Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 49, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 17, 20084 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 17, 2008, 2:41 PM CST for 4 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 64 min. 3 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, 2:41 PM CST (20:41 UTC)
Expired
Feb 17, 2008, 3:45 PM CST
In force
64 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Barbour County, AL, Bullock County, AL, Pike County, AL, Russell County, AL

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Feb 17, 3:40 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGSeale, ALTREES DOWN ON HWY 431 NEAR SEALE.
Feb 17, 3:48 PM CSTTORNADO 2Cottonton, AL*** 4 INJ *** TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF US HWY 431 AND CR 51. 2 MOBILE HOMES COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND 2 OTHER HOMES SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED. NUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED AND UPROOTED ALONG THE PATH...WHICH EXTENDED ALL THE WAY TO THE CHATTAHOOCHEE
Feb 17, 3:48 PM CSTTORNADOCottonton, ALCONFIRMED TORNADO TOUCHDOWN IN COTTONTON.

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

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 8.7 hours before the alert went out and 174 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, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2008-02-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2008-02-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 320 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1892 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
54 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
320 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
438 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 172042
TORBMX
ALC005-011-109-113-172145-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0049.080217T2041Z-080217T2145Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  BARBOUR COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST ALABAMA...
  SOUTHEASTERN BULLOCK COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST ALABAMA...
  EAST CENTRAL PIKE COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST ALABAMA...
  SOUTHERN RUSSELL COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 345 PM CST

* AT 237 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING
  A LARGE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO NEAR BANKS...OR 8 MILES
  SOUTHEAST OF TROY...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  JOSIE AND TANYARD BY 250 PM CST...
  BOOT HILL BY 255 PM CST...
  6 MILES NORTHWEST OF CLAYTON BY 305 PM CST...
  COMER BY 315 PM CST...
  SPRING HILL BY 320 PM CST...
  HAWKINSVILLE BY 325 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 3184 8588 3192 8584 3237 8514 3217 8501
      3214 8504 3210 8503 3207 8505 3199 8505
      3171 8542 3167 8571
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 234DEG 46KT 3178 8580

$$
4 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 172054
SVSBMX

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

ALC005-011-109-113-172145-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-080217T2145Z/
PIKE AL-BARBOUR AL-BULLOCK AL-RUSSELL AL-
254 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CST FOR SOUTHERN
RUSSELL...SOUTHEASTERN BULLOCK...BARBOUR AND EAST CENTRAL PIKE
COUNTIES...

AT 250 PM CST...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR JOSIE...OR ABOUT 17 MILES EAST OF TROY...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50
MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  PICKETT AND CLAYTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT BY 300 PM CST...
  MT ANDREW AND CLAYTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT BY 305 PM CST...
  COMER BY 315 PM CST...
  SPRING HILL AND BATESVILLE BY 320 PM CST...
  HAWKINSVILLE BY 325 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 3167 8571 3184 8588 3192 8584 3237 8514
      3217 8501 3214 8504 3210 8503 3207 8505
      3199 8505 3177 8541
TIME...MOT...LOC 2054Z 234DEG 46KT 3188 8564

$$

27
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 172105
SVSBMX

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

ALC005-011-109-113-172145-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-080217T2145Z/
PIKE AL-BARBOUR AL-BULLOCK AL-RUSSELL AL-
305 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CST FOR SOUTHERN
RUSSELL...SOUTHEASTERN BULLOCK...BARBOUR AND EAST CENTRAL PIKE
COUNTIES...

AT 304 PM CST...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR MT ANDREW...OR ABOUT 23 MILES WEST OF EUFAULA...MOVING NORTHEAST
AT 55 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
GAINO...MIDWAY...WHITE OAK...COMER...BATESVILLE...SPRING HILL...
LUGO...HAWKINSVILLE...RUTHERFORD...LAKEPOINT RESORT...TWIN SPRINGS
AND HATCHECHUBBE

LAT...LON 3185 8585 3192 8584 3237 8514 3217 8501
      3214 8504 3210 8503 3207 8505 3199 8505
      3178 8539 3168 8567 3168 8569
TIME...MOT...LOC 2105Z 231DEG 50KT 3194 8551

$$

27
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 172115
SVSBMX

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

ALC005-011-113-172145-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-080217T2145Z/
BARBOUR AL-BULLOCK AL-RUSSELL AL-
315 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CST FOR SOUTHERN
RUSSELL...SOUTHEASTERN BULLOCK AND NORTHERN BARBOUR COUNTIES...

AT 313 PM CST...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR COMER...OR ABOUT 20 MILES NORTHWEST OF EUFAULA...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
BATESVILLE...SPRING HILL...LUGO...HAWKINSVILLE...RUTHERFORD...
LAKEPOINT RESORT...TWIN SPRINGS AND HATCHECHUBBE

THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER HAS ENDED. THE STORMS THAT PROMPTED THE
WARNING HAVE MOVED OUT OF PIKE COUNTY.

LAT...LON 3182 8566 3196 8567 3237 8514 3217 8501
      3214 8504 3210 8503 3207 8505 3199 8505
      3187 8535 3181 8552
TIME...MOT...LOC 2115Z 232DEG 47KT 3201 8540

$$

27
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 172126
SVSBMX

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

ALC011-172136-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-080217T2145Z/
BULLOCK AL-
326 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN BULLOCK COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

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

LAT...LON 3191 8547 3202 8546 3203 8543 3215 8542
      3237 8514 3217 8501 3214 8504 3210 8503
      3207 8505 3199 8505 3187 8535
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 232DEG 47KT 3210 8527

$$

ALC005-113-172145-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0049.000000T0000Z-080217T2145Z/
BARBOUR AL-RUSSELL AL-
326 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CST FOR SOUTHERN
RUSSELL AND NORTHEASTERN BARBOUR COUNTIES...

AT 323 PM CST...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR SPRING HILL...OR ABOUT 17 MILES NORTHWEST OF GEORGETOWN...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
RUTHERFORD...LAKEPOINT RESORT AND TWIN SPRINGS

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 800 PM CST SUNDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3191 8547 3202 8546 3203 8543 3215 8542
      3237 8514 3217 8501 3214 8504 3210 8503
      3207 8505 3199 8505 3187 8535
TIME...MOT...LOC 2126Z 232DEG 47KT 3210 8527

$$

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, 2:31 PM CSTTornado Warning EmergencyBMXAutauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery59 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.