Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 83, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 11, 2008Walker County, Winston County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 11, 2008, 12:52 PM CDT for Walker County, Winston County, Alabama. It was in force for 38 min. 5 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 11, 2008, 12:52 PM CDT (17:52 UTC)
Expired: Apr 11, 2008, 1:30 PM CDT
In force: 38 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Walker County, AL, Winston County, AL

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 94 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:52 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 11, 12:58 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	4 S Double Springs, AL	TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN ON COUNTY ROAD 8.
Apr 11, 12:58 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	4 S Double Springs, AL	30-40 PINE TREES WERE UPROOTED AND FELL ON POWER LINES WHICH PARALLEL COUNTY ROAD 195. THIS DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY STRAIGHT LINE WINDS. THE DAMAGE PATH WAS APPROXIMATELY 600 FT WIDE AND 450 LONG. WIND SPEEDS WERE ESTIMATED BETWEEN 70 AND 75 MPH.
Apr 11, 1:00 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 S Double Springs, AL	TREES DOWN HWY 195
Apr 11, 1:00 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 S Double Springs, AL	TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN ALONG HWY 195.
Apr 11, 1:27 PM CDT	HAIL 0.5	4 Ene Addison, AL	SPOTTER REPORTED DIME SIZED HAIL NEAR THE SARDIS COMMUNITY.

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 11, 10:15 AM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 5.9 hours before the alert went out and 115 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: -160 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 566 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 47 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 217 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 271 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KBMX 111752
TORBMX
ALC127-133-111830-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0083.080411T1752Z-080411T1830Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1252 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN WALKER COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  WINSTON COUNTY IN NORTHWEST ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...LYNN...DOUBLE SPRINGS...

* UNTIL 130 PM CDT

* AT 1252 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR NAUVOO...OR NEAR
  LYNN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  POPLAR SPRINGS BY 100 PM CDT...
  CURTIS CROSSROADS AND 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF DOUBLE SPRINGS BY 105 PM
  CDT...
  HOUSTON AND ARLEY BY 115 PM CDT...
  ADDISON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AND ADDISON BY 125 PM CDT...
  7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF UPSHAW BY 130 PM CDT...

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST
DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM CDT FRIDAY AFTERNOON
FOR NORTHWESTERN ALABAMA.

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

LAT...LON 3404 8762 3431 8711 3430 8710 3406 8710
      3389 8751
TIME...MOT...LOC 1752Z 240DEG 35KT 3401 8747

$$

JONES/90

2 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 111801
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
101 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

ALC127-111811-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0083.000000T0000Z-080411T1830Z/
WALKER AL-
101 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN WALKER COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM CDT FRIDAY AFTERNOON
FOR NORTHWESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3431 8711 3430 8710 3406 8710 3399 8727
      3401 8728 3401 8759 3404 8762
TIME...MOT...LOC 1801Z 240DEG 35KT 3405 8738

$$

ALC133-111830-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0083.000000T0000Z-080411T1830Z/
WINSTON AL-
101 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 130 PM CDT FOR WINSTON
COUNTY...

AT 101 PM CDT...A TORNADO WAS REPORTED.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR POPLAR SPRINGS...OR ABOUT 7 MILES EAST OF LYNN...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  CORINTH REC AREA AND WINSTON COUNTY AIRPORT BY 110 PM CDT...
  HOUSTON...ARLEY AND FALLS CITY BY 115 PM CDT...
  HELICON BY 120 PM CDT...
  NESMITH...ADDISON TOWN HALL...ADDISON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AND ADDISON
  BY 125 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 400 PM CDT FRIDAY AFTERNOON
FOR NORTHWESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3431 8711 3430 8710 3406 8710 3399 8727
      3401 8728 3401 8759 3404 8762
TIME...MOT...LOC 1801Z 240DEG 35KT 3405 8738

$$

JONES/90

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 111807
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
107 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

ALC133-111830-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0083.000000T0000Z-080411T1830Z/
WINSTON AL-
107 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 130 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN WINSTON COUNTY...

AT 107 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR CORINTH REC 
AREA...OR ABOUT 7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF DOUBLE SPRINGS...MOVING 
NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  HOUSTON AND ARLEY BY 115 PM CDT...
  HELICON BY 120 PM CDT...
  NESMITH...ADDISON TOWN HALL...ADDISON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AND ADDISON
  BY 125 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 400 PM CDT FRIDAY AFTERNOON
FOR NORTHWESTERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3430 8710 3406 8710 3399 8727 3401 8728
      3401 8730 3402 8734 3409 8741 3431 8711
TIME...MOT...LOC 1807Z 240DEG 35KT 3408 8731

$$

JONES/90

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 11, 9:54 AM CDT	Lake Wind Advisory	BMX	Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more	8 hr
Apr 11, 12:10 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Marion, Walker, Winston	35 min
Apr 11, 1:25 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Lamar, Marion	50 min
Apr 11, 1:53 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston	52 min
Apr 11, 1:56 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Pickens	49 min
Apr 11, 2:14 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Marion, Walker, Winston	46 min
Apr 11, 2:23 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker	52 min
Apr 11, 2:28 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Marengo	47 min
Apr 11, 2:38 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Winston	22 min
Apr 11, 2:39 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Pickens	51 min
Apr 11, 2:50 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Winston	40 min
Apr 11, 2:56 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry	49 min
Apr 11, 3:05 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa	25 min
Apr 11, 3:24 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Greene, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa	51 min
Apr 11, 3:30 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker	45 min
Apr 11, 3:41 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount, Walker	19 min
Apr 11, 3:44 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Chilton, Jefferson, Perry, Shelby	61 min
Apr 11, 3:50 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker	40 min
Apr 11, 3:52 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Cherokee, Etowah, St. Clair	38 min
Apr 11, 4:01 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Cherokee, Etowah, St. Clair	44 min
Apr 11, 4:07 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Blount, Etowah	38 min
Apr 11, 4:18 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount, Jefferson, St. Clair	42 min
Apr 11, 4:22 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Greene, Hale, Perry, Sumter, Tuscaloosa	53 min
Apr 11, 4:34 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega	41 min
Apr 11, 4:37 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker	23 min
Apr 11, 4:42 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Chilton, Hale, Jefferson, Perry, Shelby and 1 more	48 min
Apr 11, 4:42 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Calhoun, Cherokee, Etowah	33 min
Apr 11, 4:56 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount, Calhoun, Etowah, St. Clair	24 min
Apr 11, 5:27 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Hale, Perry, Tuscaloosa	48 min
Apr 11, 5:41 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Bibb, Chilton, Perry	49 min
Apr 11, 6:24 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Bibb, Chilton, Perry	51 min
Apr 11, 6:46 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Clay, Talladega	29 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.