Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 64, NWS Birmingham, AL

March 15, 20084 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Mar 15, 2008, 10:31 AM CDT for 4 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 39 min. 4 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: Mar 15, 2008, 10:31 AM CDT (15:31 UTC)
Expired: Mar 15, 2008, 11:10 AM CDT
In force: 39 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Calhoun County, AL, Cherokee County, AL, Cleburne County, AL, Etowah County, AL

The radar

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 114 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:33 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
Mar 15, 10:59 AM CDT	TORNADO 2	4 N Piedmont, AL	1 BARN DAMAGED AND 1 DESTROYED. 3 HOMES DAMAGED. HUNDREDS OF TREES SNAPPED OFF OR BLOWN DOWN. PATH LENGTH APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES WITH 50 YARDS WIDEST POINT ALONG PATH.
Mar 15, 11:00 AM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 Ne Pleasant Gap, AL	ROOF DAMAGE REPORTED IN THE SPRING GARDEN AREA...SOUTHWEST OF PLEASANT GAP. POSSIBLE TORNADO.
Mar 15, 11:00 AM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	5 Ne Piedmont, AL	POSSIBLE TORNADO...DAMAGE TO A BARN AT 2295 COUNTY ROAD 10. MULTIPLE LARGE TREES DOWN OVER ROAD.
Mar 15, 11:00 AM CDT	TORNADO 2	5 Nne Piedmont, AL	BRIEF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN ON COUNTY ROAD 10...2 MILES NW OF SPRING GARDEN. METAL ROOF PANELING TORN OFF BARN AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO ROOF ON BRICK HOME. SEVERAL TREES SNAPPED.

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
Mar 15, 7:02 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	4 hr
Mar 15, 10:02 AM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 3.5 hours before the alert went out and 120 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: 33 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -342 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1103 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 68 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 196 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 459 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 151531
TORBMX
ALC015-019-029-055-151615-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0064.080315T1531Z-080315T1615Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1031 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN CALHOUN COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF PIEDMONT...
  NORTH CENTRAL CLEBURNE COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  SOUTHERN CHEROKEE COUNTY IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA...
  SOUTHEASTERN ETOWAH COUNTY IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF HOKES BLUFF...

* UNTIL 1115 AM CDT

* AT 1028 AM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR GLENCOE...OR NEAR
  HOKES BLUFF...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  ELLISVILLE...6 MILES SOUTH OF TENNALA AND 7 MILES NORTH OF PIEDMONT
  BY 1050 AM CDT...
  SPRING GARDEN BY 1055 AM CDT...

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM.. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH...PREPARE
IMMEDIATELY FOR DAMAGING WINDS...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL AND DEADLY CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING.

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 600 PM CDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN ALABAMA.

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

LAT...LON 3411 8540 3400 8540 3393 8537 3390 8538
      3387 8597 3406 8595 3413 8542
TIME...MOT...LOC 1531Z 257DEG 39KT 3398 8587

$$

17/KLAWS

5 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 151540
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1040 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2008

ALC015-019-029-055-151615-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0064.000000T0000Z-080315T1615Z/
CLEBURNE AL-CALHOUN AL-ETOWAH AL-CHEROKEE AL-
1040 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 AM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
CHEROKEE...EAST CENTRAL ETOWAH...EXTREME NORTHEASTERN CALHOUN AND
EXTREME NORTH CENTRAL CLEBURNE COUNTIES...

AT 1037 AM CDT...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR REAVES...OR ABOUT NEAR HOKES BLUFF...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  ELLISVILLE AND 7 MILES NORTH OF PIEDMONT BY 1050 AM CDT...
  SPRING GARDEN BY 1055 AM CDT...
  8 MILES NORTH OF BORDEN SPRINGS BY 1100 AM CDT...

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 600 PM CDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3411 8540 3400 8540 3395 8538 3394 8538
      3393 8537 3390 8538 3394 8581 3403 8582
      3413 8542
TIME...MOT...LOC 1540Z 257DEG 39KT 3400 8575

$$

17/KLAWS

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 151549
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1048 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2008

ALC015-029-055-151558-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0064.000000T0000Z-080315T1615Z/
CLEBURNE AL-CALHOUN AL-ETOWAH AL-
1048 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL ETOWAH...EXTREME NORTHEASTERN
CALHOUN AND EXTREME NORTH CENTRAL CLEBURNE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3410 8540 3400 8540 3395 8539 3396 8562
      3397 8563 3397 8569 3406 8571 3413 8542
TIME...MOT...LOC 1548Z 257DEG 39KT 3402 8565

$$

ALC019-151615-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0064.000000T0000Z-080315T1615Z/
CHEROKEE AL-
1048 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY...

AT 1046 AM CDT...DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED.  THIS POSSIBLE TORNADO 
WAS LOCATED NEAR ELLISVILLE...OR ABOUT 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF 
PIEDMONT...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  SPRING GARDEN BY 1055 AM CDT...

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 600 PM CDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3410 8540 3400 8540 3395 8539 3396 8562
      3397 8563 3397 8569 3406 8571 3413 8542
TIME...MOT...LOC 1548Z 257DEG 39KT 3402 8565

$$

17/KLAWS

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 151559
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1059 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2008

ALC015-019-029-055-151615-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0064.000000T0000Z-080315T1615Z/
CLEBURNE AL-CALHOUN AL-ETOWAH AL-CHEROKEE AL-
1059 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 AM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
CHEROKEE...EAST CENTRAL ETOWAH...EXTREME NORTHEASTERN CALHOUN AND
EXTREME NORTH CENTRAL CLEBURNE COUNTIES...

AT 1054 AM CDT...ROTATION WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 
NEAR ELLISVILLE...OR ABOUT 8 MILES NORTH OF PIEDMONT...MOVING EAST 
AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  RURAL SOUTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY AT 1110 AM CDT

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 600 PM CDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3411 8540 3400 8540 3395 8538 3394 8538
      3393 8537 3390 8538 3394 8581 3403 8582
      3413 8542
TIME...MOT...LOC 1559Z 257DEG 39KT 3405 8551

$$

17/KLAWS

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 151605
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1103 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2008

ALC015-029-055-151613-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0064.000000T0000Z-080315T1615Z/
CLEBURNE AL-CALHOUN AL-ETOWAH AL-
1103 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL ETOWAH...EXTREME NORTHEASTERN
CALHOUN AND EXTREME NORTH CENTRAL CLEBURNE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3411 8540 3409 8541 3408 8540 3400 8540
      3398 8552 3410 8554 3413 8542
TIME...MOT...LOC 1603Z 257DEG 39KT 3406 8546

$$

ALC019-151615-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0064.000000T0000Z-080315T1615Z/
CHEROKEE AL-
1103 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY...

AT 1059 AM CDT...DAMAGE WAS REPORTED IN SPRING GARDEN.  THIS TORNADO 
WAS LOCATED OVER SOUTHEASTERN CHEROKEE COUNTY...OR ABOUT 10 MILES 
NORTHEAST OF PIEDMONT...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

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 600 PM CDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3411 8540 3409 8541 3408 8540 3400 8540
      3398 8552 3410 8554 3413 8542
TIME...MOT...LOC 1603Z 257DEG 39KT 3406 8546

$$

17/KLAWS

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 151610
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1110 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2008

ALC019-151620-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0064.000000T0000Z-080315T1615Z/
CHEROKEE AL-
1110 AM CDT SAT MAR 15 2008

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

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 600 PM CDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3411 8540 3409 8541 3408 8540 3400 8540
      3398 8552 3410 8554 3413 8542
TIME...MOT...LOC 1610Z 257DEG 39KT 3407 8537

$$

17/KLAWS

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Mar 14, 7:06 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Cherokee, Etowah	39 min
Mar 15, 12:33 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Pickens, Tuscaloosa	26 min
Mar 15, 12:50 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marion	55 min
Mar 15, 12:53 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker	52 min
Mar 15, 1:06 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lamar, Pickens	54 min
Mar 15, 1:14 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lamar, Marion	31 min
Mar 15, 1:40 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marion, Winston	50 min
Mar 15, 1:51 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Greene, Pickens, Tuscaloosa	39 min
Mar 15, 2:14 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker	46 min
Mar 15, 2:29 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Chilton, Hale, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby and 1 more	46 min
Mar 15, 2:34 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount	41 min
Mar 15, 2:40 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Hale, Tuscaloosa	20 min
Mar 15, 2:52 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount, Jefferson, St. Clair	38 min
Mar 15, 3:01 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount, Etowah, St. Clair	29 min
Mar 15, 3:10 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Calhoun, Chilton, Clay, Coosa, Jefferson and 3 more	50 min
Mar 15, 3:25 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Shelby	20 min
Mar 15, 3:57 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Shelby, Talladega	33 min
Mar 15, 4:00 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Chambers, Clay, Randolph, Tallapoosa	45 min
Mar 15, 6:45 AM CDT	Lake Wind Advisory	BMX	Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more	12 hr
Mar 15, 7:04 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marion	41 min
Mar 15, 7:30 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lamar, Marion	14 min
Mar 15, 9:16 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount, Jefferson	59 min
Mar 15, 9:46 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount, Etowah, St. Clair	34 min
Mar 15, 10:13 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah	47 min
Mar 15, 1:30 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Cleburne	45 min
Mar 15, 1:52 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Cleburne	13 min
Mar 15, 3:32 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Clay, Cleburne, Randolph	28 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.