Alert archive / Arkansas / Tornado Warnings in 2008
Tornado Warning 69, NWS Memphis, TN
NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Mar 18, 2008, 4:42 PM CDT for Clay County, Craighead County, Greene County, Arkansas; Dunklin County, Missouri. It was in force for 48 min. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Mar 18, 2008, 4:42 PM CDT (21:42 UTC)
- Expired
- Mar 18, 2008, 5:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 48 min
- Issued by
- NWS Memphis, TN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
Counties Clay County, AR, Craighead County, AR, Greene County, AR, Dunklin County, MO
The radar
The Memphis radar (KNQA), 103 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:45 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 5:03 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Paragould, AR | 3 TREES DOWN |
| Mar 18, 5:06 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 75 | Paragould, AR | |
| Mar 18, 5:17 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Paragould, AR | LARGE BANK SIGN BLOWN DOWN NEAR WALMART |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 10:16 AM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 9.7 hours before the alert went out and 148 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
- 89 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -95 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 545 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 59 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 467 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 574 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.8
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
000
WFUS54 KMEG 182142
TORMEG
ARC021-031-055-MOC069-182230-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0069.080318T2142Z-080318T2230Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
442 PM CDT TUE MAR 18 2008
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
SOUTHEASTERN CLAY COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
NORTH CENTRAL CRAIGHEAD COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
GREENE COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
SOUTHERN DUNKLIN COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI...
* UNTIL 530 PM CDT
* AT 442 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR FONTAINE...OR NEAR
BONO...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.
* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
WALCOTT...BEECH GROVE...PARAGOULD...OAK GROVE HEIGHTS...LAFE...
CARDWELL...MARMADUKE...ARBYRD...RECTOR...SENATH...GREENWAY AND
PIGGOTT.
.IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.
.THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS A STORM SHELTER. IF NO
STORM SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE
BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE
BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM
WINDOWS.
.IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
.STAY TUNED TO THIS BROADCAST FOR THE LATEST UPDATES AND INFORMATION.
TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER ONLY...CALL 1 800 4 3 2 0 8 7 5.
LAT...LON 3608 8999 3586 9081 3595 9087 3596 9086
3601 9086 3603 9084 3605 9084 3608 9082
3643 9016
TIME...MOT...LOC 2142Z 239DEG 55KT 3599 9077
$$4 follow-up statements
000
WWUS54 KMEG 182155
SVSMEG
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
454 PM CDT TUE MAR 18 2008
ARC021-031-055-MOC069-182230-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0069.000000T0000Z-080318T2230Z/
CRAIGHEAD AR-CLAY AR-GREENE AR-DUNKLIN MO-
454 PM CDT TUE MAR 18 2008
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
DUNKLIN...GREENE...SOUTHEASTERN CLAY AND NORTH CENTRAL CRAIGHEAD
COUNTIES...
AT 454 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR WALCOTT...OR ABOUT
9 MILES WEST OF PARAGOULD...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.
OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BEECH
GROVE...OAK GROVE HEIGHTS...LAFE...CARDWELL...MARMADUKE...ARBYRD...
RECTOR...SENATH...GREENWAY AND PIGGOTT.
.IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
PENNY SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF
80 MPH.
.THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER
A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
.IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
.STAY TUNED TO THIS BROADCAST FOR THE LATEST UPDATES AND INFORMATION.
TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER ONLY...CALL 1 800 4 3 2 0 8 7 5.
LAT...LON 3608 8999 3586 9081 3595 9087 3596 9086
3601 9086 3603 9084 3605 9084 3608 9082
3643 9016
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 239DEG 52KT 3610 9059
$$000
WWUS54 KMEG 182201
SVSMEG
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
459 PM CDT TUE MAR 18 2008
ARC021-031-055-MOC069-182230-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0069.000000T0000Z-080318T2230Z/
CRAIGHEAD AR-CLAY AR-GREENE AR-DUNKLIN MO-
459 PM CDT TUE MAR 18 2008
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
DUNKLIN...GREENE...SOUTHEASTERN CLAY AND NORTH CENTRAL CRAIGHEAD
COUNTIES...
AT 459 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A ROTATING
WALLCLOUD APPROACHING MARMADUKE. THE POSSIBLE TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR WALCOTT...OR ABOUT NEAR PARAGOULD...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.
OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO OAK
GROVE HEIGHTS...LAFE...CARDWELL...MARMADUKE...ARBYRD...RECTOR...
SENATH...GREENWAY AND PIGGOTT.
.IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF
80 MPH.
.THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER
A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
.IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
LAT...LON 3608 8999 3586 9081 3595 9087 3596 9086
3601 9086 3603 9084 3605 9084 3608 9082
3643 9016
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 239DEG 47KT 3611 9053
$$000
WWUS54 KMEG 182209
SVSMEG
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
508 PM CDT TUE MAR 18 2008
ARC021-031-055-MOC069-182230-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0069.000000T0000Z-080318T2230Z/
CRAIGHEAD AR-CLAY AR-GREENE AR-DUNKLIN MO-
508 PM CDT TUE MAR 18 2008
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
DUNKLIN...GREENE...SOUTHEASTERN CLAY AND NORTH CENTRAL CRAIGHEAD
COUNTIES...
AT 508 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A ROTATING
WALLCLOUD AND FUNNEL CLOUD IN PARAGOULD. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF
TREES DOWN IN PARAGOULD. THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM...TAKE COVER
IMMEDIATELY. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR PARAGOULD...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.
OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
CARDWELL...MARMADUKE...ARBYRD...RECTOR...SENATH...GREENWAY AND
PIGGOTT.
.IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF
80 MPH.
.THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER
A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
.IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
.STAY TUNED TO THIS BROADCAST FOR THE LATEST UPDATES AND INFORMATION.
TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER ONLY...CALL 1 800 4 3 2 0 8 7 5.
LAT...LON 3608 8999 3586 9081 3595 9087 3596 9086
3601 9086 3603 9084 3605 9084 3608 9082
3643 9016
TIME...MOT...LOC 2208Z 239DEG 47KT 3611 9041
$$000
WWUS54 KMEG 182222
SVSMEG
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
521 PM CDT TUE MAR 18 2008
ARC021-031-055-MOC069-182230-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0069.000000T0000Z-080318T2230Z/
CRAIGHEAD AR-CLAY AR-GREENE AR-DUNKLIN MO-
521 PM CDT TUE MAR 18 2008
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
DUNKLIN...GREENE...SOUTHEASTERN CLAY AND NORTH CENTRAL CRAIGHEAD
COUNTIES...
AT 521 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR CARDWELL...OR
ABOUT 7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MARMADUKE...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH. THIS
STORM HAS HAD A HISTORY OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS.
OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
ARBYRD...RECTOR...SENATH...PIGGOTT AND GREENWAY.
.THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER
A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
.IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
.STAY TUNED TO THIS BROADCAST FOR THE LATEST UPDATES AND INFORMATION.
TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER ONLY...CALL 1 800 4 3 2 0 8 7 5.
LAT...LON 3608 8999 3586 9081 3595 9087 3596 9086
3601 9086 3603 9084 3605 9084 3608 9082
3643 9016
TIME...MOT...LOC 2221Z 254DEG 34KT 3612 9028
$$The office that day
Everything else NWS Memphis, TN issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 4:44 AM CDT | Wind Advisory | MEG | Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Greene, Lawrence and 6 more | 26 hr |
| Mar 18, 11:34 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | MEG | Clay, Greene | 48 days |
| Mar 18, 11:34 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | MEG | Craighead | 4 days |
| Mar 18, 11:34 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | MEG | St. Francis | 5 days |
| Mar 18, 11:35 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | MEG | Mississippi, Poinsett | 11 days |
| Mar 18, 4:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Clay, Craighead, Greene, Lawrence, Randolph | 39 min |
| Mar 18, 4:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Clay | 52 min |
| Mar 18, 5:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Craighead, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett | 49 min |
| Mar 18, 5:15 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | MEG | Clay, Craighead, Greene, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett and 1 more | 15 hr |
| Mar 18, 5:24 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Craighead, Greene | 51 min |
| Mar 18, 5:30 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Clay, Greene | 45 min |
| Mar 18, 6:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Mississippi | 28 min |
| Mar 18, 6:38 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Craighead, Greene | 52 min |
| Mar 18, 6:13 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Dunklin, Pemiscot | 47 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Arkansas, 2008Tornado Warnings in Missouri, 2008Every tornado warning in 2008Tornadoes in 2008
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.