Alert archive / Arkansas / Tornado Warnings in 2011
Tornado Warning 159, NWS Memphis, TN
NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at May 25, 2011, 6:37 PM CDT for Shelby County, Tennessee; Crittenden County, St. Francis County, Arkansas. It was in force for 38 min. 4 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 25, 2011, 6:37 PM CDT (23:37 UTC)
- Expired
- May 25, 2011, 7:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 38 min
- Issued by
- NWS Memphis, TN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
Counties Crittenden County, AR, St. Francis County, AR, Shelby County, TN
The radar
The Memphis radar (KNQA), 20 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:38 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25, 6:51 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 S West Memphis, AR | MULTIPLE HOMES AND BUSINESS DAMAGED IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF TOWN. MULTIPLE POWER LINES ACROSS THE COUNTY. |
| May 25, 6:57 PM CDT | FUNNEL CLOUD | 1 E West Memphis, AR | |
| May 25, 7:01 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 E West Memphis, AR | POWERLINES DOWN. |
| May 25, 7:19 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Bartlett, TN | TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN AT SUMMER AND RALEIGH LAGRANGE ROAD. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25, 12:28 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 11.6 hours before the alert went out and 43 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 2124 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -14 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 600 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 69 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 445 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 413 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 6.0
- Supercell composite
- 20.1
The text
As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.
505 WFUS54 KMEG 252337 TORMEG ARC035-123-TNC157-260015- /O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0159.110525T2337Z-110526T0015Z/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN 637 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... CENTRAL CRITTENDEN COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS... NORTHEASTERN ST. FRANCIS COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS... SHELBY COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE... * UNTIL 715 PM CDT * AT 637 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A ROTATION NEAR EDMONDSON...OR 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF WEST MEMPHIS...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. * LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO MARION... WEST MEMPHIS...BARTLETT...GERMANTOWN...MIDTOWN MEMPHIS... MILLINGTON...CORDOVA AND T O FULLER STATE PARK. THIS WARNING ALSO INCLUDES AREAS NEAR LAKE MCKELLAR. 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 3538 8979 3507 8967 3501 9039 3520 9048 TIME...MOT...LOC 2337Z 254DEG 36KT 3510 9029 $$
3 follow-up statements
762 WWUS54 KMEG 252340 SVSMEG SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN 640 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011 ARC035-123-TNC157-260015- /O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0159.000000T0000Z-110526T0015Z/ ST. FRANCIS AR-CRITTENDEN AR-SHELBY TN- 640 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR SHELBY... CENTRAL CRITTENDEN AND NORTHEASTERN ST. FRANCIS COUNTIES... AT 640 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BRICE...OR 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF WEST MEMPHIS...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD NEAR THE TOWN OF NEUHARDT AT 635 PM. LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO MARION...WEST MEMPHIS...BARTLETT...GERMANTOWN...MIDTOWN MEMPHIS...MILLINGTON... CRITTENDEN...SHEARERVILLE...VINCENT...JULIUS...CUNNINGHAM CORNER... EBONY...GAVIN AND JAMES MILL. THIS WARNING ALSO INCLUDES AREAS NEAR LAKE MCKELLAR. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A STORM SHELTER. IF NO STORM SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. .A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ALERT AREA. && LAT...LON 3538 8979 3507 8967 3501 9039 3520 9048 TIME...MOT...LOC 2340Z 254DEG 36KT 3511 9025 $$
394 WWUS54 KMEG 252352 SVSMEG SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN 652 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011 ARC123-260001- /O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0159.000000T0000Z-110526T0015Z/ ST. FRANCIS AR- 652 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN ST. FRANCIS COUNTY IS CANCELLED... AT 651 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. .A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ALERT AREA. LAT...LON 3503 9021 3524 9032 3538 8979 3507 8967 TIME...MOT...LOC 2351Z 254DEG 36KT 3514 9012 $$ ARC035-TNC157-260015- /O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0159.000000T0000Z-110526T0015Z/ CRITTENDEN AR-SHELBY TN- 652 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR SHELBY AND EAST CENTRAL CRITTENDEN COUNTIES... AT 651 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED ROTATING WALL CLOUD IN MARION ON HIGHWAY 61 AND 302 AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH. LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO MARION...WEST MEMPHIS...BARTLETT...GERMANTOWN...MIDTOWN MEMPHIS...MILLINGTON... CUNNINGHAM CORNER...EBONY...GAVIN...JAMES MILL...HARVARD...BRIARK... BRIDGE JUNCTION AND BLANTON. THIS WARNING ALSO INCLUDES AREAS NEAR LAKE MCKELLAR. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A STORM SHELTER. IF NO STORM SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS. .A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ALERT AREA. && LAT...LON 3503 9021 3524 9032 3538 8979 3507 8967 TIME...MOT...LOC 2351Z 254DEG 36KT 3514 9012 $$
441
WWUS54 KMEG 260003
SVSMEG
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
703 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011
ARC035-260013-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0159.000000T0000Z-110526T0015Z/
CRITTENDEN AR-
703 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL CRITTENDEN COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
AT 703 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.
.A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ALERT AREA.
LAT...LON 3510 9008 3514 9006 3519 9006 3527 9008
3538 8979 3512 8969
TIME...MOT...LOC 0003Z 254DEG 36KT 3517 8998
$$
TNC157-260015-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0159.000000T0000Z-110526T0015Z/
SHELBY TN-
703 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
SHELBY COUNTY...
AT 703 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO. THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MIDTOWN MEMPHIS...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.
LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BARTLETT...
MIDTOWN MEMPHIS...MILLINGTON...BENJESTOWN...LUCY...WOODSTOCK...
RALEIGH...SPRING LAKE...BRUNSWICK...ELMORE PARK...LENOW...CORDOVA AND
WHITE STATION.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A STORM SHELTER. IF NO
STORM SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE
BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE
BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM
WINDOWS.
IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
.A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ALERT AREA.
&&
LAT...LON 3510 9008 3514 9006 3519 9006 3527 9008
3538 8979 3512 8969
TIME...MOT...LOC 0003Z 254DEG 36KT 3517 8998
$$The office that day
Everything else NWS Memphis, TN issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 25, 3:30 AM CDT | Wind Advisory | MEG | Dyer, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion, Shelby, Tipton | 16 hr |
| May 25, 5:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Lake | 39 min |
| May 25, 5:57 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Lauderdale | 48 min |
| May 25, 6:18 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Chester, Decatur, Hardin, Henderson, McNairy | 42 min |
| May 25, 6:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Fayette, Hardeman, Haywood, Shelby | 44 min |
| May 25, 6:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Dyer, Lake, Obion | 44 min |
| May 25, 6:39 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Dyer | 51 min |
| May 25, 6:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Dyer, Lake, Obion | 35 min |
| May 25, 2:29 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Randolph | 31 min |
| May 25, 3:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Lawrence, Randolph | 40 min |
| May 25, 3:41 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Lawrence, Randolph | 49 min |
| May 25, 3:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Lawrence, Randolph | 50 min |
| May 25, 4:22 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Craighead, Greene, Lawrence | 38 min |
| May 25, 4:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Clay, Randolph | 33 min |
| May 25, 4:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Randolph | 33 min |
| May 25, 4:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Clay, Greene, Lawrence, Randolph | 46 min |
| May 25, 4:52 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Craighead, Greene, Lawrence | 38 min |
| May 25, 4:52 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Poinsett | 38 min |
| May 25, 5:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Clay | 45 min |
| May 25, 5:15 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Cross, Lee, St. Francis | 45 min |
| May 25, 5:22 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Craighead, Cross, Poinsett | 38 min |
| May 25, 5:26 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Clay, Greene | 49 min |
| May 25, 5:54 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Crittenden, Cross, St. Francis | 51 min |
| May 25, 5:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Craighead, Greene, Mississippi | 47 min |
| May 25, 6:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Randolph | 30 min |
| May 25, 6:17 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Lee, Phillips | 43 min |
| May 25, 6:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Lee, Phillips | 49 min |
| May 25, 6:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Phillips | 47 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Arkansas, 2011Tornado Warnings in Tennessee, 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.