Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 97, NWS Birmingham, AL

May 8, 20084 counties in Alabama

NWS Birmingham, AL issued this tornado warning at May 8, 2008, 1:05 PM CDT for 4 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 55 min. 8 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: May 8, 2008, 1:05 PM CDT (18:05 UTC)
Expired: May 8, 2008, 2:00 PM CDT
In force: 55 min
Issued by: NWS Birmingham, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Fayette County, AL, Marion County, AL, Walker County, AL, Winston County, AL

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 88 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:09 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
May 8, 1:05 PM CDT	TORNADO 1	3 Sse Glen Allen, AL	TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN ON BEREA ROAD IN NORTHEAST FAYETTE COUNTY AND CONTINUED ALONG COUNTY ROAD 24 UNTIL MOVING INTO WALKER COUNTY. NUMEROUS TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN OR SNAPPED. ONE HOUSE RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL DAMAGE WHEN THE ENTIRE ROOF SHIFTED. THE TOR
May 8, 1:06 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Ne Glen Allen, AL	2 HOMES DAMAGED IN THE COMMUNITY OF BAZEMORE.
May 8, 1:14 PM CDT	TORNADO 1	4 Wsw Kansas, AL	A TORNADO CROSSED THE FAYETTE AND WALKER COUNTY LINE NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF COUNTY ROAD 24 AND HIGHWAY 13. THE TORNADO CONTINUED NORTHEAST ACROSS WALKER COUNTY AND HIT THE TOWN OF KANSAS BEFORE LIFTING. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS IN THE TOWN OF KANSAS. SEVERAL L
May 8, 1:14 PM CDT	TORNADO 1	5 Wsw Kansas, AL	A TORNADO CROSSED THE FAYETTE AND WALKER COUNTY LINE NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF COUNTY ROAD 24 AND HIGHWAY 13. THE TORNADO CONTINUED NORTHEAST ACROSS WALKER COUNTY AND HIT THE TOWN OF KANSAS BEFORE LIFTING. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS IN THE TOWN OF KANSAS. SEVERAL L
May 8, 1:22 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Kansas, AL	ROOF DAMAGE TO A HOME.
May 8, 1:42 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	5 N Smith Dam, AL	POSSIBLE TORNADO...MULTIPLE TREES DOWN.
May 8, 2:02 PM CDT	TORNADO	2 Sse Lake Shore, AL	THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN JUST SOUTHEAST OF THE MARYLEE COMMUNITY, IN EXTREME NORTHEAST WALKER COUNTY. FROM THERE IT MOVED EASTWARD, ACROSS SMITH LAKE, AND CONTINUED INTO CULLMAN COUNTY. IN WALKER COUNTY, THIS TORNADO DAMAGED AT LEAST 5 CHICKEN HOUSES, BLEW DOW
May 8, 2:05 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	5 N Smith Dam, AL	POSSIBLE TORNADO...MULTIPLE TREES DOWN.

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
May 8, 8:04 AM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	6 hr
May 8, 12:40 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 6.1 hours before the alert went out and 104 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: 212 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -132 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 567 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 63 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 193 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 216 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.1
Supercell composite: 2.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KBMX 081805
TORBMX
ALC057-093-127-133-081900-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0097.080508T1805Z-080508T1900Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
105 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN WALKER COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...JASPER...CARBON HILL...
  SOUTHEASTERN MARION COUNTY IN NORTHWEST ALABAMA...
  WINSTON COUNTY IN NORTHWEST ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...LYNN...ARLEY...
  NORTH CENTRAL FAYETTE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 200 PM CDT

* AT 101 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A LINE OF
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO ALONG A LINE   
EXTENDING FROM 9 MILES WEST OF LYNN TO GLEN ALLEN...MOVING EAST AT 
40 MPH.

* TORNADO PRODUCING STORMS WILL BE NEAR...
  ELDRIDGE BY 110 PM CDT...
  LYNN BY 115 PM CDT...
  ASHBANK...KANSAS AND CARBON HILL BY 120 PM CDT...
  NAUVOO BY 125 PM CDT...
  POPLAR SPRINGS BY 130 PM CDT...
  CORINTH REC AREA AND MCDOWELL CAMP GROUNDS BY 135 PM CDT...

WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED...IT MEANS THAT STRONG ROTATION HAS
BEEN DETECTED IN THE STORM. A TORNADO MAY ALREADY BE ON THE GROUND...
OR IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SHORTLY. IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS
DANGEROUS STORM...MOVE INDOORS AND TO THE LOWEST LEVEL OF THE
BUILDING. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF DRIVING...DO NOT SEEK SHELTER
UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS.

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.

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

LAT...LON 3397 8775 3409 8773 3430 8710 3394 8709
      3392 8708 3390 8709 3383 8708 3378 8779
TIME...MOT...LOC 1805Z 270DEG 32KT 3404 8766 3383 8773

$$

61

4 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 081812
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
111 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2008

ALC057-093-127-133-081900-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0097.000000T0000Z-080508T1900Z/
FAYETTE AL-WALKER AL-WINSTON AL-MARION AL-
111 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN MARION...WINSTON...NORTHERN WALKER AND NORTH CENTRAL
FAYETTE COUNTIES...

AT 109 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE 
TWO STORMS WITH STRONG INDICATION OF TORNADOES.  ONE WAS LOCATED 
NEAR NATURAL BRIDGE...AND THE OTHER WAS LOCATED JUST EAST OF GLEN 
ALLEN.  THE STORMS WERE MOVING EAST AROUND 40 MPH.

TORNADO PRODUCING STORMS WILL BE NEAR...
  KANSAS AND CARBON HILL BY 120 PM CDT...
  CLEAR CREEK...ASHBANK AND NAUVOO BY 125 PM CDT...
  BLACK POND...POPLAR SPRINGS AND CEDRUM AREA BY 130 PM CDT...
  CURTIS CROSSROADS AND CORINTH REC AREA BY 135 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.

LAT...LON 3411 8764 3430 8710 3383 8708 3379 8772
TIME...MOT...LOC 1811Z 270DEG 32KT 3405 8760 3382 8767

$$

61

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 081822
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
121 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2008

ALC093-081831-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0097.000000T0000Z-080508T1900Z/
MARION AL-
121 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2008

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

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM CDT THURSDAY AFTERNOON
FOR NORTHWESTERN ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 600 PM CDT THURSDAY EVENING FOR ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3413 8755 3427 8710 3383 8708 3387 8762
TIME...MOT...LOC 1821Z 270DEG 32KT 3409 8750 3381 8756

$$

ALC057-127-133-081900-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0097.000000T0000Z-080508T1900Z/
FAYETTE AL-WALKER AL-WINSTON AL-
121 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
WINSTON...NORTHERN WALKER AND NORTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTIES...

AT 118 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
LINE OF TORNADO PRODUCING STORMS.  THESE TORNADO PRODUCING STORMS
WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM LYNN TO 7 MILES SOUTH OF 
KANSAS...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

TORNADO PRODUCING STORMS WILL BE NEAR...
  HOUSTON RECREATIONAL AREA...DOUBLE SPRINGS...WINSTON FREE STATE
  BARN AND POPLAR SPRINGS BY 130 PM CDT...
  WINSTON COUNTY AIRPORT...MCDOWELL CAMP GROUNDS AND LUPTON BY 135 
PM CDT...
  CORINTH REC AREA AND GAMBLE BY 140 PM CDT...

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.

LAT...LON 3413 8755 3427 8710 3383 8708 3387 8762
TIME...MOT...LOC 1821Z 270DEG 32KT 3409 8750 3381 8756

$$

61

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 081833
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
133 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2008

ALC057-081843-
/O.CAN.KBMX.TO.W.0097.000000T0000Z-080508T1900Z/
FAYETTE AL-
133 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN FAYETTE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM CDT THURSDAY AFTERNOON
FOR NORTHWESTERN ALABAMA. A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 600 PM CDT THURSDAY EVENING FOR ALABAMA.

LAT...LON 3394 8709 3383 8708 3384 8726 3385 8727
      3385 8737 3386 8738 3386 8748 3387 8750
      3416 8746 3427 8710
TIME...MOT...LOC 1833Z 258DEG 29KT 3416 8741 3387 8745

$$

ALC127-133-081900-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0097.000000T0000Z-080508T1900Z/
WALKER AL-WINSTON AL-
133 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN WINSTON AND NORTHERN WALKER COUNTIES...

AT 131 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
LINE OF TORNADO PRODUCING STORMS.  THESE TORNADO PRODUCING STORMS 
WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 10 MILES NORTHEAST OF LYNN 
TO CARBON HILL...MOVING EAST AT 34 MPH.

TORNADO PRODUCING STORMS WILL BE NEAR...
  WINSTON COUNTY AIRPORT...MCDOWELL CAMP GROUNDS...LUPTON AND CURTIS
  CROSSROADS BY 140 PM CDT...
  GAMBLE AND CORINTH REC AREA BY 145 PM CDT...
  WALKER COUNTY AIRPORT...HOUSTON AND JASPER BY 150 PM CDT...
  ADDISON BY 155 PM CDT...

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED
BUILDING. AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW
SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

LAT...LON 3394 8709 3383 8708 3384 8726 3385 8727
      3385 8737 3386 8738 3386 8748 3387 8750
      3416 8746 3427 8710
TIME...MOT...LOC 1833Z 258DEG 29KT 3416 8741 3387 8745

$$

61

000 
WWUS54 KBMX 081847
SVSBMX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
146 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2008

ALC127-133-081900-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0097.000000T0000Z-080508T1900Z/
WALKER AL-WINSTON AL-
146 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN WINSTON AND NORTH CENTRAL WALKER COUNTIES...

AT 144 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR WALKER COUNTY AIRPORT...OR 
ABOUT 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF JASPER...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

THE OTHER CIRCULATION THAT WAS NORTH OF THIS STORM .HAS WEAKENED.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  CURRY...LAKE SHORE AND 7 MILES SOUTH OF FALLS CITY BY 155 PM CDT...
  WILSON BEND AND SMITH DAM BY 200 PM CDT...

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.

LAT...LON 3401 8738 3412 8710 3411 8709 3389 8709
      3387 8738
TIME...MOT...LOC 1846Z 258DEG 31KT 3395 8732

$$

61

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 8, 12:52 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston	38 min
May 8, 1:13 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Lamar, Pickens, Tuscaloosa	47 min
May 8, 1:37 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Fayette, Walker	53 min
May 8, 1:44 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Jefferson, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Walker	31 min
May 8, 1:59 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Walker, Winston	16 min
May 8, 2:13 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Fayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker	47 min
May 8, 2:17 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount, Jefferson, Walker	49 min
May 8, 2:58 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Shelby	47 min
May 8, 3:00 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Jefferson, Shelby, Tuscaloosa	60 min
May 8, 3:11 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Blount, Etowah	45 min
May 8, 3:34 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Jefferson, Shelby	3 hr
May 8, 3:37 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	BMX	Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby	23 min
May 8, 3:59 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb, Jefferson, Shelby, Tuscaloosa	46 min
May 8, 4:11 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Bibb	49 min
May 8, 4:30 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Coosa, Shelby	3 hr
May 8, 4:40 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Talladega	3 hr
May 8, 4:46 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	BMX	Clay, Cleburne, Talladega	32 min
May 8, 4:51 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	BMX	Chilton	3 hr

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.