Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 3, NWS Blacksburg, VA

May 8, 2009Mercer County, West Virginia; Bland County, Tazewell County, Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at May 8, 2009, 9:34 PM EDT for Mercer County, West Virginia; Bland County, Tazewell County, Virginia. It was in force for 41 min. 2 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 8, 2009, 9:34 PM EDT (01:34 UTC)
Expired: May 8, 2009, 10:15 PM EDT
In force: 41 min
Issued by: NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Bland County, VA, Tazewell County, VA, Mercer County, WV

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 97 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:34 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
May 8, 9:52 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Nw Bluefield, VA	TREE DOWN.
May 8, 9:52 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Montcalm, WV	SEVERAL TREES DOWN. MUDSLIDES ALSO REPORTED.

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
May 8, 6:32 PM EDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 00:00Z, 1.6 hours before the alert went out and 159 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 113 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -42 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1561 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 84 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 103 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS51 KRNK 090134
TORRNK
VAC021-185-WVC055-090215-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0003.090509T0134Z-090509T0215Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
934 PM EDT FRI MAY 8 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN BLAND COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  SOUTHERN MERCER COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA

* UNTIL 1015 PM EDT.

* AT 932 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 9 MILES WEST OF
  COALDALE...OR 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF WELCH...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  COALDALE...
  BRAMWELL...
  MONTCALM...
  SANDLICK...
  CERES...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED BASED ON DOPPLER RADAR...IT MEANS
THAT STRONG ROTATION HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE STORM. A TORNADO MAY
ALREADY BE ON THE GROUND...OR IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SHORTLY. IF YOU
ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS DANGEROUS STORM...MOVE INDOORS AND TO THE
LOWEST LEVEL OF THE BUILDING. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF DRIVING...DO
NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS.

WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO...PLEASE RELAY YOUR SEVERE WEATHER REPORTS
TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING TOLL FREE AT...1...8 6
6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4.

&&

LAT...LON 3728 8142 3741 8132 3742 8131 3742 8129
      3745 8130 3746 8128 3741 8089 3719 8107
      3727 8145 3728 8145
TIME...MOT...LOC 0134Z 282DEG 31KT 3737 8148

$$

WP

4 follow-up statements

000 
WWUS51 KRNK 090147
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
947 PM EDT FRI MAY 8 2009

VAC021-185-WVC055-090215-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-090509T0215Z/
BLAND VA-TAZEWELL VA-MERCER WV-
947 PM EDT FRI MAY 8 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM EDT FOR SOUTHERN
MERCER...NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL AND NORTHERN BLAND COUNTIES...

AT 946 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR COALDALE...OR 7
MILES SOUTHWEST OF MATOAKA...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED
BUILDING. AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW
SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG AT...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4...WHEN YOU CAN
DO SO SAFELY.

&&

LAT...LON 3728 8142 3741 8132 3742 8131 3742 8129
      3745 8130 3746 8128 3741 8089 3719 8107
      3727 8145 3728 8145
TIME...MOT...LOC 0146Z 285DEG 32KT 3734 8133

$$

WP

000 
WWUS51 KRNK 090151
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
951 PM EDT FRI MAY 8 2009

VAC021-185-WVC055-090215-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-090509T0215Z/
BLAND VA-TAZEWELL VA-MERCER WV-
951 PM EDT FRI MAY 8 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM EDT FOR SOUTHERN
MERCER...NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL AND NORTHERN BLAND COUNTIES...

AT 950 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BRAMWELL...OR 6
MILES NORTHWEST OF BLUEFIELD...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  PINNACLE ROCK STATE PARK...
  MERCER COUNTY AIRPORT...
  CERES...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST
DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG AT...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4...WHEN YOU CAN
DO SO SAFELY.

&&

LAT...LON 3741 8131 3745 8125 3741 8089 3719 8107
      3728 8141
TIME...MOT...LOC 0151Z 285DEG 32KT 3733 8128

$$

WP

000 
WWUS51 KRNK 090205
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1005 PM EDT FRI MAY 8 2009

VAC185-090215-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-090509T0215Z/
TAZEWELL VA-
1005 PM EDT FRI MAY 8 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

&&

LAT...LON 3735 8118 3740 8113 3739 8091 3719 8107
      3724 8122 3728 8127
TIME...MOT...LOC 0205Z 285DEG 32KT 3729 8110

$$

VAC021-WVC055-090215-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-090509T0215Z/
BLAND VA-MERCER WV-
1005 PM EDT FRI MAY 8 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM EDT FOR SOUTHERN
MERCER AND NORTHERN BLAND COUNTIES...

AT 1002 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR CERES...OR NEAR
ROCKY GAP...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CERES...
  OAKVALE...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST
DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG AT...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4...WHEN YOU CAN
DO SO SAFELY.

&&

LAT...LON 3735 8118 3740 8113 3739 8091 3719 8107
      3724 8122 3728 8127
TIME...MOT...LOC 0205Z 285DEG 32KT 3729 8110

$$

WP

000 
WWUS51 KRNK 090215
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1015 PM EDT FRI MAY 8 2009

VAC021-WVC055-090224-
/O.EXP.KRNK.TO.W.0003.000000T0000Z-090509T0215Z/
BLAND VA-MERCER WV-
1015 PM EDT FRI MAY 8 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHERN MERCER AND NORTHERN BLAND
COUNTIES EXPIRES AT 1015 PM EDT...

THE THUNDERSTORM HAS EXITED THE AREA AND WEAKENED TO BELOW SEVERE 
LIMITS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. IF A TORNADO
IS SPOTTED... ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY
STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM.

IF YOU LIVE IN MERCER COUNTY...AND HAD WIND DAMAGE OR HAIL ...PLEASE 
CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG AT...1...8 6 
6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4.

LAT...LON 3735 8118 3740 8113 3739 8091 3719 8107
      3724 8122 3728 8127
TIME...MOT...LOC 0214Z 283DEG 32KT 3728 8100

$$

WP

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 8, 9:31 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Mercer, Monroe, Summers	6 hr
May 9, 3:24 AM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Mercer, Monroe, Summers	6 hr
May 9, 9:11 AM EDT	Areal Flood Warning	RNK	Mercer, Monroe, Summers	6 hr
May 9, 3:16 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Mercer	6 hr
May 8, 9:26 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Bland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe	51 min
May 8, 10:20 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, City of Radford	40 min
May 8, 10:24 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Bland	66 min
May 8, 10:39 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe	41 min
May 8, 10:43 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Botetourt, Craig	47 min
May 8, 11:00 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Montgomery	45 min
May 8, 11:05 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RNK	Grayson, Smyth, Wythe	40 min
May 8, 11:41 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Carroll, Grayson, Patrick, City of Galax	64 min
May 8, 11:48 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Franklin, Henry, Patrick, Pittsylvania	42 min
May 9, 12:23 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Appomattox, Campbell, Charlotte, Halifax, Pittsylvania	63 min
May 9, 12:29 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Pittsylvania	33 min
May 9, 12:46 AM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Bland, Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe	4 hr
May 9, 4:44 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Craig, Giles, Montgomery, Roanoke, City of Salem	46 min
May 9, 6:35 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Giles, Montgomery, Roanoke	55 min
May 9, 1:04 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Franklin, Henry, Patrick, Pittsylvania	56 min
May 9, 1:14 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Bedford, Campbell, Franklin, Pittsylvania	40 min
May 9, 5:07 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Fluvanna	23 min
May 9, 6:04 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	City of Danville	26 min
May 9, 6:18 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Charlotte, Halifax	42 min
May 9, 7:02 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Charlotte	43 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Virginia, 2009 Tornado Warnings in West Virginia, 2009 Every tornado warning in 2009 Tornadoes in 2009

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.