Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 22, NWS Raleigh, NC

April 16, 20114 counties in North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this tornado warning at Apr 16, 2011, 3:57 PM EDT for 4 counties in North Carolina. It was in force for 48 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 16, 2011, 3:57 PM EDT (19:57 UTC)
Expired
Apr 16, 2011, 4:45 PM EDT
In force
48 min
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Franklin County, NC, Granville County, NC, Vance County, NC, Warren County, NC

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 89 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:59 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, 4:00 PM EDTHAIL 0.883 N Henderson, NCNICKEL HAIL IN THE SPRING VALLEY AREA... LASTED FOR 2 MINUTES
Apr 16, 4:00 PM EDTHAIL 1.75Henderson, NCGOLF BALL SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN HENDERSON.

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

Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 12:00Z, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 143 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, Roanoke, VA at 12:00Z on 2011-04-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 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, Roanoke, VA at 12:00Z on 2011-04-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 747 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
1 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
480 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
76 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
747 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
975 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.

001 
WFUS52 KRAH 161957
TORRAH
NCC069-077-181-185-162045-
/O.NEW.KRAH.TO.W.0022.110416T1957Z-110416T2045Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
357 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
  VANCE COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
  NORTHEASTERN GRANVILLE COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
  NORTHERN WARREN COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 445 PM EDT.

* AT 354 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR KITTRELL...
  OR 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF OXFORD...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

DO NOT USE YOUR CAR TO TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO. CARS ARE EASILY
TOSSED AROUND BY TORNADO WINDS. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN THE PATH OF A
TORNADO...LEAVE THE CAR AND GO TO A STRONG BUILDING. IF NO SAFE
STRUCTURE IS NEARBY...SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR LOW SPOT AND COVER
YOUR HEAD.

HEAVY RAINFALL MAY OBSCURE THIS TORNADO. TAKE COVER NOW! IF YOU WAIT
TO SEE OR HEAR IT COMING...IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE.

PLEASE RELAY SEVERE WEATHER REPORTS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
BY CALLING TOLL FREE...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4.

LAT...LON 3653 7789 3615 7848 3630 7862 3654 7847
      3655 7789
TIME...MOT...LOC 1958Z 233DEG 45KT 3629 7845

$$

AMS
2 follow-up statements
960 
WWUS52 KRAH 162020
SVSRAH

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

NCC077-181-162030-
/O.CAN.KRAH.TO.W.0022.000000T0000Z-110416T2045Z/
VANCE NC-GRANVILLE NC-
420 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN GRANVILLE AND VANCE COUNTIES
IS CANCELLED...

THE STORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT OF THE AREA...AND 
THE WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

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 3655 7789 3653 7789 3626 7830 3627 7830
      3629 7828 3653 7832 3654 7831
TIME...MOT...LOC 2020Z 231DEG 42KT 3646 7814

$$

NCC185-162045-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0022.000000T0000Z-110416T2045Z/
WARREN NC-
420 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM EDT FOR NORTHERN
WARREN COUNTY...

AT 417 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR NORLINA...OR NEAR
WARRENTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

HAZARDS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
A TORNADO.
OTHER DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 58 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THE STORM INCLUDE... MACON AND LAKE GASTON.

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.

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

LAT...LON 3655 7789 3653 7789 3626 7830 3627 7830
      3629 7828 3653 7832 3654 7831
TIME...MOT...LOC 2020Z 231DEG 42KT 3646 7814

$$

VINCENT
093 
WWUS52 KRAH 162046
SVSRAH

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

NCC185-162056-
/O.EXP.KRAH.TO.W.0022.000000T0000Z-110416T2045Z/
WARREN NC-
446 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN WARREN COUNTY EXPIRES AT 445 PM
EDT...

THE STORM WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT OF THE AREA AND 
THE 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 3655 7789 3653 7789 3626 7830 3627 7830
      3629 7828 3653 7832 3654 7831
TIME...MOT...LOC 2020Z 231DEG 42KT 3643 7811

$$

JO

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, 2:25 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHOrange35 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, 3:59 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.