Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 29, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

April 28, 20115 counties in North Carolina

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this tornado warning at Apr 28, 2011, 2:56 AM EDT for 5 counties in North Carolina. It was in force for 64 min. 9 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: Apr 28, 2011, 2:56 AM EDT (06:56 UTC)
Expired: Apr 28, 2011, 4:00 AM EDT
In force: 64 min
Issued by: NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Alexander County, NC, Burke County, NC, Caldwell County, NC, Catawba County, NC, McDowell County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 124 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 06:58 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
Apr 28, 3:00 AM EDT	TORNADO	Morganton, NC	TORNADO CONFIRMED ON THE GROUND AT HWY 18/64.
Apr 28, 3:10 AM EDT	HAIL 1.75	Gamewell, NC
Apr 28, 3:15 AM EDT	HAIL 0.75	Lenoir, NC
Apr 28, 3:15 AM EDT	TORNADO	5 E Lenoir, NC	DAMAGE TO HOMES AND BUILDINGS ON LAZY CREEK LANE...TEMPLEHILL BIRCH ROAD...MORRIS CREEK ROAD...BURNS ROAD.
Apr 28, 3:20 AM EDT	TORNADO 0	3 E Hudson, NC	* 1 INJ * AN EF-1 TORNADO OCCURRED ABOUT 5-7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF LENOIR AND TRAVELED TO THE NORTHEAST ON A CONTINUOUS 4.5 MILE PATH. THE TORNADO PRODUCED SCATTERED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AND BLEW DOWN OR SNAPPED NUMEROUS TREES. A DOUBLE WIDE MOBILE HOME SUSTAINE
Apr 28, 3:25 AM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Ene Hudson, NC	TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.
Apr 28, 3:25 AM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Se Kings Creek, NC	TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. DAMAGE TO A MOBILE HOME.
Apr 28, 3:35 AM EDT	TORNADO	3 Sw Ellendale, NC	AN EF1 TORNADO OCCURRED 4-8 MILES W-NW OF TAYLORSVILLE. THE TORNADO MOVED ON AN INTERMITTENT TRACK OF 5 MILES. IT PRODUCED SCATTERED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AND BLEW DOWN OR SNAPPED NUMEROUS TREES.
Apr 28, 3:40 AM EDT	TORNADO	3 W Taylorsville, NC	POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE TO MOBILE HOME 3 MILES WEST OF TAYLORSVILLE JUST OFF HWY 64.

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
Apr 27, 6:52 PM EDT	Tornado Watch PDS	SPC	9 hr
Apr 28, 12:56 AM EDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	4 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 00:00Z, 6.9 hours before the alert went out and 149 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: 2272 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -5 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 766 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 51 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 233 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 271 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 3.5
Supercell composite: 14.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

309 
WFUS52 KGSP 280656
TORGSP
NCC003-023-027-035-111-280800-
/O.NEW.KGSP.TO.W.0029.110428T0656Z-110428T0800Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
256 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  ALEXANDER COUNTY IN THE PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF TAYLORSVILLE...
  NORTH CENTRAL CATAWBA COUNTY IN THE PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA...
  BURKE COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF MORGANTON...
  CALDWELL COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF LENOIR...
  EAST CENTRAL MCDOWELL COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...

* UNTIL 400 AM EDT

* AT 253 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 6 MILES
  SOUTHEAST OF NEBO...OR 9 MILES EAST OF MARION...MOVING NORTHEAST AT
  45 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  GLEN ALPINE...
  MORGANTON AND TABLE ROCK...
  DREXEL AND PLEASANT GROVE...
  VALDESE AND RUTHERFORD COLLEGE...
  CAJAH'S MOUNTAIN AND GAMEWELL...
  HUDSON...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.

TO REPORT TORNADOES...DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...OR FLOODING...
THROUGH OUR AUTOMATED REPORTING SYSTEM...CALL OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER...
1 8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2.

&&

LAT...LON 3608 8142 3600 8132 3603 8127 3604 8121
      3604 8102 3585 8107 3558 8170 3561 8172
      3561 8175 3558 8182 3556 8184 3571 8196
      3580 8188 3610 8148
TIME...MOT...LOC 0656Z 234DEG 41KT 3567 8182

$$

BSH

5 follow-up statements

675 
WWUS52 KGSP 280709
SVSGSP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
309 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

NCC111-280720-
/O.CAN.KGSP.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-110428T0800Z/
MCDOWELL NC-
309 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

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

LAT...LON 3564 8163 3581 8180 3610 8148 3608 8142
      3600 8132 3603 8127 3604 8121 3604 8102
      3585 8107
TIME...MOT...LOC 0710Z 234DEG 41KT 3577 8164

$$

NCC003-023-027-035-280800-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-110428T0800Z/
ALEXANDER NC-CATAWBA NC-CALDWELL NC-BURKE NC-
309 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM EDT FOR EASTERN
BURKE...CALDWELL...NORTH CENTRAL CATAWBA AND ALEXANDER COUNTIES...

AT 306 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MORGANTON...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
DREXEL...VALDESE...RUTHERFORD COLLEGE...COLLETTSVILLE...CONNELLY
SPRINGS...GAMEWELL...LAKE RHODHISS...ICARD...CAJAH'S MOUNTAIN...
SAWMILLS...RHODHISS...HUDSON...LENOIR...GRANITE FALLS...PATTERSON...
LAKE HICKORY...BETHLEHEM...KINGS CREEK...ELLENDALE...MILLERSVILLE...
TAYLORSVILLE AND HIDDENITE

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO THREAT...DAMAGING HAIL TO THE SIZE OF 
GOLF BALLS WILL PRECEDE THE TORNADO. WIND DRIVEN HAIL OF THIS SIZE 
POSES A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY AND DAMAGE. MOBILE HOMES AND 
VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER. OTHERWISE...GO TO 
AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME OR PLACE OF 
BUSINESS.

TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.

&&

LAT...LON 3564 8163 3581 8180 3610 8148 3608 8142
      3600 8132 3603 8127 3604 8121 3604 8102
      3585 8107
TIME...MOT...LOC 0710Z 234DEG 41KT 3577 8164

$$

BSH

235 
WWUS52 KGSP 280723
SVSGSP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
323 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

NCC023-035-280732-
/O.CAN.KGSP.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-110428T0800Z/
CATAWBA NC-BURKE NC-
323 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN BURKE AND NORTH CENTRAL CATAWBA
COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

LAT...LON 3600 8132 3603 8127 3604 8121 3604 8102
      3585 8108 3579 8146 3578 8147 3579 8155
      3585 8162 3607 8141
TIME...MOT...LOC 0722Z 234DEG 41KT 3584 8149

$$

NCC003-027-280800-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-110428T0800Z/
ALEXANDER NC-CALDWELL NC-
323 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM EDT FOR EASTERN
CALDWELL AND ALEXANDER COUNTIES...

AT 319 AM EDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR SAWMILLS...OR 6 MILES SOUTH OF LENOIR...
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO GRANITE
FALLS...BETHLEHEM...KINGS CREEK...ELLENDALE...MILLERSVILLE...
TAYLORSVILLE AND HIDDENITE

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.

A TORNADO HAS BEEN CONFIRMED ON THE GROUND MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST 
TO NEAR SAWMILLS. MOBILE HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED 
IMMEDIATELY FOR STURDIER SHELTER. OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM 
ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.

&&

LAT...LON 3600 8132 3603 8127 3604 8121 3604 8102
      3585 8108 3579 8146 3578 8147 3579 8155
      3585 8162 3607 8141
TIME...MOT...LOC 0722Z 234DEG 41KT 3584 8149

$$

BSH

953 
WWUS52 KGSP 280735
SVSGSP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
335 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

NCC003-027-280800-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-110428T0800Z/
ALEXANDER NC-CALDWELL NC-
335 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM EDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL CALDWELL AND NORTHERN ALEXANDER COUNTIES...

AT 331 AM EDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR ELLENDALE...OR 9 MILES WEST OF
TAYLORSVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL OTHERWISE REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF THE
INDICATED COUNTY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.

&&

LAT...LON 3589 8115 3586 8132 3588 8138 3591 8142
      3596 8142 3604 8137 3600 8132 3603 8127
      3604 8121 3604 8102
TIME...MOT...LOC 0735Z 240DEG 43KT 3592 8129

$$

BSH

077 
WWUS52 KGSP 280744
SVSGSP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
344 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

NCC027-280754-
/O.CAN.KGSP.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-110428T0800Z/
CALDWELL NC-
344 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

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

LAT...LON 3592 8115 3591 8125 3593 8130 3595 8132
      3597 8132 3600 8132 3603 8127 3604 8121
      3604 8102
TIME...MOT...LOC 0744Z 239DEG 38KT 3597 8120

$$

NCC003-280800-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-110428T0800Z/
ALEXANDER NC-
344 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM EDT FOR NORTHERN
ALEXANDER COUNTY...

AT 340 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR ELLENDALE...OR
NEAR TAYLORSVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL OTHERWISE REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF THE
INDICATED COUNTY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.

&&

LAT...LON 3592 8115 3591 8125 3593 8130 3595 8132
      3597 8132 3600 8132 3603 8127 3604 8121
      3604 8102
TIME...MOT...LOC 0744Z 239DEG 38KT 3597 8120

$$

BSH

795 
WWUS52 KGSP 280758
SVSGSP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
358 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

NCC003-280808-
/O.EXP.KGSP.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-110428T0800Z/
ALEXANDER NC-
358 AM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN ALEXANDER COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT
400 AM EDT...

LAT...LON 3592 8115 3591 8125 3593 8130 3595 8132
      3597 8132 3600 8132 3603 8127 3604 8121
      3604 8102
TIME...MOT...LOC 0758Z 239DEG 38KT 3603 8103

$$

BSH

The office that day

Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 27, 10:43 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Macon	47 min
Apr 27, 11:22 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Transylvania	38 min
Apr 28, 12:04 AM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Jackson, Macon	41 min
Apr 28, 12:41 AM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Transylvania	34 min
Apr 28, 12:54 AM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Jackson, Macon, Transylvania	51 min
Apr 28, 1:17 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	GSP	Buncombe, Burke, McDowell	43 min
Apr 28, 1:31 AM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Henderson, Transylvania	44 min
Apr 28, 2:03 AM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford	42 min
Apr 28, 2:26 AM EDT	Tornado Warning	GSP	Buncombe, Burke, Henderson, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford	49 min
Apr 28, 5:26 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	GSP	Caldwell	34 min
Apr 28, 5:51 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	GSP	Burke	24 min
Apr 28, 5:55 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	GSP	Burke	35 min
Apr 28, 6:04 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	GSP	Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba	29 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 2011 Every tornado warning in 2011 Tornadoes 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.