Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 1992

Tornado Warning 3, NWS Wakefield, VA

June 5, 1992Northampton County, Virginia

NWS Wakefield, VA issued this tornado warning at Jun 5, 1992, 5:25 PM EDT for Northampton County, Virginia. It was in force for 35 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jun 5, 1992, 5:25 PM EDT (21:25 UTC)
Expired
Jun 5, 1992, 6:00 PM EDT
In force
35 min
Issued by
NWS Wakefield, VA
Area
Whole counties

County Northampton County, VA

The nearest sounding before it

Wallops Is Stn, VA (KWAL), launched 12:00Z, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 84 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, Wallops Is Stn, VA at 12:00Z on 1992-06-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 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, Wallops Is Stn, VA at 12:00Z on 1992-06-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 75 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
563 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
75 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
96 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
TTAA00 KORF 052127
TORORF
VAC131-052200-
 
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORFOLK VA
525 PM EDT FRI JUN 5 1992
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORFOLK VA HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  600 PM EDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATION......
 
IN EAST VIRGINIA
 
   ...NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
 
AND ADJACENT RIVERS AND WATERS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
AND ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS
 
WEATHER RADAR INDICATED A POSSIBLE TORNADO OVER THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH. THIS STORM WILL BE MOVING INTO NORTHAMPTON
COUNTY SHORTLY.
 
 
IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF A TORNADO...THE SAFEST PLACE IS A
BASEMENT.  GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE.
IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER IN AN INTERIOR ROOM
SUCH AS A CLOSET ON THE LOWEST FLOOR.  USE BLANKETS...PILLOWS...
OR CUSHIONS TO COVER YOUR BODY.  AVOID WINDOWS.
 
IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED
BUILDIN<G.  AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH
OR LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
 
WALSTON

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, Jun 5, 4:21 PM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
VAZ003-004-006-007-052130-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RICHMOND VA
420 PM EDT FRI JUNE 5 1992

 ...TORNADO WATCH CONTINUES FOR MUCH OF SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA...INCLUDING
    RICHMOND...UNTIL 7PM EDT THIS EVENING...

AT 415 PM EDT WEATHER SERVICE RADAR DETECTED SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS
OVER CENTRAL VIRGINIA. THE THUNDERSTORMS WERE OVER NOTTOWAY...EASTERN
CHESTERFIELD...EASTERN HENRICO AND PRINCE EDWARD COUNTIES. MOVEMENT WAS
SLOWLY TO THE NORTHEAST AT AROUND 10 MPH.

THERE HAS BEEN AN OVERALL DECREASE IN STRENGH AND AREAL COVERAGE ACROSS
CENTRAL VIRGINIA...HOWEVER CONDITIONS ARE STILL FAVORABLE FOR THUNDERSTORMS
TO BECOME SEVERE IN THE WATCH AREA.

KEEP ALERT 1FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS. STAY TUNED TO LOCAL
TV...RADIO...OR NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WEATHER RADIO FOR LATER STATEMENT
OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

CHILLAG
Special weather statement, Jun 5, 4:45 PM EDT, 40 minutes before
VAZ003-004-006-007-052145-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RICHMOND VA
445 PM EDT FRI JUNE 5 1992

 ...TORNADO WATCH CONTINUES FOR MUCH OF SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA...INCLUDING
    RICHMOND...UNTIL 7PM EDT THIS EVENING...

AT 437 PM EDT WEATHER SERVICE RADAR DETECTED SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS
OVER CENTRAL VIRGINIA. THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING THROUGH
AMELIA AND CHARLES CITY COUNTIES DURING THE NEXT HOUR. MOVEMENT WAS
SLOWLY TO THE NORTHEAST AT AROUND 15 TO 20 MPH BUT ARE REDEVELOPING TO THE
EAST.

CONDITIONS ARE STILL FAVORABLE FOR THUNDERSTORMS TO BECOME SEVERE IN THE WATCH
AREA.
KEEP ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS. STAY TUNED TO LOCAL
LTV...RADIO...OR NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WEATHER RADIO FOR LATER STATEMENT
OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
LIPSON
Special weather statement, Jun 5, 4:47 PM EDT, 38 minutes before
VAZ003-004-006-007-052145-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RICHMOND VA
445 PM EDT FRI JUNE 5 1992

 ...TORNADO WATCH CONTINUES FOR MUCH OF SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA...INCLUDING
    RICHMOND...UNTIL 7PM EDT THIS EVENING...

AT 437 PM EDT WEATHER SERVICE RADAR DETECTED SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS
OVER CENTRAL VIRGINIA. THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING THROUGH
AMELIA AND CHARLES CITY COUNTIES DURING THE NEXT HOUR. MOVEMENT WAS
TO THE NORTHEAST AT AROUND 15 TO 20 MPH BUT ARE REDEVELOPING TO THE
EAST.

CONDITIONS ARE STILL FAVORABLE FOR THUNDERSTORMS TO BECOME SEVERE IN THE WATCH
AREA.
KEEP ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS. STAY TUNED TO LOCAL
TV...RADIO...OR NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WEATHER RADIO FOR LATER STATEMENT
OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
LIPSON
Special weather statement, Jun 5, 4:48 PM EDT, 37 minutes before
VAZ001>004-052200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORFOLK VA
4:50 PM EDT FRI JUN 5 1992

...TORNADO WATCH CONTINUES FOR ALL OF EASTERN VIRGINIA UNTIL 7 PM EDT...

AT 445 PM WEATHER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
EXTENDING FROM THE MOUTH OF THE POTOMAC RIVER SOUTHWARD THROUGH NEW
POINT COMFORT...NEWPORT NEWS...HAMPTON AND INTO PORTSMOUTH AND SUFFOLK.
THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORM WAS INDIACTED NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE JAMES
RIVER AND OVER SOUTHERN GLOUCESTER COUNTY.

THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH AND WILL
BE MOVING THROUGH THE CHESAPEAKE BAY...HAMPTON ROADS CITIES AND MIDDLE
PENINSULA DURING THE NEXT HOUR.

THE STRONG STORM NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE JAMES RIVER WILL LIKELY PASS OVER
PORTIONS OF HAMPTON ROADS HARBOR AND PORTIONS OF NORFOLK...HAMPTON AND
NEWPORT NEWS DURING THE NEXT HOUR. THIS STORM CONTINUED FREQUENT CLOUD
TO GROUND LIGHTNING HEAVY RAIN GUSTY WINDS AND POSSIBLY HAIL.
BOATERS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY! PEOPLE THAT
ARE OUTSIDE SHOULD ALSO SEEK SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH TORNADOES IN AND CLOSE TO
THE WATCH AREA. THUNDERSTORMS COULD ALSO CONTAIN LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING
THUNDERSTORM WINDS...HEAVY RAINFALL AND DEADLY LIGHTNING.

ALL PERSONS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA SHOULD BE READY TO TAKE QUICK
ACTION IF THREATENINvG WEATHER APPROACHES OR WARNINGS ARE ISSUED. PLEASE
REPORT ALL SEVERE WEATHER TO YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FOR RELAY
TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

WALSTON
Special weather statement, Jun 5, 4:50 PM EDT, 35 minutes before
VAZ001>004-052200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORFOLK VA
4:50 PM EDT FRI JUN 5 1992

...TORNADO WATCH CONTINUES FOR ALL OF EASTERN VIRGINIA UNTIL 7 PM EDT...

AT 445 PM WEATHER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
EXTENDING FROM THE MOUTH OF THE POTOMAC RIVER SOUTHWARD THROUGH NEW
POINT COMFORT...NEWPORT NEWS...HAMPTON AND INTO PORTSMOUTH AND SUFFOLK.
THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORM WAS INDIACTED NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE JAMES
RIVER AND OVER SOUTHERN GLOUCESTER COUNTY.

THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH AND WILL
BE MOVING THROUGH THE CHESAPEAKE BAY...HAMPTON ROADS CITIES AND MIDDLE
PENINSULA DURING THE NEXT HOUR.

THE STRONG STORM NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE JAMES RIVER WILL LIKELY PASS OVER
PORTIONS OF HAMPTON ROADS HARBOR AND PORTIONS OF NORFOLK...HAMPTON AND
NEWPORT NEWS DURING THE NEXT HOUR. THIS STORM CONTINUED FREQUENT CLOUD
TO GROUND LIGHTNING HEAVY RAIN GUSTY WINDS AND POSSIBLY HAIL.
BOATERS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY! PEOPLE THAT
ARE OUTSIDE SHOULD ALSO SEEK SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH TORNADOES IN AND CLOSE TO
THE WATCH AREA. THUNDERSTORMS COULD ALSO CONTAIN LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING
THUNDERSTORM WINDS...HEAVY RAINFALL AND DEADLY LIGHTNING.

ALL PERSONS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA SHOULD BE READY TO TAKE QUICK
ACTION IF THREATENIN*G WEATHER APPROACHES OR WARNINGS ARE ISSUED. PLEASE
REPORT ALL SEVERE WEATHER TO YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FOR RELAY
TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

WALSTON
Special weather statement, Jun 5, 4:53 PM EDT, 32 minutes before
VAZ001>004-052200-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORFOLK VA
4:50 PM EDT FRI JUN 5 1992

...TORNADO WATCH CONTINUES FOR ALL OF EASTERN VIRGINIA UNTIL 7 PM EDT...

AT 445 PM WEATHER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
EXTENDING FROM THE MOUTH OF THE POTOMAC RIVER SOUTHWARD THROUGH NEW
POINT COMFORT...NEWPORT NEWS...HAMPTON AND INTO PORTSMOUTH AND SUFFOLK.
THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORM WAS INDICATED NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE JAMES
RIVER AND OVER SOUTHERN GLOUCESTER COUNTY.

THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH AND WILL
BE MOVING THROUGH THE CHESAPEAKE BAY...HAMPTON ROADS CITIES AND MIDDLE
PENINSULA DURING THE NEXT HOUR.

THE STRONG STORM NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE JAMES RIVER WILL LIKELY PASS OVER
PORTIONS OF HAMPTON ROADS HARBOR AND PORTIONS OF NORFOLK...HAMPTON AND
NEWPORT NEWS DURING THE NEXT HOUR. THIS STORM CONTINUES TO PRODUCE
FREQUENT LIGHTNING HEAVY RAIN GUSTY WINDS AND POSSIBLY HAIL.
BOATERS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY! PEOPLE THAT
ARE OUTSIDE SHOULD ALSO SEEK SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH TORNADOES IN AND CLOSE TO
THE WATCH AREA. THUNDERSTORMS COULD ALSO CONTAIN LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING
THUNDERSTORM WINDS...HEAVY RAINFALL AND DEADLY LIGHTNING.

ALL PERSONS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA SHOULD BE READY TO TAKE QUICK
ACTION IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES OR WARNINGS ARE ISSUED. PLEASE
REPORT ALL SEVERE WEATHER TO YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FOR RELAY
TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

WALSTON

The office that day

Everything else NWS Wakefield, VA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 5, 2:53 PM EDTTornado WarningAKQJames City52 min
Jun 5, 2:53 PM EDTTornado WarningAKQSurry52 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Virginia, 1992Every tornado warning in 1992Tornadoes in 1992

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.