Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 53, NWS Birmingham, AL

February 17, 2008Barbour County, Russell County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 17, 2008, 3:37 PM CST for Barbour County, Russell County, Alabama. It was in force for 38 min. 2 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, 3:37 PM CST (21:37 UTC)
Expired
Feb 17, 2008, 4:15 PM CST
In force
38 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Barbour County, AL, Russell County, AL

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
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, 9.6 hours before the alert went out and 139 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 172137
TORBMX
ALC005-113-172215-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0053.080217T2137Z-080217T2215Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHEASTERN BARBOUR COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST ALABAMA...
  SOUTHEASTERN RUSSELL COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 415 PM CST

* AT 332 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 23 MILES
  SOUTHWEST OF UCHEE CREEK...OR 13 MILES NORTHWEST OF GEORGETOWN...
  MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF UCHEE CREEK BY 405 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 3219 8531 3244 8498 3242 8496 3234 8499
      3231 8492 3226 8489 3218 8496 3215 8502
      3210 8503 3207 8505 3202 8504 3198 8508
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 232DEG 37KT 3207 8519

$$
2 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 172155
SVSBMX

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

ALC005-172205-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0053.000000T0000Z-080217T2215Z/
BARBOUR AL-
355 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

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

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

LAT...LON 3208 8514 3220 8521 3244 8498 3242 8496
      3234 8499 3231 8492 3226 8489 3218 8496
      3215 8502 3207 8505
TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 232DEG 37KT 3218 8502

$$

ALC113-172215-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0053.000000T0000Z-080217T2215Z/
RUSSELL AL-
355 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN RUSSELL COUNTY...

AT 351 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 11 MILES SOUTH OF UCHEE
CREEK...OR ABOUT 15 MILES SOUTHWEST OF FORT BENNING SOUTH...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF UCHEE CREEK BY 405 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 3208 8514 3220 8521 3244 8498 3242 8496
      3234 8499 3231 8492 3226 8489 3218 8496
      3215 8502 3207 8505
TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 232DEG 37KT 3218 8502

$$

27
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 172208
SVSBMX

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

ALC113-172215-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0053.000000T0000Z-080217T2215Z/
RUSSELL AL-
408 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CST FOR EAST
CENTRAL RUSSELL COUNTY...

AT 404 PM CST...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
OVER EXTREME EAST CENTRAL RUSSELL COUNTY...OR ABOUT 9 MILES SOUTH OF
FORT BENNING SOUTH...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 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 3214 8506 3233 8499 3234 8498 3233 8497
      3233 8496 3231 8492 3226 8489 3218 8498
TIME...MOT...LOC 2208Z 232DEG 37KT 3226 8490

$$

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, 2:41 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, 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.