Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 72, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 4, 20084 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 4, 2008, 2:01 PM CDT for 4 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 44 min. 7 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
Apr 4, 2008, 2:01 PM CDT (19:01 UTC)
Expired
Apr 4, 2008, 2:45 PM CDT
In force
44 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Bibb County, AL, Jefferson County, AL, Shelby County, AL, St. Clair County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 20 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:03 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 4, 2:03 PM CDTHAIL 1.754 Nne Pelham, ALGOLFBALL SIZE HAIL WAS OBSERVED NEAR INDIAN SPRINGS.
Apr 4, 2:13 PM CDTHAIL 1Inverness, ALQUARTER SIZE HAIL REPORTED AT VALLEYDALE AND CALDWELL MILL ROADS.
Apr 4, 2:13 PM CDTHAIL 1Inverness, ALQUARTER SIZE HAIL WAS REPORTED AT VALLEYDALE AND CALDWELL MILL ROADS.
Apr 4, 2:14 PM CDTHAIL 1Oak Mountain State Park, ALNICKEL TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL ON JOHN FINLEY BLVD.
Apr 4, 2:14 PM CDTHAIL 1Oak Mountain State Park, ALNICKEL TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL WAS OBSERVED ON JOHN FINLEY BLVD.
Apr 4, 2:16 PM CDTHAIL 0.5Inverness, ALDIME TO MARBLE SIZE HAIL AT JUNCTION VALLEYDALE ROAD AND U S HWY 280.
Apr 4, 2:16 PM CDTHAIL 0.75Inverness, ALDIME TO PENNY SIZE HAIL FELL AT THE JUNCTION OF VALLEYDALE ROAD AND US HWY 280.

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
Apr 4, 9:48 AM CDTTornado WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 7.0 hours before the alert went out and 18 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 2008-04-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 464 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2008-04-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 278 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
464 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-105 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
608 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
278 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
379 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.4
Supercell composite
5.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KBMX 041901
TORBMX
ALC007-073-115-117-041945-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0072.080404T1901Z-080404T1945Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
201 PM CDT FRI APR 4 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTH CENTRAL BIBB COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  SOUTHEASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...VESTAVIA HILLS...LEEDS...HOOVER...
  NORTHERN SHELBY COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...PELHAM...MEADOWBROOK...HELENA...
  ALABASTER...
  SOUTHWESTERN ST. CLAIR COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF MOODY...

* UNTIL 245 PM CDT

* AT 158 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR HELENA...MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  INDIAN SPRINGS AND VESTAVIA HILLS BY 210 PM CDT...
  MEADOWBROOK BY 215 PM CDT...
  CAHABA HEIGHTS AND HIGHLAND LAKES BY 220 PM CDT...
  LEEDS...LITTLE CAHABA RIVER BELOW LEEDS AND 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF
  STERRETT BY 235 PM CDT...
  MOODY BY 240 PM 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 FRIDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHERN ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM
CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR NORTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

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

LAT...LON 3326 8706 3327 8705 3363 8653 3347 8637
      3313 8701 3323 8709
TIME...MOT...LOC 1901Z 231DEG 33KT 3333 8684

$$

17/KLAWS
1 follow-up statement
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 041917
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
217 PM CDT FRI APR 4 2008

ALC007-041927-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-080404T1945Z/
BIBB AL-
217 PM CDT FRI APR 4 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL BIBB COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHERN ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM
CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR NORTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3360 8650 3356 8645 3354 8644 3353 8644
      3347 8637 3331 8674 3339 8680
TIME...MOT...LOC 1917Z 231DEG 33KT 3342 8670

$$

ALC073-115-117-041945-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-080404T1945Z/
SHELBY AL-JEFFERSON AL-ST. CLAIR AL-
217 PM CDT FRI APR 4 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN ST. CLAIR...EAST CENTRAL JEFFERSON AND NORTHEASTERN
SHELBY COUNTIES...

AT 212 PM CDT...THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR INDIAN SPRINGS...OR 
ABOUT NEAR MEADOWBROOK...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  GREYSTONE BY 225 PM CDT...
  LITTLE CAHABA RIVER NEAR LEEDS...LEEDS...LITTLE CAHABA RIVER BELOW
  LEEDS AND VANDIVER BY 235 PM 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 FRIDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHERN ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM
CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR NORTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3360 8650 3356 8645 3354 8644 3353 8644
      3347 8637 3331 8674 3339 8680
TIME...MOT...LOC 1917Z 231DEG 33KT 3342 8670

$$

17/KLAWS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 4, 3:58 AM CDTLake Wind AdvisoryBMXAutauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more15 hr
Apr 4, 12:55 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCherokee35 min
Apr 4, 1:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Hale, Tuscaloosa44 min
Apr 4, 1:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXShelby, Talladega40 min
Apr 4, 1:28 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXShelby, Talladega47 min
Apr 4, 1:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCherokee29 min
Apr 4, 1:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXDallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry51 min
Apr 4, 1:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Etowah, St. Clair35 min
Apr 4, 1:45 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCalhoun, Talladega45 min
Apr 4, 1:45 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCherokee30 min
Apr 4, 1:55 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBibb35 min
Apr 4, 1:58 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXDallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry47 min
Apr 4, 2:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Etowah, St. Clair28 min
Apr 4, 2:09 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCalhoun, Cleburne, Talladega51 min
Apr 4, 2:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter26 min
Apr 4, 2:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson, St. Clair, Shelby39 min
Apr 4, 2:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChilton, Shelby23 min
Apr 4, 2:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXWalker, Winston35 min
Apr 4, 2:33 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXAutauga, Chilton, Dallas, Perry42 min
Apr 4, 2:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Etowah, St. Clair15 min
Apr 4, 2:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Sumter and 1 more45 min
Apr 4, 2:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChilton, Coosa, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega29 min
Apr 4, 2:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChambers, Clay, Randolph, Tallapoosa42 min
Apr 4, 2:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker35 min
Apr 4, 2:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXDallas, Marengo50 min
Apr 4, 2:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, St. Clair, Talladega35 min
Apr 4, 3:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount34 min
Apr 4, 3:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, St. Clair29 min
Apr 4, 3:17 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXAutauga, Chilton, Coosa43 min
Apr 4, 3:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXClay, Talladega27 min
Apr 4, 3:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Chilton, Hale, Jefferson, Perry, Shelby and 1 more51 min
Apr 4, 3:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChambers, Randolph32 min
Apr 4, 3:31 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCalhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne29 min
Apr 4, 3:32 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXDallas, Lowndes43 min
Apr 4, 3:46 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCoosa, Tallapoosa44 min
Apr 4, 3:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCherokee, Cleburne20 min
Apr 4, 3:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Chilton, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby36 min
Apr 4, 4:03 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXShelby27 min
Apr 4, 4:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCleburne26 min
Apr 4, 4:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Lowndes, Montgomery47 min
Apr 4, 4:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Clay, Coosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa40 min
Apr 4, 4:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXSt. Clair, Shelby, Talladega52 min
Apr 4, 4:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Etowah, St. Clair, Talladega46 min
Apr 4, 4:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChambers, Clay, Randolph, Tallapoosa36 min
Apr 4, 4:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXDallas14 min
Apr 4, 4:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Randolph and 1 more52 min
Apr 4, 4:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXAutauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery66 min
Apr 4, 5:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLowndes36 min
Apr 4, 5:38 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXDallas37 min
Apr 4, 5:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXElmore, Macon, Tallapoosa42 min
Apr 4, 5:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXElmore, Montgomery38 min
Apr 4, 6:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXChambers, Lee, Macon, Tallapoosa63 min
Apr 4, 6:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXElmore, Lee, Macon, Montgomery, Tallapoosa31 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.