Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 11, NWS Blacksburg, VA

April 9, 2011Grayson County, Smyth County, Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Apr 9, 2011, 3:23 PM EDT for Grayson County, Smyth County, Virginia. It was in force for 22 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Apr 9, 2011, 3:23 PM EDT (19:23 UTC)
Expired
Apr 9, 2011, 3:45 PM EDT
In force
22 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Grayson County, VA, Smyth County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 99 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:24 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.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 9, 12:34 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC4 hr
Apr 9, 2:00 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 7.4 hours before the alert went out and 148 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 2011-04-09Temperature 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 2011-04-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 169 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
704 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
55 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
169 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
256 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.

147 
WFUS51 KRNK 091923
TORRNK
VAC077-173-091945-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0011.110409T1923Z-110409T1945Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
323 PM EDT SAT APR 9 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  SOUTHEASTERN SMYTH COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
  CENTRAL GRAYSON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

* UNTIL 345 PM EDT.

* AT 320 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR
  TROUTDALE...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  TROUTDALE...
  SUGAR GROVE...
  FLATRIDGE...
  COMERS ROCK...

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.

WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO...PLEASE RELAY YOUR SEVERE WEATHER REPORTS
TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING TOLL FREE AT...1...8 6
6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4.

&&

LAT...LON 3681 8128 3676 8126 3676 8123 3663 8120
      3670 8154 3678 8154
TIME...MOT...LOC 1922Z 270DEG 25KT 3675 8149

$$

DS
2 follow-up statements
383 
WWUS51 KRNK 091934
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
334 PM EDT SAT APR 9 2011

VAC077-173-091945-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-110409T1945Z/
SMYTH VA-GRAYSON VA-
334 PM EDT SAT APR 9 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
GRAYSON AND SOUTHEASTERN SMYTH COUNTIES...

AT 329 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR SUGAR 
GROVE...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. VERY STRONG ROTATION WAS NOTED WITH 
THIS STORM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  SUGAR GROVE...
  FLATRIDGE...
  COMERS ROCK...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. THIS
STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG TO VIOLENT TORNADOES. IF YOU ARE
IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO...TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY!

&&

LAT...LON 3671 8146 3679 8146 3681 8128 3676 8126
      3676 8123 3663 8120
TIME...MOT...LOC 1933Z 270DEG 25KT 3675 8139

$$

DS
087 
WWUS51 KRNK 091941
SVSRNK

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
341 PM EDT SAT APR 9 2011

VAC173-091951-
/O.CAN.KRNK.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-110409T1945Z/
SMYTH VA-
341 PM EDT SAT APR 9 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN SMYTH COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

THE STORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS EXITED THE COUNTY. 
THEREFORE...THE WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

&&

LAT...LON 3669 8138 3674 8135 3675 8126 3673 8122
      3663 8120
TIME...MOT...LOC 1941Z 277DEG 29KT 3671 8128

$$

VAC077-091945-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0011.000000T0000Z-110409T1945Z/
GRAYSON VA-
341 PM EDT SAT APR 9 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
GRAYSON COUNTY...

AT 338 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR FLATRIDGE...OR 6
MILES SOUTHEAST OF SUGAR GROVE...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  FLATRIDGE...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED
BUILDING. AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW
SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

&&

LAT...LON 3669 8138 3674 8135 3675 8126 3673 8122
      3663 8120
TIME...MOT...LOC 1941Z 277DEG 29KT 3671 8128

$$

DS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Blacksburg, VA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 8, 8:03 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKPittsylvania27 min
Apr 8, 8:29 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKPatrick31 min
Apr 8, 8:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKHenry, Patrick30 min
Apr 8, 9:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKHenry41 min
Apr 8, 9:29 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Giles31 min
Apr 8, 9:50 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKGiles, Montgomery, Pulaski, City of Radford25 min
Apr 8, 9:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Pulaski, Wythe32 min
Apr 8, 10:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland30 min
Apr 8, 10:15 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKFloyd, Montgomery, Pulaski30 min
Apr 8, 10:29 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Wythe14 min
Apr 8, 10:37 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Pulaski23 min
Apr 8, 10:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKHenry, City of Martinsville38 min
Apr 8, 10:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Patrick31 min
Apr 8, 11:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe49 min
Apr 8, 11:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKHenry36 min
Apr 9, 12:00 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Wythe30 min
Apr 9, 12:27 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Grayson, Wythe, City of Galax48 min
Apr 9, 12:56 AM EDTTornado WarningRNKCarroll, Grayson34 min
Apr 9, 2:22 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKSmyth53 min
Apr 9, 2:34 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKGrayson, Smyth41 min
Apr 9, 2:50 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Grayson, Smyth, Wythe85 min
Apr 9, 2:56 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKSmyth34 min
Apr 9, 3:18 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKBland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe57 min
Apr 9, 3:42 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKGrayson33 min
Apr 9, 3:47 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Patrick58 min
Apr 9, 4:15 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKCarroll, Floyd, Patrick, City of Galax35 min
Apr 9, 4:29 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKBland, Tazewell61 min
Apr 9, 4:58 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKGrayson, Smyth, Wythe32 min
Apr 9, 5:09 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRNKGiles, Pulaski, City of Radford66 min
Apr 9, 5:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRNKGrayson, Smyth49 min

Nearby

Tornado 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.