Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 32, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 6, 20084 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 6, 2008, 5:22 AM CST for 4 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 38 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, 5:22 AM CST (11:22 UTC)
Expired: Feb 6, 2008, 6:00 AM CST
In force: 38 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Autauga County, AL, Chilton County, AL, Dallas County, AL, Perry County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 49 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:26 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 6, 5:59 AM CST	FUNNEL CLOUD	Maplesville, AL	SIGHTED AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 22 AND 82.

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
Feb 5, 10:01 PM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	8 hr
Feb 6, 4:06 AM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 49 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: 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 061122
TORBMX
ALC001-021-047-105-061200-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0032.080206T1122Z-080206T1200Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  WESTERN AUTAUGA COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  WESTERN CHILTON COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  EASTERN PERRY COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF MARION...
  NORTHERN DALLAS COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 600 AM CST

* AT 521 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR HAMBURG...
  OR 9 MILES SOUTH OF MARION...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  SUTTLE...RED FORD AND 8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SPROTT BY 530 AM CST...
  PAUL M GRIST STATE PARK BY 540 AM CST...
  STANTON AND MAPLESVILLE BY 550 AM CST...
  ISABELLA AND POOLES CROSSROADS BY 555 AM CST...
  8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CAMPBELL BY 600 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 1000 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR ALABAMA.

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

LAT...LON 3269 8740 3284 8713 3283 8688 3288 8688
      3289 8689 3297 8689 3300 8683 3265 8663
      3237 8722
TIME...MOT...LOC 1122Z 236DEG 51KT 3251 8728

$$

2 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 061133
SVSBMX

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

ALC001-021-047-105-061200-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0032.000000T0000Z-080206T1200Z/
DALLAS AL-AUTAUGA AL-PERRY AL-CHILTON AL-
533 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 AM CST FOR WESTERN
CHILTON...NORTHEASTERN PERRY...NORTHWESTERN AUTAUGA AND NORTH CENTRAL
DALLAS COUNTIES...

AT 530 AM CST...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR RED FORD...OR ABOUT 10 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MARION...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  PAUL M GRIST STATE PARK BY 540 AM CST...
  PLANTERSVILLE BY 545 AM CST...
  STANTON BY 550 AM CST...
  MAPLESVILLE AND PLECHER BY 555 AM CST...
  ISABELLA...POOLES CROSSROADS AND 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CHILTON
  COUNTY MOTOR SPORTS PARK BY 600 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 1000 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3269 8730 3284 8713 3283 8688 3297 8689
      3300 8683 3266 8665 3245 8713
TIME...MOT...LOC 1133Z 236DEG 51KT 3259 8712

$$

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 061141
SVSBMX

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

ALC001-021-047-105-061200-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0032.000000T0000Z-080206T1200Z/
DALLAS AL-AUTAUGA AL-PERRY AL-CHILTON AL-
541 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 AM CST FOR WESTERN
CHILTON...NORTHEASTERN PERRY...NORTHWESTERN AUTAUGA AND NORTHEASTERN
DALLAS COUNTIES...

AT 540 AM CST...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR PAUL M GRIST STATE PARK...OR ABOUT 16 MILES NORTH OF SELMA...
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  STANTON BY 550 AM CST...
  ISABELLA...MAPLESVILLE...POOLES CROSSROADS AND PLECHER BY 555 AM
  CST...
  6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CHILTON COUNTY MOTOR SPORTS PARK AND 8 MILES
  SOUTHEAST OF CAMPBELL BY 600 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 1000 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3275 8717 3282 8704 3283 8688 3297 8689
      3300 8683 3268 8668 3254 8701
TIME...MOT...LOC 1141Z 236DEG 51KT 3266 8701

$$

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Feb 6, 1:29 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Lamar	31 min
Feb 6, 1:51 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Pickens	54 min
Feb 6, 1:54 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Pickens	51 min
Feb 6, 1:59 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Marion	46 min
Feb 6, 2:30 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Winston	27 min
Feb 6, 2:39 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa	51 min
Feb 6, 2:57 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lamar	48 min
Feb 6, 3:11 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Walker	39 min
Feb 6, 3:20 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Pickens	40 min
Feb 6, 3:21 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston	39 min
Feb 6, 3:38 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Greene, Pickens, Sumter	52 min
Feb 6, 3:48 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa	30 min
Feb 6, 3:53 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Walker, Winston	52 min
Feb 6, 4:05 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter	40 min
Feb 6, 4:13 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Walker	47 min
Feb 6, 4:14 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount	31 min
Feb 6, 4:27 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Hale, Marengo	33 min
Feb 6, 4:53 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Dallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry	37 min
Feb 6, 5:50 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Chilton, Coosa	40 min
Feb 6, 5:51 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Jefferson, Shelby, Tuscaloosa	39 min
Feb 6, 6:24 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Clay, Coosa, Talladega	21 min
Feb 6, 6:29 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Clay, Coosa, Talladega	46 min
Feb 6, 7:05 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph, Talladega	40 min
Feb 6, 7:08 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lowndes, Montgomery	37 min
Feb 6, 7:25 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Montgomery	50 min
Feb 6, 7:38 AM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Cleburne	22 min
Feb 6, 7:40 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Barbour, Bullock, Elmore, Lee, Macon, Montgomery and 2 more	65 min
Feb 6, 8:09 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Barbour, Bullock, Pike	36 min
Feb 6, 9:13 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Russell	17 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.