Alert archive / Florida / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 1, NWS Tallahassee, FL

February 18, 2009Holmes County, Walton County, Florida; Geneva County, Alabama

NWS Tallahassee, FL issued this tornado warning at Feb 18, 2009, 9:45 PM CST for Holmes County, Walton County, Florida; Geneva County, Alabama. It was in force for 30 min. 2 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 18, 2009, 9:45 PM CST (03:45 UTC)
Expired
Feb 18, 2009, 10:15 PM CST
In force
30 min
Issued by
NWS Tallahassee, FL
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Geneva County, AL, Holmes County, FL, Walton County, FL

The radar

The Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 51 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:47 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
Feb 18, 9:45 PM CSTTSTM WND DMG2 Se Darlington, FLMANY LARGE TREES FELLED BY 75-80 MPH WIND GUSTS BEWTEEN GLENDALE AND DARLINGTON.
Feb 18, 9:45 PM CSTHAIL 2.752 Se Darlington, FLBASEBALL SIZED HAIL REPORTED BETWEEN GLENDALE AND DARLINGTON.

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 18, 9:14 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr
Feb 18, 2:32 PM CSTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Tallahassee Rgnl, FL (KTLH), launched 00:00Z, 3.8 hours before the alert went out and 188 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, Tallahassee Rgnl, FL at 00:00Z on 2009-02-19Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 177 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, Tallahassee Rgnl, FL at 00:00Z on 2009-02-19The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 371 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
177 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-19 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
515 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
67 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
371 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
426 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.4
Supercell composite
2.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS52 KTAE 190345
TORTAE
ALC061-FLC059-131-190415-
/O.NEW.KTAE.TO.W.0001.090219T0345Z-090219T0415Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
945 PM CST WED FEB 18 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN HOLMES COUNTY IN THE PANHANDLE OF FLORIDA...
  NORTH CENTRAL WALTON COUNTY IN THE PANHANDLE OF FLORIDA...
  SOUTHWESTERN GENEVA COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST ALABAMA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF GENEVA...

* UNTIL 1015 PM CST

* AT 938 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  DEVELOPING TORNADO 27 MILES WEST OF GENEVA...OR 17 MILES NORTHWEST
  OF DE FUNIAK SPRINGS...MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  7 MILES SOUTH OF GENEVA BY 1005 PM CST...

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

RELAY REPORTS OF SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
TALLAHASSEE AT (8 5 0) 9 4 2 8 8 3 3. OR...YOU MAY CONTACT THE
NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM CST
THURSDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHEAST ALABAMA AND NORTH FLORIDA AND
SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA.

LAT...LON 3100 8633 3100 8619 3103 8619 3110 8588
      3090 8577 3086 8631
TIME...MOT...LOC 0345Z 265DEG 54KT 3092 8618

$$

38-GODSEY
2 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS52 KTAE 190353
SVSTAE

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1053 PM EST WED FEB 18 2009

ALC061-FLC059-131-190415-
/O.CON.KTAE.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090219T0415Z/
GENEVA AL-HOLMES FL-WALTON FL-
952 PM CST WED FEB 18 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM CST FOR NORTH
CENTRAL WALTON...NORTHWESTERN HOLMES AND SOUTHWESTERN GENEVA
COUNTIES...

AT 950 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR GASKIN...OR 13
MILES NORTH OF DE FUNIAK SPRINGS...MOVING EAST AT 65 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  HOBBS CROSSROADS AND BARKER STORE BY 1000 PM CST...
  NEW HOPE...PITTMAN...IZAGORA AND 6 MILES SOUTH OF GENEVA BY 1005 PM
  CST...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL 
UP TO BASEBALL SIZE AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 
70 MPH. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION SEEK A STURDY STRUCTURE 
IMMEDIATELY

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.

RELAY REPORTS OF SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
TALLAHASSEE AT (8 5 0) 9 4 2 8 8 3 3. OR...YOU MAY CONTACT THE
NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
THEY WILL RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM CST
THURSDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHEAST ALABAMA AND NORTH FLORIDA AND
SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA.

LAT...LON 3099 8625 3100 8619 3103 8619 3110 8588
      3090 8577 3087 8620
TIME...MOT...LOC 0352Z 259DEG 58KT 3091 8609

$$

38-GODSEY
000 
WWUS52 KTAE 190409
SVSTAE

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1109 PM EST WED FEB 18 2009

ALC061-FLC059-131-190415-
/O.CON.KTAE.TO.W.0001.000000T0000Z-090219T0415Z/
GENEVA AL-HOLMES FL-WALTON FL-
1008 PM CST WED FEB 18 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN WALTON...NORTHWESTERN HOLMES AND SOUTH CENTRAL GENEVA
COUNTIES...

AT 1001 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BARKER STORE...OR 
9 MILES SOUTH OF GENEVA...MOVING EAST AT 70 MPH.

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GOLF 
BALL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 
MPH. 

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.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM CST
THURSDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHEAST ALABAMA AND NORTH FLORIDA AND
SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA.

LAT...LON 3089 8605 3104 8602 3107 8586 3090 8577
TIME...MOT...LOC 0408Z 265DEG 60KT 3092 8576

$$

38-GODSEY

The office that day

Everything else NWS Tallahassee, FL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 18, 6:51 PM CSTFire Weather WatchTAEBay, Calhoun, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf and 10 more13 hr
Feb 18, 9:11 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEHolmes, Walton34 min
Feb 18, 9:42 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEHolmes, Walton48 min
Feb 18, 10:21 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEHolmes, Jackson, Washington39 min
Feb 18, 10:45 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEJackson45 min
Feb 18, 10:50 PM CSTTornado WarningTAEJackson25 min
Feb 19, 1:07 AM CSTLake Wind AdvisoryTAEBay, Calhoun, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf and 10 more16 hr
Feb 19, 3:08 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningTAEMadison22 min
Feb 19, 3:41 AM CSTSpecial Marine WarningTAE94 min
Feb 19, 4:11 AM CSTSpecial Marine WarningTAE94 min
Feb 19, 5:23 AM CSTSpecial Marine WarningTAE82 min
Feb 19, 8:08 AM CSTRed Flag WarningTAEBay, Calhoun, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf and 10 more10 hr
Feb 19, 8:08 AM CSTRed Flag WarningTAEBay, Calhoun, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf and 10 more34 hr
Feb 19, 1:49 PM CSTFire Weather WatchTAEBay, Calhoun, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf and 10 more38 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Florida, 2009Tornado Warnings in Alabama, 2009Every tornado warning in 2009Tornadoes in 2009

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.