Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 72, NWS Memphis, TN

April 26, 2011Fayette County, Shelby County, Tipton County, Tennessee

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Apr 26, 2011, 6:34 PM CDT for Fayette County, Shelby County, Tipton County, Tennessee. It was in force for 41 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
Apr 26, 2011, 6:34 PM CDT (23:34 UTC)
Expired
Apr 26, 2011, 7:15 PM CDT
In force
41 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Fayette County, TN, Shelby County, TN, Tipton County, TN

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 15 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:34 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 26, 6:43 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD2 N Bartlett, TN
Apr 26, 7:22 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD6 W Somerville, TNLARGE FUNNEL CLOUD

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 26, 3:02 PM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 11.6 hours before the alert went out and 63 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 2011-04-26Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 112 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 2011-04-26The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 88 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
112 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-229 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
861 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
70 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
88 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
159 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

591 
WFUS54 KMEG 262334
TORMEG
TNC047-157-167-270015-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0072.110426T2334Z-110427T0015Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
634 PM CDT TUE APR 26 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN FAYETTE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...
  NORTHEASTERN SHELBY COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...
  SOUTHERN TIPTON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...

* UNTIL 715 PM CDT

* AT 634 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
  MILLINGTON...OR 7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MEEMAN SHELBY FOREST STATE
  PARK...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  ARLINGTON...BARTLETT...BRIGHTON...DIXONVILLE...EADS...ELLENDALE...
  LAKELAND...MILLINGTON AND MUNFORD.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

.HEAVY RAINFALL MAY HIDE THIS TORNADO. DO NOT WAIT TO SEE OR HEAR THE
TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW.

&&

LAT...LON 3556 8948 3520 8944 3515 8988 3529 8994
      3541 9003
TIME...MOT...LOC 2334Z 252DEG 37KT 3527 8992

$$
3 follow-up statements
505 
WWUS54 KMEG 262354
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
654 PM CDT TUE APR 26 2011

TNC047-157-167-270015-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-110427T0015Z/
FAYETTE TN-SHELBY TN-TIPTON TN-
654 PM CDT TUE APR 26 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN TIPTON...NORTHEASTERN SHELBY AND NORTHWESTERN FAYETTE
COUNTIES...

AT 653 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD TWO 
MILES NORTH OF BARTLETT. THIS POSSIBLE TORNADO IS MOVING EAST AT 40 
MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ARLINGTON...
ATOKA...BARTLETT...BOLTON...BRADEN...BRIGHTON...DIXONVILLE...EADS...
ELLENDALE...GALLAWAY...LAKELAND...MASON...MILLINGTON AND MUNFORD.

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 3556 8948 3520 8944 3515 8988 3529 8994
      3541 9003
TIME...MOT...LOC 2353Z 267DEG 36KT 3531 8982

$$
241 
WWUS54 KMEG 270001
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
701 PM CDT TUE APR 26 2011

TNC047-157-167-270015-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-110427T0015Z/
FAYETTE TN-SHELBY TN-TIPTON TN-
701 PM CDT TUE APR 26 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN TIPTON...NORTHEASTERN SHELBY AND NORTHWESTERN FAYETTE
COUNTIES...

AT 701 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD 5 
MILES NORTH NORTHWEST OF BARTLETT. THIS POSSIBLE TORNADO IS MOVING 
EAST AT 40 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ARLINGTON...
ATOKA...BARTLETT...BOLTON...BRADEN...BRIGHTON...DIXONVILLE...
ELLENDALE...GALLAWAY...LAKELAND...MASON...MILLINGTON...MUNFORD AND
COTTON LAKE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

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 3556 8948 3540 8948 3540 8947 3526 8945
      3518 8988 3539 9001
TIME...MOT...LOC 0001Z 262DEG 34KT 3534 8969

$$
242 
WWUS54 KMEG 270013
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
713 PM CDT TUE APR 26 2011

TNC047-157-167-270023-
/O.EXP.KMEG.TO.W.0072.000000T0000Z-110427T0015Z/
FAYETTE TN-SHELBY TN-TIPTON TN-
713 PM CDT TUE APR 26 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN TIPTON...NORTHEASTERN SHELBY
AND NORTHWESTERN FAYETTE COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 715 PM CDT...

AT 713 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT THE
THUNDERSTORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE AREA.
THEREFORE...THE TORNADO WARNING HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

LAT...LON 3556 8948 3540 8948 3540 8947 3526 8945
      3518 8988 3539 9001
TIME...MOT...LOC 0013Z 262DEG 34KT 3535 8955

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 25, 9:35 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGShelby55 min
Apr 25, 9:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLauderdale, Shelby, Tipton45 min
Apr 25, 10:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Hardeman, Haywood, Madison, Shelby, Tipton39 min
Apr 25, 10:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrockett, Dyer, Gibson, Haywood, Lauderdale, Madison and 1 more47 min
Apr 25, 10:38 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGDyer, Lake, Obion3 hr
Apr 25, 10:47 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGDyer, Gibson, Lake, Obion43 min
Apr 25, 10:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChester, Fayette, Hardeman, Haywood, McNairy, Madison and 2 more50 min
Apr 25, 11:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Haywood, Henderson and 2 more49 min
Apr 25, 11:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGGibson, Henry, Obion, Weakley38 min
Apr 25, 11:35 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Chester, Decatur, Gibson, Hardin, Henderson and 1 more40 min
Apr 25, 11:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChester, Decatur, Fayette, Hardeman, Hardin, McNairy and 1 more45 min
Apr 25, 11:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Henry, Weakley35 min
Apr 26, 12:09 AM CDTTornado WarningMEGHardin, McNairy36 min
Apr 26, 12:13 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Chester, Decatur, Henderson47 min
Apr 26, 12:28 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGDecatur, Hardin, McNairy33 min
Apr 26, 1:32 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningMEGLake, Obion10 hr
Apr 26, 9:53 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGHardin14 days
Apr 26, 1:41 PM CDTRiver Flood AdvisoryMEGDecatur, Perry26 hr
Apr 26, 3:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGObion, Weakley41 min
Apr 26, 4:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLake45 min
Apr 26, 4:13 PM CDTWind AdvisoryMEGCarroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette and 14 more13 hr
Apr 26, 4:36 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGLake, Obion24 min
Apr 26, 5:32 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Shelby, Tipton43 min
Apr 26, 6:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Shelby, Tipton38 min
Apr 26, 6:09 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGShelby50 min
Apr 26, 6:31 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGShelby, Tipton6 hr
Apr 26, 6:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLauderdale, Shelby, Tipton42 min
Apr 26, 6:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Shelby59 min
Apr 26, 6:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGShelby38 min
Apr 26, 6:56 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGShelby6 hr
Apr 26, 6:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrockett, Haywood, Lauderdale, Tipton47 min

Nearby

Tornado 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.