Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 35, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 6, 20085 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 6, 2008, 7:05 AM CST for 5 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 40 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Feb 6, 2008, 7:05 AM CST (13:05 UTC)
Expired
Feb 6, 2008, 7:45 AM CST
In force
40 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Calhoun County, AL, Clay County, AL, Cleburne County, AL, Randolph County, AL, Talladega County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 104 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:07 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.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Feb 6, 4:06 AM CSTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 1.1 hours before the alert went out and 104 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 12:00Z on 2008-02-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 118 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 12:00Z on 2008-02-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 467 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
118 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-5 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
549 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
63 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
467 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
528 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.3
Supercell composite
1.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KBMX 061305
TORBMX
ALC015-027-029-111-121-061345-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0035.080206T1305Z-080206T1345Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN CALHOUN COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  NORTHERN CLAY COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  SOUTHWESTERN CLEBURNE COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF HEFLIN...
  NORTHWESTERN RANDOLPH COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  EAST CENTRAL TALLADEGA COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 745 AM CST

* AT 703 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 6 MILES SOUTH OF
  CHANDLER SPRINGS...OR 11 MILES WEST OF ASHLAND...MOVING NORTHEAST
  AT 50 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  SPRINGHILL AND CHANDLER SPRINGS BY 710 AM CST...
  BARFIELD AND 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MT CHEAHA BY 725 AM CST...
  7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF HEFLIN BY 745 AM CST...

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.

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 EASTERN ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100
PM CST WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

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

LAT...LON 3374 8561 3352 8540 3321 8597 3336 8606
TIME...MOT...LOC 1305Z 234DEG 44KT 3327 8600

$$
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 061313
SVSBMX

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

ALC121-061323-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-080206T1345Z/
TALLADEGA AL-
713 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

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

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR EASTERN ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100
PM CST WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3352 8540 3324 8594 3327 8599 3330 8599
      3330 8597 3332 8597 3335 8599 3374 8561
TIME...MOT...LOC 1313Z 234DEG 44KT 3332 8590

$$

ALC015-027-029-111-061345-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-080206T1345Z/
CLAY AL-RANDOLPH AL-CLEBURNE AL-CALHOUN AL-
713 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 AM CST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN CALHOUN...SOUTHWESTERN CLEBURNE...NORTHWESTERN RANDOLPH
AND NORTHEASTERN CLAY COUNTIES...

AT 712 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR SPRINGHILL...OR
ABOUT NEAR ASHLAND...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  BARFIELD AND 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MT CHEAHA BY 725 AM CST...
  CHALAFINNEE BY 735 AM CST...
  8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF HEFLIN BY 745 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 EASTERN ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100
PM CST WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3352 8540 3324 8594 3327 8599 3330 8599
      3330 8597 3332 8597 3335 8599 3374 8561
TIME...MOT...LOC 1313Z 234DEG 44KT 3332 8590

$$
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 061324
SVSBMX

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

ALC111-061334-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-080206T1345Z/
RANDOLPH AL-
724 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN RANDOLPH COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR EASTERN ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100
PM CST WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3356 8544 3349 8556 3350 8563 3345 8564
      3340 8572 3343 8580 3351 8582 3374 8561
TIME...MOT...LOC 1324Z 234DEG 44KT 3346 8574

$$

ALC015-027-029-061345-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-080206T1345Z/
CLAY AL-CLEBURNE AL-CALHOUN AL-
724 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 AM CST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN CALHOUN...SOUTHWESTERN CLEBURNE AND NORTHEASTERN CLAY
COUNTIES...

AT 721 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MT CHEAHA...OR
ABOUT 11 MILES SOUTH OF OXFORD...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  CHALAFINNEE BY 735 AM CST...
  HEFLIN BY 740 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 EASTERN ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100
PM CST WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3356 8544 3349 8556 3350 8563 3345 8564
      3340 8572 3343 8580 3351 8582 3374 8561
TIME...MOT...LOC 1324Z 234DEG 44KT 3346 8574

$$
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 061335
SVSBMX

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

ALC015-027-061345-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-080206T1345Z/
CLAY AL-CALHOUN AL-
735 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN CALHOUN AND NORTHEASTERN CLAY
COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR EASTERN ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100
PM CST WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3356 8544 3349 8556 3350 8569 3356 8572
      3363 8568 3363 8566 3365 8564 3369 8564
      3374 8561
TIME...MOT...LOC 1335Z 234DEG 44KT 3354 8561

$$

ALC029-061345-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-080206T1345Z/
CLEBURNE AL-
735 AM CST WED FEB 6 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 AM CST FOR CENTRAL
CLEBURNE COUNTY...

AT 731 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR CHALAFINNEE...OR
ABOUT 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HEFLIN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  HEFLIN BY 740 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 EASTERN ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100
PM CST WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3356 8544 3349 8556 3350 8569 3356 8572
      3363 8568 3363 8566 3365 8564 3369 8564
      3374 8561
TIME...MOT...LOC 1335Z 234DEG 44KT 3354 8561

$$

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, 4:13 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, 7:08 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.