Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 37, NWS Raleigh, NC

April 27, 2011Davidson County, Forsyth County, Guilford County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this tornado warning at Apr 27, 2011, 6:19 PM EDT for Davidson County, Forsyth County, Guilford County, North Carolina. It was in force for 41 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
Apr 27, 2011, 6:19 PM EDT (22:19 UTC)
Expired
Apr 27, 2011, 7:00 PM EDT
In force
41 min
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Davidson County, NC, Forsyth County, NC, Guilford County, NC

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 100 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:22 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 27, 6:33 PM EDTHAIL 0.751 Wnw Piedmont Triad Ai, NCPENNY SIZED HAIL AT PIEDMONT TRIAD AIRPORT
Apr 27, 6:35 PM EDTHAIL 0.884 Ese Colfax, NC
Apr 27, 6:35 PM EDTHAIL 15 Nw High Point, NCQUARTER SIZED HAIL NEAR KERNERSVILLE
Apr 27, 6:45 PM EDTFUNNEL CLOUD5 Ese Colfax, NCFUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED AT THE GREENSBORO AIRPORT.
Apr 27, 6:46 PM EDTFUNNEL CLOUD1 Wnw Piedmont Triad Ai, NCWALL CLOUD AND FUNNEL CLOUD NEAR PIEDMONT TRIAD AIRPORT
Apr 27, 6:54 PM EDTFUNNEL CLOUD2 Wnw Lake Townsend, NCWALL CLOUD AND FUNNEL CLOUD

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 27, 1:23 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC5 hr
Apr 27, 6:15 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 10.3 hours before the alert went out and 10 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 2011-04-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 446 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 2011-04-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 106 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
446 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-17 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
564 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
106 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
130 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
1.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

640 
WFUS52 KRAH 272219
TORRAH
NCC057-067-081-272300-
/O.NEW.KRAH.TO.W.0037.110427T2219Z-110427T2300Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
619 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHEASTERN DAVIDSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
  NORTHWESTERN GUILFORD COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
  SOUTHEASTERN FORSYTH COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 700 PM EDT.

* AT 618 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 11 MILES
  SOUTHWEST OF COLFAX...OR 6 MILES WEST OF HIGH POINT...MOVING
  NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  COLFAX...
  SUMMERFIELD...
  LAKE TOWNSEND...

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.

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.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 AM EDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3625 7994 3625 7968 3624 7966 3594 8006
      3600 8015 3626 7996
TIME...MOT...LOC 2220Z 220DEG 31KT 3600 8009

$$

WP
3 follow-up statements
039 
WWUS52 KRAH 272232
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
632 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

NCC057-272242-
/O.CAN.KRAH.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-110427T2300Z/
DAVIDSON NC-
632 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN DAVIDSON COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 AM EDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3601 7999 3606 8008 3626 7996 3625 7994
      3625 7968 3624 7966
TIME...MOT...LOC 2232Z 220DEG 31KT 3608 8001

$$

NCC067-081-272300-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-110427T2300Z/
GUILFORD NC-FORSYTH NC-
632 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM EDT FOR EASTERN
FORSYTH AND NORTHWESTERN GUILFORD COUNTIES...

AT 631 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR COLFAX...OR 6
MILES NORTH OF HIGH POINT...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
SUMMERFIELD AND LAKE TOWNSEND.

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST
DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 AM EDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3601 7999 3606 8008 3626 7996 3625 7994
      3625 7968 3624 7966
TIME...MOT...LOC 2232Z 220DEG 31KT 3608 8001

$$

WP
189 
WWUS52 KRAH 272248
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
648 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

NCC067-272258-
/O.CAN.KRAH.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-110427T2300Z/
FORSYTH NC-
648 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN FORSYTH COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 AM EDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3610 7994 3614 8000 3626 7996 3625 7994
      3625 7968 3624 7966
TIME...MOT...LOC 2248Z 219DEG 30KT 3619 7991

$$

NCC081-272300-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-110427T2300Z/
GUILFORD NC-
648 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM EDT FOR NORTHERN
GUILFORD COUNTY...

AT 643 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR SUMMERFIELD...OR 8
MILES NORTHWEST OF GREENSBORO...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL OTHERWISE REMAIN OVER MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF THE
INDICATED COUNTY..

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG AT...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 AM EDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3610 7994 3614 8000 3626 7996 3625 7994
      3625 7968 3624 7966
TIME...MOT...LOC 2248Z 219DEG 30KT 3619 7991

$$

WP
847 
WWUS52 KRAH 272258
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
658 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

NCC081-272308-
/O.EXP.KRAH.TO.W.0037.000000T0000Z-110427T2300Z/
GUILFORD NC-
658 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN GUILFORD COUNTY EXPIRES AT 700 PM
EDT...

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM INDICATING ROTATION IS EXITING THE COUNTY 
AND THE WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE AT 7 PM.

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER...PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG AT...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 AM EDT THURSDAY MORNING
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3610 7994 3614 8000 3626 7996 3625 7994
      3625 7968 3624 7966
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 219DEG 30KT 3625 7984

$$

WP

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 27, 1:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHDurham, Franklin, Granville, Vance, Wake61 min
Apr 27, 1:36 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDurham, Granville, Person, Vance, Warren54 min
Apr 27, 1:41 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDurham, Franklin, Granville, Vance, Wake, Warren64 min
Apr 27, 1:48 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDavidson, Forsyth, Guilford57 min
Apr 27, 2:01 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHEdgecombe, Halifax, Nash59 min
Apr 27, 2:12 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHEdgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Wayne, Wilson42 min
Apr 27, 5:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDavidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph62 min
Apr 27, 6:06 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDurham, Granville, Orange, Person32 min
Apr 27, 6:17 PM EDTTornado WarningRAHForsyth43 min
Apr 27, 7:06 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHGuilford39 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.