Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 21, NWS Memphis, TN

April 4, 2011Shelby County, Tennessee; DeSoto County, Mississippi

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Apr 4, 2011, 11:49 AM CDT for Shelby County, Tennessee; DeSoto County, Mississippi. It was in force for 20 min. 6 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 4, 2011, 11:49 AM CDT (16:49 UTC)
Expired
Apr 4, 2011, 12:09 PM CDT
In force
20 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties DeSoto County, MS, Shelby County, TN

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 28 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:50 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
Apr 4, 11:50 AM CDTTSTM WND DMG2 W Germantown, TNWINDOWS BLOWN OUT AT ST FRANCIS HOSPITAL ON PARK AVENUE. ALSO BUILDING DAMAGE...WITH SHREDDED INSULATION.
Apr 4, 11:50 AM CDTTSTM WND DMG3 W Germantown, TNWINDOWS BLOWN OUT IN CLARK TOWER.
Apr 4, 11:50 AM CDTTSTM WND DMG5 Wsw Cordova, TNAWNING BLOWN OFF OF THE SIDE OF HAMPTON INN AT HUMPHREYS AND WALNUT GROVE ROAD.
Apr 4, 11:53 AM CDTTSTM WND GST 655 Nne Southaven, TN56 KNOT GUST AT THE MEMPHIS INTERNATION AIRPORT.
Apr 4, 12:00 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGGermantown, TNTREES DOWN THROUGHOUT GERMANTOWN...STOPLIGHT DAMAGED AT GERMANTOWN PARKWAY AND WOLF RIVER BLVD...AND A TREE IS DOWN ON A HOUSE NEAR ALLENBY ROAD.
Apr 4, 12:00 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 802 Sw Cordova, TNHURRICANE FORCE WINDS ESTIMATED WITH ABOUT 1/16 MILE VIS IN HEAVY RAIN. WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES RESULTED WITH MANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS INOPERABLE.

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
Apr 4, 7:22 AM CDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 4.8 hours before the alert went out and 30 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 2011-04-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1771 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 2011-04-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 39 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
1771 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-22 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
636 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
49 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
39 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
71 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.6
Supercell composite
2.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

246 
WFUS54 KMEG 041649
TORMEG
MSC033-TNC157-041730-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0021.110404T1649Z-110404T1730Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1149 AM CDT MON APR 4 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTH CENTRAL DESOTO COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...
  SOUTHEASTERN SHELBY COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...

* UNTIL 1230 PM CDT

* AT 1149 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR SOUTHAVEN...MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  SOUTHAVEN...COLLIERVILLE...GERMANTOWN AND CORDOVA.

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 3523 8978 3502 8964 3494 9001 3504 9008
TIME...MOT...LOC 1649Z 244DEG 68KT 3501 8990

$$
2 follow-up statements
008 
WWUS54 KMEG 041657
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1157 AM CDT MON APR 4 2011

MSC033-041707-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-110404T1730Z/
DESOTO MS-
1157 AM CDT MON APR 4 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL DESOTO COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

AT 1157 AM 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 3500 8998 3509 8998 3523 8978 3502 8965
      3501 8971
TIME...MOT...LOC 1657Z 244DEG 68KT 3507 8973

$$

TNC157-041730-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-110404T1730Z/
SHELBY TN-
1157 AM CDT MON APR 4 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1230 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN SHELBY COUNTY...

AT 1157 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BAILEY...OR NEAR
GERMANTOWN...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 80 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
COLLIERVILLE...GERMANTOWN...CORDOVA...BAILEY...CAPLEVILLE...PARKWAY
VILLAGE AND WHITE STATION.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

.MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT TAKE SHELTER UNDER HIGHWAY OVERPASSES. AS A
LAST RESORT...EITHER PARK YOUR VEHICLE AND STAY PUT...OR ABANDON YOUR
VEHICLE AND LIE DOWN IN A LOW LYING AREA.

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 3500 8998 3509 8998 3523 8978 3502 8965
      3501 8971
TIME...MOT...LOC 1657Z 244DEG 68KT 3507 8973

$$
591 
WWUS54 KMEG 041709
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1209 PM CDT MON APR 4 2011

TNC157-041720-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-110404T1730Z/
SHELBY TN-
1209 PM CDT MON APR 4 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN SHELBY COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

AT 1210 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 3500 8998 3509 8998 3523 8978 3502 8965
      3501 8971
TIME...MOT...LOC 1710Z 244DEG 68KT 3517 8946

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 4, 9:15 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGChester, Decatur, Hardeman, McNairy, Madison30 min
Apr 4, 9:39 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLake, Obion51 min
Apr 4, 9:43 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Crockett, Gibson, Henderson, Madison47 min
Apr 4, 10:25 AM CDTRiver Flood AdvisoryMEGLauderdale, Tipton68 hr
Apr 4, 10:35 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGDecatur, Hardin, Henderson, McNairy26 min
Apr 4, 10:53 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLauderdale, Shelby, Tipton52 min
Apr 4, 10:59 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGHardeman34 min
Apr 4, 11:18 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGDyer, Haywood, Lauderdale, Tipton27 min
Apr 4, 11:29 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGShelby46 min
Apr 4, 11:39 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Haywood, Lauderdale, Shelby, Tipton51 min
Apr 4, 12:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Hardeman, Shelby43 min
Apr 4, 12:02 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGFayette, Shelby28 min
Apr 4, 12:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Crockett, Gibson, Haywood, Henderson, Henry and 2 more38 min
Apr 4, 12:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChester, Fayette, Hardeman, Haywood, McNairy, Madison45 min
Apr 4, 12:20 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGChester, Fayette, Hardeman, Haywood, McNairy, Madison25 min
Apr 4, 12:23 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGChester, Fayette, Hardeman, McNairy37 min
Apr 4, 12:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGHardin, McNairy41 min
Apr 4, 12:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Decatur, Henderson, Henry, Madison, Weakley35 min
Apr 4, 12:43 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGChester, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, McNairy and 1 more47 min
Apr 4, 12:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChester, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, McNairy42 min
Apr 4, 12:57 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGChester, Hardin, McNairy33 min
Apr 4, 1:08 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGDecatur, Hardin77 min
Apr 4, 1:19 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGHardin, McNairy29 min
Apr 4, 1:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGDecatur, Hardin, McNairy37 min
Apr 4, 3:51 PM CDTFrost AdvisoryMEGCarroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette and 14 more12 hr
Apr 3, 8:42 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGMonroe48 hr
Apr 3, 8:42 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGMonroe46 hr
Apr 4, 8:50 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGMarshall25 min
Apr 4, 10:22 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGAlcorn, Benton, Marshall, Tippah, Union53 min
Apr 4, 10:42 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCoahoma, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tunica48 min
Apr 4, 12:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGAlcorn, Benton, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Marshall and 6 more50 min
Apr 4, 1:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGAlcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah and 2 more51 min
Apr 4, 2:16 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc29 min
Apr 4, 2:57 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGChickasaw, Monroe33 min
Apr 4, 3:28 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGMonroe32 min
Apr 4, 4:00 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGItawamba, Monroe45 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Tennessee, 2011Tornado Warnings in Mississippi, 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.