Alert archive / Connecticut / Tornado Warnings in 1989

Tornado Warning 1, NWS New York, NY

July 10, 1989Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut

NWS New York, NY issued this tornado warning at Jul 10, 1989, 6:03 PM EDT for Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut. It was in force for 57 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 10, 1989, 6:03 PM EDT (22:03 UTC)
Expired
Jul 10, 1989, 7:00 PM EDT
In force
57 min
Issued by
NWS New York, NY
Area
Whole counties

Counties Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, CT, Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, CT, Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, CT

The radar

The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.

The nearest sounding before it

Albany, NY (KALB), launched 12:00Z, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 161 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, Albany, NY at 12:00Z on 1989-07-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 111 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Albany, NY at 12:00Z on 1989-07-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 88 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
111 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-212 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1032 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
82 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
88 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
111 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
TTAA00 KBDR 102203 RRA
TORBDR
CTC001-009-007-102300-

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED/EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED 
TORNADO AND SPECIAL MARINE WARNING 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BRIDGEPORT CT
603 PM EDT MON JUL 10 1989

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A TORNADO AND SPECIAL 
MARINE WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 700 PM EDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE 
FOLLOWING COUNTIES

   IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
      NORTHERN FAIRFIELD...NEW HAVEN...MIDDLESEX

...THIS WARNING ALSO INCLUDES THE ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS FOR THE
COUNTIES JUST MENTIONED

AT 600 PM THE ALBANY RADAR INDICATED A POSSIBLE TORNADO ON RADAR.
ALSO THERE HAVE BEEN PUBLIC REPORTS OF POSSIBLE FUNNELS.

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF A TORNADO...THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE IS IN
A BASEMENT.  GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE.
IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...FIND SHELTER IN AN INTERIOR ROOM
SUCH AS A CLOSET ON THE LOWEST FLOOR.  USE BLANKETS...PILLOWS...
OR CUSHIONS TO COVER YOUR BODY.  AVOID WINDOWS.

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
STRUCTURE IS NEARBY...TAKE SHELTER IN A DITCH OR LOW SPOT.

 FOOSE

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 10, 3:56 PM EDT, 2 hours 7 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
400 PM EDT MON JUL 10 1989

...THUNDERSTORM SAFETY TIPS...

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY DAMAGING WINDS...DEADLY
LIGHTNING...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...AND VERY HEAVY RAIN. FOR YOUR
PROTECTION STAY ALERT AND SEEK SHELTER...IN A BUILDING OR VEHICLE...
IF THE SKY BECOMES UNUSUALLY THREATENING.

IF YOU ARE IN A BUILDING MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR.
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND AVOID USING THE TELEPHONE EXCEPT DURING
EMERGENCIES. LIGHTNING CURRENT CAN TRAVEL THROUGH PHONE LINES INTO
RECEIVERS.

IF IN A VEHICLE (NOT A CONVERTIBLE) DO NOT TOUCH METAL PARTS. THE
VEHICLE WILL CONDUCT THE LIGHTNING HARMLESSLY AROUND YOU...INTO THE
GROUND. IT IS A MISCONCEPTION THAT RUBBER TIRES PROVIDE PROTECTION.
THE POWERFUL VOLTAGE IN LIGHTNING EASILY JUMPS FROM RIM TO GROUND...
ESPECIALLY WHEN TIRES ARE WET. GROUNDING IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT.

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTDOORS AND ARE UNABLE TO REACH A SAFE BUILDING
OR VEHICLE FOLLOW THESE RULES:

DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A LONE TREE IN A WIDE-OPEN AREA. ISOLATED
TREES...PARTICULARLY TALL ONES...ARE NATURAL LIGHTNING RODS.

AVOID PROJECTING YOURSELF ABOVE THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE...SUCH AS
STANDING ON A HILLTOP...IN AN OPEN FIELD...ON THE BEACH...OR FISHING
FROM A SMALL BOAT.

GET OUT OF AND AWAY FROM OPEN WATER. IF YOU ARE SWIMMING LIGHTNING
CURRENT FROM A NEARBY STROKE CAN FLOW THROUGH THE WATER TO YOU.

GET AWAY FROM METAL OBJECTS - WIRE FENCES...CLOTHESLINES...METAL
PIPES...RAILS...FARM EQUIPMENT...AND OTHER METALLIC PATHS WHICH COULD
CARRY LIGHTNING TO YOU FROM SOME DISTANCE AWAY.

GET OFF OF AND AWAY FROM MOTORCYCLES...BICYCLES...AND GOLF CARTS. PUT
DOWN GOLF CLUBS.

IF ISOLATED IN A FIELD AND YOU FEEL YOUR HAIR STAND ON END...IT MEANS
LIGHTNING IS ABOUT TO STRIKE. DROP TO YOUR KNEES AND BEND FORWARD...
PUTTING YOUR HANDS ON YOUR KNEES. IN THIS POSITION YOU ARE MAINTAINING
A LOW PROFILE AND KEEPING AS LITTLE OF YOUR BODY IN CONTACT WITH THE
GROUND AS POSSIBLE. SINCE YOU WANT AS LITTLE OF YOUR BODY AS POSSIBLE
IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND...IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED THAT YOU LIE FLAT
ON THE GROUND.

GROUPS IN EXPOSED SITUATIONS...SUCH AS HIKERS OR BASEBALL PLAYERS...
SHOULD SPREAD OUT SO THAT IF LIGHTNING STRIKES NEARBY THE SMALLEST
NUMBER WILL BE AFFECTED.

FINALLY THE HEAVY RAINS ACCOMPANYING SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FLOOD
ROADWAYS QUICKLY. AVOID DRIVING INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVEERS THE ROAD.

IN SUMMARY THEN...IF A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM (OR ANY THUNDERSTORM FOR
THAT MATTER) THREATENS...SEEK SHELTER...STAY AWAY FROM WATER...AND
STAY AWAY FROM METAL.

EY
Special weather statement, Jul 10, 4:32 PM EDT, 1 hour 31 minutes before
^BOSSPSBDR

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BRIDGEPORT CT
430   PM  EDT  MON  JUL  10  1989

 .......A SEVERE THUNDERTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM THIS
EVENING FOR ALL OF COASTAL CONNECTICUT  INCLUDING ADJACENT COASTAL
WATERS.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR SHOWS AND AREA OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
MOVING INTO NORTHWESTERN  CONNECTICUT AND MOVING  RAPIDLY TO THE
SOUTHEAST.

PERSONS LIVING IN FAIRFIELD...NEW HAVEN AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES SHOULD
BE ON THE ALERT FOR THREATENING WEATHER. SHOULD THREATENING WEATHER
APPROACH YOUR AREA SEEK  SHELTER UNTIL THE THREATENING WEATHER LEAVES
YOUR AREAS.
STAY TUNED TO YOUR LOCAL TV OR RADIO STATIONS OR NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR
FOR  ANY FURTHER STATEMENTS OR  WARNING AS NEEDED.
WALKER
Special weather statement, Jul 10, 4:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 13 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
430 PM EDT MON JUL 10 1989

...DO NOT USE AFTER 6 PM EDT...

A SEVER THUNDERSTORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 10 PM EDT FOR COUNTIES
IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY...AND SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK INCLUDING NEW YORK
CITY AND LONG ISLAND

RADAR SHOWED A VERY INTENSE THUNDERSTORM MOVING INTO LITCHFIELD COUNTY
IN WESTERN CONNECTICUT. THIS STORM WAS MOVING VERY RAPIDLY AT ABOUT 63
MILES AN HOUR AND HAS ALREADY PRODUCED LARGE HAIL DAMAGING WINDS AND
LIGHTNING.

SEVERAL OTHER STORMS SOME INTENSE WERE SCATTERED OVER SOUTHEASTERN NEW
YORK STATE EXTENDING FROM WEST TO EAST NEAR BINGHAMTON THROUGH DELAWARE
GREENE AND DUTCHESS COUNTIES..INTO WESTERN AND EASTERN PORTIONS OF
MASSACHUSETTS..AND NORTHWESTERN CONNECTICUT.
A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS WERE ALSO NOTED OVER RHODE ISLAND AND
SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

IF YOU ARE IN AN AREA THREATENED BY THESE STORMS TAKE SHELTER IN A
SAFE PLtACE.

THE STORMS WERE MOVING VERY RAPIDLY SOUTHWARD BETWEEN 55 AND 65 AN
HOUR.

MJW
Special weather statement, Jul 10, 5:42 PM EDT, 21 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
530 PM EDT MON JUL 10 1989

...DO NOT USE AFTER 7 PM EDT...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT FOR COUNTIES
IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY...AND SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK INCLUDING NEW YORK
CITY AND LONG ISLAND

RADAR SHOWED SEVERAL INTENSE THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS LICHFIELD AND
NEW HAVEN COUNTIES IN CONNECTICUT..AND SULLIVAN AND DUTCHESS COUNTIES IN
SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK. THESE STORMS HAVE ALREADY PRODUCED LARGE HAIL
DAMAGING WINDS AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING.

NUMEROUS STORMS SOME VERY STRONG WERE ALSO SCATTERED OVER PARTS OF
SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK STATE FROM SOUTH OF ALBANY DOWN TO POUGHKEEPSIE..
MOST OF CONNECTICUT..SOUTHERN PARTS OF MASSACHUSETTS..NORTHERN SECTIONS
OF RHODE ISLAND..AND OFF SHORE EAST OF EASTERN LONG ISLAND.
.
THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THIS ACTIVITY WAS MOVING INTO THE LONG ISLAND
SOUND THEREFORE BOATERS SHOULD TAKE EXTREME CAUTION. OTHERS SHOULD
TAKE SHELLTER IN A SAFE PLACE IF YOU ARE IN AN AREA THREATENED BY
THESE STORMS.

THE STORMS WERE MOVING VERY RAPIDLY SOUTHEASTWARD AT ABOUT 55
MILES AN HOUR.

MJW

The office that day

Everything else NWS New York, NY issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 10, 5:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOKXLower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Naugatuck Valley Planning Region57 min
Jul 10, 5:42 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOKXLower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Naugatuck Valley Planning Region63 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Connecticut, 1989Every tornado warning in 1989Tornadoes in 1989

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.