Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 91, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 11, 20084 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 11, 2008, 4:56 PM CDT for 4 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 24 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued: Apr 11, 2008, 4:56 PM CDT (21:56 UTC)
Expired: Apr 11, 2008, 5:20 PM CDT
In force: 24 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Blount County, AL, Calhoun County, AL, Etowah County, AL, St. Clair County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 114 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:59 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.

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, 3:00 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 9.9 hours before the alert went out and 114 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 112156
TORBMX
ALC009-015-055-115-112230-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0091.080411T2156Z-080411T2230Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN BLOUNT COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  NORTHERN ST. CLAIR COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  CALHOUN COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...WEAVER...SAKS...JACKSONVILLE...FORT
  MCCLELLAN...
  SOUTHERN ETOWAH COUNTY IN NORTHEAST ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...MARKTON...SOUTHSIDE...RAINBOW CITY...

* UNTIL 530 PM CDT

* AT 456 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR CALDWELL...OR 8
  MILES NORTHEAST OF SPRINGVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  7 MILES SOUTH OF STEELE BY 510 PM CDT...
  WILLIAMS AND 6 MILES NORTH OF RAGLAND BY 515 PM CDT...
  8 MILES SOUTH OF RAINBOW CITY BY 520 PM CDT...
  MARKTON...OHATCHEE AND SOUTHSIDE BY 525 PM CDT...
  8 MILES SOUTH OF GLENCOE BY 530 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 900 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR
NORTHERN ALABAMA. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 900 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHERN ALABAMA.

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

LAT...LON 3400 8573 3397 8573 3396 8570 3367 8570
      3374 8646 3392 8647 3401 8574
TIME...MOT...LOC 2156Z 268DEG 35KT 3383 8634

$$

03

3 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 112201
SVSBMX

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

ALC009-112211-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0091.000000T0000Z-080411T2230Z/
BLOUNT AL-
501 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

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

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR
NORTHERN ALABAMA.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT
FRIDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3397 8573 3396 8570 3367 8570 3378 8640
      3387 8638 3387 8635 3391 8634 3393 8636
      3401 8574
TIME...MOT...LOC 2201Z 268DEG 34KT 3387 8629

$$

ALC015-055-115-112230-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0091.000000T0000Z-080411T2230Z/
CALHOUN AL-ST. CLAIR AL-ETOWAH AL-
501 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
ETOWAH...NORTHEASTERN ST. CLAIR AND CALHOUN COUNTIES...

AT 459 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR WHITNEY JUNCTION...OR ABOUT
11 MILES SOUTHEAST OF ONEONTA...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  STEELE BY 510 PM CDT...
  WILLIAMS...8 MILES NORTH OF NEELY HENRY DAM AND 8 MILES NORTH OF
  RAGLAND BY 515 PM CDT...
  MARKTON...SOUTHSIDE...6 MILES SOUTH OF RAINBOW CITY AND 6 MILES
  NORTH OF OHATCHEE BY 525 PM CDT...
  COBB CITY AND 6 MILES SOUTH OF GLENCOE BY 530 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 900 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR
NORTHERN ALABAMA.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT
FRIDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3397 8573 3396 8570 3367 8570 3378 8640
      3387 8638 3387 8635 3391 8634 3393 8636
      3401 8574
TIME...MOT...LOC 2201Z 268DEG 34KT 3387 8629

$$
STEFKOVICH

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 112213
SVSBMX

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

ALC015-055-115-112230-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0091.000000T0000Z-080411T2230Z/
CALHOUN AL-ST. CLAIR AL-ETOWAH AL-
513 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN ETOWAH...NORTHEASTERN ST. CLAIR AND CALHOUN COUNTIES...

AT 512 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR WILLIAMS...OR ABOUT 9 MILES
WEST OF MARKTON...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  MARKTON...SOUTHSIDE...RAINBOW CITY AND 6 MILES NORTH OF OHATCHEE BY
  525 PM CDT...
  COBB CITY AND 6 MILES SOUTH OF GLENCOE BY 530 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 900 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR
NORTHERN ALABAMA.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT
FRIDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3397 8573 3396 8570 3367 8570 3378 8640
      3387 8633 3392 8629 3393 8627 3401 8574
TIME...MOT...LOC 2213Z 268DEG 34KT 3387 8615

$$

STEFKOVICH

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 112220
SVSBMX

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

ALC015-055-115-112230-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0091.000000T0000Z-080411T2230Z/
CALHOUN AL-ST. CLAIR AL-ETOWAH AL-
520 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN ETOWAH...NORTHEASTERN ST.
CLAIR AND CALHOUN COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER HAS ENDED. THE STORMS THAT PROMPTED THE
WARNING HAVE WEAKENED.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR
NORTHERN ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3397 8573 3396 8570 3367 8570 3378 8640
      3387 8633 3392 8629 3393 8627 3401 8574
TIME...MOT...LOC 2220Z 268DEG 34KT 3387 8607

$$
STEFKOVICH

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, 12:52 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Walker, Winston	38 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, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.