Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 28, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 6, 2008Fayette County, Walker County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 6, 2008, 4:13 AM CST for Fayette County, Walker County, Alabama. It was in force for 47 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, 4:13 AM CST (10:13 UTC)
Expired
Feb 6, 2008, 5:00 AM CST
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Fayette County, AL, Walker County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 82 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:13 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, 4:34 AM CSTFUNNEL CLOUDJasper, ALSIGHTED AT THE WALKER COUNTY EOC.

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
Feb 6, 4:06 AM CSTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 10.2 hours before the alert went out and 81 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 061013
TORBMX
ALC057-127-061100-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0028.080206T1013Z-080206T1100Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  CENTRAL WALKER COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...JASPER...CORDOVA...
  EAST CENTRAL FAYETTE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 500 AM CST

* AT 411 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 7 MILES
  SOUTHWEST OF WEST CORONA...OR 14 MILES EAST OF FAYETTE...MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  WEST CORONA BY 420 AM CST...
  OAKMAN BY 425 AM CST...
  PARRISH BY 435 AM CST...
  CORDOVA AND JASPER BY 440 AM CST...
  SIPSEY BY 450 AM CST...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
PENNY SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR ALABAMA.

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

LAT...LON 3378 8761 3397 8712 3392 8707 3390 8708
      3389 8703 3382 8695 3377 8701 3375 8701
      3361 8747
TIME...MOT...LOC 1013Z 245DEG 44KT 3366 8757

$$

14
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 061025
SVSBMX

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

ALC057-061035-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0028.000000T0000Z-080206T1100Z/
FAYETTE AL-
425 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL FAYETTE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING 
FOR NORTHWESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3397 8712 3392 8707 3390 8708 3389 8703
      3383 8696 3382 8696 3378 8700 3375 8701
      3366 8738 3372 8750 3381 8754
TIME...MOT...LOC 1025Z 241DEG 54KT 3376 8735

$$

ALC127-061100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0028.000000T0000Z-080206T1100Z/
WALKER AL-
425 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 AM CST FOR CENTRAL
WALKER COUNTY...

AT 420 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR OAKMAN...OR ABOUT
13 MILES SOUTHWEST OF JASPER...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  JASPER AND PARRISH BY 430 AM CST...
  LYNNS PARK...CORDOVA AND MANCHESTER BY 435 AM CST...
  SIPSEY AND 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF ROCKY HOLLOW BY 440 AM CST...
  SMITH DAM BY 445 AM CST...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3397 8712 3392 8707 3390 8708 3389 8703
      3383 8696 3382 8696 3378 8700 3375 8701
      3366 8738 3372 8750 3381 8754
TIME...MOT...LOC 1025Z 241DEG 54KT 3376 8735

$$

14
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 061040
SVSBMX

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

ALC127-061100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0028.000000T0000Z-080206T1100Z/
WALKER AL-
440 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 AM CST FOR CENTRAL
WALKER COUNTY...

AT 438 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR LYNNS PARK...OR
ABOUT 7 MILES NORTHEAST OF CORDOVA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  SMITH DAM BY 445 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 700 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3397 8712 3392 8707 3390 8708 3388 8702
      3383 8696 3375 8702 3374 8705 3366 8738
      3383 8748
TIME...MOT...LOC 1040Z 241DEG 54KT 3387 8711

$$

14
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 061054
SVSBMX

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

ALC127-061104-
/O.EXP.KBMX.TO.W.0028.000000T0000Z-080206T1100Z/
WALKER AL-
454 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL WALKER COUNTY EXPIRES AT 500 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 700 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR NORTHWESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3397 8712 3392 8707 3390 8708 3388 8702
      3383 8696 3375 8702 3374 8705 3366 8738
      3383 8748
TIME...MOT...LOC 1054Z 241DEG 54KT 3397 8689

$$

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, 4:14 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.