Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 93, NWS Birmingham, AL

April 11, 2008Bibb County, Chilton County, Perry County, Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at Apr 11, 2008, 6:24 PM CDT for Bibb County, Chilton County, Perry County, Alabama. It was in force for 51 min. 2 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, 6:24 PM CDT (23:24 UTC)
Expired
Apr 11, 2008, 7:15 PM CDT
In force
51 min
Issued by
NWS Birmingham, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Bibb County, AL, Chilton County, AL, Perry County, AL

The radar

The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 31 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:26 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 11, 6:58 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 48Thorsby, ALDS
Apr 11, 6:58 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 48Thorsby, ALWIND GUSTS WERE ESTIMATED BETWEEN 45 AND 50 MPH.

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 11, 3:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 32 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 2008-04-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 33 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2008-04-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 217 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
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 112324
TORBMX
ALC007-021-105-120015-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0093.080411T2324Z-080412T0015Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN BIBB COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  CENTRAL CHILTON COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...JEMISON...CLANTON...
  EXTREME NORTHEASTERN PERRY COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 715 PM CDT

* AT 624 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF
  MAPLESVILLE...OR 11 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CENTREVILLE...MOVING EAST AT
  30 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  MAPLESVILLE BY 630 PM CDT...
  CAMPBELL BY 635 PM CDT...
  ISABELLA BY 640 PM CDT...
  THORSBY BY 650 PM CDT...
  LOMAX BY 655 PM CDT...
  CLANTON BY 700 PM CDT...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE
HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

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
NORTHEASTERN 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 3300 8655 3278 8653 3276 8705 3294 8707
TIME...MOT...LOC 2324Z 265DEG 29KT 3286 8695

$$

27
4 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 112338
SVSBMX

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

ALC007-021-120015-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0093.000000T0000Z-080412T0015Z/
CHILTON AL-BIBB AL-
637 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN BIBB AND CENTRAL CHILTON COUNTIES...

AT 637 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR CHILTON COUNTY MOTOR SPORTS
PARK...OR ABOUT 9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF JEMISON...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  6 MILES SOUTH OF JEMISON BY 645 PM CDT...
  THORSBY BY 650 PM CDT...
  LOMAX AND CLANTON BY 655 PM CDT...
  GAP OF THE MOUNTAIN AND 6 MILES SOUTH OF JUMBO BY 700 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.

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.

LAT...LON 3277 8695 3295 8695 3296 8684 3298 8683
      3297 8675 3298 8674 3298 8667 3300 8655
      3278 8653
TIME...MOT...LOC 2337Z 265DEG 29KT 3287 8683

$$

27
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 112351
SVSBMX

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

ALC007-120001-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0093.000000T0000Z-080412T0015Z/
BIBB AL-
651 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

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

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

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

LAT...LON 3296 8686 3296 8683 3298 8682 3297 8675
      3299 8670 3298 8664 3299 8663 3300 8656
      3278 8653 3277 8685
TIME...MOT...LOC 2351Z 265DEG 29KT 3288 8670

$$

ALC021-120015-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0093.000000T0000Z-080412T0015Z/
CHILTON AL-
651 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
CHILTON COUNTY...

AT 649 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR THORSBY...OR ABOUT NEAR
CLANTON...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  CLANTON BY 655 PM CDT...
  GAP OF THE MOUNTAIN BY 700 PM CDT...
  JUMBO BY 705 PM CDT...

DO NOT USE YOUR CAR TO TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO. CARS ARE EASILY
TOSSED AROUND BY TORNADO WINDS. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN THE PATH OF A
TORNADO...LEAVE THE CAR AND GO TO A STRONG BUILDING. IF NO SAFE
STRUCTURE IS NEARBY...SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR LOW SPOT AND COVER
YOUR HEAD.

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.

LAT...LON 3296 8686 3296 8683 3298 8682 3297 8675
      3299 8670 3298 8664 3299 8663 3300 8656
      3278 8653 3277 8685
TIME...MOT...LOC 2351Z 265DEG 29KT 3288 8670

$$

27
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 112355
SVSBMX

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

ALC021-120015-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0093.000000T0000Z-080412T0015Z/
CHILTON AL-
655 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
CHILTON COUNTY...

AT 654 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR LOMAX...OR ABOUT NEAR
CLANTON...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  CLANTON BY 700 PM CDT...
  GAP OF THE MOUNTAIN AND JUMBO BY 705 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.

LAT...LON 3294 8675 3299 8670 3298 8664 3299 8663
      3300 8656 3284 8654 3278 8653 3278 8676
TIME...MOT...LOC 2355Z 266DEG 30KT 3288 8669

$$
STEFKOVICH
000 
WWUS54 KBMX 120003
SVSBMX

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

ALC021-120015-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0093.000000T0000Z-080412T0015Z/
CHILTON AL-
703 PM CDT FRI APR 11 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
CHILTON COUNTY...

AT 658 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR LOMAX...OR ABOUT NEAR
CLANTON...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

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
NORTHEASTERN ALABAMA.

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

LAT...LON 3296 8668 3299 8663 3300 8656 3291 8655
      3290 8656 3289 8655 3278 8653 3278 8672
TIME...MOT...LOC 0003Z 266DEG 30KT 3288 8661

$$

STEFKOVICH

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 11, 9:54 AM CDTLake Wind AdvisoryBMXAutauga, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Calhoun and 33 more8 hr
Apr 11, 12:10 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Marion, Walker, Winston35 min
Apr 11, 12:52 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXWalker, Winston38 min
Apr 11, 1:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXLamar, Marion50 min
Apr 11, 1:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston52 min
Apr 11, 1:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Pickens49 min
Apr 11, 2:14 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Marion, Walker, Winston46 min
Apr 11, 2:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker52 min
Apr 11, 2:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXMarengo47 min
Apr 11, 2:38 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXWinston22 min
Apr 11, 2:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Lamar, Pickens51 min
Apr 11, 2:50 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Winston40 min
Apr 11, 2:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Dallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry49 min
Apr 11, 3:05 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXFayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa25 min
Apr 11, 3:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXGreene, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa51 min
Apr 11, 3:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXFayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker45 min
Apr 11, 3:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Walker19 min
Apr 11, 3:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Chilton, Jefferson, Perry, Shelby61 min
Apr 11, 3:50 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker40 min
Apr 11, 3:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXCalhoun, Cherokee, Etowah, St. Clair38 min
Apr 11, 4:01 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCalhoun, Cherokee, Etowah, St. Clair44 min
Apr 11, 4:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBlount, Etowah38 min
Apr 11, 4:18 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBlount, Jefferson, St. Clair42 min
Apr 11, 4:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Greene, Hale, Perry, Sumter, Tuscaloosa53 min
Apr 11, 4:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega41 min
Apr 11, 4:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXJefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker23 min
Apr 11, 4:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Chilton, Hale, Jefferson, Perry, Shelby and 1 more48 min
Apr 11, 4:42 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXCalhoun, Cherokee, Etowah33 min
Apr 11, 4:56 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBlount, Calhoun, Etowah, St. Clair24 min
Apr 11, 5:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBMXBibb, Hale, Perry, Tuscaloosa48 min
Apr 11, 5:41 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXBibb, Chilton, Perry49 min
Apr 11, 6:46 PM CDTTornado WarningBMXClay, Talladega29 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.