Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008
Tornado Warning 39, NWS Birmingham, AL
NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 17, 2008, 12:11 PM CST for Dallas County, Marengo County, Alabama. It was in force for 49 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 17, 2008, 12:11 PM CST (18:11 UTC)
- Expired
- Feb 17, 2008, 1:00 PM CST
- In force
- 49 min
- Issued by
- NWS Birmingham, AL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
Counties Dallas County, AL, Marengo County, AL
The radar
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 128 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:12 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 17, 12:40 PM CST | HAIL 1.25 | 2 S Safford, AL | HALF DOLLAR SIZE HAIL FELL IN FAR SOUTHWESTERN DALLAS COUNTY SOUTH OF SAFFORD. |
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 17, 5:26 AM CST | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 6.2 hours before the alert went out and 128 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 5 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -13 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 560 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 56 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 277 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 350 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
000
WFUS54 KBMX 171811
TORBMX
ALC047-091-171900-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0039.080217T1811Z-080217T1900Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1211 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
WEST CENTRAL DALLAS COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...
SOUTHEASTERN MARENGO COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...
* UNTIL 100 PM CST
* AT 1211 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR SURGINER...
OR 21 MILES NORTH OF GROVE HILL...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.
* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
SAFFORD AND CRUMPTONIA BY 1235 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 100 PM CST SUNDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA.
TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...
CALL 1-800-856-0758.
LAT...LON 3206 8772 3226 8749 3230 8748 3231 8742
3235 8742 3243 8734 3223 8723 3218 8731
3227 8744 3226 8748 3214 8752 3212 8761
3201 8761 3200 8766
TIME...MOT...LOC 1811Z 232DEG 49KT 3205 8766
$$3 follow-up statements
000
WWUS54 KBMX 171821
SVSBMX
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1221 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008
ALC047-091-171900-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-080217T1900Z/
MARENGO AL-DALLAS AL-
1221 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CST FOR WEST
CENTRAL DALLAS AND SOUTHEASTERN MARENGO COUNTIES...
AT 1217 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 6 MILES NORTHEAST OF
VINELAND...OR ABOUT 19 MILES NORTHWEST OF CAMDEN...MOVING NORTHEAST
AT 55 MPH.
THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
CENTRAL MILLS BY 1230 PM CST...
SAFFORD AND CRUMPTONIA BY 1235 PM CST...
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CST SUNDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA.
LAT...LON 3207 8771 3224 8751 3230 8748 3231 8742
3235 8742 3241 8733 3223 8723 3218 8731
3228 8744 3227 8748 3224 8751 3214 8752
3212 8761 3203 8763 3201 8766
TIME...MOT...LOC 1821Z 232DEG 49KT 3213 8753
$$
JBW000
WWUS54 KBMX 171829
SVSBMX
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1229 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008
ALC047-091-171900-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-080217T1900Z/
MARENGO AL-DALLAS AL-
1229 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CST FOR WEST
CENTRAL DALLAS AND SOUTHEASTERN MARENGO COUNTIES...
AT 1226 PM CST...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 8
MILES SOUTH OF CENTRAL MILLS...OR ABOUT 16 MILES NORTHWEST OF
CAMDEN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.
THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
SAFFORD AND CRUMPTONIA BY 1235 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.
LAT...LON 3207 8771 3224 8751 3230 8748 3231 8742
3235 8742 3241 8733 3223 8723 3218 8731
3228 8744 3227 8748 3224 8751 3214 8752
3212 8761 3203 8763 3201 8766
TIME...MOT...LOC 1829Z 232DEG 49KT 3220 8743
$$
JBW000
WWUS54 KBMX 171843
SVSBMX
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1243 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008
ALC091-171853-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-080217T1900Z/
MARENGO AL-
1243 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN MARENGO COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
LAT...LON 3226 8741 3226 8744 3228 8746 3227 8747
3229 8747 3230 8741 3234 8740 3239 8732
3223 8722 3218 8731
TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 266DEG 41KT 3221 8726
$$
ALC047-171900-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-080217T1900Z/
DALLAS AL-
1243 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CST FOR WEST
CENTRAL DALLAS COUNTY...
AT 1240 PM CST...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR CRUMPTONIA...OR ABOUT 15 MILES NORTH OF CAMDEN...MOVING EAST AT
45 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.
LAT...LON 3226 8741 3226 8744 3228 8746 3227 8747
3229 8747 3230 8741 3234 8740 3239 8732
3223 8722 3218 8731
TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 266DEG 41KT 3221 8726
$$
JBW
-The office that day
Everything else NWS Birmingham, AL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 17, 4:08 AM CST | Lake Wind Advisory | BMX | Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more | 14 hr |
| Feb 17, 10:59 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Bibb, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Tuscaloosa | 31 min |
| Feb 17, 11:13 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Dallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry | 32 min |
| Feb 17, 11:24 AM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Autauga, Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore and 8 more | 66 min |
| Feb 17, 11:40 AM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Dallas, Marengo, Perry | 35 min |
| Feb 17, 12:08 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Autauga, Chilton, Dallas, Perry | 52 min |
| Feb 17, 12:28 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Autauga, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Elmore and 5 more | 62 min |
| Feb 17, 12:48 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Autauga, Dallas | 42 min |
| Feb 17, 12:53 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Autauga, Chilton | 34 min |
| Feb 17, 1:09 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Autauga, Chilton, Coosa, Elmore | 51 min |
| Feb 17, 1:27 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Randolph, Talladega | 63 min |
| Feb 17, 1:31 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Autauga, Chilton, Elmore | 44 min |
| Feb 17, 1:40 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Chambers, Clay, Coosa, Randolph, Tallapoosa | 35 min |
| Feb 17, 1:45 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Dallas, Lowndes | 60 min |
| Feb 17, 1:50 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Barbour, Bullock, Pike | 55 min |
| Feb 17, 2:08 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Chambers, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Randolph, Tallapoosa | 49 min |
| Feb 17, 2:31 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Coosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa | 44 min |
| Feb 17, 2:31 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery | 59 min |
| Feb 17, 2:41 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Barbour, Bullock, Pike, Russell | 64 min |
| Feb 17, 2:49 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Chambers, Coosa, Elmore, Randolph, Tallapoosa | 56 min |
| Feb 17, 3:26 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Coosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa | 34 min |
| Feb 17, 3:31 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Pike | 44 min |
| Feb 17, 3:37 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Barbour, Russell | 38 min |
| Feb 17, 4:05 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Barbour, Pike | 40 min |
| Feb 17, 4:10 PM CST | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX | Barbour, Bullock, Pike, Russell | 50 min |
| Feb 17, 4:20 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Chambers, Clay, Randolph, Tallapoosa | 43 min |
| Feb 17, 4:40 PM CST | Tornado Warning | BMX | Barbour, Russell | 25 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.