An advancing cold front moving through the state caused widespread wind damage and a few tornadoes across Central Alabama, especially in the eastern half of the state.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS BMX wrote it up.
An advancing cold front moving through the state caused widespread wind damage and a few tornadoes across Central Alabama, especially in the eastern half of the state.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Birmingham, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 25, 11:45 PM CST, 3 hours 25 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 1145 PM CST MON FEB 25 2008 .UPDATE...OVERNIGHT WEATHER AND AVIATION DISCUSSION. && .DISCUSSION...COLD FRONT WAS LOCATED NEAR A MEMPHIS TO SHREVEPORT LINE AT 11 PM. A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDED SOUTH OF MEMPHIS AND INTO NORTHERN LOUISIANA. LIGHTNING HAS BEEN INCREASING ALONG THIS LINE AS IT ENCOUNTERS A MORE UNSTABLE AIR MASS. SURFACE DEWPOINTS HAVE RISEN TO NEAR 60 DEGREES AT MERIDIAN MISSISSIPPI...SO AIRMASS WILL ME MOIST ENOUGH TO SUPPORT STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. THE LINE OF STORMS WILL MOVE INTO LAMAR AND MARION COUNTIES AROUND 130 AM AND NEAR BIRMINGHAM BY 3 AM. SPC INDICATES A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH WILL LIKELY BE ISSUED WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR TO THE EAST OF CURRENT WATCH...WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE MUCH OF WEST ALABAMA. 58/ROSE && .AVIATION...06Z TAF DISCUSSION. SOUTHERLY SURFACE WINDS ARE INCREASING ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA AS PRESSURE GRADIENT TIGHTENS. MVFR CIGS SPREAD NORTHWARD A LITTLE SOONER THAN EXPECTED...AND CLOUDS HAVE JUST ABOUT SPREAD OVER ALL OF CENTRAL ALABAMA. IFR CIGS POSSIBLE AT KMGM AND KTOI THROUGH 12Z ...WITH MFVR CIGS ELSEWHERE. A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL REACH A KTCL-KBHM LINE ARND 09Z AND KMGM ARND 13Z. IFR VSBYS AND CIGS EXPECTED WITH LINE OF STRONG TSTMS. TSTMS WILL NOT LAST FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS ONCE THEY BEGIN DUE TO FAST MOVING FRONT. LOWER CLOUDS MAY BECOME SCATTERED BY AFTERNOON AS DRIER AIR MIXES DOWNWARD. HOWEVER...COLD AIR STRATUS DECK WITH CIGS 1500-2500 FEET WILL MOVE BACK INTO AREA BY LATE AFTERNOON. AFTER FROPA...SURFACE WINDS WILL INCREASE TO BETWEEN 15 AND 25 KNOTS FROM THE NORTHWEST AND NOT DIMINISH UNTIL AFTER 03Z. 58/ROSE && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...NONE. &&
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 1214 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ALZ011>015-017>050-261300- AUTAUGA-BARBOUR-BIBB-BLOUNT-BULLOCK-CALHOUN-CHAMBERS-CHEROKEE- CHILTON-CLAY-CLEBURNE-COOSA-DALLAS-ELMORE-ETOWAH-FAYETTE-GREENE-HALE- JEFFERSON-LAMAR-LEE-LOWNDES-MACON-MARENGO-MARION-MONTGOMERY-PERRY- PICKENS-PIKE-RANDOLPH-RUSSELL-SHELBY-ST CLAIR-SUMTER-TALLADEGA- TALLAPOOSA-TUSCALOOSA-WALKER-WINSTON- 1214 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE COUNTIES SERVED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN BIRMINGHAM. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT. STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE MAINLY ALONG AND WEST OF I-65. THE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING WIND GUSTS UP TO 60 MPH AND LARGE HAIL. A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL MOVE INTO LAMAR AND MARION COUNTIES AROUND 1 AM AND THEN SHIFT SOUTHEAST TO NEAR A GEIGER...TUSCALOOSA...TO JUST WEST OF BIRMINGHAM LINE BY 3 AM. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE SOUTH OF A LINE FROM LIVINGSTON...TO THORSBY...TO AUBURN. WIND GUSTS UP TO 60 MPH AND LARGE HAIL WILL BE THE MAIN THREATS. THE STORMS WILL MOVE INTO GEORGIA AFTER 12 NOON. BREEZY CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED ON TUESDAY BEHIND THE COLD FRONT. NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED...DECREASING AFTER 9 PM. A LAKE WIND ADVISORY MAY BE NECESSARY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WILL BE REQUIRED OVERNIGHT AND POSSIBLY THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 205 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ALZ012-022-260845- LAMAR-PICKENS- 205 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR LAMAR AND PICKENS COUNTIES UNTIL 245 AM CST... AT 201 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM HIGHTOGY TO 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF PICKENSVILLE...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM VERNON TO 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF PICKENSVILLE...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 40 MPH. WINDS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... LUXAPALLILA CREEK. SHAW. PICKENSVILLE. REFORM. DILLBURG. THIS THUNDERSTORM COULD INTENSIFY QUICKLY...SO BE READY TO ACT IF A WARNING IS ISSUED. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 223 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ALZ013-260900- FAYETTE- 223 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR FAYETTE COUNTY UNTIL 300 AM CST... AT 222 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM GLEN ALLEN TO ASHCRAFT CORNER...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM WINFIELD TO 9 MILES EAST OF MILLPORT...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. WINDS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... FAYETTE. FOWLERS CROSSROADS. BERRY. BOLEY SPRINGS. THIS THUNDERSTORM COULD INTENSIFY QUICKLY...SO BE READY TO ACT IF A WARNING IS ISSUED. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 237 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ALZ023-260915- TUSCALOOSA- 237 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR TUSCALOOSA COUNTY UNTIL 315 AM CST... AT 235 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM BANKSTON TO GORDO TO ALICEVILLE...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 11 MILES SOUTHEAST OF FAYETTE TO 10 MILES EAST OF REFORM TO ALICEVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH. WINDS UP TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... NEW LEXINGTON. ECHOLA. US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WELL. WINDHAM SPRINGS. TUSCALOOSA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. LAKE TUSCALOOSA. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 AM CST. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL 303 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ALZ015-024-260945- JEFFERSON-WALKER- 303 AM CST TUE FEB 26 2008 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR JEFFERSON AND WALKER COUNTIES UNTIL 345 AM CST... AT 302 AM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM SIPSEY TO 6 MILES NORTH OF BROOKWOOD...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 11 MILES NORTHEAST OF CORDOVA TO 10 MILES NORTHEAST OF HOLT...MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH. WINDS UP TO 40 MPH AND HEAVY DOWNPOURS ARE EXPECTED WITH THESE STORMS. * LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR THE PATH INCLUDE... MILLER STEAM PLANT. SYLVAN SPRINGS. WATSON. VILLAGE CREEK AVENUE W. PALMERDALE. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...COMMERCIAL RADIO...OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS CONCERNING THIS WEATHER SITUATION.
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 76 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:11 UTC.
16 thunderstorm wind, 3 tornado, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Several trees were blown down in Cordova.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across much of the southern portion of Jefferson County, especially around from the Hoover and Riverchase areas eastward to Leeds. At least one tree fell on and badly damaged a house.
After investigating a very complex pattern of widespread damage with both a ground survey team and an aerial survey, surveys teams concluded that a portion of the damage in the city of Leeds was caused by a tornado. The tornado touched down east of Interstate 20 near Henry Ellen Rd, where trees falling on a mobile home caused one fatality to an elderly woman. The tornado tracked east-southeastward, roughly between the railroad tracks and US-78 towards the city center. There was significant roof damage to several buildings along Highway 78 from Leeds City Park in the downtown area, windows were blown out of several businesses, buildings were partially de-roofed, and the brick facade of one building was collapsed. The old rock wool warehouse facility received major irreparable damage. The most concentrated and significant material damage occured near Leeds High School. Fencing around the girls softball field was mangled and twisted, and a large batting catch was overturned and rolled. Tall wooden utility poles with field lighting were snapped half way up. Several homes just to the east of the athletic fields received significant damage. Over the path of this tornado, an estimated 30 to 40 homes and 20 to 30 businesses were damaged or destroyed. Several hundred trees were either snapped off or were uprooted along the path. Aside from the one fatality, no other injuries were reported.
Wind gusts estimated up to 105 mph blew down and snapped numerous trees and power lines across the southern portion of Saint Clair County, from Camp Winnataska eastward to the county line near Pell City. Five homes sustained roof and structural damage from downed trees in Margaret, 2 homes were damaged in Chula Vista, and at least a dozen homes were damaged in the Hunting Ridge area of Pell City. Fifty to 100 trees were blown down or snapped off near the Wolf Creek Fire Department.
A narrow tornado path began just to the lee of Double Oak Mountain, and continued east-northeastward for about a half mile across the Highland Lakes subdivision. Twenty to 30 trees were either uprooted or snapped. Several homes received damage from direct or indirect hits from falling trees. On one street directly in the path of the tornado, the mailboxes on both sides of the street were sucked open. At Pinecliff Circle and Highland Park Drive, at least 3 homes had roofing or siding stripped off.
Winds estimated at 70 mph blew the roof off a business in downtown Columbiana.
Within a broad swath of wind damage, a tornado path was also found in Saint Clair County. The tornado touched down near Easonville Road, about a mile west of US-231. The tornado then traveled east, crossing US-231, before lifting at AL-34 near the Cropwell Community. In the Hunting Ridge subdivision, a dozen homes sustained roof or structural damage, five outbuildings sustained structural damage, and several power lines were downed. On Holiday Estates Drive, six homes sustained roof or structural damage, and additional power lines were downed. At the Pell City sports complex, several signs, fences, and dugouts were damaged. Across this entire path several hundred trees were uprooted or snapped.
Wind damage was widespread from near the Anniston/Oxford Airport, eastward to Douglas Drive and Glover Drive, southeast of Oxford. Most of the damage near the airport was in the form of snapped and uprooted trees and broken tree limbs. There were some blown down signs and some damage to billboards. Farther to the east, numerous oak trees were uprooted and numerous pine trees were snapped, with an estimated 50 to 100 trees damaged total. There was some roof damage to a few homes, a roof was blown off a barn, and a few fences were also blown down.
Saks High School sustained significant roof damage due to thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 mph, with one of the school's offices destroyed.
Several trees were blown down across the county, especially from the Ball Play Community eastward to Gallant.
Widespread wind damage was reported across the northern portion of Talladega County, from near Lincoln eastward to Munford, and as far south as the city of Talladega. Damage consisted mostly of trees and power lines that were blown down, some of which fell onto structures. One mobile home had its roof peeled off in the Bemiston Community.
Numerous trees were blown down across the northern portion of the county.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the northern portion of the county. At least 10 buildings had roof damage due to downed trees, and at least 3 buildings had roofs completely blown off. Several mobile homes in a mobile home park suffered varying degrees of damage to underpinning, roofs, and structure.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the northern portion of the county. Two permanent houses, 2 mobile homes, and 5 barns sustained varying degrees of damage from fallen trees.
Several trees were blown down across the southern part of the county.
Several trees were blown down along CR-4 southeast of Wetumpka.
Several trees were blown down across southern portion of the county.
Several trees were blown down across the county, especially south of the city of Montgomery, from Sprague to the Pike Road Community. At least one tree fell onto a house just east of Sprague.
Several trees were blown down across the northern portion of the county.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado, Jefferson | 2008-02-26 | 71 | Female | Mobile/Trailer Home | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Alabama in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Alabama, 2008Warnings in Alabama, February 2008
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 85184, 85186, 85237, 85188, 85235, 85195, 85204, 85234, 85267, 85270, 85273, 85202, 85209, 85233, 85212, 85224, 85225, 85227, 85229, 85276, 85231.