Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 18, NWS Wilmington, NC

April 28, 2011Bladen County, Robeson County, North Carolina

NWS Wilmington, NC issued this tornado warning at Apr 28, 2011, 1:02 PM EDT for Bladen County, Robeson County, North Carolina. It was in force for 43 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: Apr 28, 2011, 1:02 PM EDT (17:02 UTC)
Expired: Apr 28, 2011, 1:45 PM EDT
In force: 43 min
Issued by: NWS Wilmington, NC
Area: Storm-based polygon

Counties Bladen County, NC, Robeson County, NC

The radar

The Wilmington radar (KLTX), 91 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:03 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, 1:20 PM EDT	TORNADO	Tar Heel, NC	FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED A POSSIBLE TORNADO BETWEEN TAR HEEL AND DUBLIN.

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 28, 4:30 AM EDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	10 hr
Apr 28, 8:48 AM EDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Newport, NC (KMHX), launched 12:00Z, 5.0 hours before the alert went out and 158 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: 1638 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -4 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 502 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 29 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 227 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 220 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 1.0
Supercell composite: 6.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

480 
WFUS52 KILM 281702
TORILM
NCC017-155-281745-
/O.NEW.KILM.TO.W.0018.110428T1702Z-110428T1745Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
102 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  EASTERN ROBESON COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA   
  WESTERN AND NORTHERN BLADEN COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 145 PM EDT

* AT 100 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR            
  LUMBERTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

* SOME LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
   EMERSON...
   DUART...
   WHITE OAK...
   AMMON...

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

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.

&&

PLEASE REPORT HAIL...DOWNED TREES OR DAMAGING WINDS TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC...TOLL FREE AT 877-633-6772...WHEN
YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3484 7849 3483 7846 3481 7845 3479 7843
      3477 7842 3477 7841 3474 7839 3451 7885
      3473 7910 3485 7892 3483 7889 3485 7881
      3485 7852 3486 7850
TIME...MOT...LOC 1700Z 233DEG 46KT 3467 7891

$$

SRP

3 follow-up statements

406 
WWUS52 KILM 281718
SVSILM

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
118 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

NCC017-155-281745-
/O.CON.KILM.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-110428T1745Z/
BLADEN NC-ROBESON NC-
118 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 145 PM EDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL ROBESON AND NORTHERN BLADEN COUNTIES...

AT 116 PM EDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR DUBLIN...OR 8 MILES WEST OF ELIZABETHTOWN...
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO WHITE OAK...
RUSKIN...JEROME AND AMMON.

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM EDT THURSDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.

&&

PLEASE REPORT HAIL...DOWNED TREES OR DAMAGING WINDS TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC...TOLL FREE AT 877-633-6772...WHEN
YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3485 7852 3486 7850 3484 7849 3483 7846
      3481 7845 3479 7843 3477 7842 3477 7841
      3474 7839 3451 7885 3469 7890 3485 7892
      3483 7889 3485 7881
TIME...MOT...LOC 1718Z 246DEG 36KT 3466 7873

$$

BACON

608 
WWUS52 KILM 281729
SVSILM

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
129 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

NCC155-281737-
/O.CAN.KILM.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-110428T1745Z/
ROBESON NC-
129 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL ROBESON COUNTY IS CANCELED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM EDT THURSDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.

PLEASE REPORT HAIL...DOWNED TREES OR DAMAGING WINDS TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC...TOLL FREE AT 877-633-6772...WHEN
YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3485 7852 3486 7850 3484 7849 3483 7846
      3481 7845 3479 7843 3477 7842 3477 7841
      3474 7839 3457 7873 3468 7879 3483 7889
      3485 7881
TIME...MOT...LOC 1727Z 242DEG 42KT 3469 7863

$$

NCC017-281745-
/O.CON.KILM.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-110428T1745Z/
BLADEN NC-
129 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 145 PM EDT FOR WEST 
CENTRAL BLADEN COUNTY...

AT 124 PM EDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR RUSKIN...OR 5 MILES NORTHWEST OF 
ELIZABETHTOWN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH. DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUES 
TO INDICATE STRONG LOW LEVEL ROTATION INDICATIVE OF A TORNADO. 

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO AMMON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT USE YOUR CAR TO TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO. CARS ARE EASILY
TOSSED AROUND BY TORNADO WINDS. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN THE PATH OF A
TORNADO...LEAVE THE CAR AND GO TO A STRONG BUILDING. IF NO SAFE
STRUCTURE IS NEARBY...SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR LOW SPOT AND COVER
YOUR HEAD.

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM EDT THURSDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.

&&

PLEASE REPORT HAIL...DOWNED TREES OR DAMAGING WINDS TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC...TOLL FREE AT 877-633-6772...WHEN
YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3485 7852 3486 7850 3484 7849 3483 7846
      3481 7845 3479 7843 3477 7842 3477 7841
      3474 7839 3457 7873 3468 7879 3483 7889
      3485 7881
TIME...MOT...LOC 1727Z 242DEG 42KT 3469 7863

$$

BACON

473 
WWUS52 KILM 281744
SVSILM

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
144 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

NCC017-281754-
/O.EXP.KILM.TO.W.0018.000000T0000Z-110428T1745Z/
BLADEN NC-
144 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN BLADEN COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 145
PM EDT...

AT 141 PM EDT...THE TORNADO WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT
OF THE WARNED AREA...THUS THE TORNADO WARNING WAS ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM EDT THURSDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.


PLEASE REPORT HAIL...DOWNED TREES OR DAMAGING WINDS TO THE NATIONAL 
WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC...TOLL FREE AT 877-633-6772...WHEN 
YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3485 7852 3486 7850 3484 7849 3483 7846
      3481 7845 3479 7843 3477 7842 3477 7841
      3474 7839 3457 7873 3468 7879 3483 7889
      3485 7881
TIME...MOT...LOC 1744Z 242DEG 42KT 3479 7872

$$

BACON

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 28, 9:06 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	ILM	Bladen	54 min
Apr 28, 9:32 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	ILM	Bladen	28 min
Apr 28, 9:40 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	ILM	Brunswick, Columbus	50 min
Apr 28, 9:43 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	ILM	Bladen	62 min
Apr 28, 10:18 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	ILM	Pender	57 min
Apr 28, 11:33 AM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILM	Robeson	57 min
Apr 28, 12:15 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	ILM	Robeson	34 min
Apr 28, 12:42 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	ILM	Bladen, Columbus, Robeson	48 min
Apr 28, 1:51 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	ILM	Bladen, Robeson	54 min
Apr 28, 2:01 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	ILM	Bladen	44 min
Apr 28, 2:24 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILM	Columbus, Robeson	51 min
Apr 28, 2:52 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	ILM	Bladen, Columbus	38 min
Apr 28, 3:24 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILM	Bladen, Columbus, Pender	51 min
Apr 28, 3:37 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	ILM	Bladen, Columbus, Pender	38 min
Apr 28, 4:10 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	ILM	Pender	40 min
Apr 28, 4:22 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	ILM	Bladen	23 min
Apr 28, 4:49 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	ILM	Pender	41 min
Apr 28, 5:13 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	ILM	Pender	32 min
Apr 28, 5:36 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	ILM	Pender	24 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.