Tornado Outbreak - February 17th, 2008

Tornado Outbreak - February 17th, 2008

Event Summary for Central Alabama

A strong upper level low ejected out of the Southern Plains and tracked across the Tennessee Valley on February 17th. Strong southerly winds dramatically increased the moisture content across Central Alabama in a short period of time. Surface dew points rose into the 60s across a large part of the area. The skies actually cleared for a time in many areas allowing temperatures to soar into the 70s. An upper level jet streak and the strong upper low provided upper level lift, moisture was plentiful at several levels, and atmospheric instability was sufficient enough for supercell development.

Before noon, a broken squall line, containing supercells, developed along the Alabama Mississippi state line and tracked eastward across Central Alabama. These storms intensified during the afternoon hours. By sunset, damage was reported at numerous locations generally along and south of a line from Demopolis to Wedowee.

Tornado watches were in effect for portions of Central Alabama between 530 am and 800 pm. A total of 26 tornado warnings and 7 severe thunderstorm warnings were issued between 1059 am and 505 pm by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Birmingham.

The following tornado damage paths have been identified in Central Alabama:

EF-3 Prattville/Millbrook Tornado- Autuaga & Elmore Counties
EF-2 Collirene Tornado - Lowndes County
EF-2 Cottonton Tornado - Russell County
EF-2 Summerfield Tornado - Dallas County
EF-1 Wedowee Tornado - Randolph County
EF-1 Clanton Tornado - Chilton County
EF-1 Spring Hill Tornado - Pike County
EF-1 Goodwater Tornado - Coosa & Tallapoosa Counties
EF-0 Bakerhill Tornado- Barbour County
EF-1 Gaino Tornado - Barbour County
EF-1 Blue Springs Tornado - Barbour County
EF-0 Mellow Valley Tornado - Clay County
EF-0 Hackneyville Tornado - Tallapoosa County

Preliminary Local Storm Reports

Central Alabama Tornado Damage Paths

Severe Weather Episode Data

Surface Analysis Feb. 17th 6 am	500 mb Chart Feb. 17th 6 am
Surface Analysis Feb. 18th 6 am	500 mb Chart Feb. 18th 6 am
Day 3 Severe Weather Outlook Issued 2 am Feb. 15th	Day 3 Probabilistic Outlook Issued 2am Feb. 15th
Day 2 Severe Weather Outlook Issued Noon Feb. 16th	Day 2 Probabilistic Outlook Issued Noon Feb. 16th
Day 1 Severe Weather Outlook Issued 7 am Feb. 17th	Day 1 Probabilistic Outlook Issued 7am Feb. 17th
Severe Weather Reports February 17th