Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 26, NWS Mobile, AL

February 17, 2008Baldwin County, Alabama

NWS Mobile, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 17, 2008, 11:11 AM CST for Baldwin County, Alabama. It was in force for 49 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, 11:11 AM CST (17:11 UTC)
Expired
Feb 17, 2008, 12:00 PM CST
In force
49 min
Issued by
NWS Mobile, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Baldwin County, AL

The radar

The Mobile radar (KMOB), 65 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:13 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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Feb 17, 5:26 AM CSTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Slidell Radar S, LA (KSIL), launched 12:00Z, 5.2 hours before the alert went out and 207 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, Slidell Radar S, LA at 12:00Z on 2008-02-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 412 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, Slidell Radar S, LA at 12:00Z on 2008-02-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 233 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
412 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-29 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
645 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
59 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
233 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
242 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.6
Supercell composite
2.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KMOB 171711
TORMOB
ALC003-171800-
/O.NEW.KMOB.TO.W.0026.080217T1711Z-080217T1800Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1111 AM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHERN BALDWIN COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...

* UNTIL NOON CST

* AT 1108 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR MARLOW     
  MOVING NORTHEAST AROUND 40 MPH.  THE CENTER OF CIRCULATION APPEARS 
  TO BE RE-DEVELOPING.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  ROBERTSDALE BY 1120 AM CST...
  ELSANOR AND ROSINTON BY 1125 AM CST...
  GATESWOOD BY 1135 AM CST...
  BARRINEAU PARK BY 1140 AM CST...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
STURDY BUILDING...PREFERABLY IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR A ROOM SUCH AS
A CLOSET OR BATHROOM. IF POSSIBLE...GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER
PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY
AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS
STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE DAMAGING HAIL OR DAMAGING
STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

IF YOU ARE IN MOBILE HOME...EVACUATE IT AND GET ON THE LOWEST FLOOR
OF A NEARBY STURDY BUILDING OR IN AN UNDERGROUND STORM SHELTER. IF NO
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER IS AVAILABLE AND A TORNADO IS FAST APPROACHING...
SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW DEPRESSION AND COVER YOUR
HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY BE OBSCURING 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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CST SUNDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST
MISSISSIPPI.

LAT...LON 3044 8790 3080 8757 3079 8754 3073 8751
      3067 8739 3059 8738 3053 8746 3044 8738
      3028 8772
TIME...MOT...LOC 1711Z 219DEG 42KT 3047 8774

$$
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KMOB 171724
SVSMOB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1121 AM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

ALC003-171800-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-080217T1800Z/
BALDWIN AL-
1121 AM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST FOR EAST
CENTRAL BALDWIN COUNTY...

AT 1117 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A POSSIBLE TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR 
SUMMERDALE AND WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AROUND 30 MPH. 

THE CIRCULATION IS REFORMING AND THE PARENT STORM IS STRENGTHENING. 
THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS STORM TO PRODUCE A TORNADO WILL REMAIN HIGH 
THROUGH NOON...IF ONE HAS NOT ALREADY YET FORMED.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF ROSINTON BY 1125 AM CST...
  ELSANOR BY 1130 AM CST...
  8 MILES NORTHWEST OF SEMINOLE BY 1140 AM CST...
  7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF GATESWOOD BY 1150 AM CST...

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

WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED BASED ON DOPPLER RADAR...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.

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CST SUNDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST
MISSISSIPPI.

LAT...LON 3040 8780 3050 8779 3080 8757 3079 8754
      3073 8751 3067 8739 3060 8740 3053 8746
      3044 8738 3033 8762
TIME...MOT...LOC 1721Z 230DEG 21KT 3054 8766

$$
000 
WWUS54 KMOB 171739
SVSMOB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1138 AM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

ALC003-171800-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-080217T1800Z/
BALDWIN AL-
1138 AM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST FOR EAST
CENTRAL BALDWIN COUNTY...

AT 1131 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A POTENTIAL TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR 
ELSANOR...OR ABOUT 24 MILES SOUTHEAST OF BAY MINETTE...MOVING 
NORTHEAST AROUND 30 MPH.

NWS DOPPLER RADAR HAS SHOWN CIRCULATION HAS INCREASED CLOSER TO THE 
GROUND SINCE 1130 PM.

THE TORNADO WILL REMAIN OVER RURAL AREAS OF EAST CENTRAL BALDWIN 
COUNTY THROUGH NOON.

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

WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED BASED ON DOPPLER RADAR...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.

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.

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CST SUNDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST
MISSISSIPPI.

LAT...LON 3049 8762 3057 8767 3080 8757 3079 8754
      3073 8751 3067 8739 3060 8740 3045 8753
TIME...MOT...LOC 1736Z 237DEG 30KT 3060 8753

$$
000 
WWUS54 KMOB 171756
SVSMOB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1156 AM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

ALC003-171806-
/O.EXP.KMOB.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-080217T1800Z/
BALDWIN AL-
1156 AM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL BALDWIN COUNTY EXPIRES AT
NOON CST...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CST SUNDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST
MISSISSIPPI.

LAT...LON 3049 8762 3057 8767 3080 8757 3079 8754
      3073 8751 3067 8739 3060 8740 3045 8753
TIME...MOT...LOC 1756Z 180DEG 0KT 3058 8757

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 17, 7:00 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBWashington45 min
Feb 17, 9:48 AM CSTMarine Weather StatementMOB2 hr
Feb 17, 10:37 AM CSTTornado WarningMOBBaldwin38 min
Feb 17, 11:03 AM CSTTornado WarningMOBChoctaw, Washington27 min
Feb 17, 11:25 AM CSTTornado WarningMOBClarke35 min
Feb 17, 11:30 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBMobile60 min
Feb 17, 11:46 AM CSTSpecial Marine WarningMOB59 min
Feb 17, 11:46 AM CSTTornado WarningMOBBaldwin59 min
Feb 17, 11:58 AM CSTTornado WarningMOBClarke, Wilcox47 min
Feb 17, 12:29 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBEscambia61 min
Feb 17, 12:30 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBBaldwin, Mobile45 min
Feb 17, 12:44 PM CSTSpecial Marine WarningMOB61 min
Feb 17, 12:54 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBMobile36 min
Feb 17, 12:55 PM CSTSpecial Marine WarningMOB65 min
Feb 17, 1:12 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBButler, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Escambia63 min
Feb 17, 1:21 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBButler, Monroe, Wilcox39 min
Feb 17, 1:55 PM CSTSpecial Marine WarningMOB65 min
Feb 17, 2:11 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBCrenshaw19 min
Feb 17, 2:14 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBButler, Conecuh, Covington31 min
Feb 17, 2:31 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBBaldwin, Conecuh, Covington, Escambia59 min
Feb 17, 2:52 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBButler, Crenshaw23 min
Feb 17, 2:54 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBButler, Crenshaw36 min
Feb 17, 3:01 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBButler, Crenshaw44 min
Feb 17, 3:13 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBConecuh, Covington, Escambia47 min
Feb 17, 3:24 PM CSTMarine Weather StatementMOB5 hr
Feb 17, 3:28 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBButler, Covington, Crenshaw, Escambia50 min
Feb 17, 3:51 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBCovington24 min
Feb 17, 3:59 PM CSTSpecial Marine WarningMOB31 min
Feb 17, 4:30 PM CSTSpecial Marine WarningMOB90 min
Feb 17, 5:09 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBCovington36 min
Feb 17, 5:53 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMOBCovington52 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.