Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 29, NWS Raleigh, NC

May 20, 2008Cumberland County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this tornado warning at May 20, 2008, 7:04 PM EDT for Cumberland County, North Carolina. It was in force for 26 min. 4 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
May 20, 2008, 7:04 PM EDT (23:04 UTC)
Expired
May 20, 2008, 7:30 PM EDT
In force
26 min
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Cumberland County, NC

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 92 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:06 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 20, 7:05 PM EDTHAIL 12 W Hope Mills, NCQUARTER SIZE HAIL REPORTED NEAR ROCKFISH ROAD AND CAMDEN ROAD
May 20, 7:06 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG2 Se Hope Mills, NCTREES REPORTED DOWN NEAR NC HWY 59 AND US HWY 301... TWO MILES TO THE SOUTHEAST OF HOPE MILLS.
May 20, 7:06 PM EDTHAIL 1.752 Se Hope Mills, NCGOLF BALL SIZE HAIL REPORTED TWO MILES TO THE SOUTHEAST OF HOPE MILLS.
May 20, 7:10 PM EDTHAIL 0.755 Ese Hope Mills, NCPENNY SIZE HAIL COVERING THE GROUND.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 20, 1:09 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 11.1 hours before the alert went out and 165 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2008-05-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2008-05-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 290 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1458 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
56 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
290 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
276 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 
WFUS52 KRAH 202304
TORRAH
NCC051-202330-
/O.NEW.KRAH.TO.W.0029.080520T2304Z-080520T2330Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
704 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHERN CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 730 PM EDT

* AT 701 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  TORNADO OVER HOPE MILLS...OR 11 MILES SOUTH OF FAYETTEVILLE...
  MOVING EAST AT 41 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  RURAL SOUTHERN CUMBERLAND COUNTY AROUND 715 PM
  RURAL SOUTHEASTERN CUMBERLAND COUNTY AROUND 725 PM

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE
BUILDING IN A SMALL ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET OR BATHROOM OR IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO PROTECT YOUR BODY FROM
FLYING DEBRIS. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND EXTERIOR WALLS.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM TUESDAY
EVENING FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3485 7894 3488 7894 3494 7902 3496 7901
      3503 7898 3489 7854 3484 7850 3483 7852
      3484 7878 3482 7891
TIME...MOT...LOC 2304Z 292DEG 35KT 3491 7892

$$

VINCENT
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS52 KRAH 202306
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
706 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008

NCC051-202330-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-080520T2330Z/
CUMBERLAND NC-
706 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM EDT FOR SOUTHERN
CUMBERLAND COUNTY...

AT 701 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR HOPE MILLS...OR 11
MILES SOUTH OF FAYETTEVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  6 MILES SOUTH OF CEDAR CREEK BY 715 PM EDT

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE 
THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW IF YOU WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR IT 
COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT
TUESDAY EVENING FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3485 7894 3488 7894 3494 7902 3496 7901
      3503 7898 3489 7854 3484 7850 3483 7852
      3484 7878 3482 7891
TIME...MOT...LOC 2306Z 292DEG 35KT 3490 7890

$$

VINCENT
000 
WWUS52 KRAH 202313
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
713 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008

NCC051-202330-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-080520T2330Z/
CUMBERLAND NC-
713 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM EDT FOR SOUTHERN
CUMBERLAND COUNTY...

AT 710 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
CEDAR CREEK...OR 13 MILES SOUTH OF FAYETTEVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 47
MPH.

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GOLF 
BALL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS. THIS IS AN 
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION...TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT
TUESDAY EVENING FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3485 7894 3488 7894 3494 7902 3496 7901
      3503 7898 3489 7854 3484 7850 3483 7852
      3484 7878 3482 7891
TIME...MOT...LOC 2313Z 288DEG 41KT 3488 7880

$$

VINCENT
000 
WWUS52 KRAH 202331
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
729 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008

NCC051-202339-
/O.EXP.KRAH.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-080520T2330Z/
CUMBERLAND NC-
729 PM EDT TUE MAY 20 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHERN CUMBERLAND COUNTY EXPIRES AT 730 
PM EDT...

THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING IS MOVING EAST INTO EXTREME 
NORTHERN BLADEN AND WESTERN SAMPSON COUNTIES...THEREFORE THE WARNING 
FOR CUMBERLAND COUNTY WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

IF YOU EXPERIENCED SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS LARGE HAIL OR DAMAGING
WINDS PLEASE PASS THE INFORMATION ALONG TO YOUR NEAREST LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND ASK THEM TO RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT
TUESDAY EVENING FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3485 7894 3488 7894 3494 7902 3496 7901
      3503 7898 3489 7854 3484 7850 3483 7852
      3484 7878 3482 7891
TIME...MOT...LOC 2329Z 288DEG 41KT 3482 7859

$$

VINCENT

The office that day

Everything else NWS Raleigh, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 20, 2:29 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHGranville, Person61 min
May 20, 2:55 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHVance, Warren65 min
May 20, 3:12 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHFranklin, Vance, Warren48 min
May 20, 3:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDavidson, Guilford, Randolph31 min
May 20, 3:32 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHCumberland, Sampson37 min
May 20, 3:39 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAlamance, Durham, Orange, Person56 min
May 20, 3:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHGuilford, Randolph30 min
May 20, 3:52 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHEdgecombe, Halifax, Nash37 min
May 20, 3:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDurham, Franklin, Granville, Vance, Wake62 min
May 20, 4:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAlamance, Chatham, Durham, Orange46 min
May 20, 4:15 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDavidson, Montgomery, Randolph, Stanly25 min
May 20, 4:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHFranklin, Halifax, Nash64 min
May 20, 4:32 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDurham, Franklin, Granville, Wake58 min
May 20, 4:35 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDavidson, Randolph40 min
May 20, 4:42 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAlamance, Chatham, Durham, Orange, Wake48 min
May 20, 4:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAlamance, Guilford, Randolph30 min
May 20, 4:54 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAnson, Davidson, Montgomery, Randolph, Stanly30 min
May 20, 4:54 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHEdgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Wilson39 min
May 20, 5:03 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHChatham, Harnett, Lee, Wake30 min
May 20, 5:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAlamance, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Guilford, Orange and 1 more47 min
May 20, 5:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAnson, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Stanly42 min
May 20, 5:18 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHHarnett, Johnston, Wake33 min
May 20, 5:34 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHChatham, Durham, Wake41 min
May 20, 5:39 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDavidson, Montgomery, Randolph, Stanly36 min
May 20, 5:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHChatham, Lee, Randolph45 min
May 20, 5:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHJohnston36 min
May 20, 5:56 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHHoke, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond64 min
May 20, 6:04 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAnson, Montgomery, Richmond, Stanly41 min
May 20, 6:07 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHWayne, Wilson29 min
May 20, 6:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHHoke, Scotland43 min
May 20, 6:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHChatham, Harnett, Lee, Wake42 min
May 20, 6:32 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHCumberland43 min
May 20, 6:44 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHCumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Sampson32 min
May 20, 6:57 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHMoore63 min
May 20, 7:09 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHJohnston, Sampson, Wayne35 min
May 20, 7:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHSampson42 min
May 20, 7:49 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHSampson41 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 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.