Lay Lake, Shelby,
  Sylacauga Municipal Airport, Beeswax Creek Park, Alabama 4H Center,
  Shelby Shores, Cedar Creek, Highway 145 and CR 46, Kelley Branch,
  Varnons, Gaston Steam Plant and Mignon.

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 3310 8649 3309 8651 3307 8670 3316 8674
      3337 8630 3326 8612 3322 8612
TIME...MOT...LOC 2249Z 245DEG 42KT 3312 8666 

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

$$

32/Davis
4 follow-up statements
783 
WWUS54 KBMX 252255
SVSBMX

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

ALC117-121-252330-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0064.000000T0000Z-210325T2330Z/
Talladega AL-Shelby AL-
555 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...TORNADO EMERGENCY FOR COLUMBIANA AND WILSONVILLE...

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN TALLADEGA AND SOUTHEASTERN SHELBY COUNTIES...
    
At 555 PM CDT, a confirmed large and destructive tornado was located
over Columbiana, moving northeast at 50 mph.

TORNADO EMERGENCY for COLUMBIANA and WILSONVILLE. This is a 
PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Deadly tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters 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...
Sylacauga, Childersburg, Columbiana, Wilsonville, Harpersville,
Sycamore, Fayetteville, Lay Lake, Sylacauga Municipal Airport,
Beeswax Creek Park, Alabama 4H Center, Cedar Creek, Kelley Branch,
Varnons, Gaston Steam Plant and Mignon.

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 3313 8647 3313 8663 3319 8667 3337 8630
      3326 8612 3322 8612
TIME...MOT...LOC 2255Z 234DEG 45KT 3316 8660 

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

$$

32/Davis
455 
WWUS54 KBMX 252304
SVSBMX

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

ALC117-121-252330-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0064.000000T0000Z-210325T2330Z/
Talladega AL-Shelby AL-
604 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN TALLADEGA AND EAST CENTRAL SHELBY COUNTIES...
    
At 603 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located near Columbiana, moving northeast at 35 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Weather spotters 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...
Childersburg, Wilsonville, Harpersville and Gaston Steam Plant. 

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 3319 8647 3319 8656 3324 8657 3337 8630
      3329 8617 3324 8625
TIME...MOT...LOC 2303Z 227DEG 29KT 3321 8655 

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

$$

32/Davis
291 
WWUS54 KBMX 252309
SVSBMX

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

ALC117-121-252330-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0064.000000T0000Z-210325T2330Z/
Talladega AL-Shelby AL-
609 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR WEST
CENTRAL TALLADEGA AND EAST CENTRAL SHELBY COUNTIES...
        
At 608 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Wilsonville,
moving northeast at 40 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...
Childersburg, Wilsonville, Harpersville and Gaston Steam Plant. 

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 3320 8647 3322 8650 3325 8653 3337 8630
      3332 8623 3326 8628
TIME...MOT...LOC 2308Z 229DEG 33KT 3325 8649 

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

$$

32/Davis
805 
WWUS54 KBMX 252313
SVSBMX

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

ALC117-121-252323-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0064.000000T0000Z-210325T2330Z/
Talladega AL-Shelby AL-
613 PM CDT Thu Mar 25 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR WEST CENTRAL TALLADEGA AND EAST CENTRAL
SHELBY COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
                
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for central and
east central Alabama.

LAT...LON 3320 8647 3322 8650 3325 8653 3337 8630
      3332 8623 3326 8628
TIME...MOT...LOC 2312Z 245DEG 42KT 3328 8642 

$$

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, 5:05 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, 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.