Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 48, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 17, 20084 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 17, 2008, 2:31 PM CST for 4 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 59 min. 6 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
Feb 17, 2008, 2:31 PM CST (20:31 UTC)
Expired
Feb 17, 2008, 3:30 PM CST
In force
59 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Emergency
Tornado emergency

Counties Autauga County, AL, Elmore County, AL, Lowndes County, AL, Montgomery County, AL

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Feb 17, 2:48 PM CSTTORNADO5 Nne Lowndesboro, AL*** 2 INJ *** POSSIBLE TORNADO IN NORTHEAST LOWNDES COUNTY...POWERLINES DOWN AND MOBILE HOMES DAMAGED...INJURED BEING TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL.
Feb 17, 2:48 PM CSTTORNADO5 Nne Lowndesboro, ALPOSSIBLE TORNADO IN NORTHEAST LOWNDES COUNTY...POWERLINES DOWN AND MOBILE HOMES DAMAGED.
Feb 17, 3:06 PM CSTTORNADO2 E Prattville, AL*** 29 INJ *** WIDESPREAD SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO BUSINESSES AND HOMES IN THE VICINITY OF THE INTERSECTION OF MCQUEEN SMITH RD AND EAST MAIN STREET IN PRATTVILLE.
Feb 17, 3:10 PM CSTTORNADOPrattville, ALPOWERLINES ON CARS IN THE CITY...APARTMENT COMPLEX DAMAGED ON COUNTY ROAD 4.
Feb 17, 3:15 PM CSTTORNADOMillbrook, ALTORNADO REPORTED ON THE GROUND ALONG COUNTY ROAD 143.
Feb 17, 3:15 PM CSTTORNADOMillbrook, ALTORNADO REPORTED ON THE GROUND ALONG COUNTY ROAD 143. UNSPECIFIED MINOR DAMAGE REPORTED. UPDATED REPORT.

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 17, 12:32 PM CSTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 84 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 2008-02-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 5 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 2008-02-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 277 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KBMX 172032
TORBMX
ALC001-051-085-101-172130-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0048.080217T2031Z-080217T2130Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
231 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  EASTERN AUTAUGA COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  ELMORE COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  NORTHEASTERN LOWNDES COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...            
  NORTHERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...  

* UNTIL 330 PM CST

* AT 227 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 7 MILES
  SOUTHWEST OF WHITE HALL...OR 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LOWNDESBORO...
  MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  PRATTVILLE...AUTAUGA COUNTY AIRPORT AND HUNTER BY 250 PM CST...
  MILLBROOK BY 255 PM CST...
  ELMORE...COOSADA...SPEIGNER AND BOB WOODRUFF LAKE BY 300 PM CST...
  WETUMPKA BY 305 PM CST...
  WALLSBORO BY 310 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 800 PM CST SUNDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

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

LAT...LON 3233 8679 3264 8667 3271 8650 3271 8642
      3275 8641 3274 8598 3246 8598 3242 8601
      3235 8600 3216 8659
TIME...MOT...LOC 2031Z 230DEG 53KT 3225 8672

$$
5 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 172041
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
241 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

ALC001-051-085-101-172130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0048.000000T0000Z-080217T2130Z/
LOWNDES AL-MONTGOMERY AL-AUTAUGA AL-ELMORE AL-
241 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM CST FOR ELMORE...
EASTERN AUTAUGA...NORTHERN MONTGOMERY AND NORTHEASTERN LOWNDES
COUNTIES...

AT 236 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR WHITE HALL...OR
ABOUT NEAR LOWNDESBORO...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  AUTAUGA COUNTY AIRPORT AND CANTELOUS BY 250 PM CST...
  PRATTVILLE AND HUNTER BY 255 PM CST...
  MILLBROOK BY 300 PM CST...
  COOSADA...WETUMPKA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT...ELMORE AND BOB WOODRUFF LAKE
  BY 305 PM CST...
  WETUMPKA BY 310 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 3233 8679 3264 8667 3271 8650 3271 8642
      3275 8641 3274 8598 3246 8598 3242 8601
      3235 8600 3216 8659
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 232DEG 47KT 3232 8661

$$

27
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 172052
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
252 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

ALC001-051-085-101-172130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0048.000000T0000Z-080217T2130Z/
LOWNDES AL-MONTGOMERY AL-AUTAUGA AL-ELMORE AL-
252 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM CST FOR ELMORE...
EASTERN AUTAUGA...NORTHERN MONTGOMERY AND NORTHEASTERN LOWNDES
COUNTIES...

AT 250 PM CST...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR AUTAUGA COUNTY AIRPORT...OR ABOUT 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
PRATTVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
WOODCREST...HUNTER...CATOMA CREEK...MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE...
PINEDALE...MONTGOMERY...MILLBROOK...BARACHIAS...BOYLSTON...COOSADA...
WETUMPKA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT...DEATSVILLE...MADISON...BOB WOODRUFF
LAKE...MITYLENE...ELMORE...SPEIGNER...TALLAPOOSA RIVER WATER PLANT...
MOUNT MEIGS...BLUE RIDGE...WAUGH...WETUMPKA...JORDAN DAM...WEOKA
MILLS...BRASSELL...WALLSBORO...TITUS...TEN CEDAR ESTATES...WARE...
DEXTER...CLAUD...CENTRAL AND ECLECTIC

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CST SUNDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3238 8673 3256 8661 3272 8641 3275 8641
      3274 8598 3246 8598 3242 8601 3235 8600
      3218 8652
TIME...MOT...LOC 2052Z 232DEG 47KT 3241 8648

$$

27
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 172103
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
303 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

ALC085-172113-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0048.000000T0000Z-080217T2130Z/
LOWNDES AL-
303 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN LOWNDES COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CST SUNDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3235 8649 3238 8657 3238 8659 3264 8648
      3272 8641 3275 8641 3274 8598 3246 8598
      3242 8602 3226 8645
TIME...MOT...LOC 2103Z 231DEG 39KT 3245 8641

$$

ALC001-051-101-172130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0048.000000T0000Z-080217T2130Z/
MONTGOMERY AL-AUTAUGA AL-ELMORE AL-
303 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM CST FOR ELMORE...
EASTERN AUTAUGA AND NORTHERN MONTGOMERY COUNTIES...

AT 259 PM CST...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED WITH DAMAGE AND INJURIES.  
THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS STORM.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR 
PRATTVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
MONTGOMERY...MILLBROOK...BOYLSTON...COOSADA...WETUMPKA MUNICIPAL
AIRPORT...MADISON...BOB WOODRUFF LAKE...DEATSVILLE...MITYLENE...
ELMORE...SPEIGNER...TALLAPOOSA RIVER WATER PLANT...BLUE RIDGE...
WETUMPKA...JORDAN DAM...WEOKA MILLS...WALLSBORO...TITUS...WARE...TEN
CEDAR ESTATES...DEXTER...CLAUD...CENTRAL AND ECLECTIC

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 3235 8649 3238 8657 3238 8659 3264 8648
      3272 8641 3275 8641 3274 8598 3246 8598
      3242 8602 3226 8645
TIME...MOT...LOC 2103Z 231DEG 39KT 3245 8641

$$

27
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 172109
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
308 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

ALC001-051-101-172130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0048.000000T0000Z-080217T2130Z/
MONTGOMERY AL-AUTAUGA AL-ELMORE AL-
308 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM CST FOR ELMORE...
EASTERN AUTAUGA AND NORTHWESTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTIES...

...TORNADO EMERGENCY...TORNADO EMERGENCY...

AT 304 PM CST...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 
JUST SOUTHWEST OF MILLBROOK...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  ELMORE...BOB WOODRUFF LAKE AND SPEIGNER BY 315 PM CST...
  WETUMPKA BY 320 PM CST...
  WALLSBORO AND TEN CEDAR ESTATES BY 325 PM CST...
  DEXTER BY 330 PM CST...

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. THIS 
STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A VIOLENT TORNADOES. IF YOU ARE IN THE 
PATH OF THIS TORNADO...TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY...UNDERGROUND IF 
POSSIBLE

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 3238 8648 3243 8655 3264 8648 3272 8641
      3275 8641 3274 8598 3246 8598 3242 8602
      3232 8639
TIME...MOT...LOC 2108Z 231DEG 39KT 3248 8636

$$
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 172124
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
324 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

ALC001-101-172134-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0048.000000T0000Z-080217T2130Z/
MONTGOMERY AL-AUTAUGA AL-
324 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN AUTAUGA AND NORTHWESTERN
MONTGOMERY COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CST SUNDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3249 8640 3261 8641 3275 8629 3274 8598
      3255 8598 3247 8619 3247 8621 3251 8625
      3246 8632
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 229DEG 39KT 3259 8623

$$

ALC051-172130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0048.000000T0000Z-080217T2130Z/
ELMORE AL-
324 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM CST FOR ELMORE
COUNTY...

AT 323 PM CST...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS CONTINUES TO BE A VERY 
DANGEROUS STORM.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR WALLSBORO...OR ABOUT 
NEAR WETUMPKA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  DEXTER...CENTRAL...7 MILES NORTHWEST OF CLAUD AND 8 MILES WEST OF
  ECLECTIC BY 330 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 3249 8640 3261 8641 3275 8629 3274 8598
      3255 8598 3247 8619 3247 8621 3251 8625
      3246 8632
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 229DEG 39KT 3259 8623

$$

27

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 17, 4:08 AM CSTLake Wind AdvisoryBMXAutauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more14 hr
Feb 17, 10:59 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Tuscaloosa31 min
Feb 17, 11:13 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXDallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry32 min
Feb 17, 11:24 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore and 8 more66 min
Feb 17, 11:40 AM CSTTornado WarningBMXDallas, Marengo, Perry35 min
Feb 17, 12:08 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXAutauga, Chilton, Dallas, Perry52 min
Feb 17, 12:11 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXDallas, Marengo49 min
Feb 17, 12:28 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Elmore and 5 more62 min
Feb 17, 12:48 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXAutauga, Dallas42 min
Feb 17, 12:53 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXAutauga, Chilton34 min
Feb 17, 1:09 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXAutauga, Chilton, Coosa, Elmore51 min
Feb 17, 1:27 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Randolph, Talladega63 min
Feb 17, 1:31 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXAutauga, Chilton, Elmore44 min
Feb 17, 1:40 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXChambers, Clay, Coosa, Randolph, Tallapoosa35 min
Feb 17, 1:45 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXDallas, Lowndes60 min
Feb 17, 1:50 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXBarbour, Bullock, Pike55 min
Feb 17, 2:08 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXChambers, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Randolph, Tallapoosa49 min
Feb 17, 2:31 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCoosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa44 min
Feb 17, 2:41 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXBarbour, Bullock, Pike, Russell64 min
Feb 17, 2:49 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXChambers, Coosa, Elmore, Randolph, Tallapoosa56 min
Feb 17, 3:26 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXCoosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa34 min
Feb 17, 3:31 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXPike44 min
Feb 17, 3:37 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXBarbour, Russell38 min
Feb 17, 4:05 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXBarbour, Pike40 min
Feb 17, 4:10 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBarbour, Bullock, Pike, Russell50 min
Feb 17, 4:20 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXChambers, Clay, Randolph, Tallapoosa43 min
Feb 17, 4:40 PM CSTTornado WarningBMXBarbour, Russell25 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.