Alert archive / Georgia / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 20, NWS Charleston, SC

March 15, 2008Chatham County, Effingham County, Georgia; Beaufort County, Jasper County, South Carolina

NWS Charleston, SC issued this tornado warning at Mar 15, 2008, 10:45 PM EDT for Chatham County, Effingham County, Georgia; Beaufort County, Jasper County, South Carolina. It was in force for 30 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
Mar 15, 2008, 10:45 PM EDT (02:45 UTC)
Expired
Mar 15, 2008, 11:15 PM EDT
In force
30 min
Issued by
NWS Charleston, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Chatham County, GA, Effingham County, GA, Beaufort County, SC, Jasper County, SC

The radar

The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 62 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:47 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
Mar 15, 11:01 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG5 Nw Tybee Island, SCPOSSIBLE TORNADO.

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
Mar 15, 4:36 PM EDTTornado Watch PDSSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 00:00Z, 2.8 hours before the alert went out and 126 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, Charleston AFB, SC at 00:00Z on 2008-03-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 966 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, Charleston AFB, SC at 00:00Z on 2008-03-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 0 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
966 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-56 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
741 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
0 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
0 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
0 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS52 KCHS 160244
TORCHS
GAC051-103-SCC013-053-160315-
/O.NEW.KCHS.TO.W.0020.080316T0245Z-080316T0315Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
1045 PM EDT SAT MAR 15 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHEASTERN CHATHAM COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST GEORGIA...
  SOUTHEASTERN EFFINGHAM COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST GEORGIA...
  SOUTHWESTERN BEAUFORT COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA...
  SOUTH CENTRAL JASPER COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA...

* UNTIL 1115 PM EDT

* AT 1042 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR MEINHARD...
  OR ABOUT 13 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SPRINGFIELD...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 40
  MPH.

* SOME LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THE STORM INCLUDE...
  MONTEITH...MEINHARD...
  RIVERSIDE...RIVERSIDE...
  RIVERSIDE...RIVERSIDE...
  TYBEE ISLAND...

A TORNADO MAY FORM AT ANY TIME. TAKE COVER NOW. ABANDON MOBILE HOMES
AND VEHICLES. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM OR HALLWAY ON THE LOWEST
FLOOR. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS HAIL...DOWNED TREES...LIMBS...AND
POWER LINES...PLEASE CONTACT THE CHARLESTON NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
TOLL FREE AT 1-888-383-2024.

LAT...LON 3219 8124 3228 8119 3214 8073 3210 8081
      3210 8084 3206 8089 3204 8089 3204 8085
      3202 8083 3195 8089
TIME...MOT...LOC 0245Z 299DEG 36KT 3221 8114

$$
2 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS52 KCHS 160256
SVSCHS

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
1056 PM EDT SAT MAR 15 2008

GAC103-160306-
/O.CAN.KCHS.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-080316T0315Z/
EFFINGHAM GA-
1056 PM EDT SAT MAR 15 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN EFFINGHAM COUNTY HAS BEEN
CANCELLED...

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS HAIL...DOWNED TREES...LIMBS...AND
POWER LINES...PLEASE CONTACT THE CHARLESTON NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
TOLL FREE AT 1-888-383-2024 OR EMAIL YOUR REPORTS TO
CHS.SKYWARN@NOAA.GOV.

LAT...LON 3195 8089 3216 8119 3218 8111 3224 8106
      3214 8073 3210 8081 3210 8084 3206 8089
      3204 8089 3204 8085 3202 8083
TIME...MOT...LOC 0256Z 299DEG 36KT 3215 8102

$$

GAC051-SCC013-053-160315-
/O.CON.KCHS.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-080316T0315Z/
BEAUFORT SC-CHATHAM GA-JASPER SC-
1056 PM EDT SAT MAR 15 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 PM EDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL JASPER...NORTHEASTERN CHATHAM AND SOUTHWESTERN BEAUFORT
COUNTIES...

AT 1052 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR LEVY...OR ABOUT 9
MILES NORTH OF SAVANNAH...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

SOME LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE...PORT
WENTWORTH...RIVERSIDE AND TYBEE ISLAND.

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 SUCH AS HAIL...DOWNED TREES...LIMBS...AND
POWER LINES...PLEASE CONTACT THE CHARLESTON NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
TOLL FREE AT 1-888-383-2024 OR EMAIL YOUR REPORTS TO
CHS.SKYWARN@NOAA.GOV.

LAT...LON 3195 8089 3216 8119 3218 8111 3224 8106
      3214 8073 3210 8081 3210 8084 3206 8089
      3204 8089 3204 8085 3202 8083
TIME...MOT...LOC 0256Z 299DEG 36KT 3215 8102

$$
000 
WWUS52 KCHS 160314
SVSCHS

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
1114 PM EDT SAT MAR 15 2008

GAC051-SCC013-053-160324-
/O.EXP.KCHS.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-080316T0315Z/
BEAUFORT SC-CHATHAM GA-JASPER SC-
1114 PM EDT SAT MAR 15 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL JASPER...EAST CENTRAL
CHATHAM AND SOUTHWESTERN BEAUFORT COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 1115 PM
EDT...

AT 1114 PM EDT...RADAR INDICATED THAT THE TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM WHICH
PROMPTED THE WARNING HAD MOVED OUT OF THE WARNED AREA...THUS THE
TORNADO WARNING BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

REPORT ANY SEVERE WEATHER OR STORM RELATED DAMAGE TO LOCAL EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT OR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND ASK THEM TO IMMEDIATELY
RELAY THE REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN
CHARLESTON.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS HAIL...DOWNED TREES...LIMBS...AND
POWER LINES...PLEASE CONTACT THE CHARLESTON NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
TOLL FREE AT 1-888-383-2024 OR EMAIL YOUR REPORTS TO
CHS.SKYWARN@NOAA.GOV.

LAT...LON 3195 8089 3216 8119 3218 8111 3224 8106
      3214 8073 3210 8081 3210 8084 3206 8089
      3204 8089 3204 8085 3202 8083
TIME...MOT...LOC 0314Z 299DEG 36KT 3206 8083

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Charleston, SC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 15, 8:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSScreven57 min
Mar 15, 8:29 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSBulloch, Candler, Jenkins, Screven91 min
Mar 15, 8:34 PM EDTTornado WarningCHSBulloch, Candler, Jenkins, Screven29 min
Mar 15, 9:06 PM EDTTornado WarningCHSBulloch, Effingham, Screven24 min
Mar 15, 9:17 PM EDTTornado WarningCHSEffingham, Screven34 min
Mar 15, 9:34 PM EDTTornado WarningCHSEffingham33 min
Mar 15, 10:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSBulloch, Effingham, Screven45 min
Mar 15, 10:16 PM EDTTornado WarningCHSBulloch, Effingham29 min
Mar 15, 10:39 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSBulloch, Chatham, Effingham50 min
Mar 15, 10:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSBulloch, Candler, Evans, Tattnall58 min
Mar 15, 11:32 PM EDTTornado WarningCHSBryan, Evans, Liberty43 min
Mar 16, 12:10 AM EDTTornado WarningCHSBryan, Chatham, Liberty35 min
Mar 15, 8:03 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSHampton17 min
Mar 15, 8:23 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSAllendale, Colleton, Hampton52 min
Mar 15, 8:32 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSBerkeley20 min
Mar 15, 8:40 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningCHS2 hr
Mar 15, 8:44 PM EDTTornado WarningCHSCharleston, Colleton, Dorchester46 min
Mar 15, 8:49 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSJasper56 min
Mar 15, 8:54 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSBeaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper66 min
Mar 15, 9:03 PM EDTTornado WarningCHSBeaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper42 min
Mar 15, 9:25 PM EDTTornado WarningCHSBeaufort, Charleston, Colleton50 min
Mar 15, 9:34 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningCHS116 min
Mar 15, 9:38 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningCHS97 min
Mar 15, 9:57 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSBeaufort, Jasper35 min
Mar 15, 9:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCHSBeaufort, Charleston, Colleton26 min
Mar 15, 9:59 PM EDTTornado WarningCHSBeaufort, Jasper31 min
Mar 15, 10:43 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningCHS92 min
Mar 15, 10:58 PM EDTLake Wind AdvisoryCHSBerkeley15 hr
Mar 15, 11:04 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningCHS55 min
Mar 16, 12:38 AM EDTSpecial Marine WarningCHS67 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Georgia, 2008Tornado Warnings in South Carolina, 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.