Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021
Tornado Warning 9, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 17, 2021, 1:18 PM CDT for Autauga County, Chilton County, Elmore County, Alabama. It was in force for 57 min. 4 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, 1:18 PM CDT (18:18 UTC)
- Expired
- Mar 17, 2021, 2:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 57 min
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Autauga County, AL, Chilton County, AL, Elmore County, AL
The radar
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 50 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:22 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, 1:24 PM CDT | TORNADO | 2 Ene Billingsley, AL | AN EF1 TORNADO PRODUCED DAMAGE FOR 2.87 MILES AND WAS 150 YARDS WIDE AT ITS WIDEST POINT. DAMAGE WAS OBSERVED FROM TOM MINER ROAD EAST OF BILLINGSLEY TO JUST NORTH OF CR 24 BEFORE CR 19. MULTIPLE TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN AND AT LEAST ONE STRUCTURE WAS DAMAGED NEA |
| Mar 17, 1:26 PM CDT | TORNADO | 2 Ene Billingsley, AL | MULTIPLE TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN AND AT LEAST ONE STRUCTURE WAS DAMAGED NEAR HIGHWAY 24 AND HIGHWAY 34. ADDITIONAL DAMAGE WAS REPORTED ALONG HIGHWAY 53. |
| Mar 17, 1:56 PM CDT | TORNADO | 4 W Higgins Ferry Park, AL | AN EF1 TORNADO PRODUCED DAMAGED FOR 3.04 MILES AND WAS 500 YARDS WIDE AT ITS WIDEST POINT. THE TORNADO WAS EAST OF CLANTON AND PRODUCED SOME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AND KNOCKED NUMEROUS TREES DOWN. FURTHER EVALUATION IS ONGOING. |
| Mar 17, 2:01 PM CDT | TORNADO | 4 W Higgins Ferry Park, AL | TORNADO REPORTED ON THE GROUND AND CAUSING DAMAGE EAST OF CLANTON ON HIGHWAY 491. RADAR ALSO HAD A TDS AT THIS LOCATION. |
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 | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 6.3 hours before the alert went out and 52 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.
- 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
The text
As transmitted.
847
WFUS54 KBMX 171818
TORBMX
ALC001-021-051-171915-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0009.210317T1818Z-210317T1915Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
118 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northeastern Autauga County in central Alabama...
Northwestern Elmore County in east central Alabama...
Southeastern Chilton County in central Alabama...
* Until 215 PM CDT.
* At 118 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Billingsley, or 14 miles south of Clanton, moving
northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter 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...
Clanton, Billingsley, Marbury, Higgins Ferry Park, Verbena,
Mitchell Lake, Jordan Lake, Mitchell Dam, Cooper and New Prospect.
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 3267 8678 3292 8651 3287 8648 3287 8646
3286 8645 3283 8646 3282 8646 3276 8639
3275 8637 3268 8631 3258 8670
TIME...MOT...LOC 1818Z 232DEG 25KT 3263 8670
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.00IN
$$
40/Sizemore3 follow-up statements
760
WWUS54 KBMX 171822
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
122 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
ALC001-021-051-171915-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210317T1915Z/
Autauga AL-Elmore AL-Chilton AL-
122 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN AUTAUGA...NORTHWESTERN ELMORE AND SOUTHEASTERN CHILTON
COUNTIES...
At 122 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Billingsley, or
13 miles south of Clanton, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Clanton, Billingsley, Marbury, Higgins Ferry Park, Verbena, Mitchell
Lake, Jordan Lake, Mitchell Dam, Cooper and New Prospect.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3267 8678 3292 8651 3287 8648 3287 8646
3286 8645 3283 8646 3282 8646 3276 8639
3275 8637 3268 8631 3258 8670
TIME...MOT...LOC 1822Z 232DEG 25KT 3265 8667
TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...1.00IN
$$
40/Sizemore321
WWUS54 KBMX 171845
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
145 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
ALC001-051-171854-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210317T1915Z/
Autauga AL-Elmore AL-
145 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN AUTAUGA AND NORTHWESTERN
ELMORE COUNTIES 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 700 PM CDT for central and
east central Alabama.
LAT...LON 3276 8668 3292 8651 3287 8648 3287 8646
3286 8645 3283 8646 3282 8646 3276 8639
3271 8654 3271 8662
TIME...MOT...LOC 1844Z 229DEG 27KT 3276 8655
$$
ALC021-171915-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210317T1915Z/
Chilton AL-
145 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN CHILTON COUNTY...
At 144 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Verbena, or 7
miles southeast of Clanton, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado.
SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Clanton, Higgins Ferry Park, Verbena, Mitchell Lake, Mitchell Dam and
Cooper.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3276 8668 3292 8651 3287 8648 3287 8646
3286 8645 3283 8646 3282 8646 3276 8639
3271 8654 3271 8662
TIME...MOT...LOC 1844Z 229DEG 27KT 3276 8655
TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
40/Sizemore099
WWUS54 KBMX 171903
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
203 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
ALC021-171915-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210317T1915Z/
Chilton AL-
203 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL CHILTON COUNTY...
At 203 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Higgins Ferry
Park, or 11 miles east of Clanton, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado.
SOURCE...Weather spotters 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...
Higgins Ferry Park and Mitchell Lake.
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 3292 8651 3287 8648 3287 8646 3286 8645
3283 8646 3280 8652 3285 8659
TIME...MOT...LOC 1903Z 232DEG 25KT 3284 8643
TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN
$$
40/SizemoreThe 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, 12:13 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | BMX | Dallas | 47 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, 1:40 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 | 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 | BMX | Tuscaloosa | 40 min |
| Mar 17, 2:33 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | BMX | Marengo | 62 min |
| Mar 17, 4:36 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | 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 | 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, 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.