Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 12, NWS State College, PA

April 28, 2011Lancaster County, York County, Pennsylvania

NWS State College, PA issued this tornado warning at Apr 28, 2011, 8:44 AM EDT for Lancaster County, York County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 14 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Apr 28, 2011, 8:44 AM EDT (12:44 UTC)
Expired
Apr 28, 2011, 8:58 AM EDT
In force
14 min
Issued by
NWS State College, PA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Lancaster County, PA, York County, PA

The radar

The Dover AFB radar (KDOX), 148 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 12:45 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Phillips Aaf/Abe, MD (KAPG), launched 12:00Z, 0.7 hours before the alert went out and 61 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, Phillips Aaf/Abe, MD at 12:00Z on 2011-04-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 482 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, Phillips Aaf/Abe, MD at 12:00Z on 2011-04-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 371 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
482 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-47 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
670 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
56 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
371 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
401 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.3
Supercell composite
5.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

162 
WFUS51 KCTP 281244
TORCTP
PAC071-133-281315-
/O.NEW.KCTP.TO.W.0012.110428T1244Z-110428T1315Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
844 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE PA HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  LANCASTER COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA...
  EAST CENTRAL YORK COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA...

* UNTIL 915 AM EDT

* AT 842 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THE STORM
  CONTAINING THE POSSIBLE TORNADO WAS NEAR BROGUE...MOVING NORTHEAST
  AT 50 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  WILLOW STREET AND MILLERSVILLE AROUND 855 AM EDT...
  STRASBURG AROUND 900 AM EDT...
  LEOLA AND PARADISE AROUND 905 AM EDT...
  NEW HOLLAND AND AKRON AROUND 910 AM EDT...

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.

THIS WILL IMPACT THE FOLLOWING MAJOR ROADS...ROUTE 30...ROUTE 222...
ROUTE 322.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER INSIDE NOW. DO NOT WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR THE TORNADO. MOVE
TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF A STURDY BUILDING. PUT AS
MANY WALLS BETWEEN YOU AND THE OUTSIDE AS YOU CAN. AVOID WINDOWS.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

&&

LAT...LON 4006 7593 3984 7645 3988 7649 4025 7618
TIME...MOT...LOC 1244Z 228DEG 45KT 3989 7641

$$

FORECASTER: STEINBUGL
2 follow-up statements
716 
WWUS51 KCTP 281254
SVSCTP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
854 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

PAC133-281304-
/O.CAN.KCTP.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-110428T1315Z/
YORK PA-
854 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL YORK COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

THE STORM THAT PROMPTED THE TORNADO WARNING HAS MOVED OUT OF THE
AREA...THEREFORE THE TORNADO WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

LAT...LON 3992 7632 3995 7637 4023 7615 4006 7593
TIME...MOT...LOC 1254Z 228DEG 45KT 3997 7629

$$

PAC071-281315-
/O.CON.KCTP.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-110428T1315Z/
LANCASTER PA-
854 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 AM EDT FOR CENTRAL
LANCASTER COUNTY...

AT 851 AM EDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH SOME ROTATION THAT MAY BE PRODUCING A
TORNADO. THIS STORM THAT MAY BE PRODUCING A TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR
WILLOW STREET...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
STRASBURG AROUND 900 AM EDT...
LEOLA AND PARADISE AROUND 905 AM EDT...
NEW HOLLAND AND AKRON AROUND 910 AM EDT...

THIS WILL IMPACT THE FOLLOWING MAJOR ROADS...ROUTE 30...ROUTE 222...
ROUTE 322.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3992 7632 3995 7637 4023 7615 4006 7593
TIME...MOT...LOC 1254Z 228DEG 45KT 3997 7629

$$

FORECASTER: STEINBUGL
181 
WWUS51 KCTP 281258
SVSCTP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STATE COLLEGE PA
858 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

PAC071-281308-
/O.CAN.KCTP.TO.W.0012.000000T0000Z-110428T1315Z/
LANCASTER PA-
858 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL LANCASTER COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

THE STORM HAS WEAKENED TO BELOW SEVERE LIMITS...THEREFORE THE TORNADO
WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

LAT...LON 3992 7632 3995 7637 4023 7615 4006 7593
TIME...MOT...LOC 1258Z 228DEG 45KT 4000 7624

$$

FORECASTER: STEINBUGL

The office that day

Everything else NWS State College, PA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 27, 8:09 PM EDTTornado WarningCTPLycoming, Sullivan26 min
Apr 27, 8:22 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPColumbia, Montour, Northumberland53 min
Apr 27, 8:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPColumbia, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga44 min
Apr 27, 9:14 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPYork31 min
Apr 27, 9:32 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPSullivan28 min
Apr 27, 10:38 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPCambria37 min
Apr 27, 10:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPClearfield23 min
Apr 27, 11:09 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPClinton36 min
Apr 27, 11:19 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPCambria, Centre, Clearfield41 min
Apr 27, 11:25 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPCentre, Clearfield, Clinton37 min
Apr 27, 11:59 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPClinton, Lycoming46 min
Apr 28, 12:14 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPCambria31 min
Apr 28, 12:19 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPCentre, Clinton41 min
Apr 28, 12:26 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPBedford, Somerset64 min
Apr 28, 12:33 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLycoming, Tioga57 min
Apr 28, 12:44 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPCentre31 min
Apr 28, 1:02 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPLycoming43 min
Apr 28, 1:21 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPBedford, Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin39 min
Apr 28, 1:29 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPClinton31 min
Apr 28, 1:35 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLycoming, Sullivan25 min
Apr 28, 1:42 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPCameron, Clinton, Lycoming, Potter, Sullivan, Tioga4 hr
Apr 28, 1:42 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPFulton33 min
Apr 28, 1:44 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPBedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Somerset4 hr
Apr 28, 1:58 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPClinton47 min
Apr 28, 2:03 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPMifflin42 min
Apr 28, 2:19 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPHuntingdon41 min
Apr 28, 2:26 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPFranklin34 min
Apr 28, 2:30 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPClinton30 min
Apr 28, 2:42 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPClinton33 min
Apr 28, 2:52 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPCentre, Clinton, Cumberland, Franklin, Juniata, Mifflin and 3 more53 min
Apr 28, 2:55 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCTPCentre, Franklin, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder and 1 more3 hr
Apr 28, 3:02 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPCentre3 hr
Apr 28, 3:03 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPLycoming, Tioga42 min
Apr 28, 3:11 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPAdams, Franklin34 min
Apr 28, 3:34 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPFranklin3 hr
Apr 28, 3:37 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPCentre, Clinton, Dauphin, Juniata, Lycoming, Montour and 4 more38 min
Apr 28, 3:39 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCTPAdams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Montour, Northumberland, York3 hr
Apr 28, 3:41 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPLycoming34 min
Apr 28, 3:46 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPAdams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and 1 more44 min
Apr 28, 4:00 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPColumbia, Dauphin, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill and 1 more60 min
Apr 28, 4:12 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPLycoming41 hr
Apr 28, 4:12 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPLycoming, Northumberland, Union35 hr
Apr 28, 4:12 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPNorthumberland, Union41 hr
Apr 28, 4:12 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPNorthumberland, Union41 hr
Apr 28, 4:12 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPColumbia, Montour, Northumberland65 hr
Apr 28, 4:25 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPAdams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, York7 hr
Apr 28, 4:28 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPAdams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Schuylkill and 1 more47 min
Apr 28, 5:14 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPAdams, Cumberland, Franklin, York46 min
Apr 28, 5:35 AM EDTTornado WarningCTPAdams, Cumberland, York25 min
Apr 28, 5:49 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPDauphin, Lebanon, Schuylkill56 min
Apr 28, 6:13 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningCTPLebanon, Schuylkill4 hr
Apr 28, 6:32 AM EDTWind AdvisoryCTPCambria, Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, McKean, Potter and 2 more5 hr
Apr 28, 6:47 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCTPColumbia, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lycoming and 7 more3 hr
Apr 28, 6:53 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLebanon, Schuylkill37 min
Apr 28, 7:11 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPColumbia, Montour, Northumberland, Sullivan49 min
Apr 28, 7:41 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPClinton20 hr
Apr 28, 7:50 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPDauphin25 min
Apr 28, 7:54 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPLebanon, York36 min
Apr 28, 7:59 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPYork46 min
Apr 28, 8:04 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPAdams26 min
Apr 28, 8:07 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPCumberland, York24 hr
Apr 28, 8:17 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLancaster, York58 min
Apr 28, 8:21 AM EDTTornado WarningCTPYork24 min
Apr 28, 8:54 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLancaster, York66 min
Apr 28, 9:30 AM EDTTornado WarningCTPLancaster, York15 min
Apr 28, 9:58 AM EDTTornado WarningCTPYork21 min
Apr 28, 10:03 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLancaster, York27 min
Apr 28, 10:13 AM EDTTornado WarningCTPLancaster, York32 min
Apr 28, 10:26 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPDauphin, Juniata, Northumberland, Perry, Union45 hr
Apr 28, 10:26 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPCumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, Lancaster, Northumberland, Perry and 2 more48 hr
Apr 28, 10:26 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPLancaster, York63 hr
Apr 28, 10:26 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPHuntingdon11 hr
Apr 28, 10:35 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCTPLancaster10 min
Apr 28, 10:49 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPLancaster26 min
Apr 28, 11:15 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCTPLancaster15 min
Apr 28, 12:52 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPLycoming15 hr
Apr 28, 5:55 PM EDTRiver Flood WarningCTPDauphin, Lebanon, Schuylkill10 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2011Every tornado warning in 2011Tornadoes in 2011

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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.