Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 22, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 6, 2008Fayette County, Lamar County, Marion County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 6, 2008, 1:59 AM CST for Fayette County, Lamar County, Marion County, Alabama. It was in force for 46 min. 2 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 6, 2008, 1:59 AM CST (07:59 UTC)
Expired
Feb 6, 2008, 2:45 AM CST
In force
46 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Fayette County, AL, Lamar County, AL, Marion County, AL

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 54 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:00 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, 2:04 AM CSTTSTM WND DMG2 N Beaverton, ALPOSSIBLE TORNADO...POWERLINES AND TREES DOWN ON COUNTY ROAD 49.
Feb 6, 2:10 AM CSTTSTM WND DMG2 W Guin, ALBARN DESTROYED AND SEVERAL TREES DOWN ON CR 15 JUST WEST OF GUIN. POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE.

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, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 137 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°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 060758
TORBMX
ALC057-075-093-060845-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0022.080206T0759Z-080206T0845Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN MARION COUNTY IN NORTHWEST ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF WINFIELD...
  NORTHWESTERN FAYETTE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  NORTHEASTERN LAMAR COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 245 AM CST

* AT 155 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 10 MILES WEST OF
  GUIN...OR 8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF DETROIT...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55
  MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  GUIN...PIKEVILLE AND GU-WIN BY 205 AM CST...
  PEA RIDGE...6 MILES NORTHWEST OF TUCKER AND 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF
  WINFIELD BY 210 AM CST...
  BRILLIANT BY 215 AM CST...
  PINEY GROVE AND 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF BRINN BY 220 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 3432 8764 3390 8763 3384 8796 3405 8807
TIME...MOT...LOC 0759Z 241DEG 51KT 3396 8803

$$

14
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 060811
SVSBMX

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

ALC057-075-093-060845-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0022.000000T0000Z-080206T0845Z/
FAYETTE AL-LAMAR AL-MARION AL-
211 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 AM CST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN MARION...NORTHEASTERN LAMAR AND NORTHWESTERN FAYETTE
COUNTIES...

AT 208 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR GUIN...OR ABOUT 10
MILES WEST OF WINFIELD...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  PEA RIDGE...BRILLIANT AND 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF TUCKER BY 220 AM
  CST...
  PINEY GROVE...PEARCES MILL AND BRINN BY 225 AM CST...
  7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF BEAR CREEK 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.

LAT...LON 3432 8764 3390 8763 3384 8796 3405 8807
TIME...MOT...LOC 0811Z 232DEG 43KT 3399 8794

$$

14
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 060826
SVSBMX

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

ALC057-075-060836-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0022.000000T0000Z-080206T0845Z/
FAYETTE AL-LAMAR AL-
226 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN LAMAR AND NORTHWESTERN
FAYETTE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

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

LAT...LON 3432 8764 3395 8763 3394 8795 3397 8796
      3398 8795 3402 8795 3403 8797 3409 8799
TIME...MOT...LOC 0826Z 232DEG 43KT 3410 8777

$$

ALC093-060845-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0022.000000T0000Z-080206T0845Z/
MARION AL-
226 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

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

AT 221 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR PEA RIDGE...OR
ABOUT 9 MILES NORTH OF WINFIELD...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF BEAR CREEK 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.

LAT...LON 3432 8764 3395 8763 3394 8795 3397 8796
      3398 8795 3402 8795 3403 8797 3409 8799
TIME...MOT...LOC 0826Z 232DEG 43KT 3410 8777

$$

14
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 060840
SVSBMX

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

ALC093-060851-
/O.EXP.KBMX.TO.W.0022.000000T0000Z-080206T0845Z/
MARION AL-
241 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN MARION COUNTY EXPIRES AT 245 AM
CST...

THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER HAS ENDED. THE STORMS THAT PROMPTED THE
WARNING HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE COUNTY.

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

LAT...LON 3432 8764 3395 8763 3394 8795 3397 8796
      3398 8795 3402 8795 3403 8797 3409 8799
TIME...MOT...LOC 0841Z 232DEG 43KT 3421 8760

$$

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, 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.