Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2023
Tornado Warning 12, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Jan 3, 2023, 3:28 PM CST for Chambers County, Randolph County, Alabama. It was in force for 25 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
- Jan 3, 2023, 3:28 PM CST (21:28 UTC)
- Expired
- Jan 3, 2023, 3:53 PM CST
- In force
- 25 min
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Chambers County, AL, Randolph County, AL
The radar
The Maxwell AFB radar (KMXX), 70 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:32 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3, 3:31 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 3 E Red Level, AL | CORRECTS TIME FOR TSTM WND DMG REPORT FROM 3 E RED LEVEL. SEVERAL HOMES WITH DAMAGE ALONG CR 235, CR 236, CR 237 IN THE CLACKVILLE COMMUNITY. POSSIBLE TORNADO. |
| Jan 3, 3:44 PM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Nw Rock Mills, AL | TREE DOWN ON POWER LINES IN ROCK MILLS. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3, 12:56 PM CST | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 9.5 hours before the alert went out and 86 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
- 148 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -123 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 538 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 45 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 304 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 331 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.1
- Supercell composite
- 0.7
The text
As transmitted.
672
WFUS54 KBMX 032128
TORBMX
ALC017-111-032215-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0012.230103T2128Z-230103T2215Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
328 PM CST Tue Jan 3 2023
The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Randolph County in east central Alabama...
Northern Chambers County in east central Alabama...
* Until 415 PM CST.
* At 328 PM CST, severe thunderstorms capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located
along a line extending from Abanda to near Fredonia, moving
northeast at 45 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...
Roanoke, Stroud, Five Points, Fredonia, Post Oak Forks, Veasey
Creek Park, Denson, Amity Park, Standing Rock, Crystal Lake, Welch,
Penton, Dickert, White Plains, State Line Park, Rocky Point, Rock
Mills, Big Springs, Stroud Creek and Paran.
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 3291 8530 3304 8558 3335 8528 3297 8520
TIME...MOT...LOC 2128Z 224DEG 41KT 3308 8553 3297 8532
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
87/Grantham3 follow-up statements
644
WWUS54 KBMX 032143
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
343 PM CST Tue Jan 3 2023
ALC017-111-032215-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-230103T2215Z/
Randolph AL-Chambers AL-
343 PM CST Tue Jan 3 2023
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN RANDOLPH AND NORTHEASTERN CHAMBERS COUNTIES...
At 343 PM CST, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located along a
line extending from Crystal Lake to near Standing Rock, moving
northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Roanoke, Stroud, Fredonia, Post Oak Forks, Veasey Creek Park, Amity
Park, Standing Rock, Crystal Lake, Welch, State Line Park, Rocky
Point, Rock Mills, Big Springs, Stroud Creek, Paran and Roanoke
Municipal Airport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3294 8524 3316 8546 3335 8528 3298 8520
TIME...MOT...LOC 2143Z 224DEG 41KT 3320 8539 3309 8518
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
17/KLAWS933
WWUS54 KBMX 032148
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
348 PM CST Tue Jan 3 2023
ALC017-032158-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-230103T2215Z/
Chambers AL-
348 PM CST Tue Jan 3 2023
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CHAMBERS COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CST for east central
Alabama.
LAT...LON 3311 8541 3316 8546 3335 8528 3311 8523
TIME...MOT...LOC 2148Z 224DEG 41KT 3324 8535 3313 8514
$$
ALC111-032215-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-230103T2215Z/
Randolph AL-
348 PM CST Tue Jan 3 2023
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN RANDOLPH COUNTY...
At 348 PM CST, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located along a
line extending from near Crystal Lake to 7 miles northeast of
Standing Rock, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Roanoke, Crystal Lake, Big Springs, Paran, Roanoke Municipal Airport
and Rock Mills.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3311 8541 3316 8546 3335 8528 3311 8523
TIME...MOT...LOC 2148Z 224DEG 41KT 3324 8535 3313 8514
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
17/KLAWS544
WWUS54 KBMX 032153
SVSBMX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
353 PM CST Tue Jan 3 2023
ALC111-032202-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-230103T2215Z/
Randolph AL-
353 PM CST Tue Jan 3 2023
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN RANDOLPH COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The storms which prompted the warning have weakened below severe
limits, and have exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning has
been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CST for east central
Alabama.
LAT...LON 3311 8541 3316 8546 3335 8528 3311 8523
TIME...MOT...LOC 2150Z 224DEG 41KT 3326 8532 3315 8511
$$
17/KLAWSWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Birmingham, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jan 3, 11:46 AM CST, 3 hours 42 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jan 3, 11:46 AM CST, 3 hours 42 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 1146 AM CST Tue Jan 3 2023 ...New SHORT TERM, AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (This afternoon through Wednesday) Issued at 1116 AM CST TUE JAN 3 2023 A trough and frontal system will move through the southeast today. Combined with a shortwave also moving through, and a mix of mid and upper level jets...there will be plenty of lifting and upper level divergence to support thunderstorms continuing through Wednesday morning. Wind shear in the low levels with a strong flow from the south will allow for moisture advect to prevail and PW values to excel up to values around 1.3 and 1.4 which is near the Max climatology for this time of year. MUCAPE values will be around 2500 j/kg through the afternoon...weakening slightly to around 2000 j/kg through the night. Storms that have moved ahead of the front will continue over the state through the afternoon and early evening. A few storms may be strong to severe with rotating supercells possible. With mid and upper level flow parallel...storms are likely to train over the same area. Combined with the high PW values, high rainfall rates are expected and localized flash flooding is possible. There could be a break in the widespread activity late this evening and overnight as most models show very scattered light cells through this time. As the front moves into Alabama late tonight...MUCAPE values will remain around 2000 j/kg with upper level divergence. Storms will be possible again through the night with enough shear for supercell and rotating thunderstorms. This activity should move east through the early morning on Wednesday...with weakening around sunrise. CAPE values will decrease with less directional shear at the surface. The mid and upper level jet will have moved east...so between 6 and 8 am...the severe threat may finally be diminishing. The line of showers and remaining few thunderstorms are expected to be east of Alabama between 12 and 2 pm Wednesday morning. Winds will be gusting now through the afternoon on Wednesday as a tight pressure gradient as well as a mid level jet keep winds gusting up to 30 mph. Behind the front on Wednesday...flow will transition to out of the west northwest with drier and slightly cooler air filtering into the state. Skies will clear behind the line beginning Wednesday morning slowly from west to east. Temperatures on Wednesday will be only a few degrees cooler than today thanks to the flow behind the front mild and from the west. 24 && .LONG TERM... (Wednesday Night through Monday) Issued at 345 AM CST TUE JAN 3 2023 By sunset Wednesday, the activity will be east of the area and we begin to dry out. Temperatures will continue to fall through mid morning on Thursday, before warming up a touch by the afternoon with the increase in sunshine. Dry weather is expected through Saturday morning, with temperatures pretty much in the 50s on Friday and 50 to low 60s on Saturday. The next system will begin to edge toward the area for the weekend. This run of model solutions is a touch faster and now begins showers in the far northwest on Saturday afternoon with the front slowly passing into the area and then stalling out or washing out by Monday. Look for solutions to continue to vary over the next several days, but generally look for an increase in shower activity for the second half of the weekend and into the first of next week with closer to normal temperatures through the extended period. 16 && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1116 AM CST TUE JAN 3 2023 A frontal system will move through with numerous widespread thunderstorms. A mid level jet and tight pressure gradient will allow for gusting winds outside of any thunderstorm. If a thunderstorm moves over a site...visibilities could drop as low as low as LIFR categories. Convection now will move through with a break expected sometime in the late evening and overnight. Have left in mention of thunder in the TAF due to uncertainty in timing of this break. The activity should move out slowly west to east Wednesday early morning through the early afternoon with VFR conditions and clearing skies moving in behind the departing frontal system. 24 && .FIRE WEATHER... Wetting rains will occur across the area through midday Wednesday. Strong to severe storms will accompany these rains along with frequent lightning activity. Drier air moves in on Thursday and remains through Saturday morning. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 345 AM CST TUE JAN 3 2023 Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible through Wednesday as a slow moving storm system passes through. Several rounds of heavy rainfall will be possible for the area as numerous storms train over the same area well ahead of a cold front. Each round could see 1 to 2 inches with locally higher amounts, so the accumulated totals could be quite high. The heaviest rains and highest probability to see 2 to 4 inches of rain with locally higher totals, will be south of the I-20 corridor, including the Montgomery, Troy, Auburn Clanton, Demopolis, and Selma areas. Will also need to monitor river flooding in the southeast as the event is ending. Several areas may reach at least action stage. A Flash Flood Watch has been issued and may need to be adjusted based on the exact placement of round one. 16 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 72 61 67 40 / 90 90 50 0 Anniston 73 62 69 43 / 90 90 60 0 Birmingham 73 60 68 44 / 90 90 40 0 Tuscaloosa 76 58 68 44 / 90 90 20 0 Calera 74 60 68 44 / 90 90 40 0 Auburn 72 63 70 46 / 90 90 80 0 Montgomery 76 64 72 44 / 90 90 60 0 Troy 75 66 73 47 / 90 90 80 0 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for the following counties: Autauga-Barbour-Bullock-Chambers-Chilton-Coosa-Dallas- Elmore-Lee-Lowndes-Macon-Marengo-Montgomery-Perry-Pike-Russell- Tallapoosa. && SHORT TERM...24 LONG TERM....16 AVIATION...24
Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 3, 4:16 AM CST, 11 hours 12 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Birmingham AL 416 AM CST Tue Jan 3 2023 ALZ011>015-017>050-041330- Marion-Lamar-Fayette-Winston-Walker-Blount-Etowah-Calhoun-Cherokee- Cleburne-Pickens-Tuscaloosa-Jefferson-Shelby-St. Clair-Talladega- Clay-Randolph-Sumter-Greene-Hale-Perry-Bibb-Chilton-Coosa-Tallapoosa- Chambers-Marengo-Dallas-Autauga-Lowndes-Elmore-Montgomery-Macon- Bullock-Lee-Russell-Pike-Barbour- 416 AM CST Tue Jan 3 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the National Weather Service office in Birmingham. .DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms are likely across Central Alabama today through tomorrow morning. Primary threats include damaging wind gusts, large hail, and a few tornadoes. Locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding is possible south of Interstate 20 this afternoon through tomorrow morning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Severe weather and flash flooding potential is expected through Wednesday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and Emergency Management will be needed through tomorrow morning.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jan 3, 12:53 PM CST, 2 hours 35 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1253 PM CST TUE JAN 3 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1125 AM TSTM WND DMG 2 ENE OLD SPRING HILL 32.45N 87.74W
01/03/2023 MARENGO AL FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
TREE DAMAGE REPORTED BY GALLION VFD.
POSSIBLE TORNADO.
1130 AM TSTM WND DMG 2 ENE GALLION 32.51N 87.68W
01/03/2023 HALE AL FIRE DEPT/RESCUE
CEDARS IN THE ROADWAY. POSSIBLE TORNADO.
&&Local storm report, Jan 3, 1:16 PM CST, 2 hours 12 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
116 PM CST TUE JAN 3 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1120 AM TSTM WND DMG 2 SE OLD SPRING HILL 32.41N 87.75W
01/03/2023 MARENGO AL PUBLIC
PROPERTY DAMAGE: TRAILER DESTROYED AND FRONT
DOOR RIPPED FROM THE HOUSE. POSSIBLE
TORNADO.
&&Local storm report, Jan 3, 1:46 PM CST, 1 hour 42 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
146 PM CST TUE JAN 3 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1122 AM TSTM WND DMG 1 SSW OLD SPRING HILL 32.42N 87.78W
01/03/2023 MARENGO AL TRAINED SPOTTER
SEVERAL REPORTS OF TREE DAMAGE ALONG CR 1 NW
OF AL 43.
&&Local storm report, Jan 3, 3:13 PM CST, 15 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
313 PM CST TUE JAN 3 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0205 PM TSTM WND DMG SYLACAUGA 33.17N 86.25W
01/03/2023 TALLADEGA AL PUBLIC
TREES DOWN AT CEMETERY ON FORT WILLIAMS
DRIVE.
&&Local storm report, Jan 3, 3:16 PM CST, 12 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
316 PM CST TUE JAN 3 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0202 PM TSTM WND GST SYLACAUGA MUNICIPAL AIR 33.17N 86.30W
01/03/2023 M56 MPH TALLADEGA AL ASOS
56 MPH GUST REPORTED AT SYLACAUGA MUNICIPAL
AIRPORT.
&&Local storm report, Jan 3, 3:21 PM CST, 7 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
321 PM CST TUE JAN 3 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0242 PM HAIL 2 NE MONTGOMERY COUNTRY 32.37N 86.26W
01/03/2023 E1.00 INCH MONTGOMERY AL BROADCAST MEDIA
DIME TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN WAKA
PARKING LOT.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3, 1:42 AM CST | Flood Watch | BMX | Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton and 21 more | 34 hr |
| Jan 3, 11:15 AM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Hale, Marengo, Perry | 31 min |
| Jan 3, 12:03 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Bibb, Perry | 42 min |
| Jan 3, 12:07 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Hale, Marengo, Perry | 38 min |
| Jan 3, 12:40 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Bibb, Chilton | 25 min |
| Jan 3, 1:00 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Chilton | 45 min |
| Jan 3, 1:10 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Autauga | 38 min |
| Jan 3, 1:37 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Coosa | 30 min |
| Jan 3, 1:39 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Elmore | 51 min |
| Jan 3, 1:55 PM CST | Areal Flood Advisory | BMX | Blount, Etowah, Jefferson, St. Clair | 110 min |
| Jan 3, 2:02 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Talladega | 28 min |
| Jan 3, 2:22 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Coosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa | 17 min |
| Jan 3, 2:31 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Clay | 44 min |
| Jan 3, 2:38 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Elmore, Montgomery | 27 min |
| Jan 3, 2:38 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Clay | 21 min |
| Jan 3, 2:54 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Bullock, Macon | 35 min |
| Jan 3, 2:56 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Chambers, Tallapoosa | 64 min |
| Jan 3, 3:19 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Cleburne, Randolph | 38 min |
| Jan 3, 3:27 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Lee, Russell | 48 min |
| Jan 3, 3:32 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Chambers, Lee | 43 min |
| Jan 3, 3:54 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Bullock, Russell | 51 min |
| Jan 3, 4:38 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Barbour, Bullock, Pike | 35 min |
| Jan 3, 4:54 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Macon, Montgomery | 19 min |
| Jan 3, 5:05 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Russell | 53 min |
| Jan 3, 5:31 PM CST | Special Weather Statement | BMX | Macon | 44 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 2023Every tornado warning in 2023Tornadoes in 2023
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.