Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 95, NWS Morristown, TN

May 26, 20114 counties in Tennessee; Washington County, Virginia

NWS Morristown, TN issued this tornado warning at May 26, 2011, 5:20 PM EDT for 4 counties in Tennessee; Washington County, Virginia. It was in force for 40 min. 3 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 26, 2011, 5:20 PM EDT (21:20 UTC)
Expired
May 26, 2011, 6:00 PM EDT
In force
40 min
Issued by
NWS Morristown, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Carter County, TN, Johnson County, TN, Sullivan County, TN, Washington County, TN, Washington County, VA

The radar

The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 147 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:20 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
May 26, 5:20 PM EDTHAIL 1Bluff City, TN
May 26, 5:24 PM EDTHAIL 1Blountville, TN
May 26, 5:27 PM EDTHAIL 1.75Bluff City, TN

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
May 26, 10:15 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC9 hr
May 26, 5:10 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 9.3 hours before the alert went out and 179 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2011-05-26Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 149 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2011-05-26The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -99 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
149 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-412 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1701 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-99 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-89 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

705 
WFUS54 KMRX 262120
TORMRX
TNC019-091-163-179-VAC191-262200-
/O.NEW.KMRX.TO.W.0095.110526T2120Z-110526T2200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
520 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MORRISTOWN HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  CARTER COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...
  JOHNSON COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...
  SULLIVAN COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...
  WASHINGTON COUNTY IN EAST TENNESSEE...
  WASHINGTON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...

* UNTIL 600 PM EDT

* AT 515 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 7 MILES
  NORTHWEST OF ELIZABETHTON. DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED THIS TORNADO MOVING
  EAST AT 35 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  MOUNTAIN CITY...HUNTER...SADIE...SOUTH HOLSTON DAM...HARR...SHADY
  VALLEY...LAUREL BLOOMERY AND DAMASCUS.

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 BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT 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 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT
FRIDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE AND
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3656 8168 3655 8168 3653 8170 3652 8169
      3648 8169 3632 8234 3652 8242 3666 8169
      3657 8167
TIME...MOT...LOC 2120Z 250DEG 33KT 3644 8225

$$

GH
2 follow-up statements
897 
WWUS54 KMRX 262137
SVSMRX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
537 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

TNC019-091-163-179-VAC191-262200-
/O.CON.KMRX.TO.W.0095.000000T0000Z-110526T2200Z/
SULLIVAN TN-WASHINGTON TN-JOHNSON TN-WASHINGTON VA-CARTER TN-
537 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM EDT FOR CARTER...
WASHINGTON...JOHNSON...WASHINGTON AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES...

AT 530 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BLUFF CITY...OR 7
MILES SOUTH OF BRISTOL TN...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  MOUNTAIN CITY...SADIE...SOUTH HOLSTON DAM...HARR...SHADY VALLEY...
  LAUREL BLOOMERY AND DAMASCUS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT 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 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT
FRIDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE AND
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3656 8168 3655 8168 3653 8170 3652 8169
      3648 8169 3632 8234 3652 8242 3666 8169
      3657 8167
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 250DEG 23KT 3649 8212

$$

MJB
035 
WWUS54 KMRX 262151
SVSMRX

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
551 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

TNC179-262200-
/O.CAN.KMRX.TO.W.0095.000000T0000Z-110526T2200Z/
WASHINGTON TN-
551 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY TN IS CANCELLED...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT
FRIDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE AND
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

LAT...LON 3656 8168 3655 8168 3653 8170 3652 8169
      3648 8169 3643 8211 3654 8225 3666 8169
      3657 8167
TIME...MOT...LOC 2150Z 244DEG 29KT 3658 8198

$$

TNC019-091-163-VAC191-262200-
/O.CON.KMRX.TO.W.0095.000000T0000Z-110526T2200Z/
SULLIVAN TN-JOHNSON TN-WASHINGTON VA-CARTER TN-
551 PM EDT THU MAY 26 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM EDT FOR EXTREME 
NORTHERN CARTER...WASHINGTON VA...JOHNSON AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES...

AT 542 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR SOUTH HOLSTON
DAM...OR 8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF BRISTOL VA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35
MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
  MOUNTAIN CITY...SHADY VALLEY...DAMASCUS AND LAUREL BLOOMERY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT 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 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT
FRIDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE AND
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 3656 8168 3655 8168 3653 8170 3652 8169
      3648 8169 3643 8211 3654 8225 3666 8169
      3657 8167
TIME...MOT...LOC 2150Z 244DEG 29KT 3658 8198

$$

MJB

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 26, 1:54 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBledsoe, Hamilton, Marion, Rhea, Sequatchie66 min
May 26, 2:54 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXAnderson, Campbell, Morgan, Scott66 min
May 26, 3:44 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBradley, McMinn, Meigs, Polk46 min
May 26, 10:49 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXLoudon, Meigs, Morgan, Rhea, Roane26 min
May 26, 11:01 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBledsoe, Marion, Sequatchie44 min
May 26, 11:07 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBradley, Hamilton, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea38 min
May 26, 11:17 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXAnderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, Roane, Scott43 min
May 26, 11:41 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXAnderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Monroe and 3 more34 min
May 26, 11:51 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXAnderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane, Scott39 min
May 26, 12:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXAnderson, Blount, Campbell, Grainger, Knox, Loudon and 2 more42 min
May 26, 1:02 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBlount, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen and 6 more43 min
May 26, 1:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXLoudon, McMinn, Monroe42 min
May 26, 1:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXCocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins and 5 more43 min
May 26, 2:03 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBlount, Knox, Loudon, Monroe42 min
May 26, 2:34 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXHawkins, Sullivan26 min
May 26, 2:39 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBradley, Hamilton35 min
May 26, 2:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBlount, Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Sevier44 min
May 26, 2:56 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXMcMinn49 min
May 26, 3:28 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXCocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson and 1 more47 min
May 26, 3:32 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXLoudon, McMinn, Monroe43 min
May 26, 4:04 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBlount, Loudon37 min
May 26, 4:07 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXMonroe37 min
May 26, 4:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXGrainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Sullivan and 1 more46 min
May 26, 4:27 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMRXBlount, Bradley, Loudon, McMinn, Monroe, Polk4 hr
May 26, 4:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBlount, Monroe42 min
May 26, 4:33 PM EDTTornado WarningMRXGreene, Hawkins12 min
May 26, 4:50 PM EDTTornado WarningMRXCarter, Greene, Hawkins, Sullivan, Washington25 min
May 26, 4:56 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXAnderson, Campbell, Morgan, Scott49 min
May 26, 5:03 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBlount, Cocke, Jefferson, Sevier42 min
May 26, 5:10 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXSullivan50 min
May 26, 5:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXCocke, Greene, Hamblen, Jefferson42 min
May 26, 5:51 PM EDTTornado WarningMRXJohnson, Sullivan39 min
May 26, 6:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXScott27 min
May 26, 7:15 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMRXSullivan3 hr
May 26, 7:52 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMRXCampbell, Morgan, Scott113 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Tennessee, 2011Tornado Warnings in Virginia, 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.