When the date April 27th, 2011, is mentioned, the "Super Outbreak" immediately comes to mind. This outbreak of violent and deadly tornadoes was one for the record books. Starting on April 25th, lasting through the 28th, one of the deadliest and costliest tornado outbreaks occurred. While it isn't something to brag about, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Georgia charted numerous tornadoes over a 24 hour period, some very large and long lived. This volatile storm system produced over 300 tornadoes, ranging across the United States. Sadly, 348 people were killed due to the storms, Alabama alone saw 238 of those fatalities.
Large tornado moving through Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
This was no ordinary storm system, or chain of events. Some may forget that regions of Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee observed a very dangerous and deadly round of storms early on the morning of April 27th, 2011. These storms crippled areas, leaving residents without power prior to the afternoon round of storms. Leading up to the afternoon hours, strong supercell storms formed in Mississippi before tracking east. This was only the beginning of a long day of severe weather across the south.
Supercell track of the deadly "Tuscaloosa/Birmingham tornado".
Throughout the day, notable tornadoes occurred across a wide region. Some of those tornadoes include: the Neshoba County, Mississippi tornado (EF-5), Enterprise, Mississippi (EF-4), Smithville, Mississippi (EF-5), Cullman, Alabama (EF-4), Hackleburg, Phil Campbell, Mount Hope, Tanner and Harvest, Alabama (EF-5/killed 72 people), Reform, Oakman, Cordova, Blounstville, Alabama (EF-4), Pisgah, Flat Rock, Higdon Alabama and Trenton Georgia (EF-4), Bridgeport Alabama and Haletown, Tennessee (EF-4), Ohatchee, Piedmont Alabama and Cave Spring, Georgia (EF-4) and lastly the Tuscaloosa/Birmingham, Alabama (EF-5).
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Large wedge tornado approaching Tanner, Alabama (EF-5)
April 27th, 2011, was a truly incredible day (on a meteorological scale). Very rarely do you ever see numerous large and destructive tornadoes in one day. In fact, tornadoes are rare, very few storms ever actually produce a tornado, let alone a violent or large one. The fine details, or meso-scale features as it's called, were off the charts. If you haven't seen the video footage of James Spann and Jason Simpson covering this event, we would highly advise for you to watch it. Their work saved the lives of many people on this day. Not only them, but everyone in the broadcast/warning field from the area.
Below is a interview style video with James Spann, of ABC 33/40. Take a moment to watch as James gives his thoughts on this grim day.
April 27th, 2011, will NEVER be forgotten. Rest in peace to those who lost their life during these ferocious storms.
This blog has been brought to you by Tornado Shelter Safety Systems Inc.
-Vortex Crew
Credits:
(Brian Lang (supercell track), University of Alabama skycam.
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This blog has been brought to you by Tornado Shelter Systems Inc.
As we move into the mid-portion of April, severe weather chances normally increase for most regions of the southern United States as well as the southern plains. This normality seems apparent this weekend, as a very dynamic and potent system could allow for some strong to severe thunderstorm development across the southern United States. Mind you, this is nothing none of us haven't experienced before. The point of this blog is to prepare you, the reader, for the events that could unfold over the weekend.
Tornado that occurred in Louisiana (2017)
Leading into this weekend, a few key components will occur that could allow for the mentioned severe thunderstorms to develop. While looking at upper-air maps, it's clear that our jet stream will deep well into the southern tier of the United States. A strong deepening negative tilted trough, along with a viable low-level jet, and plentiful warm air advection will set the stage for convective development Saturday.
Deepening trough extending well into the southern United States
Notice in the graphic directly above this text, you can clearly see the warm southerly advection from the Gulf into regions of eastern Texas and Louisiana. This WAA will allow for a rather unstable warm sector, with CAPE values easily exceeding 2,000 J/kg. Essentially, thunderstorms will have no issues developing and strengthening in this moisture-rich environment.
Adding to the most previous information, here is a look at the low-level jet (850mb) for Saturday. Notice a substantial increase over north central Louisiana, eastern Texas and southern Arkansas with well over 50 knot flow.
Day-3 Categorical Outlook from the Storm Prediction Center
As of Thursday, April 11th, at 2:00 PM, the Storm Prediction Center has outlined portions of southern Arkansas and north central Louisiana in an "enhanced risk" of severe weather. While a "slight" risk area has been issued encompassing a large region.
Significant Tornado Parameters for Saturday
Looking over the STP parameters for Saturday, it looks grim. Mind you, this isn't to scare you or install panic. Rather, we hope it gives you an idea of the atmospheric conditions for this weekend. When storms enter an environment that allows that needed "spin", it can allow for these all too familiar rotating thunderstorms. Notice values are high across the areas we've mentioned several times.
To round off this blog, we'll cover a few key points for Saturday. Areas in southern Arkansas, northern Louisiana and eastern Texas need be prepared for severe weather on Saturday. Widespread thunderstorms will likely develop, some which could be stronger. All modes of severe weather are possible. This includes: damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes (some which could be stronger).
Have a way to receive warnings, NEVER depend on outdoor 1940's era sirens to alert you of an incoming tornado warned storm. NOAA weather radios, social media and your local news affiliate is a much better and sensible option.
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@VortexChasing) for updates regarding this weekend system.
