Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2008

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 21, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 6, 20084 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Feb 6, 2008, 5:51 AM CST for 4 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 39 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Feb 6, 2008, 5:51 AM CST (11:51 UTC)
Expired
Feb 6, 2008, 6:30 AM CST
In force
39 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Bibb County, AL, Jefferson County, AL, Shelby County, AL, Tuscaloosa County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 53 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:53 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.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Feb 5, 10:01 PM CSTTornado WatchSPC8 hr
Feb 6, 4:06 AM CSTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 52 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, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2008-02-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 771 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2008-02-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 223 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
771 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-36 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
947 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
62 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
223 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
320 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.3
Supercell composite
4.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
WUUS54 KBMX 061150
SVRBMX
ALC007-073-117-125-061230-
/O.NEW.KBMX.SV.W.0021.080206T1151Z-080206T1230Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
551 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  NORTH CENTRAL BIBB COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  JEFFERSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT...VESTAVIA
  HILLS...MOUNTAIN BROOK...MIDFIELD...LIPSCOMB...IRONDALE...
  HUEYTOWN...HOOVER...HOMEWOOD...GARDENDALE...FULTONDALE...
  FORESTDALE...FAIRFIELD...CENTER POINT...BRIGHTON...BIRMINGHAM...
  BESSEMER...
  NORTHERN SHELBY COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...PELHAM...MEADOWBROOK...HELENA...
  ALABASTER...
  EASTERN TUSCALOOSA COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 630 AM CST

* AT 549 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS
  OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 6 MILES SOUTH OF BULL CITY...OR
  14 MILES NORTHEAST OF HOLT...AND MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
  VALLEY CREEK AND NORTH JOHNS BY 600 AM CST...
  HUEYTOWN...MCADORY...BESSEMER AND MCCALLA BY 605 AM CST...
  BRIGHTON...MIDFIELD...LIPSCOMB AND FAIRFIELD BY 610 AM CST...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. IF A TORNADO
IS SPOTTED... ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY
STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM.

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH...PREPARE
IMMEDIATELY FOR DAMAGING WINDS...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...AND DEADLY CLOUD
TO GROUND LIGHTNING. PEOPLE OUTSIDE SHOULD MOVE TO A SHELTER...
PREFERABLY INSIDE A STRONG BUILDING BUT AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...
CALL 1-800-856-0758.

LAT...LON 3352 8744 3358 8732 3352 8731 3353 8724
      3355 8719 3359 8720 3363 8710 3366 8709
      3380 8670 3331 8643 3305 8749
TIME...MOT...LOC 1151Z 250DEG 54KT 3335 8725

$$

14
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 061200
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
600 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

ALC007-073-117-125-061230-
/O.CON.KBMX.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-080206T1230Z/
BIBB AL-SHELBY AL-TUSCALOOSA AL-JEFFERSON AL-
600 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 AM CST
FOR JEFFERSON...EAST CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA...NORTHERN SHELBY AND NORTH
CENTRAL BIBB COUNTIES...

AT 558 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN
EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR NORTH JOHNS...OR ABOUT
9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HUEYTOWN...MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
  HUEYTOWN...MCADORY...BESSEMER AND MCCALLA BY 605 AM CST...
  BRIGHTON...MIDFIELD...LIPSCOMB AND FAIRFIELD BY 610 AM CST...
  HOMEWOOD AND ENSLEY BY 615 AM CST...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. IF A TORNADO
IS SPOTTED... ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY
STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM.

LAT...LON 3349 8728 3353 8724 3355 8719 3359 8720
      3363 8710 3366 8709 3380 8670 3331 8643
      3306 8745
TIME...MOT...LOC 1200Z 250DEG 54KT 3340 8710

$$

14
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 061208
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
608 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

ALC007-117-125-061218-
/O.CAN.KBMX.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-080206T1230Z/
BIBB AL-SHELBY AL-TUSCALOOSA AL-
608 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA...
NORTHERN SHELBY AND NORTH CENTRAL BIBB COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3351 8725 3353 8724 3355 8719 3359 8720
      3363 8710 3366 8709 3380 8670 3350 8663
      3327 8705 3349 8728
TIME...MOT...LOC 1208Z 250DEG 54KT 3344 8696

$$

ALC073-061230-
/O.CON.KBMX.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-080206T1230Z/
JEFFERSON AL-
608 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 AM CST
FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY...

AT 607 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN
EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR HUEYTOWN...MOVING EAST
AT 60 MPH.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
  HOMEWOOD...ENSLEY...VESTAVIA HILLS AND VILLAGE CREEK AVENUE W BY
  615 AM CST...
  MOUNTAIN BROOK...BIRMINGHAM...CAHABA HEIGHTS AND BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT
  BY 620 AM CST...
  IRONDALE AND 6 MILES SOUTH OF CLOVERDALE BY 625 AM CST...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. IF A TORNADO
IS SPOTTED... ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY
STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM.

LAT...LON 3351 8725 3353 8724 3355 8719 3359 8720
      3363 8710 3366 8709 3380 8670 3350 8663
      3327 8705 3349 8728
TIME...MOT...LOC 1208Z 250DEG 54KT 3344 8696

$$

14
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 061216
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
616 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

ALC073-061230-
/O.CON.KBMX.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-080206T1230Z/
JEFFERSON AL-
616 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 AM CST
FOR CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY...

AT 612 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN
EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR MIDFIELD...MOVING EAST
AT 60 MPH.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
  6 MILES SOUTH OF DANVILLE...6 MILES SOUTH OF TARRANT AND 7 MILES
  SOUTH OF FIVE MILE CREEK KETONA BY 620 AM CST...
  IRONDALE...6 MILES SOUTH OF CLOVERDALE AND 8 MILES SOUTH OF CENTER
  POINT BY 625 AM CST...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. IF A TORNADO
IS SPOTTED... ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY
STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM.

LAT...LON 3366 8708 3380 8670 3350 8663 3331 8707
      3347 8714
TIME...MOT...LOC 1216Z 250DEG 54KT 3348 8682

$$

14

The office that day

Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 6, 1:29 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXLamar31 min
Feb 6, 1:51 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXPickens54 min
Feb 6, 1:54 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXPickens51 min
Feb 6, 1:59 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion46 min
Feb 6, 2:30 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXWinston27 min
Feb 6, 2:39 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa51 min
Feb 6, 2:57 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar48 min
Feb 6, 3:11 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Walker39 min
Feb 6, 3:20 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Pickens40 min
Feb 6, 3:21 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston39 min
Feb 6, 3:38 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Pickens, Sumter52 min
Feb 6, 3:48 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa30 min
Feb 6, 3:53 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Walker, Winston52 min
Feb 6, 4:05 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter40 min
Feb 6, 4:13 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Walker47 min
Feb 6, 4:14 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXBlount31 min
Feb 6, 4:27 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXHale, Marengo33 min
Feb 6, 4:53 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXDallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry37 min
Feb 6, 5:22 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXAutauga, Chilton, Dallas, Perry38 min
Feb 6, 5:50 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXChilton, Coosa40 min
Feb 6, 6:24 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXClay, Coosa, Talladega21 min
Feb 6, 6:29 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXClay, Coosa, Talladega46 min
Feb 6, 7:05 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXCalhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph, Talladega40 min
Feb 6, 7:08 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLowndes, Montgomery37 min
Feb 6, 7:25 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXMontgomery50 min
Feb 6, 7:38 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXCleburne22 min
Feb 6, 7:40 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBarbour, Bullock, Elmore, Lee, Macon, Montgomery and 2 more65 min
Feb 6, 8:09 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBarbour, Bullock, Pike36 min
Feb 6, 9:13 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXRussell17 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2008Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2008

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.