Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 5, NWS Birmingham, AL

January 10, 2008Pickens County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Jan 10, 2008, 2:48 PM CST for Pickens County, Alabama. It was in force for 42 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: Jan 10, 2008, 2:48 PM CST (20:48 UTC)
Expired: Jan 10, 2008, 3:30 PM CST
In force: 42 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

County Pickens County, AL

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 75 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:48 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
Jan 10, 3:37 PM CST	TSTM WND DMG	Carrollton, AL	TREE DOWN ALONG HWY 86 WEST.

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
Jan 10, 11:33 AM CST	Tornado Watch PDS	SPC	9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 8.8 hours before the alert went out and 131 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: 261 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -34 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 621 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 41 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 162 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 132 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KBMX 102049
TORBMX
ALC107-102130-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0005.080110T2048Z-080110T2130Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
248 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  CENTRAL PICKENS COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...REFORM...PICKENSVILLE...CARROLLTON...

* UNTIL 330 PM CST

* AT 244 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 17 MILES WEST OF
  MEMPHIS...OR 22 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PICKENSVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST
  AT 45 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  MCMULLEN...DILLBURG...MCSHAN...OWENS AND GORDO

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 700 PM CST THURSDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN ALABAMA.

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

LAT...LON 3315 8833 3322 8833 3323 8832 3330 8832
      3350 8794 3329 8783 3327 8784 3306 8833
      3314 8834
TIME...MOT...LOC 2048Z 240DEG 43KT 3308 8853

$$
SIRMON

5 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 102058
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
255 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

ALC107-102130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-080110T2130Z/
PICKENS AL-
255 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

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

AT 253 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 11 MILES WEST OF
MEMPHIS...OR ABOUT 15 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PICKENSVILLE...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  MEMPHIS BY 305 PM CST...
  PICKENSVILLE BY 310 PM CST...
  8 MILES NORTHWEST OF MCMULLEN BY 315 PM CST...
  8 MILES NORTHWEST OF DILLBURG BY 320 PM CST...
  OWENS...MCSHAN AND CARROLLTON BY 325 PM CST...
  REFORM...NORTH PICKENS AIRPORT AND 9 MILES WEST OF GORDO 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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CST THURSDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3315 8833 3322 8833 3323 8832 3330 8832
      3350 8794 3329 8783 3327 8784 3306 8833
      3314 8834
TIME...MOT...LOC 2055Z 236DEG 42KT 3313 8846

$$
STEFKOVICH

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 102105
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
305 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

ALC107-102130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-080110T2130Z/
PICKENS AL-
305 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

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

AT 302 PM CST...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR MEMPHIS...OR ABOUT 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PICKENSVILLE...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  PICKENSVILLE BY 310 PM CST...
  CARROLLTON AND DILLBURG BY 315 PM CST...
  OWENS AND 8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MCSHAN BY 320 PM CST...
  REFORM AND NORTH PICKENS AIRPORT BY 325 PM CST...
  GORDO 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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CST THURSDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3315 8833 3322 8833 3323 8832 3330 8832
      3350 8794 3330 8783 3327 8784 3311 8830
      3314 8834
TIME...MOT...LOC 2105Z 244DEG 52KT 3319 8829

$$
STEFKOVICH

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 102113
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
313 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

ALC107-102130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-080110T2130Z/
PICKENS AL-
313 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

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

AT 307 PM CST...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS STRONG ROTATION WAS 
LOCATED NEAR MEMPHIS...OR ABOUT NEAR PICKENSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 
45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  DILLBURG AND CARROLLTON BY 320 PM CST...
  OWENS BY 325 PM CST...
  GORDO...8 MILES SOUTH OF REFORM AND 8 MILES SOUTH OF NORTH PICKENS
  AIRPORT 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 3315 8833 3322 8833 3323 8832 3330 8832
      3350 8794 3330 8783 3327 8784 3311 8829
      3314 8834
TIME...MOT...LOC 2113Z 248DEG 43KT 3319 8820

$$

STEFKOVICH

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 102121
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
320 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

ALC107-102130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-080110T2130Z/
PICKENS AL-
320 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

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

AT 316 PM CST...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION WAS 
LOCATED NEAR DILLBURG...OR ABOUT 6 MILES NORTH OF 
ALICEVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  OWENS BY 325 PM CST...
  6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF GORDO...8 MILES SOUTH OF REFORM AND 8 MILES
  SOUTH OF NORTH PICKENS AIRPORT 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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CST THURSDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3328 8821 3350 8794 3330 8783 3327 8784
      3314 8824 3318 8825
TIME...MOT...LOC 2120Z 247DEG 42KT 3322 8812

$$
STEFKOVICH

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 102128
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
328 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

ALC107-102130-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-080110T2130Z/
PICKENS AL-
328 PM CST THU JAN 10 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM CST FOR EAST
CENTRAL PICKENS COUNTY...

AT 325 PM CST...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR CARROLLTON...MOVING NORTHEAST 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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CST THURSDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3328 8809 3350 8794 3331 8783 3327 8784
      3321 8805 3324 8811
TIME...MOT...LOC 2128Z 245DEG 41KT 3327 8802

$$
STEFKOVICH

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jan 10, 4:21 AM CST	Lake Wind Advisory	BMX	Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more	16 hr
Jan 10, 12:26 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Sumter	34 min
Jan 10, 12:51 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Marengo	24 min
Jan 10, 1:00 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Tuscaloosa	30 min
Jan 10, 1:16 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Dallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry	29 min
Jan 10, 1:53 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lamar, Marion, Winston	29 min
Jan 10, 2:03 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lamar	42 min
Jan 10, 2:14 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Lamar	46 min
Jan 10, 2:40 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Marion	24 min
Jan 10, 3:31 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Pickens, Tuscaloosa	44 min
Jan 10, 3:31 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Marengo, Sumter	29 min
Jan 10, 3:57 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Greene, Hale, Marengo, Sumter	33 min
Jan 10, 4:11 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker	34 min
Jan 10, 4:43 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount, Jefferson, Walker	34 min
Jan 10, 5:49 PM CST	Tornado Warning	BMX	Shelby	41 min
Jan 10, 5:56 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Cherokee	19 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.