Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 21, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 6, 2008Pickens County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 6, 2008, 1:54 AM CST for Pickens County, Alabama. It was in force for 51 min. 1 report 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 6, 2008, 1:54 AM CST (07:54 UTC)
Expired
Feb 6, 2008, 2:45 AM CST
In force
51 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Pickens County, AL

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:56 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Feb 6, 2:40 AM CSTTSTM WND DMG9 N Gordo, ALTREES DOWN ZION RD AND HIGWAY 159

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 7.9 hours before the alert went out and 126 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 
WFUS54 KBMX 060754
TORBMX
ALC107-060845-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0021.080206T0754Z-080206T0845Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
154 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  PICKENS COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...REFORM...PICKENSVILLE...CARROLLTON...
  ALICEVILLE...

* UNTIL 245 AM CST

* AT 151 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 12 MILES
  SOUTHWEST OF MEMPHIS...OR 18 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PICKENSVILLE...
  MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  MEMPHIS BY 205 AM CST...
  PICKENSVILLE AND 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF MCMULLEN BY 210 AM CST...
  CARROLLTON AND 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF PINE GROVE BY 215 AM CST...
  OWENS AND MCSHAN BY 220 AM CST...
  REFORM BY 225 AM CST...
  LUBBUB BY 235 AM CST...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR ALABAMA.

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

LAT...LON 3306 8835 3307 8834 3329 8832 3353 8808
      3354 8794 3353 8791 3352 8783 3317 8784
      3299 8834
TIME...MOT...LOC 0754Z 224DEG 53KT 3305 8842

$$

14
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 060805
SVSBMX

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

ALC107-060845-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-080206T0845Z/
PICKENS AL-
205 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 AM CST FOR PICKENS
COUNTY...

AT 204 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MEMPHIS...OR ABOUT
7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PICKENSVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  PICKENSVILLE AND 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF MCMULLEN BY 210 AM CST...
  CARROLLTON AND 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF PINE GROVE BY 220 AM CST...
  OWENS AND MCSHAN BY 225 AM CST...
  REFORM AND NORTH PICKENS AIRPORT BY 230 AM CST...
  LUBBUB BY 240 AM CST...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3306 8835 3307 8834 3329 8832 3353 8808
      3354 8794 3353 8791 3352 8783 3317 8784
      3299 8834
TIME...MOT...LOC 0805Z 224DEG 48KT 3314 8832

$$

14
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 060820
SVSBMX

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

ALC107-060845-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-080206T0845Z/
PICKENS AL-
221 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 AM CST FOR PICKENS
COUNTY...

AT 217 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR PICKENSVILLE...
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  OWENS AND MCSHAN BY 230 AM CST...
  REFORM...NORTH PICKENS AIRPORT AND 7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SHAW BY 240
  AM CST...
  6 MILES WEST OF LUBBUB BY 245 AM CST...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3306 8835 3307 8834 3329 8832 3353 8808
      3354 8794 3353 8791 3352 8783 3317 8784
      3299 8834
TIME...MOT...LOC 0821Z 221DEG 39KT 3326 8818

$$

14
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 060835
SVSBMX

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

ALC107-060845-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-080206T0845Z/
PICKENS AL-
235 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 AM CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN PICKENS COUNTY...

AT 234 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR REFORM...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  GORDO BY 240 AM CST...
  LUBBUB BY 245 AM CST...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3342 8819 3353 8808 3354 8794 3353 8791
      3352 8783 3342 8783 3342 8784 3326 8784
      3321 8809
TIME...MOT...LOC 0835Z 242DEG 41KT 3337 8799

$$

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, 1:59 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, 5:51 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Jefferson, Shelby, Tuscaloosa39 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

Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 2008Every tornado warning in 2008Tornadoes 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.