Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 3, NWS Birmingham, AL

January 10, 2008Lamar County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Jan 10, 2008, 2:14 PM CST for Lamar County, Alabama. It was in force for 46 min. 9 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: Jan 10, 2008, 2:14 PM CST (20:14 UTC)
Expired: Jan 10, 2008, 3:00 PM CST
In force: 46 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

County Lamar County, AL

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 26 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:16 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
Jan 10, 2:20 PM CST	TORNADO 2	5 Wnw Star, AL	DOUBLE-WIDE MOBILE HOME DESTROYED AND TWO OTHER MOBILE HOMES DAMAGED ON WILLIE GREER ROAD NORTH OF HWY 18. CORRECTED FOR GPS LAT/LON AND TIME.
Jan 10, 2:22 PM CST	TORNADO 2	5 Ssw Bedford, AL	ROOF AND CARPORT BLOWN OFF OF HOUSE.
Jan 10, 2:24 PM CST	TORNADO 2	5 Wsw Vernon, AL	TRACTOR TRAILER CLIPPED SAGGING POWERLINES 1 MILE EAST OF THE MOLLOY FIRE DEPARTMENT ON HWY 18. CORRECTED FOR DETAILS AND LOCATION.
Jan 10, 2:25 PM CST	TORNADO 2	6 Wsw Vernon, AL	* 1 INJ * NUMEROUS TREES DOWN AND SEVERAL CARS DAMAGED IN MOLLOY. ONE INDIVIDUAL TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MINOR INJURIES. CORRECTED FOR LOCATION AND DETAILS.
Jan 10, 2:26 PM CST	HAIL 1	Vernon, AL	QUARTER SIZE HAIL ON ABERDEEN ROAD.
Jan 10, 2:30 PM CST	TORNADO	Vernon, AL	TORNADO CONFIRMED ON THE GROUND NEAR INTERSECTION OF HWY 18 AND HWY 17.
Jan 10, 2:35 PM CST	TORNADO	Vernon, AL	* 1 INJ * NUMEROUS TREES DOWN AND SEVERAL CARS DAMAGED.
Jan 10, 2:44 PM CST	TORNADO	7 W Vernon, AL	TWO HOMES DESTROYED ON COUNTY LAKE ROAD. TWO MORE STRUCTURES DESTROYED ON WILLIE GREER ROAD NORTH OF HWY 18.
Jan 10, 2:44 PM CST	TORNADO	Sulligent, AL	TWO HOMES DESTROYED ON COUNTY LAKE ROAD.

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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Jan 10, 11:33 AM CST	Tornado Watch PDS	SPC	9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 8.2 hours before the alert went out and 143 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 261 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -34 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 621 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 41 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 162 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 132 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KBMX 102014
TORBMX
ALC075-102100-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0003.080110T2014Z-080110T2100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
214 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  LAMAR COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...VERNON...MILLPORT...

* UNTIL 300 PM CST

* AT 212 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 9 MILES WEST OF
  STAR...OR 8 MILES NORTHEAST OF COLUMBUS AFB...MOVING NORTHEAST AT
  40 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  STAR BY 220 PM CST...
  BEDFORD BY 225 PM CST...
  VERNON AND 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF HIGHTOGY BY 230 PM CST...
  LAMAR COUNTY AIRPORT BY 235 PM CST...
  CREWS BY 240 PM CST...
  BLOOMING GROVE AND BEAVERTON BY 245 PM 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 PM CST THURSDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN ALABAMA.

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

LAT...LON 3363 8827 3369 8827 3370 8826 3383 8825
      3398 8796 3354 8794 3355 8828 3362 8828
TIME...MOT...LOC 2014Z 237DEG 36KT 3369 8831

$$

5 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 102021
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
220 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

ALC075-102100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-080110T2100Z/
LAMAR AL-
220 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM CST FOR LAMAR
COUNTY...

AT 216 PM CST...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD. 
THIS DEVELOPING TORNADO WAS LOCATED 6 MILES WEST OF STAR...OR ABOUT 
10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF VERNON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  BEDFORD BY 225 PM CST...
  VERNON...HIGHTOGY AND 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF LAMAR COUNTY AIRPORT BY
  230 PM CST...
  8 MILES NORTHWEST OF CODY AND 9 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CREWS BY 235 PM
  CST...
  BLOOMING GROVE AND 9 MILES SOUTHEAST OF BEAVERTON BY 240 PM 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.

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION.  TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO 
PROTECT YOURSELF NOW

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 PM CST THURSDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3363 8827 3369 8827 3370 8826 3383 8825
      3398 8796 3354 8794 3355 8828 3362 8828
TIME...MOT...LOC 2020Z 246DEG 42KT 3372 8823

$$
STEFKOVICH

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 102029
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
228 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

ALC075-102100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-080110T2100Z/
LAMAR AL-
228 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM CST FOR CENTRAL
LAMAR COUNTY...

AT 225 PM CST...THE PUBLIC REPORTED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED 
IN THE TOWN OF CALEDONIA MISSISSIPPI WITH THIS STORM.  THIS TORNADO 
WAS NOW LOCATED NEAR BEDFORD...OR ABOUT NEAR VERNON...MOVING 
NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  BLOOMING GROVE...6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF BEAVERTON AND 7 MILES
  SOUTHEAST OF CREWS BY 240 PM CST...

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION.  TAKE ACTION NOW TO 
PROTECT YOURSELF

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 PM CST THURSDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3385 8823 3386 8819 3398 8797 3375 8795
      3374 8796 3374 8795 3367 8794 3369 8821
      3372 8824
TIME...MOT...LOC 2028Z 242DEG 41KT 3378 8814

$$
STEFKOVICH

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 102035
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
233 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

ALC075-102100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-080110T2100Z/
LAMAR AL-
233 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM CST FOR CENTRAL
LAMAR COUNTY...

AT 230 PM CST...THE PUBLIC REPORTED A TORNADO IN DOWNTOWN VERNON.  
THIS TORNADO WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF BEAVERTON BY 240 PM CST...

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION.  TAKE ACTION NOW TO 
PROTECT YOURSELF

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 PM CST THURSDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3387 8815 3398 8796 3382 8796 3375 8795
      3374 8796 3374 8795 3367 8794 3372 8815
      3375 8818
TIME...MOT...LOC 2033Z 244DEG 50KT 3381 8806

$$
STEFKOVICH

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 102042
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
242 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

ALC075-102100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-080110T2100Z/
LAMAR AL-
242 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM CST FOR EAST
CENTRAL LAMAR COUNTY...

AT 239 PM CST...THE PUBLIC REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS
LOCATED NEAR BEAVERTON...OR ABOUT 9 MILES NORTHEAST OF VERNON...
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

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 PM CST THURSDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3388 8809 3398 8796 3382 8796 3381 8798
      3380 8805
TIME...MOT...LOC 2042Z 238DEG 47KT 3389 8797

$$
STEFKOVICH

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 102052
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
253 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

ALC075-102103-
/O.EXP.KBMX.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-080110T2100Z/
LAMAR AL-
253 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL LAMAR COUNTY EXPIRES AT 300
PM 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 PM CST THURSDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3388 8809 3398 8796 3382 8796 3381 8798
      3380 8805
TIME...MOT...LOC 2053Z 238DEG 47KT 3396 8782

$$

STEFKOVICH

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jan 10, 4:21 AM CST	Lake Wind Advisory	BMX	Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more	16 hr
Jan 10, 12:26 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Sumter	34 min
Jan 10, 12:51 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Marengo	24 min
Jan 10, 1:00 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Tuscaloosa	30 min
Jan 10, 1:16 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Dallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry	29 min
Jan 10, 1:53 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lamar, Marion, Winston	29 min
Jan 10, 2:03 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lamar	42 min
Jan 10, 2:40 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Marion	24 min
Jan 10, 2:48 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Pickens	42 min
Jan 10, 3:31 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Pickens, Tuscaloosa	44 min
Jan 10, 3:31 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Marengo, Sumter	29 min
Jan 10, 3:57 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter	33 min
Jan 10, 4:11 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker	34 min
Jan 10, 4:43 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount, Jefferson, Walker	34 min
Jan 10, 5:49 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Shelby	41 min
Jan 10, 5:56 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Cherokee	19 min

Nearby

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