Alert archive / Arkansas / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 55, NWS Memphis, TN

April 25, 2011Clay County, Lawrence County, Randolph County, Arkansas

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Apr 25, 2011, 5:25 PM CDT for Clay County, Lawrence County, Randolph County, Arkansas. It was in force for 50 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Apr 25, 2011, 5:25 PM CDT (22:25 UTC)
Expired
Apr 25, 2011, 6:15 PM CDT
In force
50 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Clay County, AR, Lawrence County, AR, Randolph County, AR

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 160 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:26 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.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 25, 3:22 PM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC8 hr
Apr 25, 4:50 PM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 10.4 hours before the alert went out and 198 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 2011-04-25Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 11 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 2011-04-25The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 210 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
11 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-189 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
729 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
55 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
210 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
321 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
4.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

427 
WFUS54 KMEG 252225
TORMEG
ARC021-075-121-252315-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0055.110425T2225Z-110425T2315Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
525 PM CDT MON APR 25 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A

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

* UNTIL 615 PM CDT

* AT 525 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR RAVENDEN...OR 14 MILES
  NORTHWEST OF BLACK ROCK...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BLACK
  ROCK...POCAHONTAS AND LAKE CHARLES STATE PARK.

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.

.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 3623 9136 3625 9133 3625 9127 3629 9127
      3639 9131 3650 9115 3651 9051 3592 9136
TIME...MOT...LOC 2225Z 234DEG 42KT 3628 9124

$$
2 follow-up statements
740 
WWUS54 KMEG 252235
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
535 PM CDT MON APR 25 2011

ARC021-075-121-252315-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0055.000000T0000Z-110425T2315Z/
CLAY AR-RANDOLPH AR-LAWRENCE AR-
535 PM CDT MON APR 25 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN LAWRENCE...RANDOLPH AND NORTHWESTERN CLAY COUNTIES...

AT 533 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A ROTATING WALL 
CLOUD NEAR RAVENDEN ALONG HIGHWAY 63 AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 
90. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR RAVENDEN SPRINGS...OR 12 MILES 
WEST OF POCAHONTAS...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH. THIS IS A DANGEROUS 
STORM WITH RADAR INDICATING STRONG ROTATION. TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY 
IF IN THE PATH OF THIS DANGEROUS STORM.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BLACK ROCK...
POCAHONTAS...SMITHVILLE...ELEVEN POINT...WARM SPRINGS...PITMAN...
MIDDLEBROOK...BRAKEBILL...INGRAM...HAMIL...ELKINS PARK...STOKES...
BROCKETT AND ENGELERG.

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.

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 3623 9136 3625 9133 3625 9127 3629 9127
      3639 9131 3650 9115 3651 9051 3592 9136
TIME...MOT...LOC 2233Z 234DEG 42KT 3633 9114

$$
369 
WWUS54 KMEG 252252
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
552 PM CDT MON APR 25 2011

ARC021-075-121-252315-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0055.000000T0000Z-110425T2315Z/
CLAY AR-RANDOLPH AR-LAWRENCE AR-
552 PM CDT MON APR 25 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN LAWRENCE...RANDOLPH AND NORTHWESTERN CLAY COUNTIES...

AT 551 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR IMBODEN...OR 9 
MILES NORTH OF BLACK ROCK...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH. A SECOND 
THUNDERSTORM WITH A TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MAYNARD MOVING 
NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BLACK ROCK...
POCAHONTAS...SMITHVILLE...ELEVEN POINT...WARM SPRINGS...PITMAN...
MIDDLEBROOK...BRAKEBILL...INGRAM...HAMIL...ELKINS PARK...STOKES...
BROCKETT AND ENGELERG.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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.

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 3623 9136 3625 9133 3625 9127 3629 9127
      3639 9131 3650 9115 3651 9051 3592 9136
TIME...MOT...LOC 2251Z 234DEG 42KT 3624 9114

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 24, 8:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGClay, Greene, Randolph40 min
Apr 24, 8:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGClay37 min
Apr 24, 8:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGRandolph50 min
Apr 24, 8:59 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGClay, Greene, Lawrence, Randolph6 hr
Apr 24, 9:11 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGRandolph34 min
Apr 24, 9:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGClay, Randolph37 min
Apr 24, 10:37 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCraighead, Mississippi, Poinsett38 min
Apr 24, 10:42 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGClay, Greene33 min
Apr 24, 11:27 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGClay3 hr
Apr 25, 10:12 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGClay, Craighead, Greene, Lawrence, Mississippi, Randolph3 hr
Apr 25, 10:39 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCrittenden, Cross, Lee, Phillips, St. Francis51 min
Apr 25, 11:13 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCraighead, Mississippi, Poinsett32 min
Apr 25, 11:37 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGPhillips38 min
Apr 25, 11:41 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCrittenden, Mississippi49 min
Apr 25, 12:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrittenden47 min
Apr 25, 12:24 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrittenden, Mississippi51 min
Apr 25, 3:23 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGClay6 hr
Apr 25, 4:27 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGRandolph48 min
Apr 25, 4:50 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGLawrence, Randolph40 min
Apr 25, 4:59 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGClay, Greene, Lawrence, Randolph7 hr
Apr 25, 6:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGClay, Lawrence, Randolph46 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.