Alert archive / Arkansas / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 147, NWS Memphis, TN

May 23, 2011Clay County, Greene County, Randolph County, Arkansas

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at May 23, 2011, 2:43 PM CDT for Clay County, Greene County, Randolph County, Arkansas. It was in force for 47 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 23, 2011, 2:43 PM CDT (19:43 UTC)
Expired
May 23, 2011, 3:30 PM CDT
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Clay County, AR, Greene County, AR, Randolph County, AR

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 140 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:43 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
May 23, 2:48 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGWarm Springs, ARA FEW TREES DOWN IN THE TOWN OF WARM SPRINGS. A POWERLINE WAS DOWN IN MIDDLEBROOK...WHICH IS JUST SOUTHEAST OF WARM SPRINGS.
May 23, 3:24 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGBeech Grove, ARA POWERLINE OR TWO WAS KNOCKED DOWN AT THE INTERSECTION OF CR 224 AND HWY 141 NEAR THE TOWN OF BEECH GROVE.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 23, 1:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 7.7 hours before the alert went out and 186 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, Little Rock, AR at 12:00Z on 2011-05-23Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2279 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, Little Rock, AR at 12:00Z on 2011-05-23The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 184 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
2279 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-67 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
553 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
41 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
184 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
229 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
2.1
Supercell composite
10.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

276 
WFUS54 KMEG 231943
TORMEG
ARC021-055-121-232030-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0147.110523T1943Z-110523T2030Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
243 PM CDT MON MAY 23 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  WESTERN CLAY COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  NORTHWESTERN GREENE COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  RANDOLPH COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...

* UNTIL 330 PM CDT

* AT 243 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR ATTICA...OR 10 MILES
  NORTHWEST OF POCAHONTAS...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO CORNING AND
  POCAHONTAS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

.IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE GOLF BALL SIZE 
HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS UP TO 70 MPH.

.THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A STORM SHELTER. IF NO
STORM SHELTER 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
SUBSTANTIAL 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 3651 9047 3616 9056 3617 9113 3619 9115
      3650 9122
TIME...MOT...LOC 1943Z 258DEG 45KT 3639 9100

$$
2 follow-up statements
998 
WWUS54 KMEG 232000
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
300 PM CDT MON MAY 23 2011

ARC021-055-121-232030-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0147.000000T0000Z-110523T2030Z/
CLAY AR-RANDOLPH AR-GREENE AR-
300 PM CDT MON MAY 23 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN GREENE...EASTERN RANDOLPH AND WESTERN CLAY COUNTIES...

AT 300 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR ELKINS PARK...OR
10 MILES NORTHEAST OF POCAHONTAS...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO CORNING...
POCAHONTAS...PITMAN...MIDDLEBROOK...BRAKEBILL...INGRAM...ELKINS
PARK...STOKES...BROCKETT...ENGELERG...FENDER...MANSON...SHANNON AND
PALATKA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A STORM SHELTER. IF NO
STORM SHELTER 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
SUBSTANTIAL 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 3617 9097 3624 9097 3649 9102 3651 9047
      3616 9056
TIME...MOT...LOC 2000Z 258DEG 45KT 3640 9082

$$
978 
WWUS54 KMEG 232017
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
317 PM CDT MON MAY 23 2011

ARC121-232027-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0147.000000T0000Z-110523T2030Z/
RANDOLPH AR-
317 PM CDT MON MAY 23 2011

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

AT 317 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT THE 
THUNDERSTORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE AREA 
AND NO LONGER POSE AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LIFE OR PROPERTY. 
THEREFORE...THE TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED.

LAT...LON 3651 9047 3616 9056 3617 9077 3626 9077
      3630 9075 3636 9076 3641 9075 3643 9077
      3650 9079
TIME...MOT...LOC 2017Z 262DEG 43KT 3629 9060

$$

ARC021-055-232030-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0147.000000T0000Z-110523T2030Z/
CLAY AR-GREENE AR-
317 PM CDT MON MAY 23 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 330 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL GREENE AND WESTERN CLAY COUNTIES...

AT 317 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR PEACH ORCHARD...OR
9 MILES SOUTH OF CORNING...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO CORNING...
PALATKA...HEELSTRING...BROOKINGS...CASE...STONEWALL AND TWIN OAKS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A STORM SHELTER. IF NO
STORM SHELTER 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
SUBSTANTIAL 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 3651 9047 3616 9056 3617 9077 3626 9077
      3630 9075 3636 9076 3641 9075 3643 9077
      3650 9079
TIME...MOT...LOC 2017Z 262DEG 43KT 3629 9060

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Memphis, TN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 22, 7:47 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGRandolph43 min
May 22, 9:36 PM CDTFlash Flood WatchMEGClay, Craighead, Greene, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett and 1 more7 hr
May 22, 10:06 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGLawrence, Randolph54 min
May 22, 10:51 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGClay, Greene, Randolph54 min
May 22, 11:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGClay, Greene, Lawrence, Randolph52 min
May 22, 11:33 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCraighead, Greene57 min
May 22, 11:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGClay, Greene, Lawrence, Randolph46 min
May 22, 11:49 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGClay, Greene26 min
May 23, 12:09 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCross51 min
May 23, 12:26 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGMississippi, Poinsett64 min
May 23, 12:53 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCrittenden67 min
May 23, 1:58 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGLawrence, Randolph47 min
May 23, 2:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLawrence42 min
May 23, 3:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGClay, Greene49 min
May 23, 3:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCraighead, Mississippi, Poinsett42 min
May 23, 3:53 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrittenden, Cross, Mississippi, Poinsett52 min
May 23, 4:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGMississippi47 min
May 23, 4:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGMississippi39 min
May 23, 4:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrittenden, Mississippi46 min
May 23, 4:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGMississippi41 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Arkansas, 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.