Alert archive / Alabama / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 31, NWS Mobile, AL

February 17, 20085 counties in Alabama

NWS Mobile, AL issued this tornado warning at Feb 17, 2008, 1:12 PM CST for 5 counties in Alabama. It was in force for 63 min. 6 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
Feb 17, 2008, 1:12 PM CST (19:12 UTC)
Expired
Feb 17, 2008, 2:15 PM CST
In force
63 min
Issued by
NWS Mobile, AL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Butler County, AL, Conecuh County, AL, Covington County, AL, Crenshaw County, AL, Escambia County, AL

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Feb 17, 1:15 PM CSTTORNADO1 W Dixie, AL1 HOUSE DESTROYED...1 HOUSE DAMAGED...TREES SNAPPED IN HALF...BETWEEN MILE MARKER 23 AND 24 ON HWY 29
Feb 17, 1:19 PM CSTTORNADO2 Ne Dixie, ALEXTENSIVE TREE DAMAGE...ALSO POWERLINES DOWN AND SHINGLES OFF A ROOF
Feb 17, 1:41 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGGantt, ALTREES DOWN ON US 29. POSSIBLE TORNADO
Feb 17, 1:58 PM CSTHAIL 1Dozier, AL
Feb 17, 2:00 PM CSTTORNADODozier, ALTREES AND POWER LINES DOWN
Feb 17, 2:10 PM CSTHAIL 11 N Dozier, AL

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
Feb 17, 12:32 PM CSTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 7.2 hours before the alert went out and 200 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 2008-02-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 5 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 2008-02-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 277 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
5 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-13 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
560 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
56 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
277 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
350 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 
WFUS54 KMOB 171913
TORMOB
ALC013-035-039-041-053-172015-
/O.NEW.KMOB.TO.W.0031.080217T1912Z-080217T2015Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN BUTLER COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  SOUTHEASTERN CONECUH COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...  
  COVINGTON COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  SOUTHERN CRENSHAW COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...
  NORTHEASTERN ESCAMBIA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 215 PM CST

* AT 110 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED   
  A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 2 MILES WEST  
  OF DIXIE...OR ABOUT 19 MILES EAST OF BREWTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 
  45 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  PLEASANT HOME BY 120 PM CST...
  BECK AND LOANGO BY 125 PM CST...
  RIVER FALLS AND ANDALUSIA BY 135 PM CST...
  GANTT AND HEATH BY 140 PM CST...
  CLEARVIEW BY 145 PM CST...
  DOZIER AND ROSE HILL BY 150 PM 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.

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

LAT...LON 3161 8612 3155 8612 3152 8617 3140 8617
      3129 8626 3104 8655 3109 8682 3118 8688
      3152 8671 3171 8642
TIME...MOT...LOC 1912Z 225DEG 42KT 3116 8674

$$
4 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KMOB 171927
SVSMOB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
125 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

ALC035-053-171935-
/O.CAN.KMOB.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-080217T2015Z/
ESCAMBIA AL-CONECUH AL-
125 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN CONECUH AND NORTHEASTERN 
ESCAMBIA COUNTY ALABAMA IS CANCELLED...

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

LAT...LON 3161 8612 3155 8612 3152 8617 3140 8617
      3116 8641 3115 8645 3117 8668 3143 8667
      3144 8669 3152 8670 3171 8642
TIME...MOT...LOC 1925Z 225DEG 42KT 3127 8661

$$

ALC013-039-041-172015-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-080217T2015Z/
COVINGTON AL-BUTLER AL-CRENSHAW AL-
125 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 PM CST FOR SOUTHERN
CRENSHAW...SOUTHEASTERN BUTLER AND NORTHERN COVINGTON COUNTIES...

AT 123 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A POSSIBLE TORNADO.  THE RADAR INDICATED CIRCULATION IS 
...VERY STRONG...  THE TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BECK...OR ABOUT 10 
MILES SOUTHWEST OF ANDALUSIA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  CAROLINA BY 130 PM CST...
  RIVER FALLS AND ANDALUSIA BY 135 PM CST...
  GANTT AND HEATH BY 140 PM CST...
  CLEARVIEW BY 145 PM CST...
  DOZIER AND ROSE HILL BY 150 PM CST...
  BRANTLEY BY 200 PM CST...

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

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.

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.

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

LAT...LON 3161 8612 3155 8612 3152 8617 3140 8617
      3116 8641 3115 8645 3117 8668 3143 8667
      3144 8669 3152 8670 3171 8642
TIME...MOT...LOC 1925Z 225DEG 42KT 3127 8661

$$
000 
WWUS54 KMOB 171939
SVSMOB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
138 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

ALC013-039-041-172015-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-080217T2015Z/
COVINGTON AL-BUTLER AL-CRENSHAW AL-
138 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 PM CST FOR SOUTHERN
CRENSHAW...EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN BUTLER AND NORTHERN COVINGTON
COUNTIES...

AT 137 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A POSSIBLE TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED ABOUT 2 MILES 
SOUTHWEST  HEATH...OR ABOUT NEAR ANDALUSIA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 
MPH.

...THE STORMS CIRCULATION REMAINS VERY STRONG... 

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  CLEARVIEW AND 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF EODA BY 145 PM CST...
  DOZIER AND ROSE HILL BY 150 PM CST...
  BRANTLEY BY 200 PM CST...

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 800 PM CST SUNDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA.

LAT...LON 3161 8612 3155 8612 3152 8617 3140 8617
      3132 8628 3124 8643 3128 8659 3143 8667
      3171 8642
TIME...MOT...LOC 1938Z 225DEG 42KT 3138 8648

$$
000 
WWUS54 KMOB 171951
SVSMOB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
148 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

ALC039-041-172015-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-080217T2015Z/
COVINGTON AL-CRENSHAW AL-
148 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 PM CST FOR SOUTHERN
CRENSHAW AND NORTHEASTERN COVINGTON COUNTIES...

AT 145 PM CST...RADAR INDICATED A PERSISTENT AND VERY STRONG 
CIRCULATION THAT WAS POSSIBLY PRODUCING A TORNADO LOCATED 2 MILES 
SOUTHEAST OF GANTT...OR ABOUT 6 MILES NORTHEAST OF 
ANDALUSIA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED NEAR GANTT ...OR VERY NEAR WHERE RADAR 
INDICATED THE TORNADIC CIRCULATION.  OTHER DELAYED STORM DAMAGE 
REPORTS ARE STARTING TO FUNNEL IN NEAR THE ESCAMBIA ALABAMA AND 
COVINGTON COUNTY LINES.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  DOZIER BY 155 PM CST...
  BRANTLEY BY 205 PM CST...

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

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.

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

LAT...LON 3161 8612 3155 8612 3152 8617 3140 8617
      3132 8629 3132 8637 3134 8646 3143 8652
      3171 8642
TIME...MOT...LOC 1948Z 234DEG 40KT 3140 8638

$$
000 
WWUS54 KMOB 172002
SVSMOB

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
200 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

ALC039-041-172015-
/O.CON.KMOB.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-080217T2015Z/
COVINGTON AL-CRENSHAW AL-
200 PM CST SUN FEB 17 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 215 PM CST FOR SOUTHERN
CRENSHAW AND NORTHEASTERN COVINGTON COUNTIES...

AT 154 PM CST...REPORTS CONTINUED TO FLOW INTO THE NWS MOBILE 
ALABAMA NWS OFFICE OF POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE.  THE POSSIBLE 
TORNADO WAS LOCATED 1 MILE EAST OF A DOZIER TO ROSE HILL LINE...AND 
WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

QUARTER SIZE HAIL WAS ALSO REPORTED IN DOZIER ALABAMA AROUND 158 PM 
CST.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  BRANTLEY BY 205 PM CST...

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 800 PM CST SUNDAY EVENING FOR
SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA.

LAT...LON 3161 8612 3155 8612 3152 8617 3140 8617
      3139 8627 3143 8638 3148 8640 3171 8642
TIME...MOT...LOC 2000Z 226DEG 42KT 3152 8627

$$

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, 11:11 AM CSTTornado WarningMOBBaldwin49 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, 1:21 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.