Alert archive / Alabama / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2008

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 51, NWS Mobile, AL

February 17, 2008Covington County, Alabama

NWS Mobile, AL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Feb 17, 2008, 5:09 PM CST for Covington County, Alabama. It was in force for 36 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: Feb 17, 2008, 5:09 PM CST (23:09 UTC)
Expired: Feb 17, 2008, 5:45 PM CST
In force: 36 min
Issued by: NWS Mobile, AL
Area: Storm-based polygon

County Covington County, AL

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Feb 17, 12:32 PM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Tallahassee Rgnl, FL (KTLH), launched 12:00Z, 11.2 hours before the alert went out and 208 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: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL: 766 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 47 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 268 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 304 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 
WUUS54 KMOB 172309
SVRMOB
ALC039-172345-
/O.NEW.KMOB.SV.W.0051.080217T2309Z-080217T2345Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
509 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  EAST CENTRAL COVINGTON COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 545 PM CST

* AT 507 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR ONYCHA...OR ABOUT
  15 MILES SOUTHEAST OF ANDALUSIA...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
  ESTOTHEL BY 515 PM CST...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. IF A TORNADO
IS SPOTTED... ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY
STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM.

DOPPLER RADAR HAS INDICATED SOME WEAK ROTATION WITHIN THIS STORM.
WHILE NOT IMMEDIATELY LIKELY...A TORNADO MAY STILL DEVELOP. IF A
TORNADO IS SPOTTED...ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A
STURDY STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CST SUNDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA.

LAT...LON 3136 8620 3117 8619 3109 8627 3121 8637
TIME...MOT...LOC 2309Z 232DEG 46KT 3122 8624

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Mobile, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Feb 17, 4:25 PM CST, 44 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 17, 4:25 PM CST, 44 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
425 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

.SHORT TERM (TONIGHT AND MONDAY)...BACK EDGE OF THE SQUALL LINE IS
EXITING OUT EASTERN-MOST COUNTIES AT THIS TIME AND IS EXPECTED TO BE
CLEAR OF THE AREA BY SUNSET. WE CONTINUE WITH A TORNADO WATCH EAST OF
A LUVERNE...TO ANDALUSIA...TO MILTON AND NAVARRE LINE...AND WILL
CLEAR THOSE COUNTIES LEFT IN THE WATCH OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS.
OTHERWISE...DRYSLOT BEHIND THE SQUALL LINE WORKS ACROSS THROUGH THE
EARLY EVENING HOURS...THEN THE ACTUAL FRONT SLIDES THROUGH LATE
TONIGHT. CLEAR SAILING AFTER THAT THROUGH WEDNESDAY. /05

.LONG TERM (TUESDAY THROUGH NEXT SUNDAY)...MADE NO CHANGES TO THE
PREVIOUS EXTENDED FORECAST ON THIS CYCLE. LATEST GUIDANCE SUPPORTS
PREVIOUS FORECAST WITH POPS INCREASING LATE WEDNESDAY AS THE UPPER
FLOW GOES MORE ZONAL THEN SOUTHWESTERLY HEAD OF THE NEXT SYSTEM.  /05

&&

.MARINE...THE LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE EAST OF THE
MARINE AREA LATE TODAY...WITH A COLD FRONT MOVING SOUTHEAST ACROSS
THE COASTAL WATERS LATE TONIGHT. THE MODERATE TO STRONG NORTHERLY
FLOW IN THE WAKE OF THE FRONT WILL DIMINISH BY TUESDAY AS HIGH
PRESSURE BUILDS IN FROM THE WEST.  /05

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...RH LEVELS DROP INTO THE LOWER 30 PERCENT RANGE FOR A
PERIOD OF TIME ACROSS THE AREA TOMORROW. DOESNT APPEAR WE HAVE THE
RED FLAG ON DURATION OVER THERE AT THIS TIME. MIDSHIFT WILL RE-
EVALUATE.  /05

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
MOBILE      49  62  35  67 /  10  05  00  00
PENSACOLA   51  63  38  64 /  30  05  00  00
DESTIN      55  64  42  63 /  70  20  00  00
EVERGREEN   50  60  33  64 /  20  05  00  00
WAYNESBORO  43  57  33  63 /  05  05  00  00
CAMDEN      44  58  33  64 /  10  05  00  00

&&

.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...NONE.
FL...NONE.
MS...NONE.
GM...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 1 PM MONDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
     COASTAL WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL OUT 20 NM...
     COASTAL WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS OUT 20
     NM...MOBILE BAY...WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL FROM
     20 TO 60 NM...AND WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS
     FROM 20 TO 60 NM.

&&

05/GARMON

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 17, 4:30 AM CST, 12 hours 39 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
430 AM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

ALZ051>064-FLZ001>006-GMZ630-650-655-670-675-MSZ067-075-076-078-
079-181200-
CHOCTAW-WASHINGTON-CLARKE-WILCOX-MONROE-CONECUH-BUTLER-CRENSHAW-
ESCAMBIA-COVINGTON-UPPER MOBILE-UPPER BALDWIN-LOWER MOBILE-
LOWER BALDWIN-INLAND ESCAMBIA-COASTAL ESCAMBIA-INLAND SANTA ROSA-
COASTAL SANTA ROSA-INLAND OKALOOSA-COASTAL OKALOOSA-MOBILE BAY-
COASTAL WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS FROM 20 TO 60 NM-
WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL FROM 20 TO 60 NM-WAYNE-PERRY-
GREENE-STONE-GEORGE-
430 AM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL
ALABAMA...SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...THE COASTAL WATERS OF ALABAMA AND
NORTHWEST FLORIDA...NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A FRONT WILL APPROACH THE AREA TODAY. AHEAD OF THE FRONT...A LINE OF
THUNDERSTORMS WILL CROSS THE AREA THIS MORNING INTO THIS AFTERNOON.
THIS LINE WILL SLOW DOWN DURING THE DAY AS ITS SUPPORTING UPPER
DYNAMICS PULL AWAY TO THE NORTHEAST. SHEAR PROFILES INDICATE MOSTLY
WIND DAMAGE FROM THE SQUALL LINE AS IT PASSES...THOUGH THERE IS THE
POSSIBILITY OF ISOLATED TORNADOES...ESPECIALLY WITH
SCATTERED...NORTHWARD MOVING THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING AHEAD OF THE
SQUALL LINE.

STRONG OFFSHORE WINDS WILL SHIFT TO OFFSHORE TONIGHT. THESE WINDS
AND DEVELOPED SEAS WILL MAKE BOATING HAZARDOUS FOR SMALL CRAFT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

MODERATE TO STRONG OFFSHORE FLOW WILL LAST THROUGH MONDAY
NIGHT...WITH CONDITIONS HAZARDOUS FOR SMALL CRAFT CONTINUING. WINDS
AND SEAS WILL SETTLE LATE MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY.

A SYSTEM MOVING OVER THE PLAINS WILL PUSH A FRONT TOWARDS THE
AREA...STRENGTHENING WINDS AND CREATING HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR
SMALL CRAFT BY THE WEEKEND.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WILL BE NEEDED
AT TIMES TODAY.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Feb 17, 3:22 PM CST, 1 hour 47 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
322 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0200 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LENOX                   31.34N 87.19W
02/17/2008                   CONECUH            AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN ON POWER LINES.

&&

GENEJ

Local storm report, Feb 17, 3:37 PM CST, 1 hour 32 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
337 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0250 PM     TSTM WND DMG     6 S BREWTON             31.02N 87.07W
02/17/2008                   ESCAMBIA           AL   STORM CHASER

            FOUR TO SIX INCH DIAMETER LIMBS DOWN OVER A TWO MILE
            DISTANCE.

&&

GENEJ

Local storm report, Feb 17, 3:38 PM CST, 1 hour 31 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
338 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0157 PM     TSTM WND DMG     RANGE                   31.31N 87.24W
02/17/2008                   CONECUH            AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN AND OTHER DEBRIS ON ROADS IN RANGE.

&&

GENEJ

Local storm report, Feb 17, 3:56 PM CST, 1 hour 13 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
356 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0230 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 W FLOMATON            31.00N 87.35W
02/17/2008                   ESCAMBIA           AL   STORM CHASER

            EIGHT INCH DIAMETER PINE AND OAK LIMBS DOWN 5 WEST OF
            FLOMATON ON HWY 31.

0340 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     OPP                     31.28N 86.26W
02/17/2008                   COVINGTON          AL   AMATEUR RADIO

            TWO FUNNEL CLOUDS...GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL,

0348 PM     TORNADO          BABBIE                  31.28N 86.32W
02/17/2008                   COVINGTON          AL   BROADCAST MEDIA

&&

GENEJ

Local storm report, Feb 17, 4:14 PM CST, 55 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
414 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0358 PM     TORNADO          ONYCHA                  31.21N 86.28W
02/17/2008                   COVINGTON          AL   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC REPORT OF A TORNADO

&&

GENEJ

Local storm report, Feb 17, 4:28 PM CST, 41 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
428 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1201 PM     TORNADO          MOLINO                  30.72N 87.33W
02/17/2008                   ESCAMBIA           FL   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            4 HOUSES REPORTED DESTROYED IN MOLINO. NO INJURIES
            REPORTED

1201 PM     TORNADO          MOLINO                  30.72N 87.33W
02/17/2008                   ESCAMBIA           FL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TORNADO REPORTED ON THE GROUND BY MOLINO FIRE DEPARTMENT
            AND RELAYED THROUGH E-911 CENTER

1201 PM     TORNADO          MOLINO                  30.72N 87.33W
02/17/2008                   ESCAMBIA           FL   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            LARGE OAK TREES ACROSS THE ROAD AND POWERLINES DOWN
            CAUSING SOME OF THE RESPONDERS TO HAVE DIFFICULTY GETTING
            TO AFFECTED AREAS

1223 PM     TORNADO          3 SE JAY                30.92N 87.12W
02/17/2008                   SANTA ROSA         FL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            HOUSE AND ROOF DAMAGE JUST SOUTHEAST OF JAY. TIME AND
            LOCATION ESTIMATED.

0110 PM     TORNADO          DIXIE                   31.14N 86.72W
02/17/2008                   ESCAMBIA           AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            2 HOUSES COMPLETELY DESTROYED...SEVERAL TRAVEL TRAILERS
            FLIPPED OVER

0115 PM     TORNADO          1 W DIXIE               31.14N 86.74W
02/17/2008                   ESCAMBIA           AL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            1 HOUSE DESTROYED...1 HOUSE DAMAGED...TREES SNAPPED IN
            HALF...BETWEEN MILE MARKER 23 AND 24 ON HWY 29

0119 PM     TORNADO          2 NE DIXIE              31.16N 86.70W
02/17/2008                   COVINGTON          AL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            EXTENSIVE TREE DAMAGE...ALSO POWERLINES DOWN AND SHINGLES
            OFF A ROOF

0141 PM     TSTM WND DMG     GANTT                   31.41N 86.48W
02/17/2008                   COVINGTON          AL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN ON US 29. POSSIBLE TORNADO

0157 PM     TSTM WND DMG     RANGE                   31.31N 87.24W
02/17/2008                   CONECUH            AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN AND OTHER DEBRIS ON ROADS IN RANGE.

0157 PM     TSTM WND DMG     RANGE                   31.31N 87.24W
02/17/2008                   CONECUH            AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN AND OTHER DEBRIS ON ROADS IN RANGE.

0158 PM     HAIL             DOZIER                  31.49N 86.37W
02/17/2008  E1.00 INCH       CRENSHAW           AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

0200 PM     TSTM WND DMG     LENOX                   31.34N 87.19W
02/17/2008                   CONECUH            AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN ON POWER LINES.

0200 PM     TORNADO          DOZIER                  31.49N 86.37W
02/17/2008                   CRENSHAW           AL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN

0210 PM     HAIL             1 N DOZIER              31.51N 86.37W
02/17/2008  E1.00 INCH       CRENSHAW           AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

0230 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 W FLOMATON            31.00N 87.35W
02/17/2008                   ESCAMBIA           AL   STORM CHASER

            EIGHT INCH DIAMETER PINE AND OAK LIMBS DOWN 5 WEST OF
            FLOMATON ON HWY 31.

0243 PM     TSTM WND DMG     BREWTON                 31.10N 87.07W
02/17/2008                   ESCAMBIA           AL   BROADCAST MEDIA

            POWER OUTAGES IN BREWTON

0250 PM     TSTM WND DMG     6 S BREWTON             31.02N 87.07W
02/17/2008                   ESCAMBIA           AL   STORM CHASER

            FOUR TO SIX INCH DIAMETER LIMBS DOWN OVER A TWO MILE
            DISTANCE.

0340 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     OPP                     31.28N 86.26W
02/17/2008                   COVINGTON          AL   AMATEUR RADIO

            TWO FUNNEL CLOUDS...GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL,

0348 PM     TORNADO          BABBIE                  31.28N 86.32W
02/17/2008                   COVINGTON          AL   BROADCAST MEDIA

0358 PM     TORNADO          ONYCHA                  31.21N 86.28W
02/17/2008                   COVINGTON          AL   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC REPORT OF A TORNADO

&&

GENEJ

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Feb 17, 7:00 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB	Washington	45 min
Feb 17, 9:48 AM CST	Marine Weather Statement	MOB		2 hr
Feb 17, 10:37 AM CST	Tornado Warning	MOB	Baldwin	38 min
Feb 17, 11:03 AM CST	Tornado Warning	MOB	Choctaw, Washington	27 min
Feb 17, 11:11 AM CST	Tornado Warning	MOB	Baldwin	49 min
Feb 17, 11:25 AM CST	Tornado Warning	MOB	Clarke	35 min
Feb 17, 11:30 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB	Mobile	60 min
Feb 17, 11:46 AM CST	Special Marine Warning	MOB		59 min
Feb 17, 11:46 AM CST	Tornado Warning	MOB	Baldwin	59 min
Feb 17, 11:58 AM CST	Tornado Warning	MOB	Clarke, Wilcox	47 min
Feb 17, 12:29 PM CST	Tornado Warning	MOB	Escambia	61 min
Feb 17, 12:30 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB	Baldwin, Mobile	45 min
Feb 17, 12:44 PM CST	Special Marine Warning	MOB		61 min
Feb 17, 12:54 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB	Mobile	36 min
Feb 17, 12:55 PM CST	Special Marine Warning	MOB		65 min
Feb 17, 1:12 PM CST	Tornado Warning	MOB	Butler, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Escambia	63 min
Feb 17, 1:21 PM CST	Tornado Warning	MOB	Butler, Monroe, Wilcox	39 min
Feb 17, 1:55 PM CST	Special Marine Warning	MOB		65 min
Feb 17, 2:11 PM CST	Tornado Warning	MOB	Crenshaw	19 min
Feb 17, 2:14 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB	Butler, Conecuh, Covington	31 min
Feb 17, 2:31 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB	Baldwin, Conecuh, Covington, Escambia	59 min
Feb 17, 2:52 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB	Butler, Crenshaw	23 min
Feb 17, 2:54 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB	Butler, Crenshaw	36 min
Feb 17, 3:01 PM CST	Tornado Warning	MOB	Butler, Crenshaw	44 min
Feb 17, 3:13 PM CST	Tornado Warning	MOB	Conecuh, Covington, Escambia	47 min
Feb 17, 3:24 PM CST	Marine Weather Statement	MOB		5 hr
Feb 17, 3:28 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB	Butler, Covington, Crenshaw, Escambia	50 min
Feb 17, 3:51 PM CST	Tornado Warning	MOB	Covington	24 min
Feb 17, 3:59 PM CST	Special Marine Warning	MOB		31 min
Feb 17, 4:30 PM CST	Special Marine Warning	MOB		90 min
Feb 17, 5:53 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB	Covington	52 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alabama, 2008 Every severe thunderstorm warning 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.