Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 75, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 4, 2008Autauga County, Chilton County, Coosa County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 4, 2008, 3:17 PM CDT for Autauga County, Chilton County, Coosa County, Alabama. It was in force for 43 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: Apr 4, 2008, 3:17 PM CDT (20:17 UTC)
Expired: Apr 4, 2008, 4:00 PM CDT
In force: 43 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Autauga County, AL, Chilton County, AL, Coosa County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 51 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:17 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
Apr 4, 3:45 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	4 W Rockford, AL	A FEW TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN AROUND ROCKFORD.

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
Apr 4, 9:48 AM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 8.3 hours before the alert went out and 52 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: 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 042017
TORBMX
ALC001-021-037-042100-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0075.080404T2017Z-080404T2100Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN AUTAUGA COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  SOUTHEASTERN CHILTON COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF CLANTON...
  WESTERN COOSA COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 400 PM CDT

* AT 313 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD
  NEAR DAWSON MILL...OR 16 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CLANTON...MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  POOLES CROSSROADS BY 325 PM CDT...
  COOPER AND CLANTON BY 335 PM CDT...
  VERBENA BY 340 PM CDT...
  MITCHELL DAM BY 345 PM CDT...
  LYLE BY 355 PM CDT...
  MORIAH BY 400 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 3268 8689 3303 8636 3283 8621 3275 8638
      3276 8641 3274 8642 3257 8681
TIME...MOT...LOC 2017Z 236DEG 35KT 3268 8675

$$

17/KLAWS

2 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 042034
SVSBMX

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

ALC001-021-037-042100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0075.000000T0000Z-080404T2100Z/
AUTAUGA AL-CHILTON AL-COOSA AL-
334 PM CDT FRI APR 4 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM CDT FOR WESTERN
COOSA...SOUTHEASTERN CHILTON AND NORTH CENTRAL AUTAUGA COUNTIES...

AT 331 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD.  
DAMAGE HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR 
ENTERPRISE...OR ABOUT 6 MILES SOUTH OF CLANTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 
40 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  VERBENA BY 340 PM CDT...
  MITCHELL DAM BY 345 PM CDT...
  HIGGINS FERRY PARK AND DOLLAR BY 350 PM CDT...
  LYLE...MORIAH AND 7 MILES SOUTH OF UNITY BY 400 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 EASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3277 8676 3278 8674 3303 8636 3283 8621
      3275 8638 3276 8641 3272 8644 3272 8647
      3262 8670
TIME...MOT...LOC 2034Z 236DEG 35KT 3277 8659

$$

17/KLAWS

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 042043
SVSBMX

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

ALC001-042054-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0075.000000T0000Z-080404T2100Z/
AUTAUGA AL-
344 PM CDT FRI APR 4 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL AUTAUGA 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 EASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3290 8656 3291 8653 3303 8636 3283 8621
      3275 8638 3276 8641 3272 8644 3272 8647
TIME...MOT...LOC 2044Z 236DEG 35KT 3283 8649

$$

ALC021-037-042100-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0075.000000T0000Z-080404T2100Z/
CHILTON AL-COOSA AL-
344 PM CDT FRI APR 4 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM CDT FOR WESTERN
COOSA AND EAST CENTRAL CHILTON COUNTIES...

AT 341 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD. 
THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MITCHELL DAM...OR ABOUT 7 MILES EAST OF
CLANTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  HIGGINS FERRY PARK AND DOLLAR BY 350 PM CDT...
  LYLE...MORIAH AND 7 MILES SOUTH OF UNITY BY 400 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 EASTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3290 8656 3291 8653 3303 8636 3283 8621
      3275 8638 3276 8641 3272 8644 3272 8647
TIME...MOT...LOC 2044Z 236DEG 35KT 3283 8649

$$

17/KLAWS

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 4, 3:58 AM CDT	Lake Wind Advisory	BMX	Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more	15 hr
Apr 4, 12:55 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Cherokee	35 min
Apr 4, 1:16 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Hale, Tuscaloosa	44 min
Apr 4, 1:20 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Shelby, Talladega	40 min
Apr 4, 1:28 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Shelby, Talladega	47 min
Apr 4, 1:31 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Cherokee	29 min
Apr 4, 1:39 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Dallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry	51 min
Apr 4, 1:40 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Etowah, St. Clair	35 min
Apr 4, 1:45 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Talladega	45 min
Apr 4, 1:45 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Cherokee	30 min
Apr 4, 1:55 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Bibb	35 min
Apr 4, 1:58 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Dallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry	47 min
Apr 4, 2:01 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Bibb, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby	44 min
Apr 4, 2:02 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Etowah, St. Clair	28 min
Apr 4, 2:09 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Cleburne, Talladega	51 min
Apr 4, 2:19 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Greene, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter	26 min
Apr 4, 2:21 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby	39 min
Apr 4, 2:22 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Chilton, Shelby	23 min
Apr 4, 2:25 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Walker, Winston	35 min
Apr 4, 2:33 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Autauga, Chilton, Dallas, Perry	42 min
Apr 4, 2:36 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Etowah, St. Clair	15 min
Apr 4, 2:45 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Sumter and 1 more	45 min
Apr 4, 2:46 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Chilton, Coosa, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega	29 min
Apr 4, 2:48 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Chambers, Clay, Randolph, Tallapoosa	42 min
Apr 4, 2:55 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker	35 min
Apr 4, 2:55 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Dallas, Marengo	50 min
Apr 4, 2:55 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, St. Clair, Talladega	35 min
Apr 4, 3:11 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount	34 min
Apr 4, 3:16 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, St. Clair	29 min
Apr 4, 3:18 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Clay, Talladega	27 min
Apr 4, 3:24 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Chilton, Hale, Jefferson, Perry, Shelby and 1 more	51 min
Apr 4, 3:28 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Chambers, Randolph	32 min
Apr 4, 3:31 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne	29 min
Apr 4, 3:32 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Dallas, Lowndes	43 min
Apr 4, 3:46 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Coosa, Tallapoosa	44 min
Apr 4, 3:55 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Cherokee, Cleburne	20 min
Apr 4, 3:57 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Chilton, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby	36 min
Apr 4, 4:03 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Shelby	27 min
Apr 4, 4:04 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Cleburne	26 min
Apr 4, 4:13 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Autauga, Lowndes, Montgomery	47 min
Apr 4, 4:20 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Autauga, Clay, Coosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa	40 min
Apr 4, 4:23 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega	52 min
Apr 4, 4:29 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Etowah, St. Clair, Talladega	46 min
Apr 4, 4:39 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Chambers, Clay, Randolph, Tallapoosa	36 min
Apr 4, 4:49 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Dallas	14 min
Apr 4, 4:53 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Randolph and 1 more	52 min
Apr 4, 4:54 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Montgomery	66 min
Apr 4, 5:24 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lowndes	36 min
Apr 4, 5:38 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Dallas	37 min
Apr 4, 5:48 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Elmore, Macon, Tallapoosa	42 min
Apr 4, 5:52 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Elmore, Montgomery	38 min
Apr 4, 6:27 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Chambers, Lee, Macon, Tallapoosa	63 min
Apr 4, 6:44 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Elmore, Lee, Macon, Montgomery, Tallapoosa	31 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.