Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 12, NWS Tallahassee, FL

March 18, 2021Dale County, Henry County, Houston County, Alabama

NWS Tallahassee, FL issued this tornado warning at Mar 18, 2021, 5:26 AM CDT for Dale County, Henry County, Houston County, Alabama. It was in force for 49 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 18, 2021, 5:26 AM CDT (10:26 UTC)
Expired
Mar 18, 2021, 6:15 AM CDT
In force
49 min
Issued by
NWS Tallahassee, FL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Dale County, AL, Henry County, AL, Houston County, AL

The radar

The Ft Rucker radar (KEOX), 27 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:27 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 18, 5:32 AM CDTTORNADO1 Wnw W. Main/Brannon S, ALSEVERAL TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.
Mar 18, 5:51 AM CDTTORNADO2 Nw Kinsey, ALTDS OBSERVED ON RADAR IN FORESTED AREA WITH TREE DAMAGE. NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE REPORTED.

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 17, 11:02 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Tallahassee Rgnl, FL (KTLH), launched 00:00Z, 10.4 hours before the alert went out and 135 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, Tallahassee Rgnl, FL at 00:00Z on 2021-03-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Tallahassee Rgnl, FL at 00:00Z on 2021-03-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 126 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1019 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
126 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
171 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

990 
WFUS52 KTAE 181026
TORTAE
ALC045-067-069-181115-
/O.NEW.KTAE.TO.W.0012.210318T1026Z-210318T1115Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
526 AM CDT Thu Mar 18 2021

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Dale County in southeastern Alabama...
  Southwestern Henry County in southeastern Alabama...
  Northern Houston County in southeastern Alabama...

* Until 615 AM CDT.
    
* At 526 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Taylor, or near Dothan, moving northeast at 40
  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.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Dothan around 530 AM CDT.
  Midland City around 535 AM CDT.
  Kinsey, Webb and Kinsey around 545 AM CDT.
  Headland around 550 AM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Hollis
Dairy Road, Green Acres, Grimes, Tumbleton, Sigma, Grandberry
Crossroads, Pearce, Napier Field, Kelly Springs and Pleasant Plains.

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.

To report severe weather contact your nearest law enforcement agency.
They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in
Tallahassee.

&&

LAT...LON 3132 8508 3129 8510 3128 8511 3126 8511
      3120 8547 3120 8559 3123 8562 3147 8522
TIME...MOT...LOC 1026Z 240DEG 36KT 3122 8553 

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

$$

42-DVD
3 follow-up statements
474 
WWUS52 KTAE 181033
SVSTAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
533 AM CDT Thu Mar 18 2021

ALC045-067-069-181115-
/O.CON.KTAE.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-210318T1115Z/
Dale AL-Henry AL-Houston AL-
533 AM CDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN DALE...SOUTHWESTERN HENRY AND NORTHERN HOUSTON
COUNTIES...
        
At 533 AM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Dothan, 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.

This tornado will be near...
  Kinsey, Webb and Kinsey around 550 AM CDT.
  Headland around 555 AM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Green
Acres, Grimes, Tumbleton, Sigma, Grandberry Crossroads, Pearce,
Napier Field, Kelly Springs, Pleasant Plains and Headland Municipal
A/P.

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.

If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.

&&

LAT...LON 3132 8508 3129 8510 3128 8511 3126 8511
      3120 8547 3120 8552 3126 8558 3147 8522
TIME...MOT...LOC 1033Z 239DEG 31KT 3124 8550 

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

$$

42-DVD
990 
WWUS52 KTAE 181048
SVSTAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
548 AM CDT Thu Mar 18 2021

ALC045-181057-
/O.CAN.KTAE.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-210318T1115Z/
Dale AL-
548 AM CDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN DALE 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 AM CDT for southeastern
Alabama.

LAT...LON 3135 8511 3132 8519 3126 8539 3129 8542
      3131 8542 3147 8522
TIME...MOT...LOC 1047Z 239DEG 34KT 3131 8537 

$$

ALC067-069-181115-
/O.CON.KTAE.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-210318T1115Z/
Henry AL-Houston AL-
548 AM CDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN HENRY AND NORTH CENTRAL HOUSTON COUNTIES...
    
At 547 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Kinsey, or near Headland, moving northeast at 40
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.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southwestern Henry and north central Houston Counties, including the
following locations... Grandberry Crossroads, Headland Municipal A/P,
Tumbleton and Balkum.

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.

If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.

&&

LAT...LON 3135 8511 3132 8519 3126 8539 3129 8542
      3131 8542 3147 8522
TIME...MOT...LOC 1047Z 239DEG 34KT 3131 8537 

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

$$

42-DVD
919 
WWUS52 KTAE 181053
SVSTAE

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
553 AM CDT Thu Mar 18 2021

ALC069-181103-
/O.CAN.KTAE.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-210318T1115Z/
Houston AL-
553 AM CDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL HOUSTON 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 AM CDT for southeastern
Alabama.

LAT...LON 3135 8511 3131 8523 3132 8541 3147 8522
TIME...MOT...LOC 1053Z 237DEG 32KT 3134 8534 

$$

ALC067-181115-
/O.CON.KTAE.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-210318T1115Z/
Henry AL-
553 AM CDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN HENRY COUNTY...
        
At 553 AM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Headland, 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...
Headland, Grandberry Crossroads, Headland Municipal A/P, Tumbleton
and Balkum.

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.

If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.

&&

LAT...LON 3135 8511 3131 8523 3132 8541 3147 8522
TIME...MOT...LOC 1053Z 237DEG 32KT 3134 8534 

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

$$

42-DVD

The office that day

Everything else NWS Tallahassee, FL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 18, 3:34 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementTAECoffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry86 min
Mar 18, 4:29 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEGeneva61 min
Mar 18, 5:04 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAECoffee, Dale, Henry, Houston56 min
Mar 18, 6:01 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEHenry, Houston59 min
Mar 18, 6:15 AM CDTTornado WarningTAEHenry30 min
Mar 18, 7:24 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEHouston51 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.