Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 2, NWS Pittsburgh, PA

March 23, 2011Indiana County, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this tornado warning at Mar 23, 2011, 4:54 PM EDT for Indiana County, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 36 min. 7 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
Mar 23, 2011, 4:54 PM EDT (20:54 UTC)
Expired
Mar 23, 2011, 5:30 PM EDT
In force
36 min
Issued by
NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Indiana County, PA, Westmoreland County, PA

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 84 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:54 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
Mar 23, 4:56 PM EDTHAIL 1.75Latrobe, PA
Mar 23, 4:57 PM EDTHAIL 1.25Latrobe, PA
Mar 23, 4:59 PM EDTHAIL 1Latrobe, PA
Mar 23, 5:03 PM EDTHAIL 1.75Latrobe, PA
Mar 23, 5:04 PM EDTHAIL 1.751 N Whitney, PA
Mar 23, 5:10 PM EDTHAIL 1.75Latrobe, PALAWSON HEIGHTS AREA
Mar 23, 5:14 PM EDTHAIL 1.75Latrobe, PALAWSON HEIGHTS

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
Mar 23, 1:13 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Pittsburgh, PA (KPIT), launched 12:00Z, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 71 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, Pittsburgh, PA at 12:00Z on 2011-03-23Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Pittsburgh, PA at 12:00Z on 2011-03-23The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 546 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
742 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
75 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
546 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
612 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.

736 
WFUS51 KPBZ 232054
TORPBZ
PAC063-129-232130-
/O.NEW.KPBZ.TO.W.0002.110323T2054Z-110323T2130Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
454 PM EDT WED MAR 23 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PITTSBURGH HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  CENTRAL WESTMORELAND COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA...
  EXTREME SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL
  PENNSYLVANIA...

* UNTIL 530 PM EDT

* AT 450 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 6 MILES NORTH OF
  NORVELT...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO   NEW
  ALEXANDRIA...     LATROBE...            DERRY...
  LIGONIER...           NEW FLORENCE...

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.

PLEASE REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY
CALLING TOLL FREE. 1-877-633-6772. WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN MARYLAND AND EAST CENTRAL OHIO AND SOUTHWESTERN
PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

&&

LAT...LON 4040 7905 4018 7916 4021 7955 4042 7952
TIME...MOT...LOC 2055Z 272DEG 39KT 4030 7945

$$
3 follow-up statements
162 
WWUS51 KPBZ 232104
SVSPBZ

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
504 PM EDT WED MAR 23 2011

PAC063-129-232130-
/O.CON.KPBZ.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-110323T2130Z/
WESTMORELAND PA-INDIANA PA-
504 PM EDT WED MAR 23 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM EDT FOR INDIANA
AND WESTMORELAND COUNTIES...

AT 502 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MCCANCE...MOVING
EAST AT 40 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO   NEW
  ALEXANDRIA...     LATROBE...            DERRY...
  LIGONIER...           NEW FLORENCE...

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.

PLEASE REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY
CALLING TOLL FREE. 1-877-633-6772. WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN MARYLAND AND EAST CENTRAL OHIO AND SOUTHWESTERN
PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

LAT...LON 4040 7905 4018 7916 4021 7955 4042 7952
TIME...MOT...LOC 2104Z 281DEG 80KT 4027 7924

$$
419 
WWUS51 KPBZ 232108
SVSPBZ

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
508 PM EDT WED MAR 23 2011

PAC063-129-232130-
/O.CON.KPBZ.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-110323T2130Z/
WESTMORELAND PA-INDIANA PA-
508 PM EDT WED MAR 23 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM EDT FOR INDIANA
AND WESTMORELAND COUNTIES...

AT 507 PM EDT...THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR OAK GROVE...MOVING 
EAST AT 40 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO  
  LIGONIER...           DERRY...

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.

PLEASE REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY
CALLING TOLL FREE. 1-877-633-6772. WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN MARYLAND AND EAST CENTRAL OHIO AND SOUTHWESTERN
PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

LAT...LON 4020 7937 4039 7928 4037 7906 4018 7916
TIME...MOT...LOC 2108Z 281DEG 80KT 4025 7918

$$
411 
WWUS51 KPBZ 232122
SVSPBZ

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
522 PM EDT WED MAR 23 2011

PAC063-129-232132-
/O.EXP.KPBZ.TO.W.0002.000000T0000Z-110323T2130Z/
WESTMORELAND PA-INDIANA PA-
522 PM EDT WED MAR 23 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR INDIANA AND WESTMORELAND COUNTIES EXPIRES
AT 530 PM EDT...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT WEDNESDAY EVENING
FOR WESTERN MARYLAND AND EAST CENTRAL OHIO AND SOUTHWESTERN
PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

LAT...LON 4020 7937 4039 7928 4037 7906 4018 7916
TIME...MOT...LOC 2122Z 281DEG 80KT 4019 7903

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 23, 3:16 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZBeaver59 min
Mar 23, 3:36 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZAllegheny, Beaver, Washington54 min
Mar 23, 3:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZArmstrong, Butler, Indiana, Westmoreland60 min
Mar 23, 3:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZFayette58 min
Mar 23, 4:09 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZBeaver, Butler, Lawrence66 min
Mar 23, 4:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZAllegheny, Beaver, Butler27 min
Mar 23, 4:20 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZBeaver40 min
Mar 23, 4:25 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZArmstrong, Indiana, Westmoreland65 min
Mar 23, 4:34 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZAllegheny, Indiana, Westmoreland56 min
Mar 23, 4:37 PM EDTTornado WarningPBZWestmoreland23 min
Mar 23, 4:42 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZAllegheny, Beaver, Washington63 min
Mar 23, 4:55 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZAllegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland65 min
Mar 23, 5:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZAllegheny, Fayette, Washington, Westmoreland47 min
Mar 23, 5:22 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZAllegheny, Armstrong, Indiana, Westmoreland42 min
Mar 23, 5:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZAllegheny, Fayette, Washington, Westmoreland39 min
Mar 23, 5:38 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZFayette, Greene, Washington22 min
Mar 23, 5:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZFayette59 min
Mar 23, 6:02 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPBZFayette45 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Pennsylvania, 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.