Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 7, NWS Blacksburg, VA

June 4, 2009Franklin County, Pittsylvania County, Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Jun 4, 2009, 2:18 PM EDT for Franklin County, Pittsylvania County, Virginia. It was in force for 57 min. 1 report 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
Jun 4, 2009, 2:18 PM EDT (18:18 UTC)
Expired
Jun 4, 2009, 3:15 PM EDT
In force
57 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Franklin County, VA, Pittsylvania County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 66 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:18 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
Jun 4, 2:45 PM EDTHAIL 0.752 Nw Pittsville, VA

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 12:00Z, 6.3 hours before the alert went out and 27 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, Roanoke, VA at 12:00Z on 2009-06-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 123 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Roanoke, VA at 12:00Z on 2009-06-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 88 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
123 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-96 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1008 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
26 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
88 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
69 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 
WFUS51 KRNK 041818
TORRNK
VAC067-143-041915-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0007.090604T1818Z-090604T1915Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
218 PM EDT THU JUN 4 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  EASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA
  CENTRAL PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA

* UNTIL 315 PM EDT.

* AT 208 PM EDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A POSSIBLE TORNADO 
WEST OF PENHOOK...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  PENHOOK...
  AJAX...
  CLIMAX...
  PITTSVILLE...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

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 3702 7940 3685 7943 3692 7972 3699 7970
TIME...MOT...LOC 1818Z 267DEG 12KT 3696 7968

$$

SK
3 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS51 KRNK 041828
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
228 PM EDT THU JUN 4 2009

VAC067-143-041915-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-090604T1915Z/
FRANKLIN VA-PITTSYLVANIA VA-
228 PM EDT THU JUN 4 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM EDT FOR NORTHERN
PITTSYLVANIA AND EASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES...

AT 228 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR PENHOOK...MOVING
EAST AT 15 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  PENHOOK...
  AJAX...
  PITTSVILLE...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

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
STURDY 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 3702 7940 3689 7943 3692 7966 3699 7964
TIME...MOT...LOC 1828Z 261DEG 15KT 3696 7962

$$

SK
000 
WWUS51 KRNK 041843
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
243 PM EDT THU JUN 4 2009

VAC067-041853-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-090604T1915Z/
FRANKLIN VA-
243 PM EDT THU JUN 4 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

&&

LAT...LON 3692 7958 3700 7957 3702 7940 3689 7943
TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 270DEG 14KT 3697 7953

$$

VAC143-041915-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-090604T1915Z/
PITTSYLVANIA VA-
243 PM EDT THU JUN 4 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM EDT FOR NORTHERN
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY...

AT 243 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR AJAX...OR 6 MILES
EAST OF PENHOOK...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3692 7958 3700 7957 3702 7940 3689 7943
TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 270DEG 14KT 3697 7953

$$

SK
000 
WWUS51 KRNK 041913
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
313 PM EDT THU JUN 4 2009

VAC143-041922-
/O.EXP.KRNK.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-090604T1915Z/
PITTSYLVANIA VA-
313 PM EDT THU JUN 4 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWEST PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY EXPIRES AT
315 PM EDT...

HOWEVER...A TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY 
REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 3:45 PM EDT.

A TORNADO WATCH ALSO 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.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...TV OR YOUR LOCAL NEW SOURCE FOR
THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION. REPORT ANY SEVERE WEATHER OR STORM
RELATED DAMAGE TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND ASK THEM TO
IMMEDIATELY RELAY THE REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
BLACKSBURG.

LAT...LON 3692 7958 3700 7957 3702 7940 3689 7943
TIME...MOT...LOC 1912Z 270DEG 14KT 3697 7939

$$

SK

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 4, 4:48 AM EDTFlood WatchRNKAlleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Bath, Bedford, Bland and 31 more31 hr
Jun 4, 11:42 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKFloyd, Montgomery63 min
Jun 4, 12:39 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKFloyd, Franklin, Roanoke66 min
Jun 4, 1:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBedford, Franklin, Pittsylvania50 min
Jun 4, 1:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKPulaski, Wythe47 min
Jun 4, 1:51 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKBedford, Franklin, Pittsylvania54 min
Jun 4, 2:10 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKHalifax65 min
Jun 4, 2:24 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKGrayson, Smyth4 hr
Jun 4, 2:43 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKWythe4 hr
Jun 4, 2:44 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBedford, Pittsylvania50 min
Jun 4, 2:54 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKCity of Danville66 min
Jun 4, 2:56 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKPittsylvania49 min
Jun 4, 3:00 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKPittsylvania, City of Danville6 hr
Jun 4, 3:04 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKHalifax, Pittsylvania, City of Danville56 min
Jun 4, 3:15 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKBland, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Smyth and 2 more60 min
Jun 4, 3:17 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKPulaski6 hr
Jun 4, 3:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCharlotte29 min
Jun 4, 3:50 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Montgomery, Pulaski39 min
Jun 4, 3:52 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Giles32 min
Jun 4, 4:07 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Giles, Pulaski26 min
Jun 4, 4:11 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKHalifax6 hr
Jun 4, 4:23 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKSmyth, Tazewell67 min
Jun 4, 4:26 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKHenry, City of Martinsville64 min
Jun 4, 5:03 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKTazewell5 hr
Jun 4, 5:06 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKPittsylvania6 hr
Jun 4, 7:54 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRNKBland, Wythe6 hr

Nearby

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