Alert archive / Virginia / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 13, NWS Blacksburg, VA

April 9, 2011Grayson County, Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this tornado warning at Apr 9, 2011, 3:42 PM EDT for Grayson County, Virginia. It was in force for 33 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, 3:42 PM EDT (19:42 UTC)
Expired
Apr 9, 2011, 4:15 PM EDT
In force
33 min
Issued by
NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area
Storm-based polygon

County Grayson County, VA

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 87 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:43 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, 7.7 hours before the alert went out and 131 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.

390 
WFUS51 KRNK 091942
TORRNK
VAC077-092015-
/O.NEW.KRNK.TO.W.0013.110409T1942Z-110409T2015Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

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

* UNTIL 415 PM EDT.

* AT 338 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR ELK
  CREEK...OR 8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SUGAR GROVE...MOVING EAST AT 35
  MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  ELK CREEK...
  BAYWOOD...

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.

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 3674 8131 3673 8098 3669 8094 3659 8097
      3665 8124 3669 8133
TIME...MOT...LOC 1942Z 277DEG 29KT 3671 8124

$$

DS
3 follow-up statements
418 
WWUS51 KRNK 091950
SVSRNK

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

VAC077-092015-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-110409T2015Z/
GRAYSON VA-
350 PM EDT SAT APR 9 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
GRAYSON COUNTY...

AT 347 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR ELK CREEK...OR 6
MILES NORTH OF INDEPENDENCE...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  ELK CREEK...
  BAYWOOD...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

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 3674 8123 3673 8098 3670 8095 3668 8094
      3659 8097 3667 8123
TIME...MOT...LOC 1950Z 277DEG 29KT 3670 8116

$$

DS
448 
WWUS51 KRNK 092005
SVSRNK

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

VAC077-092015-
/O.CON.KRNK.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-110409T2015Z/
GRAYSON VA-
405 PM EDT SAT APR 9 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM EDT FOR EASTERN
GRAYSON COUNTY...

AT 402 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED OVER EASTERN GRAYSON
COUNTY...OR NEAR FRIES...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...

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 3668 8111 3673 8110 3673 8098 3670 8095
      3668 8094 3662 8096
TIME...MOT...LOC 2005Z 277DEG 29KT 3668 8101

$$

DS
437 
WWUS51 KRNK 092014
SVSRNK

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

VAC077-092024-
/O.EXP.KRNK.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-110409T2015Z/
GRAYSON VA-
414 PM EDT SAT APR 9 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN GRAYSON COUNTY EXPIRES AT 415 PM
EDT...

THE STORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING IS SHOWING LESS SIGNS OF 
ROTATION AND IS EXITING THE AREA. THEREFORE...THE WARNING WILL BE 
ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. IF A TORNADO
IS SPOTTED... ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY
STRUCTURE...SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM.

LAT...LON 3668 8111 3673 8110 3673 8098 3670 8095
      3668 8094 3662 8096
TIME...MOT...LOC 2014Z 277DEG 29KT 3667 8092

$$

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, 3:23 PM EDTTornado WarningRNKGrayson, Smyth22 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.