Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Data from the Christmas Day 2012 Tornado Event

Pertinent Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Data
from the Christmas Day 2012 Tornado Event
Christmas Day 2012 Event Overview NWS Birmingham GIS Data Page

Currently on an experimental basis, the National Weather Service in Birmingham will be offering GIS data from storm surveys following severe weather events that unfold across central Alabama. These data offer survey information from tornado tracks that are found by damage assessment teams in the field. The links below contain information for all 8 tornadoes that have been surveyed across central Alabama that formed on Christmas Day, 2012. Most information was produced and extracted from the National Weather Service Damage Assessment Toolkit, which has been developed by National Weather Service Meteorologists to modernize storm survey information into a geospatial format for the general public and GIS analysts. The information can be passed along to decision makers and the emergency management community after storm surveys have been completed. The Damage Assessment Toolkit will continue to be devloped, improved, and implemented throughout the agency.

ESRI Shapefiles:

All Tornado Paths - (Posted 12/29/2012) Zipped folder contains line shapefiles of all 8 tornado tracks that occurred on Christmas Day, 2012 in the Birmingham County Warning Area. Attribute information includes: Tornado Name, EF-Scale, Peak Wind, Start Time, Beginning and Ending Latitudes and Longitudes, End Time, and maximum width in yards. Shapefile projections are in Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 16N.

All Survey Points - (Posted 12/29/2012) Zipped folder contains point shapefile locations within specific tornado paths that include detailed survey information gathered from assessment teams in the field. The attribute information includes: Event Date, Survey Date, Damage Indicator, Degree of Damage, EF-Rating at the point location, Wind Speed, and the Tornado associated with the survey point. Shapefile projections are in Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 16N.

All Tornado Swaths - (Posted 12/29/2012) Zipped folder contains polygon shapefiles of estimated damage swaths of surveyed tornadoes. Shapefile projections are in Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 16N.

Attention GIS Analysts Using ArcGIS: Please view the metadata within ArcCatalog to view a complete description of shapefile information.

Google Earth KMZ Files:

Tornado Survey Information KMZ (Posted 12/29/2012) Google Earth KMZ contains all the detailed storm survey information gathered for the 8 tornadoes in the Birmingham County Warning Area. In select locations, damage photographs taken by assessment teams can also be viewed. Be advised that this information is still deemed as experimental. The information was extracted from the National Weather Service Damage Assessment Toolkit.

8 tornadoes have been confirmed from December 25th in the Birmingham County Warning Area. By clicking on the tornado names below, you will be taken to detailed survey information regarding the tornado of interest.

Statewide Geospatial Information:

ESRI Shapefiles:

Statewide Tornado Paths - (Posted 12/30/2012) Zipped folder contains line shapefiles of all 15 tornado tracks that occurred on Christmas Day, 2012 in the entire State of Alabama. Attribute information includes: Tornado Name, EF-Scale, Peak Wind, Start Time, Beginning and Ending Latitudes and Longitudes, End Time, and maximum width in yards. Shapefile projections are in Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 16N.

Statewide Survey Points - (Posted 12/30/2012) Zipped folder contains point shapefile locations within specific tornado paths that include detailed survey information gathered from assessment teams in the field from NWS Birmingham and NWS Mobile. The attribute information includes: Event Date, Survey Date, Damage Indicator, Degree of Damage, EF-Rating at the point location, Wind Speed, and the Tornado associated with the survey point. Shapefile projections are in Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 16N.

Attention GIS Analysts Using ArcGIS: Please view the metadata within ArcCatalog to view a complete description of shapefile information.

Google Earth KMZ Files:

Statewide Tornado Survey Information KMZ (Posted 12/30/2012) Google Earth KMZ contains all the detailed storm survey information gathered for the 15 tornadoes in the State of Alabama. In select locations, damage photographs taken by assessment teams can also be viewed. Be advised that this information is still deemed as experimental. The information was extracted from the National Weather Service Damage Assessment Toolkit.

15 tornadoes have been confirmed from December 25th in the State of Alabama. By clicking on the tornado names below, you will be taken to detailed survey information regarding the tornado of interest from the National Weather Service in Birmingham or the National Weather Service in Mobile.