Tornado outbreak sequence of March 24–28, 2021: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 23:55, 26 March 2021

Tornado outbreak of March 24–26, 2021
Satellite imagery from GOES-16 at 20:36 UTC (4:36 pm EDT) March 25, 2021 of the storm system responsible for the tornado outbreak.
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Tornado outbreak
DurationMarch 24–26, 2021
Highest winds
Tornadoes
confirmed		12+
Max. rating1EF4 tornado
Fatalities6+ fatalities[2] (+1 indirect[3])
2+ injuries[4]
Areas affectedSoutheastern United States

1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

A significant and deadly tornado outbreak took place in the Southern United States, primarily on March 25, with the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issuing its second high-risk outlook for the month of March. At least 12 tornadoes have been confirmed so far, including ones that prompted the issuance of rare tornado emergencies near Hoover, Alabama, Brent and Centreville, Alabama, and in the Newnan, Georgia area. Five people were killed near Ohatchee, Alabama and another near Newnan, Georgia.[2] Several people have been injured. An elderly woman in Mississippi was also killed when a tree uprooted by soft soil and heavy rains fell onto her mobile home.[3]

Meteorological synopsis

High risk convective outlook issued by the Storm Prediction center at 16:30 UTC on March 25

On March 22, the Storm Prediction Center issued a broad 15% risk contour from Eastern Texas to the Central Gulf Coast States, highlighting the potential for multiple rounds of severe storms to move through the region. The next day, a large enhanced risk area was issued over parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley and the Southeast, including most of Mississippi. The risk was upgraded to moderate over Central and Northern Mississippi as well as Northwestern Alabama and large portion of Tennessee. On the morning of March 25, the moderate risk was upgraded to a high following the issuance of a 30% hatched risk area for tornadoes from central, eastern and northern Mississippi into northwestern Alabama and southern Tennessee. The high risk was later expanded to include all of northern Alabama southward to the central part of the state. At 16:25 UTC a Particularly Dangerous Situation tornado watch was issued for western and northern Alabama, northwest Georgia, central and eastern Mississippi, and southern Middle Tennessee. Six more tornado watches would be issued through the rest of the day as well.[5][6][7][8][9]

As the outbreak began, one supercell produced multiple destructive tornadoes that were confirmed via radar as it moved across Central Alabama, including one that prompted a tornado emergency in Shelby County, Alabama and Jefferson County, Alabama.[10][11][12] That tornado caused major damage to the home of James Spann, who was covering the event live on ABC 33/40 at the time.[13][14][15] A tornado emergency was also issued for Hale County, Alabama later that afternoon.[16] A third tornado emergency was issued shortly after midnight for areas surrounding Newnan and Peachtree City, Georgia.[17][18] Strong winds were felt throughout parts of the Northeastern and Midwestern United States, causing major power outages.[19][20][21][22][23]

Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
EFU EF0 EF1 EF2 EF3 EF4 EF5 Total
2 2 4 2 1 1 0 12+

March 24 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, March 24, 2021[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EFU E of Hamilton Hamilton TX 31°41′N 98°01′W / 31.69°N 98.01°W / 31.69; -98.01 (Hamilton (March 24, EFU)) 00:03 [to be determined] [to be determined] The tornado was verified through pictures and video. No damage was reported.[24]
EFU ENE of Cranfills Gap Bosque TX 31°49′N 97°45′W / 31.81°N 97.75°W / 31.81; -97.75 (Cranfills Gap (March 24, EFU)) 00:32–00:35 [to be determined] [to be determined] An intermittent tornado with no damage.[25]

March 25 event

List of reported tornadoes – Thursday, March 25, 2021[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF3 SW of Helena to NE of Vandiver Shelby AL 33°18′N 86°52′W / 33.30°N 86.86°W / 33.30; -86.86 (Helena (March 25, EFU)) 18:25 34 mi (55 km) Unknown A strong tornado moved through the southern and eastern suburbs of Birmingham, causing significant damage. After passing south of Lake Purdy, the tornado crossed Double Oak Mountain and struck Vandiver. The Eagle Point neighborhood just east of Meadowbrook sustained low-end EF3 damage. Preliminary survey.[26][27]
EF1 S of Memphis, AL Noxubee (MS), Pickens (AL) MS, AL 33°01′N 88°20′W / 33.02°N 88.34°W / 33.02; -88.34 (Memphis (March 25, EF1)) 18:36–18:42 5.63 mi (9.06 km) 515 yd (471 m) This tornado began in Noxubee County and very quickly crossed the state line. Damage in Pickens County consisted of an irrigation pivot being knocked over and a house sustaining roof damage. Several trees were snapped or uprooted along the path.[28]
EF2+ Ohatchee Calhoun AL 33°47′N 86°01′W / 33.79°N 86.02°W / 33.79; -86.02 (Ohatchee (March 25, EF2)) 18:42 [to be determined] [to be determined] 5 deaths – Major damage occurred in the Ohatchee area.[5][26]
EF0 W of Whitmire Laurens SC 34°30′22″N 81°43′12″W / 34.506°N 81.720°W / 34.506; -81.720 (Whitmire (March 25, EF0)) 22:00 1.8 mi (2.9 km) 25 yd (23 m) Trees were snapped. Preliminary survey.[28][29]
EF1+ W of Greensboro to Centreville to Wilsonville Hale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, Shelby AL 32°44′N 87°46′W / 32.73°N 87.76°W / 32.73; -87.76 (Greensboro (March 25, EFU)) 21:25–23:00 >75 mi (121 km) >1,000 yd (910 m) A large, intense tornado began near Sawyerville, tracking northeast and producing major damage, including near Brent, Centreville, Calera, and Columbiana. Damage from Brierfield in northeast Bibb County to Wilsonville was rated EF1. The track from Sawyerville to Centreville has yet to be surveyed.[5] This tornado prompted a tornado emergency, as Doppler radar readings indicated a very large and intense debris ball, indicative of a violent tornado, associated with this event, present for a large portion of it's path.
EF1 SSW of Center Point Jefferson AL 33°35′N 86°41′W / 33.58°N 86.68°W / 33.58; -86.68 (Roebuck (March 25, EFU)) 21:48 Unknown Unknown Numerous homes were damaged in the Roebuck area just east of Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport. Preliminary survey.[30]
EF2 Waynesboro area Wayne, Lewis TN 35°20′N 87°46′W / 35.33°N 87.77°W / 35.33; -87.77 (Waynesboro (March 25, EF2)) 00:25 >5 mi (8.0 km) Unknown Preliminary survey.[1]
EF0 E of Clarkson Grayson KY 37°29′N 86°10′W / 37.48°N 86.16°W / 37.48; -86.16 (Clarkson (March 25, EF0)) 02:15 Unknown Unknown A house was damaged, a garage was destroyed, and swirl marks were left in a field. Preliminary survey.[31][32]
EF1 SE of Elizabethtown Hardin, Larue KY 37°38′N 85°46′W / 37.63°N 85.76°W / 37.63; -85.76 (Elizabethtown (March 25, EF1)) 02:45 Unknown Unknown Several trees were snapped or uprooted and a lawn mower was blown 50 yards (46 m). Preliminary survey.[33]
EF4 W of Wadley, AL to Newnan, GA to N of Peachtree City, GA Tallapoosa (AL), Clay (AL), Randolph (AL), Heard (GA), Coweta (GA), Fayette (GA) AL, GA 33°08′N 85°42′W / 33.13°N 85.70°W / 33.13; -85.70 (Newnan (March 25, EFU)) 02:58–04:38 >65 mi (105 km) [to be determined] 1 death – A large, violent tornado or tornado family began near Wadley, tracking east northeast through east central Alabama and western Georgia. Damage has been reported near the towns of Franklin and Newnan. High-end EF3 to low-end EF4 damage was confirmed in Newnan.[5][28][34] This was the first EF4 tornado to occur in Georgia since the 2011 Ringgold tornado.

Preparations and impact

On the morning of March 25, 2021, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency for 46 counties as the National Weather Service predicted a major severe weather outbreak and possible tornado outbreak.[35]

On March 25, a large EF2 tornado in Ohatchee, Alabama killed five people and damaged at least 30–50 structures. The tornado outbreak also left over 35,000 customers in the state without electricity.[2] [36][37] Newnan High School in Newnan, Georgia suffered extensive damage to their campus from an overnight EF4 tornado and canceled school the following day.

Notes

  1. ^ a b All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.

References

  1. ^ a b "East Nashville: Straight-line winds of 85 mph Portland, TN (Sumner Co.): Straight-line winds of 85 mph Wayne County: EF-2 Tornado, winds estimated at least 130 mph". Twitter. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Rojas, Rick; Wright, Will; Morales, Christina (March 26, 2021). "Tornadoes and Violent Storms Hit Southeast, Leaving at Least 6 Dead". The New York Times. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "At least 6 people killed, multiple injured after tornadoes hit Alabama". wreg.com.
  4. ^ Wagner, Meg; Jones, Judson; Macaya, Melissa (March 25, 2021). "Live updates: Tornado outbreak threatens US South". CNN. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d "SPC Severe Weather Event Review for Thursday March 25, 2021". www.spc.noaa.gov. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  6. ^ "A rare high risk for tornadoes is issued for the South -- the second time in a week". CNN. CNN. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  7. ^ "Destructive tornado outbreak expected to slam the South for second time in 8 days". Washington Post. Washington Post. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  8. ^ "'Violent' tornado threat bears down on Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi". ABC News. ABC News. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  9. ^ "Millions in South brace for another tornado outbreak Thursday". USA Today. USA Today. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  10. ^ "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Iowa State University. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  11. ^ "Storm Prediction Center Today's Storm Reports". www.spc.noaa.gov. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  12. ^ akrherz@iastate.edu, daryl herzmann. "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App". mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  13. ^ "@spann home was hit by #tornado. Major damage. My opinion: that is just not fair!". Twitter. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  14. ^ "Wow, @spann of Birmingham @abc3340 just reported his house was hit by a #tornado but his wife is OK. "Not good" he added. #alwx". Twitter. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  15. ^ "Today is a perfect example of the sacrifice meteorologists make. @spann 's house has taken a direct hit from a #tornado. He stepped away for a few minutes to check on his family. His wife was home, but is apparently ok. He adds his house has "major damage." #alwx". Twitter. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  16. ^ "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Iowa State University. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  17. ^ akrherz@iastate.edu, daryl herzmann. "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App". mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  18. ^ akrherz@iastate.edu, daryl herzmann. "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App". mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  19. ^ Smiley, Ron. "Pittsburgh Weather: Wind Advisory In Place Until Friday Evening". CBS2.
  20. ^ Wilkes, Brian. "Spring storm arrives Thursday; High winds and heavy rainfall possible". FOX59.
  21. ^ Pinckard, Cliff. "Strong winds causing power outages in Northeast Ohio". Cleveland.com.
  22. ^ "Thousands without power Friday after high winds batter Cincinnati". WLWT5.
  23. ^ Cote, Jackson. "Thunderstorms, wind gusts up to 50 mph forecast in Massachusetts Friday along with unseasonably warm weather". MassLive.
  24. ^ Preliminary Local Storm Report (Report). Iowa Environmental Mesonet. March 25, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  25. ^ Preliminary Local Storm Report (Report). Iowa Environmental Mesonet. March 25, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2021. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  26. ^ a b "A quick update from our multiple survey teams out in the field today: at least EF-2 damage found in the Eagle Point area. At least EF-2 damage found in the Ohatchee area. We will continue to provide updates as our survey teams evaluate additional damage locations. #alwx". Twitter. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  27. ^ "BREAKING: We have upgraded the 34 mile long tornado that tracked from southwest of Helena to northeast of Vandiver in Shelby County to an EF3 with 140 mph winds, based on damage in the Eagle Point area. Info remains preliminary". Twitter. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  28. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". apps.dat.noaa.gov. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  29. ^ https://nwschat.weather.gov/p.php?pid=202103262259-KGSP-NOUS42-PNSGSP
  30. ^ akrherz@iastate.edu, daryl herzmann. "IEM :: PNS from NWS BMX". mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  31. ^ "Storm Survey Update out of Grayson Co. - Preliminary EF-0 tornado with peak winds of 85 mph. Garage was destroyed. Storm survey is still on going. #KYwx". Twitter. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  32. ^ "Aerial drone photos from the Grayson Co tornado survey of the preliminary EF-0 tornado with an estimated peak wind of 85 mph. Check out the swirling tracks in the field. #Kywx". Twitter. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  33. ^ "Preliminary EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 100 mph in LaRue County. Storm survey is still ongoing. #kywx". Twitter. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  34. ^ "PRELIMINARY Newnan tornado info: Based on damage indicators in our ongoing survey, EF-4 damage indicative of wind speeds up to 170 mph were observed in the hardest hit areas around LaGrange St and Smokey Rd. Teams will continue surveying over the coming days. #gawx". Twitter. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  35. ^ "State of emergency issued for 28 Alabama counties as severe weather approaches". ABC 3340. ABC. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  36. ^ Max Golembo; Emily Shapiro; Melissa Griffin; Meredith Deliso (March 26, 2021). "At least 5 dead as tornadoes tear through Alabama". ABC News. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  37. ^ Tim Fitzsimmons (March 25, 2021). "At least 5 dead after tornadoes sweep through Alabama". NBC News. Retrieved March 26, 2021.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tornado_outbreak_sequence_of_March_24–28,_2021&oldid=1014421071"