Alert archive / Michigan / Tornado Warnings in 1994

Tornado Warning 4, NWS Detroit, MI

June 13, 1994Oakland County, Michigan

NWS Detroit, MI issued this tornado warning at Jun 13, 1994, 3:32 PM EDT for Oakland County, Michigan. It was in force for 28 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jun 13, 1994, 3:32 PM EDT (19:32 UTC)
Expired
Jun 13, 1994, 4:00 PM EDT
In force
28 min
Issued by
NWS Detroit, MI
Area
Whole counties

County Oakland County, MI

The nearest sounding before it

Detroit, MI (KFNT), launched 12:00Z, 7.5 hours before the alert went out and 8 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, Detroit, MI at 12:00Z on 1994-06-13Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 9 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, Detroit, MI at 12:00Z on 1994-06-13The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 153 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
9 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-251 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1200 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
36 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
153 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
182 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 KDTW 131932
TORDTW
MIC125-132000-

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED/EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED 
TORNADO WARNING 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT MI
332 PM EDT MON JUN 13 1994

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING 
EFFECTIVE UNTIL 400 PM EDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTY

   IN THE SOUTHEAST PART OF LOWER MICHIGAN
      OAKLAND

AT 328 PM...SPOTTERS REPORTED 2 TORNADOS ON THE GROUND NEAR
THE INTERSECTION OF U.S. HIGHWAY 23 AND MICHIGAN ROUTE 59...
NEAR HARTLAND. HARTLAND IS 39 MILES NORTHWEST OF DOWNTOWN
DETROIT. THE TORNADOES WERE MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH AND WILL
AFFECT THE HIGHLAND AREA BY 345 PM.

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.

 YORKp

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 13, 2:36 PM EDT, 56 minutes before
MIZ063-068>070-075-076-082-083-131930-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT MI
235 PM EDT MON JUN 13 1994

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEAST LOWER
MICHIGAN UNTIL 800 PM...

AT 230 PM...A LINE OF VERY STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WAS ABOUT TO MOVE
INTO SOUTHEAST LOWER MICHIGAN. THE LINE EXTENDED FROM 5 MILES SOUTH
OF FLINT SOUTHWEST TO NEAR JACKSON. IT WAS MOVING QUICKLY EAST AT
45 MPH.

THIS LINE WAS ALREADY PRODUCING SMALL HAIL AND GUSTY WINDS. SMALL
HAIL WAS REPORTED IN NORTHWEST OAKLAND COUNTY AT 220 PM. THE LINE
WILL LIKELY INTENSIFY...AND DAMAGING WINDS AND HAIL ARE POSSIBLE
IN SOUTHEAST LOWER MICHIGAN.

PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD BE READY TO TAKE SHELTER ON SHORT
NOTICE. LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND WARNINGS. DO NOT STAND NEAR
WINDOWS DURING SEVERE WEATHER.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR TO LOCAL TV AND RADIO STATIONS FOR
ANY FURTHER UPDATES OR POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

YORKN
Special weather statement, Jun 13, 2:43 PM EDT, 49 minutes before
MIZ053>055-060>062-131945-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FLINT  MI
243 PM EDT MON JUN 13 1994

...THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUED ACROSS PORTIONS OF EAST CENTRAL LOWER
MICHIGAN...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM FOR MOST OF
EAST CENTRAL LOWER MICHIGAN.  COMMUNITIES INCLUDED IN THE WATCH AREA
ARE FLINT...OWOSOO...LAPEER...SAGINAW...SANDUSKY AND CARO.

AT 239 PM...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS...SOME WITH TORRENTIAL RAIN...SMALL
HAIL AND GUSTY WINDS...EXTENDED FROM 5 MILES SOUTH OF FLINT THEN
SOUTHWEST TO JACKSON.  THIS LINE WAS MOVING EAST AT 45 MILES AN HOUR.

BY 250 PM...THE COMMUNITIES OF LINDEN AND FENTON WILL BE AFFECTED BY
THIS LINE OF STORMS.

MOTORISTS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR REDUCED VISIBILITIES DURING
DOWNPOURS OF RAIN.  STREETS MAY FLOOD QUICKLY.
Special weather statement, Jun 13, 2:44 PM EDT, 48 minutes before
MIZ053>055-060>062-131945-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FLINT  MI
243 PM EDT MON JUN 13 1994

...THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUED ACROSS PORTIONS OF EAST CENTRAL LOWER
MICHIGAN...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM FOR MOST OF
EAST CENTRAL LOWER MICHIGAN.  COMMUNITIES INCLUDED IN THE WATCH AREA
ARE FLINT...OWOSOO...LAPEER...SAGINAW...SANDUSKY AND CARO.

AT 239 PM...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS...SOME WITH TORRENTIAL RAIN...SMALL
HAIL AND GUSTY WINDS...EXTENDED FROM 5 MILES SOUTH OF FLINT THEN
SOUTHWEST TO JACKSON.  THIS LINE WAS MOVING EAST AT 45 MILES AN HOUR.

BY 250 PM...THE COMMUNITIES OF LINDEN AND FENTON WILL BE AFFECTED BY
THIS LINE OF STORMS.

MOTORISTS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR REDUCED VISIBILITIES DURING
DOWNPOURS OF RAIN.  STREETS MAY FLOOD QUICKLY.
Special weather statement, Jun 13, 3:27 PM EDT, 5 minutes before
MIZ040>083-132000-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
155 PM EDT MON JUN 13 1994

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN LOWER
MICHIGAN...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT FOR MOST OF
SOUTHERN LOWER MICHIGAN.  THE WATCH INCLUDES THE CITIES AND TOWNS OF
LANSING...FLINT...PORT HURON...KALAMAZOO...BENTON HARBOR...BATTLE CREEK
...JACKSON...ANN ARBOR...AND DETROIT.

THE WATCH HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR THE COUNTIES OF MUSKEGON...OTTAWA...
ALLEGAN...KENT...MONTCALM...IONIA...GRATIOT...SAGINAW AND TUSCOLA.
CITIES NO LONGER INCLUDED IN THE WATCH ARE MUSKEGON...GRAND RAPIDS...
AND SAGINAW.

AT 320 PM EDT...RADAR SHOWED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING FROM PORT
HURON TO JACKSON TO NEAR GARY INDIANA.  THESE STORMS ARE MOVING TO
THE EAST AT 45 MILES AN HOUR.  THESE STORMS HAVE A HISTORY OF PRODUCING
SEVERE WEATHER.  LARGE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 60 MILES AN HOURS ARE
POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.  ALSO...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND DO
PRODUCE TORNADOES.

THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WEATHER SITUATION.  STAY TUNED TO
NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION OR RADIO STATION FOR FURTHER
UPDATES AND P2OSSIBLE WARNINGS.  MOVE TO A PLACE OF SHELTER IMMEDIATELY
IF SEVERE WEATHER THREATENS YOUR AREA.

DESROSIERS/WAG
Special weather statement, Jun 13, 3:27 PM EDT, 5 minutes before
MIZ040>083-132100-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...CORRECTED TIME
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
327 PM EDT MON JUN 13 1994

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN LOWER
MICHIGAN...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT FOR MOST OF
SOUTHERN LOWER MICHIGAN.  THE WATCH INCLUDES THE CITIES AND TOWNS OF
LANSING...FLINT...PORT HURON...KALAMAZOO...BENTON HARBOR...BATTLE CREEK
...JACKSON...ANN ARBOR...AND DETROIT.

THE WATCH HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR THE COUNTIES OF MUSKEGON...OTTAWA...
ALLEGAN...KENT...MONTCALM...IONIA...GRATIOT...SAGINAW AND TUSCOLA.
CITIES NO LONGER INCLUDED IN THE WATCH ARE MUSKEGON...GRAND RAPIDS...
AND SAGINAW.

AT 320 PM EDT...RADAR SHOWED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING FROM PORT
HURON TO JACKSON TO NEAR GARY INDIANA.  THESE STORMS ARE MOVING TO
THE EAST AT 45 MILES AN HOUR.  THESE STORMS HAVE A HISTORY OF PRODUCING
SEVERE WEATHER.  LARGE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 60 MILES AN HOURS ARE
POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.  ALSO...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND DO
PRODUCE TORNADOES.

THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WEATHER SITUATION.  STAY TUNED TO
NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION OR RADIO STATION FOR FURTHER
UPDATES AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.  MOVE TO A PLACE OF SHELTER IMMEDIATELY
IF SEVERE WEATHER THREATENS YOUR AREA.

DESROSIERS/WAG
Special weather statement, Jun 13, 3:29 PM EDT, 3 minutes before
MIZ040>083-132100-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...CORRECTED TIME
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
327 PM EDT MON JUN 13 1994

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN LOWER
MICHIGAN...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT FOR MOST OF
SOUTHERN LOWER MICHIGAN.  THE WATCH INCLUDES THE CITIES AND TOWNS OF
LANSING...FLINT...PORT HURON...KALAMAZOO...BENTON HARBOR...BATTLE CREEK
...JACKSON...ANN ARBOR...AND DETROIT.

THE WATCH HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR THE COUNTIES OF MUSKEGON...OTTAWA...
ALLEGAN...KENT...MONTCALM...IONIA...GRATIOT...SAGINAW AND TUSCOLA.
CITIES NO LONGER INCLUDED IN THE WATCH ARE MUSKEGON...GRAND RAPIDS...
AND SAGINAW.

AT 320 PM EDT...RADAR SHOWED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING FROM PORT
HURON TO JACKSON TO NEAR GARY INDIANA.  THESE STORMS ARE MOVING TO
THE EAST AT 45 MILES AN HOUR.  THESE STORMS HAVE A HISTORY OF PRODUCING
SEVERE WEATHER.  LARGE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 60 MILES AN HOURS ARE
POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.  ALSO...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND DO
PRODUCE TORNADOES.

THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WEATHER SITUATION.  STAY TUNED TO
NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION OR RADIO STATION FOR FBURTHER
UPDATES AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.  MOVE TO A PLACE OF SHELTER IMMEDIATELY
IF SEVERE WEATHER THREATENS YOUR AREA.

DESROSIERS/WAG

The office that day

Everything else NWS Detroit, MI issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 13, 2:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXMacomb65 min
Jun 13, 2:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXOakland43 min
Jun 13, 2:51 PM EDTTornado WarningDTXWashtenaw39 min
Jun 13, 3:12 PM EDTTornado WarningDTXLivingston, Washtenaw48 min
Jun 13, 3:42 PM EDTTornado WarningDTXSaint Clair33 min
Jun 13, 4:16 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXMacomb, Wayne44 min
Jun 13, 4:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXLenawee, Washtenaw54 min
Jun 13, 5:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXWayne40 min
Jun 13, 6:54 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDTXLenawee, Monroe66 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Michigan, 1994Every tornado warning in 1994Tornadoes in 1994

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.