Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 8, NWS Memphis, TN

February 24, 2011Shelby County, Tennessee; Crittenden County, Arkansas

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Feb 24, 2011, 6:34 PM CST for Shelby County, Tennessee; Crittenden County, Arkansas. It was in force for 26 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
Feb 24, 2011, 6:34 PM CST (00:34 UTC)
Expired
Feb 24, 2011, 7:00 PM CST
In force
26 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Crittenden County, AR, Shelby County, TN

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 5 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:36 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
Feb 24, 6:36 PM CSTTORNADOCrawfordsville, ARPOSSIBLE TORNADO CROSSED HWY 64...TREE LIMBS AND LEAVES WERE SEEN BLOWING ACROSS THE ROAD.
Feb 24, 6:38 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGMarion, ARROOF TORN OFF A GAS STATION IN MARION.
Feb 24, 6:40 PM CSTTORNADO3 Nne Edmondson, ARPOSSIBLE TORNADO SIGHTED NEAR LEHI ALONG I-40.
Feb 24, 6:50 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGFrayser, TNPOWER POLES AND SEVERAL TREES DOWN IN THE CORNELL STREET AND FRAYSER BOULEVARD AREA.
Feb 24, 7:00 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGBartlett, TNPOWER LINES DOWN...STREET LIGHT BENT AT HWY 64 AND HWY 70
Feb 24, 7:05 PM CSTTSTM WND DMGEllendale, TN16 FOOT SECTION OF BACKYARD FENCE BLOWN DOWN. 4X4 FENCE UPRIGHTS SNAPPED OFF AT GROUND LEVEL WITH TWO 8 FOOT WIDE SECTIONS OF FENCE AIRBORNE FOR 30 FEET. ESTIMATED AT 75 MPH.

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
Feb 24, 2:34 PM CSTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 00:00Z, 0.6 hours before the alert went out and 56 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 00:00Z on 2011-02-25Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 165 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 00:00Z on 2011-02-25The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -230 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
165 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-30 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
579 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
54 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-230 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-371 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
-0.2
Supercell composite
-0.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

936 
WFUS54 KMEG 250034
TORMEG
ARC035-TNC157-250100-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0008.110225T0034Z-110225T0100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
634 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  CENTRAL CRITTENDEN COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
  NORTHERN SHELBY COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...

* UNTIL 700 PM CST

* AT 634 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR CRAWFORDSVILLE...OR 7
  MILES WEST OF MARION...MOVING EAST AT 70 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO MARION...
  WEST MEMPHIS...BARTLETT...MILLINGTON AND MEEMAN SHELBY FOREST STATE
  PARK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

.WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED BASED ON DOPPLER RADAR...IT MEANS
THAT STRONG ROTATION HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE STORM. A TORNADO MAY
ALREADY BE ON THE GROUND...OR IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SHORTLY. IF YOU
ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS DANGEROUS STORM...MOVE INDOORS AND TO THE
LOWEST LEVEL OF THE BUILDING. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF DRIVING...DO
NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS.

.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 3529 9040 3539 8994 3539 8978 3541 8978
      3540 8973 3541 8970 3539 8970 3539 8965
      3517 8965 3510 9039
TIME...MOT...LOC 0034Z 257DEG 60KT 3522 9026

$$
2 follow-up statements
508 
WWUS54 KMEG 250040
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
640 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

ARC035-TNC157-250100-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-110225T0100Z/
CRITTENDEN AR-SHELBY TN-
640 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CST FOR NORTHERN
SHELBY AND EAST CENTRAL CRITTENDEN COUNTIES...

AT 639 PM CST...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO NEAR 
CRAWFORDSVILLE IN CRITTENDEN COUNTY ARKANSAS. THIS TORNADO WAS 
LOCATED NEAR SUNSET...OR NEAR MARION...MOVING EAST AT 70 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO MARION...WEST
MEMPHIS...BARTLETT...BOLTON...MILLINGTON...CRITTENDEN...BOOKER...
CUNNINGHAM CORNER...EBONY...GAVIN...CLARKEDALE...JAMES MILL...HARVARD
AND BRIARK.

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.

.TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW.

.A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ALERT AREA.

&&

LAT...LON 3531 9031 3539 8994 3539 8978 3541 8978
      3540 8973 3541 8970 3539 8970 3539 8965
      3517 8965 3512 9029
TIME...MOT...LOC 0039Z 257DEG 60KT 3523 9016

$$
944 
WWUS54 KMEG 250054
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
654 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

ARC035-250104-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-110225T0100Z/
CRITTENDEN AR-
654 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL CRITTENDEN COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

AT 654 PM CST...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 3516 9004 3536 9010 3539 8994 3539 8978
      3541 8978 3540 8973 3541 8970 3539 8970
      3539 8965 3524 8965
TIME...MOT...LOC 0054Z 250DEG 57KT 3532 8990

$$

TNC157-250100-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0008.000000T0000Z-110225T0100Z/
SHELBY TN-
654 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CST FOR NORTHERN
SHELBY COUNTY...

AT 654 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR WOODSTOCK...OR
NEAR MEEMAN SHELBY FOREST STATE PARK...MOVING EAST AT 65 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BARTLETT...
BOLTON...MILLINGTON...GILESTOWN...LOCKE...BENJESTOWN...CUBA...
SLOANVILLE...GRIFFIN CORNER...LUCY...WOODSTOCK...RALEIGH...SPRING
LAKE AND BRUNSWICK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED BASED ON DOPPLER RADAR...IT MEANS
THAT STRONG ROTATION HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE STORM. A TORNADO MAY
ALREADY BE ON THE GROUND...OR IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SHORTLY. IF YOU
ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS DANGEROUS STORM...MOVE INDOORS AND TO THE
LOWEST LEVEL OF THE BUILDING. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF DRIVING...DO
NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS.

.TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW.

.A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ALERT AREA.

&&

LAT...LON 3516 9004 3536 9010 3539 8994 3539 8978
      3541 8978 3540 8973 3541 8970 3539 8970
      3539 8965 3524 8965
TIME...MOT...LOC 0054Z 250DEG 57KT 3532 8990

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 24, 6:11 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGDyer, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Tipton, Weakley90 days
Feb 24, 6:14 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGLauderdale31 min
Feb 24, 6:19 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGObion, Weakley28 min
Feb 24, 6:23 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLauderdale, Tipton90 days
Feb 24, 6:28 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Fayette, Gibson, Henry, Shelby, Tipton and 1 more90 days
Feb 24, 6:38 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGCrockett, Dyer, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion52 min
Feb 24, 6:41 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningMEGCrockett, Gibson, Haywood, Lauderdale, Tipton3 hr
Feb 24, 6:56 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningMEGFayette, Shelby3 hr
Feb 24, 6:57 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGFayette, Haywood, Shelby, Tipton48 min
Feb 24, 6:59 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChester, Crockett, Decatur, Haywood, Henderson, Lauderdale and 2 more90 days
Feb 24, 7:15 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGChester, Fayette, Hardeman, Shelby45 min
Feb 24, 7:20 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Hardeman, Shelby90 days
Feb 24, 7:21 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGCarroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Lauderdale, Obion and 1 more39 min
Feb 24, 7:26 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGHenry90 days
Feb 24, 7:31 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Crockett, Gibson, Haywood, Henderson, Madison44 min
Feb 24, 7:32 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGChester, Fayette, Hardeman, Haywood, Henderson, Madison43 min
Feb 24, 7:52 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningMEGCarroll, Henry3 hr
Feb 24, 7:56 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGChester, Fayette, Hardeman, McNairy49 min
Feb 24, 7:58 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningMEGCarroll, Chester, Crockett, Gibson, Henderson, Madison3 hr
Feb 24, 7:58 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Henry, Weakley47 min
Feb 24, 7:58 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Hardeman, McNairy47 min
Feb 24, 8:00 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGCarroll, Henry45 min
Feb 24, 8:04 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningMEGChester, Fayette, Hardeman, McNairy3 hr
Feb 24, 8:11 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Henderson19 min
Feb 24, 8:12 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGCarroll, Chester, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson and 1 more48 min
Feb 24, 8:23 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningMEGDecatur3 hr
Feb 24, 8:34 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGHardin, McNairy56 min
Feb 24, 8:47 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningMEGHardin, McNairy3 hr
Feb 24, 9:30 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGHardin36 min
Feb 25, 6:40 AM CSTRiver Flood WarningMEGCrockett, Dyer, Lauderdale11 hr
Feb 25, 6:40 AM CSTRiver Flood WarningMEGDyer, Lake34 days
Feb 25, 6:40 AM CSTRiver Flood WarningMEGDyer, Lake, Lauderdale37 days
Feb 25, 1:37 PM CSTRiver Flood WarningMEGLauderdale, Tipton38 days
Feb 24, 6:09 PM CSTTornado WarningMEGCrittenden, Cross, Lee, St. Francis36 min
Feb 24, 7:08 PM CSTFlash Flood WarningMEGPhillips2 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Tennessee, 2011Tornado 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.