Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2008
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 45, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Feb 26, 2008, 3:23 AM CST for Jefferson County, Alabama. It was in force for 37 min. 8 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
- Feb 26, 2008, 3:23 AM CST (09:23 UTC)
- Expired
- Feb 26, 2008, 4:00 AM CST
- In force
- 37 min
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
County Jefferson County, AL
The radar
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 48 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:23 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 3:40 AM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 5 Ese Birmingham, AL | TREES DOWN ON BELMONT ROAD |
| Feb 26, 3:40 AM CST | TSTM WND DMG | Hoover, AL | TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN WITH POWER OUTAGES ALONG HWY 31 AND JUNCTION OF HWY 150 AND SHADES CREEK. |
| Feb 26, 3:45 AM CST | TSTM WND DMG | Leeds, AL | *** 1 FATAL *** TREE DOWN ON MOBILE HOME ON HENRY ELLEN ROAD. |
| Feb 26, 3:45 AM CST | HAIL 0.75 | Leeds, AL | |
| Feb 26, 4:00 AM CST | TSTM WND DMG | 5 Ese Birmingham, AL | TREES DOWN ON BELMONT ROAD |
| Feb 26, 4:00 AM CST | TSTM WND DMG | Hoover, AL | TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN WITH POWER OUTAGES ALONG HWY 31 AND JUNCTION OF HWY 150 AND SHADES CREEK. |
| Feb 26, 4:00 AM CST | TSTM WND DMG | Leeds, AL | TREES DOWN AND HOMES DAMAGED ON VEASEY ROAD. NO ADDITIONAL DETAILS AS TO EXTENT OF DAMAGE. |
| Feb 26, 4:00 AM CST | HAIL 0.75 | Leeds, AL |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 6 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 17 minutes after it went out.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 12:10 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 47 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1555 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 68 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 87 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 245 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
000
WUUS54 KBMX 260923
SVRBMX
ALC073-261000-
/O.NEW.KBMX.SV.W.0045.080226T0923Z-080226T1000Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
323 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
JEFFERSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...VESTAVIA HILLS...TRUSSVILLE...
MOUNTAIN BROOK...MIDFIELD...LIPSCOMB...LEEDS...IRONDALE...
HUEYTOWN...HOOVER...HOMEWOOD...GARDENDALE...FULTONDALE...
FORESTDALE...FAIRFIELD...CENTER POINT...BRIGHTON...BIRMINGHAM
AIRPORT...BIRMINGHAM...BESSEMER...
* UNTIL 400 AM CST
* AT 319 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN
EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING
FROM KIMBERLY TO WELLER...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 8 MILES
NORTH OF GARDENDALE TO 11 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HUEYTOWN...AND MOVING
EAST AT 70 MPH.
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...
PALMERDALE...VESTAVIA HILLS...SHANNON AND PINSON-CLAY-CHALKVILLE BY
330 AM CST...
TRUSSVILLE...IRONDALE...CAHABA HEIGHTS AND ALTON BY 335 AM CST...
LEEDS AND LITTLE CAHABA RIVER BELOW LEEDS BY 340 AM CST...
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 3350 8725 3353 8727 3355 8719 3362 8718
3367 8706 3377 8701 3384 8689 3384 8676
3377 8665 3376 8654 3367 8652 3356 8655
3353 8652 3347 8662 3348 8667 3325 8698
3331 8715 3348 8734
TIME...MOT...LOC 0923Z 290DEG 61KT 3375 8675 3332 8707
$$What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at Feb 25, 11:45 PM CST, 3 hours 38 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Feb 25, 11:45 PM CST, 3 hours 38 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 1145 PM CST MON FEB 25 2008 .UPDATE...OVERNIGHT WEATHER AND AVIATION DISCUSSION. && .DISCUSSION...COLD FRONT WAS LOCATED NEAR A MEMPHIS TO SHREVEPORT LINE AT 11 PM. A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDED SOUTH OF MEMPHIS AND INTO NORTHERN LOUISIANA. LIGHTNING HAS BEEN INCREASING ALONG THIS LINE AS IT ENCOUNTERS A MORE UNSTABLE AIR MASS. SURFACE DEWPOINTS HAVE RISEN TO NEAR 60 DEGREES AT MERIDIAN MISSISSIPPI...SO AIRMASS WILL ME MOIST ENOUGH TO SUPPORT STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. THE LINE OF STORMS WILL MOVE INTO LAMAR AND MARION COUNTIES AROUND 130 AM AND NEAR BIRMINGHAM BY 3 AM. SPC INDICATES A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH WILL LIKELY BE ISSUED WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR TO THE EAST OF CURRENT WATCH...WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE MUCH OF WEST ALABAMA. 58/ROSE && .AVIATION...06Z TAF DISCUSSION. SOUTHERLY SURFACE WINDS ARE INCREASING ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA AS PRESSURE GRADIENT TIGHTENS. MVFR CIGS SPREAD NORTHWARD A LITTLE SOONER THAN EXPECTED...AND CLOUDS HAVE JUST ABOUT SPREAD OVER ALL OF CENTRAL ALABAMA. IFR CIGS POSSIBLE AT KMGM AND KTOI THROUGH 12Z ...WITH MFVR CIGS ELSEWHERE. A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL REACH A KTCL-KBHM LINE ARND 09Z AND KMGM ARND 13Z. IFR VSBYS AND CIGS EXPECTED WITH LINE OF STRONG TSTMS. TSTMS WILL NOT LAST FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS ONCE THEY BEGIN DUE TO FAST MOVING FRONT. LOWER CLOUDS MAY BECOME SCATTERED BY AFTERNOON AS DRIER AIR MIXES DOWNWARD. HOWEVER...COLD AIR STRATUS DECK WITH CIGS 1500-2500 FEET WILL MOVE BACK INTO AREA BY LATE AFTERNOON. AFTER FROPA...SURFACE WINDS WILL INCREASE TO BETWEEN 15 AND 25 KNOTS FROM THE NORTHWEST AND NOT DIMINISH UNTIL AFTER 03Z. 58/ROSE && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. &&
Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 26, 12:14 AM CST, 3 hours 9 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 1214 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ALZ011>015-017>050-261300- AUTAUGA-BARBOUR-BIBB-BLOUNT-BULLOCK-CALHOUN-CHAMBERS-CHEROKEE- CHILTON-CLAY-CLEBURNE-COOSA-DALLAS-ELMORE-ETOWAH-FAYETTE-GREENE-HALE- JEFFERSON-LAMAR-LEE-LOWNDES-MACON-MARENGO-MARION-MONTGOMERY-PERRY- PICKENS-PIKE-RANDOLPH-RUSSELL-SHELBY-ST CLAIR-SUMTER-TALLADEGA- TALLAPOOSA-TUSCALOOSA-WALKER-WINSTON- 1214 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE COUNTIES SERVED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN BIRMINGHAM. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE MAINLY ALONG AND WEST OF I-65. THE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING WIND GUSTS UP TO 60 MPH AND LARGE HAIL. A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE INTO LAMAR AND MARION COUNTIES AROUND 1 AM AND THEN SHIFT SOUTHEAST TO NEAR A GEIGER...TUSCALOOSA...TO JUST WEST OF BIRMINGHAM LINE BY 3 AM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE SOUTH OF A LINE FROM LIVINGSTON...TO THORSBY...TO AUBURN. WIND GUSTS UP TO 60 MPH AND LARGE HAIL WILL BE THE MAIN THREATS. THE STORMS WILL MOVE INTO GEORGIA AFTER 12 NOON. BREEZY CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED ON TUESDAY BEHIND THE COLD FRONT. NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED...DECREASING AFTER 9 PM. A LAKE WIND ADVISORY MAY BE NECESSARY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WILL BE REQUIRED OVERNIGHT AND POSSIBLY THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Feb 26, 2:05 AM CST, 1 hour 18 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 205 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ALZ012-022-260845- LAMAR-PICKENS- 205 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR LAMAR AND PICKENS COUNTIES UNTIL 245 AM CST... AT 201 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM HIGHTOGY TO 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF PICKENSVILLE...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM VERNON TO 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF PICKENSVILLE...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 40 MPH. WINDS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... LUXAPALLILA CREEK. SHAW. PICKENSVILLE. REFORM. DILLBURG. THIS THUNDERSTORM COULD INTENSIFY QUICKLY...SO BE READY TO ACT IF A WARNING IS ISSUED. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION.
Special weather statement, Feb 26, 2:23 AM CST, 1 hour before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 223 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ALZ013-260900- FAYETTE- 223 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR FAYETTE COUNTY UNTIL 300 AM CST... AT 222 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM GLEN ALLEN TO ASHCRAFT CORNER...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM WINFIELD TO 9 MILES EAST OF MILLPORT...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. WINDS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... FAYETTE. FOWLERS CROSSROADS. BERRY. BOLEY SPRINGS. THIS THUNDERSTORM COULD INTENSIFY QUICKLY...SO BE READY TO ACT IF A WARNING IS ISSUED. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION.
Special weather statement, Feb 26, 2:37 AM CST, 46 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 237 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ALZ023-260915- TUSCALOOSA- 237 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR TUSCALOOSA COUNTY UNTIL 315 AM CST... AT 235 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM BANKSTON TO GORDO TO ALICEVILLE...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 11 MILES SOUTHEAST OF FAYETTE TO 10 MILES EAST OF REFORM TO ALICEVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH. WINDS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... NEW LEXINGTON. ECHOLA. US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WELL. WINDHAM SPRINGS. TUSCALOOSA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. LAKE TUSCALOOSA. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 AM CST. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION.
Special weather statement, Feb 26, 3:03 AM CST, 20 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 303 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ALZ015-024-260945- JEFFERSON-WALKER- 303 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR JEFFERSON AND WALKER COUNTIES UNTIL 345 AM CST... AT 302 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM SIPSEY TO 6 MILES NORTH OF BROOKWOOD...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 11 MILES NORTHEAST OF CORDOVA TO 10 MILES NORTHEAST OF HOLT...MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH. WINDS UP TO 40 MPH AND HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... MILLER STEAM PLANT. SYLVAN SPRINGS. WATSON. VILLAGE CREEK AVENUE W. PALMERDALE. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION.
Local storm report, Feb 26, 3:11 AM CST, 12 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
311 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0300 AM HAIL 6 W NORTHPORT 33.24N 87.70W
02/26/2008 E0.50 INCH TUSCALOOSA AL EMERGENCY MNGR
EMA REPORTS MARBLE SIZED HAIL IN COKER
&&
HASpecial weather statement, Feb 26, 3:13 AM CST, 10 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 313 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ALZ023-261000- TUSCALOOSA- 313 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR TUSCALOOSA COUNTY UNTIL 400 AM CST... AT 311 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM WELLER TO RALPH...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 12 MILES WEST OF HUEYTOWN TO 18 MILES SOUTHWEST OF NORTHPORT...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 70 MPH. MARBLE SIZE HAIL...WINDS UP TO 40 MPH...AND FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... BROOKWOOD. TANNEHILL IRONWORKS STATE PARK. PEARSON. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION.
The office that day
Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 3:28 AM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Jefferson | 16 min |
| Feb 26, 3:47 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Bibb, Shelby | 28 min |
| Feb 26, 3:57 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Chilton, Clay | 33 min |
| Feb 26, 4:06 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Talladega | 39 min |
| Feb 26, 4:13 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Calhoun, Cleburne, St. Clair, Talladega | 32 min |
| Feb 26, 4:18 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Clay, Coosa, Talladega, Tallapoosa | 27 min |
| Feb 26, 4:26 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph, Talladega | 34 min |
| Feb 26, 4:42 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Chambers, Clay, Randolph, Tallapoosa | 33 min |
| Feb 26, 4:55 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Marengo | 35 min |
| Feb 26, 5:25 AM CST | Lake Wind Advisory | BMX | Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more | 15 hr |
| Feb 26, 5:34 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Dallas | 26 min |
| Feb 26, 6:09 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Autauga, Dallas, Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery | 36 min |
| Feb 26, 6:30 AM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Lowndes | 18 min |
| Feb 26, 6:40 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Montgomery | 35 min |
| Feb 26, 6:42 AM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Montgomery | 33 min |
| Feb 26, 6:45 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Bullock, Elmore, Macon, Montgomery | 30 min |
| Feb 26, 6:57 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Bullock, Pike | 33 min |
| Feb 26, 7:13 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Barbour, Bullock, Macon, Russell | 47 min |
| Feb 26, 7:22 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Bullock, Pike | 38 min |
| Feb 26, 7:42 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Lee, Russell | 18 min |
| Feb 26, 7:49 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Barbour, Bullock, Pike | 56 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.