Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 1989
Tornado Warning 12, NWS Raleigh, NC
NWS Raleigh, NC issued this tornado warning at Apr 25, 1989, 6:30 PM EDT for Franklin County, Johnston County, North Carolina. It was in force for 45 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 25, 1989, 6:30 PM EDT (22:30 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 25, 1989, 7:15 PM EDT
- In force
- 45 min
- Issued by
- NWS Raleigh, NC
- Area
- Whole counties
Counties Franklin County, NC, Johnston County, NC
The radar
The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25, 6:36 PM EDT | Hail 1.75 | Johnston, NC | |
| Apr 25, 7:00 PM EDT | Thunderstorm Wind 0 | Johnston, NC |
NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in. Storm Data before 1996 records only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail.
The nearest sounding before it
Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 10.5 hours before the alert went out and 145 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1580 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 24 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 46 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 85 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
000
TTAA00 KRDU 252232
TORRDU
NCC069-101-252315-
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
630 PM EDT TUE APR 25 1989
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 715 PM EDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...
IN NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
...SOUTHERN FRANKLIN
IN EAST CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
...JOHNSTON
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR SHOWED A POSSIBLE TORNADO MOVING INTO
SOUTHERN FRANKLIN AND JOHNSTON COUNTIES.
PEOPLE IN OR NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE
ACTION TO PROTECT THEIR LIVES. GO TO A BASEMENT...THE CENTER OF
BUILDINGS...COVER YOUR HEAD. DO NOT GO NEAR DOORS {OR WINDOWS. GET
OUT OF MOBILE HOMES AND VEHICLES. GET INTO A STURDY BUILDING OR A
DITCH.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, Apr 25, 4:21 PM EDT, 2 hours 9 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENSBORO NC 415 PM EDT TUE APR 25 1989 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT FOR THE NORTHWEST PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTOMS WATCH UNTIL 1000 PM EDT THIS EVENING. IN THE NORTHWEST PIEDMONT THE WATCH AREA INCLUDES RANDOLPH...ALAMANCE...ROCKINGHAM...CASWELL AND GUILFORD COUNTIES. THE WATCH AREA ALSO COVERS PARTS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA...AND ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS. AT 400 PM EDT WEATHER RADAR SHOWS AN AREA OF RAIN SHOWERS NORTH OF GREENSBORO AND STRETCHING NORTH THROUGH ROCKINGHAM COUNTY AND ON INTO VIRGINA. THESE SHOWERS ARE MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 40 MPH. REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...LOCAL RADIO AND TV FOR LATER STATEMENTS OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS. RJD
Special weather statement, Apr 25, 4:32 PM EDT, 1 hour 58 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH/DURHAM NC 430 PM EDT TUE APR 25 1989 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM... ...VERY STRONG THUNDERSTORMS OVER SOUTH-CENTRAL VIRGINIA... AT 425 PM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR SHOWED VERY STRONG THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IN SOUTH-CENTRAL VIRGINIA. RADAR ALSO SHOWS THE STRONGEST INDIVIDUAL THUNDERSTORM TO BE ABOUT 20 MILES TO THE NORTH-NORTHEAST OF DANVILLE VIRGINIA. THUNDERSTORM WIND DAMAGE AND SMALL HAIL WAS REPORTED AROUND 4 PM IN BEDFORD COUNTY VIRGINIA WHICH IS BETWEEN ROANOKE AND LYNCHBURG. THESE STORMS ARE MOVING TO THE SOUTHEAST AROUND 35 MPH AND WILL BE AFFECTING THE NORTH CENTRAL COUNTIES OF NORTH CAROLINS WITHIN THE HOUR. BOATERS ON KERR LAKE AND OTHER LAKES IN THE REGION SHOULD HEAD FOR SHORE. ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS ARE SUCH THAT THIS VERY STRONG ACTIVITY WILL LIKELY REMAIN OR INCREASE IN INTENSITY. PLEASE STAY TUNED TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADIO...TV...AND COMMERCIAL RADIO FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. WOODS
Special weather statement, Apr 25, 4:33 PM EDT, 1 hour 57 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH/DURHAM NC 430 PM EDT TUE APR 25 1989 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM... ...VERY STRONG THUNDERSTORMS OVER SOUTH-CENTRAL VIRGINIA... AT 425 PM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR SHOWED VERY STRONG THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IN SOUTH-CENTRAL VIRGINIA. RADAR ALSO SHOWS THE STRONGEST INDIVIDUAL THUNDERSTORM TO BE ABOUT 20 MILES TO THE NORTH-NORTHEAST OF DANVILLE VIRGINIA. THUNDERSTORM WIND DAMAGE AND SMALL HAIL WAS REPORTED AROUND 4 PM IN BEDFORD COUNTY VIRGINIA WHICH IS BETWEEN ROANOKE AND LYNCHBURG. THESE STORMS ARE MOVING TO THE SOUTHEAST AROUND 35 MPH AND WILL BE AFFECTING THE NORTH CENTRAL COUNTIES OF NORTH CAROLINA WITHIN THE HOUR. BOATERS ON KERR LAKE AND OTHER LAKES IN THE REGION SHOULD HEAD FOR SHORE. ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS ARE SUCH THAT THIS VERY STRONG ACTIVITY WILL LIKELY REMAIN OR INCREASE IN INTENSITY. PLEASE STAY TUNED TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADIO...TV...AND COMMERCIAL RADIO FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. WOODS
Special weather statement, Apr 25, 5:56 PM EDT, 34 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH/DURHAM, NC 555 PM EDT TUE APR 25 1989 AT 550 THIS EVENING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS MOVING SOUTHEAST AT ABOUT 40 MPH THROUGH GRANVILLE COUNTY AND JUST ENTERNING NORTHERN WAKE COUNTY. THE STRONGEST PART OF THE STORM WILL LIKELY PASS OVER WAKE FOREST AND SOUTHERN FRANKLIN COUNTY MOVING TOWARD ZEBULON. THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE STRONG WINDS AND SOME SMALL HAIL. LIS`TEN TO LOCAL RADIO..TV..OR WEATHER RADIO FOR LATER STATEMENTS OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS. DMD
Special weather statement, Apr 25, 5:57 PM EDT, 33 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENSBORO NC 555 PM EDT TUE APR 25 1989 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM FOR EASTERN PARTS OF THE NORTHWEST PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA... AT 550 PM EDT RADAR SHOWED AN ISOLATED SMALL SHOWER OVER CASWELL COUNTY. THIS IS THE ONLY PRECIPITATION BEING DETECTED OVER THE NORTHWEST PIEDMONT. FURTHER TO THE EAST SOME SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS HAVE BEEN DETECTED IN THE NORTHEAST PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA. WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THESE STORMS BY THE FORECAST OFFICE IN RALEIGH. THERE REMAINS A SMALL CHANCE THAT SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTOMRS COULD DEVELOP OVER THE NORTHWEST PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA TONIGHT AND IF THEY DID A FEW COULD BECOME SEVERE THIS EVENING. PERSONS SHOULD REMAIN ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND SHOULD QUICKLY SEEK SHELTER IF STORMS ARE SPOTTED. LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL RADIO AND TELEVISION FOR LATER STATEMENaTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. RBN
Local storm report, Apr 25, 6:15 PM EDT, 15 minutes before
STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH/DURHAM, NC
613 PM EDT TUE APR 25 1989
TIME EVENT
610 PM EDT 5 MILES NORTH OF RALEIGH ON U.S. 1 IN WAKE COUNTY...
4 OR 5 TREES DOWN.
JBP nThe office that day
Everything else NWS Raleigh, NC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25, 4:59 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Person | 46 min |
| Apr 25, 5:12 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Granville | 48 min |
| Apr 25, 5:59 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Wake | 31 min |
| Apr 25, 6:16 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Franklin | 29 min |
| Apr 25, 6:28 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RAH | Wake | 32 min |
| Apr 25, 6:55 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Orange | 35 min |
| Apr 25, 7:02 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RAH | Wayne | 43 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 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; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.