Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 11, NWS Raleigh, NC

April 16, 2011Orange County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this tornado warning at Apr 16, 2011, 2:25 PM EDT for Orange County, North Carolina. It was in force for 35 min. 1 report 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 16, 2011, 2:25 PM EDT (18:25 UTC)
Expired
Apr 16, 2011, 3:00 PM EDT
In force
35 min
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Orange County, NC

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 78 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:27 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 16, 2:40 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGCarr, NCPOWER LINES DOWN IN CARR

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 16, 12:02 PM EDTTornado Watch PDSSPC11 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 6.4 hours before the alert went out and 79 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 2011-04-16Temperature 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 12:00Z on 2011-04-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 605 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
516 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
54 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
605 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
909 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.

215 
WFUS52 KRAH 161825
TORRAH
NCC135-161900-
/O.NEW.KRAH.TO.W.0011.110416T1825Z-110416T1900Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
225 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN ORANGE COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 300 PM EDT

* AT 222 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  TORNADO 13 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CARR...OR OVER GRAHAM...MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 65 MPH. DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 58
  MPH ARE ALSO LIKELY WITH THIS STORM.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  CARR...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...VEHICLE OR
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS
AVAILABLE LIE DOWN IN A LOW LYING AREA. PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING
DEBRIS.

PLEASE REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY
CALLING...1...8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2 OR NOTIFY YOUR LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

&&

LAT...LON 3622 7895 3622 7896 3621 7898 3620 7900
      3608 7926 3624 7926 3623 7895
TIME...MOT...LOC 1826Z 235DEG 55KT 3614 7933

$$

VINCENT
3 follow-up statements
714 
WWUS52 KRAH 161832
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
232 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

NCC135-161900-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-110416T1900Z/
ORANGE NC-
232 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM EDT FOR NORTHERN
ORANGE COUNTY...

AT 227 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
CARR...OR 6 MILES NORTHEAST OF GRAHAM...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

HAZARDS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
A TORNADO.
GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL.
OTHER DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...CARR...AND OTHER AREAS IN NORTHWEST 
ORANGE COUNTY.

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING 
SITUATION. DOPPLER RADAR IS STRONGLY INDICATING A TORNADO. TAKE 
COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A STURDY 
BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...VEHICLE OR 
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS 
AVAILABLE LIE DOWN IN A LOW LYING AREA. PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING 
DEBRIS.

WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO...PLEASE CALL IN YOUR REPORTS OF PENNY OR
LARGER SIZED HAIL...AS WELL AS WIND DAMAGE...INCLUDING TREES OR LARGE
LIMBS DOWNED BY CALLING THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOLL FREE AT...
1...8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3622 7895 3622 7896 3621 7898 3620 7900
      3608 7926 3624 7926 3623 7895
TIME...MOT...LOC 1830Z 232DEG 47KT 3617 7931

$$

VINCENT
129 
WWUS52 KRAH 161841
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
241 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

NCC135-161900-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-110416T1900Z/
ORANGE NC-
241 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 PM EDT FOR NORTHERN
ORANGE COUNTY...

AT 236 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR CARR...OR NEAR
PROSPECT HILL...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 65 MPH.

HAZARDS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
A TORNADO.
QUARTER SIZED HAIL.
OTHER DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...CARR...AND OTHER AREAS ALONG THE ORANGE 
AND PERSON COUNTY BORDER.

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...VEHICLE OR
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS
AVAILABLE LIE DOWN IN A LOW LYING AREA. PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING
DEBRIS.

WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO...PLEASE CALL IN YOUR REPORTS OF PENNY OR
LARGER SIZED HAIL...AS WELL AS WIND DAMAGE...INCLUDING TREES OR LARGE
LIMBS DOWNED BY CALLING THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOLL FREE AT...
1...8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3614 7926 3624 7926 3623 7895
TIME...MOT...LOC 1841Z 239DEG 56KT 3626 7913

$$

VINCENT
898 
WWUS52 KRAH 161853
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
253 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

NCC135-161903-
/O.EXP.KRAH.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-110416T1900Z/
ORANGE NC-
253 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN ORANGE COUNTY EXPIRES AT 300 PM
EDT...

THE STORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED NORTHEAST OF NORTHERN 
ORANGE COUNTY...THEREFORE THE TORNADO WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED TO 
EXPIRE.

IF YOU OBSERVED SEVERE WEATHER INCLUDING DAMAGING WINDS OR LARGE
HAIL...PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING TOLL
FREE 1...8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2...OR NOTIFY YOUR NEAREST LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND ASK THEM TO RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE IN RALEIGH.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3614 7926 3624 7926 3623 7895
TIME...MOT...LOC 1853Z 239DEG 56KT 3636 7893

$$

VINCENT

The office that day

Everything else NWS Raleigh, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 16, 8:44 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHAnson, Davidson, Guilford, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph and 1 more61 min
Apr 16, 12:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHDavidson, Forsyth43 min
Apr 16, 12:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDavidson64 min
Apr 16, 12:43 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHDavidson47 min
Apr 16, 12:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHHarnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Richmond, Scotland60 min
Apr 16, 1:03 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHAnson, Stanly27 min
Apr 16, 1:07 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHGuilford, Randolph53 min
Apr 16, 1:08 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHHoke, Scotland37 min
Apr 16, 1:22 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAnson, Stanly53 min
Apr 16, 1:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHHarnett, Lee, Moore28 min
Apr 16, 1:39 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHRandolph21 min
Apr 16, 1:42 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHGuilford, Randolph3 hr
Apr 16, 1:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHAlamance62 min
Apr 16, 1:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHMontgomery, Moore, Richmond59 min
Apr 16, 2:02 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHAlamance18 min
Apr 16, 2:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHChatham, Guilford, Randolph55 min
Apr 16, 2:14 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHAlamance3 hr
Apr 16, 2:16 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHAlamance29 min
Apr 16, 2:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHOrange, Person58 min
Apr 16, 2:34 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHPerson22 min
Apr 16, 2:36 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHPerson24 min
Apr 16, 2:43 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHChatham, Lee, Moore47 min
Apr 16, 2:44 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHDurham, Granville, Orange, Person2 hr
Apr 16, 2:49 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHHoke, Richmond, Scotland41 min
Apr 16, 3:02 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHHoke, Scotland43 min
Apr 16, 3:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDurham, Granville, Person, Wake40 min
Apr 16, 3:06 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRAHGuilford110 min
Apr 16, 3:12 PM EDTTornado Warning EmergencyRAHChatham, Durham, Harnett, Lee, Wake48 min
Apr 16, 3:25 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHGranville, Vance50 min
Apr 16, 3:26 PM EDTTornado Warning EmergencyRAHCumberland, Hoke49 min
Apr 16, 3:38 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHCumberland, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Harnett and 11 more3 hr
Apr 16, 3:38 PM EDTTornado Warning EmergencyRAHFranklin, Nash, Wake37 min
Apr 16, 3:42 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHCumberland, Sampson48 min
Apr 16, 3:53 PM EDTTornado Warning EmergencyRAHCumberland, Harnett, Sampson37 min
Apr 16, 3:57 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHFranklin, Granville, Vance, Warren48 min
Apr 16, 3:59 PM EDTTornado Warning EmergencyRAHFranklin, Granville, Johnston, Nash, Vance, Wake46 min
Apr 16, 4:15 PM EDTTornado Warning EmergencyRAHHarnett, Johnston, Sampson45 min
Apr 16, 4:25 PM EDTTornado Warning EmergencyRAHFranklin, Halifax, Nash, Warren50 min
Apr 16, 4:29 PM EDTTornado Warning EmergencyRAHCumberland, Sampson31 min
Apr 16, 4:53 PM EDTTornado Warning EmergencyRAHJohnston, Nash, Wilson52 min
Apr 16, 4:59 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHSampson, Wayne46 min
Apr 16, 5:02 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHFranklin, Wake58 min
Apr 16, 5:12 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHHalifax18 min
Apr 16, 5:23 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHSampson41 min
Apr 16, 5:25 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHEdgecombe, Nash, Wilson30 min
Apr 16, 5:30 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHWayne14 min
Apr 16, 5:41 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHFranklin, Nash, Wilson34 min
Apr 16, 5:51 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHEdgecombe, Halifax, Nash42 min
Apr 16, 5:51 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHWayne, Wilson24 min
Apr 16, 5:58 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHWayne32 min
Apr 16, 6:08 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHSampson17 min
Apr 16, 6:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHSampson, Wayne20 min
Apr 16, 6:20 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHWayne10 min
Apr 16, 7:43 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHEdgecombe, Halifax, Sampson, Wayne, Wilson47 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 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.